Weekend in Paris and Cape Town
Weekend in Paris and Cape Town
Weekend in Paris and Cape Town
via Air France and Emirates First Class
April 2023
Dinner tonight is at spectacular La Colombe just outside of Cape Town. Although ranked “only” #56 in the world, La Colombe is worthy of a much higher ranking. Amazing food, presentation and flawless service with sensational wine pairing. Again, insanely inexpensive, with dinner tasting menu priced at just US$96. Simply mind blowing.
Truffled pea.
Sweet Potato Bread...
Liver Parfait, Red Onion, Port Venison, Sesame, Hoisin.
Tuna "La Colombe".
Smoked Tomato, Aubergine, Pine Nut,
Alaskan King Crab, Yellowtail, Buckwheat.
Quail, Tiger Prawn, Miso.
CItrus.
Dry Aged Duck...
...with Parsnip, Licorice, Horseradish.
Cheese and Honey.
Jerusalem Artichoke, Jivara, Hazelnut.
Eclair.
What an amazing meal.
And my Instagram video of a fabulous dinner at La Colombe.
Getaway lunch today is at yet another amazing Cape Town restaurant… Salsify at the Roundhouse. I can’t recall a better 24 hours of fine dining anywhere in the world. Gorgeous setting in the hills overlooking Camps Bay. Salsify is on the World’s 50 Best Discovery list and bound to rapidly climb the rankings. Wonderful food, creative presentation and flawless service with the best wine pairing of the trip. Again, insanely inexpensive, with our tasting menu just US$93 and the “gem series” wine pairing priced at just US$104. Simply wow!!
"Kitchen Gifts"
West Coast Abalone
Smoked Springbok
Love the Zalto glasses.
Coal Fired Langoustine with Parmesan & Chive and Truffles. WOW!
Pan Roasted Linefish with Lime Leaf and Textures of Rice
"The Ugly Bits of Lamb". LOL. Yummy.
Slow Cooked Duck Breast.
Tea & Rusk
Hazelnut & Bitter Chocolate Tart, Tonka Bean Marshmallow, 10 year old Whisky Ice Cream
What an amazing meal with a wonderful view of Camps Bay
My Instagram video of our great lunch at Salsify at the Roundhouse.
From Salsify, it was a short 30 minute drive to the airport and our Emirates marathon to Houston, starting with a 9 hour flight to Dubai where there was just one other passenger in First Class. Excellent service, food and more superb wines. And 5 hours of sleep.
The Emirates Lounge
Cape Town CPT to Dubai DXB
Emirates EK 771
777-300ER
6:25p-5:45a +1
April 25, 2023
Departed 3/8
And the familiar excellent wine list from yesterday.
Our wonderful Emirates First Class escort whisked up to the front of the security queue and to the First Class Lounge.
Where we sampled some excellent Bordeaux wines... at 6am. LOL.
After a shower and a few phones calls, we eat in the massive fine dining room. Waguy filet.
Mouthwatering good.
And Instagram video of our Emirates First Class flight from Cape Town to Dubai.
And video of the Emirates First Class Lounge.
Emirates’ A380 Dubai-Houston flight is one of the longest nonstops in the world… at 8,576 miles and 16 hours. Fortunately, I went to sleep right after take-off and woke almost 8 hours later and only 8 hours to go. Today was the usual excellent Emirates service with great food and wine, although I’m always more restrained on the way home. LOL
OK, that's a long, long way.
Hit me over the head with it, thank you.
Pre-departure DP before going to sleep.
After 8 hours of sleep, ready to go for the last 8 hours of the flight.
Today's menu...
And wine list.
Nice views over Greenland.
Showtime!
Very nice.
Lovely heirloom tomato salad.
And fabulous Lobster Tandoori.
Wow on the Blueberry Brownie.
As lovely as ever.
A little later, live TV of the big ManCity-Arsenal match.
And 2nd meal about 90 minutes out of IAH.
Another wonderful Emirates flight and the capper on an amazing 40 hours of Emirates First Class.
And my Instagram video of our 16 hour Emirates First Class flight to Houston.
From Emirates First Class to United! LOL. Talk about a downgrade. And what a dump IAH is, but I'm happy to be on the last leg of a 30,000 mile week. Even if it is United with their “worst in the US” boarding where seemingly 1/2 the plane is Group 1 and that’s after the pre-boards.
The C United Club because my initial gate was a C gate. Still sporting 30+ year old Continental decor.
Looks just like the CLE Continental United Club.
Totally appropriate view for the dump that is IAH.
Houston IAH to Denver DEN
United UA 1970
757-300
7:48p-9:25p
April 25, 2023
United with the worst First Class boading in the country... with 1/2 the plane in Group 1.
And that's after the laundry list of "pre-boards"
No idea, maybe a United catering casualty.
Happy to be back home after an crazy 5+ day 30,000 mile odyssey.
Thanks for following along.
My Instagram video of my United experience at IAH and United First Class to Denver.
