Family brunch at Bouchon Bistro

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Ever since my professional growth has led me to meet some of the world's best chefs and my friends and I used to go the extra mile to eat at the best restaurants in the Philippines we could afford (including holes-in-the-wall, take note), I became curious about restaurant with Michelin star ratings.


Because I'm now based in the SF Bay Area, I've been scouting for restaurants with Michelin ratings BUT have remained reasonably priced for regular folk.

The first one I tried with Anna (as always, wanting to eat "sa masarap") was Bouchon Bistro in Yountville CA. We ended up talking ad nauseam about how great the lunch menu was with our parents that they wanted to experience the one-Michelin star dining experience too. Take note that the food options there are within the same price range as the high-quality but not exorbitant restaurants in Concord. In other words, a place we could eat at once every blue moon.

Anyway, we trooped to Bouchon Bistro for Sunday brunch. We didn't make a reservation in advance because we're willing to wait an hour for a table, whiling our time by walking around town. But our table was ready within 15 minutes (not so bad!) so our tour was stopped short... just past a park with a fireman statue.


Bouchon Bistro was PACKED! But despite the busy vibe, our servers made us feel special and unhurried. They provided some of those yummy bread and butter to whet our appetites as we picked our brunches off the menu. I also ordered the fromages du jour three-cheese platter and rillettes aux deux saumons (salmon bread spread, two ways) as appetisers.

Swollen face; swollen fingers; swollen feet. But growing baby in the belly. That's me for the time being. I have to keep my rings off until after the swelling has subsided.

Mommy opted to try the truite Amandine (trout); Anna ordered the steak frites but she subbed the potatoes with a side salad; Daddy got poulet rôti (roasted chicken); and I chose the moules au safran avec frites à la truffe (mussels in white wine, mustard, and saffron sauce; served with truffle French fries). We were so stuffed with our brunch that we didn't even think about getting dessert. We NEEDED to walk off our tummies!

At the end of our meal, I was happy that Mommy and Daddy enjoyed their first Michelin restaurant experience (as evidenced by the wiped out plates). We should find another place to try out, for next time!

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