If you love French food, wine and culture then you may just be wetting your pants in anticipation for this year's Bastille Day festivities.
In France, Bastille Day is better known as La Fete Nationale (the National Celebration) or more colloquially Le Quatorze Juillet (the 14th of July). Historically, the day signifies the beginning of the French Revolution with the storming of the Bastille in 1789. So of course it is now a red letter day for French people (and their admirers) all over the world to commemorate and celebrate the French traditions.
To help you enjoy Bastille Day 2016 in Sydney we here at Sydney Scoop have compiled our top 5 events. In addition, we have added some venues with a certain French flair that at this stage will be offering the usual service, but keep an eye on their websites as they may decide to list an event.
1. Alliance Francaise de Sydney Bastille Day 2016 Celebration
The Sydney outpost of Alliance Francaise, the most prestigious organisation around the world for promoting French culture and language is holding for the 6th consecutive year, in collaboration with the French-Australian community, a party night for all to celebrate the French way this Bastille Day.
In 2015, 2,000 people were in attendance. Organisers are expecting 2016 to be just as successful.
Location - The Argyle Tavern, 18 Argyle Street, The Rocks (Sydney)
Date - Bastille Day July 14th 2016
Time - from 5pm
Cost - $15 entry - purchase online at www.bastilledaysydney.com.au
Program - your ticket includes:
* Welcome drink
* Viewing a Can Can dance show: frills, feathers & French fun
* Creating memories at the photo booth
* Dancing to French inspired musical beats as played by DJs - French Mafia and Lil'M
* Being wowed by French circus artists such as mimes, jugglers, etc
You may wish to make purchases at the Cheese and Saucisson stall with produce provided by La Plaudette. Also a raffle with tickets at $5 each will be running on the night with 8 categories of prize packets ranging in value from $3,000 (for example, a 5 day holiday cruising Paris or Bordeaux) to $35 (for example, sweet treats) and a whole lot of pampering packs and culinary goodies in between.
2. BBR (Bleu Blanc Rouge - Blue White Red) Festival
Location - Circular Quay foreshore running from Gateway Plaza (Pitt Street) to the AMP building (Phillip Street)
Date - Thursday July 14th to Sunday July 17th 2016
Time - various
Cost - free except for Open Air Cinema and Cooking Classes
Program - a four day festival - download the map and program at www.bbrfestival.com.au
You can expect the following :
* Artisan market - free entry - 8am to 11pm daily
* European Gourmet Street Food Market - free entry - 7am to 11pm daily
* Live Music - free entry - 1pm - 2pm 4pm - 5pm and other times July 14th 15th 16th 17th - Customs House (check website for details)
* Closing Parade - free entry - July 17th - 5pm - 6pm
* Bastille Day Party - free entry - July 14th 2016 - Customs House forecourt - 6pm
* Canada Snow Island - free entry - AMP forecourt - 7am to 11pm daily - 3 tonnes of snow
* Grand French Cabaret Show - free entry - July 15th 2016 - Customs House forecourt - 7pm
* Wine Market and Beer Garden - free entry - 8 wine bars - 11am to 11pm daily
* Open Air Cinema - French classic cult films with English subtitles - $10 to $25 per person - deck chairs or double beds - 14th to 17th - AMP forecourt - daily from 3pm or later (check website for times and film titles)
* Tour de France 2016 Cooking Classes - menus showcasing three regions that the Tour de France will travel through - $77 - July 14th to 17th - 3 classes per day at various times - check website for times and menus
* Fire Show - free entry - July 14th 15th 16th - 8pm - Gateway Plaza
* Saturday Salsa - free entry - July 16th - 5pm to 6pm - Gateway Plaza
* Saturday DJ Party - free entry - July 16th- 7pm to 11pm - Customs House forecourt
3. La Grande Bouffe - 4 course degustation dinner
A popular authentic French restaurant in Rozelle focussing on traditional flavours with a delicate modern edge. Casual yet refined fine dining with opulent wall papering matched with rich dark floor boards.
Location - Shop 1 and 2, 758 Darling Street, Rozelle
+61 2 9818 4333
Date - Wednesday 13 July and Thursday 14 July 2016
Time - make a booking
Cost - $85 per person and $95 per person
Menu -
* Amuse bouche and marinated olives
* Half shell mix seafood, mornay sauce and young herbs
* Confit duck leg, cherry sauce, honey carrots mash with potato croquette and asparagus
* French brie with confit grapes, toasted baguette
* Dessert gourmand - cured lemon tart, macaroon / chocolate gateau, ice cream and cacao crumble
4. Mistelle Double Bay - 3 course dinner plus a glass of Champagne (options for each course)
Head Chef, Frederic Booms (ex L’Etoile), and owner, Alicia Wadsworth, a member of the Commadere de Bordeaux (group promoting Bordeaux wine outside of the region) have a prepared a special 3 course set dinner menu for the night. All guests will also receive a glass of Ruinart Champagne on arrival.
Location - 16 Kiora Lane, Double Bay
Telephone - +61 2 9236 1900
Email - bookings@mistelledoublebay.com.au
Time - bookings available from 5:30pm
Cost - $75 per person
Menu -
Entrée options:
6 Sydney Rock Oysters, vinaigrette
French Onion Soup
Escargot en Cocotte
Main options:
Double Baked Gruyere Soufflé, sand crab bisque, caviar
Grass Fed Sirloin with Café de Paris butter
Duck a l'orange
Dessert options:
Mistelle Tarte Tartin, marshmallow ice cream, pecan caramel
Fromage, selection of 3 cheeses & accompaniment
Chocolate Tart, fresh raspberries, crème fraîche mousse
A few very special French Red and White wines specially for the evenings events.
5. Sofitel Wentworth Garden Court Restuarant and Soiree Bar
The Sofitel Wentworth oozes French sophistucation and joi de vivre. Before heading to the Garden Court restaurant on level 5, stop in for an aperitif at Soiree Bar on the ground floor.
Soiree is serving up three classic French cocktails in honour of Bastille Day at a cost of $22 per drink. Pop in for a French Martini, Sidecar, or a before your three course French dinner.
Location - Soiree - Ground Floor, 101 Phillip Street
Cost - from $22
Bookings not essential - open from 10 am daily
Location - Garden Court Restaurant
Level 5, 101 Phillip Street, Sydney
Telephone - +61 2 9228 9179
Time - make a booking from 6pm
Cost - $75 per person for a 3 course meal including a glass of sparkling (a la carte is also available)
Menu -
* Entree Course
Moules Normande - Steamed mussels, garlic, eschalots, fresh thyme, bay leaf, white wine, cream
Carpaccio de Boeuf - Mustard dressing, extra virgin olive oil, shaved Grana Padano, basil
Escargots a la forestière - Sautéed snails with mushrooms
'Bisque' de Celeria - Celery root soup, shitake mushrooms, beurre noisette
* Main Course
Onglet Grillé Béarnaise - Grilled Beef hanger steak, pommes frites, classic Béarnaise
Coq au Vine - Slow braised chicken in red wine, bacon, mushrooms
Saumon Rôti- Roasted Tasmanian salmon, Paris mash, red wine jus
* Cheese Course
L'assiette de fromages français - Plate of three French cheeses
* Dessert Course
Moelleux au Chocolat - Baked chocolate cake, pistachio ice cream
Crêpes Suzette - Grand Marnier flambé, orange caramel sauce
Tarte aux pommes - Roasted apple, honey ice cream, bee pollen
Other restaurants/bars:
Kittyhawk Bar - 16 Phillip Lane, Sydney open from 3pm - latest bar offering from the Lobo Plantation crew celebrating the liberation of Paris in 1945 - think sophisticated cocktails, craft beer, French bar bites
Chez Pascal - 440 Rocky Point Road, Sans Souci open from 6.30pm - think old world classic French fare run by a French trained chef, Phillipe Lebreaux (over 40 years of experience) and his son Pascal - expect some theatrical displays of cheffing given the open kitchen space.
Creperie Suzette - 35 Harrington Street, The Rocks (Sydney) open 7.30 am to 3.30pm - no bookings - a taste of France in the heart of the Sydney - sweet and savoury crepes and gallettes inspired by French nostalgia.
Photo MISTELLE Double Bay© Jason Loucas Double Baked Gruyere Soufflé, sand crab bisque, caviar
