I still like to think of Bouquet as an undiscovered gem in Northern Kentucky, I first went there just a few weeks after it opened and I was absolutely blown away by how exquisite their food was. I told pretty much everyone I knew about it, and maybe it helped (probably it was fate) but Bouquet is no longer that undiscovered gem, it's become a fine polished stone synonymous with top-notch gastronomy in Northern Kentucky.
And they deserve every accolade they receive!
While every subsequent visit has been just as good, what impressed me most by my most recent dining experience was the above and beyond, first class service we received .... oh and the food was STILL excellent!
We were a large party and had gotten the relatively new upstairs private room. One of our clan was stuck in Dayton, Ohio for work and was running late. Which honestly no one much minded because the rest of us had time to drink a cocktail and work on the cheese plate we'd ordered. Someone decided to order the Sweet Potato Flatbread and I will be forever in their debt. Such a perfect amalgamation of flavors that, frankly words can't do justice but taste buds will instantly understand.
Though as we plowed into our second round of drinks I was worried our bartender must be getting annoyed. It wasn't until about 50 minutes after we were supposed to be seated that our tardy final guest arrived. Then after another round of drinks to let him catch his breath, we shuffled into the dining room to our tables.
I imagined the bartender was probably glad to see us depart, but I was a tad worried when I saw that our bartender was also our server for the whole evening. I thought he might try to rush us through the rest of the night. So many great meals are ruined by a server eager to turn over the tables or get home at the end of the night.
My trepidation was completely misplaced.
For many of our group it was their first journey to Bouquet and had questions about the menu and ingredients, some of the queries were probably a tad rudimentary -- but our server answered each one and gave some really great recommendations to people on the fence about entrées (though to be fair, you can't really choose a "bad" entrée at Bouquet.)
Some bottles of wine were passed around, while appetizers, soups, and salads arrived. "Ooohs" and "aaahs" were exchanged like Christmas gifts. Each guest loving what they'd ordered but I think like me, secretly coveting the tantalizing "other" dishes now taunting them from across the table or across the room.
Finally the entrées arrived -- rib-eyes, pork chops, fried chicken, and for me a Sesame Seed Encrusted Tofu with a side order of Brussels Sprouts. Every bite was culinary magic! In fact I always thought I hated Brussels Sprouts until I first had them at Bouquet a few years back -- now I never miss ordering them when they're on their menu.
As the meal wrapped up and the dessert menus went around our server was still genial and made us all feel like we had all the time in the world to order. Sadly I was now forced to endure that Sweet Potato Flatbread's revenge -- I couldn't even give the dessert menu more than a cursory glance. My overstuffed turmoil was aggravated by listening to everyone rave about their selections. Next time I dine there I'll have to remember to skip lunch to make sure I don't suffer that same fate!
When the meal finally ended, well over three and a half hours after it was supposed to begin, and the restaurant downstairs empty except for a few people drinking wine at the bar, I made sure I personally thanked our server and casually asked him for his name. So James -- that was some exquisite service, you raised the bar on everyone's dining experience and made an always terrific meal even better! Thank-you and thank-you to everyone behind the scenes whom I didn't get to thank personally.
I can hardly wait until my next visit! read more