Rue Montorgueil, Paris, Festival of 30 June 1878
Claude Monet
Bastille Day offers many delicious ways to celebrate our shared heritage of freedom and frites with the French. Sadly, the traditional waiters’ race on Pennsylvania Avenue NW won’t be held this year, since its organizer, Les Halles, closed. However, there will be a mini-version at Ici – see below for details.
Alliance Française: This egalitarian celebration on July 10 at the Alliance's DC headquarters (2142 Wyoming Ave. NW) pairs Gallic crêpes, cheese and champagne with an American funk band and, later, a DJ spinning more traditional French tunes (7–10 PM; $45 general admission, $30 for members; reservations required, call 202-234-7911 or click here).
Bastille: This Old Town bastion of le tout français will further Franco-American relations with a $35 three-course prix fixe served from July 3–14 (except Sundays). Playing off both countries’ cuisines, the menu includes the likes of calamari and shrimp beignets, Amish chicken tajine with seasonal vegetables, harissa and couscous, and grilled lamb chops with merguez sausage. The regular menu will also be on hand (703-519-3776; reserve online).
Café du Parc: Live accordion music, grilled specialties like Toulouse sausages, crêpes and ice-cream stations will highlight the outdoor party atmosphere on Pennsylvania Avenue’s stretch of the Champs-Elysées at lunch (noon–2 PM) and dinner (6–9 PM) on July 14 (dishes priced à la carte; 202-942-7000; reserve online).
Central Michel Richard: Central says “let them eat gougeres” – as well as frogs' legs, snails and steak frites. Its signature cheesy tidbit will be free for guests who dine either on a three-course prix fixe featuring those Gallic stalwarts ($55, with $17 wine pairing) or the à la carte menu.
Fontaine Caffe & Creperie: On July 11 and 12, savory and sweet crêpes will be dispensed from a traditional street cart at this Old Town cafe. It will also be offering a two-course prix fixe cider-and-crêpe pairing menu through the 18th ($15.95 at lunch, $19.95 at dinner; 703-535-8151).
French Embassy: C’est Paris on July 11, when the elegant French embassy hosts an evening of food, drink and fun, as well as music and dancing throughout the evening (7 PM–midnight; $85 per person; click here for more information).
Ici: Sophisticates can mingle at this chic bistro’s outdoor patio and bar party on July 14, featuring free wine tastings and canapés (7–9 PM) as well as purchased drinks and hors d’oeuvres, while bigger appetites can indulge in a three-course prix fixe in the dining room for $35 per person. As a bonus, Ici will host a servers’ race, inviting participants (diners as well as waitpersons) to balance wine glasses on a tray while navigating a course on its terrace (202-730-8700; reserve online).