On July 14th, 1789, the Bastille prison was stormed, sparking the French Revolution. Today that day is celebrated with the motto “liberty, equality, fraternity,” and Bastille Day is a day meant to celebrate the diverse culture and brotherhood that exists in France. In honor of Bastille Day today we’ve decided to round up our favorite picks for French food and a little history about the cuisine culture.
It might be safe to say that no one does a pastry quite like the French. Bastille Day actually has historical ties to bread. When the Bastille was stormed, the mobs were there to free enemies of the crown and to look for bread to feed the starving people. Afterwards, a new government created “bread of equality” which mixed the rationed wheat flour with rye, making it more accessible. A lot has changed since the days of the French Revolution and making bread and pastries has now turned into an art.
The decadent “pain au chocolat” (chocolate croissant) is a staple you can buy is any bakery in France, and for authentic pain au chocolat, or some mini tarts, or maybe a creme brûlée, head to Arelys French Bakery. Their almond croissants (or “Croissants aux Amandes”) are addictive and rival anything you might buy in France. Another delightful pastry shop is one we’ve already mentioned, The French Gourmet in Pacific Beach. This restaurant has some of the best selections of dessert pastries (from eclairs to tarts) in San Diego.
The thin French pancakes known as crepe originated in the western region of Brittany but quickly spread to be a fast-food staple in France and Belgium. The Creperie in France can be either a small restaurant or just a food stall in the street; and can be a main meal, dessert, or a snack, depending on the filling.
For a touch of France in Little Italy, stop by Fabrison’s French Creperie Cafe, a quaint cafe that feels like you’ve stepped into Brittany. Open from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM during the week and 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, this place has sweet and savory breakfast crepes, lunch crepes filled with French ingredients such as béchamel sauce, mushrooms, and ham, and a sweet selection of crepes stuffed with seasonal fruits, imported French chocolate, and lots of powdered sugar. If you want to bake this treat at home, Fabrison’s also offers crepe-making classes on Thursday.
In France the bistro is usually a small, casual restaurant, often run by a family that offers a low-key place for a bite. The loose French translation of ‘bistro’ is a ‘neighborhood bar’ or ‘pub’ and one you can count on for a hearty meal and friendly service.
Le Petit Birstrot (the traditional French spelling of ‘bistro’) offers enchanting French food and an outdoor eating area where you can snag a front-row seat to the sun as it sets over the Pacific and downtown La Jolla. This new restaurant already has a reputation for making both tasty French street food (like baguette sandwiches filled with ham and cheese) as well as innovative twists on the Breton galette (a buckwheat flatbread with a savory filling), which is also a great gluten free option. They also care about customers and want to know how each experience was, which is a good indicator for a successful neighborhood bar.
The ‘brasserie’ (or brewery in English) is the larger scale French restaurant, open all day and well into the late night. These restaurants normally house a boisterous crowd and have larger open dining areas and are known for having a more extensive menu than the bistro.
For a mix of American and French cuisine, check out Currant American Brasserie located downtown. This brasserie offers francophile staples like foie gras toast and moules frites (steamed mussels with fries) and American touches like a wedge salad, Pacific oysters. Be sure and ask about the “Popcorn of the Moment,” which are served the way pommes frites are served in France, in a metal cup and spiraled white paper. The atmosphere is also a mix of California and Paris; the French black and white checkered floors and red doors that swing into the kitchen are accented by floral iron accents and silver and crystal chandeliers.
Wine Bars or ‘bars a vins’ are dotted all over France, especially in bigger cities like Paris, and are known for quieter atmospheres and diverse wine lists. Their menus are usually accompanied by small pates like cheese and charcuterie (different prepared meats) to enhance and bring out certain notes in the wine.
Cafe Bleu in Mission Hills does an excellent job at creating a cozy atmosphere that is still elegant. Touted as a wine bar, with a wonderful selection of wines, Cafe Bleu really stands out for their popular takes on French classics like Beef Bourginon, Coq Au Vin (wine-braised chicken), French Onion Soup, and Steak Tartare. This wine bar prides itself on turning out authentic French fare that will melt in your mouth, and where you’d be happy to visit even if you don’t drink. They are also known for a delicious brunch, so we recommend stopping by for dinner and brunch.
The roots of Bastille Day go back to wanting equality for all, the right to liberty, and fraternity or a feeling of friendship and mutual support within a country. San Diego is a city that honors its diverse roots and happily celebrate this French motto. Contact Mission Bay Vacation Rentals today to plan a holiday with friends or family which will strengthen these ties and create everlasting memories.
