Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Bouchon Beverly Hills

First accidental DineLA meal of this year happened at Bouchon.

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I had an afternoon to spend in Beverly Hills so I started thinking about my lunch options. I'm embarrassed to say, Bouchon didn't even occur to me until I was turned down by Spago, and I found out Scarpetta was closed for a filming. I will never make such a mistake again. Bouchon is now first on my list for someplace close by Rodeo Drive. The restaurant was ridiculously busy, but the bustling atmosphere made it feel even more like a brasserie in Paris. I could not have been more content that day, eating alone at the zinc bar, pretending I was spending a day in Paris.

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This was actually my first time at any Bouchon and my first time eating at a Thomas Keller institution. I was beyond impressed. That should've been no surprise. Every dish was flawless. Even the salad was the most flavorful, yet simple, salad I've ever had. The croque madame was orgasmic (and I really try to shy away from the word when describing food). The chocolate bouchons could not have been a more satisfying end to the meal.

Bouchon
235 N. Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
tel: 310-271-9910

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The warm pain d'epi that they bring out is baked fresh every day in the Bouchon kitchen. It is, by far, the best bread I've had in LA so far with a crusty exterior and a chewy interior. The soft butter that comes with the bread was also amazing. I'm embarrassed to say how much of the butter I consumed by myself. The bartender told me she often sneaks pieces of warm bread in the kitchen. I'm jealous.

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Salade Maraîchère au Chèvre Chaud
mixed greens with red wine vinaigrette, warm goat cheese croûton & herbes de Provence

This salad was so flavorful, I'm still in shock. There were plenty of herbs and chopped shallots in the vinaigrette and the warm goat cheese provided the perfect creamy touch. Loved it--and I don't usually get excited about salads.


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Croque Madame
grilled ham & cheese sandwich on broiche, fried egg & mornay sauce, served with French fries

Ah the pièce de résistance. The sweet, buttery brioche, the juicy, pink ham, and the nutty gruyère carefully stacked to create an awe-inspiring tower of decadence topped with a picture-perfect fried egg and a generous drizzle of creamy mornay sauce. This was the best croque madame I've ever had, and I've had quite a few during my time in Paris. The fluffy brioche was beautifully browned in butter, and the ham had a mouthwatering cured flavor. Not to mention, it was accompanied by a glorious mound of crispy fries.


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Bouchons
Valrhona chocolate brownies with chocolate sauce & vanilla ice cream [$2 supplement]

Just plain delicious. Warm and chocolaty, dessert doesn't get any better than this.

The DineLA deal is a real steal. If you haven't been to Bouchon yet, GO! This is definitely my new favorite spot for French food in LA. I just can't believe I waited this long to try it.

8 comments:

  1. I will be thinking about that Croque Madame for the rest of the day now. Thanks! Haha.

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  2. I haven't been for a full meal yet, just small bites, but even those were done well. Don't you love those accidental bits of joy?

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  3. I can't tell you how much I love this post! I feel the pure joy! :D

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  4. Welcome to the Thomas Keller fan club!

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  5. Beautiful photos! Razor sharp foreground with a buttery blur on the background. Very appetizing! What camera are you using now?

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  6. I haven't eaten at any Thomas Keller restaurants yet, but I am going to have to try to get in on the Dine LA deal for Bouchon the next time around!! Looks all amazing and I love the idea of a portal to Paris in Beverly Hills!

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  7. I'm a member of Thomas Keller Fan club! :)

    Bouchon is a solid place to eat. I went to the Vegas outpost and enjoyed the meal, but that bread....i could have ate a whole bread basket with that butter. So good!

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  8. wow.. i gotta wipe the drool off my face now!

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