Bastille Day 2021 is going to be gourmet and rhythm in Los Angeles. It is necessary to make up for the previous edition which took place in full confinement. Here’s a rundown of events not to be missed on Wednesday, July 14.
Concert, movie and tombola at Coucou
The French National Holiday will have a neighborly feel to it at Coucou, the French language school in Silver Lake. The festivities will start at 5pm. After a tour of the school, guests will enjoy an aperitif while listening to a concert by Keveen Baudouin and Todd Dahlhoff (7pm) on Coucou’s terrace. Then, a screening of French short films, in partnership with the Vidéothèque, will follow, and an invitation to get crazy on the dance floor until 11pm. Meanwhile, a raffle will be going on (allowing you to win classes at Coucou, French wine, Aval cider, classes at Paris Pilate, or French products from Loupiotte Kitchen) throughout the event to raise funds for 826LA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students aged 6 to 18. Coucou Los Angeles, 2400 Hyperion Ave, Suite 1A, Los Angeles. RSVP at [email protected].
See in bleu-blanc-rouge at the Beverly Center
The atmosphere will also be bleu-blanc-rouge at the Beverly Center, where the 6th floor will be transformed into the French Quarter on July 14 from 1pm to 5pm. This “Place du Tertre” style event will feature several artistic performances highlighting French culture (French Cancan, singing, drawing, painting, etc.). You will also be able to enjoy macarons and tricolored mini-viennoiseries in front of a screen representing a Parisian street. Bonus: Pitchoun Bakery has created eclairs, tarts, croissants, choux, and other pastries in the colors of France. Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles.
A gourmet party at Loupiotte Kitchen
On the Los Feliz side, Loupiotte Kitchen will put small plates at the center. Sarah Bessade and Antoine Blandin are hosting a great party on July 14 (no reservations required) with music. For the occasion, they have planned a special menu ($45) with kir, oeufs mayonnaise, moules-frites, and chocolate mousse. Frenchies and Francophiles are expected between 6pm and 9:30pm. Loupiotte Kitchen, 1726 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles.
Pétanque at Sweet Lily
What’s July 14 without a pétanque contest at Sweet Lily Bakery? Near Toluca Lake, Thibaut Leymarie and Marine Le Faucheur wished to celebrate the national holiday with a sweet (pancakes, eclairs, macarons, choux…) and savory (sandwich, pizza, burger, salad) buffet, accompanied by a glass of Pastis. The festivities will begin on Wednesday, July 14 at 5pm. Price is $48 per adult, $25 per child. Sweet Lily Bakery, 3315 Cahuenga Blvd W, Los Angeles. Reservations at (323) 499-1888.
Sway at French Tuesdays
Every year, French Tuesdays’ Bastille Day Celebration gets the crowds moving. And it’s back in full force at La Boheme in West Hollywood on Wednesday, July 14 from 6 pm to midnight. To get in the mood, a tricolor outfit is highly recommended. Tickets start at $15. La Boheme, 8400 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood.
A crazy happy hour at Garçons de Café
Bastille Day will mean an extended happy hour at Garçons de Café in Downtown. The owners are extending it from noon to 10pm, offering wine and beer for $7, charcuterie and cheese platters for $10, and also hummus and sandwiches. The atmosphere will be casual with appropriate decoration and patriotic background music. Garçons de Café, 541 S Spring St, UNIT 114, Los Angeles.
A great party at Chef Josette’s
You’ll be able to get your groove on at Normandie Bakery. Chef Josette is throwing a big party Wednesday, July 14, from 4pm to 9pm on her West Adams patio with a concert by The French Toasts. She has concocted a menu ($49) with a charcuterie and cheese platter, a main course (burger, merguez, or marinated chicken) with salad, and for dessert a Normandy apple pie or a chocolate mousse. You can even bring your own wine ($20 corkage fee). Normandie Bakery, 3022 S Cochran Ave, Los Angeles. Reservations at [email protected].
Coq au vin and accordion at Monsieur Marcel
French gastronomy will be featured at Monsieur Marcel at the Grove. Chef Christophe Breat is offering guests a special menu featuring a charcuterie board ($32), coq au vin ($26), merguez ($18), and a tarte tatin ($13). And to get you in the mood, the meal (from 11am to 8pm) will be accompanied by an accordionist from 4pm to 8pm. Monsieur Marcel, 6333 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles. Reservations at (323) 939-7792.
