Tobacco Road seems the least likely place to celebrate Bastille Day...that is until you realize that it's always appropriate to celebrate anything there. On July 14, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., enjoy beer battered frog's legs, pommes frits and a Kir Royale, all for $9.99. 626 South Miami Avenue, Miami
BLT Steak at The Betsy Hotel is offering two specials. Indulge in steak frites and a glass of 2006 Chateau Larose-Trintodoun Bordeaux for $35 in the dining room, or enjoy escargots and a French craft beer, Page 24 by Brasserie St. Germain, at the Lobby Bar for $15. 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Le Bouchon du Grove is having a magical Bastille day celebration, complete with bubbles, champagne toasts, a magician and....a guillotine! Chef's specials include duck breast with sweet pea puree, sea bass with asparagus risotto and lobster soup with puff pastry. Regular menu is also available. Festivities start at 6 p.m. 3430 Main Highway, Coconut Grove
Pascal's on Ponce is having a Bastille Day party with live music and a special prixe fixe menu (regular ala carte also available). For $55.95 enjoy an amuse bouche, appetizer (choice of Atlantic smoked salmon or bouillabaisse), entree (Arctic char or lamb osso buco), and dessert. 2611 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables
Meat Market is offering a special cocktail, the Blue Bastille. a blueberry and tarragon flavored absinthe invention ($14). Regular dinner menu is served. 915 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
La Cote at the Fontainebleau Hotel is serving three fabulous drinks for lunch or early dinner. The French Press is a blend of watermelon juice, Grey Goose vodka and grapefruit bitters. La Revolution is a blend of Bombay gin, blueberries and champagne, and the Marchons combines Hennessey, pear cognac and creme de cassis. 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
If you want to have your own Bastille Day party at home, try to replicate La Cote's cocktails with the following recipes (guillotine not included):
La Cote's French Press
1 oz. fresh squeezed watermelon juice
Juice of half a lemon
1 ½ oz. Grey Goose vodka
½ oz. rock candy syrup
1 dash grapefruit bitters
Directions: Combine all over ice, shake hard to chill, strain into cocktail glass & garnish with a watermelon ball on skewer.
La Cote's La Revolution
¾ oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin
½ oz. Blueberry Compote
Juice of half a lemon
Fill with Champagne
Directions: Combine all but champagne with ice, shake to chill, pour into champagne flute, top with champagne and garnish with 2-3 blueberries on skewer.
La Cote's Marchons!
1 oz. Hennessy VS
1 oz. Xante, pear Cognac
Juice of 1 whole lemon
½ oz. rock candy syrup
½ oz. Crème de Cassis
Directions: Combine all over ice and shake to chill, strain over fresh ice in Collins glass & garnish with a pear wedge, blueberry & raspberry flag.