Drive Down To Juhu To Eat The Way The French Do

Just drop in at The Aperitif A La Francaise 2009 to discover the delights of French cuisine and wine. What's On tells you what to watch out for at the culture-culinary fest

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An Aperitif is a drink that's usually served to stimulate the appetite before a meal. And that's what the Aperitif A La Francaise aims to do whet the world's appetite for all that's French.

Making sure everyone gets a taste of fine French food and beverages is the main objective of this festival organised by France-based marketing consulting group Sopexa and supported by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
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This year's theme, A Taste of Cinema, is a fitting tribute to the role of French wine, food and destinations in reel-life classics. Don't know where to start? Here's a guide to four must-not-misses.
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Taste a variety of cheese

La Fromagerie Fresh Foods will lay out a cheese platter that will be the envy of any cheese connoisseur. Daniel Dubosclard, the owner, adds a personal touch by cutting the cheese himself before presenting it to the patrons. Some cheeses available:
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>Brie: A soft cow's cheese, Brie is named after the historic French region where it originated. It has a creamy texture and goes well with red wine.
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>Cantal: It's a semi-hard cheese that ages for several months and has a strong, tangy buttery taste. A well-ripened Cantal has a vigorous taste, while a young cheese has the sweetness of raw milk.
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Sip on champagne

To showcase its Canard-Duchu00eane Champagne and add a touch of old world elegance, FineWinesnMore will prepare a 150-glass champagne fountain. This requires not just a steady hand but lots of skill.

Pernod Richard's barman will stir up delicious cocktails and give guests a taste of the refreshing Ricard pastis to chase away the summer heat.

Ricard, an anise-flavoured liqueur, is the drink of choice especially in the south of France, and is had with chilled water.

Schott Zwiesel provides the wine and champagne glasses for the evening, ensuring that guests double their pleasure exquisite wine in exquisite glassware.
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Nibble on Foie Gras

Foie Gras, one of France's best-loved delicacies, also finds its way to the Aperitif menu.

Its subtle yet rich flavour will leave you wantingu00a0 for more. Don't leave without trying the Saucisson, a dried sausage that's popular finger-food.
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Saucisson usually contains pork, cured with a mixture of salt, wine and/or spirits.
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Take a moonlight ride by the beach

Enjoy the smoothest ride in Mahindra Renault's Logan and escape for a moment of intimacy. Guests can enjoy a quiet drive along the beach.

If you have your heart set on travelling to France, opt for travel packages byu00a0 Maison de la France (MDLF), the French Tourism board and its partners Club Med, Cox & Kings and Kuoni.
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At: Champagne Ballroom, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Hotel, Juhu. Call: 9999862149. From 8 pm to 11 pm. Entry is free.

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