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Bouchon Review

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Bouchon

$$-$$$, French, Yountville

User Rating: *** 3.2

Fodor's Review:

The team that brought French Laundry to its current pinnacle is behind this place, where everything from the snazzy zinc bar to the elbow-to-elbow seating to the traditional French onion soup could have come straight from a Parisian bistro. Boudin noir (blood sausage) with potato puree and leg of lamb with white beans and piquillo peppers are among the hearty dishes served in the high-ceiling room. The noise level booms during peak hours, so ask for one of the (very few) outside tables if you prefer a bit more peace and quiet. Late-night meals from a limited menu are served until 12:30 AM -- a rarity in the Wine Country, where it's often difficult to find a place to eat after 10 PM.

Member Reviews & Ratings:

Not worth it

Posted by John_08 from Michigan on 7/5/08

Was very excited to eat here based on reputation. The food was ok and the atmosphere was nice but I was not overly impressed. The chilled potato leek soup was overpowered by cream and the taste of the vegetables was far too subte. Service started out well but we waited over 20 minutes between our second course and entre with no appology or explanation from the waitstaff, management or kitchen. Despite its pedigree I would skip this one and would look harder for an up and comming restaurant that is woking hard to earn their reputation.

FOOD: 3.0

ATMOSPHERE: 3.0

SERVICE: 2.0

VALUE: 2.0

RATING: 2.6

Reminds me of Paris

Posted by ihpeterson from San Diego, CA on 5/25/08

Delicious food served in a wonderfully noisy and close atmosphere and strike up a conversation with the people next to you. If you are looking for peace and quiet go to Domaine Chandon. If you are looking for delicious food served in a friendly atmosphere, you have arrived.

FOOD: 5.0

ATMOSPHERE: 5.0

SERVICE: 5.0

VALUE: 5.0

RATING: 5.0

Uncomfortable and Overpriced

Posted by Gary3949 from Atlanta, GA on 7/24/07

The evening was hot yet the doors were open and the air conditioning on low. The tables are jammed together and the noise level was at a din. I had to lean out of the way of passing wait staff, and we could have shared the food on the next table over. The food was good but I was so uncomfortable that I didn't enjoy it. Reduce the number of tables by about 33%, turn on the ac when the temperature outside is 86 degrees and reduce the service pace down from an Applebee's at lunch time (I know it's a bistro) and I might pay the Keller premium price.

FOOD: 4.0

ATMOSPHERE: 3.0

SERVICE: 3.0

VALUE: 2.0

RATING: 3.2

Turn down the volume, please.

Posted by Daniel from Ottawa, Canada on 2/23/06

So we went to Bouchon expecting an entirely different experience. The place was terribly, excessively noisy from being packed solid. The food was OK. No bad, not great, just OK. In the hussle and bussle, our waitress spilled an entirely full glass of mineral water on my lap. I had a thick cotton napkin to avert the bulk of it but I was still chraged for the water and that rather peeped me off. We were somewhat tired and gobbled the food up and could not wait to get the heck out of the annoying racket for the quiet of the street. It was not worth the visit, really, and I honestly would not return.

FOOD: 3.0

ATMOSPHERE: 1.0

SERVICE: 2.0

VALUE: 2.0

RATING: 2.2

overrated

Posted by Debbie from San Jose, California on 2/20/06

I went there in 2004 because a friend recommended it. I had corn soup, and some other seafood dish (i think it was trout), and neither impressed me. there are many other good restaurants at Napa, and this one is just little overrated.

FOOD: 3.0

ATMOSPHERE: 4.0

SERVICE: 3.0

VALUE: 3.0

RATING: 3.2