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Bastille Day Events in Washington D.C.

Surrender your week to France with parties, food and French maid races!

By Samantha Monk and Jason Adams

Metromix
July 7, 2011

Bastille Day! You know what that means... French maid outfits, yay!

We suppose it also means the "Fete Nationale," or France's National Holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, and a day that D.C. uses as an excuse to party. So get your berets and baguettes ready and join the District's French-speaking populace for a week of international-themed events including parties, restaurant specials, classes, waiter and maid races and more!

Check back as we update the guide with more events as they're announced!

Shab Row Bistro and Wine Bar

221B N. East Street - Frederick

301.631.8102

From July 14th through 17th, Chef Kevin Longmire will offer Francophiles a decadent 3-course holiday-themed prix-fix menu featuring French favorites such as Normandy Fish Stew, Boeuf Bourguignon, Vichyssoise Moderne, and Lavendar Crème Brulée for $40, along with rare French wine pairings for only an additional $20. And on Saturday July 16th, Shab Row will also host an exclusive wine tasting featuring a selection of hard to find red and white vintages from France for only $1! (Wines will be available for purchase at their on-site retail shop.) All proceeds will be donated to the Mental Health Association. For reservations, call (301) 631-8102.

BLT Steak

1625 I St. N.W. - Washington

202-689-8999

In honor of France’s “fête nationale” BLT Steak will be offering specials on their favorite French export: wine! All day long on July 14th, French wines by the glass and the bottle will be 50% off. Save room for dessert, too, because French desserts like Opera Cake, Paris Brest, and St. Honore Cake will be $5 instead of the regular $9.

Central Michel Richard

1001 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. - Washington

202-626-0015

Central will have their 4th annual Bastille Day Celebration on July 14th from 5-10:30 p.m. with food and drink specials and live entertainment from The Laissez-Foure quartet. The special three course dinner ($38 +$25 for drink pairing) includes Pork Rillettes, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Poisson en Papillote and some great desserts. For dinner reservations, call 202-626-0015.

Lavandou

3321 Connecticut Ave. N.W. - Washington

202-966-3002

Celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the storming of the Bastille the right way and enjoy a traditional prix fixe French meal at Lavandou. For $48, savor a feast fit for a (pre-revolution) king while enjoying live music from local artist Australis. Menu options will include Gratinée of littleneck clams and rope mussels in shell, served with tomato “bruschetta”beef filet mignon, béarnaise sauce and “pommes Dauphine”, fresh strawberry, mousseline cream and gênoise cake, and lots more. A free glass of champagne will be offered with dessert! Reservations are strongly recommended.