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While celebrating Independence day on July 4 may mark the pinnacle of American patriotism, what else could be more party-worthy than honoring the storming of a prison by a mob of Parisiens - otherwise known as Bastille Day.
Although we may be on the other side of the Atlantic, the D.C.-area has a plethora of fêtes and activities for celebrating tonight (or today).
Les Halles
Perhaps second to the D.C. Pride Weekend's "Drag Race," Les Halles yearly "Waiter's Race" is the traditional the starting point for many Bastille Day celebrators. Head over to Pennsylvania Ave. at 2:30 p.m. to watch your favorite waiters and waitresses navigate a one-block obstacle course while balancing beverages. Races for children (12 p.m.) and adults (1 p.m.) take place before the main event. Stick around for specials dishes such as assiette tricolore (whitefish terrine, red and blue potato salad) and coulibiac de saumon (rolled salmon pie). True French patrons will stay even longer for the night's party.
Bistrot du Coin
Dupont Circle's Bistrot du Coin is another popular spot for "revolutionary" partiers. Since the Bistrot becomes packed early in the night, call ahead and early to see if you can snag a table. Otherwise, get cozy with your neighbors as you drink, dance, and live as the French do throughout the night. Tonight's special concoction is La Piscine - an over-sized champagne on ice.
Photo by rogoyski
Central Michel Richard
What better exemplifies France than drinks that supposedly make you go insane? The James Beard award-winning Central Michel Richard has one of the best deals for the elusive beverage. $20 gets you a tasting of three absinthe drinks - normally $14 each - mixed in the traditional fountain method for flair and flavor.
L'Enfant Cafe
Skimpily dressed women, unbalanced walking, spilled drinks. Another day in Adams Morgan? Rather, the French Maid Relay Race at L'Enfant Cafe on the 18th street strip. Race at 8 p.m., $5 cover for one drink and festivities inside.
Ici Urban Bistro
If you miss the Les Halles' server race, newcomer Ici will be holding their own at 6:30 p.m. Diners and servers will face-off on the terrace in a race to stack wine glasses and cross the finish line. Those only able to handle one wine glass at a time can help themselves to free wine tastings during the event.
Et Voila
Although labeled a Belgian restaurant, Et Voila in The Palisades offers a French-themed cooking demo tonight at 6:30 p.m. Learn to make vichyssoise, potato-crusted sea bass with beurre blanc and Paris-Brest for dessert, with wine samplings for $65.
Others
Some other French restaurants, among many, featuring special menus for Bastille Day include: Cafe du Parc, Mon Ami Gabi, Bistrot Lepic, Lavendou.
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why do i feel like some of those people should be wearing bunny ears as well?
Bistrot du Coin isn't particularly authentic; they've simply mastered that french stereotype of rude, indifferent service.
Anything besides steak frites and onion soup at Les Halles, and you're better off eating your own scabs and boogers. Far more sanitary. And Tony Bourdain has NOTHING to do with this place, or the one in NYC for that matter. They really put the "die" in "diarrhea."
Bistro D'Oc and Montmartre are the ones you want.
I have to agree with Monkey. I've been there 4 times and have only enjoyed two meals...not bad you say, however, my guests NEVER liked theirs or thought it was mediocre. Try the pork loin or steak frites if you go...but not the Coq au Vin or the Blood Sausage. If you can't get CaV right, you can't realy call yourself a French restaurant.
montmartre on capitol hill is quite good, but i do not see it listed above. does anyone know whether the restaurant is doing anything special today?
"Perhaps second to the D.C. Pride Weekend's 'Drag Race,'"
Uh, the "Drag Race" is held in October. Pride weekend is in June. Silly straight people. When will you get the social events of the season correct?
Umm. The Drag Race is in the fall near Halloween, not during Pride in June.
With all these activities you could Gallic the whole town.
While I'm always up for a serious hate-fest when it comes to the service at Les Halles, I have never had trouble with the food ... sanitation wise. Indeed, I've had Steak Tartare there at least 4 times and have always walked away healthy as ever.
After that Waiter Race, all the contenstants smell French.
The French embassy event was on Saturday.
I don't know. I think the food and the company will be better at my own Bastille day party on the roof. I went to Bistrot du Coin last year, food was so-so and it was far too crowded to be fun. When they moved the tables out of the way to turn the place into a euro trash dance party, they did not play a single french song.
Well, to be fair, they don't play French songs in bistros in France either. It's usually German marshall music or Mexican rap.