Le Bouchon du Grove
Reviews
Name: Claudia Capporal
Occupation: Etiquette Expert
Lives In: Miami
Favorite Restaurant: Le Bouchon du Grove
Reviewed Le Bouchon du Grove: May 3rd, 2008
Finding street parking when going to this place can be nerve racking. The good part is that it is located in such a nice place, with stores, restaurants, people walking everywhere, that it is nice to stroll around Coconut Grove. Once you get there, the place is so colorful and “live” that, to me, it makes it worth the walk or the wait. Very advisable to make reservations because it is always packed (always). The decoration is just like the French bistros in Lyon, lots of French memorabilia hanging from the ceiling, on wall and everywhere. The tables are adorned with little lamps and flowers, very rustic but nice. It makes it difficult to be depressed there! The noise level can get out of control, so you will find yourself raising your voice. Inside - great ambiance. Patrons are happy. There are French garcons with French attitude.
I had Escargots as the appetizer –they are amazing. Oily, but great (I love to eat the sauce until the last drop by dipping my bread). This appetizer is not too filling. Also, I had the Caesar salad, not the best in the world but fresh. Wine was Chavignol Vincent Delaforte - great, chilled just to right temperature (Server brought a cooler to the table). As my entrée: Pan seared sea bass-presentation was beautiful with tomato carpaccio and nice looking potatos gratin. It looked great and was delicious.
The place was very very busy (Sat night). Server came 3 to 4 times to ask if we were OK. As our dessert, Tart-tatin. Delicious, not too sweet, hot, with vanilla ice-cream. Yummy. The bill was approx $50/each with bottle of wine, appetizers, entrée, desserts and coffee. Not bad, everyone was satisfied. Will definitely go back. Oh! And the bread is great!
Name: Julie Wernick
Occupation: Tourism Marketing
Lives In: Pompano Beach
Favorite Restaurant: Bragozzo Osteria Wine Bar
Reviewed Le Bouchon du Grove: May 2nd, 2008
It took us a while to get there and find the place. They don’t provide valet parking, and there was no street parking available. Don’t know what someone would have found if they got there later or on a weekend. We wound up having to park in a lot down the street for $8 (flat rate). The place itself is very tiny - a narrow strip of a restaurant in the middle of shops and other places. Unless you are looking for it; you can easily miss it. And you probably should.
If some Disney animator on drugs had designed a French bistro, this is what he might have come up with! As the evening progressed the French music got louder and louder. Tables are immediately on top of each other; some even connected, so no privacy whatsoever. There is very little room between them to the point that it was impossible to get up from our table without moving it forward (away from the people behind me). It is an open-air-to-the-street restaurant so you hear the roar of motorcycles, ambulances, and traffic.
I had the Endive Salad with Roquefort and Walnuts; large portion with big chunks of cheese and nice flavor. Big enough for two people. I took home half of it. Only negative – some of the endive leaves had brown edges (which should have been trimmed). I had the Roasted Rack of Lamb with herbs and White beans and Basil Pesto. The lamb consisted of four very small chops that were barely seasoned and served over rock hard beans. I detected no noticeable pesto on the plate. They were served very rare when I had ordered them medium. They did take them back to the kitchen to be heated and re-served them. The chops were flat in taste and the beans were inedibly hard. We shared a piece of the Apricot Tarte which was gummy in texture, burned on the edges, and not sweet in the least. We left almost all of it on the plate as after the first bites, we just felt it was inedible. My husband had a glass of house chardonnay which was “decent”. We were each given a free glass of “champagne” once seated at our table.
Would NOT recommend this restaurant to anyone. It’s definitely not worth the drive and is not even a place we could say to go to if you were in the neighborhood. The food is bland, faux French, and the décor will give you a headache.
Name: Steven Scharf
Occupation: Attorney
Lives In: Hollywood Lakes
Favorite Restaurant: Sonney's Famous Steak Hogies
Reviewed Le Bouchon du Grove: May 10th, 2008
Highly enjoyed my experience and meal at Le Bouchon du Grove. The only negative would be the parking, but that is more of a reflection on the Grove in general than the restaurant. The setting was charming, the wait staff was attentive, and the food was excellent. Portions were more than generous and the quality was top-notch. This place is unique for the area and a must do for anyone who enjoys French cuisine.
Restaurant Information
Location: 3430 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, 33133
Phone: (305)448-6060
Parking: Down the street
Website:www.lebouchondugrove.com
Executive Chef: Christian Ville
Type of Cuisine: French
Signature Dishes: Escargot, Chicken Fricassee, Mussels
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Alcohol Served: Wine/Beer
Corkage Fee: None
Bottle Limit: None
Restaurant Hours:
Monday – 10:00 a.m. –3 p.m.;5:00 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Tuesday – 10:00 a.m. –3 p.m.;5:00 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. –3 p.m.;5:00 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Thursday – 10:00 a.m. –3 p.m.;5:00 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday – 10:00 a.m. –3 p.m.;5:00 p.m. – midnight
Saturday – 8:00 a.m. –3 p.m.;5:00 p.m. – midnight
Sunday – 8:00 a.m. –3 p.m.;5:00 p.m. – midnight
Prix Fix Menu: No
Take-Out: No
Delivery: No
Average Dinner Price Range (per person, full meal, tax, %15 gratuity, w/o alcohol): $35.00
Average Lunch Price Range (per person, full meal, tax, %15 gratuity, w/o alcohol): $35.00
Payment Options: do you accept credit cards and if so, which ones? All Major Credit Cards
Accept Reservations: Yes
Need Reservations: Recommended
How far in advance do you require reservations be made: Not required
Accommodations for Children: N/A
Dining Style: Casual
Disabled Access: Yes
Tables with Scenic Views: Yes, the streets of Coconut Grove
Outdoor Dining: Yes
Entertainment: No