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Fig & Olive offers a spritz-and-snack special for $17.89.
Fig & Olive

Where to Celebrate Bastille Day Around D.C.

Prix-fixe dinners, weekend brunches, and stylish soirees are all in the mix this year

by Tierney Plumb
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Fig & Olive offers a spritz-and-snack special for $17.89.
| Fig & Olive
by Tierney Plumb

Today is France’s national holiday, which marks the storming of the Bastille and the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. It’s also a great excuse to don a chic outfit to go indulge in Parisian favorites and French 75 flutes.

Here’s where to get a French fix, with some restaurants are even celebrating through the weekend. For a fantastic French meal any day of the year, go here.

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Mon Ami Gabi

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The long-running bistro chain keeps the holiday alive all weekend (Thursday, July 14 to Saturday, July 16) with specials like chilled gazpacho, crispy frog legs, seafood bouillabaisse, and a trio of profiteroles. Available at its Reston locale, too.

7239 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 654-1234
(301) 654-1234

Also featured in:

Bastille Day at the Park

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Tenleytown’s French staples Le Chat Noir and Matisse headline Bastille Day at the Park in the Northwest neighborhood’s Fessenden Park on Saturday, July 16. The afternoon soiree features live accordion music, pétanque lessons, crafts, quiche tastings, and rosé (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.) for $20.

1670 0001, Washington, DC 20016

Le Diplomate

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Stephen Starr’s perennially-packed Le Diplomate goes all out this year, welcoming Francophiles with a multitude of blue, white and red balloons, a caricature sketch artist, and live music, plus dinner specials like a pate, tomato tartine, Lyonnaise salad, and Dover sole. An accordion player and face painter will return on Saturday, July 16 for a festive Bastille Day brunch.

1601 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-3333
(202) 332-3333
Le Diplomate rings in Bastille Day with face painting and balloon twisters.
Le Diplomate

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La Jambe

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The Shaw wine bar swings open at 5 p.m. with St. Tropez rosé at happy hour prices, a bouillabaisse special, and wine and cheese giveaways.

1550 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 627-2988
(202) 627-2988

Also featured in:

Le Sel

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The Kimpton Banneker’s polished Parisian bistro hosts a complimentary happy hour (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) complete with live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, and rosé. For $49, diners can enjoy a three-course menu from its French executive chef Lauren Hollaender.

1315 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 234-6390
(202) 234-6390
Le Sel’s stylish outdoor patio.
Le Sel

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Opaline Bar and Brasserie

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The Sofitel’s chic, lobby-level brasserie sends out pate, beef tartare, and quiche from executive chef Daron Lee to go along with Parisian cocktails and tracks from French DJ David Dupree. Prizes will be given for the best French attire (4 p.m. to 10 p.m.).

806 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 730-8800
(202) 730-8800
Sofitel’s resident dogs don a dapper look for Bastille Day.
Sofitel

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FIG & OLIVE

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As an ode to the revolutionary year, a $17.89 deal at the CityCenterDC eatery includes a glass of Ricard (an anise and licorice-flavored aperitif) or a summer spritz, plus a selection of crostinis and olives. Fun fact: the U.S. chain’s culinary director Alain Allegretti was born and raised in the South of France.

934 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 559-5004
(202) 559-5004

Also featured in:

Café Riggs

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For a pretend picnic in Paris, pair fried brie with Chartreuse, Chambord, and Cognac cocktails in the glitzy Penn Quarter brasserie or across its floral-filled terrace. Full menu here.

900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 788-2800
(202) 788-2800
Fried brie joins blueberry jam and baguettes ($20).
Cafe Riggs

Also featured in:

BISTRO DU JOUR

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The stylish French bistro celebrates in its first Bastille Day on the Wharf with a three-course menu ($45).

99 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 984-7400
(202) 984-7400

Also featured in:

Bastille Brasserie & Bar

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The Old Town French standby that’s literally named after the holiday declares this as “French Restaurant Week.” Chefs Christophe and Michelle Poteaux run a $55, three-course dinner to celebrate through Saturday, July 16, with Kir Royale and St. Germain spritzes. Reserve via OpenTable and peruse menu here.

606 N Fayette St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 519-3776
(703) 519-3776

Also featured in:

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Mon Ami Gabi

7239 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

The long-running bistro chain keeps the holiday alive all weekend (Thursday, July 14 to Saturday, July 16) with specials like chilled gazpacho, crispy frog legs, seafood bouillabaisse, and a trio of profiteroles. Available at its Reston locale, too.

7239 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 654-1234
(301) 654-1234

Bastille Day at the Park

1670 0001, Washington, DC 20016

Tenleytown’s French staples Le Chat Noir and Matisse headline Bastille Day at the Park in the Northwest neighborhood’s Fessenden Park on Saturday, July 16. The afternoon soiree features live accordion music, pétanque lessons, crafts, quiche tastings, and rosé (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.) for $20.

1670 0001, Washington, DC 20016

Le Diplomate

1601 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Stephen Starr’s perennially-packed Le Diplomate goes all out this year, welcoming Francophiles with a multitude of blue, white and red balloons, a caricature sketch artist, and live music, plus dinner specials like a pate, tomato tartine, Lyonnaise salad, and Dover sole. An accordion player and face painter will return on Saturday, July 16 for a festive Bastille Day brunch.

1601 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-3333
(202) 332-3333
Le Diplomate rings in Bastille Day with face painting and balloon twisters.
Le Diplomate

La Jambe

1550 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The Shaw wine bar swings open at 5 p.m. with St. Tropez rosé at happy hour prices, a bouillabaisse special, and wine and cheese giveaways.

1550 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 627-2988
(202) 627-2988

Le Sel

1315 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

The Kimpton Banneker’s polished Parisian bistro hosts a complimentary happy hour (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) complete with live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, and rosé. For $49, diners can enjoy a three-course menu from its French executive chef Lauren Hollaender.

1315 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 234-6390
(202) 234-6390
Le Sel’s stylish outdoor patio.
Le Sel

Opaline Bar and Brasserie

806 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

The Sofitel’s chic, lobby-level brasserie sends out pate, beef tartare, and quiche from executive chef Daron Lee to go along with Parisian cocktails and tracks from French DJ David Dupree. Prizes will be given for the best French attire (4 p.m. to 10 p.m.).

806 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 730-8800
(202) 730-8800
Sofitel’s resident dogs don a dapper look for Bastille Day.
Sofitel

FIG & OLIVE

934 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

As an ode to the revolutionary year, a $17.89 deal at the CityCenterDC eatery includes a glass of Ricard (an anise and licorice-flavored aperitif) or a summer spritz, plus a selection of crostinis and olives. Fun fact: the U.S. chain’s culinary director Alain Allegretti was born and raised in the South of France.

934 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 559-5004
(202) 559-5004

Café Riggs

900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004

For a pretend picnic in Paris, pair fried brie with Chartreuse, Chambord, and Cognac cocktails in the glitzy Penn Quarter brasserie or across its floral-filled terrace. Full menu here.

900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 788-2800
(202) 788-2800
Fried brie joins blueberry jam and baguettes ($20).
Cafe Riggs

BISTRO DU JOUR

99 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

The stylish French bistro celebrates in its first Bastille Day on the Wharf with a three-course menu ($45).

99 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 984-7400
(202) 984-7400

Bastille Brasserie & Bar

606 N Fayette St, Alexandria, VA 22314

The Old Town French standby that’s literally named after the holiday declares this as “French Restaurant Week.” Chefs Christophe and Michelle Poteaux run a $55, three-course dinner to celebrate through Saturday, July 16, with Kir Royale and St. Germain spritzes. Reserve via OpenTable and peruse menu here.

606 N Fayette St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 519-3776
(703) 519-3776

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