Red, White & Blue

<img alt="bast.jpg" src="http://suttonfirstchurch.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/bast.jpg" width="450" height="240"

This blue has nothing to do with Lady M heading to the altar. Nor does the hue combination have anything to do with my recent 4th of July gathering.

In this case, we take a short break from Lady M's next "Blue" to talk about the red, white and blue of the French flag and take a moment to honor Bastille Day.

The New York Times has done so with stories about the attempt to create an authentic bistro in the East Village with Resto Leon, and a profile of the 87-year old Chef Grand-mère who offers up a little slice of La Belle France at the Theater District's own Chez Napoleon.

And after a quick jaunt to the Smith Street Bastille Day festivities, which seemed to attract more beer drinking hipsters than Francophiles, I am more sure than ever that a trip to France can only be found in the unexpected corners of our five boroughs. Bathazar might be marvelous, but it's only an American's wet dream of a Parisian brasserie. Still, I'm okay with that -- and can appreciate it's charms. Especially, if the New York Times and others keep pointing me in the right direction if I'm looking for genuine je ne sais quoi.

Vive la France!