Bastille Day marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, a pivotal moment that sparked the French Revolution, led by the ideals of liberty, equality, and unity of all French people. If a trip to the City of Lights is out of the question — or your budget — don’t worry, Brisbane has plenty of food, drinks and activities that will transport you to the land of pastries, wine and romance without hopping on a plane!
Belle Époque
This winter, Belle Époque is offering French dining experiences to suit every palate, ooh la la! From a monthly Soirée Française, held on July 17 this month, and serving up an elegantly simple menu of French onion soup and steak frites for two, to their decadent Winter High Tea, there’s plenty to indulge on throughout July.
If you have more of a sweet tooth, Belle Époque’s pastry chefs are serving up a
showstopping and mouthwatering croquembouche! This towering dessert of vanilla crème pâtissière-filled profiteroles, finished with almond nougatine is perfect for two to share — or not, we won’t judge! The crisp, golden choux pastry filled with delicate cream and topped caramelised crunch is available to indulge in from Saturday, July 12 to Monday, July 14. Make sure you pre-order by 5pm on Friday, July 11 here.
Bisou Bisou
Celebrate liberté, egalité et fraternité at classic brasserie Bisou Bisou with everything from iconic French winter dishes, to a limited-edition tricolore of cocktails for the whole month!
French comfort food with quintessential winter specials are available for lunch and dinner every day, offering the soul-satisfying and filling flavours of dishes like beef bourguignon, coq au vin, duck à l’orange and lamb cassoulet.
Their patriotic cocktails include:
- Bleu: Marrionette Blue, Grey Goose, St Germain, Mandarin Oil
- Blanc: Ruby, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, St Germain, Raspberry Verjus, Soda, Sparkling Wine
- Rouge: Rhubarb Aperitif, Dolin Vermouth, Raspberry, Strangelove Pear Soda
If you want to dial up the decadence for Bastille Day, their Oui Oui High Tea, available on July 12, 13, 19 and 20, pairs towers of house-made sweet and savoury treats, with bottomless St-Germain cocktails,
beer and wine. Some of the highlights include brie and fig jam vol au vents with fresh honeycomb, mini croque monsieurs with shaved ham and gruyere, and chocolate profiteroles with vanilla pastry cream.
C’est Bon
Say “Vive la France” at C’est Bon with an elegant Bastille Day Jazz Soirée on July 14. Indulge in a beautifully curated shared menu by chef and owner Andy Ashby, featuring modern French classics reimagined in C’est Bon’s signature contemporary style, all set to the smooth sounds of live jazz.
With dishes that follow tradition and embrace fresh local produce at the same time, like escargot and onion tarte tatin, the evening is sure to be a treat for all senses. The Wagyu with pomme frites promises to be as smooth as the jazz, and the pain d’épices Savarin — not to mention their robust wine list — will be the perfect sweet encore.
Bar Miette
Better late than never, Bar Miette is going all out for Bastille Day on Tuesday, July 15, letting cassoulet — the hearty slow-cooked dish from the French Languedoc region rich with duck, sausage and haricot beans — take centre stage. Paired with a glass of Beaujolais, poured from some of the region’s most respected producers, Daniel Bouland, Olivier Coquard and Domaine du Petit Pérou, the freshness and slow-cooked depth of the cassoulet will be incomparable.
Can you think of anything cosier than a belly full of tender duck and delicious wine on a wintery terrace surrounded by the warmth of heaters? Neither can we!
Duck Fat
Duck Fat invites you to revolt against the ordinary with their extraordinary Bastille Day lunch, featuring a French banquet that pulls no punches. Starting with an essential, perfectly golden French baguette with butter, and followed by such indulgent dishes as a flavourful lemon-thyme chicken and creamy gratin dauphinois, and finished off with an unmissable crème brûlée and chocolatey profiteroles.
Dendy Portside
Is there anything more French than the iconic Amelie, the rom-com gem starring Audrey Tautou as a shy young waitress whose quest to spread joy leads her on a journey to find her own true love? Travel to the City of Light without leaving Brisbane as Amelie falls in love on the big screen at Dendy Portside!
South Bank
If you missed out on the fabulous Le Festival, don’t fret! There’s still plenty of très chic fun to be had in South Bank until Bastille Day! We’re talking live portraits, street performers and characters full of colour and charm, live music and can can dancers, all under the magnificent lights of a massive four-storey Eiffel Tower-inspired tower! Don’t miss out on performances from Friday to Sunday, plus Bastille Day from 10am to 2pm and from 4:30pm to 7:30pm!