Celebrate Bastille Day in New York: The Five Best French Dining Options

Although you may still be recovering from your Fourth of July festivities in the Hamptons, it’s time for New Yorkers to gear up for another Independence celebration. C’est la vie!

Tomorrow, July 14th is Bastille day- the French Independence Day. In honor of the holiday, have a glass of champagne and fancy feast at one of these top five French restaurants in NYC.

Jean Gorges

This restaurant redefines fine French dining. The experience is one of elegance and grace with flavors that are clean, intense and pure. Chef Vongerichten has honed a style of contemporary French cuisine that showcases aromatic but not heavy broths and sauces. The dining experience is unforgettable with three Michelin stars and a perfectly edited wine list which is perfectly paired with the vibrant menu and desserts.

La Petite Maison

An eclectic mix of music that includes classic French tunes sets the scene, guests – including such celebrity fans as Alec Baldwin, Annalynne McCord, Naomi Campbell and Paul McCartney – are transported to the South of France as they step inside La Petite Maison.  For the past 21 years, La Petite Maison has stood as an iconic restaurant in the culinary scene of Nice, France, tucked away between Place Massena and Old Nice—celebrated owner, Nicole Rubi has introduced a New York City sister location with co-owner David Barokas. With a desire to capture the signature culinary elements of the renowned La Petite Maison cuisine, Chef Alain Allegretti, a native of Nice, to create a modern, refined take on classic  Niçoise fare.

The Modern

The Modern is a fine dining restaurant located at the Museum of Modern Art overlooking the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, inspired by the Bauhaus movement with an elegant, open design and filled with light. Featuring the original French-American cuisine of Alsatian-born Chef Gabriel Kreuther, with desserts by Chef Marc Aumont, The Modern holds three stars from The New York Times and one Michelin star. Chef Kreuther’s original menu offers a tasting journey of seasonal ingredients and pure, clean, intense flavors.  A prix-fixe menu and tasting menus are offered at dinner, while lunch is offered à la carte. Signature dishes include a Tartare of Yellow Fin Tuna & Diver Scallops; Squab and Foie Gras “Croustillant” with Caramelized Ginger Jus and Farm Vegetables; Chorizo-Crusted Codfish with White Coco Bean Purée and Harissa Oil, and Lemon Napoleon, Exotique Fruit Brunoise and “Fromage Blanc” Sorbet.

Artisanal Bistro

Artisanal Fromagerie, Bistro and Wine Bar showcases the formidable creativity and passion of Chef-Proprietor Terrance Brennan who adds playful twists to classic French bistro dishes. Selecting only premium ingredients, Brennan’s commitment to the use of artisanal, sustainable and organic products is evident in the quality of each dish. Recalling a Parisian bistro, Artisanal’s handsome interior was designed by noted architect Adam Tihany. A mural-sized painting, which had hung in French restaurants since the 1930’s, presides over the 160-seat Art-Deco space. In the back of the dining room is the cheese cave, a temperature and humidity controlled room, where a number of the world’s finest artisanally-made cheeses are aged to optimum ripeness and peak flavor. Adjacent to the dining room is the wine bar, which boasts 160 wines by the glass. In honor of Bastille Day, wear your best Marie Antoinette frock for free champagne!

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