Dig out that striped shirt and red neck scarf—if you can’t get to Paris for Bastille Day, the next best thing is the Bastille on Belden street party downtown. This narrow little alley of alfresco dining evokes Europe year round, but at this time of year it gets nuttily French with decorations, live accordion music, and… free berets. Merveilleux! The festivities happen from 4:30 to 9:30pm this Friday, July 12 (yes, a few days before the official Bastille Day—so maybe you can still catch a flight to Paris and do both!).
Belden Place is the hub of French-American culture in San Francisco. It dates back to French Gold Rushers settling the area in the 1850s, and can be found between Pine and Bush Streets, further bounded by Kearney and Montgomery.
Besides the complimentary headgear, the Belden restaurants are offering other French-inspired specials for the national day celebration. At Café Bastille, you’ll receive a free Eiffel Tower keychain for ordering two glasses of French wine, while Voodoo Love is crafting an elaborate bouillabaisse for $28 and a French 75 cocktail for $15. Ukrainian restaurant Leleka is making Napoleon cake (a slice is $8). Toy Soldier lounge and bar is offering French lamb chops with Dijon sauce for $52 and a French Kiss cocktail (cognac sidecar with Chambord float) for $14. With all this magnificence, you know it’s wise to make a reservation (itself a French word!) The event is hosted by the Downtown SF Partnership.
Last year’s festivities saw a giant human-sized croissant passed among the crowds by (we’re frightened to tell you) a mime. But that just means you’ll have to talk louder, eat faster and dance to the traditional music. Vive la révolution!