Chicago Eats: Bastille Day Celebrations | chicago foodie girl

7.25.2016

Chicago Eats: Bastille Day Celebrations

I'm lucky to live in a city in which numerous international holidays are wholeheartedly embraced and celebrated. During my time in Chicago, I've had the opportunity to explore the many traditions of the people who make up this city through various restaurants and neighborhood festivals; just in the past year alone, I've taken part in celebrations for the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese New Year, Diwali, Dia de los Muertos, and my favorite, Bastille Day. As you know by now, I absolutely love French cuisine (and really, French culture as a whole), thanks to its simple preparation methods and robust flavors, as well as the artful and often delicate ways in which the dishes are presented. The French are truly masters at creating dishes that are both beautiful and delicious; as I've learned over the years, that skill is truly no small feat.

This year, I had the opportunity to join the Bastille Day celebrations over the course of two days: the first being a lovely luncheon at the new-to-me French bistro Bistronomic and the second being a spectacular dinner at Café des Architectes in the gorgeous Sofitel Hotel (which I haven't been able to stop thinking about ever since my last visit!). It was a magical two days of food and wine that filled our inner Francophiles with happiness.

Bistronomic serves modern French dishes showcasing ingredients from Midwestern farms. I love that just as the cuisine is very French-meets-Midwestern, the dining room is a blend of traditional cozy (with all of the dark wood and candles) with a modern twist.

Of course, we couldn't celebrate Bastille Day without bottles upon bottles no matter the time of day. Mangez bien, riez souvent, aimez beaucoup!



Nichols Farm Wax & French Beans Salad with grapes, toasted hazelnuts, shaved Parmesan, and heirloom tomatoes

 Steak Frites with chayote squash remoulade

Fish du Jour (salmon) with summer saffron bouillabaisse

Maple Leaf Duck Breast with vanilla cauliflower puree, griotte cherries, turnip cocoa nibs, and a cherry sauce

Baked Alaska with mixed summer berries

The gorgeous red, white, and blue tablescape designed by Bloomingdale’s (inspired by the flag of France) at the Café des Architectes dinner.

One of my favorite parts of the patio at Café des Architectes is that the mirrored building offers stunning reflections of the neighborhood - it was such a perfect backdrop for our dinner!

More wine, please!

Tuna Sashimi with gooseberry jam, grapefruit-wasabi cream, and pickled peppers

Baby Summer Vegetable Salad served on a caraway cracker with lamb salami and chèvre

 Seared Scallop with ricotta gnocchi, charcuterie cream, and fava beans

 Wild Salmon en Croute with pine nuts, asparagus purée, and spring vegetables

Angel Food Cake with compressed peaches, blueberry crème fraîche, and peach sherbet

You can try all of this deliciousness and more at Bistronomic: 840 N. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL and
Café des Architectes: 20 East Chestnut St., Chicago, IL.
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1 comment

  1. I am sitting here drooling over every single dish!!! They all look amazing. I need to make my way over to both restaurants ASAP!

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