Bouchee

12/04/08

Good for special occasions

by jpkang

My cousin recommended this place for a celebratory dinner with my doctoral advisor and the prix fixe menu the evening I went was very tasty: I chose the french onion soup, steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus, and chocolate mousse for $35. A half bottle of wine was $25 and complemented the meal nicely; the ambiance was cozy but got progressively noisier as the Friday evening crowds came in from the November cold.

• Pros: the prix fixe menu
• Cons: still a little pricey

04/23/08

poor baryender service

by jjo23

The bartender scratched his head often and not once did he wash his hands. He also put his hand in his mouth, again not washing. He was indifferent to my waiting for him to take my drink order. I left and ate elsewhere.

• Pros: good location
• Cons: lousy bartender

04/21/08

Best Bleu Cheeseburger and Pate!

by Jenny999

Bouchee is my favorite bistro in or around Boston. I recommend going there for lunch instead of dinner, especially during the spring/summer, because the patio outside is great for lunch. Also the lunch menu has a lot of the same items as the dinner menu but less expensive. We paid just over $100 with tip for three people with appetizers, main courses and dessert for lunch Their foie gras and chicken liver pate is better than any I've had in France, and their bleu cheeseburger is TO DIE FOR!!! The only problem I have had with Bouchee is with my recent visit, where the service was not too great. Our server was nice, but some of the other servers got annoyed quickly when we asked them for drink refills. At a restaurant of that caliber I would expect every server, not just your own, to be very gracious to you, which they were not this time.

• Pros: Great food, good patio dining
• Cons: mixed service

03/17/08

great atmosphere & food, service mixed

by llinard

Have been to Bouchee twice. Absolutely LOVE the atmosphere, decor, and food. However, service has been mixed. My first time there we had the cutest, friendliest, most attentive young guy who made all us 30- and 40-somethings feel like 20-year-olds again. The whole evening was great. But I went for lunch today with a group of 5 and our server was overly dramatic in presenting the menu...and I mean OVERLY. After "performing" for us, he took our orders (with flair) and managed to mess up three things. First, he forgot to bring the frites we ordered to share. Second, I asked for my salad with just balsamic vinegar and he went thru a big animated explanation of how he would bring it out -- and the salad arrived with the standard dressing on it. Third, I ordered the quiche of the day (tomatoes, bacon, and gruyere) and what I got was simply gruyere and very bland. I sent it back and a new one came out with bacon sprinkled on the top, but still no tomatoes, inside or out. He did take both the frites and the quiche off the bill (thank you!), but he never apologized and instead blamed it on the kitchen.

At one point he came up behind my friend and put his hands on her shoulders and scared the bejeezus out of her. I thought it was very strange that he touched her, not to mention sneaking up on her to do it! All in all it was a very strange lunch. The food was great (except for my quiche) but the...weird...service sucked the life out of what was supposed to be a nice Restaurant Week escape from work. I will definitely go again, but I'll make sure I get a different server!

• Pros: great atmosphere, good food
• Cons: mixed service

07/14/07

Escargot with Garlic; Duck Confit with Garlic; Chicken Salad; Raclette; *****

by xlntaste

We went to Bouchee on a holiday - July 4th - and the patio was jammed but the restaurant was nearly empty. We hadn't heard about this place; we were starving and it was right beside our parking spot. We were seated immediately and our waiter, James, appeared quickly. I loved the menu on sight because it offered escargot. My friend had the Raclette/Pear appetizer. They were both fabulous. The excargot had tons of roasted garlic. While I liked the bread they offered I prefer plain baguette for escargot; they served that with the raclette so I pinched some. Ask for baguette if you prefer it.

The confit of duck with garlic and beans was amazing. I savored every crunchy crumb. After the escargot I found the duck dish a little too rich.

My friend had a chicken salad sandwich. It came with salad. Lots of chicken and light on the mayonnaise.

Too full for dessert.

James, our server, was always there when we needed him. He knew the menu well and was prepared to make suggestions.

It was an excellent meal. I understand it's best to make reservations.

• Pros: The food was amazing; it was perfect
• Cons: Most of the restaurant is on the second floor

07/12/07

Best on newbury!!

by ndmc

Finally! a restaurent worth the time&money on newbury! I never enjoyed dining on newbury before this restaurent. I ordered duck confit and seafood soup(first one on the menu) by the recommendation of our waiter, who, I must say, was more than helpful. my friend had oysters and a pork dish which also was our waiter's favorite dish. both of our food was cooked to perfection!! so worth it. everything melted in my mouth and that has never happend on newbury for me. If you go, must try their seafood soup and the pork!! the sorbet for desert is a must! I'll be going back today!and tomorrow and more...!@@!!!!!!!

• Pros: great staff, best food on newbury,
• Cons: can be hard to park.

05/10/07

Classic French bistro fare for the Newbury Street crowd, complete with a premiere see-and-be-seen patio.

by Eric Grossman

In Short
The Back Bay Restaurant Group (Abe & Louie's, Papa Razzi) has opened its first bistro in a a high-profile Newbury St. locale, complete with a sunny, sunken patio. The twin-level interior is warm and romantic, yet exudes a hip, low-key vibe. A handsome bar is perfect for drinks or a quick lunch while the main dining area suits both couples and large groups. Strong heat lamps ensure that the patio stays open beyond the summer months.

The Food
Bouchee's ample menu of classic French bistro fare satisfies a full range of appetites. Starters such as a duck confit salad or raclette with pears whet the appetite for classic entrees like coq au vin, cod with duxelle-stuffed crepes and steak frites. Flatbreads with toppings such as gruyere and ham or tomato, basil, and arugula make for a lighter meal or a shared appetizer. Finish with a selection of luscious sorbets, profiteroles, or a selection of daily cheeses paired with coffee or dessert wine.

05/09/07

Great for groups

by mmomo

8 of us went there on a sunny weekend and they were very patient with us...we were insisting on sitting outside and they found us 2 smaller tables...but they were apart. once the table next to our friends opened up, they helped us move closer... very patient, great service, great food.

• Pros: great location and interior
• Cons: none yet

04/09/07

Wonderful wine list, lovely for lunch, bring someone you love, and sit at the bar.

by mrzzyy

As I walked down Newbury St, I was drawn into the delightful and welcoming Bouchee. Being alone that day, I decided to sit at the bar. The bartender was most charming, advised me on the highlights of the menu, and she drew my attention to their outstanding wine list which includes a significant number of Alsatian wines. Having traveled through Alsace several times, and being a lover of all things Alsatian, I was impressed by their selections. I ordered a lovely and crisp pinot blanc, chose a dozen fresh oysters, followed by a vegetable soup special they were offering. Believe me, I was one happy camper. The oysters were perfectly shucked, and tasted like they had just been plucked from the sea. The soup was also a treat, and was accompanied by warm bread that smelled and tasted heavenly.

The restaurant space is fairly large, but warm and inviting. However, when dining solo, I will always opt for a seat at the bar. I cannot wait to return, en famille, for another feast and memories of the Alsatian wine route. Do not miss this charming spot.

• Pros: Ambience, service, quality.
• Cons: None

03/18/07

Fantastic Brasserie on Newbury

by wmkevans4

"To say that the only thing that matters is what's on the plate is to miss the major role restaurants have in our lives today," said famed New York Times food critic Ruth Reichl, "So much of our culture's social life takes place in restaurants."

Finally we have Bouchee, a new French style brasserie that couldn't come to soon to Newbury Street.

I went their last night, right after the snow storm and seeking a warm, convivial atmosphere. Bouchee's space is comfortably lit without being to dim, which lends an air of neighborhood charm. The overall experience at Bouchee is one of lively, fun and open enjoyment of food. There are few places in Boston that are quite as relaxed, friendly and approachable.

Simple, competent cooking goes a long way. Start with the Moules a la Provencal ? mussels in the most divine white wine, garlic and butter sauce that practically melt in your mouth. When complemented by the frites, prepared with just the right amount of rosemary, salt and external crunch, you almost achieve culinary-sex. Be sure to get enough bread to soak up the extra sauce. The restaurant's Steak Frites with maitre d'hotel butter is an exercise in Kundalini-like perfection, and although it could not seem more of a cliche, Bouchee does it with the same honest, consistent quality that makes it fantastic comfort food. I also recommend trying the Coq au Vin has that dark smoky flavor of lardons, dressed with red wine, permeate the flavor of the chicken and served atop noodles that aren't overcooked.

Besides the food, Bouchee's other great virtue is its wine list, which could serve as a model for many others around Boston. Included among a stimulating selection of mostly reasonably priced wines is a strong list of half bottles, just the thing for a weeknight, when you are out with friends at this great new neighborhood restaurant. I have taken friends and family here a few times, and each is completely memorable. I totally recommend it.

• Pros: Great food, unpretentious, very friendly waitstaff.
• Cons: Weekend nights can be a bit crowded, and sometimes there is a wait.