Thursday, July 21, 2011
La Sardine, French restaurant in Chicago
Referring to numerous reviews, la Sardine is one of Chicago's best French restaurant.
HEARTBREAKER, an other AMAZING French movie
This movie is impossible not to like with the cast chosen.
It stars Romain Duris, Vanessa Paradis, Julie Ferrier, François Damiens and is directed by Pascal Chaumeil.
Beautiful story.
This film is not your regular american romantic comedy, it has a French touch which makes it only better.
Check it out!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
LOVE ME, IF YOU DARE
This movie from 2003, directed by Yann Samuell, is a French classic and probably one of the only movies famous not only in France.
A beautiful and captivating love story from childhood to adults between the two main characters played by the wonderful Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard.
The trailer speaks for itself, make sure to watch it:
4 Things That are NOT French
The truth is out.
Be ready to reconsider everything you have ever known about french culture.
The "cliches" have to stop.
The origin and the name of the bread are very vague. It was baked in Europe since the 16th century but where exactly? No one knows. On top of that, regarding the different taste preferences, the recipe changes a lot depending on the country of origin.
In France, the equivalent is "pain perdu" which means lost bread.
This recipe, in the past, was used for bread that had gone stale.
The main difference is that pain perdu is deep-fried.
" It tastes nothing like the American French toast", says the Chef of a French restaurant in Chicago, called "La Sardine".
Here is a link to the authentic French recipe:Pain perdu
Sorry to break the news to all of you, but yes, French fries are not from France either.
Jonathan, a man interviewed on the street, says, " That's so weird.Why call them french fries, if you know, they are not French. That's really confusing."The first to cut a potato in strips and fried them in oil were Belgians in the 18th century.
It was the British and Americans soldiers during World War I who named the dish "French Fries" because at the time, the official language of Belgium was French.
However, the frenchies did copy this recipe in the same century.
Thanks to Mr Parmentier, a famous french chef and nutritionist from the 1900's, who was obsessed with finding new recipes based on his studies of potatoes.
As you can see neither French toast, French fries, the beret and the French kiss are French.
Be ready to reconsider everything you have ever known about french culture.
The "cliches" have to stop.
- French toast
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| Photo credits to GFDL |
The origin and the name of the bread are very vague. It was baked in Europe since the 16th century but where exactly? No one knows. On top of that, regarding the different taste preferences, the recipe changes a lot depending on the country of origin.
In France, the equivalent is "pain perdu" which means lost bread.
This recipe, in the past, was used for bread that had gone stale.
The main difference is that pain perdu is deep-fried.
" It tastes nothing like the American French toast", says the Chef of a French restaurant in Chicago, called "La Sardine".
Here is a link to the authentic French recipe:
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| Photo credits to fotopedia |
2. French fries
Sorry to break the news to all of you, but yes, French fries are not from France either.
Jonathan, a man interviewed on the street, says, " That's so weird.Why call them french fries, if you know, they are not French. That's really confusing."The first to cut a potato in strips and fried them in oil were Belgians in the 18th century.
It was the British and Americans soldiers during World War I who named the dish "French Fries" because at the time, the official language of Belgium was French.
However, the frenchies did copy this recipe in the same century.
Thanks to Mr Parmentier, a famous french chef and nutritionist from the 1900's, who was obsessed with finding new recipes based on his studies of potatoes.
3. The beret
If you go to France and you see someone with a beret, congratulations you just saw an American.
The original beret, simple with a basic color, was created by the French and Spanish in the 17th century. For some reasons, Americans wear them now.
It's only in the 1930's, with the beginning of the French feminist movement, that the beret started to be worn by women and became a fashionable accessory.
Michèle Morgan, Greta Garbo and Brigitte Bardot are famous French actresses who started this movement and embraced it at the time.
In France, the glory of the berets is over.
4. French kiss
The term " French kiss" is not French either. In fact, no one really knows where this kissing technique comes from.
Referring to recent studies, this expression has been used since the 1820's.
The psychologists still ignore the author of this term but they have a rational theory.
One of the theory for utilizing the country France in the expression "French kiss" is because Paris was always known as the city of love.
Plus, the French have always been more sensitive, romantic and more comfortable with their sexuality. France has always been a libertine country.
3. The beret
| Photo credits to Moria |
"The beret is so last season . When I went to France with my parents 2 years ago, not one person was wearing a beret", says Samantha, a vendor from H&M on Michigan Avenue.
If you go to France and you see someone with a beret, congratulations you just saw an American.
The original beret, simple with a basic color, was created by the French and Spanish in the 17th century. For some reasons, Americans wear them now.
It's only in the 1930's, with the beginning of the French feminist movement, that the beret started to be worn by women and became a fashionable accessory.
Michèle Morgan, Greta Garbo and Brigitte Bardot are famous French actresses who started this movement and embraced it at the time.
In France, the glory of the berets is over.
4. French kiss
The term " French kiss" is not French either. In fact, no one really knows where this kissing technique comes from.
Referring to recent studies, this expression has been used since the 1820's.
The psychologists still ignore the author of this term but they have a rational theory.
One of the theory for utilizing the country France in the expression "French kiss" is because Paris was always known as the city of love.
Plus, the French have always been more sensitive, romantic and more comfortable with their sexuality. France has always been a libertine country.
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| Picture credits to Jason Rhein |
As you can see neither French toast, French fries, the beret and the French kiss are French.
In fact, to avoid confusions, I believe they should be called: American French toast, American french fries.... You get the idea.
Remember, things are not always what they seem.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
CHICAGO FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL JULY 22-24, 2011
Music Box Theatre organized the first edition of The Chicago French Film Festival.It is a three-day film festival celebrating the best in recent French cinema.
The Chicago French Film Festival features eight films, including recent French box office successes and hit films from the Cannes , Toronto city and Tribeca Film Festivals.
Two special guests will be present:
Jean-Pierre Améris, director of the Opening Night Feature ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS (Les émotifs anonymes, 2010), and Josiane Balasko, star of the Closing Night Feature THE HEDGEHOG (Le Hérisson, 2009).- The price for one movie is : $10
- Music Box theatre is located at: 3733 N. Southport Ave.
- To see the showtimes or for more informations, go to:
Monday, July 18, 2011
French song
Beautiful movie, call Amelie Poulain, that happens to be French (for once).
This song is from the movie.It's called " Comptine d'ete".
Go check it out, it's worth it!
This song is from the movie.It's called " Comptine d'ete".
Go check it out, it's worth it!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Presentation of the French school
The French school in chicago is one of the many French schools abroad.
It's a private school following the French program.
There is also a program for Americans students who want to learn a high level of French.
Hopefully, you'll get an idea of what the french school looks like in Chicago.
Photo credits to Diane Van Nuvel
It's a private school following the French program.
There is also a program for Americans students who want to learn a high level of French.
Hopefully, you'll get an idea of what the french school looks like in Chicago.
Photo credits to Diane Van Nuvel
Thursday, July 14, 2011
USA and France working together
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| Photo credits to Diane Van Nuvel |
Took this photo downtown on July14th on the Michigan Avenue.
This picture, right here, pretty much sums up my entire blog.
This picture, right here, pretty much sums up my entire blog.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Independance day of France, Fete Nationale
Every year, on the morning of July 14th , the oldest and greatest parade of Europe takes place on the Champs-Elysee (Paris' main boulevard)It commemorates the Fete de la Federation held in 1790 on the first anniversary of the 14 July 1789, when the population took control of la Bastille. La Bastille was the french jail at the time controlled by the government.
It represents the end of the constitutional monarchy and the beginning of the first Republic in France.
The Revolution permitted the union of France.
Our national motto "Liberte, egalite, fraternite" (liberty, equality, fraternity) comes from this crucial event in our history.
But for those who can't go to this National event, l’Union des Français à l’Etranger (The French organization abroad) organizes every year an event for those who are far away from home. Plus, it's also a way for the French Communities to get together any where in the world.
- It starts at 9:30.
- The location is Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum-Lincoln Park (Fullerton and Canon drive).
- The entry is free.
For more information about the event, go to:
Monday, July 11, 2011
Lycee Francais de Chicago's Fall French Market
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Every year, the Lycee Francais de Chicago opens its door for the Fall French market which is a weekend festival that shows the best of France.
- WHERE : 613 W Bitersweet, Irving Park
- WHEN : A week end in mid-October
- FOR WHO : Anybody who wants to explore its horizons. Families are more than welcome. There is a children’s Pavilion for the affordable price of 10 dollars. The activities include French musical games, dancing, magic, face painting and balloon art.
- WHAT IS THERE TO SEE : Shopping with more than 60 vendors, culinary demonstrations from top Chicago chefs, unique collectibles, jewelry, artwork, antiques, home décor, housewares, cheese, pastries and confections. There is a French bistro and a cocktail party on the Friday night.
Check out this video to get a glimpse of the event :
To check out some of the vendors' work, here are the links :
Bijoux Fantasia, exclusive European fashion jewelry and accessories
Macaron Chicago, famed Chicago macaron baker Beth Jacob
Figaro Parisian Antiques, a marvelous collection of vintage and antique furniture
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