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LA RESIDENCE
Domaine des Anges
A mid-winter
honeymoon.
There
could not have been a more appropriate setting for the gorgeous La
Residence than the estate of Domaine des Anges in Franschhoek. An area of
South Africa with an historic association that goes back to the 1680's and
the arrival of the French Huguenots. Today the great wine estates of the
area; Fredericksburg, L'Ormarins, Plaisir de Merle and La Provence among
others perpetuate
that heritage. Franschhoek epitomises a romantic little corner of France.
The
estate meanders through tranquil vineyards bordered with olive trees,
lemon and orange orchards and the fragrance and colour of French
lavender an
intense deep violet. The whole estate is meticulously maintained. Walks
through the vineyards have stunning views of the valley and imposing Drakenstein and Hex River
mountains.
  
When Liz
and Phil Biden and two partners, bought the estate, all that stood there
in splendid isolation was one house and the fruit packing shed. They
dreamed of converting the packing shed into their retirement home. The
humble beginning of what has become the most exquisite gem. Liz envisaged
a country house filled with all the comfort, warmth, rich colour, glorious
flowers and exquisite linens. A place, which would evoke the hospitality and
atmosphere of a superbly run country house in rural France.
From the
moment you arrive La Residence is welcoming. Len Straw and Johan de
Villiers are your charming and caring hosts who oversee every detail of
your stay and are familiar with every inch of Franschhoek.
  Johan, a talented and knowledgeable cook, both bakes delicious cakes and
makes his own preserves, bottling marmalade from the bitter sweet oranges of the
estate.
During
the harvest season visitors to La Residence can assist in grape picking,
which is great fun and rewarded by a bountiful harvest lunch!
The production of the wine is limited, a Cabernet Sauvignon 'Domaine
des Anges 2003 where heaven and earth embrace in the heart of the
Franschhoek Valley.'
Liz and
Phil worked as a team together with their builder to achieve exactly
what they felt would be appropriate. Doors had been found and collected. Many years ago Liz had seen the
wonderful sash windows open to the
ground at Alphen, remembered them and recreated similar sash windows
at La Residence, windows that let in the light and soft sun of Franschhoek
on wintry days. They have a great sense of scale and have
designed spacious rooms throughout.
 
Liz has
a penchant for collecting objects d'art and sourcing antiques on her
travels. Finding a massive mirror in Canada, which she knew would be
perfect over the huge fireplace, was just one of her impressive buys. She has
a photographic memory and is able to visualise perfectly where she needs
to place a specific object and is amazingly able to recall the
rooms in all three of her properties, Royal Malewane and Birkenhead
House, knowing instinctively where each item will belong.
  
There is a great sensitivity to colour and fabric at La
Residence. Colours are rich Chinese yellow brocade, muted rose pinks,
Wedgwood green and
heavenly blues across the spectrum. Walls are soft ochre, ivory and pale gold. In the bathrooms the orchid pink of tiger lilies mingle
with the apricot orange brocade of the French sofa.
In the master suite,
with three interleading spacious rooms, dressing rooms and a graceful
bathroom, Liz has used vivid colours, which reflect the Ralph Lauren linens on the
four-poster bed. Johan does all the flowers with great
sensitivity using sprays of peach blossom in huge clear glass vases,
wonderful fruit laden branches, freesias, kangaroo paw and fascinating
species of Protea.
  
The five
exquisite suites are an ode to comfort and meticulous
attention to detail. During the colder months all the rooms have
underfloor heating and at night become cosy sanctuaries. In summer, they
are deliciously cool with sash windows and fitted shutters. Each of the
suites is individually dressed. Below the cream and blue suite has
crisp cotton and mohair throws that blend
with the cream furnishings and flowered pale blues of the quilted
comforters. Delicately embroidered linens,
white on white. Liz has showered the blissful bathrooms with care.
 
 
| Franschhoek
Valley is a must to explore the year around. In summer La Residence
is an oasis of cool, summery colours. Blue in all its hues, from
palest lilac through to delphinium blended with creams and
white. |
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From
lunches, when Johan prepares a plethora of creative salads,
through to summer candlelit evenings, alfresco dining and viewing the stars with a glass of
champagne is on the menu. |
Breakfast
on the terrace beside the pool.
  
Step out
from your suite at La Residence and breakfast à deux beside the pool.
The table dressed in shades of blue. Each morning, an abundant sliced fruit
platter;
pineapple wedges, ripe pears, bananas, juicy granadillas and apples. Guava
and yoghurt fool fresh as a summer breeze. Have a spoonful of a Royal
Malewane speciality, roasted muesli. Johan's choice for breakfast is French
toasted baguette, light gold dipped in beaten eggs and milk served with
crisp, lean bacon and sautéed whole tomatoes in honey and
mustard.
 
During
the day after breakfast there are a host of delightful things to do and
places to visit. Len Straw can arrange a private wine tasting or visit to
the local cheese maker. Play tennis, golf or enjoy trout fishing and
horse riding through the vineyards or hot air ballooning over
Franschhoek. Later after a leisurely dinner enjoy coffee and a movie in
the privacy of the private library.
 At the
heart of La Residence is the kitchen, once a lean-to now spacious with a huge yellowwood
table that can seat up to twelve, a warm fire and a comfortable couch,
wander out through the
wide doors onto the terrace and enjoy a glorious view.
 
The homely kitchen is
frequently requested for breakfast or a light lunch. The table set in
Wedgwood green. Various settings are used to suit the time and occasion
from flowery blue at breakfast through to green cabbage pottery at lunch
and informal suppers, while the white and gold or rosy pink porcelain are
among the choices for more formal occasions.
For lunch salmon trout from Franschoek streams with mangetout, fine
haricot verts and steamed tatsoi. The sauce, with its base of wine and
strong fish stock, has a soupçon of white chocolate enriching the
sauce.
  
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Johan
de Villiers prepares the honeymoon cake, which is a triumph of
citrus butter sponge swirled with a creamy icing and topped with lilac
and deep purple tulips. |
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A
warming sherry, freshly made coffee and a slice of honeymoon cake
served in front of the fire. |
Dinner
at La Residence.
Red Winter
Salad of crisp red lettuce, baked beetroot, red pepper,
rosy red onions, apples and red wine croutons with a cranberry dressing.
Roasted Quail stuffed
with apple and onion on a bed of couscous with baked
butternut and glossy turnips. Lemon-grass
Savarin with fresh winter fruits; gooseberries, orange and passionfruit,
drizzled with yoghurt.
  
A
stay at La Residence is a joy for all seasons.
SEE
RECIPES
THE BOLD, COLOURFUL TASTES AND FLAVOURS OF
A
HONEYMOON TABLE
TRAVEL PLANS FOR
THE ULTIMATE HONEYMOON
CAN BE ARRANGED BY DRAGONFLY
AFRICA
WITH
SOUTH
AFRICAN AIRLINK
LA RESIDENCE, 2 DOMAINE DES ANGES
Dirkie Uys Street, Franschhoek, Cape, South Africa
Tel: +27 (21) 876-4100 Fax: +27 (21) 876-4822
Email: laresidence@mweb.co.za
Website: www.laresidence.co.za
Central Reservations
Tel: +27 (15) 793-0150 Email info@royalmalwane.com
Production SHOWCOOK.COM
Photography Franz
Lauinger
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