Le Bouchon

[AlexisPernsteiner]

Has anyone eaten here? What are your thoughts?

[taco_belle]

I think Le Bouchon is an okay place but was better when Christian was involved. When he left, it seemed to become more "mechanical".

[whimsy2]

I've eaten occasionally at Le Bouchon and enjoyed it every time. Once. sweetbreads, beautifully prepared, were on the menu and I enjoyed them immensely, but the next time I was there they weren't on the menu. When I made reservations this time I asked if they would be on the menu the night I was eating there. The answer was no, but since I requested them ahead of time, they obtained some and they made them just for me. What a treat! And they were delicious, just as I'd remembered them. So I have a special spot in my heart for Le Bouchon.

[JillO]

Wow, thanks for dredging those up. Those were two nice meals. Haven't been back since...maybe we will at some point.

I really like Carafe too and Pascal provides a more interesting and more often changing menu...but there's room for Le Bouchon in this town. Lord knows there are a bazillion Italian places and twice as many Thai places in town. ;o)

[pdxgirl]

Our one and only visit was about a year ago and we were so disappointed in the bland uninteresting food that we have not gone back.
I too think Carafe is much better.

[jeff_pdx]

I found it to be pretty good on two visits, but on dishes where Carafe has something comparable (duck confit, for example), that Carafe's version is quite a bit better. Carafe is a bit more "modern" and creative with their menu, Le Bouchon seems to stick closer to classic dishes and preparations.

[extramsg]

Jill-O had two really good reports on it (I love the new search feature):

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/13815

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[AlexisPernsteiner]

woops! should have mentioned that it's in Portland on the west side.