Feeding Your French Addiction

Still haven't made it to Paris? Whenever I need a French fix, I'll pop into a local French restaurant loaded with ambience. Anisette Brasserie in Santa Monica harkens back to la Belle Époque with dark wood paneling and red banquettes, easily transporting me back to Paris the moment I enter. Thomas Keller's Bouchon in Beverly Hills reminds me of La Cupole, while Maison Maurice conjures up a neighborhood bistro in the lst arrondissement. Partial to pain au chocolat? La Provence Pâtisserie and Café is the perfect antidote. Sometimes, a croissant, a little Edith Piaf, a glass of vin, some moules frites, or a slice of Beaufort is all you need until you get on a plane. So, the next time you're craving foie gras, explore your own city. Cheeses of France encourages you to do just that by giving away dinner for two at a fine French restaurant in either Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, District of Columbia, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, or Seattle. Stop salivating, and enter.

Voilà - the link to the Cheeses of France "Perfect Dinner for Two" Sweepstakes:

http://www.cheesesoffrance.com/sweeps.html

Bastille Biz

Party peeps latch on to foreign holidays as an excuse to fire up a storm of celebrations, and Bastille Day, which is better known in France as La Fête Nationale, or le quatorze juillet (July 14th.) is no different. Mais, oui, French restaurants in L.A. such as Bouchon, Comme Ça, Melisse, and Saint Amour have special Bastille Day menus, and French festivals from Echo Park to Santa Barbara abound. If you're in Manhattan tomorrow, saunter over to the Alliance Française's French American Festival, which runs from on from noon to 6PM on July 11th. In honor of the occasion, the Girls' Guide to Paris and Exclusive Hotels are giving away three nights at the beautiful La Maison Champs Elysées Hotel, which is steps from the Champs and the Grand Palais. Use your frequent flyer miles for a plane ticket. Start the revolution and enter.

Voilà - the link to the Girls'Guide to Paris and Exclusive Hotels contest:

http://www.girlsguidetoparis.com/girlchat