Community Corner
Video: Un Bon Temp et Fête Magnifique
La Baraka hosted local Bastille Day Celebration.
Vive la Prise de la Bastille!
That's French for "Let's Celebrate," and Little Neck residents did just that last night at .
In honor of Bastille Day on Thursday, the community came together to celebrate French independence at a Little Neck locale that's become well known throughout the area for its 'Flare Françaises.'
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To help mark the occasion, guests sipped champagne, sampled fine French food, listened to traditional French music, enjoyed a special fashion show, and had a chance to see a very unique mime act, courtesy of La Baraka Restaurant.
"This is our way of saying thank you to all of our patrons," said Lucette Sonigo, co-owner of La Baraka who pointed out that Thursday's celebration wasn’t just a commemoration of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison on July 14, 1789.
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It also marked the 32 year anniversary for La Baraka, which opened for business on July 14, 1979.
“We’ve hosted this party every year since opening. We can not thank the community enough for all of their support,” Sonigo said.
The first official 'Fête de la Fédération,' was held in France on July 14, 1790—the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille—and La Baraka proudly keeps the tradition alive in Little Neck.
“We look forward to this night every year because it’s always so much fun. It’s our way of showing the customers our appreciation,” said Jean-Luc Sonigo, Lucette's husband, co-owner of La Baraka and a master chef who studied under the world renowned Chef Joel Robuchon.
Those who attended Thursday's soiree were in agreement that the celebration was as the French would say, "C'est Magnifique!
"The food here really is incredible," said David Close, long time patron and friend of La Baraka.
Equally as excited to be a part of last night's 'Le Quatorze Juillet' celebration were the models in La Baraka's Bastille Day fashion show.
"I used to work here and we became like family, so when Lucette asked for me to put on a fashion show I said 'yes,'" said Monica, a former waitress of La Baraka that now returns every year just to participate in the Bastille Day festivities.
"It always a a lot of fun," she said.
Indeed, by the end of the evening everyone in the room was singing the French National Anthem, as they boisterously appreciated the company of one another.
"We really love doing this," Jean Luc Sonigo said.
Still for the patrons of La Baraka the pleasure has been all theirs.
"I've come every year for their Bastille celebration for eight years running now," said Dusty Kurkowski. "The food is great, the staff is great, and the Sonigos are lovely people."
Check back with Patch Saturday to catch a glimpse of all the fun in this week's Viewfinder.