Gourmet Guide to New Caledonia
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__________ ______ BGourmet Guideon to New Caledonia A étit 2 Bon Appétit! Bon Appétit! 3 As well as a fantastic gourmet experience, New Caledonia also has so much to offer tourists, especially the cosmopolitan capital Nouméa. Bienvenue en Nouvelle-Caledonie Contents..................................................... The spectacular Tjibaou Cultural Centre features Jean-Pierre Cuenet - Président du Introduction to dining in New Caledonia................2 a stunning design created by the famous Pritzker Jean-Pierre Cuenet – President of the Syndicat des Restaurateurs Prize winning architect Renzo Piano, who Restaurant Association Welcome to New Caledonia brilliantly merged Kanak design with modern Welcome to the Paris end of the South Pacific.......2 New Caledonia is a bountiful archipelago. The a fusion of cuisines on the one hand, and a New Caledonian cuisine. architecture. It is the cultural reference point for An introduction to the New Caledonia surrounding lagoon and ocean teem with fish preserving of authentic traditions on the other, From fine dining to popular brasserie- the entire South Pacific and offers the visitor a Gourmet Experience by Gabriel Gaté and seafood, and the astonishingly fertile soil and the talented local chefs have been able style eating, from the alfresco experience unique collection of contemporary art from the Dining with a Difference.............................................5 of the islands produces a huge variety of exotic to take advantage of their unique situation. of a seaside terrace to a small family-run region … and it’s only 10 minutes from the centre A look at some of Nouméa’s more interesting fruits and superb vegetables. In Nouméa itself, further inland and on the place in the bush, New Caledonia offers restaurants It’s a unique melting pot of shared culinary other islands, food lovers will not only find a the traveller a warm welcome. Visitors of the city. traditions – a mix of Pacific, European and large number of authentic restaurants where can choose between a type of cuisine they Chef Didier Broux – 360 Degrees...............................6 Tuna Steak with a Spice Crust and Sweet and Asian influences, creating an array of original they will be able to savour French, Chinese, already know or venture out to discover The Aquarium des Lagons has recently re-opened Sour Broth– Lemon and Vanilla Shortbread New Caledonian cuisine. Vietnamese, Italian and Indonesian cuisine, exciting and unusual flavours. ‘Bon Appétit’ and is a true world-class facility. Discover the with Blackcurrant Sorbet Today this richness is characterised by but they will also discover the unique local and welcome to New Caledonia. magnificent water world of New Caldeonia, Chef Fabrice Louyot – La Coupole...........................7 including some of the hidden treasures from the Crab Cannelloni with Soy Sauce and Basil – world’s largest lagoon and the mysterious Nautilus Fine Banana Tart with Almond Cream – a living fossil from the deep. Restaurant – 1881........................................................8 Seasonal Vegetable Millefeuille with Stuffed The popular “Place des Cocotiers” is an attractive Prawns – Duck Fillets with Figs & Sweet Potato Rolls gardened square in the centre of the city of Restaurant – Le Roof..................................................9 Nouméa and shaded by magnificent flame trees. Croustillant Prawn Rolls with Basil and Mango Sauce – Mahi-Mahi Steak with Foie Gras Surrounding this are numerous streets full of interesting shops. A brief guide to French food and wine..................10 To get the most out of your French gourmet experience in New Caledonia , here is a simple Discover the market, by the Baie de la Moselle, guide to the food and wine regions of France which is open every day (except the third Monday … and why some reds are chilled of every month), where you can taste local fruits Meet the Cheese Masters........................................11 and vegetables, buy fresh fish, as well as arts and The award-winning Poulard family come to Nouméa – discover their secrets crafts (see page 16). Gabriel’s Gourmet Trail of Nouméa........................13 The Territorial Museum houses some superb We visit Nouméa’s main dining precincts examples of Melanesian architecture, and features A Master Chocolatier...............................................14 an excellent collection of utensils and artifacts Meet Patrick Morand – a chocolatier par excellence from all over the Pacific. The City of Nouméa Museum, housed in a building dating back to A Foie Gras Connoisseur..........................................14 1864, retraces the history of the city and the Meet Gerald Ittah who adds a tropical touch with unusual fruits and spices country from 1854 to 1954. Or visit the interesting Welcome to the Paris end of the South Pacific! Bernheim Library or Maritime Museum. A fantastic shopping experience...........................16 Bonjour, Messieurs et Mesdames! and are now sharing their One beer is obviously very popular. It is so easy to shop for your own food. A guide to markets and supermarkets. knowledge with younger chefs. If you are picnicking in Nouméa or Another great bonus is the top quality of The “Parc Forestier” nature reserve offers both Welcome to New Caledonia, the Paris We have also featured preparing a meal in your apartment, Nouméa’s drinking water, and there is a Do-it-yourself gourmet dining.................................17 end of the South Pacific. And welcome some of these fine chefs in I urge you to visit the closest supermarket, local mineral water called Mont Dore. botanical and zoological treats. Especially worth The shopping experience also makes it easy to also to the first edition of ‘Bon Appétit’, this edition of ‘Bon Appétit’. as the fresh food section of French viewing is the Cagou – New Caledonia’s flightless prepare your own meals, or a delicious picnic a gourmet guide to New Caledonia. supermarkets is quite astounding. You’ll Most importantly, this guide provides national symbol bird, plus parrots, bats and deer. During your stay make find many easy meal ideas, as well as a list of recommended restaurants put The finest Tropical and Melanesian Flavours.........18 It is a real pleasure and honour to be the sure you try some of these exquisite wonderful French cheeses, smallgoods, together by our team. Some are French New Caledonia is home to some of the finest Gourmet Ambassador in Australia for restaurants and savour the best of the such as French pâtes, terrines regional restaurants, some are places for One of the best views of the city of Nouméa, and and freshest ingredients – discover the oyster and New Caledonia – one of the most French Pacific experience. and foie gras, excellent a quick meal, and some are top class, prawn farms, the coffee preferred by the beautiful island groups in the world and a pre-prepared French meals modern restaurants. the Pacific Ocean, can be seen high on the hill French President, and much more special place to enjoy a gourmet holiday. When I first visited Nouméa 15 years ago, and salads, and great value from St Joseph’s beautiful gothic cathedral, which I went straight to the market to discover French wines. I’m amazed at the number of good was built by convicts in 1887. Gourmet Calendar.................................................. 19 Oui, New Caledonia is tropical France, what the locals were cooking and was eateries and I consider New Caledonia to There’s something interesting happening in and naturellement, French is the spoken not disappointed. Today, the colourful On the way back from the be the most exciting gourmet destination New Caledonia every month of the year language and French food is the food stalls, managed for the most part by supermarket, don’t forget to of the Pacific region. I have no doubt Explore downtown, do the shops and check out Getting around is so easy....................................... 20 dominant gourmet cuisine of the islands, Melanesian, Vietnamese and Indonesian pick up a baguette in one of the many you will also discover great eating places the wide variety of European products available, which also offer many other types of locals, display a huge variety of fresh boulangeries dotted round the suburbs. that we have not listed, and I would really A look at tour, taxi and public transport options international cuisine. tropical fruits and superb vegetables, love to hear about your own gourmet have lunch in an outdoor café and watch the sights, sounds and people as they pass by. Or enjoy Taste of France Tour..................................................20 as well as fish, seafood (local prawns Nouméa also offers many specialised discoveries in New Caledonia. Please Here is an interesting way to sample some of You will find wonderful and oysters), and a good gourmet stores, including butchers email me at: [email protected] a Nouméa historic site tour with the Guide du the Food and dining experiences French breads, cheeses, delicatessen and takeaway selling good meat and prepared meals, Patrimoine association. wines, pâtisseries, pâtes section. And it’s a great place chocolate shops, cake shops where you’ll Enjoy your stay and bathe The superb ‘Le Superb’ Guided Gourmet Tour..... 21 and, of course, excellent to enjoy a delicious French- find wonderful croissants, take-away in the wonderful hospitality A very special way to discover the Gourmet French restaurants. style breakfast. However shops and specialised liquor stores. of New Caledonia. The beaches at