Music
Paris Combo
My favorite French cultural export of the past decade is this French quintet, a quirky jazz-cabaret outfit that likes to take detours into exotic realms from time to time. After a few years on hiatus, they’ve released a fifth studio album, simply titled “5.” The song titles alone — “Goodbye Pinocchio,” “Lux,” “Fantôme Adoré” — convey some of the flavor of the music. If you’re just discovering the combo, “Attraction,” a 2002 release, is a great place to start.
Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times arts writer
Food
Luc
Stop crying in your Champagne over the closure of Thierry Rautureau’s French restaurant Rover’s. No more scrambled egg-cups with caviar? Whatever. Better to visit Rover’s petit frère, Luc, where a $5 “Tini Lucatini” (vodka, gin, Lillet, St. Germain!) serves as prelude to a foraged mushroom omelette ($14) — among other Bastille Day brunch fare served noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 14. Missed brunch? They’re open for dinner, too (2800 E. Madison St., Seattle, 206-328-6645 or ).
Nancy Leson, Seattle Times food writer
Movies
‘Rififi’
What better way to celebrate Bastille Day than a classic French film about a jewelry heist? This elegant, 1955 Jules Dassin thriller often makes Top 100 lists, thanks to the long, nail-baiting, intricately choreographed robbery sequence, during which no music plays, only pin-drop sounds. But its hard-boiled Parisian thieves’ dialogue is a treat, as well. (Available on DVD from the Criterion Collection.)
Paul de Barros, Seattle Times arts writer