A Cassoulet Supper
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If you can't make it to Paris this year, bring the "City of Light" into your own home with this warm and comforting French bistro meal from Laurent Quenioux, the Executive Chef at Vertical Wine Bar in Pasadena, Calif.
Once the cassoulet is cooking, set the table the way they do at cafés in France. Top a white linen tablecloth with a piece of plain white paper, and set two places (if you're dining a deux) using plain white linen or flour sack cloth napkins. Fill an old glass wine or soda bottle with water, and opt for Picardie glasses to complete the authentic look. Place a flower in a small vase in the middle of the table, with two white taper candles to either side. Of course, don't forget to open a bottle of your favorite vin rouge.
La Carte:
A classic French bistro salad made with crisp bacon bits that can be served for either dinner or as a light lunch. (Photo courtesy of Flickr/conbon33)
A rich one-pot comfort meal that originated in the South of France. (Photo courtesy of Flickr/Ron Dollete)
A simple and refreshing dessert to cleanse the palate after a rich meal. (Photo courtesy of Istock/sbossert)