Great French Restaurants to Celebrate Bastille Day, Jul 14, Whatever Your Budget
If you’re looking for an excuse to dine out this week, why not make it a slap-up meal at a French restaurant in honor of Bastille Day on July 14. Bastille Day (know in France as Fête Nationale or Le 14 Juillet) commemorates the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, which was a turning point in the French Revolution. In the spirit of égalité, we have organized the restaurants by price range, so you can go out and enjoy fabulous Gallic fare, whatever your budget.
Budget
O’Steak
From the team behind the equally wallet-friendly Café de la Poste, O’Steak is a great choice for affordable steaks, which are brought in from Inner Mongolia and available in a range of sizes. The rest of the menu includes classic dishes such as garlic butter snails and savory tartines. Weather permitting, be sure to grab a seat on the patio.
Daily 11.30am-11pm. 1/F, Jiezuo Dasha, 55 Xingfucun Zhonglu, Chaoyang District (8448 8250)
朝阳区幸福村中路55号杰座大厦1层
Café de la Poste
For many people, Café de la Poste will be more associated with late night bad decisions than gourmet food, but they actually serve a pretty mean steak. For around RMB 100 plus change, you can get a good steak, served how you like it, and accompanied by salad and sautéed potatoes. The steak tartare is also a highlight.
Daily 6pm-midnight. 58 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng District (6402 7047)
东城区雍和宫大街58号
Crepanini
This Sanlitun stalwart (with another location in Parkview Green) serves up some of Beijing’s best sweet and savory crepes. We’re particular fans of the buckwheat galette (as savory crepes are known) with goat’s cheese, apple, and walnuts. They also serve sweet and dry French cider — a nice drink to enjoy on the street-side terrace.
Daily 9am-22.30pm. 1/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (5208 6093)
朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园1层
Mid-Range
Bistro 108
This low-key bistro in an unlikely location opposite the US Embassy serves top-notch French dishes. Among the best are a delectable filet de boeuf au sauce poivre (made with juicy Australian beef), the mouthwatering fish tartare, a crisp confit duck leg and more. Desserts like creme brulee and chocolate lava cake are also very much worth trying.
Daily 11.30am-10.30pm. 104, Caochang Plaza, 19 Tianze Lu, Chaoyang District (5710 8106)
朝阳区天泽路19号草场商业广场1层104室
F Bistronome
This new, mid-range concept from Maison Flo focuses on classic French dishes to be enjoyed and shared between friends. Menu highlights include smoked veal short ribs and Grand Marnier soufflé. The views over the CBD from the floor-to-ceiling windows are almost as much of an attraction as the food.
Daily 11am-9pm. 7/F, China World Mall (north zone), 1 Jianguomen Waidajie, Chaoyang District (8595 9597)
朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区7层
High-End
Bistrot B
Rosewood Beijing’s Bistrot B serves contemporary French bistro cuisine out of an open island kitchen helmed by Boulud protégé Jarrod Verbiak. The menu features a wide selection of French dishes, from homemade charcuterie and pâté to seafood platters to boeuf bourguignon. There is a good value weekend brunch priced at RMB 390 for three (very substantial) courses.
Daily 6.30-11am, 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm. 1/F, Rosewood Beijing, Jingguang Centre, Hujialou, Chaoyang District (6597 8888)
朝阳区呼家楼京广中心瑰丽酒店1层
Héritage
Set in that most French of hotels, the Sofitel, Héritage offers classic French dishes with modern touches. The interior is plush and the atmosphere refined, making it a good place to entertain guests or celebrate a special occasion.
Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-9.30pm. 6/F, Sofitel Wanda Beijing, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (8599 6666 ext. 6528)
朝阳区建国路93号万达索菲特大酒店6层
Maison Flo
The grande dame of French restaurants in Beijing, Maison Flo has been serving classic French brasserie cuisine (think garlic butter escargots and imported French oysters) to Beijing diners since 1999. Fans come back for the belle époque interior, expansive terrace, and slick service.
Daily 11am-11pm. 18 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District (6595 5135)
朝阳区霄云路18号
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Photos courtesy of the restaurants
