Top 10 Places to Celebrate Bastille Day
When I told my editor yesterday I was going to do a Top 10 on French restaurants in honor of Bastille Day he had the usual response. Do we even have 10 French restaurants? Then he asked me if I was going to include IHOP for its French toast.
He's got a point. After our conversation I changed Top 10 French Restaurants to Top 10 Places to Celebrate Bastille Day. Did IHOP make the cut? Read on. ...
* Bonaparte Breads in Fells Point. A casual French coffee shop with sandwiches and good French pastries and breads.
* Bonjour Bakery & Cafe in Mount Washington. Authentic French pastries and a few savories like quiche and meat and cheese croissants.
* Cafe de Paris in Columbia. In honor of Bastille Day, have tonight's special buffet for $35.95.
* Crepe du Jour in Mount Washington. In spite of the name, it's more French restaurant than creperie.
* Elkridge Furnace Inn in Elkridge. Check out the three-, four- and five-course fixed-price menus.
* La Madeleine Country French Cafe, area locations. A popular, cafeteria-style chain.
* Les Folies Brasserie in Annapolis. Fine French food and an extensive raw bar.
* Petit Louis in Roland Park. The Foreman-Wolf restaurant group's excellent take on an authentic French bistro.
* Sofi's Crepes in Baltimore and Annapolis. The owner got her inspiration from her trips to France.
* Tersiguel's in Ellicott City. A self-styled French "country" restaurant, but upscale all the same, there will be dinner and live entertainment tonight.
Comments
Nice poster, EL. To your list I would add, go see "Cheri" at the Charles and soak in the fabulous settings and costumes.
Posted by: Dahlink | July 14, 2009 6:35 AM
I love Bonaparte bread.
I have a brain photo associated with the place. Years ago, I was in buying bread in their Savage Mills location, chatting with the woman behind the counter -- one of the owners. She told me her husband bakes the bread, that he starts very early in the morning and habitually works in nothing more than his underwear.
Vive la France.
Posted by: jl | July 14, 2009 6:58 AM
How could Cafe Bretton in Severna Park not make this list?! And Cafe Normandie on Main St. in Annapolis. Good french food and great atmosphere. I think EL needs to expand her dining circle. I've become pretty disappointed reading these lists.
Posted by: Naptown Represent | July 14, 2009 10:10 AM
Yes, Tersiguel's is the THE place for Bastille Day. The food, wine, costumes and entertainment are great fun. It is expensive, but it's only once a year!
Posted by: riverside | July 14, 2009 10:33 AM
I'll be walking over to Patisserie Poupon this afternoon to pick up a dozen of the best macarons this side of the Atlantic.
Posted by: Jim | July 14, 2009 11:55 AM
EL, is Baltimore and it's neighboring environs so deplete of French cuisine that La Madeleine makes the list?
Sacre bleu! (sorry no accent marks available today)
Posted by: Misha the Veggie Lover | July 14, 2009 12:29 PM
At least Michael's Steak and Lobster didn't make this list. Hooray!
Posted by: Laura | July 14, 2009 12:31 PM
Don't forget Moulin de Paris in Severna Park- outstanding-
Posted by: blackthorn | July 14, 2009 12:32 PM
To celebrate, I'm munching on a Bonaparte coissant aux amandes.
Posted by: Dave | July 14, 2009 3:46 PM
Don't forget about the fabulous party at Ma Petite Shoe in Hampden tonight! Chocolate, Champagne, Sofi's Crepes, La Marseillaise and lots and lots of shoes on sale! 832 W 36th Street - open until 9p! www.mapetiteshoe.com
Posted by: Emily | July 14, 2009 5:02 PM
I surrender to your exopertise! It sureky is time to celebrate our grandiosy! Vive la France! Whooosh............
Posted by: Pierre A. | July 14, 2009 5:19 PM
Moulin de paris in Severna park is my favorite restraunt of all times. They used to just have bread and bakery iteams then about 15 years ago they opened up a restraunt. Family run wonderful place to go. Sometimes pricey but always wort it. The Saigon Crepe is wonderful.
Posted by: hungry | July 21, 2009 10:01 AM