CELEBRATE BASTILLE DAY AT ONE OF CHICAGO’S BEST FRENCH RESTAURANTS

Bastille Day, July 14, recognizes a key event – the storming of the Bastille jail – during the French Revolution. Now, the day is mostly a fine excuse to celebrate French food and drink.

Here are ten of Chicago’s best restaurants, serving the finest French food; each one a very appropriate venue for celebrating Bastille Day.

Chef Moi is where to go for casual French cooking, simple dishes expertly finessed to perfection by Alsatian chef Dominque Tounge.

Le Colonial is French-Vietnamese, reflecting the years when Vietnam was a colony of France and the two culinary traditions – European and Asian – merged to become a new and delicious kind of *fusion* cuisine.

Les Nomades is one of Chicago’s classic French restaurants, serving food that proudly stands in the Gallic tradition: not inexpensive, but worth every penny.

Bistronomic, with food prepared by Paris-born Martial Nougier, is a beautiful example of elevated bistro food in Chicago, steps away from the super-lively Rush St. area.

Brindille, headed up by Chef Carrie Nahabedian and George, her cousin, continues the fine dining experience the pair had perfected at their award-winning Naha.

George Trois in Winnetka has recently undergone a complete remodel, and Chef Michael Lachowicz is taking this opportunity to return – in a big way – to his classic French roots.

Le Bouchon has been serving wonderful French bistro cuisine since the 1990s, and it continues to excel in this renown tradition.

Robert et Fils specializes in casual and sophisticated French food at reasonable prices.

Taureaux Tavern in Chicago’s financial district offers an escape to France in the middle of downtown.

French Quiche, as the name suggests, celebrates French baked goods, like its namesake egg and cheese pie: magnifique!