Bastille Day Bashes

Bonjour amis,

I'm back and I have plenty of new places for you to try. But, since today is the eve of Bastille Day, I wanted to let you know about a few fun French-themed events happening throughout Philadelphia today and tomorrow.

Bistrot la Minette is offering a $40 four-course menu to celebrate the storming of the Bastille starting at 11:30 a.m. through 9:30 p.m. Their simple French food is amazing, along with a lovely wine menu, this fete is sure to please all Francophiles and oenophiles.

The gorgeous restaurant that is Bistrot La Minette.

Parc is celebrating its 5th birthday on Bastille Day and their event will be a bit more lively, shall we say. Parc's event includes St. Germaine cocktails on special along with chilled seafood platters. There may not be a better place to sit in the summer, eat a baguette, drink French wine, and people watch. I dare say, I'll be here at some point tomorrow if only to hear the French-music-playing accordion player. (I wonder, if they hired the same accordion player who is often spotted at 2nd and Market in my neighborhood?)

The view from 18th Street, at a bistro table facing Rittenhouse, at Parc. 

Fairmount's Bastille Day Celebrations have already begun but the big events are Saturday and Sunday. London Grill and its sister restaurant Paris Wine Bar are having a party. Even Eastern State Penitentiary gets involved in this party acting as the Bastille. The block party is today and Fairmount Ave is closed where event goers can hear Marie Antoinette cry "let them eat Tastykake" and catch one of the 3,000 Tastykakes that are thrown into the crowd. The cabaret begins at 5:30 but there are after parties planned throughout the Art Museum area as well.

For those in South Philadelphia, Devil's Den is offering French-inspired brunch menu items.

Caribou Cafe on Walnut is offering $3 Kronenbourg 1664 all day and hosting a Lillet wine party in the afternoon.

And of course, you can't go wrong by having a crepe and a mimosa at Beau Monde.

I want to wish everyone a happy Bastille Day, and if I see you, I will toast you with my St. Germaine cocktail because everyone is French on July 14.

xoxo
Your friend,
Caroline