4. Restaurants

Bouchard Restaurant

505 Thames St, Newport, RI, 02840
  • (401) 846-0123
  • Store is closed

Bouchard Restaurant Menu

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  • Nick F.

    Unacceptable... Piece of work: Made an 8:00 reservation, one week in advance. Arrived at 7:55, with my whole party (of 4) and told to wait a few minutes. Continued to wait, outside, until 8:40, being constantly told by the arrogant man "running the show," who hid behind his desk insisting he didn't have my table yet. Eventually, decided was ridiculous and left to eat at Stoneacre Pantry. Just because the restraunt is considered "best in Newport," does not give them an excuse for such terrible service. I would not recommend and will not return to Brouchard, even if the food was sent from God. Hope you consider this review!

    (1)

  • Holly G.

    This is fine dining at it's best! Everything from the service to the food to the ambience is excellent. There are no vegetarian or vegan entrees on the menu but this was not a problem at all. Our waiter was very thorough in clarifying exactly what I did not want on my plate and the chef put together an absolutely beautiful and fantastic meat-free, vegan dinner that I was pleased to see was not a pasta dish but rather an impressive array of individually prepared vegetables. We ordered the traditional soufflé to split for dessert and it was perfect. Also not on the menu: Chef will prepare a vegan soufflé by request. We dined for 2 1/2 hours in this beautiful restaurant and never once felt rushed. Truly a fantastic experience!

    (5)

  • colette C.

    We read great reviews about Bouchard restaurant and since we were in Newport we tried it for cocktails and desserts. I cannot speak about the food but I will definitely not eat there. We all had a different cocktail and dessert. The desserts were good as one would expect in a "french" restaurant. Nothing fancy: creme brûlée, Apple pie, and chocolate cake. I ordered an expresso martini, which is one of my favorite after dinner drink. It was so bad...think of a weak coffee with lots of sugar and sweet liquor. I asked the bartender who for some reason does not like new customers if he added expresso to my martini. He said yes and showed me a cloudy plastic bottle with some dark liquid in it and assured me that the coffee in the bottle is made every day. Are you kidding me? This is a pretentious restaurant where new customers are treated badly, where the drinks are pre mixed and undrunkable. Trying to salvage my drink I ordered an expresso and poured it in. It didn't help. The only thing French about this restaurant is the name Bouchard born in Connecticut with no credential. I read the bio on the menu. We ended up with a bill of over $90 for 4 desserts and 3 undrunkable cocktails. Imagine the bill for a full meal with unfriendly and pretentious staff added to the dinning experience at Bouchard. Proudly stating once Bouchard always Bouchard.

    (2)

  • Heather H.

    From the staff to the dress code to how they are able to pronounce the menu items (like soup), this place was spectacular. It was definitely enjoyed by the entire group and they were very welcoming of the colorful personalities we brought with us. Tremendous establishment.

    (5)

  • Chanceny K.

    I had to make a second review and want to thank you guys so much for a wonderful birthday dinner! Best service and food ever. Max our captain was amazing AGAIN!! Thank you so much!

    (5)

  • Tricia K.

    Service was so bad we left before dinner. We were sent to their other restaurant to have a drink as they refused to sit us in the empty restaurant 5 mins before our reservation. Then the bartender complained about us buying a bottle of wine from the Bouchard wine list although it says we could on the wine list. Everything was a huge hassle to the staff. We were supposed to be going to a nice romantic dinner for our anniversary however we were treated as an imposition to the staff. Don't bother going here. No idea if the food is any good however is the service is bad it's never worth it.

    (1)

  • David S.

    Can I say wow on some stuff!! excellent lobster bisque. Amazing veal chop with mushroom sauce( a little over cooked). Souffle was amazing as well. But my wife ordered a stuff lobster and they forgot to put any lobster in it. Totally ridiculous. When they brought it back the meat was not good at all.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    Unbelievable... That's the only word to describe the dining experience at Bouchard. So glad I was able to get a reservation here as it appears to be hard to do so. The restaurant is very traditional. You are required to wear business casual attire at a minimum and most patrons were in suit jackets, some with ties. The service is top notch and the staff makes you very welcome from the second you walk in. I started off with a lobster and asparagus croissant, which was just special.. I mean, about as perfect a dish as you can get. The sweetness from the croissant and the lobster taste mixed in a perfect way. I then had the re-stuffed lobster for my main course, which was exceptional. Cooked to perfection and stuffed with seafood goodness. This is hands down one of the top restaurants in Newport, if not the best. It's expensive, upscale and a bit uppity, but it's absolutely worth it. Definitely make a reservation far in advance, especially in the summer months.

    (5)

  • Connie C.

    Why bother? Go to Castle Hill instead. We waited way too long (50 minutes past our booked reservation???) for a table in a room that looked like Grandma's living room. After being told that a bunch of tables were finishing, but never did, we just left. Why can't a restaurant manage the table turn? Push them out and manage the next reservation. The whole experience is beyond annoying. It ruined our evening. Don't waste your time. We did and I'm bummed we did.

    (1)

  • Jenny T.

    Food and service were excellent. Make it a point to reserve a table for dinner when in Newport! We started with the scallop ravioli and the yellowfin tuna tartar, followed by the coffee crusted duck breast and beef filet with the hint of horseradish (really subtle), and finished with their soufflé for dessert. Everything was cooked perfectly, nicely portioned, and tasted great! With two glasses of wine, dinner came out to be about $150 which (compared to NYC) is definitely worth it for the quality of the food and experience. If I'm ever back, I'm definitely booking dinner here again!

    (5)

  • Thomas G.

    I was up in Newport over the Jazz Festival weekend for a wedding and I had the pleasure of staying at the Bouchard Inn. I did not eat at the restaurant because I was tied up with wedding activities so my review is limited only to the inn. I was pleasantly surprised by Bouchard Inn on many levels. I normally can't stand B&B type establishments but I really liked this one. My family and I shared a suite with my parents on the top floor of the inn. It was clean, spacious and well maintained. It was perfect for my purposes. Every morning, delicious freshly baked goodies were left on our door. The cleaning staff was extremely attentive and friendly as was management. One of the nice aspects of Bouchard Inn is that parking is included with your room. This is a wonderful amenity for Newport where parking is difficult to find. The Inn is well located on the main drag in Newport and is a short walk to Bannister's Wharf etc. All in all I was very pleased by the Bouchard Inn and would recommend it!

    (4)

  • Penny Z.

    First time in Newport. From appetizers to deserts, nothing went wrong. Instead, they were among the best I have had. Waiters are also highly knowledgeable about French cuisine.

    (5)

  • Lauren L.

    This was our first time in Newport and heard a lot about the Bouchard Inn. The atmosphere is relatively romantic but a little too dark for my liking. We ordered the escargot for an appetizer and it was quite tasty. My boyfriend had the special, veal chop and although it had nice flavor the chop was very fatty. I had the stuffed lobster which I found to be a slight disappointment. It was a small portion and too much cheese sauce which took away from the lobster. This is a place to try if you are new to Newport and prefer an old style feel. I'm glad to say I ate here but also I would not make it a priority to return.

    (3)

  • Chrissy K.

    I can't say enough good things about this restaurant. First of all, the food was just wonderful. Every single thing we had was perfect, from taste to presentation. The staff was friendly and helpful. We stayed at the Inn for 4 nights, which I also highly recommend, and we are at the restaurant twice. The second time was our anniversary. They knew this, and I got a bouquet of flowers, the wrote Bon Anniversaire on our dessert, and gave us complimentary champagne. I can't wait to go again! I will recommend it to anyone.

    (5)

  • Linda T.

    My significant other took me to Newport as a surprised birthday getaway for me. He made dinner reservations a day in advance and luckily he was able to. I assume this place is difficult to get reservations and constantly busy. This is a small French restaurant with no parking (maybe street parking but you'll be lucky if you find one nearby). You are required to wear business casual, the very least, in order to dine here. As you walk through the restaurant, you will notice they have a collection of tea cups and teapots. There is a real lit up candle at each table, which gives this romantic feel to it. Prices for everything served here are pricier than nearby restaurants but the food was remarkable delicious! My significant other ordered sautéed Foie Gras with a raspberry reduction sauce as his warm appetizer ($20) and I ordered the asparagus and lobster in puff pastry with lemon beurre blanc ($12.50). The sautéed Foie Gras melts in your mouth and the lobster with asparagus in a puff pastry was delicious with a light cream texture yet crispy. For our entrée, he ordered Filet de Porc aux Poivrons Rouge, Chevere et L'Epinard (pork tenderloin with spinach, goat cheese and red peppers, wrapped in puff pastry, with a roasted garlic demi Glace sauce for $26) and I ordered Homard et St. Jacques cardinal gratines (restuffed roasted lobster and scallops with truffle, gruyere cheese and lobster sauce for $38.75). Both was delicious, including the veggies and mashed sweet potatoes and regular potatoes. But to be honest, my lobster was a bit hard to eat because at this type of restaurant, you don't use your hands for dinner meals, and it was hard to get to the meat that's not at the main portion of the lobsters body. We spent about 2 hours at the restaurant so if you come here, be aware to set time to relax and spend quality time with whomever you come here with. Overall, my significant other and I enjoyed our dinner here. The atmosphere and food are more of an old school French cuisine style, which I enjoyed and fit with the Newport style. Service was excellent. I will come back again and recommend to anyone who enjoy this style of dining.

    (5)

  • A C.

    Read the good reviews on Yelp and stopped by for drinks and dessert after a day of hiking in the nearby wildlife reserves and enjoying lobster rolls on Easton Beach. This is more of a neighborhood restaurant. They're noticeably friendlier and schmoozy with you if you're a regular. Not so much if it's your first time, at least in our experience. We sat at the tiny bar, and the person serving us rarely smiled or engaged us in conversation, while the couple beside us, who we gathered from the conversation were from the neighborhood, were showered with attention. Desserts were good, but we have to agree with another two star reviewer that the cocktail drinks were awful. Unless we went there on his day off, this place would really benefit from having a true craft cocktail bartender, or if it isn't worth it to put one on the regular payroll (if they sell more beer and wine, for example), at least shell out now and then for one to provide them with amazing cocktail recipes that they could just follow mechanically. I used to work in the restaurant industry, and the best drinks more consistently came from bartenders who measured and followed the recipes to the letter to create an ideal balance. Sure, we experimented, but not during opening hours, and the only recipes that made it to the bar were the ones we deemed 'perfected'. 'Once a Bouchard, always a Bouchard,' reads a sign at the bar. We hope that isn't an ironclad rule, as this Bouchard has areas that definitely need improvement.

    (2)

  • Sarah D.

    We were looking for a destination restaurant in New England back in January and after a lot of searching we decided on the Bouchard Inn. I've been meaning to write this review for a while now but words kind of escape me. We tried a handful of the dishes mentioned in other reviews (and recommended by their staff), and the dinner we had here was about as close to perfection as you can get. Yes, there is a dress code, and no, this is not a trendy place. But the food here is truly excellent - five stars doesn't do it justice.

    (5)

  • Helen T.

    Wonderful dining experience! We both had the duck, and it was spectacular...some of the best duck we've had anywhere! Service was excellent, and ambience very comfortable and conducive to quiet conversation. Highly recommend this restaurant!

    (5)

  • Jt S.

    Best restaurant in Newport! Try the appetizer with puff pastry filled with lobster and asparagus and then finish with the souffle for dessert, you won't be sorry!

    (5)

  • Susan S.

    BRAVO BOUCHARD! Or better yet ENCORE! What a truly special meal, we brought or toughest critics, twin 17 year old girls. The service was attentive and friendly and a bit dramatic (in a good way) the food was amazing and so special. We are all foodies and had apps, entrees and dessert, we sampled each other's plates and one was better than the next. The only picky thing I can say is that the uniform seems to be a worn out tux in need of a good cleaning, not too practical or appetizing.

    (5)

  • Lily C.

    Avoid. Nasty staff, we stood at the hostess stand for 10 min, no one came out. We asked the bartender if anyone was able to help us and she barked at us "they're busy!" The waiter came by who reiterated that "we were not in the system" over and over again. Needless to say the 15 min we were they're we were reprimanded, so we walked out. Terrible.

    (1)

  • Tom I.

    Restaurant Bouchard is the trifecta -- extraordinary food, extensive and reasonably-priced wine list with impeccable service in a beautiful setting. It's perfect for a leisurely meal, with a knowledgeable and helpful wait staff. We visited Bouchard on a Tuesday evening and found everything to be tip top despite the midweek booking for our party of three. The cocktail list is limited and unadventurous but solid, so you'll find something to get you started. I had a nice glass of Lillet on the rocks that started the juices flowing. Appetizers on the menu and specials are inspired and a nice kick off to a superb meal to follow. One of our diners had a special cold "flan" that was lobster, shrimp and salmon in a creamy, crust-less custard that was divine. Another had the tartare du jour, this evening, tuna, that was a nicely citrus-y and slightly Asian with wasabi on the side, I had the Carpaccio de Filet Mignon a' Huile de Truffe that was very fresh and a generous serving. It was delicious. For entrees, two of us had Dover Sole in a delicious sorrel sauce. The other person in our party had Homard et St. Jacques Cardinal Gratinée, a beautifully presented lobster dish. Our waiter suggested an alternative -- in the same price range -- to the wine I had ordered for dinner and it was a an excellent suggestion, providing the perfect paring for our entrees. This is the kind of guidance that I welcome from someone who knows the food that the restaurant is serving and the wines in the cellar. For dessert, we had the creme brulee that was just fine. Next time we come to Bouchard, I will order the souffle, that you have to order at the beginning of the meal. We will surely come back to Bouchard when next in Newport. It is excellent.

    (5)

  • Caroline B.

    Zut alors! I hadn't reviewed Bouchard before? How could I forget? Perhaps it was because the meal was mind-blowing. Plus there was wine. Lots and lots of good wine. And complimentary bubbly. We booked our trip to Newport, RI to celebrate our second anniversary and had something else to celebrate as we had gotten engaged the weekend before. This restaurant was the perfect place for such happy occasions. The restaurant itself felt like a posh townhouse, and the collection of antique tea cups and tea pots was adorable. The service was impeccable. We shared a salad with pears in it to begin the meal. I enjoyed it as I do all salads with pears really. For my entree, I had poached salmon which came with small vegetables and was also excellent. The stand-out of the meal wa the deconstructed chocolate cake--a winner in terms of taste and presentation. I had been told that Bouchard is a favorite among locals, and I highly recommend it to visitors to Newport.

    (5)

  • Soumeya B.

    Really old school french, I mean I am talking puree rosettes for God's sake! While the rest of the culinary world has moved, Bouchard seems to be stuck somewhere in the 1980's. But that's not a bad thing, especially when you are in a nostalgic mood like we were tonight. We ordered the asparagus vollauvon and the fois gras to start. Both were superb. for the entree we ordered the lobster and the duck. The duck was our favorite, so delicate, so tender, just perfect. For the appetizer we ordered the souffle and the vanilla mouse with raspberry. The mousse was our favorite, light airy and flavorful. The service was excellent. and speaking of old school, the decor was definitely that!

    (4)

  • george k.

    Actually, this a 4 1/2 star review. After many years of walking by Bouchard while vacationing in Newport, we decided to celebrate our 25th anniversary there. And celebrate we did. Firstly, they ask people to dress appropriately, business casual, no tees, sneaks or shorts. Most people oblige but a few don't. That aside, we were welcomed warmly. They have a nice wine list, enough wines by the glass to make it interesting. Karin had the lobster/asparagus in a puff pastry and I had the tuna carpaccio special. Both were delicious. Karin had the Dover sole and I had the roasted squab. Both were well presented and tasty. We declined dessert and were ready to hit the warm night air. I mentioned that we were celebrating our anniversary when I made reservations. Sure enough, here comes a complimentary chocolate mousse dessert with 2 glasses of champagne. Caught us by surprise but we accepted and devoured the free dessert. As we left, we got a nice hug from the chef's wife. We were touched by the simple but charming gesture. Merci beaucoup.

    (4)

  • Mike B.

    Bouchard has French dining down to a science. it really was excellent. the grilled venison I had, served with vegetables and mashed potatoes, hit the spot. juicy and tender. the deconstructed chocolate cake dessert was amazing. honestly, I love venison, and I really should be avoiding sweets, but this was my favorite part of the meal. the service was outstanding and friendly, and the decor was upscale but comfortable. the epic collection of teacups and decadent tea pots was pretty impressive. I can honestly say that we were taken care of really well at Bouchard. from start to finish, it was a wonderful dining experience. oh, and they take OpenTable!

    (5)

  • Tom F.

    The menu was varied and interesting. had coffee crusted duck which was superb. my wife had the Dover sole which she said was one of the best she had ever had. Terrific wine list with many options as far as varietal, origin, and price point. The service was outstanding and the room, while crowded, was not noisy. A wonderful dinner all around

    (5)

  • Adam L.

    Overpriced for what it was. I found the atmosphere and especially the hostess to be pretentious. The drinks were not very good, and Ieft still hungry.

    (2)

  • Jack P.

    My wife and I ate here last evening. It's definitely upscale and expensive but that is it's charm. Our apps were amazing as was my wife's main course. I was disappointed. Had the veal chop special. Tasted ok but horribly fatty even for a veal chop and for the price it should have been superb. ..

    (3)

  • Joan S.

    Simply magnificent. Best meal I've ever had. Look forward to many more. Here's a tip: you can experience the same phenomenal food in a more casual setting at Sarah's Bar, the sweet little space between Bouchards and The Revolving Door. The bartender/server was the ultimate professional. Glen, thank you for making my birthday meal/experience so special. It's refreshing to see a professional server rather than "summer help" as so many other Newport restaurants have. Go here! You will not be disappointed and as a French food aficionado, can you tell you this is place ranks in my top 3 nationwide.

    (5)

  • Leonardo D.

    We had reservations here but didn't wind up going because we were told they don't allow children. Our hotel concierge called on our behalf to confirm our see if they would make an exception since our 4 month old baby would not actually be dining but simply in our company. The restaurant had quite the attitude over the phone and asked that it would be relayed to us that if we showed up at would be turned away. That's the type of pretentiousness that gives French restaurants a bad name. We wanted a positive culinary experience and e are glad we didn't go bc instead We wound up going to a great restaurant in newport that was hospitable and welcoming.

    (1)

  • Scott B.

    Food was AMAZING and service was even better. Our server's name was Dan and he was as good of a waiter as we have ever had. We live in Boston and it might be worth the 1.5 hour drive just for dinner! Very quaint and romantic. Also, if your use to Boston or New York pricing, it was actually very reasonable.

    (5)

  • Tiffany C.

    Our Valentine's Day dinner here last night was simply divine! Service was on point, friendly and attentive yet unobtrusive. Max, our server, has perfected quite the impressive wine pour! Onto the food. Everything we had was delicious, but especially the main course: Beef Wellington. Not many places serve this old school dish anymore and it was absolute perfection! So tender and flavorful, I was savoring every bite. But the dessert really stopped me in my tracks. The raspberry soufflé was light and airy, with a slight crunch on top and was accompanied by a silky creme anglais. After that dessert, I really was in my happy place. It is one of the best meals I've had in recent memory. I cannot wait to come back when I next visit Newport.

    (5)

  • Kimberly H.

    The BEST restaurant in Newport. Definitely need a reservation on a Friday or Saturday night. I was seated right away thanks to opentable. This restaurant is dimly lit and has a very romantic vibe to it. We were given a window seat in the back with a view of the rooms (since this restaurant is part of an inn). Our server was super polite and attentive. The bf ordered the yellowtail tartare and pork loin. I ordered the restuffed lobster with scallops and truffle sauce and a souffle. We had a glass of pinot noir each which paired better with my bf's meal. The waiter also gave us a complimentary glass of white wine to drink with the tartare. The yellowtail tartare was delicious and fresh. I'm not too much of a fan for pork but it was cooked medium rare and tender. I loved that you could eat everything on the plate. The "decorations" were made of sweet potato, mashed potato, zucchini, and broccoli. I loved the restuffed lobster, which was essentially 2 lobster tails reconstructed. The sauce was so good and not overly salty. The souflee was the only thing on the dessert menu that had to be ordered ahead of time. I believe it was vanilla flavored and the sauce that it came with had a decent amount of alcohol. It was so fluffy and just sunk in so effortlessly. Overall, the best meal I've ever had in a while. Service is top-notch and I wish they had one of these back in NYC.

    (5)

  • Carlos G.

    We were there for Newport Jazz, and found this restaurant on Yelp. Service was personable, knowledgeable and prompt. Food was wonderful in all ways. We had lobster and steak that were prepared meticulously and had that French complicated flavor envelope that one always longs for. We had had dinner the night before at a "trendier" restaurant, and we paid as much there as we paid at Bouchard. And the flavor and overall feel of the place at Bouchard was much better.

    (5)

  • Frank N.

    Had a chance to eat here Wednesday night. Small house type place with a nice comfortable feel as soon as you walk in. I had a steak (bone in) with a foie gras, truffle, raspberry sauce and it was amazing! Cooked perfectly and popping with flavor. For dessert i choose the Souffles which was so light and sweet but not too sweet, excellent! Our waiter was very good and on top of everything we asked for. This place is worth the extra dime you spend.

    (5)

  • Paula K.

    We were celebrating our 37th anniversary and without a doubt it was one of the most memorable dinners we have ever experienced. Wine selection was excellent as well. Our table was perfect and intimate. the waitstaff were truly amazing, always available but never intrusive. Presentation and timing was exceptional. We started with appetizers, lobster and asparagus in puff pastry and scallop ravioli with a light curry sauce both were fantastic. We split the Pear and Roquefort salad which was excellent as well. We had the lamb tenderloin with a shallot and red wine reduction and the cod with a beurre blanc sauce. Both dishes were outstanding from a visual, quality and taste perspective. Finished by splitting the Grand Marnier souffle which needless to say was amazing as well. All in all, the best dining out experience ever. We will come back on our 38th anniversary for sure.

    (5)

  • Barry M.

    Great atmosphere. Very warm and friendly. Wonderful food exploding with flavors. Prices very reasonable. Dover Sole a must have dish !

    (5)

  • Barney R.

    Excellent, traditional French cuisine on Thames St. in Newport, Bouchard lives up to its reputation. The entrees and apps we had -- shrimp, pate, steak, salmon and lamb -- could be found on any French menu. It was the ingredients and execution that made it extraordinary. For example, my steak was an excellent cut, perfectly turned out in a port-wine sauce with a dash of horseradish. Or the dessert souffle, served with a splash of Grand Marnier. The wine list seems small, but each bottle is carefully chosen -- you really can't go wrong there. The service was without fault. Bouchard is an expensive restaurant, but one that serves meals you will never forget.

    (5)

  • Lorie M.

    My husband and I were vacationing in Newport to celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary. We read the reviews and wanted to try Bouchards the first evening of our arrival (and the actual date of our anniversary). We had dinner there Friday May 8 and it was fantastic! We started with wine and cocktails and appetizers of lobster bisque and escargots. Both were excellent. The escargots were in a creamy garlic (not too strong) sauce and accompanied by toasted baguettes. The lobster bisque was thick and beautifully seasoned. Main courses were fillet of flounder (special) and restuffed roasted lobster and scallops. The flounder was perfectly cooked and plated with medallions of white and sweet potato. The lobster was presented in the shell but the meat was removed (so no need to "dig" it out!), paired with scallops, and topped with a lobster sauce. My husband and I are salt hounds and apply it liberally. At the end of our main course we simultaneously realized we had never picked up the shaker. Well done Boucheads .. well done. We ordered the white chocolate soufflé at the beginning of the meal to ensure it's timely arrival. So, it was beautifully presented and perfectly cooked. Our waiter was a charm. Very attentive but unobtrusive, a perfect combination. The owner also came over to ensure everything was to our liking and discussed our anniversary. Much to our surprise, she served us a complimentary glass of champagne and we toasted our wonderful day. The setting is intimate and muted, with neatly dressed patrons; a great place for celebrating a special event. Even the music was perfect, what could be more romantic than Frank Sinatra crooning in the background?

    (5)

  • Janice C.

    I liked everything about it. The food was amazing. We ordered the signature lobster dish and the Easter special cod fish, both was excellent. The souffle was interesting. I had always known souffle to be a very airy dessert, but this restaurant takes airy-ness to another level; the souffle was practically hollow. My hubby and I finished it in maybe five spoons. It was good nevertheless. Service was phenomenal too.

    (5)

  • Erni M.

    I capitalized on the menu and chose an option from each course. First with Filet Carpaccio then Asparagus and Lobster puff pastry. Salmon and goat cheese endive salad. Finished with filet with Brie. My husband had filet with horseradish reduction. I believe this meal may have been the best meal I've ever had anywhere and I have been very lucky to eat at some amazing places. I am biased toward the French cuisine by all means. But this was still spectacular. I hope you have a similar experience. Down to the great Bordeaux wine.

    (5)

  • Frank S.

    I recently went to Bouchard for my wife's Bday and was looking for a terrific and romantic meal. What we received was a very good meal and absolutely poor service from M*x. (What a bummer!!!!) -first M*x tried to upsell from a 100 bottle of wine to a 200 bottle. -then he brought a vintage (newer) than ordered and relied on me to detect the difference. Of course, he claimed no discount was available for the "fresh stuff" (see Steve Martin, The Jerk) -he proceeded to forget about a cocktail order for at least 20 min, and only remembered, when we asked for it again. -he then brought the wrong appetizer (and blamed me for not being clear on what I ordered!) -no sincere apologies made for any of his misdeeds. Perhaps, M*x thinks he can treat all patrons like stupid tourists. We are neither. Perhaps this is the type of service the owner supports? My meal at Bouchard was great, but when spending 300 for a dinner for 2, I expect GREAT service too. Hopefully, mgt takes note and improves this situation. I would like to return (frequently), but would leave immediately if seated at a table served by this negligent and rude waiter. What a shame, my wife really loves the food here.

    (2)

  • Steph G.

    This is a super fancy classy restaurant. The service was top notch. Food was Delish. We ordered a salad to share and they charged us a 3$ split fee. when we asked about it they said they added more salad. Still I thought it was pretty lame to charge us extra. The homemade sorbet was off the charts. It was pretty dark and gloomy and stuffy. I feel like it needs a makeover. Better for older couples. I felt like my husband and I were the youngest ones here. (We are 38). If u are looking for a trendy younger scene this is not it.

    (4)

  • Jason M.

    We had one night in newport and were very happy with this place. We were dressed down a bit but still felt comfortable and the staff and food were both wonderful. I had the beef with brie - how can you go wrong with that - and my wife had a veal special. We topped off the meal with calvados and creme brûlée. Best meal of our trip to rhode island by far.

    (5)

  • Paul N.

    Just excellence from start to finish. Nothing pretentious, just doing the hard work of making everything perfect.

    (5)

  • C. N.

    Love every dish I tried! The atmosphere is the best. If you are looking for a romantic place to go to, this is it!

    (5)

  • David K.

    My wife and I had a fun overnight stay in Newport over Valentine's weekend, and this was the highlight. The restaurant itself has a quaint sort of feel to it, and we were seated in a cozy spot in the back. I was feeling adventurous and kicked things off with Carpaccio de Filet Mignon, which essentially is raw beef topped with capers and sea salt. I was glad I made this risky pick, it went really well with the toast provided. My wife was less adventurous and had the lobster bisque, I tasted it and it may have been the best I've ever had. The rest of the meal consisted of pear salad, duck breast (my entree), beef wellington (my wife's), apple tart, chocolate crepes, and bread fresh out of the oven. All were top notch. They also make strong drinks, the Irish coffee I had was seemingly 90% whiskey. No complaints there. One minor gripe - if you order a glass of wine you get a very small amount, though the waiter tries to make up for it by pouring it in spectacular fashion. All in all exceptional!

    (5)

  • Tony J.

    Bouchard is both an Inn and a restaurant for the past 20 years. This is my #1 restaurant in Newport probably because French cuisine is also my #1 favorite. Fluke and TS Kitchen are my other close top favorites. My experience here was spectacular from beginning to end. Let me tell you more about it. My son and I had a 7:00pm dinner reservation here in late September 2013. We arrived promptly at 7. We were seated immediately at a very nice cozy table in the rear corner of the rear section of the restaurant. This is classic French décor. Maxime, our waiter promptly arrived to our table dressed in black formal attire. Jackets are required for male patrons. Luckily we were prepared and expected a dress code here. Maxime immediately informed us of the need to order their famous Grand Marnier soufflé if we were so inclined. Needless to say we were both so inclined to share one order at this point of the meal. I started with an order for a large bottle of Pellegrino for $6 with some lemons and limes along with my usual Cointreau Margarita with salted rim for $10. My son ordered his usual Jameson for $9. Like father, like son we both ordered the tuna tartar du jour for $13 each followed by two entre's of Maxime's recommended Homard et St. Jacques Cardinal Gratinée, which were restuffed roasted lobsters and scallops with truffle, gruyere cheese and lobster sauce for a mere $38.75 each. I paired them with a bottle of La Crema pinot noir for $45. We ended our magnificent 3-course dinner with two Bouchard double espresso's with 5 liquors for $9.50 each. Well the tuna tartar, the restuffed lobsters, the soufflé and Maxime's excellent service were all spectacular to earn my #1 rating. I would rate this place between 4.5 to 5 stars, which is where it is rated on Yelp. This experience did not come cheaply. Our total bill less gratuities was $219. This was my most expensive dinner in Newport, but, I will return to all three of these.

    (5)

  • Ken S.

    My wife and I recently dined at Bouchard and like all previous visits there, the food was outstanding. This is The best restaurant in Newport and maybe the best in New England.

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    Dined at Bouchard's last night. Being Easter, there were many open tables when we arrived. We were seated in the far back of the Resturant in the back corner at a very small table. Felt a bit isolated; would have preferred to be seated up front where there was more activity. The food was very good! Started with seared fois gras and had the duck breast with coffee crust. A little treat was the duck fat crackling! Yum! My wife had a tomatoe tart and the Dover sole which were both wonderful. To me the true test of a fine French resturant are the complex sauces. The chef hit the mark on both dishes! We finished off sharing a soufflé .

    (4)

  • Matt M.

    We went to Restaurant Bouchard this past Sunday for a belated Valentine's Day supper. Overall, the experience was good; the service was thoughtful and helpful, but not overly intrusive. However, much as I want to agree with the four and five star ratings I'm seeing on Yelp for this restaurant, our experience, especially in regards to the food, was a bit uneven. My wife's shrimp and brussels sprout appetizer was quite nice, but my beef carpaccio was actually almost frozen. Our endive salad was uninspired, at best. Once the entrees arrived we got to see a little of what the other reviewers have been raving about; my venison was fabulous, as was my wife's duck entree. The waiter suggested a lovely syrah that complemented both dishes. We'd certainly go back...and I want to hope that we just chose our appetizers poorly, because most everything else was quite lovely!

    (3)

  • Kasia M.

    Terrific food, service and drinks. A friend and I sat outside at the bar and split the carpaccio, roquefort salad and stuffed lobster. Everything including the dinner rolls were above expectations. We had chocolate crepes for dessert which were also fantastic. Service was great too!

    (5)

  • Thomas V. M.

    Finest culinary experience in Newport.

    (5)

  • Kevin M.

    Dinner here was awesome. We had to make an early reservation to get in, so we were basically in the place by ourselves for a while, which was a bit weird, but fine. We were seated at a corner table by the window. The service was great throughout the night: attentive, polite, and all-in-all what you'd expect from this type of place. Appetizers were beef carpaccio and the asparagus & lobster wrapped in puff pastry. Both were awesome, and good size. For entrees, I had the pork and my wife had the sliced filet. Both were killer. We split the souffle special for dessert. My wife loved it, I thought it a bit eggy, but I may just not be a souffle person. Definitely impressive in the presentation. We will be back.

    (5)

  • Jesse S.

    Upscale atmosphere. I enjoyed the slow pace of dinner, but that may not be for everyone. Knowledgable and attentive servers. Got the scallop ravioli special appetizer, which was great. We order a half bottle of reselling which was one of my favorite wines- they have a nice selection, something for everyone. Had their signature scallop and gruyere stuffed lobster for dinner, this was pretty good. The scallops in it were perfect but the lobster was over cooked and chewy. Split the chocolate mousse cake for dessert- 4 stars for that. Cute touch on the decorative individual teapots that came with dessert.

    (4)

  • Rebecca H.

    If the way to that special someone's heart is through their stomach, take them to Bouchard and they'll fall madly in love with you. This snug, lovely restaurant offers an intimate alternative to the rest of the Thames Street dining scene. The interior of this historic, formerly residential building resembles a quaint parlor or sitting room that was re-imagined during the last century as an upscale French restaurant. The surrounding furnishings and carpeting feel very much like a well appointed Newporter's summer home, back in the heydays of our grandparents and great-grandparents. It's near-impossible to score a seat at Bouchard during Restaurant Week in Newport. I imagine there's a corps of ninja foodies obsessively hitting speed dial as soon as the event gets announced every fall and spring - with good reason. This is not your common, everyday place to drop in and chow down. Food and service is elevated to a European-style art form. The diners get dressed (there's wearing clothes, and then there's "getting dressed"). The wine list is extensive! It's extremely rare to find our favorite cab franc, Writer's Block, anywhere...but you can enjoy a bottle of this big, hearty vino here (to that end, how many places in this neighborhood serve cab franc of ANY kind?). I really like Bouchard best in the fall, when their seasonal menu offers up earthy, savory root vegetable soups and steak dishes with buttery, autumnal sides. Think leeks, mushrooms, squash and pumpkin, whipped into a creamy goodness that's enough to make you shed a happy tear. I'm lacing my gym shorts just thinking about the damage this causes, but it's worth every steaming spoonful. Can we talk for a moment - or an hour - about the chocolate Grand Marnier soufflé dessert? Outside: a quivering, warm, puff mountain of rich, floury exquisiteness. Inside: a hot, chocolate lava-like core. Four words: save room for dessert. OK, four more words: Don't wait. Go now.

    (5)

  • Garrus V.

    Disappointing given the reputation Yelp and TripAdvisor reviewers give the place. We were seated in a cramped room with the bar, which was where the employees were congregating that night to talk and mix drinks for guests; too noisy. Our waiter was pleasant, but very, very sweaty, and paid more attention to the guests who seemed to be regulars. This meant fewer refills for us, slow bread service, and waiting FAR too long to receive our check. The gaudy owner (or perhaps the wife of the owner, or co-owner) was chatting up one particular pair of regulars, and we were treated to some lovely, "Oh we never go there" and "Why would anyone like that?" Newport charm. One of the great things about America is that we can show our appreciation, or lack thereof, for waitstaff via the custom of tipping. The food was good, no doubt about that, but there wasn't enough of it (I forced my wife to get pizza with me from Middletown afterwards). Combined, I think we had lobster, boar, and lobster bisque. Again, it was pretty good, but did not make up for the service and atmosphere.

    (2)

  • T M.

    Menu looked good. Too bad we never got to try it. Arrived on time to our reservation, and waited 20 minutes without being seated before leaving. The bartender refused us drinks because she claimed our table would be ready any second. For 20 minutes.

    (1)

  • Karen S.

    I really expected Bouchard to be something special. Not so much the vol au vent was dull with a chewy piece of lobster. A must skip. Filet of Dover sole was nice. Atmosphere was frumpy. Broken down seats on chairs, cramped and thundering wait staff running by at alarming speed, though nothing is served quickly. Once was enough for this overrated place.

    (1)

  • Brian T.

    We had one of our most memorable dinners tonight.. Every detail was perfect, service was amazing and the food was out of this world!!! Thanks!! See you again soon!!

    (5)

  • Matthew K.

    Food was excellent, service was attentive, I would recommend this to my friends!

    (5)

  • Meg B.

    From start to finish, this restaurant delivers excellent service, delicious food, gorgeous presentations and an atmosphere in which to enjoy it. We went there for our 40th anniversary and we were delighted at every turn. We are pretty fussy about service, food quality, noise and atmosphere, and Bouchard did not disappoint. An example: the waiter told us about their Grand Marnier soufflé, and we mentioned a chocolate souffle we'd had elsewhere--and voila! He checked with the chef and saw to it we were served chocolate souffles for dessert. An esperience at this restaurant is worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Colleen D.

    My husband and I had a fabulous experience at Bouchard Restaurant. I very much like the ambiance. It is romantic, as it is dimly lit with candles in an older inn. Some jazzy tunes playing softly in the background. The staff was excellent and helpful. The wine was awesome!! I highly recommend the white burgundy. Finally, the food is out of this world!! From the presentation to the taste, it was outstanding!!

    (5)

  • Dan J.

    The service was excellent and the wine recommendations were superb. The appetizer choices challenged our ability to just pick one or two as they were all very tempting. Our steaks, however, were a bit of a let down when compared to the rest if the overall dining experience.

    (4)

  • Amy O.

    This is the crème de la crème here! Went here for a birthday dinner and was definitely impressed. I was told that in the summer months, this restaurant is difficult to get a reservation for, but we had no problems for March. Warmly greeted by hostess/maître d. She politely and graciously took our coats. Led us to our table, pulled out seat for the lady (that's me!)... you can already see the level of service from the first five minutes of stepping foot into the establishment. It is located on the ever popular Thames in Newport. It is slightly away from the tourist traffic in its own little Inn. The restaurant is small, quaint, with a cozy and refined atmosphere. Our waiter and waitress were wonderful. They were knowledgeable with the menu and knew exactly how to provide us top-notch service without making it look contrived or pushed. For the food! For the Preamble, we sampled the pate de foie gras (to die for!) and the tuna tartare. Tuna was fresh and clean, lightly touched with a vinaigrette. The foie gras had an airy and creamy lightness, and the layers of flavors made my tongue so happy! Never had such good pate. The bread was crispy with a healthy chew and bite. Oh gosh, so good! For the main dish, I had the special which was venison. Cooked perfectly as I requested. The sauce? Amazing! The potatoes were smooth and delicate. Flavors, sauces, and creams... perfectly flavored. No wonder the salt and pepper shakers were small, full, and untouched. As for dessert, we pre-ordered the soufflé de Gran Marnier (as it does take time to make, it is a necessity to this), and it was heavenly. The crème anglais was out of this world (waitress kindly left the remainder for us to use on the rest of the soufflé). The aromas hit you from nose to palette with the fresh egg, vanilla, gran marnier... yum! We also got to try the apple tarte. The flakiness of the pastry, with the warmth of the apple... and the small scoop of ice cream accompanying it? Heaven! For the special occasion, they gave us complimentary glasses of champagne. So sweet! So with topnotch service and food, the price is expensive, but it is worth every penny for the entire experience. Definitely special occasion unless you make tons of money (lucky you! I'd frequent even more!) For those on a lesser budget, they do participate in Newport Restaurant Week. If you get a chance, do try them at this week long event. They have an affordable menu for you to try their popular dishes. Will not disappoint! Only minor 1/4 star gripe is that they don't valet. Too cold for me to walk in heels in March. I believe in the busy season they do valet.

    (5)

  • Sam H.

    My wife and I had dinner here the other night and all I can say is one thing - WOW. IT was a fantastic dinner!! We started off with the foie gras and roquefort salad. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her salad and my foie was delicious. It was buttery and yummy. Even my wife liked it. For our main entree, I stayed in the same family and ordered the duck. My wife ordered the pork tenderloin. The duck was savory and flavorful. My wife's pork tenderloin was absolutely decadent. Both dishes were seasoned perfectly and the sauces were flavorful. I wish I could have licked the plate, but instead I secretly sopped up the sauce with the dinner roll. For dessert, we split the gran marnier souffle. My wife (chocolate girl) thought it was okay, but I thoroughly enjoyed the eggy, fluffy souffle. If you can only have one dinner in Newport, this is the place to go. Lastly, ask for Max. Max is friendly and down-to-earth. His service was impeccable.

    (5)

  • Ruby L.

    If I could give more stars, I absolutely would as both the food and service was impeccable!! We showed up early for our reservation time so we had a drink at the outdoor heated bar - the bartender was friendly and efficient in getting us our drinks and closing out the tab before we were seated. Dinner itself was amazing - everything we ordered was cooked perfectly with just the right amount of seasoning and flavor and came to the table at the right temperature!! We ended up getting escargot (very good, my husband could not stop dipping his bread into the sauce), foie gras, lobster bisque, butternut squash soup (completely hit the spot on a chilly night), monkfish (melted in my mouth and the fish was topped with lobster), the veal chop (my husband picked up bone to get the last bite of meat b/c it was that good), and the grand marnier souffle (very tasty and fluffy, our waiter made sure we ordered with our dinner as it takes time to prepare). Daniel, our waiter was very attentive, helpful in suggestions -- especially when I wanted to order too much food, he recommended I start with the foie and see how I felt before ordering the butternut squash soup since it was heavier instead of recommending I order both items right off the bat. He also continuously came back to check-in on us to make sure we had everything we needed. We also noticed that some of the diners seated near us were regulars of the restaurant and Daniel did not treat us any less welcoming than how he treated the regulars. We came here to pre-celebrate my birthday this weekend and it was such a memorable evening given the great food and great interaction with the folks at Bouchard. The next time we come back to Newport, Bouchard will certainly be on our list to re-viist!

    (5)

  • Stephanie L.

    We had a reservation during the height of the St. Patrick's debauchery happening on Thames Street. Seeing a bar next door called O'Brien's with thumping club music, I was afraid our evening would be a little spoiled. I couldn't have been more wrong. As soon as we stepped inside, everything else melted away. My boyfriend had a vodka gimlet, which was the best I've ever tasted. They make their own lime juice, as opposed to the standard Rose's and it made all the difference. I had a delicious glass of white that was recommended by our waiter. Spot on. I enjoyed the tartar du jour, which was tuna. Simply delicious. A little spice, the perfect texture and beautiful presentation. For entrees, my boyfriend had the venison special and I had the lamb chops. Again, just perfect. The meat was cooked wonderfully in both dishes, the presentation was lovely and the piped sweet and mashed potatoes were delicious. For dessert we split the souffle special. I often do not enjoy souffles. They can have an unpleasant texture and I'm just not a fan (which is why we split one). This was amazing. It was a Grand Marnier souffle with a delicious sauce drizzled when it arrived at the table. So light and fluffy with a fantastic top crust. Honestly, it didn't even collapse when our waiter poked a hole in it with the spoon to drizzle the sauce. My boyfriend is a baker and said it was the best souffle he'd ever had. All of the staff were wonderful. So pleasant and attentive without hovering. Exactly what you'd expect at a 5 star restaurant. This was one of the best meals we've ever had and would highly recommend Bouchard.

    (5)

  • Melissa P.

    Recently went to Bouchard while in Newport for Memorial Day weekend, and I can say I would return to Newport just for Bouchard. The maitre'd Sarah was very nice and welcoming, and the service was great. For appetizers we had the the following: - Vol Au Vent D'asperges Et De Homard: this is a lobster puff pastry with asparagus and was phenomenal. - Tomato (special): this was a cheese stuffed tomato and it was okay. - Ravioli (special): this had a heavy Marsala type sauce. For entrees we had the following: - Magret De Canard Au Cafe, Sauce Au Cognac: duck breast with coffee crust, very good. - Homard Et St. Jacques Cardinal Gratinee: this is a stuffed lobster with scallops and truffle, and it was amazing. - Veal (special): beautifully prepared and top notch. To finish, we ordered two souflees for the table. While these are their specialty, they tasted a bit "eggy" to me, but they were good. Overall, a fabulous meal and will return.

    (5)

  • Bill S.

    Stumbled upon this place by chance. We had a wonderful experience here. Our tuxedo clad waiter Max was attentive, personable, and professional. It seemed every stage of service from drinks through the various course of the meal he was there at just the right time, but yet never overbearing. The Lobster and asparagus served in a puff pastry with a burre blance sauce was completed with a touch of a puréed carrot and sweet potato garnish. I had the filet with melted Brie cheese in a delicious reduction sauce. The wine list was nice, but not the most extensive. For dessert, we had the Gran Marnier Soufflé which was perfectly prepared and served. A pleasant young Irish girl served the Soufflé, and it was clear she had been well trained by here excellent preparation at the table. We thought the food, service , and ambience were all well above average. We want to return here again. Great experience.

    (5)

  • Jeff S.

    Top notch food and excellent service. Would recommend to anyone looking for a special meal.

    (5)

  • Ryan A.

    The food, atmosphere and service were outstanding. My wife and I walked in without reservations and were seated immediately. We didn't know what to expect, but were surprised. The atmosphere is friendly and warm, the restaurant being in an old house. The bread and wine was outstanding, the food amazing. Entree prices were a bit high, but the appetizers were priced below average and have a great portion size. Highly recommend this place to everyone. I will defiinitely go back.

    (5)

  • David F.

    Called and asked for Carmen who I spoke to Wed about a reservation. She was very nice and said sorry nothing for Sat night but check back. I just called back and asked for Carmen woman on other end said is this a personal call, is it work related ??? I said no was calling back to talk about Sat. I then asked for Max who I was told was on Carmen's team. Lady says Max is just a waiter and Carmen just works there!!! Ready, she tells me she is the owner and there is nothing, very abrupt and with a snotty edge. She has no clue who I am can't wait to have her find out. I will never go there and either will the 450 people at my meeting that I am speaking at next week. Wonder how many people they will tell?? Go to the Cooke House 3rd floor much better.

    (1)

  • Gail C.

    We went for dinner for our friends anniversary. Everything from the drinks to the amazing individual soufflé was perfect. We have been twice before and have never been disappointed. The sauces on each entrée match the meal perfectly and never overwhelm the food. The waiters are always helpful with suggestions and wine pairings. We were given tastes of the wine we were considering to have with dinner. My friend's special of beef tenderloin in puff pastry was one of the best I have ever tasted. Can't wait to go back again. It usually takes a few weeks to get reservations but they never overbook so your table is pretty much ready as soon as you arrive. It is a little pricey but worth the $$$. And for special occasions, this is the place.

    (5)

  • Daniel N.

    Could not have been happier with Bouchard. The beef filet was possibly the best I have ever had. The waiter was fantastic, and the souffle was out of this world. If you are in Newport and are looking for a place to go for a nice romantic dinner look no further, this is it.

    (5)

  • Courtney R.

    We loved Bouchard. It was beautifully decorated and the service was impeccable. The food was presented wonderfully and the menu had lots of variety. Food was wonderful. However, my meal made me discover that I am very sensitive to large amounts of butter and heavy cream....if you can handle overly heavy (albeit delicious) french food, then this is the place for you. I'm very sad my meal did not agree with me. Not Bouchard's fault...just my delicate stomach. So, the three stars is for not being able to eat there ever again... but 5 stars for the restaurant seeker in Newport.

    (3)

  • Steve N.

    Great service! Excellent food and good wine list! What else could I ask for?

    (5)

  • Boki H.

    This place is awesome!! My bf and I had dinner her on a Sat night during our visit to Newport. It was an amazing experience! The food is fabulous! Here's what we had: For Appetizer: - Mushroom purée with corns and cauliflowers: my bf thought it was a bit bland, but I really like the delightful mixed flavor of corn and mushroom - Carpaccio de Filet Mignon: I could truly taste the truffle oil in there - simply amazing! Entree: - Duck breast with coffee crust: the tenderest duck breast I've ever had!!! So juicy!!! Love the coffee crust - the slight bitterness helps get rid of thegreasy taste of meat. Oh and also, I found fried pork intestine in there! lol...guess not a lot people can take it but to me it just tasted FABULOUS~~ - Lobster: fresh and delicious. Dessert: Gran manir soufflé -- THIS IS ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE !!!!!! A MUST-TRY!! Food here is really outstanding. The only thing I would complain is that we sit next to a party to 6 older people and they obviously enjoyed themselves very much too. They talked and laughed rather loudly...I could hear every single word of their conversation if I want.. but we were not bothered that much but I knew some people would not be pleased by this kind of situation. .. Overall we really enjoyed this restaurant and would surely come back next time we visit Newport!

    (4)

  • Sandy C.

    I learned about this place from yelp and those reviews definitely paid off. Those pictures also helped me finalize the decision to pay a visit down there in Newport. The experience was magnificent and memorable one and we ordered a lot of food. I fell deeply in love with the scrumptious lobster bisque. It's very delicate yet packed with full flavor. It's considered one of the best lobster bisque I've ever had. Another great dish is pâté with toast. Slices of bread are toasted to perfection with such great technique that escalated this simple dish to the next level, compliments to the chef. Foie gras is another highlight of the day, pan seared just right to develop the flavorful crust on the outside and to seal the buttery taste in. The duck dish is fabulously prepared to achieve such a great texture when bite. It's very juicy. These are just a few samples of greatness. Everyone should try this place. The establishment is beautifully done with the French touch. The trip to Newport would not be complete without the dinner at Bouchard.

    (5)

  • Ryan D.

    Upscale French cuisine. A good date spot or a nice place to enjoy a fine dining experience. Given the atmosphere (a bit reserved and stuffy), the service and food mesh well with their impeccable attention to detail. We ordered the Magret de Canard au Café, Sauce au Cognac & the Homard et St. Jacques Cardinal Gratinée. Both were outstanding. The coffee accentuated the duck beautifully and the restuffed lobster was so good I didn't even feel guilty about the calories or the cost. They also have an interesting/tasty take on escargot which we both enjoyed, though I can't say I prefer it over the traditional preparation. The only drawback I saw was the interior. It is a bit aged and in need of some work to make the ambiance match the outstanding food and service. At the end of the day, if you are in the mood for upscale french dining in Newport, this place is sure to please.

    (5)

  • Danny K.

    One of the best restaurants I've been to. If you stop by Newport, you have to have their food. And for the quality, it's definitely worth the price.

    (5)

  • Alex P.

    I was happy to get a reservation within a day for 6pm (even though they appeared sold out on Open Table). This is probably the best non-seafood restaurant in Newport. I had their steak in a delicious wine reduction sauce and my husband loved their pork chops. The waiter recommended we order the souffle early. I'm a chocolate fan but agreed. The souffle was a-freakin-mazing! With a little grand marnier and vanilla cream drizzled on top--incredibly delicious. Only reason I was not 100% ecstatic is that we dressed casual, no jackets, but shoes (no flip flops) and white denim (no shorts, tanks or sweats). My husband got a look from the hostess, I guess because he wasn't wearing a jacket over his shirt or a pair of wool slacks like most of the other patrons? Hello, this is a beach town and it's 90 degrees out !

    (4)

  • Christina G.

    On a recent weekend getaway to Newport, the man and I were looking for a nice dinner spot. We had reservations for another place in town that had been highly recommended. Unfortunately for them, a quick peek at Bouchard's menu unanimously won us over and we knew there was no other choice but to call and cancel. So glad we did! This was one of the most phenomenal dining experiences I've had. From beginning to end our experience was perfect. The service was impeccable, atmosphere warm and inviting, and the food in one word - amazing! I couldn't pass up the Vol au Vent d'Asperges et de Homard (Asparagus and Lobster in Puff Pastry, with a Lemon Beurre Blanc) and the Homard et St. Jacques Cardinal Gratinée (Restuffed Roasted Lobster and Scallops with Truffle, Gruyere Cheese and Lobster Sauce) Both dishes were simple, yet bursting with rich and complex flavor. My companion thoroughly enjoyed his meal as well. There was nothing we ordered that did not impress. This memorable meal was one the highlights of our trip and I will most definitely return.

    (5)

  • Renee B.

    I wanted to love this place, and to be fair there were many things that I did like about it, however, I did not think the other reviews here matched my experience. The outside bar is very nice to hang out at and the bartender took good care of us. We started with the lobster bisque and bread. We were drooling for the bread that everyone raved about, but it was not bad, just generic. The lobster bisque on the other hand was very good! Next was the escargot and the scallops. The escargot was good but nothing wow; the scallops were a diaster - very overcooked...terribly overcooked. There were only 5 tiny chewy rounds that used to be scallops. It tainted our feelings. We had pre-ordered the Grand Marnier souffle and that was really fabulous. The soufflé was airy and soft and the Grand Marnier sauce was perfectly blended. It was a pre-order because it takes over 30 minutes to make, but worth it. So overall why only 3 starts? I blame the other reviewers as they set my expectations so high and it was pricy and pretty good food. I would go back to 5th Element bar before this place.

    (3)

  • Michelle K.

    My boyfriend and I chose Bouchard for dinner on a Saturday evening during our first time in Newport. We had heard great things prior to going, and so we were very excited to try it out. The food here did not disappoint. We had the Mediterranean endive salad, lobster bisque, a combo of the tomato tarte and lobster/asparagus puff pastry, the restuffed roasted lobster & scallops, and the Grand Marnier souffle. We had a bottle of wine and also finished with the Espresso Bouchard, which was an awesome combo of espresso and 5 liquors. Everything was delicious. Now, the service... It started out fine - nothing overwhelmingly great, but certainly nothing bad - everyone was friendly. However, there seemed to be some sort of issue with food timing that evening. Our reservation was at 8pm. We were a few minutes early, sat immediately, and didn't receive our entrees until 9:40pm. There was at least an hour between our first and second courses. The two tables next to us received their food in the same time frame and we overheard a few complaints. However, it wasn't that much of an issue given that we had wine and the atmosphere was great. We saw a manager walk out to a table near us that had complained a bit and he apologized profusely and asked if there was anything he could do. When we asked a little later after we had waited quite awhile (probably about 50 minutes), our waitress (Kimberly, I believe?) said "it's restaurant wide" and walked away. An apology, or an explanation, or even an update before we had to ask given that it was "restaurant wide" would have been nice. Our waitress also informed us that the souffle of the night was the Grand Marnier souffle, and given that it takes time to prepare, we had to order it along with the rest of our food if it was something we thought we might want. We discussed and agreed that it sounded delicious, and so we ordered it. The two tables near us ordered as well, and one souffle was brought to each of their tables after their entrees were served. When our dessert arrived (at this point, a little after 10pm), two souffles arrived at the table. I commented that I had thought that we had only ordered one (these things were huge, every other table had only received one, and neither of us said at the time of the order that we would each have one), and the waitress just smiled and poured the creme on top of each. When she returned, half of mine was left and she said she'd leave it for me to finish. I commented again that she didn't need to, as there was no way I could have finished a whole one and hadn't intended to given that we had only ordered one. She took the souffle and walked away. We were obviously charged for both. Perhaps we should have been more vocal in our displeasure about the timing and the double dessert order, but the food was delicious and we really didn't want to complain. Also, though the double charge was annoying, it was more the principle of the matter. You go into a restaurant like this knowing that you're going to spend money. That's not the issue. Typically, at a restaurant of this caliber, when something goes wrong, the staff is attentive to that fact, apologizes, and if they've made a mistake, they acknowledge it. I just felt a bit played by the end of the evening, which was a shame because we really wanted to love it given all of the praise we had heard prior to coming.

    (3)

  • Vinny G.

    Bouchard is one of our absolute favorite restaurants anywhere, and easily the best in Newport. Food, service, and ambiance all beat expectations. To top it off, the prices are very reasonable considering the quality of your night. I'll start with dessert, because their amazing souffle needs to be ordered at the beginning of the meal. It's like eating flavored air with a creamy Grand Marnier sauce. Perfect. Their other desserts are can't miss as well, but I'm stuck on the souffle. The menu has a great selection. On this night for apps we had tartar of tuna and a special of the day, a blue cheese mousse. Both were excellent. The blue cheese mousse was exceptional and highlights the chef's skill in balancing complex flavors. A blue cheese mousse sounded heavy to me, but sure enough it was perfect. Light and delicious. Main courses were a sole with a light sorrel sauce and cornish hen with pate and a foie gras madeira sauce. We had a very similar dish to the cornish hen at the highly acclaimed (much too highly we feel) Robuchon's in Las Vegas, and this was so much better. Again, the balance of the foie gras with the hen set this dish above.' For dessert we of course had the souffle and also profiteroles. The profiteroles were perfect. Light pastry, excellent vanilla cream, and ice cream at the right consistency. Add a nice elegant but not stuffy ambiance, perfect service, and good prices. Our entire meal of apps, main courses, desserts, and 4 drinks was just over $130. Go here. You will love it.

    (5)

  • Mister P.

    Hands down the best meal I have ever had. My fiance and I were visiting Newport for a few nights and we decided to ditch the pub/seafood scene and go out to a "fancy" dinner. I made a reservation on Open Table for 8:00 on a Monday night. After walking around downtown Newport for a while we ended up on the door steps of Bouchard around 7:20 and the hostess gladly sat us earlier than our reservation time. As soon as you sit down at this place you feel like royalty. The servers are attentive and extremely polite. We started off the meal by splitting the escargot ravioli. The chef split the appetizer onto 2 separate dishes and it was presented beautifully. The pasta was in a delicious sauce that both my fiance and I couldn't resist scraping up with our forks. For the entree, we both ordered the signature lobster dish. This was a big deal for us, because we NEVER order the same meal. The waiter mentioned that this is their most popular dish and the description on the menu sounded so good that we both had to have it to ourselves and we are glad that we did. The dish consisted of a lobster, split in half and deconstructed and we stuffed with the lobster meat, scallops, gruyere cheese, and topped with a lobster cream sauce. Absolutely amazing. On the side were fresh veggies and a pure'd carrot/sweet potato combination that was extremely good. On my next visit I am definitely asking for a separate side of this creation. For dessert we split a deconstructed chocolate moose cake. This was delicious as well. Basically, this dessert was a chocolate cake, topped with creamy chocolate moose, and then garnished with dark chocolate chips infused with sea salt. Overall, this review will not do the meal justice. If you are reading this and will be in the Newport area you must make a reservation and try this place out. Yes, the dishes are pricey, but you absolutely get what you pay for. As I said earlier, this was the best meal I ever ate and I can guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy it as well!

    (5)

  • Dan G.

    Hard to say a single bad thing about this place; My family and I went here during restaurant week for a delightful meal. The wait staff were incredibly informative and were true professionals. The food quality was outdone only by the presentation and colorful use of delectable sauces that made for some of the best food I've ever had.. We will be back.

    (5)

  • Brian E.

    Possibly the best overall meal I've ever eaten at a restaurant! The only reason I had to take a star off was because the dessert did not live up to what I had heard about it. Had the lobster bisque as an appetizer and that was the best I had ever tasted. For my entree I had the duck breast and in a word: phenomenal! The dessert was the souflee and I wish I had stopped while I was ahead with the entree. It was very light, but nothing worth having again. Overall a wonderful meal and it is a place I'd love to take my wife. Very nice staff as well. The water glass stayed full and the bread plate never ran out. Not for those looking for a bargain, though! Very pricy.

    (4)

  • Jaclyn P.

    Restaurant Bouchard was top notch. We were two couples dining together for a nice time to catch up. The management was so pleasant and helpful, even calling me the day of to let me know they would hold a table for us in case we wanted to show up early. Upon walking in, I was a little nervous that we were underdressed. You can definitely get away with dressing very fancy here. We were all wearing business casual but it didn't seem to faze the staff whatsoever. They hung our coats and sent us to our table. From that point on, everything was superb like a well-practiced play. The server, Dan, was knowledgeable and seemed very understanding of the fact that we might not be familiar with some of the exotic French ingredients listed on the menu. He was more than willing to help us out. Starting with the appetizer, the escargot was delicious. I would have liked a few more toasts to soak up the amazing sauce, however. The smoked salmon salad was dressed very well with capers and chopped egg. For entrees, I had the Dover sole, cooked wonderfully with just the right amount of sear for flavor. Another guest in our party had the filet mignon. He said it was cooked perfectly but was portioned a little on the small side. A third person had the rack of lamb and at the beginning, said it was pretty good but by the last bite he changed his opinion to the best herbed rack of lamb he had ever had. Knowing in advance that I would want to try the Grand Marnier soufflé for dessert, I pre-ordered it as soon as we were seated. Another server (not Dan) brought it to the table and it was quite a site to see it poofed so high. Then, and this was the only down side of the whole evening, she proceeded to quite violently slosh the grand marnier sauce over the soufflé. And the process seemed to last quite a while. It made us all a little nervous that she was going to sling some of the sauce onto my lap. Initially, I thought it was normal practice but then it was pointed out to me by someone in our party that the other tables were instructed to pour the sauce themselves. Overall, it was quite an expensive meal but it was well worth the experience. You really get what you pay for at this restaurant and the staff and management are quick to hold up to that expectation. I will definitely be dining at Restaurant Bouchard again and will be sure to recommend to others.

    (5)

  • Scott K.

    While in Newport for a few days, we hit up some of the top dining spots (according to all of you Yelpers, of course). Bouchard's was definitely an unforgettable experience. The service and ambience are a bit old school, formal, and stuffy for my taste--hence the 4 stars vs. 5. But the food... Wow. It was very difficult to decide what to order; the menu featured so many tempting options. Everything that we ate was superb. The lobster bisque was close to, if not, the best I've ever had. Everything was seasoned perfectly. As many have noted the souffle is amazing. It literally melts in your mouth--maybe even before it gets to your mouth. It's not as pricey as you may expect. Definitely worth the trip. We'll be back.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    Stunning, romantic, and delicious! My wife and I went here on a beautiful April evening to celebrate our anniversary and were very wowed. We'd go back without hesitation. To start, the staff is personable. The owner and hostess Sarah was kind and inviting. Our server was knowledgeable and guided us to a memorable and enjoyable meal. The wine selection he recommended, a Domaine Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf-du-Pape, matched the meal and our wallet perfectly. In an old home with a dining room spread across a few rooms,it's an old world feeling place. Not fancy, but comfortable. There was wonderful jazz music played at the right volume for a romantic vibe. The food was outstanding! OUTSTANDING! The shrimp tower with Brussels sprouts slaw and 3 different sauces set the right tone for the meal. My wife had a bone in veal chop with a Madeira sauce. For me: lamb rack perfectly cooked, herbed and wine sauced. The sides were a medley of potato and vegetables that may sound boring but was every bit as delicious as the rest of the meal. Dessert - deconstructed chocolate mouse cake. Um, yes! I reconstructed it in my mouth and it was awesome.

    (5)

  • Mark F.

    Could not have been better! Service, recommendations, portion size and taste were top shelf! Highly recommend. Will be returning. It is a quiet, quaint place with a peaceful and relaxing environment. Great supper over 2 hours as it should be! Just ask the tuxedo clad waiter Max what to have and follow his lead!

    (5)

  • Maria G.

    Absolutely amazing! Everything... service, apps, entrée, desert, atmosphere. Wonderful and totally unpretentious.

    (5)

  • Thomas D.

    Outstanding! From salad to appetizers to entree to dessert Bouchard was one of the finest dining experiences I've ever had! It's worth the trip to Newport just to eat here! The lobster and asparagus pastry appetizer is one of the best food concoctions ever. I also had the veal chop special which was perfect. My wife ordered lamb chops which were just as tasty. But the final act - a chocolate mousse deconstructed cake - was a work of art! Wonderful, wonderful, stop! If you eat at only one restaurant in Newport, make it this one!

    (5)

  • Jonah P.

    Bouchard is a restaurant that seems to model itself of a 1980's country club. There is nothing necessarily bad about the food, which is high-priced American fare, all served with mashed veggies piped next to a mini-veggie sculptures, but nothing inspiring either, and certainly nothing that commands the prices. The ambiance is dark and slightly cramped, with the constant hum of waiters in tuxedos running to each corner of the restaurant, and conversations about golf and "wintering" between men in dinner jackets at every table. From what I understand, this is one of the high-end hangouts for the summering crowd, but I'd be just as happy to skip it on our next visit.

    (3)

  • Phil D.

    We have stayed at the inn and eaten in the restaurant several times. We enjoyed ourselves...BUT... We are apparently not their kind of clientele. We tried to make reservations and even though the web site showed plenty of rooms, we were told the inn was "full". We tried to make dinner reservations and were shunned as well. I have spoken to some friends who live in Newport and this is their new way of doing business. WHAT A SHAME !!!

    (1)

  • Mitchell F.

    Wow, what a great restaurant. No wait for a quiet 2-top table, attentive service (never had to ask for a refill of water and we drink a lot of it). They really take care if you but not in an obtrusive way. Started with lobster bisque and chef's pâté, both excellent (we share). Had the specials, a stripped bass and a cod that came, bass with a garlic and oil sauce and the cod with a butter and wine sauce. Both excellent. With the great warm bread and the 2 glasses of wine we did not have room for dessert. We definitely will go back when we come again to Newport next year.

    (5)

  • Bryan H.

    Excellent food, service, and drinks. The owner was very friendly and the waiter, Joe, made sure that we were will taken care of. The veal Oscar was very tender and the coffee rubbed duck was extremely flavorful. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    Perfect in every way! I recommend the escargots ravioli, and the deconstructed chocolate cake for dessert was worth ever calorie! Flawless service!

    (5)

  • Eddy P.

    Very good French restaurant. Wine and food are reasonably priced based on comparison to good French restaurants in NYC. Warm, cozy and intimate without having tables on top of each other. Service was excellent. Very attentive and knowledgeable. Food was served evenly throughout the evening. The food was very tasty, well prepared and presented. The Asparagus and Lobster in Puff Pastry, with a Lemon Beurre Blanc and Sliced Filet of Beef with a Port Wine Demi-glace finished with a hint of horseradish were very good. The Souffle is excellent, a must have. The bill came to $140 for two people, having full course meals with drinks. I would definitely come back.

    (4)

  • Ashley B.

    I went to Bouchard with my boyfriend for a belated Valentine's dinner on Friday and we had one of the best dining experiences we have EVER had (and we've had quite a few). Bouchard does everything with perfection and elegance. They are absolutely amazing. We ordered a wonderful bottle of wine- a Chateau Greysac Bordeaux, which complemented our entire meal perfectly. For appetizers we had the lobster & asparagus puff pastry and beef carpaccio- both of which were 100% fantastic. The sauce from the puff pasty was amazing and went perfect with the fresh baked french bread that we were served, as well. For dinner I had the filet topped with baby brie (to DIE for, honestly) and my boyfriend had one of their specials which was a huge veal chop, which he loved as well. We were so thoroughly pleased with our meals that we could not stop talking about themt he next day. And not to mention, the portions were perfect so we were not too full when we left. For dessert we ordered one of their specials, a grand marnier souffle, and a deconstructed chocolate cake. Absolutely outstanding! The souffle was perfect, which is obviously hard to do, and the deconstructed cake had a delicious chocolate mousse on top which was great! Our waiter was also amazing! I don't remember his name but he was great and I would ask for him again. Bouchard has become our new "special" place and I can not wait to go again!!!

    (5)

  • Jessica L.

    If I could give them 7 stars I would! My husband and I went here for Newport restaurant week to try it out and we were NOT disappointed! To begin with, they take your coat as you walk in, and have extra reading glasses in case you forgot yours. I don't need them yet but my parents are always forgetting them so I thought that was a really nice thought. The Paris-Brest dessert was the most amazing thing I've ever had in my life, I can't even remember what I had for an appetizer or dinner but it was fabulous, I know that. Whatever I had for my meal, it had carrots on the side and I have never liked carrots but something the chef did made me eat all of them, it was that good! My husband had the steak and he loved it as well. We are planning on going back for any special occasions (i.e. sunday) :)

    (5)

  • Devon D.

    Bouchard is truly a wonderful dining experience. We went there for a birthday dinner and were able to sample a number of the appetizers because there were a few of us there and each one was excellent. The main dishes were equally delicious. We all ordered the souflee for dessert and it was delicious. The service was very good - always attentive to the needs of a full table but never in the way. Through and through it was an enjoying experience to eat a meal in this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Karen H.

    This is the first review I have written and was compelled to do so by the wonderful experience we had at Bouchard's. From the moment we walked in, the experience was top notch. The service was personal and attentive and the food was beyond expectation. If you are looking for a personal, romantic and exceptional dinner experience, this is the place!

    (5)

  • Tony R.

    Fantastic food and service! What more could you want.....

    (5)

  • Esther C.

    I have never written a review before but my experience at Bouchard was so unsatisfactory that I signed up for a Yelp account just so I could write this. My boyfriend took me here for my birthday. We drove down from Boston and had heard great things about this place so we were looking forward to it. Our reservations were for 8:30. We showed up at 8:10 and did not get seated until 9:00. Upon being seated, our server brought us our food menus. He held back the wine menu away from us and said, "I'm not sure if you're old enough to drink..." What the what?! Is that what is considered "good service" these days? Not only were we "old enough to drink", but even if we were not, that is not something that a server at such an upscale restaurant should be remarking in such a condescending manner. If you were standing with a woman in an elevator, would you automatically say "Congratulations on your pregnancy"? No, because your perception might be completely wrong and she would find your comment to be extremely rude, offensive, and unwarranted! Nonetheless, our server did not even try to hide his opinion regarding our appearances and boldly voiced his incorrect thought in an extremely pointed fashion. Our food came at 10:00 (an hour after we had arrived...and it wasn't even that busy then because it was so late at night) and although the food might have been amazing, I really can't say because I had already been so offended by my server and had my appetite ruined by rudeness. What could have been an amazing birthday dinner was sorely dampened by a server who openly looked down on us and didn't even hesitate to be impolite and verbally offend us. I will not be coming back to Bouchard next time I'm in town, not will I be recommending it to others.

    (1)

  • Natalia B.

    Excellent choices of entrees. Very pricey however well worth it. The ambiance is a bit dated but definitely a place to experience.

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    This was definitely in the top 5 meals I have ever had in my life. My boyfriend and I took a last minute trip to Newport for Labor Day. He found this restaurant on Yelp, and we figured we probably had no chance of getting a table since it was about 10PM on a holiday weekend but decided to walk down and check it out anyway. Lucky for us, we were seated an an outdoor table right away! Our waiter was personable and very attentive despite how busy the place was. We both ordered from the specials menu and were absolutely blown away. The quality of the food here rivals the posh 5 star restaurants we've been to in New York, and the price was very modest, considering the amazing meal we had. Our bill came to less than $100 for drinks and dinner for both of us - less than we are used to paying for a nice dinner out in NYC! Another night we tried one of the touristy restaurants on the wharf and paid MUCH more, for mediocre food and bad service. This place is a MUST VISIT when you are in Newport. Seriously. You can thank me later.

    (5)

  • Beverly C.

    We went there for our anniversary. It was the first time this summer although we have gone regularly in past summers. We both ordered the fish special of the day. The fish seemed so fresh, we thought it had been caught after we ordered. We do not usually order dessert but as it was a special occasion we both ordered a soufflé. If the rest of the food was not so good, next time I would order a soufflé for my appetizer, main course and dessert.

    (5)

  • Barbara M.

    Catching up on reviews from a fabulous visit to Newport in June. We can understand why this restaurant is so popular. Although it's in a prime tourist strip on Thames St., it is not a tourist trap. The food is excellent and the ambience is very warm and inviting, like the family run business that it is. We had a perfect table in the front room with plenty of space and good view of the room. Dress code was all over the place, with tourists in very casual duds to locals decked out for a special occasion. I felt comfortable in stylish casual clothes. We enjoy nouvelle cuisine, but now and then it's such a pleasure to be treated to lovingly prepared classic French cuisine. Wines by the glass were very good and well-matched with the cuisine, including a lovely sauternes with the mouthwatering foie gras poêlé. Our waiter was charming and efficient and you're greeted by the congenial and attractive Madame Bouchard. We would have gone for the soufflé, which is highly touted, but we'd had one the night before and felt that 2 nights in a row is too indulgent even for us. Very highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Katherine M.

    Just ok. Pricey and stuffy. In Newport I would personally rather sit by the water with some live music than in a formal dining room type setting. My duck had an overpowering coffee crust. The lamb and escargot was tasty though! It really depends on what mood you're in but when in Newport I will stick to the on the water upscale seafood shacks!

    (3)

  • Susan R.

    'Giving Bouchard the coveted 5 stars because the chef is gifted, though I think some of his prices unwarranted. The $10.00 Grand Marnier soufflé? Well worth every penny, though why our server spooned in some crème anglaise and then walked away with the sauce boat is beyond me...and why the monk fish special (poor man's lobster is its alias) was $31.00 for 6 of the tiniest medallions on the plate......with tiny whippets of carrot and potato puree. Delicious, yes, and it is the classic French portions to which we Americanos have become so unaccustomed. But I grew up with such places in NYC, and this took me back. My husband enjoyed his pork tenderloin ...portion size e a bit better than mine...and I thought that the lobster bisque was delicious. I could taste Pernod. $11.00 is fine for a good lobster bisque - but the same price for squash bisque? - that is a huge profit margin for them! It was also quite tasty. As I stated, the souffle was perfect and worth every penny - and I could have eaten a 2nd! The ambience in the old house is truly warm and charming. Service is as expected - top notch. If you appreciate fine French food, it is worth the splurge...... just have all 3 courses!

    (5)

  • Frank V.

    Went with my wife to this restaurant during the thanksgiving weekend. The experience was great from the time we were greeted to the time we left. Hopefully whenever we return to Newport this will be our spot.

    (5)

  • D L.

    Real talk -- Restaurant Bouchard is most likely the best restaurant I've been to. ever. The gf and I took a weekend trip up to Newport and stayed at the Admiral Fitzroy B&B. Upon booking our stay, we received a $100 gift certificate to a restaurant of our choosing. After reading the other yelp reviews, we quickly made a reservation at Restaurant Bouchard. The restaurant is small, but not uncomfortably crowded. We were seated next to a window and our gift certificate was waiting for us at our table. The waiter was nice and knowledgeable of the menu and was attentive, but not overbearing. We ordered the Carpaccio de Filet Mignon a' Huile de Truffe for appetizer and was immediately blown away. It was a great, light dish to start off the evening. I'm almost certain that we ordered another appetizer, but can't seem to remember what it was...unfortunate Our main course included Homard et St. Jacques Cardinal Gratinée, which is a restuffed roasted lobster with scallops, truffle, gruyere cheese and lobster sauce. If that description didn't make your loins burn, I dunno what will. We also had the Magret de Canard au Café, Sauce au Cognac, which is duck sautéed with a coffee crust. This duck was ridiculous. As a Chinese male, I've eaten more duck than you can shake a stick at and this was the best duck on earth. It literally melts in your mouth and the flavor is amazing. To top it all off, we had the dessert du jour, which that day was a souffle with gran marnier. The best thing about this restaurant is that the portions are perfect. I was extremely satisfied with the food and service and to be honest, it was very reasonably priced. There is no way in hell I can find a restaurant in NY with that level of quality for the price. If we ever venture to RI again, we will definitely be revisiting this restaurant.

    (5)

  • David H.

    Absolutely the best meal I've ever had in Newport. We started with the pate which was to die for. I had the pork and my wife had the monkfish special. It was positively fantastic. The only negative was the waiter's helper, who twice tried to pour still water in my sparkling water glass and who seemed to have trouble remembering what he was asked (though he was charming nonetheless). I highly recommend Bouchard.

    (5)

  • chris w.

    The food was Fresh and Outstanding. The chef is quite talented and you can see that he cares. This is not an old fashioned French over sauced rich haven of artery clogging fats ,this is Fresh and balanced Fine french cuisine The staff are all highly knowledgeable and attentive. The inn is Great also

    (5)

  • John P.

    Good food but questionable seating. If you go, make sure you request the front room. My wife and I made reservations weeks in advance and still we were seated in the dark back room under a loud wall mounted window ac unit even though there were tables in the front room open when we arrived for our reservation. Needless to say it was a less than stellar experience. Service was good though wine service was ill timed. I like to pour my own wine but as our bottle of white was stored away from the table I went with letting the waiter attend to it. There was a long period of empty wine glasses for both my wife and I. Other than that the food was very good. Pricy but fair for the quality, though not for our experience. A note about requesting the front room on their web site would be nice for out of towners who are not aware of the dramatic difference and lower class experience in the back room.

    (3)

  • Chris C.

    Needing a special occasion/random adventure dinner with a special someone I hadn't connected with in long while had me ending up in Newport without a specific dinner choice. We had narrowed it down to a couple places and decided to go for a walk along Thames St to check the places out in person before deciding. We ended up here and loved it! So this place is a little formal and very french, but didn't come off as stuffy or pretentious. The interior was also very well appointed and tasteful. I also liked that they didn't try to jam in too many tables which left plenty of room between people so conversations still felt private. The waitstaff were very attentive and did a good job of explaining the different specials, wines & regular menu selections. The wine selection is very varied and there are plenty of interesting selections that can be had for not out of this world prices (although those were available on the list). They started by bringing out hot and fresh rolls served individually. They were basic dinner rolls, but tasted good although not very interesting. I had a squash soup to start which was very tasty although a bit on the sweet side. The only thing I didn't like is that they charged a split fee of $3 even on appetizers so don't plan on getting something to share. I ended up getting some squash soup which was good although a little on the sweet side. For my entree I had the duck which was encrusted with coffee. While this sounds a bit odd it actually had little coffee taste, but kept the duck super moist. There was also a very tasty brandy sauce which added a very nice flavor to it. So it was a great combination. It came with a an assortment of root vegetables which were also very good. For dessert we had the grand marnier souffle which was amazing. I can not recommend it enough. The only downside to it was that you needed to order it with your meal so it would be ready in time for dessert. So plan ahead if you want to get this.

    (5)

  • Lisa J.

    The gran marnier soufflee here was supurb and a highlight of our visit! We had the rack of lamb which were seasoned really well, and lobster and asparagus puff pastry. The service was slower than a typical restaurant but you're not there for fast food, its all about relaxing, and lingering over your food. Lots of couples there - excellent for a romantic dinner!

    (5)

  • Tammie P.

    Duck and lamb were good but waited over an hour for entrees. Escargots were excellent.

    (3)

  • Sam D.

    On a crazy Saint Patrick's day weekend this was a calm, comfortable, and delicious break. The staff was attentive but not intrusive, the wine list surprisingly reasonable, and the food was really good. This restaurant is attached to a bed and breakfast where we stayed for two nights. Breakfast included fresh fruit in yogurt and really delicious croissants. The room where we stayed had a view of the harbor over the roofs of buildings. The only drawback was the Irish pub next door where revelers started lining up at 8:00AM and continued until last call. It was not particularly noisy but we did know they were there. Sunday morning, the day after Saint Patrick's day, there was no noise or sign of early celebration and we assume that is what it is like any day other than St. Patrick's day. We look forward to our next visit.

    (5)

  • Traveling B.

    Excellent, I'll start the review off by saying the food was incredible. It's a very rare day when I bypass adding pepper or salt to my dish. This meal saw that day. We chose this place late in the day, and when we called they were booked for the evening. The co-owner called back to inform us she could squeeze us into the lounge area if we wanted to come, we agreed and we were glad we did. The lounge area ended up being fantastic, a little area off to the side with big windows and only one other table of people. Very secluded and made for a great romantic setting. As this was a last minute thing, I hadn't brought my dress shoes, and I did notice that one person at the other table gave me stinky eyes for wearing my Merril's with dress jeans and a button up shirt, but the staff didn't make us feel out of place, and when the food came all of that was forgotten. I had the pork fillet, it was fanned out over a nice sauce with two different types of puree. Nicely done, good portion, and a very juicy melt in your mouth taste. Our other dish was the duck, and not only was it presented very well, it also avoided the salt and pepper shakers. The only reason there isn't a fifth star, was the selection for glasses of wine. It was somewhat limited, though if you are going to get a bottle there was a wider selection, just priced a little outside what I would pay for some of the bottles that interested me. It is a spendy joint. But while the wine may have been somewhat mismarked the food definitely was worth the price. Excellent place to have a nice meal in Newport, it really added to our relaxing weekend experience.

    (4)

  • Meg C.

    I came here for a very belated birthday dinner with my parents while we are all out visiting in Newport. EVERYTHING we got, from the appetizers through dessert was amazing. My main course was the duck and out of the three appetizers we got (all which really were amazing), the ~ Tartare de Saumon stood out the most. Also, my dad who is a really big stickler for tips and has sometimes (rarely) left 10% - gave a 25% tip to the waiter. He was amazingly polite and had the perfect timing to always come and check on us. Also, for those of you who are older, they have a basket of glasses for you to borrow to see the menu in the event you forget yours. My parents in their late 60's very much appreciated this.

    (5)

  • S M.

    Okay, now for me a truly exceptional dining experience encompasses the quality of the food, the service and the environment. The one negative thing about my experience here was the fact that the dining room seemed very stuffy. It was rather old, outdated and the tables were uncomfortably close. Aside from that, everything else was absolutely amazing! Hands down the best food in Newport and maybe even Rhode Island, thats why I could not give Bouchard's anything less than 5 stars. The service was magnificent, as our waiter was able to provide us with detailed descriptions of the chefs specials that evening which I thoroughly enjoyed. I have noticed that they are doing some work to the restaurant and I am very excited to see what changes they have made, I will be back with a full report upon completion of their renovations.

    (5)

  • Toni M.

    --From May 12, 2010, sorry for the delay-- I was with a group up at the Naval War College. A few of us professed to be foodies, so we formed an ad hoc supper club. Restaurant Bouchard made the list. We went on a Wednesday and probably should have made a r

    (4)

  • Lee H.

    Recently enjoyed dinner at Restaurant Bouchard. This was a group function with a dozen of us, so we reserved a large table at the back of the restaurant separate from the main dining area. With our group we chose a prix fixe menu with four courses. I chose a vol au vont (flaky pastry served warm) w/ lobster and asparagus for an appetizer, we all had a mesclun salad, then I had the beef filet as an entree (served w/ shitake mushrooms and green peppercorn sauce). Deserts were an assortment of fruit tarts, chocolate mouse, and pastry shared for the table. Overall I have to say the food was truly excellent. Traditional French, done well. Wine list was pretty good with a broad range of varietals and a mixed selection of old world and new world wines. Most tastes can be sated w/ the list including good but fairly inexpensive wines (in the $30-40 range) to Opus One. Service was also very good, though I had to correct our waitress on one of the wines I selected. The ambiance left something to be desired though, at least for me. The physical space feels a little cramped, though this is true of many restaurants in old structures along Newport's Thames St . But the atmosphere is somewhat stuffy and the average age of patrons at least the evening we dined there (to be fair a weeknight) was well past retirement age. Overall I have to say a very fine restaurant and a good experience. Certainly if you want traditional French in Newport, Restaurant Bouchard is the place to hit.

    (4)

  • Julie F.

    I can't rave enough about this place! It was absolutely fabulous. 22 Bowen's and nearly every other restaurant we tried to have dinner at had a 2 hour wait, so we asked a local to suggest a nice restaurant that was off the beaten path. He directed us here and we were far from disappointed. We sat outside and started with the escargot appetizer. For our meals we ordered the filet with shitake mushrooms and the pork medallions. Both were fantastic. There wasn't a thing about the food that I didn't enjoy.. the presentation, the taste, all spectacular. You'll be prompted about their Grand Marnier souffle, which needs to be pre-ordered due to cooking time. It was light and fluffy, and when we dropped the hint that we were celebrating a birthday the waiter brought the dessert out with a candle in it and 'Bon Anniversaire' written in chocolate sauce on the plate- a very nice touch. The service was good. I will say that in the beginning it looked like it was going to be a disaster. The waiter, Max, took a long time with our drinks/bread. However, I think it was due to the fact that he was very busy. As soon as a couple of other tables cleared out the service was much better and in the end Max was a fantastic server. As for the decor, I'm glad we decided to sit outside. Inside was very pretty, but I think I would have felt uncomfortable as it was a much older crowd (they have reading glasses at the enterance for you to borrow if you have difficulty reading the menu...). Dress nicely - jacket for men, dresses/skirts for women. This isn't the type of place you go in jeans.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey M.

    I've always been told by friends/colleagues in the business that Albert Bouchard is one of the best, if not the best, chefs in Newport. I finally decided it was time to find out for myself. My wife and I ventured out here for dinner on a gloomy, rainy Sunday, but there was nothing dismal about our experience. The service and decor is a bit old school, but certainly not pretentious or stuffy, just proper for what it is. I never felt "looked down upon", as some others have suggested during my stay. Service was very attentive, but not intrusive in any way. On to the food. For my first course I had the Chef's Pate, which was a mix of goose, pheasant, and chicken livers served with toast, slivered cornichons, endive, and pickled red onion. The Pate was creamy and the accompaniments accented everything nicely. My wife chose the warm onion, mushroom, and goat cheese tart. This was beyond what I expected. The pastry of the tart was as light as air and didn't overwhelm the amazing flavors of the sweet onion, and the earthy goat cheese and mushrooms. Let's not forget the house made rolls with creamy Hawaiin sea salt dusted butter. Our second course consisted of a Pork tenderloin en croute, with red pepper, spinach, and goat cheese with a garlic reduction, while my wife had a pan roasted cod with pernod sauce and lobster claws. Everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The portions were just right as well. Dessert was Paris-Brest and a Raspberry Souffle. The Praline custard and choux pastry were both outstanding, but oh my, what a souffle. This is how a souffle is supposed to be done. Light as air, full of real raspberry flavor, and finished table-side with creme anglaise. All others can be judged against this one. It's just that good. I have to say, I had high expectations coming in and Bouchard did not disappoint. Well done, Chef. Well done.

    (5)

  • Zach D.

    Food was wonderful - crabcake was rich and soft, dessert was excellent. The ambience was mixed. Waiters with tuxes was a little much, seemed a bit too stuffy for my tastes, but they were laid back and the music was great. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Newport.

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    Great meal and service. Make sure you order the souffle for dessert -- it's magical.

    (5)

  • RL M.

    If you are looking for atmosphere and romance n Newport: search no further. This place is "classic". Match that with its menu,presentation and perfect meal prep and you my friend are firing on all cylinders with your date. Dinner on a cold, January, Thursday night made for a light crowd, which only enhanced the intimacy. Staff was professional, attentive and polished. Take a pass on the house special Martini and stick with the respectible wine list. As for anything else on the menu? Go for it! You can't lose. Highly recommend and will re-visit everytime I'm in Newport.

    (5)

  • Charles T.

    The food was excellent, interesting and well prepared but the service was spotty and mediocre. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable but they would overlook obvious things and neglect us for long periods, not what I would expect for a restaurant in this price range. The most glaring example, I had ordered the soufflé for dessert. Our plates had been cleared for some time when the soufflé was brought to the table. In all the time we were waiting no one came over to ask us about having coffee or tea, or if my wife wanted anything for dessert! It was a little late to ask after mine had arrived. If they can improve their service this would be a very nice place but, as you can tell from other reviews, this is a persistent issue.

    (4)

  • Eliot R.

    Best restaurant in Newport. Be sure to order the Souffle

    (5)

  • Marie c.

    Dined there Mon, 8/6. Atmosphere - is so french.... Max, as stated, superb Dinner - wonderful. I enjoyed the roasted romaine lettuce salad, absolutely heavenly. My husband had the escargot that was out of this world, he almost picked up the plate when done to drink the juices; but instead used a roll! He had their special veal with foie gras and he raved about it. In fact, he did pick up the bone so that no meat was not enjoyed. He loved it and I had the pork tenderloin which was wonderful, the sauces were superb. For desert, we had a raspberry souffle...eggy, sugary, light, and delicious. Their food is outstanding, ambience and service, lst class. There is nothing to not like. Their prices very reasonable for what you are served. In boston, they would be at least 30% higher and in NYCity, probably double. A wonderful dinner was enjoyed. I almost hate to give such praise as it will get busier...then again, they deserve this success - they know how to do it with flair.

    (5)

  • Emma N.

    Perhaps I expected too much. And after my Tomato Tarte appetizer it seemed warranted. Until that point the service had been good and our waiter very helpful. Then the wheels came off. The level of service drop significantly. My husband's wine which was chosen to accompany his appetizer was server long after the appetizers arrived. We waited over 30 minutes before our meals were served and another 15-20 minutes before dessert arrived after clearing dinner. Notably, the table next to us, who seemed to be regulars, waited much less time between courses and even commented that the service time was perfect. My husband loved his entree (lobster and scallops). Mine was unremarkable (filet with Brie). The Grand Marnier soufflé to which I had looked forward so much taster mostly of eggs and nothing else. My advice to the owners- new visitors could become regulars, but favoring regulars over first time visitors only dissuades return visits.

    (4)

  • David S.

    We had an amazing dinner last night. Great wine list very reasonably priced. I had an '05 Bordeaux that didn't cost much more then when I buy it in a wine store. The escargot as a starter was fantastic. The duck breast with coffee dusted on it was the best duck I can remember eating. And the choc souffle finished the night very well. My children split the salmon and they loved it. My wife had a stuffed lobster tail - again, fantastic. I would return next time I'm in Newport.

    (5)

  • Jon F.

    Recently had the pleasure of eating here on Valentines day. Just two people. We started off with filet carpaccio and we each had a bowl of lobster bisque. The carpaccio was delicious, thinly sliced and just the correct amount of olive oil and shaved Parmesan. The lobster bisque was equally as good. Visible chunks of lobster and a very rich, buttery and creamy base. For our entrees we had double stuffed lobster and a veal chop. Both were authentic french. My veal chop was cooked properly and very juicy. The stuffed lobster was chock full of lobster and scallops. The bechamel sauce was luxurious! We finished off with a chocolate souffle. The waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable about the food and his wine list. We had a bottle of Pinot Noir in mind, which unfortunately they didn't have. However, he was quick to show us a similar bottle that actually ended up being better than what we wanted! Overall the food and service was impeccable. This place is very expensive, but worth the food. I'd say it should be on anyone's list for a special occasion.

    (5)

  • Liz W.

    We were fortunate enough to grab a drink at Bouchard's cute small patio with small TV. Local beers were on tap, great European wine list and a great ambience. The service was impeccable and while I did not eat, I will definitely go back to try it out. It was such a pleasant time - I can't not.

    (4)

  • Ms M.

    Had a fantastic meal here last night, everything was carefully prepared, beautifully presented and cooked to perfection! The sauces that accompanied our entrees were the BEST we have every had... honestly!! My husband had the veal chop special, it was served with a zingara sauce made from truffles, smoked duck, mushrooms and shallots, he LOVED it! He said it complemented the veal perfectly. He also had the lobster bisque to start and said it was exceptionally flavorful and had large pieces of sweet, tender lobster in a creamy broth. I had the Tournedos of Filet of Beef with Red Wine Shallot Sauce, topped with a baby Brie Cheese. The beef was tasty and tender, the sauce was a bit on the sweet side but it tasted perfect with the beef, I didn't leave a drop! Our waiter Dan was great, he was friendly, enthusiastic and profesional as he offered detailed descriptions of how the food was prepared, and he took obvious pride in everything that they serve. The restaurant had a lovely, quiet atmosphere and was elegant in it's decor. It prices were high as others have commented, but the food was exquisite! The only drawback that I could see, was that parking in the area could be a problem as summer draws near.

    (5)

  • Kim P.

    My husband and I went to Bouchard with another couple and were a tad disappointed. Let me just say I am not a bitch who is impossible to please - when you eat a a restaurant of this quality and the service is poor, it's important. I am only giving three stars because of the service - the food was incredible. This is the type of place where you should dress appropriately (no jeans, collared shirt), it's very elegant, but our service couldn't have been much worse. We were seated in the back of the restaurant - and I think that was the big problem. Our server and busgirl seemed to completely forget about us. (And the one other table seated back there with us.) We weren't ready to place our wine order when we ordered dinner, but our server didn't come back until the appetizers were out to ask us if we'd decided. The wine and water were kept away from the table, meaning they were to serve it, yet no one ever came to pour it for us. (We helped ourselves, finally, after we'd sat with empty glasses for long enough and it became clear we were forgotten.) They put our red wine in the ice bucket with the white. (We had 1 bottle of each.) The server poured our wine glasses as if she worked at Friday's. (She would have poured to the brim had we not told her to stop.) We sat with empty plates forEVER between courses. No one asked if we wanted coffee with our dessert before the bill was presented. (We had pre-ordered our desserts since we had the soufflees.) Maybe they seem like little things - but at a restaurant of this caliber, a "winner of the distinguished restaurants of North America 1999-2007" - I had higher expectations. And it was pretty expensive, too. No fault can be given to the Chef, however. The food was incredible. It is traditional French. My husband and I both had the carpaccio, and our friends had the lobster bisque and the lobster and asparagus in puff pastry. We all had bites of everything and they were wonderful. For entrees, two of us had the filet with shiitakes, two had the double stuffed lobster. My filet was cooked absolutely perfectly and the meat was very high quality. I did not try the lobster but hubby loved it. We had the Grand Marnier souffle for dessert and it was very delicate and light. I'm not sure I'd go back. The food was good but the service was so poor it was really almost inexcusable in a restaurant of this caliber. It was reflected in the tip.

    (3)

  • Tamara M.

    For French Cuisine that's authentic served in ambience that's inviting and romantic, Bouchard's is where to go. Au'Ber , owner and head chef, gives attention to detail like no other. We sampled the entire menu and nothing was to disappoint. I recommend the pepper crusted scallops. Proper dress is required and be sure to have a reservation.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:30 pm - 9:3

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : No
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : No
    Attire : Dressy
    Ambience : Classy
    Noise Level : Quiet
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Bouchard Restaurant

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