• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • recipes
  • drink
  • dining out

The Delicious Life logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • recipes
  • drink
  • dining out
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • recipes
    • drink
    • dining out
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Break Out Champagne! Let's Celebrate a Jailbreak!

    July 2005 Uncategorized

    Break Out Champagne! Let's Celebrate a Jailbreak!

    arc de triomphe
    When people wish a “Happy Holiday!” I sometimes wonder if they really know what they’re celebrating. Happy Valentine’s Day! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We get a day off for Memorial Day! Do they really know the reason why it’s on the calendar? The history behind that day? What it really symbolizes, rather than just what Hallmark is trying to make us feel? How many people know that Cinco de Mayo (a huge celebration in these parts) is really a commemoration of the victory of a very small battle in the village of Puebla and not “Mexican Independence Day?” How many people know that Mardi Gras isn’t just one big debaucherous parade of beer and breasts? How many people know why we get the first Monday of September off as Labor Day? How many people know that I’m not really bitter, I’m just wondering?? Because really, I am all for any reason to take a break and celebrate ;)

    french flag
    vive le france!

    Today is Bastille Day, and I have to admit, I didn’t have any knowledge about this day other than it had something to do with France, and I have some memory of it from 10th grade Literature and History classes. In short, Bastille Day is a national holiday in France that celebrates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, a symbol of the uprising of the modern French "nation," which was held on the first anniversary of the 1789 storming of the Bastille. Because the Bastille, a prison, jailed people by arbitrary whim of the King, particularly political prisoners who simply disagreed with him, the Bastille symbolized the French absolutist monarchy. Though there were only seven prisoners who were “freed” when the French patriots seized it, the storming of the Bastille was more a symbolic act of rebellion against the monarchy and an important rallying point for the revolution ahead.

    frounsh fries
    in honor of france, "frounsh fries!"

    So Bastille Day for France is like our Independence Day here in the States, and what do we do when we celebrate modern government in July? Well, duh. We eat! We drink! And in honor of France and Bastille Day, I will have an all-French dinner – French bread, French fries, and to drink...Peru! (and if you know what I’m talking about, then you’re a star!) I know about "french-fried" potatoes, but I've always wondered about the origin of French toast :)

    But really, if there ever there was an evening to go and enjoy French food (the real kind), Bastille Day would be it, right? Unfortunately, LA just doesn’t come across as a “haute” bed of classic French cuisine (La La Land doesn’t come across as a hotbed for any cuisine except style-over-substance but that is a subject for another post). Or perhaps it’s just overwhelmed by the tremendous number of Asian-fusion restaurants here.

    Nevertheless, there are a few French restaurants scattered around this sprawling city, a few that are formal and classic French, many more that are bistro/cafe fare with lots of California influences, and a few specialties like...crepes. Thanks again, to LA-ist’s Sassy Li’l Lindsay for inspiring me on this one, though I’ve added a decidedly Westside bias. (She’s also listed some Bastille Day-specific events around town). If it’s too late now to make a reservation, then just cozy up in front of la télévision, pop in le dvd du jour (hopefully you planned your Netflix queue well enough that Amélie arrived yesterday), and feast on pain et vin (and champagne if you’re sassy like that). Me? I have to go to my parents' house so very appropriately, I’ll be eating Korean food – LOL! But I just may whip up a souffle to keep within the spirit. Vive la France! :)

    Acadie French Crepes
    213 Arizona Avenue (@ 2nd Street)

    Santa Monica, CA 90405
    310.915.0142
    www.crepescompany.com

    Bastide
    8475 Melrose Place
    Hollywood , CA
    323.651.0426

    Bistro de l’hermitage
    9727 Culver Boulevard
    Culver City, CA 90232
    310.815.8222
    http://lhermitage.home.comcast.net

    Cafe Bizou
    in the Water Garden
    2450 Colorado Avenue
    Santa Monica, CA 90404
    310.582.8203
    www.cafebizou.com

    Cezanne
    Le Merigot Hotel & Spa
    1740 Ocean Avenue
    Santa Monica, CA 90401
    310.395.9700
    www.lemerigothotel.com

    Chez Mimi
    246 26th Street (@ San Vicente)
    Santa Monica, CA 90402
    310.393.0558

    Citrine
    8360 Melrose Avenue
    West Hollywood, CA
    323.655.1690


    Four Oaks
    2181 North Beverly Glen Boulevard
    Bel Air, CA 90077
    310.470.2265
    www.fouroaksrestaurant.com

    French Market Cafe (breakfast and lunch only)
    2321 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
    Venice, CA 90291
    310.577.9775

    Gigi Brasserie
    8555 Beverly Boulevard (@ La Cienega)
    Los Angeles, CA 90048
    310.278.5444

    Lavande
    1700 Ocean Avenue
    Santa Monica, CA 90401
    310.576.3180

    L'Orangerie
    903 North La Cienega Boulevard (@ Romaine Street)
    Los Angeles, CA 90069
    310.652.9770
    www.lorangerie.com

    La Boheme
    8400 Santa Monica Boulevard
    West Hollywood, CA 90069
    323.848.2360

    La Cachette
    10506 Santa Monica Boulevard
    Century City, CA 90025
    310.470.4992
    www.lacachetterestaurant.com

    La Dijonaise
    8703 Washington Blvd
    Culver City, CA 90232
    310.287.2770
    www.ladijonaise.com

    La Poubelle
    5907 Franklin Avenue
    Los Angeles, CA 90028
    323.465.0807

    La Vie en Rose
    240 South State College Boulevard
    Brea, CA 92821
    714.529.8333
    www.lavnrose.com

    Le Marmiton
    1327 Montana Avenue
    Santa Monica, CA 90403
    310.3937716

    Lilly’s
    1031 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
    Venice, CA 90291
    310.314.0004

    Melisse
    1104 Wilshire Boulevard
    Santa Monica, CA
    310.395.0881

    Michel Richard Patisserie
    310 South Robertson Boulevard
    Los Angeles, CA 90048
    310.275.5707
    www.maisonrichard.com

    Mimosa
    8009 Beverly Boulevard

    Los Angeles, CA 90048
    323.655.8895
    www.mimosarestaurant.com

    Monsieur Marcel
    inside the Farmers Market
    6333 West 3rd Street (at Fairfax)
    Los Angeles, CA 90036
    323.939.7792

    Morels
    in The Grove shopping center
    6301 West 3rd Street (@ Fairfax Avenue)
    Los Angeles, CA 90036
    323.965.9595

    Pastis
    8112 Beverly Boulevard (@ Crescent Heights)
    Los Angeles, CA 90048
    323.655.8822

    Patina
    141 South Grand Avenue (@ 3rd Street)
    Los Angeles, CA 90012
    213.972.3331
    www.patinagroup.com


    Soleil
    1386 Westwood Boulevard

    Los Angeles, CA 90024
    310.441.5384
    www.soleilwestwood.com

    You May Also Like...

    • No Worms for the Early Birds - El Cholo
      No Worms for the Early Birds - El Cholo
    • Love, the Big Daddy Remix - Why Sarah Was Blogging instead of *ahem* on Valentine's Day, Part Last
      Love, the Big Daddy Remix - Why Sarah Was Blogging instead…
    • Happy Ending Chocolates - Two Tone with Caramel Ganache, Rum and Sea Salt
      Happy Ending Chocolates - Two Tone with Caramel Ganache, Rum…
    « Dine & Dish no. 3 - Let's Welcome the Freshmen!
    Paper Chef no. 8 Awards Ceremony - The Golden Tomatillas! »

    Sharing is caring!

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous says

      July 15, 2005 at 3:29 am

      Theres also a crepe place on Sawtelle in the same plaza as Hurry Curry and Little Hong Kong. Crepes are french, and they do have the nutella and all, but it's all staffed by japanese peeps and the customers are all asian!

      Reply
    2. Lindsay says

      July 15, 2005 at 5:49 am

      mmmm! delicious bastille day stuff! i too was at my folks' place, with champagne and some quiche (trader joe's, alas, not homemade). we tried to watch a french new wave film, but had to stop about 15 minutes in--quelle ennui! i might try to get out to that consulate general's event on sunday. we'll see...

      Reply
    3. Rebecca says

      July 15, 2005 at 3:30 pm

      Better Off Dead is awesome! " Now that be a real shame throwing away a perfectly good white boy like that" Hehe.

      Reply
    4. sarah says

      July 15, 2005 at 6:54 pm

      and to think i didn't even have a croissant for breakfast! *sigh*

      ah, becky got it! i thought i was the only one who watched that movie over and over and over...

      lol!

      Reply
    5. hermz says

      July 15, 2005 at 7:36 pm

      "Sorry your mom blew up, Ricky"

      "Doctor says she'll be okay. She just can't eat spicy food for a while."

      Reply
    6. sarah says

      July 22, 2005 at 3:19 am

      LOL, hermz!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published.

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Follow Me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

    if you shop on Amazon starting from here, TDL gets a teeny tiny affiliate commission!

    just a regular ol' ad

    Recent Posts

    frui popsicles paletas platter

    How to Serve Popsicles on a Fruit Platter

    grilled avocado lobster cobb salad board

    Lobster Cobb Salad Recipe

    quinoa tabbouleh with kale and cherries

    Quinoa Tabbouleh recipe with Kale and Cherries

    Latkes and Smoked Salmon Platter Recipe

    Copyright © 2022 · The Delicious Life