Sheila's Reviews

I have visitted La Bouchee on several occasions, but never again. As a lunch spot it is OK, provied there are not many customers. The space is very limitted. Menu is over priced. You really will know every word spoken on the table next to you. The tables are so close together that it is near impossible to take your seat without disturbing adjacent customers. The food is generally well prepared and well presented, though generally over salted for my taste. The service is pretty tolerable as a norm. So why did it score so low? The last time I ate there the place was packed. One female customer started brushing her hair at the table (an American if you were wondering). The gentleman sat on the adjent table mid-way through his main course (that would be about 6 inches / 15 cm away) requested politely that she retire to the powder room to “groom”. A huge argument followed during which the manager re-seated the gentleman in another room and said not a word to the grooming female. Let's just say we did not order dessert and made a hastey retreat. I was only two tables away (approx a meter) and the hair brushing disgusted me to the extent that I did not eat further. Will never go back. With place like the excellent Racine a mere 5 minute walk away, serving better food in a similar price bracket, with a far superior wine list and delightful staff, why would you bother with La Bouchee?

Atmosphere scores low because teh dining area is in the basement, so not a great lunch time venue. Not to mention the main dining area is tepanyaki tables, where food smells are a bit distracting and there is a lack of privacy. The sushi bar is a bit cramped when it is full too. However despite this poor atmosphere I do keep returning (I call it my rainy day lunch place!). The lunch box is really a treat and provides really good traditional Japanese dishes. Some of special lunch menu items I find make poor combinations, such as mixing fried food and sushi, but the soba is excellent. Tepanyaki is not my thing, but if you want to entertain the kids, it is fun whilst ofering a better standard than Benehana (spelling?).
The suhi bar offers excellent standard sushi / sashimi etc. It is pretty expensive, but the quality of ingreients and preparation justifies the price. Desert looks lovely, but I have not yet had spce to try.