Oui Shall Celebrate Bastille Day in Dallas!

Pas besoin d’être français pour fêter la France. Les restaurants de Dallas proposent de nombreuses options amusantes pour célébrer le 14 juillet.

Here are a few top picks for celebrating Bastille Day, the French National Celebration. 

Bastille on Bishop      
The largest and longest-running Bastille Day celebration in North Texas will be in the heart of Bishop Arts in Oak Cliff.  The street festival will feature food trucks including Dallas Grilled Cheese, Bisous Bisous, and Great Galette; wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages; street performers including mimes and musicians. This year, the fête adds The Ben E. Keith Main Stage, a lively feature that will centralize top entertainment including the fun gypsy French-inspired Le Pompe band and Oak Cliff’s own Spinster Records.

The event is free of charge but if you want to enjoy an alcoholic beverage while you’re there, you must purchase a festival wine glass and beverage tokens. You can buy in advance here or at the door. Ticket prices are $35 for one wine glass and two drink tokens or $60 for VIP access that adds entry and samples for the cocktail competition. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

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Knox Street 
The newly branded Knox Street district has beaucoup spots to celebrate French food and culture.

My favorite restaurant at the moment, Knox Bistro, oozes French in its food, drinks, décor, chef, and ownership.  Michelin-starred chef Bruno Davaillon and his kitchen team led by Chef Josh Sutcliffe are turning out some of the best food in Dallas right now. Approachable but solidly French, this is the restaurant Bruno has always wanted to open and I think it’s perfect. Reservations are highly suggested.  

Just down the rue from Knox Bistro is its sister restaurant, Le Bilbloquet. The restaurant with the most French name in town offers classic French menu items such as Steak Tartare and Country Pâté.

Maybe you can’t make it to dinner?  Then visit Village Baking Co. for French pastries, bread, and café au lait.

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The French Room
What’s more French than The French Room? The opulent restaurant in the Adolphus Hotel will celebrate Bastille Day for several days with Bonne Fête Nationale Tea, afternoon tea with a French twist. The classic tea service will be steeped in French sweets and treats for services July 13-17. To make a reservation click here.

The French Room Bar is a great escape during the heat of the summer and will serve French cocktails and Paris-Brest, an almond pâte á choux filled with creamy mousse, this Thursday. The bar will also have live music from David Washburn Jazz Band will set the scene from 7 – 10 p.m. Reservations are optional.

Mercat Bistro
The European-inspired bistro nestled in the Harwood District will offer a special three-course menu in addition to the regular menu. The Bastille Day menu is $68 per person with an option to add wine pairings for $30. The menu includes the choice of mushroom and onion tart or ricotta and honey for the first course; Bouillbaise, duck confit, or steak frites for the second course; and the choice of crepes Suzette or Mille Feuille for dessert.

Rise Soufflé
Another one of my favorite restaurants here is this little salon de soufflé. The country-French interior is as soothing as the creamy soufflés that Rise expertly serves.  The wine menu is quite nice, with many French whites and rosés to choose from.

Parigi
As you might have heard, Parigi is the Italian translation of Paris and it’s now reopened after a little freshening up.  The new décor is lovely, thoughtful, and the perfect expression of a Paris bistro. Make reservations now to see it and enjoy French classics such as the chicken au poivre.

Thanks, France, for giving us the Statue of Liberty and a great opportunity to party. Bien manger, être bien.