Bar Bouchée — Restaurant in Madison

We visited Bar Bouchée in Madison, Connecticut for our wedding anniversary. This restaurant offers a delightful fusion of French Polynesian cuisine that takes your taste buds on a captivating journey. From start to finish, our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional.

To begin, the classic escargot was a standout dish, served with a rich garlic butter sauce that complemented the tender snails perfectly. My husband had the hanger steak and I had the pan-seared trout. Both were cooked to perfection, boasting incredible flavors that showcased the chef's expertise. The dishes were beautifully presented, demonstrating the restaurant's dedication to both taste and aesthetics.

The watermelon cocktail special was a refreshing revelation, with its sweet and tangy notes, making it an ideal accompaniment to the meal. The staff's friendly demeanor and attentiveness further enhanced our dining experience. Notably, when we got caught in the rain, they went above and beyond by providing us with a towel, which truly demonstrated their commitment to customer care.

Now, let's talk about the crème brûlée—this dessert was the perfect finale to an already outstanding meal. The silky smooth custard topped with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust left us wanting more. It’s not too sweet and just perfectly right.

Apart from the delectable food, the atmosphere is captivating. The ambiance exudes a charming blend of elements, creating a relaxing and inviting environment for guests. The attentive and welcoming hostesses further added to the warm and cozy vibe of the restaurant.

This restaurant provides a truly memorable dining journey. A must-visit for any food enthusiast or those seeking an extraordinary...

We went to this restaurant last night and left disappointed. We are from New York and do expect a certain quality of food and service. Bar Bouchee disappointed. I ordered the Bar Bouchee salad which was basically lettuce with pickled onions on top. For entree, my husband and I ordered the stuffed filet of sole which was ok, but arrived just warm. I like my food piping hot. This was surprising because we were sitting at the bar and the kitchen is 10 feet away. The reason we were sitting at the bar is because we had to move inside from the patio due to mosquitoes. My feet were getting “chewed up”. But the most disappointment came from the restaurant forgetting to acknowledge that my husband and I were there celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. Not one person wished us a happy anniversary! I specifically told the person who took the reservation that it was a special occasion. And I intentionally ordered a special dessert thinking at least they would have written something in the swirls of chocolate “ Happy Anniversary “. Finally, my last complaint is that there was a charge that I didn’t notice until today. It said S/C: K. Appreciation $3.44. So I called the restaurant to inquire as to what this charge was for and was told it was to support the kitchen staff?? The main reason I write this report, other than my sheer dissatisfaction, is to alert fellow New Yorkers that they really do cater to their regulars at this...

The food is amazing! Main course and dessert is perfect for a light meal. And wine was one of the best I’ve had. Although I have to question an appreciation charge that was included on the bill and it’s made me rethink tipping. I have always been a generous tipper, as I used to work as a server, but it’s the food that keeps me going back or not and then the service. Should businesses just pay their staff more from their profits instead of appreciation charges and tips???

Here’s the restaurant’s reply.. all I can say is WOW charging customers to pay employee bonuses..

“Dear Lori, thank you for reaching out with your question. Please see below the description of our "Kitchen appreciation fee": This 3% fee, applied to each bill on food only, allows our kitchen staff to share in the success of the restaurant and strive toward the best guest experience possible. It helps us attract and develop talent, rewards consistency, encourages creativity and elevates the expectation of our entire staff. We hope you feel its positive impact every time you dine with us. We use the proceeds of this fee to reward directly our kitchen staff in the form of monthly bonuses. The fee is subject to sales taxes. Hopefully this answered your question. I hope that you had great time visiting us last night....