Bar Bouchée

Discovered Bar Bouchée after Le Petit Cafe in Branford closed. This is now our favorite French restaurant to celebrate special occasions. The atmosphere is quaint, and love the staff. Our visit in September we ordered the Classic Escargots, Coq Au Vin, Gratin Dauphinois, and the Fricassée Of Local Mushrooms. Recommend making reservations for inside the main building instead of the attached expansion tent area. The kitchen has an open window which is lovely to see the kitchen flow and preparations. Food is fabulous and they staff have staff are kind.

Bar Bouchée is a hidden gem in Madison. It is on the pricey side, so we come here for special occasions or for date nights. You can’t go wrong with any of their appetizers, our favorites are the escargots and beef tartare. Service is very attentive and friendly and the atmosphere is just right, not too quiet or too noisy. You do need a reservation because they get booked up. Highly recommend!

The food is incredible — fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Every dish we tried was a hit. The crème brûlée is hands down the best I’ve ever had and I order it every time I dine in!! The staff is warm, friendly, and really knowledgeable about the menu. We came for our anniversary last year and again this year (this past weekend), as well as my birthday last summer, and Chef Guillaume and his team always go above and beyond to make it a memorable dining experience. We just had Nigel as our waiter this past weekend and he was fantastic! The atmosphere is cozy and intimate in the best way. It’s a smaller space, but beautifully designed — modern and contemporary while still feeling relaxed and special. This place is a true gem in CT and I can’t wait to go back very soon!!!

This is a tricky review; I love this little gem of a restaurant but the quality of the food can be inconsistent, especially considering that the prices are rather elevated. Having said that some dishes are very good and service is definitely top notch. Reservations are a must and I do recommend getting a table inside this small but cozy place.

This is my favorite restaurant in CT. They get it right, every time. The grazing plate, seared Maine sea scallops, and the ginger martini are my favorites of this season’s menu.

There aren't enough stars for this gem! This is a cozy, intimate restaurant with a small outdoor covered patio. The cocktails are lovingly, hand crafted. It was difficult to choose what to order to eat because each choice sounded as delectable as the last. Order a bit of every course but save room for dessert! We were vacationing, but we'd go out of our way to get back here!

What a wonderful dining experience! I was immediately greeted by the hostess Sage and the bartender Gina. They were both so welcoming and kind. The drinks were fabulous from the bar and the food was to die for! The scallops were perfectly seared and the daily special soup and brussels sprout salad were phenomenal! John, the head chef, is a fantastic asset to this establishment. I can’t wait to dine again!

You will feel like you are in Paris in this lovely bistro with amazing French cuisine. We had the special pork shoulder and filet of sole with Swiss chard. Amazing and the delicious. Rodney our server was super professional. The escargot was tasty and the dessert divine. Atmosphere and decor was authentic to the name. I just cannot rave enough about this gem. You will need a reservation because it’s a local favorite but well worth it.

Birthday Luncheon at Bar Bouchēe...Both had the Croque Madame, one of my favorite Parisian specialities when ever I travel. The runny egg over the Gruyere encrusted ham and cheese in a winner. A very good facsimile here with a glass of Sancerre. She had a Ginger Martini to start. The Peach dessert on the menu was not available so the Pastry Chef created something on the spot which was delicious with the French Press Coffee. Why can't you be closer!

You can always count on a great meal at this local French restaurant. The menu is complete however be sure to check out the daily specials! We prefer to sit at the bar, however when with guests a table is more practical. Indoor seating can be tight so ask for the rectangular table in the back! Patio seating in the winter can be tricky getting the heating right, however in the spring summer and fall it's delightful! We have a standing reservation on Sundays.

We arrived at Bar Bouchée exactly at our reservation time and stood awkwardly for five minutes -- no host, no greeting, no clear idea of what to do. When someone finally acknowledged us, we were just told to "wait." Ten minutes later, we checked in again, only to be told that our table was still occupied, with no real update or apology. Trying to make the best of it, we went to the bar to order a drink while we waited, but the bartender responded with an attitude and told us "the host will be with you soon" -- which had nothing to do with the fact that we were simply trying to get a drink while we stood there waiting. It was an unnecessary brush-off. We were finally seated over 30 minutes after our reservation, and placed our full order right away, hoping to make up for lost time. But then the cheese board took another 30 minutes to arrive. When we asked, we were told there was some kind of miscommunication -- again, no real ownership or urgency. Then came the main course. I ordered the bavette steak medium rare, but what I got was clearly rare and chewy, as the photo shows. When I mentioned it, the waitress did say it looked maybe on the rare side to her but also that Bavette can come out like that looking red - but Undercooked and poorly prepared is not a feature of the cut. We didn't want to wait longer so just ate some. To be fair, our waitress was kind and acknowledged the issues, but it was one of the most frustrating "high-end" dining experiences I've had. At these prices and with this reputation, you expect better service, better pacing, and food cooked properly. Instead, it felt like we were an afterthought the entire night.

A favorite has become an average or less than average place to eat. Went on my birthday last night expecting a treat. Have eaten there many times and always had a great meal and experience. Slow night so able to get a spot at the bar. Ordered mussels, a special of the day and scallops. Bread was delivered in 5 minutes. Mussels (appetizer) was at least 25 minutes later. Not hot. Dried out like sitting under lamp for a while. Disappointed. After another 40 minutes the meals arrived. Cold. Dry. Unappealing. The bartender asked the host to check (it had been so long) and sure enough. Done and obviously sitting for a while. The bartender was great, but could not make up for the lack of quality food. My wife and I did notice the kitchen seemed to be in turmoil. We had a view right in, but they kept closing the door as soon as possible. I would like to say we caught it on a bad night. Will try again soon but if same outcome, won't be back. A favorite spot on. I hope a bad night.

Just saw that my last review was 9 years ago & it is worthy of an update. Bar Bouchee is very good, sadly not as stellar as it used to be. A charming space as long as you are comfortable with banquette seating with fellow diners very close by. I must say too, we the service is very good depending on who you get. The last time we were there our waiter was less than friendly & the service was efficient but perfunctory until we ordered a bottle of nice wine, appetizers, etc. It was clear that he considered us worthy of better service the higher our bill became. It's been a bit so hopefully he's gone. Still very good, cute space - we find it worth the drive to Chapel St for a better French experience.

Great vibe and flavor. Friendly service Portion is on the smaller side (especially the salad)

Excellent food and service. The ambiance is ok, nothing special, maybe a little loud, but it's ok.

I made an online reservation via Bar Bouchee's website for two persons for dinner on Sunday night. I had previously eaten at Bar Bouchée on approximately one half dozen-one dozen occasions , and the food and service were pretty good. I arrived in time for my Sunday night reservation, but was told that my reservation was "for the bar." Absolutely nothing during the online reservation process, or at any other time or place, alerted me that I would be seated at the bar for my meal. Had I known that, I would've eaten elsewhere. Bar Bouchée's conduct in connection with my reservation was deceptive. I will likely not be returning.

Went to celebrate and each of us felt like our orders were a "hit or miss." At $250 for 4 of us ($300 with tip) it did not match the expectations based on prior visits. Scallops were good, but breaded swordfish was disappointing (to be fair, menu said swordfish was breaded but didn't expect taste to be closer to fish sticks). Bar Bouchee and Barberry Hill Farms Tomato Salads were excellent, as were the Chocolate Mousse and Matcha Shortcake! The 2 Croque Monsiers were overcooked & nowhere near as good as usual (rate at 3 out of 5 stars). And mushrooms were a bit dry and just warm. We hoped for better, but perhaps the main chef had the night off. Our waitress was excellent!

i had my 90 year old dad w me in New Haven on a very rainy day at Ikea. i shouldve drank before we went. Was trying to think of a way of getting him to enjoy at least a part of our trip. I called & i believe Christina answered & held a table for us. When we got there she was so,so welcoming. My dad already loved this place. once he took his attention off the lovely hostess he just reveled at the interiors decor. I love it here. I had just stopped drinking alcohol & Susan helped me find a nonalcoholic drink from the menu that i loved snd know wish i could find it retail. Place was packed on a rainy& windy afternoon. i ordered him the potatoes dauphinois & the monseur croc. potatoes weren't mindblowing like first time i tasted (different chefs?) but still pretty awesome. these potatoes are a must order, even if youre taking them home. if youve ever had anyone in your family that could make incredible scalloped potatoes, you know. i had the potato leek soup which was dmooth, creamy & delicious. sorry guys! no pics from this time, but if i can find the first time ones I'll post!

This is absolutely my favorite restaurant in the area -always a good vibe and the food is incredible. The menu changes with the season -highly recommend you make a reservation now!

What a charming restaurant! They accommodated us despite not having reservations and I'm so glad! The food was absolutely amazing. Best duck I've ever had! And the staff are all so friendly and wonderful! We will definitely be back!

First French restaurant we have found in Connecticut that is fabulous food plus affordable price! My husband loved the escargot and I enjoyed the asparagus salad with a custard goat cheese. I adored the chicken dish in the pastry shell with amazing sauce and flavors. My husband said his Bass fish was delicate and delicious! The finale was ice cream filled profiteroles with chocolate sauce yum! Sean was the bartender and our waiter and he was wonderful! We will be back!!!

Just had a delicious dinner at Bar Boucher! Starting with delicious cocktails we had Scallops and the Chicken Thigh dinner! Both were outstanding as was our server Gina! Second visit to Bar Bouchée and we will return!!Wonderful experience!!!

Great, small location with highly attentive service. Try the spaetzle, green salad with house dressing, and chocolate bouchee dessert. I highly recommend keeping room for dessert

Delicious food, excellent service, cozy atmosphere. A gem restaurant located in a quiet street in Madison, CT.

Came here for new years. The Staff and the food were amazing. The place looked good dressed up for the holidays as well.

Im afraid i confused Bar Bouchee with Cafe Routier!!!!! Ive been to both and both FABULOUS but the pics here are Cafe Routier Le cuisinière est magnifique !!!! il y a un place endroit confortable et décontracté, mais le nourritures est extraordinaire !!! and of course they speak English the food is wonderful and authentic French cuisine

Stopped here for a little dinner before a show and was delighted to enjoy a delicious country style French meal in an outdoor seating that was more than cozy. An "Al fresco" seating area is equipped with lovely radiant heat that kept the drizzly night from getting us down. We began with escargot and a chicken liver mousse that was rich, velvety and just luscious. A petit hanger steak, cooked to perfection and a plate of handmade cheese filled pasta pillows served with a rich lamb ragout was just what I needed to satisfy my voracious appetite. Attentive server and beautiful decor keeps this place on the top of my fine dining list. BTW, the craft cocktail Bees Knees was a delicious blend of Bar Hill gin with a cinnamon simple syrup and dash of nutmeg was just perfect

We ordered two glasses of wine. They took almost 40 minutes to come out with the wrong order, Twice. When we were clearly unhappy with waiting so long, the waitress was almost irritated with us for daring to complain. We never tasted the food as it took very long before our order was taken. All around us, other diners were served while our waitress changed from one woman to another. It seemed like they totally forgot about our table. We ended up leaving after an hour plus and no food. All this instead of a long awaited birthday dinner celebration.

First time there. I heard great things which made my disappointment all the more. The mussels appetizer had a great tasting sauce but it was served lukewarm. We asked to have some hot sauce delivered. The waiter took the entire dish back and it came back at the exact same lukewarm temp. I had the short rib burger. The meat was dry and over saturated with the sauce. The bright side was the bun but it hardly made up for dry meat. The fries were fine. My wife had the prime steak. It was incredibly tough and almost impossible to cut. The knife that was served wasn't a steak knife but it would have needed to be a chainsaw. The service was friendly and attentive but we won't be giving Bar Boucee another chance anytime soon.

We adore Bar Bouchee but I think what makes it exceptional is Christine, one of the waitresses. She makes every meal there fee like I've flown across the ocean and am back in France. Best escargot but the shrimp special this time was the star of the show! We bring our son, who's 6, and he is always fine there but I wouldn't necessarily say it's kid-friendly inside.

Great place for a late afternoon drink! Friendly and relaxed staff, wonderful outdoor seating that is warm on a cool day!

This was my first time trying french cuisine. It was very tasty! The restaurant is very classy, cozy and quaint! The service was very friendly and helpful with menu and wine choices! I enjoyed the stuffed cod with lobster and the mushroom arancini with truffle on top. For our drink choice we ordered a bottle of savingon blanc which was incredible! Oh and we can't forget dessert! I ordered an apple tart with a cappuccino! Highly reccomend Bar Bouchee! We had a great night!

Quality of food has gone downhill under new owners. The former mouth-watering steak is now a tougher cut and sole was ok, but taste was overwhelmed by toppings. Not in rush to go back. Elizabeth

Small bistro on a side street of Madison. High top tables indoor, small square tables outside street side. The specialty drinks were outstanding and the waiters wine recommendation was perfect. Appetizers of mussels and oysters were both seasoned perfectly. The oysters had the perfect amount of liquor still in the shell. Entrees were outstanding with a unique pairing of beets with fluke. Again, seasoning and preparation were perfect. Our waiter was everything I've always wished a waiter could be other times I've dined out. Friendly, affable, knowledgeable and subdued. The phenomenal food and professionalism of the staff made dining here a great experience.

Bar bouchée was a place I loved to go for a nice intimate dinner on a special occasion. With my birthday coming up I booked a reservation for 2 .when we show up I'm told the only available seating was outdoors ? Mind you it's 40 degrees out . We are seated on the sidewalk in the front of the restaurant enclosed in an ocean state job lot tent with plug in Home Depot space heaters !!! Needless to say we were very disappointed and the bill was the price of an indoor fine dining experience but I got a side walk steak and french fries ! The food quality was not the same as the last time I was here that was also very disappointing. I understand it's a small place and you are trying to have more seating for customers but it's not worth the price tag in my experience.

I have been there multiple times. It is always my favorite restaurant in CT. Food is excellent, service is great!

Seems something has changed here. I actually wrote the restaurant to find out what, but no response. Our meal Labor Day weekend was pretty terrible. The lamb burger was dry and pretty much inedible. The fries only tasted of potato skin and pure salt. The mushroom side dish was pure oil and tasted as if the chef dropped the salt shaker entirely into the dish. The duck special.. well, I think you know what I'll say here... The creme brulee was somewhat decent though much too much liquid. Spending over $150 for a meal we really were hoping for so much better. This restaurant was wonderful for years. It makes me wonder what happened.

Parking: well designed parking lot making use of all the space. Decor: stylish with some nice European touches. Pandemic decor: plexiglass between tables and at the bar. Face masks mandatory until you get to the table. Outdoor patio also open. Staff: very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Food: AMAZING! Small but focused menu...chefs attention to presentation is spot on and modern...no diced parsley at this location. If the dish with the gnocchi is there, get it! Extremely fresh homemade gnocchi!!!! Price: average for type of restaurant. Corking fee: $30-35. Overalls: took a copy of the menu...will 100% be going back when I'm in the area!

Great little bistro. Classic offerings. Knowledgeable servers b and bartenders. Sat at the bar and it was a perfect evening.

We decided to have a 4 pm lunch at this convivial French restaurant before going to Hammonasset Beach. We were warmly welcomed by the staff. The food was delicious, especially the "braised chicken legs" which was my favorite. The lady who took care of us was very attentive and kind, which we greatly appreciated. Can't wait to come back here again!

The chicken dish and oysters were fabulous.Service excellent and the bartender was extremely helpful!

Food was exquisite and Service from our server was on point only to be rushed out by management very rudely. Kitchen and server get absolutely a 5 star. The establishment gets a 3* after a $300 bill for 2 people only to have management hand you the bill and have the audacity to ask us to leave before we finish our meal and drinks. Be aware and ask how much time do you have before you order a full course meal with dessert, so you are not surprised halfway through it by then telling you in French to leave! Seriously, if we would have cancelled our reservation we get charged $25.00 a person ($50.00) in this place! Creating awareness. The food & exceptional server is not worth the embarrassment and insult. As locals we will be looking elsewhere and continue to create awareness.

This spot is a gem. The service is impeccable. The food was perfect. The bar is very French and I dig it. I'll definitely come back

My family and I decided to have a short stay in Madison following the holiday and we stopped in the restaurant for an early dinner. So glad we did because everything was excellent. The place was clean and the entire staff was friendly and welcoming. My husband had the trout for dinner and was nicely flavored and seasoned. This speaks volumes as he is very picky ! We had the escargot for an appetizer and it was amazing. One of the best I've ever had. The sauce at the bottom it great for dipping the delicious rolls as well. I had the steak for dinner and it was delicious. Perfectly cooked for me. I got the gratin potatoes as the side and they were phenomenal. So good with the right amount of cheese and tender potatoes. My lemon drop drink was perfect as well. I would definitely go back. Everything tasted so good I forgot to take pictures and just dug right in !

Bar Bouchee makes you feel like you are hanging out in the streets of Paris. The French atmosphere is amazing and the staff is so friendly. We decided to snack on some frites for our appetizer and they were delicious. They came with a tasty aioli sauce that gave them a nice garlic flavor. If you're a fan of wine they have so many great options to sip on with your meal. We got a rose and Malbec that were both divine. For our entrees we had the lamb with polenta and the hanger steak with gratin potatoes. Both were cooked perfectly with so many delicious flavors. If you're in the Madison area and looking for the best French meal in a classy casual atmosphere definitely stop you'll feel like you're in Paris!

The best restaurant in Madison, hands down. The stag are dedicated; it's always a delightful experience.

This was our first visit to Bar Bouchee and we were very impressed. We could not remember the last time we felt so welcome in a restaurant! The setting is old world bistro- a lot of dark wood & great art/posters. The service, cocktails, appetizers, main courses & desserts were all first class! The only nit pick is that the tomato gazpacho was very spicy but was not listed as such. Too spicy for my wife. It was delicious non the less. This is a very special restaurant & we can't wait to return!!

We have been 3-4 times now coming from NY to Madison for a little get away from the city. This time around we brought our 9 month old and the staff was so kind and accommodating. Really made us feel good. As for the place - ambiance almost feels like you're in a quaint home. They have a really cozy bar area when you walk in, FANTASTIC cocktails, and then probably 8-10 tables inside and a few you can see the kitchen from which is fun. Lastly there is a nice little porch outside. The food is next level good. I don't even like chicken, I never order chicken, the first time we went I forgot what happened but I had some of my mom's chicken and it was tremendous. Ordered it this go around and prepared a different way, AMAZING. We also had their special of scallops, never had better prepared scallops. Appetizer wise we are big mussel fans and these guys make a great batch. I've never seen a bad meal come out. Thanks again to the staff for their kindness during our meal, and presenting us with an absolutely amazing experience. Oh and get the Dauphinoise potatoes side.

One of the best restaurants on the shoreline. Super nice French place with absolutely amazing food. We always sit at the bar because bartenders are absolutely amazing in suggesting food,wines and cocktails.

What can I say about Bar Bouchee? My husband, BFF and I love this bar & restaurant. We particularly love to sit at the bar and watch Shane the talented bar tender and mixologist wave his magic. He's really good fun and very knowledgeable about the wines he has and the menu.

Amazing is the only way I can describe this place....our go to when we we want to feel special, and fed with not only incredible food, but prepared by someone who has a passion for their craft.

Great atmosphere Great wait staff Unfortunately we went mid week and the bar tender didn't know how to make a drink on the menu... and when he made my cosmo it was measured with a shot glass and when poured was only 2/3 full Food is okay, portions are on the smaller side, get appetizers I wouldn't order the lamb again, not sure what the spice was, possibly cinnamon Pricy, expect to spend $75-100 per person

It would seem that a case of 'The Emperor's New Clothes' has been set upon this restaurant. My husband and I made a reservation for our anniversary at this restaurant mostly because we were given a gracious gift certificate. We had been to the restaurant before and know and understand its reputation and significance. We arrived on time for our reservation and were taken to the back corner table. The table was placed in such a way that it wasn't possible for me to sit with my legs in front of me. Beside the fact that the configuration of the restaurant's elevated seating has never been orchestrated well, this presented even more of an uncomfortable situation. I configured myself in a way to be as much 'in place' as possible. The cheese board contained three cheeses that were hard and cold while portioned enough for only a small two bite tasting. The double toasted bread that accompanied the cheese was stale. The foie gras appetizer was blackened and charred and had the taste of soapy cast iron. Once cut, it oozed liquid, a sure sign that it was improperly cooked. It was at this point in the dinner that one of the wait staff (not ours), slovenly walked over after assessing the contortion of my leg and blurted, "Comfortable?" I replied and informed her that I did my best to try to make myself that way. The bavette arrived looking like a grey slab. The cut remained primal without any seasoning or care other than adding heat. My husband expressed that the meat was tough and had no taste. Our waiter never came over to ask how our dinners were and once we called him over rolled his eyes as he was asked to provide some pepper or salt. I then recommended a side of bernaise to offer some accompaniment to the entire lack of flavor of the meat. The waiter returned with a frigidly cold shot of the sauce. The scallop special contained vegetables that were unevenly cooked, some were raw while others were over done. The tarte for dessert was filled with sour apples. It was heated and re-heated at least twice which made it very dry. My experience with tarte tatin is that it is sweet and full of flavor; not dry and sour. Overall the quality of service, food and comfort of the restaurant was unacceptable, especially for the astronomical prices that include an added junk fee for the kitchen staff. What's worse about this entire experience is the pomp and arrogance that emits from the staff who are resting on their laurels. This may have once been a very quaint and elegant spot where French food and hospitality were once at a high caliber. Something has changed and just like the emperor in the story I mentioned above, more people need to reveal the truth about what really has happened to what once was a wonderful place on the Shoreline.

A high priced meal in a dinner setting. The food is mediocre. I can say the service was excellent. I recommend making the drive to New Haven and splurging at Union League. It's a better experience all around.

Does not disappointed! It's a small cozy restaurant that's reservations only. We were lucky enough to snag a reservation the night of. Once you taste the food, it's clear why this is the happening spot in town. Everyone in town recommended the duck confit, which can be split as an appetizer or enjoyed as a small entree. The frites were some of the best I've ever had! Crispy and flavorful on the outside, soft and pillowy in the inside. Our entrees were also delectable. The trout was extremely fresh while the endive gratin was rich without being too heavy. Profiteroles topped off the night perfectly. Service was fast and friendly. This meal would have easily cost double in Manhattan!

Really lovely little spot. You were on the new England shoreline but you feel like you have escaped to France for the evening. We went for our anniversary and had a lovely dinner. Started with a yummy ginger martini so good I could've had three. My husband tried another special day cocktail and enjoyed it. I had to have the escargot and they were perfect with garlic and butter. We each had fish for dinner. I had the trout and it was light and fresh delicious. We split the chocolate cake for dessert and it melted in your mouth. It was a weeknight and they did quite a business.The outdoor seating was full and the inside filled up quickly to. We will definitely go back some of the best food on the shoreline.

Sad to say I was not really impressed with our experience at Bar Bouchee last night. We had called for reservations and were told they didn't take reservations between 6 and 8pm and tables were first-come, first-served, so we showed up around 6:15pm. I asked if I could sit at the bar and get on the wait list for a table and was told they don't keep track. Then, there were two empty seats at the bar separated by a couple of people, but when two people showed up, my friend and I were asked to move down so they could add another chair to the bar rather than moving the two open seats to be next to each other. It was VERY strange and beyond cramped. When we left, we noted that one table in the restaurant had been empty the entire time we were there and at least two tables outside were also empty. We ordered the zucchini salad special and were not pleased to find that it reminded us more of a coleslaw than a salad. Luckily, the duck confit more than made up for the odd salad and we devoured it. The saving graces of the night were: 1. the bartender, who was as confused at the seating arrangements as we were and flawlessly handled 12+ people at the bar plus drinks for the tables. 2. the DRINKS. I had their summer version of a mule and loved it. 3. the dessert - we shared the bestselling pave and just about licked the plate clean. This is a good spot to stop by for a drink and/or dessert, but there are a number of other nearby options that work to impress you instead of squeezing everyone in.