In France, what we call Bastille Day is a national holiday commemorating an important moment in the French Revolution. Restaurants around the city are celebrating with special dinners and offerings, but we wanted to hear how French expats celebrate. We caught up with Patrick’s Gourmet’s Patrick Garrivier, who was born in Lyon, France and moved to the U.S. in the ’80s, about how he’ll be spending the day.

Unpretentious Palate: What are your memories of celebrating Bastille Day growing up?
Patrick Garrivier: That was a big day when we were kids, it was almost the same thing as here. It was major, major fireworks. We couldn’t wait for the fireworks. It was a day where everybody used to picnic. It was a day where you hang out outside and get together with family members and celebrate. It’s a national holiday, just like the 4th of July, so nobody works that day. We used to go on picnics with pâte, charcuterie, and all that stuff, and running around. It was great memories. That was the main thing that day, that everybody was outdoors.

UP: How have you celebrated since moving to the U.S.?
PG: I always make some some brioche or crepes or stuff like this, some paté. We usually have a lot of charcuterie at home. And just a little celebration. At that time, everybody was poor, so I’ve tried to recreate a mushroom pie because there was a lot of mushrooms they were foraging. So I tried to celebrate a little bit like that stuff that I like and remind me of my youth.

UP: What kind of wine do you generally drink to celebrate?
PG: I usually drink some Burgundy to celebrate, a Mercurey or Santenay red or Bourgogne aligote white or something like that. I love Burgundy. Lyon’s part of Burgundy almost, that’s one of my favorite wines.

UP: Do you have a favorite wine shop that you think has a good selection of French wines?
UP: I like Total Wine. They have a really nice selection of Burgundies and even Bordeaux. Everything went up, but they still have some good affordable wines $20-$25 range that are very good quality, and they’re very helpful.

UP: What is the most similar aspect to American holidays?
PG: It was a day where everybody really had fun and enjoyed outdoors mostly. We do picnics here; barbecue is the comparison to baguettes and all that stuff. That was great hanging out with all the family and running around in the middle of a field. It was just awesome.

Join our Plated Pop-UP dinner with chef Patrick in August!