Provence On A Plate

The Raffles Hotel Makati introduces Mirèio’s new Chef de Cuisine, Hervé Clair, a Provençe native and student of the acclaimed Alain Ducasse

- Chino R. Hernandez

The Raffle Makati’s brasserie Mirèio has a reputation for being one of the top places in Manila for authentic French cuisine. Inspired by the countryside region of Provence, the dining experience begins upon entering the doors of the eatery located on the ninth floor of the five-star hotel. On the walls are commissioned artworks, inspired by a poem written by Provence’s favorite son, Nobel Prize winner Fredric Minstral. He tells the tale of Mirèio, a farmer’s daughter passionately in love with a penniless basket weaver named Vincent. As the young girl’s father disapproves of her feelings for the poor man, she travels from Provence to the coasts of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, visiting all the patron saints and praying for her parent’s approval. During her journey, she unfortunately falls ill and tragically dies in the arms of Vincent. Each wall in the restaurant symbolizes