Rebelling against a king, now there is an idea we can get behind! As a country that had our own start with a rebellion against a king, we have a soft spot for those who did the same. Tomorrow happens to be the anniversary of the French people storming the Bastille in Paris, an event that marked the beginning of the French Revolution and the birth of the French Republic. Bastille Day, as it has come to be called, is a holiday not only recognized in France but in the U.S. as well so we thought we would incite a little rebellious celebration for the occasion. Here is a list of popular French cafés and restaurants you can visit to honor our French brethren.

Vive la France!

The Original Café Du Monde – New Orleans, LA

The Original Café Du Monde Coffee Stand is found in the popular French Market of New Orleans. You can sit down for a spell at this busy little café to enjoy their signature Coffee Au Lait with chicory complemented quite nicely with beignets, the square, French-style doughnuts covered in powdered sugar. Café Du Mondes is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week but if you can’t make it down to the French Quarter, there’s seven more in the New Orleans Metropolitan area that you can stop by.

Balthazar Restaurant – New York, NY

No matter what time of day, you’ll be able to find some French cuisine at Balthazar’s. The bustling restaurant features traditional bistro fare along with an extensive wine list, a raw seafood bar, and breads and pastries from Balthazar Bakery. Located in SoHo and always packed with appreciative patrons, it’s wise to make a reservation beforehand.

Mon Ami Gabi – Las Vegas, NV

Looking for a little taste of France in Las Vegas? Mon Ami Gabi is the place to go! Located on the strip as part of the Paris Resort & Casino, this classic French-style bistro is a great getaway for your taste buds. They offer the classic French favorites along with new dishes to discover from an ever-evolving menu. A selection of over 80 boutique French wines is also available to complement your meal. The bistro also has al fresco seating available where you can people watch or catch the Bellagio fountains in action.

Café Presse – Seattle, WA

This French bar-café offers a laid-back French experience on South Capitol Hill. Their menu offers Parisian café classics and affordable wines from the French countryside. Whether it’s a simple breakfast of bread and butter or roasted chicken for dinner, Café Presse is the place for a nice French meal. Café Presse is also serious about their soccer so if you’re a fan head over on the weekend and watch some games with like-minded fans!

Parc Brasserie – Philadelphia, PA

Right on Rittenhouse Square, the Parc Brasserie pays tribute to the French café culture and the chic brasseries of Paris. You can stop by for a quick bite or a leisurely meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner any day of the week. The baguettes are made in-house and the menu is filled with classic bistro fare to enjoy in this charming and comfortable space.

With last year’s launch of Localicious, we set out to deliver an app that made discovering the best businesses in America blazingly fast & implausibly easy. Now almost a quarter million downloads later, the next version of Localicious is ready, and it is faster, sleeker and more downright local-icious than ever.

With this new iteration our users will be able to find the best local haunts in record time with a nearby map view & category pull down from the home screen, Android Quick Search integration and more precise location detection.

Check out some of these cool new features:

Click here to download Localicious v1.3 for free from Google Play

More news on the Localicious front:
Last week at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona the Localicious team previewed Localicious for Android tablet. This new app will run on Android’s new Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) platform and will take full advantage of the improved user experience on ICS. Stay tuned for the tablet version of Localicious!

Sure, you can drink and dine every night of the week, and sometimes grabbing a bite and a cocktail is the point of a night out. But what about nightlife? Yeah, the chance to see great bands and musicians and having bragging rights to saying you saw them “when?”

Whether it’s legendary bands or up-and-comers, you’ll find something from nearly every genre and to suit every taste at one of these clubs:

10.  Echoplex – Los Angeles

Lots of great music shows happen here, and “some of the most consistently great touring bands and DJ nights”, but sometimes the most fun events are offbeat, like roller disco, mash-up clubs, life-size Tetris playoffs and epic rock-paper-scissors competitions.

9.  Paradise Rock Club  – Boston

The Paradise holds a place in history as the first venue that U2 ever performed in Stateside and has hosted some of rock’s legends (think AC/DC). Follow them on Twitter and FB for special promotions and giveaways. Tip: buy tickets early for buzz bands.

8.  Ryman Auditorium  – Nashville

They don’t call Nashville Music City for nothin’.  While you might think it’s merely country twang, you can check out great artists like Feist in this National Historic Landmark and “Mother Church of Country Music”. And remember, the roots of rock are bluegrass, folk, blues and early country music, and here’s where you’ll find the crossroads of those influences.

7.  Electric Factory – Philadelphia

Arrive early and grab a stool on the balcony right above the stage for a prime view. Tip: check streets around the venue for free parking, and beat the “expensive”  parking lot.

6.  The Showbox – Seattle

Founded in 1939, Seattle’s beautiful art-deco gem now known as The Showbox at the Market has featured historically significant acts ranging from Duke Ellington and Muddy Waters to The Ramones and Pearl Jam, while recently hosting Snoop Dogg, Dave Matthews and Kanye West, to name a few. You’ll find three bars to slake your thirst and get you in the mood for the night’s performances.

At The Showbox SoDo, a converted warehouse opened in 2007, you’ll enjoy a larger concert venue with beautiful wood-beam and brick architecture, and incredible production capabilities and sightlines, along with an equally impressive roster of acts as its mothership.

5.  The Fillmore – San Francisco

A fan says it best: “The Quintessential concert venue in NorCal. Just go.” Pass through the doors (“get there early”) and check out the poster room upstairs, where you can soak up iconic counterculture and psychedelic ‘60s rock history: The Doors, The Grateful Dead, Santana, Miles Davis, and Aretha Franklin, to name a few. There’s a second bar up stairs underneath glowing chandeliers where you can take in the show and grab a bite.  While the venue has “just the right amount of grit and class”, some feel the great acoustics and sound system deserve props.

Traditions endure at The Fillmore. Back in the day, founder Bill Graham often stood next to a huge bin of fresh apples at the front exit saying goodnight to patrons and handing out apples, and you can still get one today.

4.  Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY

With a capacity of  500+, it is “intimate yet big enough to allow small acts to feel like they’ve finally made it, mid-tier bands to perform comfortably, and bigger groups to play in a smaller setting.” While some veteran show-goers bemoan the lack of seating, two bars is a plus. Hot tip:  to get to a spot at the front by the stage, wait on line by the women’s bathroom.

3.  First Avenue – Minneapolis

Made famous by Prince and his film “Purple Rain”, First Avenue endures. Still the preeminent place to see music in the Twin Cities, a renovation has opened up sightlines and the acoustics are great, while still making the room feel intimate. Tip: If you want to avoid the lead singer’s sweat, grab a perch upstairs, where there are “plenty of spaces along the banister”.

2.  Pianos – New York City

Another place to rock out on the Lower East Side, Pianos has great DJs and notable up and coming bands and some intriguing artist residencies. Good food and strong drinks keep the crowd happy. Tip: best music and scene is mid-week.

1.  Stubb’s Bar-B-Q  – Austin, TX

Originally born in Lubbock in 1968, in the ‘70s, Stubb’s became known as much for being at the heart of an explosive music scene as for their ‘cue. Amongst the musicians who would “play for their supper” were Joe Ely, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Muddy Waters, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and John Lee Hooker. While it doesn’t get much better than hanging out in the backyard under the stars soaking up live music, the indoor stage downstairs is warm and intimate for a more low-key afternoon or evening.  The concert billings offer something for everyone:  local and regional acts celebrating an album release and national headliners like Social D and Big Head Todd and the Monsters make a point of stopping at Stubb’s.

Rock on.

Since the day we dumped 342 chests of tea in the Boston harbor, America become a nation of coffee drinkers. We flock to the nearest coffee den for our morning lattes, our mid-morning cappuccinos, our 2pm espressos and our after work frappuccinos, and as we do so, we just move faster and faster.  But now, after 238 years have passed, tea is making a comeback.  Across the country champions of tea are spreading the calm & tranquility that a cuppa tea can bring to a wired world.

To celebrate National Tea Month, we’ve uncovered the most popular tea houses in America using Localicious and Foursquare intel.

Teaism – Washington, DC

Teasim is born out of a desire to share the “richness and complexity of the tea leaf”, to make tea accesible, and to spread the culture of tea without all the over-formalization.

Teavolve – Baltimore

Teavolve inspires visitors to explore their senses with tea.  They serve over 48 varieties of loose leaf tea in a chic and inviting atmosphere.

Remedy Teas – Seattle

Remedy specializes in organic, signature blends that they have sourced from around the globe. This independent, family-owned tea house is dedicated to spreading their love of healthful teas to even the most wired of Seattle coffee drinkers.

Samovar Tea – San Francisco

Samovar Tea believes that serving the highest quality tea and contemporary cuisine is an art and vehicle for the greater good.  They invite patrons to escape the grind, slow down and enjoy spending time in the moment.

Argo Tea – New York City

Argo Tea sources their tea directly from growers around the world and they are committed to sustainable business practices.  With their roots firmly planted, Argo strives to main their pillars of communitea, diversitea, charitea, qualitea, sustainabilitea and creativitea.

Hot chocolate, hot cocoa, drinking chocolate – whatever you call it, we call it divine, decadent and the drink to hit the spot during the cold weather months. Harnessing the power of Localicious, we’ve found the Top 10 most popular places to get your cup o’ cocoa bliss.

10. Java Vino Coffee & Wine House – Atlanta, Ga

Enjoy the cozy, laid back atmosphere, where the hot chocolate tastes like chocolate sauce and hot milk. Free Wi-Fi makes up for small parking lot.

9. Dolcezza Gelato & Café – Washington, DC

While this place has built a rabid following for their coffee and gelato, their hot chocolate is for purists, no whipped cream, or bells or whistles needed: Their “dark, glossy chocolate” is served in a generous mug, with cinnamon and spices. It’s “silky” and “completely decadent without being overwhelmingly sugary.” (We Love DC).

8. Dogwood Coffee Bar – Minneapolis

“Ask for it dark”. ‘Nuff said.

7. Bakery Nouveau – Seattle

At this nouveau French bakery, savor a creamy blend of steamed milk and chocolate ganache, the very same mix of heavy cream and confectioners chocolate they use to ice their cakes.

6. CoCo. Sala Chocolate Lounge & Boutique – Washington, DC

Hard to go wrong here with a choice of seven hot or frozen chocolate drinks, so why not sample a flight of three?

5. Mindy’s Hot Chocolate – Chicago

Dedicated to supporting local farmers and growers, the hot offering at Mindy’s is the Dark Hot Chocolate (72%+): dark, rich, creamy, thick hot chocolate (and filling), it will “lift (you) to Heaven.” Nice twist: the chai hot chocolate, a “nice blend of spices with the dark milk chocolate.”

4. The Chocolate Bar – Houston , TX

“Walking into this place is like the west wing of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.“ The hot chocolate is thick, European-style sipping chocolate – “very rich”. Or beat the Texas summer heat with a frozen hot chocolate, the same chocolate blended with ice.

3. Snooze, an A.M. Eatery – Denver, CO

The manager calls the hot chocolates (yes, there’s more than one—in fact, there’s three!) “Love in a glass.” The Snooze versions come with cinnamon, whipped cream and chocolate with an added touch of creativity: “Snooze” spelled out in chocolate syrup on top.

2. Flour Bakery & Café – Boston

This multiple Best of Boston winner is famous for their hot chocolate. Their decadent, fiery hot chocolate has a deep chocolate flavor with a kick of cinnamon. Three locations, including one by MIT and one by Boston University.

1.Serendipity 3 – NYC

Andy Warhol declared this his favorite sweet shop, and paid his tabs with drawings. But don’t send a stand-in, check it out for yourself, and bring a friend: Their world-famous Frozen Hot Chocolate is huge – you’ll be glad you shared it. If you need something warmer, the Serendipitous Hot Chocolate is topped with whipped cream, grated valley orange, cinnamon and shaved French chocolate.

For many, winter in the lower 48 brings a dreary, frigid cold darkness.  Luckily, in this beautiful country there is a shimmering oasis in the form of a ski lodge nestled at the foot of a powdered mountain where fresh hot toddies await after long days of hitting the slopes.  Using the powers of Localicious we’ve located the most popular alpine escapes in the continental USA to ski, snowboard and relax by a roaring fire.

7.  Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado

With over 5,300 acres of terrain and four mountains, Aspen is arguably the most well known ski destination in America.  Its famous black-diamonds, gorgeous villages and fine dining are sure to keep Aspen on the map for another 60 years.

6.  Mammoth Mountain, California

Mammoth Mountain enjoys a staggering 300 days of sunshine a year, and winter on the mountain usually lasts from November to June.  That means you’ll have plenty of time to explore each and every one of their 3,500 acres of downhill terrain.

5.  Kirkwood, Lake Tahoe, California

The uniqueness of Kirkwood comes from its location atop the Sierra Crest and elevations reaching 9,800 feet, which create some of the lightest, driest and most plentiful snow in America.

4.  Vail, Colorado

Vail mountain boasts 5,289 acres of the most diverse skiing on the planet with 7 miles of front side slopes, 7 legendary back bowls and 9 kid’s adventures skiing zones.

3.  Snowbird, Utah

Nestled in the Little Cottonwood Canyon of Utah, Snowbird is an alpine escape for the best of the best.  With killer hanging bowls, 50-foot cliffs and over-the-head powder, Snowbird caters to those with a sense of adventure.

2.  Park City Mountain, Utah

While Park City has its fair share of diverse terrain, it is also one of the most easily accessible ski resorts in America.  The meticulously groomed mountain maintains the highest standards quality and is a perfect destination for families and pros alike.

1.  Beaver Creek, Colorado

For your skiing pleasure, Beaver Creek mountain is manicured almost obsessively, making it the sweetest & softest terrain in North America.  Recently, Beaver Creek became the new home of the Birds of Prey World Cup downhill ski races.

Winter’s here, and we say don’t fight it, embrace it, and hit the ice at one of these skating rinks. Some are seasonal, but some are year ‘round, so you can perfect your Figure 8’s even in the summer heat. Merging info from Localicious and Foursquare, here are our picks for the Top 10 Most Popular Skating Rinks:

10. Holiday Ice Rink at Union Square – San Francisco

Running thru Monday, January 16th, this joint puts you on center ice, in the heart of Union Square. This lovely winter scene is open until 11:30 every day. Note: bathrooms are in an adjoining garage.

9. McCormick Tribune Ice Rink – Chicago, IL

Located in Millenium Partk this public rink attracts 100,000 people annually. While skate rental is $10, bring your own if you’ve got ‘em and you can skate for free. Cool: Since the rink itself is cooled, it’s no problem to skate when the temperature’s above freezing.

8. Oakland Ice Arena – Oakland, CA

Skaters enjoy the “friendly staff and nice facility”, and recommend the best parking in the garage on 17th Street. Great idea for an active and arty date or day: “Go skating here between gallery hops”.

7. Castle Ice Arena – Renton, WA

You’ve got plenty of options for public hours, plus hockey and figure skating , but some recommend that you bring your own tunes because the “music could be better”.

6. Pettit National Ice Center – Milwaukee, WI

You’ll feel like a champ at this U.S. Olympic Training Facility, that houses an indoor 400-meter Olympic Oval. If you’re not on the ice, you can walk/run on the track that encircles the ice rink. “Early mornings are peaceful”, if you want to sharpen your skills. Year-round skating helps counter the summer swelter.

5. Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center – San Francisco

At San Francisco’s year ‘round ice rink, you can skate as much as 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mondays and Wednesdays are great nights to skate, since they’re “nice and quiet”. Home ice for Olympian Brian Boitano, you can sample classes and lessons, and both figure and hockey skates are available for rental.

4. Rockefeller Ice Skating Rink – New York City

Possibly the most famous skating rink (with shots on the Today show nearly every day), this small rink is still the place to get an iconic NYC shot in front of the golden statue of Prometheus. Tip: Go during lunch time or midweek in the evening to out-smart tourist crowds. One downside: because of the crowds, the ice isn’t cleaned as often as at other places.

3. Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers – New York City

Part of the 28-acre sports entertainment complex that is Chelsea Piers, this year-round rink offers views of the Hudson River, lessons, hockey teams and free skating on Sundays in August (what better way to beat the summer heat!)

2.Wollman Rink – New York City

New York City’s largest ice rink, opened in 1950 and situated in the south end of Central Park with skyscrapers reaching above the trees. Why not spend the day? Pay admission and you can stay as long as you like.

1.Sharks Ice – San Jose, CA

Monday nights are reduced admission and Tuesday eves are reserved for Adults only. Otherwise you’ll enjoy the ice with a mix of ages, and you can take lessons or join in a hockey game during lunchtime drop-in hours. If you’re hanging out more on the sidelines than on the ice, you’ll want to “bring a sweater – it gets cold in here”.

10. Frosted Cupcakery – Los Angeles