FRENCH

Joie de Vivre at Le Taste of France at Hudson River Park’s Pier 54 is the first ever two-day event celebrating French cuisine and the French way of life. Join renowned French food personalities from some of New York’s best restaurants as they join forces to prepare for guests a comprehensive guide to the diverse culinary offerings that France has to offer. With all proceeds of the event going to Action Against Hunger, guests will enjoy food and drinks, a French flea market, live music by popular French musicians, wine tasting seminars, play a the classic game of pétanque, view modern French artworks, and even vote on the cutest French Bulldog. If you happen to have the cutest French Bulldog ever, upload a picture on Le Taste of France’s Facebook for your chance to win!

While enjoying a recent dinner at Jeanne & Gaston, I reminisced with my fellow diners about the endearing, yet quirky, behaviors of our grandmothers. As we discussed how our grandmothers hid the family heirlooms in the most unsuspecting places it dawned on me that owner of Jeanne and Gaston, maître cuisinier de France, Claude Godard, had named his contemporary French restaurant after his grandparents. Surely Chef Claude, a third generation chef, has a multitude of humorous stories about his grandmother as well, but unlike many of us, he inherited a bounty of his family’s Bourguignon recipes. Opened since December 2011, Chef Claude offers diners a selection of classic French dishes such as French Onion Soup au Gratin, Escargots, and Steak Frites all with modern and refined adaptations. Many of the dishes on the Jeanne & Gaston menu are original Godard family recipes that can be enjoyed in the romantic ambiance of the main dining room while seated on imported French leather banquettes at custom made exotic wood and stainless steel tables. If the weather cooperates, take the opportunity to sit outside in Jeanne & Gaston’s quaint courtyard dining space. This seasonal 40-seat space, open from April to October, is an enchanting dinner setting surrounded by red, dogwood trees and an antique, limestone fountain as well as an abstract mural.

Also known as La Fete Nationale, Bastille Day is the celebration of the 1790 uprising, Fete de la Federation. Do all things French on Saturday, from eating French foods (National French Fry Day was yesterday!) to partying like the French do! Here are some places in NYC that are throwing down for the other red, white and blue.

Sky Room: The swanky rooftop bar is offering up specials in honor of the holiday. Patrons can reap the benefits of 50% off bottles of PJ Grand Brut champagne from 5-10pm (mention code word: revolution), along with a complimentary plate of fresh seasonal berries. Ricard cocktails will also be available for a cheap $5 and anyone sporting a French ID will get into the party 'fo free!

Nicknamed the ‘Voice Belgique’ (the Voice of Belgium), Quentin Mosimann is making a name for himself internationally as one of the few existing DJ-singers. Known for his use of various instruments and his wild and unpredictable performances, Quentin sat down with Joonbug at the Perry Hotel in South Beach to talk about his favorite names in music, his beginnings as a jazz singer, and his current international tour.

You’re probably best known for your success in the French reality TV show, Star Academy France. What were you doing before the show?

Tristan Garner is following in the footsteps of French luminaries Daft Punk and Justice, but he doesn't stop there. Playing a classically French style of electro house, which by definition is a bit funkier and supersaturated than the stuff coming out of other places, Garner has gained quite a following in his native country and abroad. If his name isn't ringing a bell for some of you, I'm almost positive that you would recognize some of his songs, as they are played by some of the top DJs in the world. His hits include "Give Love," "Overdrive," and an underground hit "Fuckin Down." Here are a few samples to jog your memory:

Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir.

Channel your inner Lady Marmalade before sauntering over to SoBe's newest lounge, High Club. The swanky, sexy new 5,000 sq.ft. French parlour has officially opened on Ocean Drive. Parisian nightlife guru Gil Thevenet's first US venture comes complete with a plush Victorian era VIP, handmade black leather-buttoned walls contrasted by a white laquer bar and record studio-quality Tannoy speakers.

The grand opening celebration kicked off on Thursday, November 17th with Belvedere cocktails and French music mixers DJ Navy & DJ Keidy.

For me, escargot conjures up that scene in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts accidentally sends a snail shell flying in a fancy restaurant. Only to be saved by a quick acting and smooth waiter. Fear not—escargot, with its French pronunciation and utensils need not be intimidating. It’s a dish worth overlooking the stigma as being unapproachable, unappetizing. In fact, these delicious, delectable little creatures become bites of heaven when paired with a properly-made garlic sauce.

So how do these shells transform into a cult like obsession (well, in France anyways)?

The best part of springtime is the ability to dine al fresco. The most coveted outside table in the city is at Parc. Located smack-dab on Rittenhouse Square, this Stephen Starr brasserie boasts authentic French cuisine and incredible sidewalk entertainment. It’s a little slice of Paris in the heart of Philadelphia’s most chic neighborhood.

Once the warmer weather descends on the area, Parc regularly throws open their floor-to-ceiling windows. Plus, because Parc is located on the corner of 18th and Locust, it has two stretches of sidewalk to use for outside dining. This means patrons have ample opportunity to enjoy their meal al fresco.

Au revoir excessive prices, pretentiously miniature meals, and pompous waiters!

Bonjour to simplicity.

At Flea Market Café, satisfying and well-priced French meals rein supreme thanks to their Sunset Menu.

Everyday between 5pm and 7pm, this cozy cash-only East Village spot offers your choice of 1-3 course meals and a drink, all for under $20!

The Sunset Menu includes:

• 1 course and 1 drink- $16.50
• 2 courses and 1 drink- $18.00
• 3 courses and 1 drink- $19.95