Song of the Week - Bastille Day Playlist

Happy Bastille Day!!!!  Here is our French themed playlist for your listening enjoyment!

What We're Talking About This Week

We love this guide to choosing a great summer dress based on the sensibilities of San Francisco's diverse neighborhoods.

If you are going to a Giants game this weekend, make sure to check out this comprehensive list of the incredible food options at AT&T Park before you head out.  Or just stay home and make garlic fries instead...

Eastern L.A. suburb Claremont is best known for being the home of the excellent Claremont Colleges, but as this adorable, Wed Anderson-inspired commercial shows, the city is full of charm and has plenty more to offer.

We are so excited for the LA Street Food Fest at the Rose Bowl tomorrow.  With over 100 vendors, there are sure to be WAY too many things we'll want to eat!  Be sure to get your tickets in advance here.

Up in NorCal, Thomas Keller's adorable French bistro and boulangerie, Bouchon, will be hosting a fabulous Bastille Day party from 12-7pm on Sunday.  

Happy Bastille Day!

The Hemingway Bar at The Ritz Hotel, Paris, 2009

We have both always been major Francophiles, and love any excuse to indulge in some French treats.  Last year, with France's Independence Day falling on a Sunday, we created a picnic menu to celebrate.  Anyone lucky enough to have the day off should take advantage of that... But for us, it's a work day, so aside from a breakfast croissant, we won't be able to celebrate until tonight.  Here are some of our favorite recipes for a last-minute French feast:

Chicken Liver Paté

You can always buy this in a higher end grocery store, as the recipe does require chilling for a few hours, but with foie gras illegal in California, this is a close second in taste, and a must in any French feast.

Leeks Vinaigrette 

Mont d'Or Fondue

This recipe was created for late winter/early Spring, but we love the idea of serving the warm, gooey cheese with crackers or baguette, charcuterie, and an array of summery vegetables such as radishes, cherry tomatoes, and young carrots.

Chocolate Mousse

This recipe is from NYC's Buvette, but it's as good - or better - as any mousse we have had in Paris

To Drink:

Lillet Cocktail

Rosé

Whispering Angel seems to be the rosé of the season, and we also love Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie's award winning Miraval 

Bon Appetit!  

We will be fantasizing about the Paris couture shows while we eat...

Bastille Day Picnic Menu

Paris, 2009

We have been celebrating Bastille Day since high school, largely because we will use any excuse to gorge ourselves on French cheeses and fresh baguettes.  With the holiday falling on a Sunday this year, there's no excuse not to indulge in some decadent foods and wines, and celebrate la vie en rose for the day!

To drink:

A good white Bourdeaux - Most Bourdeaux wines are red, but this region also turns out some really lovely, dry, not-too-acidic whites

Rosé - Domaine la Florane is a current favorite, crisp and light for a hot day

Champagne - Always buy the best you can afford, but for a picnic, Coppola Winery's Sofia Blanc de Blancs (a California sparkling wine) is a fun option, and is conveniently packaged in adorable pink cans

To eat:

Cheese - A good cheese plate should always have at least three options, and for a picnic, we like to bring cheeses that come easily packaged.  Fromage Des Clarines, which comes in its own little basket, has long been a favorite strong and soft cow's milk cheese, or Epoisses is slightly milder, but still deliciously rich.  Coupole, a dome shaped cheese that's the perfect size to share, is an excellent goat's cheese.  For a third option, you could go for a firmer cheese, such as Beaufort (similar to the Swiss Gruyère), or for a classic French option such as Roquefort.  

Fruit - Grapes, figs, sliced plums and nectarines all pair nicely with cheeses

Baguette -  We like to go with one loaf per two people

Lentil salad - Alice Waters has a lovely, basic recipe.  We prefer the variation of adding carrots, celery, and onion

Sandwich fixings - Sliced ham, mâche greens, grainy mustard, and cornichons can all be eaten à la carte alongside the cheeses and bread, or made into sandwiches

Galettes - A galette is similar to a tart, but more rustic.  We love this recipe, which gives each person their own - no need to worry about slicing, plating, or even forks!

Vive la France!