Steak Frites, Poodles, Can-Can: SoCal Bastille Day

French fests and restaurant specials make the weekend magnifique.

July 14? It's a decorated day of parties and toasts and dances across France. Village squares are festooned in grand fashion and large cities throw festivals and everyone raises a flag, or glass, to Bastille Day.

As do many French citizens and Francophiles living around Southern California. Our region's Bastille Day observances run the gamut from kooky to culinary, so choosing how you want to observe France's venerable holiday is really the only big choice you have to make.

Join le partie in...

Santa Barbara: The city's long-running French Festival is known for its entertainment -- think can-can dancers and accordions and such -- and its food -- think croissants and pastries and the like -- and its much-photographed, much-awww'd-over Poodle Parade. That's on Sunday evening, July 13, but the whole celebration is on all weekend long. July 12 and 13 (though not July 14, note).

L'Assiette Steak Frites: Only specialize -- truly specialize -- in one iconic French favorite? That's what this opened-earlier-this-year Melrose eatery does. In addition to steak-frites and cheese plates, every L'Assiette diner over 21 gets a free Kir Royale to toast the July 14 holiday. Salut!

Bar Covell: If simply going the French wine route for Bastille Day tempts, turn for this Hollywood Boulevard spot where a number of hand-selected and oh-so-celebratory French vinos will be on the pour in honor of July 14. Think Domaine Daniel Largeot Bourgogne Rouge Pinot Noir 2012 and other delectable, holiday-worthy libations.

Les Noces de Figaro: The downtown bistro is going with a "special French-only" prix fixe menu on Monday July 14. Will Soupe L'Oignon make a showing? Mais oui. How about escargot? That, too. And coq au vin and le moules a la marienieres are the two choices for your mains. Price? That's 35 (dollars, not francs).

The Scene

Want to find new things to do in Los Angeles? The Scene's lifestyle stories have you covered. Here's your go-to source on where the fun is across SoCal and for the weekend.

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Napoleon's Macaroons: A certain sweet disc-shaped goodie is as French as a frite but, of course, not savory. This macaroonery, which has outposts in Santa Barbara, Woodland Hills, and Glendale, is creating a Bleu, Blanc & Rouge macaroon to pay tribute to a certain flag. Dessert on Bastille Day is wrapped up.

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