While I do love trying weird and interesting dishes, sometimes classic French food really just comforts my soul. We have recently found a great French restaurant near Union Square (at the top of the Stockton Tunnel to be exact), that provides an amazing and comforting Prix Fixe menu for around $50 pp. The menu usually starts with soup or salad, a main course and dessert, but they also provide some a la carte add-ons if you are feeling hungry or want to go all out. It’s a really small venue, and very cute, and there always seems to be at least one person with a French accent waiting tables or working around the restaurant. It’s not quite like dining in Paris or the French countryside, but it feels close considering it’s in San Francisco.
On this visit, I decided to have the onion soup, the pasta (with a supplemental addition of parma ham) and we split two desserts (Ile Flotante and some sort of fruity bread pudding type of thing). This time, they had a foie gras supplement (surprising, considering the laws, but I don’t really know what the current state of it is in California), and we knew we were going to have to split that one. They also have a “surprise appetizer” which we had on another visit. I won’t ruin the surprise for you, but it’s definitely something fun to try out.
In traditional fashion, they gave us an amuse bouche to whet our palate. The onion soup was heavenly, and while it wasn’t a traditional French onion soup, it had all the flavors and profiles of one, so it was cleverly done. The foie was absolutely heavenly, and we were very glad to have ordered it. As mains go, the pasta was very tasty, but I definitely think I preferred the pasta I had on a previous visit. It’s nice that they change the menu every few weeks so you get something different every time you go. My husband loved his steak!
Desserts were fantastic. The first was Ile Flotante, a steamed meringue floating in custard with a caramel sauce. It’s very traditional and this was very well executed. The meringue seemed a bit too firm, but it’s not something I’ve ever made myself, so perhaps my memories of eating it in France are clouded somewhat. The fruit tart/bread pudding thing was also delicious, and I love a restaurant that can put out a great dessert.
They also have a fantastic wine list with some French wines you can’t always find in the US, so it’s very nice to be able to get them. Yes, they are probably overpriced for what you can find them for in France, but we’re not there and importing wine from Europe is not cheap! The service was good, and while we did have a bit of a lull in service at one point, they made up for it with some complimentary dessert wine, so a person can’t be too upset. Bouche is definitely on my return to list for a fun atmosphere and great French food.
Score: 4.5/5
Recommendation: Go for the “surprise” appetizer and add it to your prix fixe menu!
Bouche
603 Bush St
San Francisco, CA 94108
