GREAT EATS HAWAII: BOUCHON - YOUNTVILLE, CALIFORNIA

BOUCHON

YOUNTVILLE, CALIFORNIA

BOUCHON

6534 WASHINGTON STREET

YOUNTVILLE, CA 94599

707-944-8037

HOURS: Daily 11:30 AM - 12:00 AM

www.bouchonbistro.com

Bouchon delivered on every level. Food, service and ambiance all great. Finally a restaurant that actually lives up to the hype. Absolutely loved my visit to Bouchon. It may have been because I had just come off a half day of wine tasting and had a pretty good attitude going in. I was pleasantly surprised to find the place was very casual. Not a dressy, uptight place where diners sit side by side and don't talk. This is a lively little Bistro that is bright and fun. We had a great waitress that always had a smile and was always there to take care of our table. Really felt like we were the only ones in the restaurant because we were in our own little world of food and wine. The first thing I loved about Bouchon was the breads. Oh my goodness. I would go back just for the bread. Could be the best bread I have had in my life. I thought the bread in Germany and France were good, but the bread at Bouchon is World Class. I ordered the Terrine de Foie de Volaille ($15.50). Chicken Liver Mousse served with a Toasted Baquette, Salt and Jelly. This my friends is heavenly. One of the best dishes of this blog. When you spread the Mousse on the bread and top with jelly you have what I think is one of the best dishes ever. I could eat the entire jar. Just thinking about having a jar of this stuff and bottle of wine makes me smile. I would pay double the price to enjoy this again. Hey maybe I can have it mail ordered! Next up was the Escargots a' la Bourguignonne ($16.50). Burgundy Snails, Parsley-Garlic Butter and Bouchon Bakery Puff Pastry. The texture of the Puff Pastry with the garlicky snails was excellent. Again another big hit. The Beignets de Brandade de Morue ($14) were perfectly fried balls of Cod Brandade with a Tomato Confit. The lightness of the batter amazed me. The dish was good but could not compare to the Chicken Liver Mousse. We splurged at ordered the Caviar d' Esturgeon ($85). California Sterling White Sturgeon Caviar with Toasted Brioche and Creme Fraiche. Again the darn bread. This Brioche was the best I had ever tasted. Top it with some fish eggs, onion, egg and capers and you have heaven on a plate again. Holy crap this was good. I remember having a bite of Caviar and then going back to the Chicken Liver Mousse while enjoying a bottle of Aonair wine that we had brought from the vineyard. Oh my goodness this was good. Maybe one of the best dining experiences of my life and we had not even started our entrees. I think a bottle of champagne may have shown up too. Wow.....Bouche is delivering I thought. We moved on to our entrees but really were satisfied with the appetizers. We could have stopped here but I moved on to the Espadon Poele' Provencal ($34). Pan Seared Swordfish with Pepper Stew, Fennel Bulb, Summer Squash and Nicoise Olive Tepenade. The fish rocked but I thought the Olive Tepenade did not belong on the fish. I scraped it all off and did not eat it. Another Superstar dish here was unexpectedly the Croque Madame ($18.95). This glorified Ham and Cheese Sandwich on Brioche with a Fried Egg and Sauce Mornay was THE BOMB! Who would have thought to order a Ham and Cheese Sandwich at Bouchon? Let me tell you, I want one now! Again it was the Brioche, but the egg, ham and cheese rocked. Even the French Fries rocked. Wow...I am having dreams of the taste now. Last up for my friend was the Moelle Rotie ($17.50). Roasted Bone Marrow with Garlic, Parsley, Shallots and Sherry Vinegar. Again the bomb. So rich and flavorful. This meal, the service and evening is a TASTE OF HAWAII FAVORITE!

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