"Le Bouchon is an incredibly charming little French restaurant right in the heart of Coconut Grove. And it’s truly a place that can trick your brain into thinking you’re in Lyon for an hour and a half. photo credit: Tasty Planet For one, they give you a free glass of sparkling wine when you sit down, which is just plain lovely and so un-Miami. Also, the interior has the look and personality of a lively Lyonnais bistro. The menu features comforting French dishes served in generous portions. Start with the garlicky escargots (and remember to save some free bread for mopping up the sauce). The foie gras with crispy slices of toast is another starter worth getting on the table. And the mussels easily feed two or three and come in a massive cast iron pot with a big pile of crispy fries. Everything is easy to share and prices are highly reasonable, so keep this place in mind for birthdays too. Especially because they play a birthday song (an endearingly odd dance remix of the Rocky soundtrack) for you at a hilariously loud volume. Food Rundown photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC Free Sparkling Wine The moment your cheeks make contact with Le Buchon’s chairs, a complimentary glass of sparkling wine appears in front of you. It really sets the tone for a dinner that feels like the result of an $800 flight (with minimal leg room). photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC Le Filet Mignon De Bœuf Sauce Au Poivre Vert Frites Et Salade Instead of pulverizing the peppercorn, the au poivre sauce on this steak uses whole peppercorns, and consequently it’s not as peppery as it looks. Nonetheless, the speckled sauce is creamy and the perfect blanket for a steak so tender, you can cut it with a spoon. photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC Les Moules Marinières Pommes Frites Comme À Bruxelles This hefty cast iron pot of mussels bathe in a white wine sauce that doubles as a dipping sauce for the accompanying bowl of fries. The mussles seem infinite at first. But two or three hungry friends will prove that this seemingly endless pot does, in fact, eventually end. photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC La Fricassée De Volaille À l'Ancienne, Risotto Aux Cèpes Et Biscuit De Parmesan The thick porcini mushroom stew comes in a sizzling copper pot that looks like it's been making the same decadent chicken fricassée for centuries. What came first: the chicken or the copper pot? We're not sure, but we're just happy they exist together, because this is the best thing on the menu. photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC Traditionnelle Tarte Des Sœurs Tatin Crème Anglaise The apples soak up the warm cream and make each bite so soft that chewing isn't entirely necessary. Remember your table manners and try not to slurp up the remainder of the cream. Or do it while everyone is distracted by the birthday celebration happening across the room." - Ryan Pfeffer & Mariana Trabanino
