Vive La France

 As we are getting ready to take another trip over the Pond to Europe, it reminded me that I have yet to post about another extremely festive celebration we had this summer.  I know it's terrible, but Bastille Day was over 2 full months ago.  If there is any reason do get dressed up and celebrate something...you can count on my husband to do just that.  Mike had Bastille day blocked out on his calendar weeks before the actual date, and had recruited our equally festive friends, the Bucks, for a beret-filled evening of celebrating the French.

This was the appetizer

My husband has been begging me to go to Les Sans Culottes since we moved to New York.  In the spirit of celebration, I gave in and prepared myself for what would be a glutinous evening.  Mike was so excited to wear his new pink blazer and handkerchief with the matching beret, an outfit carefully selected for this special occasion.  Before even entering the tiny French establishment, it was mandatory that all four donned different colored berets....a French essential. 

Prior to Bastille Day 2012,  it was hard to find a reason to go to a restaurant with an unlimited selection of sausages & meats....just as the appetizer.  I was surprised that we were also given a beautiful basket with a fine selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables as part of the appetizer experience as well. With the combination of sausage and vegetables, there was a little something for everyone. 

To accompany the spread we had pre-dinner, there was a variety of other authentic dishes as the main course as well.  We had a choices of French specialties such as coq au vin, escargot, mussels, and of course as much of the most delicious baguettes you could possibly eat.  Courtney and I drank carafes of red wine while the men sipped fancy cognacs "apres diner". 

I'd would say that I would recommend this little hole in the wall for visitors and I'd be happy to make this special day a New York tradition; regardless of the fact that we did have a few Les Sans Culottes patrons ask us "what's with the berets" (doesn't everyone know when Bastille day is?)?  The most endearing this about the whole evening wasn't the berets, or the French cuisine, or even the cocktails.  It makes my heart smile thinking that we find reasons to celebrate with friends and wear costumes on what may be ordinary days to other people. I can truly say, that during our meal & our after-dinner excursion, we were the only people who even knew it was Bastille Day.  We shamelessly paraded around New York City in hot wool berets, even though it was the height of the Manhattan summer.  We scoffed at other people who questioned why we all were wearing these hats. And we kept extra berets in our purses to share with others if they wanted to join in on the fun. 

When I first met Mike, he talked about how he and Chuck base their lives around "chasing serotonin".  I laughed and thought nothing of it. But it's actually a huge lesson we can all try to learn from a little bit.  Life really is about these little unexpected holidays, and not taking yourselves too seriously.  It's these moments that ground you and remind us all that life is fun and there should always be a reason to celebrate.  But most importantly, when you have an opportunity to wear a beret....you shouls always do it!