Bouchon & Domain Chandon Yountville - A Day Full of Surprises
Another trip to Yountville. Every girl needs some quality time with her ladies, and YV is the perfect place to do so.
First stop: Sweet Goodies
Bouchon Bakery
Address: 6528 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599
Phone Number: (707) 944-2253
The last time we came, we got to Bouchon Bakery too late, so we were not able to grab some goodies. We weren't going to let that happen this time. I knew that there was a fire at the Bakery in September so their macarons were not going to be available. It was all good. Anything from the bakery would be great.
I was correct when there weren't any macarons to be found, but I did make it out of there with a couple TKO's, bouchons, a pumpkin muffin, a blueberry muffin, a coffee cake, and a bread pudding! From the look on my sister and husband's faces, they liked them a lot.
Next stop: Lunch!
Bouchon
Address: 6534 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599
Phone Number: (707) 944-8037
Cuisine: French
After grabbing our loot from Bouchon Bakery, we had to figure out where to eat lunch before heading to our wine tasting. Bouchon is just steps away from the bakery, so why not? We didn't have a reservation, but it was not going to hurt to try. There were so many other places to try like Chiarello's place across the way and a bunch of other spots down Washington.
It was okay because we got in! w00t!
I went to Bouchon Bistro in Las Vegas last year during my *surprise* bachelorette weekend. The one in Yountville is a lot smaller, but the interior with it's burgandies and velvet banquets is gorgeous. We perused the menu. My ladies are rad. We usually don't order the same thing because we want to share with each other. We coordinate so everyone has a taste. We made our decisions and waited for the server...however! The server began to recite the specials of the day and our decisions made from the menu were thrown out the window.
This was one of the specials and we were lucky to grab the last ones from the kitchen. I love how it looks like a painter's palette.
Not the best shot, sorry, I was rushing. I do admit, I found them to be a little small. When I thought beignets, I pictured the fantabulous ones I ate at Brenda's a few months ago. Okay, I understand this IS Kellerville. Dainty portions.
No matter the size, I loved how SWEET the lobster was. The buttery sauces and pickled berries both complimented with rich and tart flavors. We even used our bread to sweep up the remaining sauce. Delicious.
Prior to the deliverance of the daily specials, I was set to order the steak frites. Something about seared scallops always makes me stop and change my mind. Plus she said my favorite 4-letter "F" word - FOIE.
Presented in an All-Clad pan, the scallops were served with a kale cake, lobster knuckles, mushrooms, and that luscious sauce. I wish they had more of it on there! It was sweet yet had this richness and velvety mouthfeel. Glo-ri-ous. You know how scallops are supposed to melt in your mouth? Yes, these did. This was a very filling entree. I was struggling after 1.5 scallops. Great to have girls to share with...but then again, they were struggling with their's too...in a good way of course:
This is on the regular menu at Bouchon: roasted chicken, bacon lardons, cippolini onions & Lyonnaise potatoes with chicken jus. Seriously this is everything you would want in a roasted chicken entree. LARDONS give hard-ons. Remember that. The chicken itself was tender and the onions were nice and sweet. Delish.
The plate also consisted of mushrooms, beans, and radish. I'm not a lamb person, but of course I tried it. It was good! The meat just fell off the bone because it was braised beautifully.
We decided not to order wine because of our upcoming wine tasting and we didn't get dessert because we already bought sweets from the bakery earlier. We asked for the check and were completely surprised by what the server told us:
Server: Do you recall the blonde lady who was sitting at the next table when you were seated?
Us: Yes...
Me in my head: Oh crap, we pissed her off with our talking. -sidenote- we were talking about restaurants and I did notice her looking over. I thought we were annoying her, so we quieted our speech.
Server: She said she would pay for two of your entrees because she appreciated young ladies dining at nice restaurants...
We were floored. Completely, utterly floored. I mean, who does that? I was ready for the server to say we ruined the lady's dinner or something, but this was a shock. Truth be told, this totally made our day. I asked if she left her name or how to reach her because I wanted to send her my gratitude, but the server said no. Even as we were walking out of Bouchon, we were wondering why someone would bless us like that. Wherever this awesome lady is, she knows who she is and what she did and I hope something great will happen to her too. Praise God, that's all I can say.
Final Stop: Bubbles
Domain Chandon
Address: 1 California Drive, Yountville, CA 94599
Phone Number: (888) 242-6366
Oh Domain Chandon, I heart thee. We are treated like royalty whenever we are here. Let's just say we didn't have to spend a penny at the tasting room, expect for one truffled popcorn...but then again we got another order of popcorn for free-ninety nine. I guess it does pay to be a Chandon Member!
As far as wine goes, we tried everything from (my favorite) the sparkling red, rose, classic extra dry riche, reserved Chardonnay brut, and a few more I don't remember (ha!). Bubbles, gossip, and blackmail conversations are the best especially on those comfy couches in the reserved member section.
Bliss.
Every girl needs a day like this. Thank you to my ladies, Rozz and Jenn.
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