A French tasting menu by Frédéric Larquemin at the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem

For two weeks only, from March 3 through 16, 2019, a special four course dinner made by chef Frédéric Larquemin and chef Itzik Mizrahi Barak will be offered at the Palace Restaurants for a fixed price of NIS 285 excluding wines. Chef Frédéric Larquemin is the executive chef at Gordon Ramsy’s restaurants at the Waldorf Astoria Trianon Versailles. Matching wines from the Israeli Carmel Winery will be offered to the diners for a special price of NIS 39.

The special dinner is result of a joint pair of two culinary talents, Chefs Frédéric and Itzik Mizrahi Barak, who together bring the taste of French cooking to the Kosher Israeli taste.  Frédéric Larquemin is the executive chef at Waldorf Astoria Trianon Palace Versailles who works together with Chef Gordon Ramsay at the Michelin-starred restaurant “Gordon Ramsay au Trianon” and “La Véranda by Gordon Ramsay”. Chef Larquemin has a wealth of Michelin-starred experience. Chef Itzik Mizrachi Barak is the executive chef at Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem. He is considered one of Israel’s leading kosher cooking chef, with a vast culinary experience in Israel and worldwide. Larquemin’s French expertise and Michelin experience together with Barak’s knowledge of the Israeli and Jewish taste combined with his familiarity with kosher cooking and the local ingredients has made these dinners a unique opportunity for an extraordinary gastronomic experience.

The Menu

The full four-course kosher menu dinner with designated wines includes baguette and spreads, the velouté, and a choice of one starter, one main course, and one dessert.

Here’s the full menu:

Butternut squash velouté with wild mushrooms and roasted pumpkin seeds

Starters

Salmon ballotine accompanied by fresh herb cream, capers and lemon zest

Roasted sea bass fillet alongside celeriac confit and broccoli florets in a red wine jus

Main Courses

Roasted lamb ribs served with ratte potato cream and root vegetables with star anise aroma, in a red wine jus

Chicken stuffed with chicken liver, spinach and watercress mousse, accompanied by an apple crust and celery

Lentils casserole with lemon glazed vegetables (vegan)

Desserts

Citrus tart with lemon cream and grapefruit marmalade

Chocolate and pecan delight with yuzu cream and exotic sorbet

Recommended wines by the glass (NIS 39):

Starters: Chardonnay, Admon vineyard, Carmel Winery

Lamb: Shiraz, Kayoumi vineyard, Carmel Winery

Chicken or Lentils: Merlot, Sha’al vineyard, Carmel Winery

Dessert: Gewurztraminer, Sha’al vineyard, Carmel Winery

Tasting Impression

Having tasted a number of dishes from the menu, it is indeed extraordinary. First, the presentation is spectacular and every plate is a piece of art. Second, the richness of the tastes, the perfect making of each ingredient, and the wealth of herbs was splendid. I found it worth mentioning the extensive use of vegetables, especially the brittle root vegetables. Desserts were an admirable showcase ability of elite Parve patisserie. Finally, service is immaculate. To add to this, the wine recommendations are very good – the ones we tasted were round and suited the food well!

For more photographs see French Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem.

The video of the event.

The Special French Dinner will be served from March 3 through 16, 2019, between 18:30-22:30. Reservations: 02-542-3333.

The writer was a guest of Waldorf Astoria.