NYC: Bastille Day!
After a delightfully chill July 4th for me in New York, I'm ready to celebrate another round of red, white, and blue...only this time for France! Sadly, we may not be in the City of Light this Bastille Day, but that doesn't mean that we can't celebrate it anyway! New York has some great fêtes for the Francophile in you. Here's how to celebrate the country that gave us our very own Lady Liberty.
Smith Street
Boerum Hill's Bastille Day celebrations are probably the most well-known in the city (nearly 20,000 people show up!). Smith Street closes down and becomes a giant pétanque tournament. There are also tons of French bands, amazing food (especially from Bar Tabac!), an appearance from the French Consul General and weirdly, a guillotine.
When: Sunday July 10, 12-6 p.m.
Where: Eight blocks of Smith St. starting at Pacific Ave., going south into Carroll Gardens
FIAF Bastille Day
Manhattan's fête offers three blocks full of music, dancing, a champagne tasting, and of course, tons of delicious food. You'll have to brave crowds of tourists near Central Park and travel to a somewhat no man's land of nothingness in the city, but hey...you could also win a free trip to Paris!
When: Sunday July 10, 12-5 p.m.
Where: 60th St. between Lexington and 5th Ave.
French Restaurant Week
Can't afford a flight to Paris right now? No worries! NYC is home to tons of authentic French restaurants! And for the pricier options, there's French Restaurant Week! Basically, its the same concept as regular restaurant week (multi-course prix fix menus for lunch and dinner), only this one also has the option of hiring a connoisseur. #Baller.
When: July 4-17
Where: 120 restaurants!
If these events don't satisfy your jazz, wine, and cheese needs, there's also a Bastille Day Ball, and multiple wine and cheese tastings around the city.
Au revoir!
-Jen
