In Mauritius, listening to Indian phrases and eating Indian food are typical etymologies. Although the island is drawn to French culture, its influence is more prominent in India than in Africa. Undoubtedly, this is also reflected in the food culture of Mauritius. While I have to agree that Dholl Puri surprised me with its Indian flavours, lunch at the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel in Mauritius captured my heart. There is always something special going on in Labourdonnais, or maybe the vibe is a welcome change from the Indian context.
The hotel’s lobby sets the tone for a sumptuous lunch. Adornments next to the entrance include handwritten testimonials from Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher and Desmond Tutu, as well as chef outfits signed by several famous chefs. Indian celebrity Karthik Aryan was found on the premises. A gorgeous chandelier suspended above the grey velvet sofa and white seats welcomes you into true Mauritian splendor.
After passing through the huge floor-to-ceiling doors on the right, you’ll find yourself in the open-air Post Box lounge bar, with some of the best views in Mauritius. Regarding the main course, some international appetizers are on tour. There are french fries burgers, tapenade croutons, and even a variety of buns, typical traditional French vibe. As for the main course and dessert, I counted on the waiter to let him bring me whatever he ordered from the menu himself and he did not disappoint.
Of course, he just asked me one question: “Are you vegetarian?” “Except that,” I replied.
But before I got the food to mark Labourdonnais’ 25th anniversary, I got an impressive cocktail. The waiter deftly uncovered the can, and as he lifted the glass crochet hook, fragrant smoke drifted across the table, revealing the most beautiful cocktail I’ve ever seen. As the name suggests, Post Box 96 is a luxurious drink created for the hotel’s centennial celebration. It is also reasonably priced at 500 Mauritian rupees.
Post Box 96 is a blend of gin, citron juice, star ouzo, Dans du brandy, thyme and blackcurrant clarifiers, Jus D’ananas and Blanc D’oeuf, the perfect tropical I highly recommend to everyone drinks. It comes in a cork-stopped mason jar with a thyme stick in the center and an edible violet flower at the bottom. The architecture of the Umbrella Square dominates the waterfront backdrop with its stunning architecture, which begs the question of the connection to Russia. The yachts in the port are reminiscent of tropical resorts in rich countries.
The waiter brought me the Plats de Resistance main course, which consisted of grilled calamari, garlic and bell pepper butter, served with rice and sliced green bananas. The calamari was huge and the chunks of fish were grilled to perfection. I believe that the alchemy of garlic and bell pepper butter makes this dish so delightful to slip through your mouth. It’s also light on the stomach, which makes it an ideal main course for the Mauritian climate. The choice of waiters shows Mauritians’ passion for seafood.
The staff chose Japanese pancakes for my dessert. This is the fun part of letting the waiter choose your food: they serve you dishes based on assumptions about you. Although their meal presentations allow me to rate them based on the food they like. For example, berries are a very popular element in Mauritius. My dessert came with a scoop or two of berries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The trick is to consume it completely. Grab a small slice of pancake, some berries, and a small dollop of ice cream on your fork; together, it’s an explosion of flavors.
Mauritius is known for its sweets and wild food, and I had some on my plate today at the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel. Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel is widely regarded as the most exclusive address in Port Louis. This 5 star business hotel in Mauritius has undergone a major refurbishment with a new look. But the hotel’s world-class multicultural cuisine makes it a landmark.
