Great service from the hostess, our server was very nice, knowledgeable. We've been to different restaurants by the same owner including the bouchon in Napa. In general we liked our meal but was very disappointed with the onion soup. I ordered it because it is one of my favorite and it is featured on their page. It looked burned, where is the cheese? The soup tasted watered down and no flavor. This looks like the frozen onion soup I get from trader Joe, even that has better flavor. The scallops trio was very good, the duck and venison were good to, definitely recommend these other dishes. read more

Bouchon - Onion soup as their signature on their page - French Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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My wife and I celebrated our 14 year wedding anniversary at Bouchons last night! We were blessed by friends who complimented us with a Bouchons meal coupon. Upon arriving we were met by one of the owners (Amy) who was pleasant as well as welcoming, Amy acted more like a part of the team than an owner which was quite refreshing to experience. Our server Cary was wonderful, and he made our evening that much more special with his impeccable timing and charming demeanor. He was very affirming and even gave us brief history on Bouchons inception and talked a little about the owners and how much he loved the culture of working at Bouchon's. We loved our meal. The chef and his team created a perfect culinary experience. Absolutely everything that touched our pallets we enjoyed immensely! We would highly recommend to anyone looking for an incredible dining experience that you pay Bouchons a visit the next time you are on Santa Barbera, CA read more

Maple glazed duck breast and confit 7.83/10- the duck was incredibly rich in flavor and sweet, the confit was perfection and was so tender. I really enjoyed the thyme Demi-glacé that accompanied the duck as it added a lot of flavor. I wasn't a huge fan of the butternut squash and bean mix that was served with it as I felt it lacked flavor/seasoning Rack of lamb 8.87/10- the lamb came out perfectly medium rare. It was incredibly flavorful, juicy, and tender. It was also paired with Parmesan herb risotto and mushrooms Dungenness crab cakes 4.27/10- the crab cakes were not served whardly had any flavor. It had pretty decent c of crab however there was really no flavor or seasoning French onion soup 8.36/10- this came out piping hot and was the perfect start to the meal. The onions were caramelized to perfection, and the licquer flavor was evident in the soup. The combo of the cheese and onions were great. It was a bit salty though. 4.18/10- the bread pudding was not warm at all and had a rubbery taste to it. It also didn't have much flavor in general and seemed as though they just drizzled caramel sauce on it to add flavor This restaurant was pretty good in addition to the service. The ambiance is nice as well. I wouldn't say that it's quite authentic French food, but it's pretty good. They give you slices of a baguette with butter for starters- however it is also not served warm. I felt that a few of their dishes fell short in flavor/temperature. Some of the utensils given to us were also not clean and we had to ask for new silverware. read more

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After searching for a great place locally to eat we came across this place and looked at the reviews. It did not disappoint tons of flavor in everything from a salad that was light and delicious to the tuna appetizer all had tons of flavor my girlfriend had the rib eye and I went with the venison both delicious. Staff was all very friendly and always making sure we were happy and content. The place has great decor and perfect for a date night. We ate inside and had a great decor. read more

Amy & Mitchell... "Thank You"! I recently celebrated my birthday at Bouchon and I cannot remember a more fabulous experience ever. The moment we arrived the greeting was warm and friendly. Nicholas, our server, was attentive and had fantastic suggestions for pairings and dinner selections. The music... ok let's just say the mix of Motown and 70's R&B classics made the evening even more enjoyable. I apologize for my singing! Our champagne, Lauren - Perrier, was the perfect starter and paired well with the Salade Lyonnaise. Please do not sleep on the Warm Pecan & Goat Cheese Tart. "It will change your life" is what the ladies who sat next to us said. They were not incorrect. It was a "pearl clutching experience". The venison & the steak were so well prepared a knife was just a prop. The seasoning on both were excellent. They both are a "must have"! The wine we enjoyed with dinner was absolutely amazing. Adaptation paired well with everything we enjoyed on the menu. Nicholas' suggested as we both enjoy our cabs. The blackberry upside-down cake was a great finish to the meal (it too went well with the wine). From the greet to the music to the food... this is an experience one should have. I plan to have it happen more often. read more

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I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that I rarely write positive reviews, saving up my words for when I'm charged too much money for not enough flavor or service. Bouchon caught us by surprise - truly spectacular food and equally spectacular service. Romantic, enjoyable, and delicious! read more

Visiting Santa Barbara for the day from Los Angeles so we really wanted a nice dinner before heading back home. We are both really happy that we chose Bouchon. The inside is done well with low lighting and a great view of the kitchen. Our server Morgan also did a great job and was very attentive. Parking in the area was also pretty easy, especially compared to where we are from. They have a lot of great drink and food options on the menu so it took us a few minutes to decide what we wanted to eat. Started with the French Onion Soup and it was great. It really hit the spot on a cold winter night. Next for my entrée I chose the Grilled Center-Cut American Wagyu Ribeye and it was cooked perfectly and delicious. We would've ordered dessert too but we had to drive back home after dinner so next time we will definitely order one of them. I would certainly recommend to any fan of a good dinner or to anyone visiting or living in Santa Barbara. read more

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It's a family tradition now to dine at Bouchon each time we travel to Santa Barbara. The food is exceptional and the service is superb. I've never been disappointed. I travel with a 5 and 7 year old and they love the restaurant as well. read more

A really good place to get local seafood. As a group, we tried the sea bass, lamb, and chicken. The dishes were cooked perfectly, although I do wish the sea bass was more flavorful (it was a little bland). Service was fast and staff were really nice and helpful. Otherwise, it's in a great location and ambiance is excellent. Overall, highly recommended. read more

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Amazing food and service. It is a real delight when proprietors of a restaurant know what they are doing. Literally some of the best food we've ever had and our waiter was excellent with pairing suggestions. 100% will return. read more

Small boutique restaurant with nice ambiance. Great service and good food! Table was re-arranged to Accommodate upon our request to be seated side by side. read more

A week before heading to Santa Barbara I came across the visitSantaBarbara.com website and took a look at the restaurant options they had for a nice dinner. Out of all the restaurants they recommended, Bouchon grabbed my attention because they carry a wide selection of local wine spirits. The day came and the night setup outside was very elegant, the hostess received us and walked us over to the center table which was decorated in red petal roses (a very sentimental touch). Our outstanding waiter brought us oven warm bread with butter. Seeing the bread, we were all excited to order a bottle of Wine, we were told the '18 Longoria 'Blues Cuvée' was a perfect choice so we went with it. I honestly can't remember what we ordered for dinner but from the appetizers, the main dishes, and the tasty desserts, we all all satisfied! I can't wait to come back! -IG: @eatingwithricardo read more

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We had our intimate wedding dinner here and I cannot recommend this place enough. From the moment of inquiry, management was so communicative and kind. I had so many questions and each was thoughtfully answered. They made it personal by printing a personalized menu and even allowed me to create and play my own wedding playlist. On the day of the wedding, our server Christian was attentive and made my husband and I feel so relaxed and special. The food was so delicious. Everyone loved it. Overall this is an amazing restaurant and I highly recommend for special occasions. Thank you Christian, Mitchell, Lucas, and the rest of the staff for the wonderful service. read more

Bouchon - French Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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loved my birthday experience, friendly staff, beautiful decorations & rose petals. the crab cakes were my favorite in 2019 and they still are today! read more

Last time in Santa Barbara we found this place. So good, we made a point to come back. Looking forward to the next time. I highly recommend this place. read more

Bouchon - Filet - French Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Took the train to Santa Barbara for the day and decided on Bouchon for dinner. Everything about our meal was fantastic. The ambience, the service, the food... Everything was perfect. A wonderful dining experience from start to finish. Highly recommend! read more

Had a wonderful spot outside, covered and heated. When Dave, our server, introduced himself, I commented that I was unaware Bouchon had a Santa Barbara location. I had been to the one in Vegas many times. He grinned and told me they had nothing to do with one another. Apparently a "Bouchon" is the cork of a bottle and, as such, the name can't be held by any one restaurant. I didn't tell him that it was because of the name I made the booking. Yet even considering that, I was not disappointed in the least. What an amazing find! Dave asked if there were any time requirements, and we mentioned our show at the Santa Barbara Bowl, He assured us he'd have everything timed out so we'd make our deadline. Started with the Forest Mushroom Ragout and the Pork Belly for the appetizers. So delicious! The Fresh Ahi Tuna and the Local Sea Bass were our main courses. Beautifully presented; perfectly prepared. Finished with a Citrus Tart that had the perfect amount of tang. Can't wait to return! Definitely asking for Dave's station as well. read more

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I assume that the owner of this Bouchon does not mind playing on the name that is connected to Thomas Keller, although customer expectations would certainly be high as a result. We have eaten at Bouchon both in Napa and in Vegas, so we, too, had them in mind when we chose this restaurant for our Anniversary dinner. Fortunately it was an excellent experience. First of all, Morgan was our server and he was terrific. He was friendly, helpful, and observant. He suggested the Champagne Bligny Brut and that turned out to be a terrific choice ( when we returned home we purchased 6 bottles of it!! We are optimistic about potential celebrations I guess!). We started with the Spring Pea Salad and the Cauliflower Purée Soup with chive oil. The latter was delicious and the delicate but crisp cauliflower floret on top was great. The pea salad could have used more fresh peas - that was a disappointment. For entrees we had the Grilled Central-cut Ribeye - arrived with all fat removed and a perfect medium rare. My husband is not usually a big fan of steak but he raves about this one. The vegetables were also a hit. I had the Pacific King Salmon and it was excellent. We chatted with a young couple on their honeymoon who sat nearby, which made the evening even more enjoyable. Affogato was excellent as was the crème brûlée. Lovely evening and excellent choice for our anniversary. read more

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Bouchon is a beautiful restaurant. My long time friend brought my wife and I here tonight to celebrate our birthdays. The staff was very welcoming. We even joked around with one of the runners. Our server, his name escapes me right now but he was extremely friendly and his suggestions were spot on. For starters we had the Roasted Butternut Squash purée, I had the Escargot with Puff Pastry and finally the scallop trio. I LOVE escargot and the buttery sauce with the puff pastry was a perfect match. The purée was warm and savory. Finally the Scallops all had incredible taste profiles. For main courses we had the Steak au poivre, the Maple Glazed Duck & confit of thigh as well as the Lamb Chops with risotto. These dishes were exemplary and the Duck has left a lasting impression on me. We closed out our evening with the Chocolate Lava Cake and the Creme Brûlée. We walked out slowly and completely full. Visiting this restaurant is a must when you're in Santa Barbara. read more

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This is a great place for special occasions, as it is very nice and the service is fantastic. I highly recommend the duck. read more

Bouchon - Maple-Glazed California Duck Breast & Confit of Thigh (Medium) - French Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

First. Not related to Bouchon in Yountville. I have to be honest that the name and our knowledge of bouchon in Yountville was the top reason we ate here. My bad, can't blame this restaurant. I'm just surprised is all. No booze. Just wine and beer which is fine but just good know. Beer and wine selection is good to pair with the menu Service was very good. Attentive and friendly Food was really good, the vegetables were fantastic. My steak was so-so. Just was not as tender as I was expecting Our daughter had the French Onion Soup which she said was excellent. The bread served was also just, well great! It was at that point I was surprised it wasn't related to the Yountville restaurant. The chicken ordered was a smidge on the dry side but again the veggies came to the rescue. Mashed potatoes were on point. read more

Bouchon - Ribeye med rare Grilled Wagyu ribeye center cut Steak - French Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The food was phenomenal. We got the duck and the lamb. Would have eaten another plate if I could have. The service was also great from the moment we got there. Super friendly hosts and waiters. The setting seemed good for all sorts of occasions. Good lighting for a romantic ambiance but could also be a nice spot to go with friends or colleagues as well. read more

Took the train to Santa Barbara for the day and decided on Bouchon for dinner. Everything about our meal was fantastic. The ambiance, the service, the food...everything was perfect. A wonderful dining experience from start to finish. Highly recommend! read more

Excellent dinner for my Birthday. Being able to sit inside near the kitchen was pretty enlightening and interesting to see the chefs preparing the meals. Dinner service was excellent! read more

Bouchon - Scallop Trio - French Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I had the opportunity to experience Bouchon after my daughter's recent wedding in Santa Barbara. After the ceremony at the Santa Barbara courthouse, our party of 30 went to Bouchon for a reception meal and it didn't disappoint. The service was amazing, the choices of wine and appetizers were fantastic and the meal was excellent. The owner, Mitchell, his daughter and the entire staff took extremely great care of our party and were attentive to our every need. I highly recommend Bouchon for any gathering, large or small, and look forward to our return visit. Much respect. read more

I've been dining at Bouchon for 20+ years. The food is always highest quality and service is professional and attentive.

My friends and I were driving by Santa Barbara and were recommended to dine at Bouchon. Some highlights: The Escargot 'Vol au Vent' is excellent. Encased in delicate puff pastry, the escargots are bathed in garlic, shallots, fines herbes, and lemon verbena beurre blanc. This dish blends traditional French cooking with a hint of modern flair in an articulate way. 5/5. For a main course, the Pan-Seared Fresh Pacific Fish features braised beluga lentils, roasted tomatoes, and seared artichoke hearts, all brought together with a sauce Soubise. The fish, cooked to exemplar, effortlessly complements the earthy lentils and the bright, acidic tomatoes, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. 4.5/5. The Chargrilled Porcini-Rubbed Rack of Lamb at Bouchon deserves a special mention. The lamb is expertly chargrilled, ensuring a perfect sear on the outside while retaining a tender, succulent interior. The porcini rub adds earthy depth to the meat, enhancing its natural flavors without overpowering it. Accompanying the lamb is a bouchon hash, a blend of yam, potato, white cheddar, and bacon, which provides a comforting yet sophisticated base for the meat. The seared broccolini offers a bright, crisp contrast to the lamb's and hash's richness. The entire dish is brought together with a sauce bordelaise, a classic French sauce that adds a luxurious, velvety finish to each bite. 5/5. We were told that visiting Bouchon would not be complete without indulging in their Maple-glazed Duck Breast & Confit of Thigh. This dish celebrates textures and tastes, featuring a succotash of sweet corn, fava beans, leeks, applewood-smoked bacon, and Windrose Farms butternut squash, all united by a port-thyme demi-glace. The maple glaze adds a subtle sweetness that contrasts exquisitely with the savory, rich flavors of the duck. 4.5/5. The meticulous attention to detail, the harmonious blending of flavors, and the commitment to local ingredients made our dining at Bouchon an unforgettable experience! read more

Bouchon - Chargrilled Porcini-Rubbed Rack of Lamb (exotic mushroom risotto, seared asparagus, shaved grana padano, and herb coulis) - French Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Outstanding experience. What a delight to visit this restaurant while spending a couple days in Santa Barbara. Found this restaurant on Open Table. Food quality, taste, and presentation, were all top notch. The scallop trio was delicious. Especially like the tomato offering. We ordered the lamb and the daily catch. All were prepared exceptionally. I had a food allergy and it was accommodated easily and without incident. We had a local Rose' that was very good. 20 year port was also good. Crème brûlée and lemon cake were top notch. Dominic our waiter was excellent. All service was good and everyone who assisted our table was helpful and attentive. Would highly recommend this restaurant for visitors and locals. read more

Bouchon - Lamb - French Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Had an engagement dinner with my fiance. Amazing food and service, 10/10. Server was beyond excellent which made the dining experience that much greater. Thank you for the good time read more

Bouchon - French Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Every visit to Bouchon is nothing short of perfection. It's been a few years since my last visit and I definitely won't wait that long again. If the scallops are on the appetizer menu, do not pass them up! We enjoyed duck breast, a Waygu ribeye and lava cake. We will definitely be back this summer. read more

We made reservations for the Foodie Stroll & Dinner on 6/28. We drove up from San Diego and arrived in SB at 3:30. We called the restaurant to confirm the time to meet and it turns out we missed the start time (3pm) for the Farmer's Market Walk with Chef Nate. We were pretty bummed, but we were told that our reservation would still be honored for a 5pm dinner. Phew! We strolled through downtown SB and arrived at Bouchon, which is just around the corner from State Street, a bit before 5pm. The host was affable and asked where we wanted to sit. The outdoor seating is aesthetically pleasing, well-organized and comfortable but we chose to sit inside on Lovers Lane to enjoy the restaurant's charming ambiance and to see the excitement in the open kitchen:) Each of the courses we ordered was paired with an interesting, local wine choice as well. French Bread Basket & Butter - scrumptious! Spring Pea Salad - fresh and tasty Forest Mushroom Ragout - lovely fresh variety of mushrooms but a bit salty Dungeness Crabcakes - not included in Foodie menu, but delicious! The standout of the night! Ribeye Steak - delicious. The hash it came with was phenomenal Chilean Sea Bass - came out lukewarm the first time, we asked for it to be warmed up and they remade it. We felt bad that the first dish may have been wasted. The second time it was hot, but very bland and the Sea Bass was not cooked thoroughly. She was also disappointed because the accompanying potatoes were undercooked and the broccolini was mostly stems and very few florets. My gf could not finish her entree and we didn't want to complain again, so instead I took care of it for her. Also, she was not keen on the Pinot Noir paired with the Sea Bass. It's a rare red over a white that makes Sea Bass sing. Rose Petals on the table - amusing & pretty but not tasty Marionberry Cake - tasty and well-presented but nothing extraordinary Wines for days paired with each course... Sommelier was friendly, informative and helpful. Dillon was our waiter. He was attentive and courteous as well. Overall, this dinner was an interesting experience. However, for the price point, I believe that each dish should have been exquisite in presentation, temperature and palate-pleasing ability. Bouchon is doing many things right, but to truly knock it out of the park, a little more consistency and precision with each dish offered to guests is warranted. read more

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Just mentioning the name "Bouchon" around town and you get oohs and aahs. This was our first visit, and we had a wonderful experience. Above and beyond service and delicious food. They currently offer indoor dining and a beautiful, converted street front patio dining area. SERVICE: It's the little things that matter. When we arrived, it was cold and the end of a long, long day for us. Chava, Bouchon's hostess, checked us in for our reservation and then ran off and came back shortly with a chair for my 88-year old mother-in-law. She didn't need to be asked. Chava took it upon herself and set off the evening on a great note. Once she seated us, Christian was our waiter, with Roberto assisting and the two of them were fantastic. Friendly, efficient, and timed out all of our courses perfectly. DRINK: Extensive wine list focusing on Santa Barbara County wine country wines. They also have beer, primarily Canadian and European brands, but also a couple from local breweries. We had a glass of the '19 Margerum 'M5' GSM ($15) and '18 Grassini 'Articondo' ($16.25). FOOD: Three words...Fab U Lous! The menu isn't extensive, but there's something for everyone. We started the evening with a complimentary basket of bread and a couple appetizers, the Seared Pork Belly ($22) with roasted baby turnips, ginger-squash purée, mustard greens, and pork jus; and the Warm Pecan & Goat Cheese Tart ($15) with herbed chévre, baby frisée, pear, and pomegranate. Both were fantastic. The pork was more meat than fat, and the tart had bright, wonderful flavors in each bite. For entrées, we tried the Pan-Roasted Mary's Free Range Chicken ($26) with roasted garlic-whipped potatoes, seared Brussels sprouts with pancetta & sage, pan jus, the Bouchon's signature Maple-Glazed Duck Breast & Confit of Thigh ($34) on a succotash of sweet corn, fava beans, leeks, applewood-smoked bacon and Windrose Farms butternut squash, port-thyme demi-glace, and the Grilled Center-Cut American Wagyu Ribeye ($42) with bouchon hash with yam, potato, white cheddar & bacon, seared broccolini, sauce bordelaise. The duck was one of the best plates I've ever had. The roasted chicken was juicy and delicious, and the ribeye steak was well prepared, but only okay. Being the most expensive dish on the menu, I was a little disappointed that the Wagyu ribeye wasn't as flavorful as the rest of the food. To finish it all off, we ordered the Sticky Toffee Pecan-Date Cake ($12) with a blood orange caramel, persimmon compote, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Again, an amazing dessert with so much flavor, sweet, tangy, and nutty. What a great experience. We will definitely be back for an encore. read more

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First, this is NOT a Keller restaurant. Second, it is very good! The food, the service and the wine list all great. Small and quiet, very romantic. I had the Lamb, my wife had their famous duck, both dishes were prepared perfectly. Our waiter was friendly, professional and able to explain and recommend dishes. The wine list had some standards and some real gems. The wine prices were extremely reasonable, not much more than a wine shop. This will be our "go-to" when we are in Santa Barbara. read more

Wanted to do an review update for regular dining service. Our server was Dave and he did an absolutely stellar job taking care of us answering all of our questions and hosting our night out. We had a fantastic bottle of wine and a phenomenal dinner. I was able to enjoy the lamb this time as well as my favorite salad lyonnaise again. The interior exterior patio area right next to the front door was a great spot and very warm for the cold night. read more

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Good atmosphere. Well mannered servers but looking back, they were a little pretentious. Appetizers and entrees were arranged beautifully like all their other photos. Not as authentic as one might think. The wagyu was not melt in the mouth tender, however, it was flavorful. Escargot was clean tasting, not as fatty, greasy, or salty as others. If you're a mushroom lover, you'd enjoy the mushroom appetizer. The scallop was not bad, mushy but not sandy or fishy. The duck confit was disintegrating, salty, braised, and not roasted. None of which were compliments. That was the biggest disappointment. read more

We came here for our 1 year wedding anniversary and it was perfect! They greeted us with a cute card and rose petals, the staff was so kind and quick, and the food was fantastic. We ordered: Escargot- 11/10 I am a big escargot fan but this was my husbands first time trying it! We both loved it! The puff pastry was a great and unique touch. Filet mignon- 10/10 Juicy, plump, perfectly cooked. Came with a side of scalloped potatoes and asparagus that were almost better than the main dish. Duck breast- 9/10 It's a classic and there is a reason it's been on the menu for 25 years. I love the duck leg, and the side dishes that it came with make the dish! read more

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If you don't care for venison, lamb and duck you might as well pass. There is a $60 ribeye, but I would pass on this too. The menu is just too limited for my liking. No full bar and the atmosphere seems a bit crowded. read more

Great food. Great service. Loved every bite of what we ordered. I ordered the sea bass and it did not disappoint. My kids ordered Mac and cheese and their chicken plate and it was soooo delicious we finished everything. read more

Bouchon - Seabass - French Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Came here for my birthday yesterday with my parents and east enough to say, this is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. I made a reservation with them a couple of weeks ago and told them it was my birthday. Upon arrival, we got seated and it was decorated with flower petals and a card. Opened up the card to find a happy birthday message with signatures from the restaurant proprietors. The service was amazing as my parents ordered hot water for drinks and I got regular water. They made sure to refill without us even asking. A waiter happily helped take pictures as well as telling me happy birthday throughout the night. Food wise, I ordered the duck confit. My mom ordered the wagyu ribeye steak (cooked medium), and my dad ordered the lobster pot pie. The duck confit was alright. The main cut was tender and with the sauce, it was pretty good. The duck leg however was a bit dry in my opinion as opposed to the Chinese roast duck. The vegetable plating and taste with the duck was really good though so I did enjoy that. My mom loved her steak as she absolutely devoured it. It was cooked perfectly. I did get to try a piece and it was so tender and flavorful. Then I tried my dad's pot pie and the top puff pastry was perfect. You could see the layers of the expanded puff pastry which told me the puff pastry was done well. (If butter melts during lamination, the puff pastry doesn't rise as well.) For dessert, we ordered two Creme brûlées and their seasonal lemon tart. I usually make really amazing Creme brulee and this restaurant has been the first to almost hit my own recipe I use. Their Creme brulee was creamy and the glass sugar layer was crisp which told me the torching was done after I ordered it. The smoothness of the cream however could probably be improved. It felt like someone strained it once which did make it smooth but given my own is silky smooth, it could have been strained a second time. That said, I am aware of time limits and all. So for this restaurant, props to being the best Creme brulee I've ever had in a restaurant. The lemon tart itself was really good too. Sometimes lemon tarts can be overly sour but this one was well balanced. It wasn't really sour per say as it was more lemon flavored which was perfect. The tart shell crumbled perfectly as well. All in all, a really awesome night at Bouchon so props to everyone in the staff for making it a really wonderful night! read more

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Everything was excellent service was great we went for a special occasion and received a hand written card on arrival the table .