“Le 14 juillet 1790 est le plus beau jour de l’histoire de France, et peut-être de toute l’histoire. C’est en ce jour qu’a été enfin accomplie l’unité nationale, préparée par les efforts de tant de générations et de tant de grands hommes, auxquels la postérité garde un souvenir reconnaissant. Fédération, ce jour-là, a signifié unité volontaire.”
Understand that? Nope, neither did we. So we’ve made it simple for you. Here are the five best places to get your French on this Bastille Day (14th July) weekend.
The Butler
Potts Point hot-spot The Butler, with its French colonial food and cocktail influences will be a fun place to spend Bastille Day. Position yourself on the large outdoor garden terrace providing panoramic views of the city, or in the restaurant interior with subtle botanical and colonial French themes. Sip on $16 glasses of Mumm Champagne or the ‘Air France’ cocktail (we say ‘oui’), made with G’Vine Gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon, pomegranate, ginger and egg white. Dine on French-inspired specials such as the pork belly casoulet, duck confit, white beans and kale, and finish off with a delicate apple tarte tatin with vanilla bean ice-cream.
123 Victoria Street, Potts Point, 02 8354 0742
Yellow
Yellow, inspired by the bistronomy movement that liberated Paris and parts of Europe, will be presenting a French-inspired 5-course menu for $75 per person on Bastille Day. For an extra $65, you can enjoy a flight of French wines, matched by Gourmet Traveller’s Sommelier of the Year Nick Hildebrandt.
57 Macleay St, Potts Point, 02 9332 2344
Ananas
The Brasserie is open on Tuesday 14 July for a lavish seven-course degustation offering, masterfully designed by Chef de Cuisine Neil Martin, and matched with the finest French beverages by Head Sommelier, Gustavo Kroneis. French classics are featured, from Parisian mini onion soup, to escargot from Burgundy. The grand Bastille dinner is $180 per person, with numbers limited and bookings essential.
18 Argyle St, The Rocks, 02 9259 5668
Guillaume
Guillaume Brahimi’s restaurant Guillaume in Paddington is the ultimate experience for Bastille Day 2015. Guillaume’s elegant French-influenced menu with one of Sydney’s best wine lists will guarantee a night to savour, sans flapping French flags – it’s business as usual for Monsieur Brahimi.
92 Hargrave St, Paddington, 02 9302 5222
Claire’s Kitchen
This Oxford Street stalwart nods to rustic French cuisine for Bastille Day. Their four-course degustation menu features potage dubarry, faux foie gras macaron, game terrine, seafood gratin sauce thermidor, beef bourguignon Pithiviers and carrot mousseline. For dessert, an assiette gourmande au chocolate is on offer, along with accordion music and can-can dancers.
35 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, 9283 1891
Vine
Vine are hosting a pre-Bastille Day menu on Sunday the 12th for lunch. Two menus will be served – a three course menu for 1-4 people at $40 per person and a four course menu for 4+ people at $75 per person. Dishes include reinvented classics, such as crème brûlée, with pistachio ice cream, preserved cherries, garnished with edible flowers. For lovers of French wine and spirits who are looking to graze, a ‘French assiette’ (French grazing platter) will be on offer. This will compliment the French wines and cocktails available, and will feature French cheese, charcuterie, and some of Vine’s French inspired bites for $30.
2 Short St, Double Bay, 02 9363 0010
The BBR French World Festival
If you’re looking for a sampling of French culture, check out the bleu blanc rouge French festival. The vibrant outdoor festival is unique, offering a fitting salute to France’s National Day – Le Quatorze Juillet (Bastille Day) – providing live concerts, delicious French food, cooking master-classes, exciting entertainment, authentic cabaret, and foreign film screenings all inspired by the French style and spirit.
Customs House Foreshore, Circular Quay 10th – 12 July 2015, Open 7am to 11pm