The French really aren’t that different from us. While we celebrate our Independence Day with beer, fireworks and burgers, they’re doing wine, fireworks and steak frites. So take a mid-week break this Wednesday, the 14th, and give it a shot:

There’s a Pernod Party at Caribou, where they’ll be serving up lots of the popular absinthe.  If you’re not a member of the crime-solving Vidocq Society and won’t be at their Bastille Day celebration at the upcoming Mexican-French Paloma (opening the following day), head to Bistrot La Minette for a $35 four-course dinner (they’ll be grilling house-made country sausage and marinated lamb, full menu here) and $5 drink specials all night (think kir and pastis) or Bistro St. Tropez for a $28 four-course dinner (with St. Jacques, pan-seared dayboat scallops with English pea risotto and herb sauce, or Steak Frites as the main course, and Profiteroles for dessert).