Following hard on the heels of the Fourth of July is another Independence Day celebration, that of France, on July 14, or, as they say in Paris, le quatorze juilllet. Louisville restaurants know we are always up for another celebration of freedom, even for the French. Here is where you can go o raise a glass to liberté egalité, and fraternité.
Le diner pour la celebration de la revolution francais will be a couple of days early at Bistro 301, 301 W. Market St., on Saturday, July 12, with two seatings, at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Owner Matt Mershon is marking the 225th anniversary of the storming of the notorious royal prison because, he explains, “My mother was German and my father French and my best friend for life is Irish/Lebanese…”
Bistro 3021’s long-time chef James Lucas will prepare a prix fixe dinner featuring salmon rillettes, shellfish bouillabaisse, tournedos of beef with green pepper corn sauce (vegetarian option is available), and chocolate pot de crème for dessert
The dinner, which will will cost $50; suggested wine pairings will be available for $15. 20% of dinner sales will benefit Day Spring, an organization co-founded by Mershon’s father, Ollie, which offers residential living opportunities for the intellectually challenged adults in the Louisville community.
Call (502) 584-8337.
On le quatorze juillet itself, the Bristol Bar & Grille, 700 West Riverside Drive, JeffersonVille, will offer, in addition to the regular menu, a special menu of French dishes prepared by Chef Richard Doering, with a wine list selected by Master Sommelier and Wine Director Scott Harper. The menu will be served 5-9 p.m. Call 812-218-1995 or go to www.bristolbarandgrille.com.
And all during the summer, all Bristol locations will offer a special French wine selection, chosen by Harper. The French wines will be available by bottle, glass or tasting flight, with the flight priced at $9.50.
And La Coop: Bistro Vins. 732 E. Market St., will offer a family-style French meal July 14. Chef Bobby Benjamin’s six courses will be served as shard plates at the table. the menu will include niçoise salad with local tomatoes and farm egg; duck confit with seasonal vegetables; and sweet corn bisque with strawberry salsa.
The shared plates menu will be served 5:30 to 10 p.m. for $40. Wine pairings for each course (les vins francais, certainment) will be an additional $30. Call (502) 410-2888 or go to coopbistro.com.
