Washington, D.C. - September 05, 2006

French Revolution

Bastille Opens

You’ve always considered yourself a bit of a revolutionary.

You rocked a Che tee before it was trendy. Ate organic pre-Whole Foods. And downloaded Pavement while everyone else was hung up on Dave Matthews.

So you’ll be up in arms over Bastille, a new French restaurant and wine bar with a truly innovative twist. The menu focuses on traditional French dishes but incorporates Mediterranean spices such as star anise, fennel, and cloves — a nod to the changing Parisian population.

Start the night with one of their wine cocktails, like a Kir Royal with passion fruit syrup or a Dirty Bellini with Cava Brut and Madagascar vanilla bean syrup. Then dine on a small plate of scallops with cumin-infused eggplant caponata, followed by an entree of caramelized endive and artichoke risotto.

Thankfully, the moderate portion sizes mean you’ll have enough room for the saffron panna cotta or warm apple tatin. After all, no French meal is complete without dessert.

Mandatory dessert? Now that’s a cause you can really get behind.

Bastille, 1201 North Royal Street, Alexandria (703-519-3776 or bastillerestaurant.com).