Lunch with Thomas Keller. Kinda.

So while Mr. Broad and I were strolling along the street of New York City, desperately trying not to slip, we decided to go to Time Warner Center. It's actually an indoor mall (a MALL! like the suburbs!) with two of the best (well, most expensive) restaurants in all of New York City.

While we really wanted to just SEE where the famed Masa and Per Se were, we got stopped visually. By a different place I have been dying to try.

Bouchon Bakery

Ten Columbus Circle (3rd floor)

Bouchon Bakery is part of the Thomas Keller umbrella of restaurants. It is exponentially easier to get into (you don't even need a reservation!) opposed to French Laundry or Per Se which can easily take a year, even though you can only book 2 months in advance.

So Bouchon Bakery is "lower scale" and has more of the french pastries, salads, and sandwiches but with slightly increased prices for you to realize it's better quality. Because higher prices = better food, right??

There is a to-go pastry counter where you can get more pastries and some other pre-made items. But you KNOW Mr. Broad and I had to sit down.

Bouchon Bakery is in the middle of the mall on the 3rd floor. You get a pretty good view of everything and directly over Columbus Circle, however, Mr. Broad kept commenting how he just can't get over the "you are eating at mall" feel. Which was fine. But keep in mind this wasn't Five Guys prices and was pretty "open".

Mr. Broad right away went for the "special":
Pork 3 ways.

Waitress: And our last special is Pork 3 ways.
Mr. Broad (with an evil grin on): Oooh
Waitress: I take it you like pork?
Mr. Broad: (sarcastically) Slightly. Can you explain the "three ways."

Waitress: Well, there is trotter, crispy skin over mache, and rillettes. And the way I describe the last one, is if you are familiar with tuna fish it has a similar texture to that.
Mr. Broad: Yes, please.

The left was the trotter (pig's feet), the middle was the rillette, then the green salad (mache) with pig's skin tossed in there. And then of course some toast for the rillettes. And of course, best thing on the meal? The tuna fish look-alike, the rilletes were great! Slightly resembling foie gras (only based on texture) it had a smooth pork feel. Mr. Broad was happy.

Me, however, I got a sandwich.

Smoked turkey with apple butter on pecan bread. Now there's a flavor you don't get much of- apple butter. The sandwich was not on their website so I wonder if this is more of a seasonal item, but man does apple butter get underutilized as a condiment. It was a very nice pairing with the smoked turkey. It also came with mixed green salad on the side.

So those familiar with Bouchon Bakery, know the main things they specialize in. I mean when the word Bakery is in the title, you have to try their guest of honor. While they have some pastries that you can get sitting down, this is one place you order with your eyes. Oh and big eyes they were.

I'll have one of those flourless chocolate cakes in the middle there.

Aah yes, and one of those nutter butter cookies on the right. And that large oreo Christmas tree cookie you don't see in the picture.

And because every pastry deserved their picture taken:

We brought the 3 pastries to our friend's house, "The Italianos", for dinner that night where we were all judges. While all visually appeasing some had their favorites. Mrs. Italiano enjoyed the large oreo cookie in a shape of a Christmas Tree. I must concur, if there was a way to mass produce this cookie Bouchon would have a run for Nabisco's money. Being the peanut butter fan I am, the nutter butter cookie was one of my favorites. The chocolate cake, while eaten by all, was a bit dry for my liking- often how I imagine a flourless cake turns out.

Review:
Bouchon Bakery is a very low key place to get a sandwich, a pastry, or coffee. Sit back and relax from all that shopping you've done at and enjoy the view of Columbus Circle while sipping your espresso. Get an over priced salad or sandwich and then enjoy a nice dessert. While this place is good if you are in the area, next time I'm heading straight to the dessert counter for some slightly less pricy pastries. Their pastries change often so we'll see what Valentine's Day bring. Oh but Mr. Keller, mind selling that apple butter? Thanks.

Grade: B