In France it means a cork, in Yountville, Napa Valley it is the name of Thomas Keller’s bistro.  Thomas Keller is a name that is respected by gourmets and “foodies’ alike.  Thomas Keller has The French Laundry in Yountville, but that is another story.  Today we talk about his bistro.

After a hard day at assorted tasting bars, a fine meal is mandatory.  One night we found ourselves in Bouchon (actually we had reservations, which I would suggest).  The building was originally a stagecoach shop built in the 1800’s.  It had been transformed into a bistro, a setting that Thomas Keller has stated that he enjoys.  While a bistro is a much more informal concept of dining the food is taken very seriously.  The evening’s menu was wrapped around our napkin which was wrapped around our silverware.

Of course one had to start off with the Terrine of Duck Foie Gras and a plate of Charcuterie.  There were many decisions to be made, from seafood and salads to cheeses served with a honeycomb.  There were side dishes that were all comfort foods including his take on macaroni and cheese.  There were ten entrees that evening to choose from and since it was a bistro, I decided to have a “simple” dish that would go with the comfort food concept.  I ordered the Roasted Chicken Basquaise with a sweet pepper stew and French country ham.  My Bride had Black Bass Provencal in a saffron tomato broth. Even though these sound simple in concept when they arrived they had an “ooh” factor in both presentation and taste.  I remember that we had some side dishes and a cheese course and of course we had to make sure that we had room for dessert.

I am sorry to inform you that I do not remember the wines we had for dinner, but I do remember that they were very well priced, almost to being retail in price.  I am sure that led me to go overboard on a selection of a wine that up to that point we had not tasted at a winery, but it was a local wine.  After all why order a French wine when one is in the heart of Napa Valley.

Since that evening we have been to the second Bouchon that opened in the Venetian-Resort- Hotel-Casino located in the Venezia Tower on the ninth floor, far from the maddening crowds of Las Vegas.  We also enjoyed a wonderful meal there with our children and grandchildren.  Thomas Keller has since opened a third Bouchon in Beverly Hills, California which we have not been to.