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Those who can’t make it to Paris by Friday to catch the annual march down the Champs-Elysées or take in the spectacular fireworks show over the Seine needn’t fret. Many D.C. restaurants are bringing Bastille Day (July 14) festivities stateside.
Some French-themed spots are celebrating all week, while others are hosting blowout booze-fueled parties on the very day.
Bastille
606 N. Fayette Street, Alexandria, Va.
Parisian native Christophe Poteaux and his pastry chef wife Michelle Poteaux are celebrating the holiday at their eponymous restaurant with a “French Restaurant Week” featuring a three-course, prix fixe dinner of French classics for $35. Dine on moules frites, chicken confit, and crème brulee through Sunday, July 16.
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Cafe du Parc
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
The Willard InterContinental’s in-house bistro plans to feature sweet and savory crepes, Grey Goose-based cocktails from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and strolling violinists from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cafe Saint-Ex
1847 14th Street NW
Starting at noon, this neighborhood bar is rolling out French wine, food, raffle prizes, and specialty drinks sponsored by Bastille whiskey.
Central
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Central’s week-long celebration includes special dishes (think: grilled sea bass) on Thursday, July 13. On Friday and Saturday, get a three-course menu — including gougeres, escargot, and lamb chops — for $48; optional French wine pairings are an additional $24.
Chez Billy Sud
1035 31st Street NW
The Georgetown spot will offer an oyster and rosé happy hour from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring $7 white and rosé on draft, $8 house red, and $5 Bavik beers. Also on tap: Raffles with prizes and proceeds to benefit Bread for the City. DJ Neville C from Som Records will set the mood with French-inspired tunes. No cover.
Convivial
801 O Street NW
Chef Cedric Maupillier’s second restaurant is transforming into a Parisian cafe for the night, featuring soft music and a three-course, prix fixe menu ($35 per person). Beverage pairings including French aperitifs, beer, and wine are an additional $24.
Eno Wine Bar
2810 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
The Four Seasons’ wine den has created a flight of French wines ($20) featuring chenin blanc, a rosé blend, and a cabernet blend. Complementary cheese and charcuterie boards run from $14 (three selections) to $24 (six items). The hotel is offering up to three hours of free valet parking.
The French Embassy
4101 Reservoir Road NW
Leave it to the French Embassy to go all out for the holiday, opting to throw a big bash on Saturday, July 15. On the menu: shrimp gumbo, frog leg etouffee, and shortribs, as well as an open bar with French wines and cognac. Get tickets here, starting at $115.
Le Diplomate
1601 14th Street NW
Expect mime and accordion performances, can can dancers, children’s activities, and all-day café service at James Beard Award-winner Stephen Starr’s bustling 14th Street hot spot starting at 11 a.m. Pastry chef Fabrice Bendano will serve gourmet ice creams, curbside slushie machines will churn out frozen elderflower drinks, while carafe cocktails are made available inside.
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Duck Duck Goose
7929 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, Md.
Chef Ashish Alfred has rolled out a bittersweet chocolate soufflé just in time for the the patriotic festivities.
La Jambe
1550 Seventh Street NW
Specialty cocktails, cheese, and charcuterie boards will be served at this Shaw restaurant from 5 p.m. to close.
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Kinship
1015 Seventh Street NW
The bar at chef Eric Ziebold’s Michelin-starred restaurant will serve up a range of food and drink to celebrate, starting at 5:30 p.m. Featured items include gougères with vanilla crème brûlée ($10), and raspberry-verbena sorbet ($12), as well as by-the-glass selections of Chateau de Lavernette, Beaujolais-Blanc, 2015 ($12) and Chateau Barde-Haut, Saint-Emilion, 2000 ($25).
Requin
8296 Glass Alley #110, Fairfax, Va.
Requin chef Jennifer Carroll is celebrating from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. by serving free French treats along the sidewalk of Strawberry Lane in Mosaic District. Head inside for additional food and drink specials.