How to celebrate Bastille Day in Australia

While Australians tend to ignore the 4th of July and many other national days they are quite partial to celebrating both St Patrick's Day and Bastille Day.

Perhaps because both involve the enjoyment of alcohol.

Jean-Claude Mas, the man behind the Arrogant Frog wine label, has just released some new drops in time for Bastille Day on July 14.

Mas owns around 20 estates around the Languedoc region and says he crafted the Arrogant Frog range "for people that want to drink well without spending a fortune and to enjoy a wine that is incredibly consistent vintage after vintage".

He says the wines "deliver pleasure, style, and a real sense of place, all with limited fuss and a cheeky smile."

The newcomers are the Arrogant Frog Sauvignon Blanc 2023 and the Arrogant Frog Chardonnay 2023, along with Arrogant Frog Pinot Noir 2024 and, my favourite of the quartet, the Arrogant Frog Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 'Ribet Red' 2023.

Mas has these Pays d'Oc wines are $13.99 at Dan Murphy's, or $13.30 if you buy six or more. A very affordable way to mark Bastille Day celebrations.

But with Bastille Day falling on a Monday - maybe you might choose next weekend to celebrate in advance.

In Sydney, French-accented eateries Armorica (above) and Franca are hosting a weekend of celebrations with exclusive menu offerings and live jazz on Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13.

Jazz musicians will perform live from 1pm-4pm during lunch service at both venues, adding to the festive atmosphere, and guests will be greeted with a complimentary French 75 Cocktail upon arrival to toast the occasion in style.

Armorica is offering guests two set menus for Bastille Day Weekend: Liberté - minimum two persons - for $95pp and La Grande Révolution - minimum four persons for $160pp.

Franca is offering guests a three-course set menu for the weekend for $125pp.

See https://www.armorica.com.au/ and https://www.francabrasserie.com.au/

 

Kiwi Bunny has chocolate treats for Easter

Are you a chocolate lover who will be in Sydney over the Easter Weekend?

You might fancy a high tea for sweet tooths at Armorica - a collaboration with New Zealand's iconic Whittaker's chocolates.

Over just three days, Armorica will serve ITS limited-time high tea experience with a special menu that is a blend of savoury and sweet treats.

Savoury delights like Wagyu pastrami with horseradish mayonnaise, Oscietra caviar with buttered leeks, and chicken liver parfait, will be followed by an all-Whittaker’s dessert selection, featuring Hazella scones, Creamy Caramel tarts, Dark Ghana and hazelnut cake, and more.

The menu can be paired with a Whittaker-inspired cocktail, a glass of sparkling, or a refreshing mocktail. Up to you.

The bad news: indulgence does not come cheap. High tea costs $99pp with a choice of one drink or $85pp without a drink.

Available from Good Friday to Easter Sunday from noon-3pm.

Glasses of rosé at $6 make for a very happy hour or two

So your budget is tight, but you still fancy a pre-Christmas treat?

Sydney folk can check out the new Six Til 6 offering at French-accented Armorica in Surry Hills - a happy hour that features $6 glasses of the Dominique Portet Fontaine Rosé along with some budget-priced snacks.

Running from 4-6pm daily, the Six Til 6 also showcases charcuterie items starting from just $6.

The happy hour is billed as "the perfect opportunity for after-work catch-ups, pre-dinner drinks, or simply indulging French style because… why not?"

Armorica, named after an ancient region in what is now France, is a French-style brasserie on Crown Street. 

See https://www.armorica.com.au/ 

New Sydney eatery to have a serious French accent

Sydney's hip inner city suburb of Surry Hills is get a new French brasserie from next month.

Restaurateur Andrew Becher, the owner and operator of European-inspired restaurants Franca and Parlar, will open his third venue, Armorica Grande Brasserie, on April 20.

Armorica is being billed as a 150-seat restaurant that draws on classic Parisian brasserie culture in a contemporary way.

It will take over the site that had been occupied by Toko over the past 15 years.

Amorica is named after an ancient Celtic region that once encompassed much of modern-day Brittany and spanned into what would later become Paris.

“Armorica is a Parisian brasserie that embraces the timeless charm of classic French dining," says Becher. "We want to bring the fun, energy and excitement of dining in the city of light right here on Crown Street.”

The menu will centre around wood-fired cooking and executive chef Jose Saulog (ex Bells of Kilcare) aims to showcase the best of Australian seafood and meat.



The menu will feature small plates including a coral trout crudo with finger lime; as well as Foie Gras ‘Torchon’ (top image).

Also featured will be a seafood tower featuring oysters, prawn cocktail, octopus roulade and rock lobster, as a well as a classic steak frites.

Armorica's wine list spans 400+ labels with a focus on some of the classic wine regions of the world.

Becher has collaborated with renowned American Illustrator David Plunkert on a selection of original art that will feature throughout the restaurant.

Let's hope it is good as another French eatery in Surry Hills: chef Jacob Brown's late, lamented Tabou.   
Armorica is located at 490 Crown St, Surry Hills, and will open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday and lunch Friday to Sunday. See www.armorica.com.au