Le Bouchon du Grove Awards

Le Bouchon du Grove Restaurant Review:

At this neighborhood bistro in the heart of Coconut Grove, much of the homey charm is the setting: an actual house with a wall of glass doors that open onto an expansive, friendly-feeling front dining porch. Here, French-trained chef Christian Ville turns out simple but solid French fare to match the setting. Archetypal dishes such as gratinée onion soup topped with blistering Swiss cheese, snails in garlic and parsley butter, mussels in piping white wine and shallots served alongside proper fries, homemade terrine of duck foie gras, and steak frites (entrecôte with hearty shallot red wine sauce and fries reminiscent of Belgium's double-fried batons) are among the best in the city. For something a bit more refined, the filet mignon au poivre with Cognac sauce, haricots verts and potatoes au gratin or duck leg confit with mushroom sauce and duck fat-roasted potatoes fit the mold. Do as the French do and have fromage of the day for dessert, or if the American in you demands sugar, the traditional apple tart will satisfy your craving.