Patrice Rames is celebrating Bastille Day at his two Philadelphia restaurants this weekend. Saturday Bistro St. Tropez celebrates with a 3-course Bastille Day menu for $38.

Across town in Old City Patou is offering dining and dancing. The cost is $25 for 3 plates or $35 for 5 plates. Price includes admission to party or $10 admission for the party from 9:30 pm to 2 am.

Menus after the jump.

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Some observations, some burblings…

Is Patou for sale? Sure looks like it from these pictures, which match their website pictures. We hear lots of Old City is on the market… perhaps because the more moneyed crowds have migrated their nocturnal activities to Rittenhouse? One Fourteen has been for sale for a long time, a tipster tells us that Red Sky is now as well.

So there’s an exodus of nightclubs, but we can’t imagine the residents of Old City are too happy about this. Any ideas of what it might be? We thought Pink Taco, but it’s too horrible to consider.

The ‘for rent’ sign that has been lingering forlornly in the window of the former location of Tre Scalini is down and there are signs of construction. Now we love this spot, despite its hideous Santa Fe-inspired facade. It faces the fountain on East Passyunk Ave. (even though it’s technically on 11th Street), it has great big windows and it’s just screaming to be revived as a restaurant. There are whisperings on the Avenue that it’s going to be a restaurant… an Italian restaurant, possibly called DaVinci’s. Because Passyunk Avenue desperately needs another Italian restaurant. There are also whisperings that a less Italian concept was slated for the space and the building owner wanted strictly Italian. We love this neighborhood, but sheesh!

We also hear that waning Rittenhouse nightclub Denim [insert your own joke about lame Philly nightclubs here] is soon to be the property of the owners of Rite Aid grotto G Lounge [insert second joke about lame Philly nightclubs here].

Our personal favorite for Bastille Day is still heading up to Eastern State Penitentiary in Fairmount but that doesn’t mean we aren’t tempted by these Bastille Day celebrations.

Bistro St. Tropez
It’s the 20th year Bistro St. Tropez has been hosting their Bastille Day celebration. Owner Patrice Rames is creating a special 3-course menu for just $35. And that price includes complimentary carafe of wine per table of 4 people and live Jazz piano. [Bistro St. Tropez]

Brasserie Perrier
It’s always a lively time at Brasserie Perrier with a DJ fueled party spilling out onto the sidewalk. A $30 three-course menu rounds up the fun.[Brasserie Perrier]

La Boheme
11th Street’s La Boheme will add a special 4-course, $40 menu to their regular offerings for Bastille Day.

Patou
Bistro St. Tropez’ east-side sister restaurant, Patou is offering a $25 prix fixe menu in their open-air dining room in Old City. [Patou]

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The howl of Joe Sixpack has been heard. April Lisante of Philly.com covers the trend of dog friendly dining that seems to have sprung up this spring.

Call it a case of Le Bec Fido, but something doggone tasty is happening this spring at restaurants from Rittenhouse Square to Northern Liberties to the Main Line: customized canine menus for pampered pooches.

Dog Bites [Philly.com]
Fido-friendly restaurants [Philly.com]

Well you might be hard pressed to find a touch of spring in the air today but rest assured it’s coming. and with spring comes alfresco dining. The Daily News takes note of several places to dine outside. Including Tavern 17 a new restaurant and lounge set to open May 1st on 17th Street just down from the Warwick Hotel. Tavern 17 will seat 170 indoors and another 16-20 outside, plus they’ll have a special menu for pooches!

Additional alfesco dining:

• Patou
• Meridith’s
• Avalon
• Positano Coast
• 333 Belrose
• Oceanaire Seafood Room
• Ecco Qui
• The Water Works
• Restaurant M

Alfresco, old & new [Philadelphia Daily News]

Patou, at 312 Market Street in Old City, is offering an innovative promotion on Tuesday nights called “Pile ou Face” (French for Crush or Face). When you finish your meal, the waiter will ask you to call a coin flip, and if you get it correct Patou will pick up the food portion of the bill!

Now that’s sounds like a fun proposition.

Patou Restaurant [Official Site]

Pulling double duty at Bistro St. Tropez (2400 Market St) and Patou (312 Market St) keeps chef Patrice Rames super busy. But he manages to have time to sit down with Thom Cardwell of aroundphilly.com to discuss becoming a chef, owning restaurants in Philadelphia, and what he does on he does on his day off.

Bistro St. Tropez [Offiicial Site]
Patou [Official Site]

Looks like lots of places are doing World Cup Final parties this Sunday. In addition to the excellent spots we’ve been recommending for World Cup viewing, look for other special events to be happening.

The Irish Pub kicks off their celebration at 9 AM at both 1123 Walnut Street and 2007 Walnut Street. There will be a specially priced breakfast and lunch specials and $2 Bud Lite drafts.

Patou, at 312 Market Street wants to be Philadelphia’s French Headquarters for the last match of the World Cup. The doors will open at 11 AM for brunch and there will be specials throughout the day including $3 bottles, $4 drafts, and $1 off cocktails. There are 5 TV Screens above the bar + 1 large-screen TV in Patou’s dining room. And at halftime Patou will also be offering steamship roast beef sandwich station with salads for only $10.

The Irish Pub [Official Site]
Patou [Official Site]