Where to Eat and Drink on Bastille Day

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.

Cafe du Parc [official]

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.

[Dusty Lockhart]

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.

[R. Lopez]

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.