Restaurant Bonjour — Restaurant in Florida

Les Miserables isn’t just a famous French novel and musical. It also applies to the people unfortunate enough to dine at this restaurant on Valentine’s Day.

We chose Bonjour based on its google reviews, which were outstanding, so while there are many high end options in Naples, we decided to give this place a shot for a big romantic night out.

We arrived on time for our 7 pm reservation and met an unmanaged scrum at the door. Looking in the windows we could see the place was not at all romantic; bright lights cast a harsh glow, and the hard tile floors, lack of draperies, no tablecloths etc. made the place a tidy echo chamber. The whole place, while quite clean, was exceedingly bland. More troubling we could see that every square foot of floor space was jam packed with tables.

We tried to see check in with a host or hostess, but the poor staff was so harried, and the outside crowd so large and unmanaged, that it was impossible. Thankfully the people waiting with us outside were patient and game and we arranged ourselves into a line by reservation times.

After nearly a half hour we made it to the door where a very friendly, and polite gentleman apologized for the wait, thanked us for our patience, and got us seated.

If that was the worst of it this wouldn’t be a bad review, just a funny story, but things continued downhill from there.

We were informed that the menu that evening was prix-fixe. This was not indicated anywhere on the website, and a deep disappointment since one of the reasons we’d chosen it was to sample the escargot and otrher French specialties, which were unavailable. There were only two choices for appetizer, and for entree, and no choice for a shared dessert.

Already more than a half hour in and still hoping for the best we tried to order, but one of the appetizers was already sold out, so…butternut squash soup it was! The soup was good. The baguette and butter that came out with it, also very good. The main course arrived and my shock must have been visible. While the lamb and the filet mignon were very nicely done, and quite tasty, there wasn’t much to them. The 3(?) chops were petite and the filet was about the size of a deck of cards, though maybe half again as thick. The broccoli served with it sat steamed, sullen, and unadorned on the plate, and the mashed potatoes were watery. My wife was certain they came from a box.

Dessert, at least, was very good; one portion of chocolate mousse, and a handful of tiny profiteroles. All in all the meal was like a collection of miniatures, a repas d’enfant.

The servers have our sincere sympathy. They dashed around like mad, good naturedly doing the best they could as they were wildly overwhelmed. They should all add contortionist to their resumes since they had to bend and stretch like circus performers to get food to the crowded tables, and there was no such thing as personal space as placed for other tables were passed over under and around us. It’s a miracle no one ended up wearing a meal with how ridiculously congested it was. I have nothing but good things to say about the waitstaff.

The kicker? All this cost nearly $220 with tip. The tip was the only part of the bill I didn’t regret.

This whole affair was obviously nothing more than a money grab. It’s a shame because having spoken with many of the patrons jammed in around us we discovered that there were many first timers. Maybe Bonjour earned their great reviews for their regular service and menu, but after that “special” Valentine’s experience who would want to return? We can say with certainly that it won’t be us. ...

It’s been many years since I’ve been to this restaurant because of the very inhospitable greeting I received by the hostess back then. (You can read about that below..) Today, however, a friend who has been here recently a number of times had said that the place has a new owner and that the quiche is delicious. We decided to try it and she was absolutely right. The waitress was delightful, welcoming, and attentive. The quiche was light and tasty with perfect lettuce and a light, delicious salad dressing. A completely new experience. We will definitely be back.

Years ago.., I had just taken my French class and with visions of my upcoming trip to France I impulsively decided to try a restaurant I had passed by many times where my wife had eaten with one of her dear friends. I had not made a reservation but it was 6:00 in the evening on a weekday and I hoped perhaps they might have a place for me. Even though it is in a dark strip mall on busy Pine Ridge Road, the small charm of the place transported me back to the many lovely family-run bistros my wife and I have enjoyed throughout France.

For me, the tables were perfectly set with crisply-folded cloth napkins, brightly colored plates and shining silverware. The extensive display of wine bottles added a cheery note to the minimalist design of the place, which appealed to me. The place was less than half full and people seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Luckily, my wife had warned me that the hostess/waitress who “greets” you was unwelcoming and curt to a fault…so I was prepared when she said challengingly, “Do you have a reservation?” with a severe look. There was no, “Welcome to Restaurant Bonjour!” Nor even, “Bonjour!” I explained to her that this was my first time here and just decided to come at the last moment after taking a French class. She didn’t respond and just walked over to the counter and stared at something that I later realized was her reservation/seating chart. She walked over to three tables pushed together by the door and pulled one away saying, “You have to leave by 7:30! I have reservations coming at 7:30.” The definition of how a hostess is supposed to welcome a guest to a restaurant seems never to have been explained to her.

She seemed to want me to take the seat that would put me directly in line with anyone walking in the door which was only a few feet away, so I chose the other seat. Understand that if I had not been in a particularly good mood and had already been pre-warned, I certainly would have left the restaurant never to return… at least until a new hostess took over.

Bread was soon served and I ordered the sole amandine that came with Jasmine rice, almonds, white wine butter sauce and green beans. It was quite good, as was their cappuccino. There were two men there. The younger man, also French, was a server who was very pleasant and accommodating. The other gentleman said his father was the owner. He also had a pleasant personality, circulating to see that everyone was having a good time.

Would I return? Not unless I start reading reviews indicating that the present hostess/waitress has improved her attitude or has been replaced. Why would you want to be greeted in such a cold manner when there are so many wonderful local restaurants where the owners and their staff welcome you warmly, such as Mediterrano where you are greeted like family, Chez Boet where the owner’s personality sparkles, Bha Bha, Cafe Milano, Tommy...

Hidden in a strip shopping center off Pine Ridge Road is a little gem of a restaurant that’s well worth visiting. Restaurant Bonjour, a quaint and casual French eatery, delivers incredible food and personal service. This was our first time at this restaurant, I started with the beet salad, which was fresh, vibrant, and perfectly balanced. My father opted for the spinach salad with goat cheese, which was equally delightful. For our main courses, we had the Dover Sole and the Lamb Chops. Both were simply phenomenal, cooked to perfection, and bursting with flavor. The care and attention to detail in every dish were evident and simply unforgettable. They offer wine and beer as well as you can bring your own. Despite its modest exterior, the restaurant offers a clean, small, yet charming dining space with a casual and welcoming atmosphere. Bonjour trades the glitz of high-end dining for something much more meaningful – an emphasis on delicious food and extraordinarily personal service. If you're a fan of authentic French cuisine and attentive hospitality, I recommend Restaurant Bonjour. It’s a true hidden gem in Naples that's sure to leave you with a warm heart and a...