Happy Bastille Day!

It's Bastille Day. French Independence Day.

Le petit déjeuner (breakfast)
I love me some France, and all of the Frenchies that come with it. After studying abroad and living in Paris for more than 4 months of my life in 2010, France has a special place with me. I love everything about the French culture, lifestyle, language, and of course, French food.

ESPECIALLY FRENCH FOOD.

What better way to celebrate the "storming of the bastille," than with some French cuisine to vicariously commemorate France's version of our 4th of July. Duck, cheese, wine, baguettes, truffles, champignons de Paris (mushrooms), goose, and foie gras barely begin to touch the tip of the iceberg that makes up the overwhelming mountain of French food that makes my palate "cheese" (pun intended).





Le déjeuner (lunch)
Why and how do we (well, they) celebrate?

To make an incredibly long and complicated story short and sweet for the interest of all readers, I'll keep this part brief. July 14, 1789 marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison in France. This was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French during the French Revolution. Festivities and official ceremonies are held all over France, from the Northern tip to the Mediterranean Sea. The oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held on the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, French officials and foreign guests. Here's a link for more detailed information on this history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille_Day.

Le dîner (dinner)
French food is by far my favorite style, flavor, and kind of food. If I could recommend any restaurant to celebrate Bastille Day, it would easily be Bouchon of Santa Barbara. Although they do not serve foie gras anymore (an issue I will surely write about in the near future) due to the July 2012 ban in California, their menu consisting of the classic french onion soup, duck confit, venison, lamb, and my girlfriend's favorite, the seared yellowfin tuna, is a hard menu to beat. Although a little pricey, you get what you pay for and more, which is great food, great service, and an amazing ambiance and decor. Even their butter and bread is awesome!

http://www.bouchonsantabarbara.com/homepage.php
http://www.bouchonsantabarbara.com/pdfs/bouchon_dinner_menu.pdf

I wish you all happy eats and an enjoyable (and delicious) Bastille Day!