Bouchon Bakery

(212) 823-9366

10 Columbus Cir (Cross Streets 59th Street Entrance)
New York, NY 10019 40.7679 -73.9826

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Neighborhoods: Clinton, Midtown

BOUCHONBAKERY.COM

Price:

$

Last updated 4.12.12

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Business Dining, View Dining

Notable Chef:

Thomas Keller

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Bouchon Bakery

Featured Review

Erin Behan

Contributor

The Scene – The open-mall seating overlooks an expansive wall of windows with a Columbus Circle view and manages to feel removed from the humming escalators and J.Crew shoppers. A bustling crew of sage green-shirted servers whisk plates of luncheon and light dinner favorites to power lunchers, tourists, and ladies who lunch. – – The Food – Fresh baked bread, impeccably brewed iced tea: These sort of details make dining a pleasure despite the relative simplicity of the offerings. Among the sandwiches, the tartine of roast pork tonnato impresses with a delicate balance…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Reservations are not accepted, and you'll have to wait during prime dining hours. Know that accepting a seat at the high-topped communal table usually guarantees immediate seating.
Save Time:
If you're in a rush, head to the take-out counter to the left of the restaurant. It's also good to swing by the pastry case before sitting down to eat, that way you know exactly what you'll want for dessert.
What to Drink:
Besides the great iced tea, there's a full espresso menu, wine by the glass and carafe and bottled beer.
The Extras:
Thomas Keller's restaurant Per Se is one floor up.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Bouchon is plopped into the suburban mall in this very urban location, with a view out the immense window onto Columbus Circle that is truly impressive.”
  2. “Great food, great surrounding, great view, VERY friendly waiters who know their job (they don't treath you like you're just a number, like most newyorkers do).”
  3. “It's a great place to meet a girl friend for a quick bite before shows and "girl" dates, and I always let my out-of-town friends have the seat facing out - to get a breath-taking view of the 59th and Columbus Circle.”
  4. “Although, I must admit that the seating situation didn't look too comfortable so I just took it to go.”
  5. “Honestly, I love the food, location, and atmosphere at Bouchon.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “had the chocolate bouchons, which were a good size (three mini brownies) and ice cream.”
  2. “The figs on top were cloyingly sweet, the figs in the middle of the cake were a pleasant component.”
  3. “The coffee cake was tasty, much better than yr average entenmann's loaf (though about a third as much, portion-wise, for the same).”
  4. “The fig pound cake had the right consistency, and I'd say it was the most pleasant texture of anything I ate from there.”
drinks
78.5699987411499% positive
  1. “Setting aside the astronomical prices for very small portions, the service at the counter is usually apathetic at best, and the food is mediocre (although the coffee is actually pretty good).”
  2. “Overall, it's a great bakery for a pastry pit-stop or coffee-reading, especially if you are dining alone, but not so much for food.”
  3. “Horrible coffee service”
  4. “The bar was pretty cool.”
  5. “also loved the coffee.”
  6. “The coffee cake was tasty, much better than yr average entenmann's loaf (though about a third as much, portion-wise, for the same).”
  7. “The service at the bar was super friendly and very helpful when trying to choose from a menu where everything looks yummy.”
food quality
89.46999549865723% positive
  1. “walked into the bakery because I really like Keller's food.”
  2. “came to Bouchon for "cheap" eats, but was floored by the attention to detail from the beautiful wax covered knotted bread to the intense flavor of my chicken noodle soup.”
  3. “Today, they set a flame-thrower to the beautiful, fluffy ham and cheese croissant sandwich ($6) that I asked to be "warmed up”
  4. “Great value, excellent services and great food.”
  5. “Honestly, I love the food, location, and atmosphere at Bouchon.”
  6. “The coffee cake was tasty, much better than yr average entenmann's loaf (though about a third as much, portion-wise, for the same).”
  7. “The special pistachio nut with marmalade and creme brulee tart was great.”
  8. “The food is rich, so don't be upset by the small portions.”
  9. “Overall, it's a great bakery for a pastry pit-stop or coffee-reading, especially if you are dining alone, but not so much for food.”
  10. “What a shock when I couldn't order some french bread, a baguette, or some brioche to go.”
  11. “Great food, great surrounding, great view, VERY friendly waiters who know their job (they don't treath you like you're just a number, like most newyorkers do).”
  12. “Good food, very sketchy service”
  13. “recommend the tuna salad sandwhich or whatever is the special that day.”
  14. “Setting aside the astronomical prices for very small portions, the service at the counter is usually apathetic at best, and the food is mediocre (although the coffee is actually pretty good).”
  15. “great sandwiches”
  16. “The service at the bar was super friendly and very helpful when trying to choose from a menu where everything looks yummy.”
  17. “love the food, but I can't stand the service.”
  18. “We finally decided to share the endive blue cheese and candied walnut salad, I ordered the tomato soup w/ grilled fontina cheese sandwich (sooo good), and my friend chose the ham & cheese baguette which was also tasty.”
  19. “She also enjoyed her grilled vegetable sandwich (don't know the French name).”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The service at the bar was super friendly and very helpful when trying to choose from a menu where everything looks yummy.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “It's a great place to meet a girl friend for a quick bite before shows and "girl" dates, and I always let my out-of-town friends have the seat facing out - to get a breath-taking view of the 59th and Columbus Circle.”
service
77.77999877929688% positive
  1. “Setting aside the astronomical prices for very small portions, the service at the counter is usually apathetic at best, and the food is mediocre (although the coffee is actually pretty good).”
  2. “Good food, very sketchy service”
  3. “Their policy to not seat you until everyone in your party arrives is obnoxious, but the staff is not rude about it, at least.”
  4. “Horrible coffee service”
  5. “Can't believe the bad quality and service”
  6. “love the food, but I can't stand the service.”
  7. “The service was great.”
  8. “Great food, great surrounding, great view, VERY friendly waiters who know their job (they don't treath you like you're just a number, like most newyorkers do).”
  9. “The service at the bar was super friendly and very helpful when trying to choose from a menu where everything looks yummy.”
value
70.0% positive
  1. “Setting aside the astronomical prices for very small portions, the service at the counter is usually apathetic at best, and the food is mediocre (although the coffee is actually pretty good).”
  2. “Perhaps my expectations were to blame, but mediocrity is even more offensive when the arrival of this place is so anticipated and the prices are so, well, proud.”
  3. “Great value, excellent services and great food.”
  4. “The food is rich, so don't be upset by the small portions.”
  5. “came to Bouchon for "cheap" eats, but was floored by the attention to detail from the beautiful wax covered knotted bread to the intense flavor of my chicken noodle soup.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “It's a great place to meet a girl friend for a quick bite before shows and "girl" dates, and I always let my out-of-town friends have the seat facing out - to get a breath-taking view of the 59th and Columbus Circle.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/27/10

Fantistic Macarons and Great for Single Dining

by silverblue , Citysearch Contributor

I've been here three times now... the first time was a quick snack stop at the bakery for a few Valentine's Day macarons. The second time was for a cup of coffee while I read a book on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The third time was a lone quiet dinner at the cafe. First of all, I absolutely loved the Macarons and think that they are one of the best I've ever had! The raspberry-filled heart-shaped one for V-Day was so addictive I couldn't have enough of it. The vanilla and coconut ones were equally delish! I also loved the coffee. But when it came to the sandwich, I tried the yummy-sounding Butternut Squash de Champagne Sandwich, but thought it could've been much better with less grease and more flavor. Overall, it's a great bakery for a pastry pit-stop or coffee-reading, especially if you are dining alone, but not so much for food. Also a bit pricey for the open atmosphere, but hey it's Columbus Circle!

  • Pros: Huge Macarons, Great Cappuccino
  • Cons: Mediocre sandwich
1 Star Rating: Poor

06/19/09

Can't believe the bad quality and service

by Dough

I walked into the bakery because I really like Keller's food. I then asked for 1 of every cookie type the bakery had. The person behind the counter did not understand me, I then repeated my request 3 more times in different ways. I then just gave up and pointed to what I wanted.

The packaging was beautiful, so I waited to share them with my very pregnant wife. I got home and gave her the first taste of the cookies. To my surprise, she asked me to taste it because it tasted funny. I did and the cookie was turned, sour and not edible. Can you believe it. They cannot even make a cookie with butter and it turns out to be inedible.

I then called the bakery to tell them about them that they are selling product that be detrimental to someone. The manager actually asked for my address so they could send me more product.

I really don't know why Keller would lend his name to this bakery but he needs to change a lot if he wants repeat customers

  • Cons: inedible cookies and extremely poor service
3 Star Rating: Average

03/04/09

AMAZING food but really BAD service full of attitude

by rikkard

If Thomas Keller knew how bad his staff treated their customers he would be appauled. I love the food, but I can't stand the service. They are not helpful, but rude all the time. I'd rather have cheaper, not quite as good food and be treated well.

  • Pros: the food
  • Cons: the service is about the worst in NY
4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/21/08

Best Place for Breakfast...

by alexastar

I came here for lunch with some friends and ordered breakfast...which is normal for me. I love breakfast!!

Anyway, I got the Bouchon and a diet coke. A little on the steep side but it was yummy yummy. .

I'll definitely be back again for breakfast and lunch!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/15/08

The best baguette in New York!

by letharchik

I was so happy with the baguettes there! They taste just like the ones in Paris... better than the PAUL franciase baguettes (France and England). I was craving a baguette so much that I was ready to go to Paris again just for that (and some crepes...and the art)...but I no longer need to do that. This is the place for the best baguettes... you don't need to go to France.

Although, I must admit that the seating situation didn't look too comfortable so I just took it to go.

  • Pros: baguettes, cafe creme
  • Cons: snobby people around you

The Details on Bouchon Bakery

Place Categories:

  • great food
  • super friendly service
  • best baguette
  • like bouchon bakery
  • unpleasant place
  • great sandwiches
  • sketchy coffee service
  • stupid customers
  • pretty good coffee
  • slightly bad comment
  • even more offensive mediocrity
  • good ice cream
  • absolutely loved macarons
  • good size
  • love location
  • good measure
  • beautiful wax
  • tasty coffee cake
  • good mini brownies
  • not rude staff
  • great late lunch
  • great special pistachio nut
  • great value
  • friendly waiters
  • love atmosphere

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