Get your French fix here at home

The Harrison dessert crepe at Petite Chou (Credit: Frank Espich)

Like the ingredients of fine French cuisine, "Julie & Julia" inventively blends the narratives of Julia Child's "My Life in France" and Julie Powell's "Julie & Julia."

The film, starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, is based on two true stories -- that of famed chef (and spy) Child and that of blogger Powell, who chronicled her attempt at cooking all the recipes in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking."

The film opens Aug. 7, and while we can't vouch for  its deliciousness, we can guarantee that you'll leave wanting a taste of France.

But who in Indy parlezvous the Francaise? Try these:

Patachou or a Patachou-based restaurants (you'll know by the "Chou" at the end; find restaurants at www.cafepatachou.com). The Petite Chou branches have the most Frenchie of flavors; you'll dine under chandeliers facing wallpaper that bears images of Parisian maps. Chef Martha Hoover, like a fine method actor, even went to France to learn how to make crepes. Highlights include omelettes, tartines, croquet sandwiches, duck fat frites and artisanal cheeses.

If your dreams edge toward the flaky, the layered and the buttery, try one of the croissants at Rene's Bakery in Broad Ripple. Pick from butter, chocolate, almond, pan au raisin, walnut or cream cheese. Rene's also features tortes and tarts and sweet but subtle madelaines.

Brugge Brassierie is Belgian and features Belgian beers, but let's not split hairs: They speak the language. Here you can get pommes frites ($3.95, $4.95 or $11.95 for l'enorme) with garlic aoli and roasted pork tenderloin and goat cheese crepes ($10.95).

We don't know a whole bunch about it yet, but La Mie Emilie will open Aug. 7 at 15 W. Main St., Carmel. Emilie Myers and her mother, Cathy Engler, will serve authentic French cafe items -- including quiche and salad nicoise -- seven days a week. More info at (317) 816-1200.

Learn how to prepare sweet and spicy mango shrimp during a step-by-step presentation at the Chef Cooking Demonstration from 3-6 p.m. on Aug.15 at the Fresh Market.