Friday Night Feast: France by Way of Sanibel

Chef Christian Vivet’s Bastille Day tribute on July 14 will give an authentic taste of the land of Charles de Gaulle, Jacques Pépin and Coco Chanel.

Bastille Day celebrates the beginnings of modern France (the occasion honors the storming of a Parisian political prison in 1789).

More than 200 years later, it’s time for us to celebrate the best of modern France. And although there have been some recent strong showings in the political sphere and fashion is always par excellence, the best usually means food.

On Friday, July 14, find your way to the quaint cottage that houses Bleu Rendez-Vous French Bistro on Sanibel.

The restaurant is the loving endeavor of native Frenchman Christian Vivet and his Francophile wife, Mari, and they have put together a dinner to impress. The $45 menu (or $65 with wine pairings) includes four courses, with a half-hour complimentary Kir Royal and passed hors d’oeuvres reception to start. The evening will feature the greatest hits of French cookery—escargots a la Bourguignonne, filet mignon with puff pastry filled to the brim with mushroom duxelles and paté (or a rainbow trout with shallot-Riesling cream sauce), plus a salad, cheeses and an apple tart with vanilla ice cream. Magnifique, indeed.

To reserve, call (239) 565-1608.

Photos courtesy of Regan Baroni, Up Close & Tasty

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