The owner said “she might be a stick-in-the-mud” but they had so much fun, and so many customers, they are planning another event.
EAGLE, Idaho — A fine-dining French restaurant in Eagle, Bacquet’s, wants to provide space for everyone. The restaurant hosted a Mardi Gras-themed drag brunch on Sunday, and the owner said they had an “epic” turnout.
“Eagle has turned into something different than it was 25 years ago,” said owner Michele Bacquet, “something needed to happen to show everyone here that everyone is welcome. We are Eagle.”
Michele said they sold out of tickets weeks ago and were at capacity for the drag brunch.
“All of the performers are just regular people,” she said. “They needed a venue and we had a spot. It was very P.G., there was nothing inappropriate or sexual about it.”
Michele is married to the chef Franck Bacquet, who decided to partake in the fun himself. He dressed up to the nines, called himself “Tip Kitten,” and helped gather money for the performers. Michele said the support was unbelievable.
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Posted by Bacquet’s Restaurant on Sunday, March 2, 2025
“This is a fine dining restaurant, and I might be a stick-in-the-mud, but this was so much fun,” Michele said. “We laughed and hi-fived… it was just good, clean fun.”
The show had four performers and ended with everyone joining in to the Moulin Rouge song “Lady Marmalade.” There were 86 people at the brunch, and it was not just a run-of-the-mill buffet brunch. Michele said they served prime rib, whole bone-in ham, Salmon Champenoise, a variety of sides, croissants and quiche.
“We have been here for a very long time,” she said, “and the reputation of Eagle has changed. We want to remind people that Eagle has diversity. People forget about that, and we want to remind them, and we want people to feel welcome.”
Bacquet’s has been serving food in Eagle since June of 2018. Michele and her husband run the restaurant, working six days a week. She said that she spends money at businesses where she feels comfortable, and her business welcomes all people.
“This is our house,” she said. “We aren’t corporate, this was an event for our own people. We had an epic time, I will be smiling for days, it was absolutely electric inside.”
Michele said, contrary to what some may think, there was nothing sexual about the event.
“We have rules at the restaurant,” she said, ” don’t talk about politics, sexuality, or religion. This event wasn’t doing any of that. It was about coming out and having a good time. Anybody who doesn’t like drag hasn’t experienced it.”
The event was so successful and fun for the owners that they decided to have another one.
“I can’t wait to have the next event,” Michele said, “all the people who wanted to come couldn’t even fit. We didn’t have enough seats.”
People can learn more about the restaurant by clicking here.