If you look at any dining guide for Newport, RI, you are always going to see one restaurant near the top. That restaurant is Bouchard, on Lower Thames Street. This stalwart of French cuisine is generally crowded, requires reservations, and gets lots of 5 star ratings. We were recently out with friends during Newport Restaurant Week, where the local eateries offer prix fixe menus at a reduced price to entice people to come and see what they are all about. Generally we avoid restaurant week as we have had some bad experiences. The menus are limited and many restaurants undoubtedly cut corners to avoid losing their shirts at the prices offered. But this was Bouchard, and honestly we had sort of forgotten that restaurant week was still going on. It was dinner with two good friends so how bad could it be?
Again, this is Bouchard, so it turned out to be very good. The restaurant is elegant and cozy, with tables flowing in a rather 
narrow dining area that goes from the front to the back of the restaurant. There is a tiny bar you can see when you arrive, but it is a functional serving area only. You can’t really sit there. Overall it has the feeling of eating in someone’s very elegant dining room. That’s certainly OK with us.
Numanthia Toro ‘Termes’
The wine list here is very good, and a little pricey. You’ll be hard presses to find something under $40, and really $50 is more like it. There is lots to choose from however. We ended up going with Spanish wine in the French establishment, a Numanthia Toro Termes, which is always good. This bottle was pretty excellent, in keeping with our experience of past vintages. It was young with lots of rich berry character.
The special menu did have a few choices available at the bottom from the usual menu, and they were of course some of the best ones. We all went for the 3 course prix fixe options though,
An elegant setting
with appetizers consisting of tuna tartare, a goat cheese ravioli and the house pate. The pate was served with two large slices of bread for spreading. Everything was eagerly consumed and declared excellent. My choice was the tartare, and it was very fresh and seasoned well with some crisp greens on top.
For entrees two ordered the Sole “Wellington” Oscar, wrapped in puff pastry with crab and asparagus. The remaining two members of the party both had the “Saint Nazaire” Steak, a filet of sirloin finished with a port wine sauce, horseradish and bacon. Once again everyone declared their satisfaction with their food. My steak was perfectly cooked and the sauce was tangy and rich. We should mention that these were properly sized plates as well. No one was going hungry here.
Dessert at Bouchard is pretty special, and one of our party always gets the Creme Brulee. Another has a very strong
The apple tart with cinnamon ice cream
affinity for Creme Anglaise. Fortunately for them both were available, with the Creme Anglaise served with a pumpkin souffle. Both Cheri and I had the apple tart with cinnamon ice cream. Everything was delicious.
We have never had anything but an excellent dining experience at Bouchard. Add in the impeccable service and the relaxed atmosphere and it’s difficult to go wrong here. They shined even during Restaurant Week.
Not inexpensive, but very, very good. Our wallet is out for Bouchard, just not as often as we wish it could be!
A votre santé!
The particulars:
Bouchard Inn & Restaurant
505 Thames Street
Newport, RI 02840
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