OK, so you’re not French and you’re probably not even sure what Bastille Day is. But that shouldn’t stop you from celebrating it tomorrow especially when cocktail specials, free aperitifs and an actual French soiree are involved!
Pourtal’s French Wine Tour for the People
Santa Monica wine tasting bar Pourtal will be kicking off a Bastille Day tasting tour tomorrow. Sip classic French country wines, 18 varieties to choose from! And anyone who shows up at the bar on the 14th and can recite the serment du jeu de paume (the Tennis Court Oath) will get a free glass of Kir, a French aperitif made with crème de cassis and white wine. Don’t know the words? Hint: You can find it on the Pourtal page linked above. Just print it and read that.
- Opens at 4pm. Pourtal Wine Bar, 104 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica (map).
Comme Ca’s Bastille Block Party
Yes, it’s literally a huuge block of ice (200 pounds to be exact) at Comme Ca’s Frenchy celebration. And they will chip away at it for their $5 cocktail specials like the yummy-sounding Mr. Rogers of Matusalem Platino rum, thyme, apricots, Angostura bitters and grapefruit peel and the AF 69 of Martin Miller’s gin, Cointreau, honey and lemon verbena. There will also be $7 bites you can mangez, like pork belly confit and snapper escabeche. If you’d rather dine, Comme Ca is offering a special Quartorze Juillet $40 three-course prix fixe now through July 18. 3-7pm.
- Comme Ça, 8479 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood (map). (323) 782-1104.
Maison 140’s Bastille Day Soiree
Maison 140 in Beverly Hills is feteing it up with its Bastille Day celebration where revelers will knock back champagne and French wine and nosh on traditional cake piece montee, frommage et fruites. Later you can groove to French music a la dj. Oui, it is $85 a ticket but portions of the proceeds will go to Hope Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
- 6-11pm. $85. Maison 140, 140 S. Lasky Drive, Beverly Hills (map). (310) 281-4000.
Pinot Bistro’s Bastille Day Prix Fixe
In Studio City Pinot Bistro presents a special four-course prix fixe for enfants de la Patrie. It’s $45 or $65 with wine pairings. Partake of roasted lamb loin or a pan roasted trout a la Meuniere. For dessert there’s Ile Flottant or Peach Melba.
- Pinot Bistro, 12969 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City (map). (818) 990-0500.
And if you simply love all things French, these events are coming up apres the 14th.
Sabrina at the ArcLight Hollywood
OK, so it’s not a film that takes place in France but Audrey Hepburn’s character does learn how to be a sophisticated lady by going off to cooking school in Paris. And those fabulous dresses by costumer Edith Head are tres gorgeous.
- July 15 at 8pm. $12 general. ArcLight Hollywood, 6360 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood (map).
Pasadena POPS Performs I Love Paris, the Music of Edith Piaf to An American In Paris
Imagine enjoying a summer, dancing with your amour to some of the most romantical music ever. The Pasadena POPS will be performing all things French, from Edith Piaf to Saints Saens to music from Gershwin’s An American in Paris. Order up a three-course picnic for $20 a person at Patina to complete the evening. They’ll be offering grilled jumbo shrimp skewers with Provencal vegetables au pistou
- July 17-18 at 7:30pm, Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge (map).