Add Bastille Day to Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby Day in the category of "things we don't remember celebrating 10 years ago."
That said, this Frenchified Independence Day typically boasts a solid dining roster, so we'll hold our tongues. San Francisco has no shortage of bistros, so stop by your favorite on July 14 and you can almost guarantee it will feature a special menu (anyone for duck?) or some kind of deal. Outside these standard tips of the chapeau, we've found a few outside-the-box Bastille Day celebrations around town.
Anti-Bastille Day
Oh, you zany guys. Yet again subverting expectations, the Stag Dining Group is staging an anti-Bastille Day celebration. You heard us right: Those wacky Staggos are pointing the rocket's red glare toward France, with cocktails, wine, and a bunch of American takes on Franco-standards (read: Patriot Snails and Freedom Frog Legs). Tickets are $65; reserve them at Eventbrite.
Grand Cafe Goes All Out
In addition to de rigeur boeuf bourguignon and red wine deals, Grand Cafe in the Theater District is bringing out the big guns, with accordion music, champagne, and a Marie Antoinette impersonator handing out cake. Très cute.
Off the Grid, Bastille-style
Everybody's favorite place to stand in line on a Friday night, Off the Grid at the Fort Mason Center, is going French on July 15 (the day after Bastille Day), with many participating trucks offering French-inspired menu items. Chairman Bao's buns with duck confit? We can only hope. There will also be French cocktail specials at the Magnolia Bar and French Gypsy jazz all night.
