Forsythia
As Old City’s acclaimed French eatery, Forsythia will be celebrating Bastille Day in Philadelphia for three full days this week (July 13 to 15.) As a release states, Beverage Director Shawn Miller will be serving up a festive tipple dubbed “A Drama In Paris,” composed of vodka, absinthe, Cappelletti, smoked simple syrup and lemon, while Chef Kearse is curating two dishes. The Escargot À La Provençal ($12) is prepared with tomato and chartreuse-almond butter, pearl onion and bergamot crouton, while the Seared Foie Gras ($25) is crafted with pickled cherries, marcona almonds and truffle. Reservations can be made on Resy.
233 Chestnut St., forsythiaphilly.com
Royal Boucherie
The Royal Boucherie will be celebrating the Francophile holiday this Thursday, July 14. The colorful evening will include French tapas, a variety of champagne-based cocktails, a curated French playlist and an appearance from popular burlesque performer Lelu Lenore from 5 to 8 p.m. While there, Lenore will play the part by dressing up in various Marie Antoinette-inspired costume changes. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
52 S. 2nd St., royalboucherie.com
Stratus Rooftop Lounge
The French holiday can be celebrated 14 floors up in the City of Brotherly Love at Stratus. On July 14, the rooftop lounge will offer a special activation titled “Vino & Vinyl,” with performances by French native-turned-Philly-based DJ Romain. The evening will also feature professional roller skating dancers, from 8 to 11 p.m., and a curated selection of drinks from Stratus Rooftop Lounge’s newly refreshed cocktail menu. Visitors can also opt for half-off select bottles of wine, which will be available during each monthly Vino & Vinyl night moving forward. General admission is $20 per person, and more information and tickets can be found online.
433 Chestnut St., stratuslounge.com
The Dutch
The Dutch opened earlier this year in the former home of Fond, Chef Lee Styer’s acclaimed French eatery. For Bastille Day in Philadelphia, however, Styer will return back to his previous routes by offering an exclusive Bastille Day Dinner, available on Thursday for two seatings at 7 and 7:30 p.m. For $150 a person, the five-course fête includes tuna crudo, sweetbread pâté, striped bass bouillabaisse, pork belly or beef tenderloin, and a vanilla custard eclair. To pair perfectly with the menu, General Manager Adam Judeh will be offering the “perfect” wine pour, and reservations can be made by sending an e-mail with name, party size, and desired time to info@fondphilly.com.
1537 S. 11th St., thedutchphilly.com
The Good King Tavern
Queen’s Village hotspot The Good King Tavern will be celebrating Bastille Day in Philadelphia with an all-day block party on Saturday, July 16. From noon to 8 p.m., Philadelphians can check out live music, face painting, a cornhole tournament, house wines, original canned cocktails and a French street food menu, available both outside and in the restaurant. There will also be an additional smaller menu available for indoor walk-ins (dining-only) which includes steak frites, mussels, and cheese and charcuterie selections.
The celebratory cocktail of the day will be “Marseille, Afternoon” – an original cocktail inspired by leisurely sipping in the South of France, made with Ricard (pastis), pistachio orgeat, lime, and sparkling wine, and it comes available in a can. Philadelphians should also note, the restaurant’s sister wine bar –le Caveau – will be closed for the evening as the team will be slinging food and wine along the block to the tune of local funk music and the Liberty Bellows live accordions. And lastly, a raffle giveaway will also be held with profits supporting the Abortion Liberation Fund of PA.
614 S 7th St., thegoodkingtavern.com
