"Le Bouchon Du Grove is a place that can trick your brain into thinking you’re in Lyon for an hour and a half. As soon as you enter, they give you a free glass of sparkling wine, which is just plain lovely and so un-Miami. Also, the interior has the look and personality of a lively Lyonnais bistro. 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." - mariana trabanino, ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo
"Le Bouchon can trick your brain into thinking you’re in France for an hour and a half. For one, they give you free champagne when you sit down. Also, the interior has the look and personality of a lively Parisian bistro. The menu features comforting French dishes served in generous portions. Start with the garlicky escargots. The foie gras with crispy slices of toast is another starter worth getting on the table. And the mussels are great. They easily feed two or three and come in a massive cast iron pot with a big pile of crispy french fries." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo
"When you sit down for dinner at this classic French spot in Coconut Grove, you'll receive a complimentary glass of champagne, which means you’re technically profiting from the first five minutes of the meal. Unfortunately, aside from bread, nothing else is free. But it’s all fairly priced and served in portions normally reserved for holidays or after a successful afternoon hanging shelves. Get the massive moules frites to split or the chicken fricassée, which is plopped on the table in a steaming copper pot. And, if it's your birthday, prepare for the restaurant to play a delightfully unhinged house music birthday song over the speakers so loud it’ll scare you." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino
"We did not expect to have so much fun at this Grove spot. But the French classic is a good time from the second they drop a complimentary glass of sparkling wine on your table (whether or not you’re celebrating anything). The cluttered restaurant is great for groups, because portions are big and no one cares if you’re being loud. It’s also perfect for birthdays, mostly because their birthday song is this house music remix of the Rocky theme, which they blast at a ridiculously loud volume. Come on a Saturday night and you’ll probably hear it seven times." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino
"If a couple's vacation to France has ever crossed your mind, but you suspect they’re the type to learn the language just for baby talk, then just plan a double date to Le Bouchon. This place can trick your brain into thinking you’re in France for an hour and a half. For one, they give you free champagne when you sit down, which is just plain lovely and so un-Miami. The menu features comforting French dishes served in generous portions perfect for four francophiles. You can order a bunch of plates to share, a bottle of wine, have dessert, and still spend less than $100 per person. " - mariana trabanino, ryan pfeffer