Three years ago my friend Dennis and I threw a Bastille Day Dinner Party at the restaurant Bin 36 in Downtown Chicago for our clients, complete with bordeauxs, champagne, fromages and breads. We carefully selected the menu and educated the guests on each wine and its' region in France, complete with a map of France. I absolutely loved this party, and we all had the best time! Since Bastille Day is this Thursday (July 14th, background HERE), I am getting some ideas rolling. Happy Tuesday! Viva la France! Bon Appetite! xoxo, Julie
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Welcome Chalk Board
Hand Drawn Menu via A Dinner Party
Eiffle Tower and Tea Candles tablescape via Cupcakes and Eggplant
Burlap Table Runner via Camilla Styles. See my how-to HERE.
Petite Bouquets via EAB Designs
Napkins rolled in a map of France & tied with twine and a Fleur di Lis Charm.
Sparkling Water and French Wines & Champagne. TopFrenchWines.com is great!
Wine suggestions from Dennis:
1. Sparkling Vouvray from the Loire Valley
1. Sparkling Vouvray from the Loire Valley
2. Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux
3. Rose from Provence – Generally Grenache
4. Pinot Noir from Burgundy
5. Cote du Rhone – blend of Syrah and Grenache
6. Bordeaux Blend – Cabernet and Merlot
Of course you can start or end with Champagne however if you are on a budget as we were sparkling wines from other regions in France work just great!
Fromages: (Ask your local Whole Foods or Fresh Market Deli. A classic list is HERE)
Pains (Breads): French Bread
Hors-d'-oevures & plates
Entree: Mine will be a Rotisserie Chicken. Julia Childs lays it all out in her cookbook! I'm currently reading her memoir and it is fantastic!
Dessert: Crepe! Basic Recipe HERE.
Cafe: French Press
Musique: I love my free Pandora App on my Iphone.
Search 'french music' and some great stations should appear.
Cinema Francais: Marie Antoinette, La Vie En Rose, Chocolat, Le Divorce, (kids) Beauty and the Beast