Brasserie Le Bouchon

PROS: This place is the #1 hot spot of all restaurant cottages in the area. This was originally a 19th century house and converted into a restaurant. The staff is very nice, the food is good, and the prices are decent. They hustle to turn over tables too CONS: Parking is limited on the street and they do not take reservations despite being very popular. The kitchen was also very slow OVERALL: Despite a few cons I think their pros outweigh them. I highly suggest you coming here, but you are at risk of needing to wait for a table

I decided to come here for lunch based on the great reviews, and left underwhelmed. I’ve eaten at good French restaurants before, and was excited to try another. We were greeted promptly and seated outside. First annoyance-they have no straws. It was a minor issue, but because there’s so much ice in the drinks, not having a straw made it difficult to drink. I understand not using plastic but they had none at all (I asked). Sangria was good. My husband said his pinot grigio wasn’t great. My son had a hard time drinking his soda. I decided to try the goat cheese tart appetizer. For $13, we got TWO puff pastry squares with a slice of goat cheese and an arugula salad. I could buy an entire box of puff pastry plus a log of goat cheese and make an entire platter for less than that. It tasted good but was very simple and probably overpriced by about five dollars. I ordered my son the croque monsiuer, which was more bread than topping although it was flavorful. I had the seared salmon entrée which was fine. The salmon was nicely cooked but needed salt despite the sauce, along with the asparagus. Menu said “seared,” salmon was clearly grilled. The potatoes were probably the best thing on the plate. I tasted a bite of steak from my husband’s steak sandwich; the meat needed salt. Service was fine and mostly attentive but the waiter was not friendly in the slightest. So overall while nothing was necessarily bad, it also wasn’t great. I wouldn’t return.

Pros: very kind and attentive staff. Chef was always around, chatting with the costumers. The food was very delicious. We had the cassoulet and the duck confit. Although both were good, DO try the cassoulet. It was amazing. (For any Brazilians out there, it's like a French version of feijoada, but with white beans) The dessert was also very good. We had the apple tart and the creme brulee. Both were tasty! Con: the sangria was not super delicious and it was served with fruit juices and not the actual fresh fruit. PS: the lady next to us had a cheese tart that looked amazing, though small. PS2: sorry about the half-eaten food picture.

Great escargot, rich and tasty. Cassoulet was excellent, coming hot, generous portion, plenty of sausage pieces but less on the duck, beans melted in your mouth. Excellent 2 large pieces of Boudin noir with mashed potatoes and sautéed slices apples with rich dark sauce. Would have like more apple pieces to contrast the pudding but overall excellent. Friendly staff. Very romantic, rustic decor.