Vive la France! Bastille Day festivities to take over Smith Street

By Jared Foretek

Georg Bucher once said that the French revolution, like Saturn, devoured its own children. The good news is that on Smith Street, you can devour patisseries.

The street’s annual Bastille Day celebration is upon us again, featuring games, music, and tasty French food.

Bar Tabac, Robin des Bois and Provence en Boite will once again shut down restaurant row between Bergen and Pacific streets on July 10 for the celebration of French independence with live bands (expect to hear “La Marseillaise” more than once), and pétanque — aka French bocce.

It’s actually North America’s largest pétanque tournament, with more than 80 teams.

“We have a lot of teams from local businesses; it’s big in the French ex-pat community here,” said Allison Whittinghiol, a server at Bar Tabac. “It’s a big party.”

Over at Provence en Boite, owner/chef Jean-Jacques Bernat will be offering up some special holiday fare.

“We still have the barbecue, we serve chicken brochette, French fries, croque monsieur, and we make a special pastry for this day,” said Bernat. “Voila!”

Bernat said the pastries would include éclairs and flan, which is what the Spanish call crème caramel.

“Everybody parties. When you have something to celebrate it’s always a nice moment,” he added.

Bastille Day on Smith Street [Smith Street between Bergen and Pacific streets in Cobble Hill, (718) 923-0918], July 10, 11 am-10 pm. For info, visit www.bartabacny.com.