Bastille Day Returns to Back Bay

The French Cultural Center’s signature Bastille Day celebration returns to Marlborough Street on Friday, July 12 with a nod to homegrown French heritage via live NOLA music. Each year, this street party welcomes 2,000 people for dance-worthy music, festive food and drinks, and an emphasis on embracing diversity. After sold-out events for the past five years, this festival is not to be missed.

The musical lineup this year showcases two phenomenal acts straight from New Orleans: acclaimed vocalist and trumpeter Shamarr Allen, who has collaborated with the likes of Patti Labelle, Harry Connick, Jr., and Willie Nelson; and gypsy swing band Bon Bon Vivant, which pays homage to the New Orleans music tradition while infusing an indie/punk edge that attracts both swing dancers and indie-rockers alike.

Back Bay’s beautiful Marlborough Street will be blocked off between Berkeley and Clarendon Streets to accommodate attendees, volunteers, and vendors. Delicious food from some of Boston’s best French restaurants and drinks, including beer and wine, will be available for purchase. New this year, attendees can buy an all-access Garden Party pass, which offers admission to both the street festival and the Center’s private soirée featuring an open bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

Bastille Day in Back Bay is fun for all! The event is free for children under 10, who will enjoy the Center’s activity table for kids with face-painting, art-making, and more from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

For tickets and more information, click here.

Event is rain or shine. Tickets non-refundable. Strollers and backpacks strictly prohibited.

Join Sommelier Jaimie Puckett and Chef Brian Arruda for a four-course wine dinner.

On August 22nd, join Head Sommelier Jaimie Puckett and Executive Chef Brian Arruda in welcoming Vokel Cellars owner & winemaker Dana von Sternberg for a seasonally-inspired tasting menu featuring limited-production Vokel wines from Sonoma.

Vokel Cellars was born from the concept that the best wines are made in the vineyard, not the winery. Dana focuses on small lots from sustainably farmed vineyards, using minimally invasive winemaking practices, allowing the vineyard sites to speak for themselves.

FEATURED MENU

Reception with Canapés
2015 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

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FOIE GRAS TARTE
apricot, grapefruit, chrysanthemum
2016 ‘Starscape Vineyard’ Russian River Valley Chardonnay

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CHORIZO AND CLAMS
tomato, roasted garlic, rouille
2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

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SWORDFISH EN PAPILLOTE
Olive medley, rosemary, sweet pepper
2016 ‘SHV’ Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

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SELECTION OF LOCAL CHEESES
Chef’s accoutrements
2016 ‘Eastside Ranch’ Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Join the French Cultural Center for a wine  tasting and dinner with La Voile.

Epicureans rejoice! To kick-off the French Cultural Center’s season of wine tastings, they will explore the lovely wines of Alsace with a wine tasting, followed by a separate three-course pairing dinner.

Come discover the lesser-known wines of Alsace, presented by Alexandre Sojfer, Resident Sommelier at La Voile and 1855 Bar à Vins. Alex will share his expertise working with vineyards from Alsace and why this region’s grounds are so prolific yet less available to the American market than other varietals.

Event in English. Advance RSVP strongly recommended. The general tasting is a standing event – this is not a sit-down seminar. Please email culture@frenchculturalcenter.org to request a seat/chair, if needed.

The following dinner is a sit-down three-course dinner in the French Cultural Center’s Library.

Join renowned chefs Daniel Boulud and Ken Oringer on October 22 for a special, one-night-only menu.

Bar Boulud Chef-Restaurateur Daniel Boulud will welcome his longtime friend Chef Ken Oringer for a collaborative Fall Harvest Dinner at Bar Boulud on Tuesday, October 22, 2019. The James Beard award-winner and owner of UNI, Toro, Coppa and Little Donkey in the Boston area will join Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud to prepare a delicious five-course dinner featuring seasonal ingredients infused with distinctive flavors.

This unique dining experience will allow guests an exclusive opportunity to meet the dynamic duo, who have known each other for over 20 years since meeting at a marquee charity food and wine event in Boston, as they join forces in the kitchen and celebrate an evening of food, wine and camaraderie.

The following five-course menu will be served, along with carefully selected wine pairings from Bar Boulud Sommelier, Jaimie Puckett:

CANAPÉ
Bay Scallops, Meyer Lemon, Fennel
Uni Spoon
Terrine of Game Bird with Cranberry
Squash Pakora
Boston Mackerel au Vin Blanc

TUNA & FOIE GRAS TATAKI

MELILOT HAY ROASTED LOBSTER
Butternut Squash, Sauce Americaine, Barberry

PASTA & PANCETTA
Jerusalem Artichokes, Porcini Mushrooms, Truffle

GRAIN CRUSTED VENISON
Lambic Stewed Red Cabbage, Salsify, Apple

POIRE BELLE HÉLÈNE
Toasted Almond, Aged Rum, Vanilla Ice Cream

For more about Bar Boulud, please click here.

In celebration of Chinese New Year, the Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Boston offers an Asian-inspired Afternoon Tea in the comfort of the hotel’s Lobby Lounge.

Exclusively available from January 4 to February 9, 2020, the experience begins with a Champagne toast, followed by an aromatic presentation of five natural, loose leaf tea blends and a tiered Asian wheel adorned with an assortment of sweet and savory bites. Menu items include Bai Yu, Cucumber and Tofu Sandwich, Dan Ta, Egg Tarts and more.

Part proceeds from each Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea booking will be donated to the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center.

Price includes gratuities and taxes.

To learn more about the Mandarin Oriental Boston, please click here.

In celebration of Chinese New Year, the Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Boston offers an Asian-inspired Afternoon Tea in the comfort of the hotel’s Lobby Lounge.

Exclusively available from January 4 to February 9, 2020, the experience begins with a Champagne toast, followed by an aromatic presentation of five natural, loose leaf tea blends and a tiered Asian wheel adorned with an assortment of sweet and savory bites. Menu items include Bai Yu, Cucumber and Tofu Sandwich, Dan Ta, Egg Tarts and more.

Part proceeds from each Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea booking will be donated to the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center.

Price includes gratuities and taxes.

To learn more about the Mandarin Oriental Boston, please click here.

In celebration of Chinese New Year, the Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Boston offers an Asian-inspired Afternoon Tea in the comfort of the hotel’s Lobby Lounge.

Exclusively available from January 4 to February 9, 2020, the experience begins with a Champagne toast, followed by an aromatic presentation of five natural, loose leaf tea blends and a tiered Asian wheel adorned with an assortment of sweet and savory bites. Menu items include Bai Yu, Cucumber and Tofu Sandwich, Dan Ta, Egg Tarts and more.

Part proceeds from each Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea booking will be donated to the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center.

Price includes gratuities and taxes.

To learn more about the Mandarin Oriental Boston, please click here.

In celebration of Chinese New Year, the Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Boston offers an Asian-inspired Afternoon Tea in the comfort of the hotel’s Lobby Lounge.

Exclusively available from January 4 to February 9, 2020, the experience begins with a Champagne toast, followed by an aromatic presentation of five natural, loose leaf tea blends and a tiered Asian wheel adorned with an assortment of sweet and savory bites. Menu items include Bai Yu, Cucumber and Tofu Sandwich, Dan Ta, Egg Tarts and more.

Part proceeds from each Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea booking will be donated to the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center.

Price includes gratuities and taxes.

To learn more about the Mandarin Oriental Boston, please click here.

Holiday lovers rejoice! This tasting will prolong the holiday atmosphere at the French Cultural Center!

To kick-off their tasting season, the French Cultural Center will explore the different hot beverages that you can sip during the winter time!

Join them for a warm and new tasting presented by Alexandre Sofjer, resident sommelier at La Voile and 1855 Bar à vin.

Event in English. Advanced RSVP strongly recommended. The general tasting is a standing event – this is not a sit-down seminar. Please email culture@frenchculturalcenter.org to request a seat/chair, if needed.

On the Menu 

• Mulled wine
• Mulled apple cider
• Irish coffee
• Grog
• Russian punch

For more about the French Cultural Center, please click here.

In celebration of Chinese New Year, the Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Boston offers an Asian-inspired Afternoon Tea in the comfort of the hotel’s Lobby Lounge.

Exclusively available from January 4 to February 9, 2020, the experience begins with a Champagne toast, followed by an aromatic presentation of five natural, loose leaf tea blends and a tiered Asian wheel adorned with an assortment of sweet and savory bites. Menu items include Bai Yu, Cucumber and Tofu Sandwich, Dan Ta, Egg Tarts and more.

Part proceeds from each Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea booking will be donated to the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center.

Price includes gratuities and taxes.

To learn more about the Mandarin Oriental Boston, please click here.