Vive la France!

Bastille Day is upon us, and the best way to celebrate is with a little gastronomy. I asked French-born chef Daniel Pont what French dishes he most enjoys locally, when he’s not busy at his own very French establishment, La Bonne Soupe Cafe (920 Eighth Street, (916) 492-9506).

1. “The first would be Waterboy—I like the sweetbreads. They’re some of the best I’ve had, since I don’t make them anymore: crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, perfect.”

2. The mussels and frites at Restaurant 55°. “I’m a mussel lover. I like them with the marinière sauce. And I love their oysters—they are so fresh. The tiny ones are delicious, and the sauce with them is perfect.”

3. The brunch at La Provence Restaurant and Terrace in Roseville. “I love their eggs Benedict, especially the way the eggs are poached. There are only two ways to poach an egg—the right way and the wrong way—and theirs are the right way. And the hollandaise is always perfect. Eggs Benedict are not very French, but as a French-American, I love it.”