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Story and photo by Suzanne Nielsen and reprinted with permission of the
Daily Herald.
October 2, 2009
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Wine connoisseur Lyliane updates the offering board. |
Lyliane and Michel Job are modest about this year's unprecedented eighth recognition from the most prestigious wine magazine, Wine Spectator.
Lyliane said that they first learned of the award in April, but had to wait until the magazine published the news in its issue at the end of August. The embossed award will join the others on the walls of the restaurant in Lower Hell's Gate.
A French-born American, Lyliane's wine expertise, the completeness of the Gate House cellar, and its complementary menu prepared by husband Michel are what impress Wine Spectator. The monthly magazine is an international wine connoisseur magazine, which presents annual awards to restaurants with outstanding wine representation. The Gate House is the only restaurant on Saba to have received this recognition and more that one million people will read about the island's extraordinary restaurant.
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The Jobs are waiting at the top of the stairs to welcome guests to the restaurant. |
During this summer's closure, the couple returned to Europe. When enjoyment of the finer things of life is apparent, it is not surprising that the Jobs got a personal invitation to visit the wine cellars of a well-known Viennese restaurant at the Coburg Palace, where they were dining. Lyliane said that high-tech entry into the six underground cellars was by thumbprint ID of their sommelier guide. One cave was dedicated only to Dom Pérignon's Moët & Chandon Champagne, another only to French wines, including Château Pétrus (one of the most expensive wines in the world) in mathusalem (6 litre) bottles, but the most impressive - and behind glass - was the area devoted to an array of four centuries of the superior Château d'Yquem (a sweet sauterne). Some of these historic and expensive wines can be tasted at special wine tasting events, with admission to these costing several hundred dollars.
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The expansive Gate House property includes three buildings, spanning both sides of the road. The restaurant is in the building on the left. |
The Gate House cellar is naturally more modest, "sans prétentions" as Lyliane says in her lilting French accent. Still, the wine list is an incredible eight pages and the Gate House is always willing to do wine tastings on request. Lyliane said that today's tougher economic times have influenced the Gate House's cellar. She has retailed the depth of the offering, but not replaced high-end inventory to her usual degree. She has also not raised prices, even with disadvantageous dollar-to-euro rates. She said this was not lost on customers: "We made many people happy," she smiled. Lyliane added that eventually prices would go up, but not just yet.
The Gate House still offers high-end choices, including a 1990 Mouton-Rothschild at $1,500. She noted that someone had questioned her about carrying such expensive inventory, and she just responded, with a suggestive twinkle, "You would be surprised."
Lyliane said in general the level of restaurant cuisine has gone up on Saba, probably due to increased competition, she surmises. And good food always deserves a refined choice in the accompanying wine-both available at The Gate House!
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