Ti Bouchon: Ti is short for Petite, small, and a bouchon, as the logo suggests is a cork. But what is a Ti Bouchon? The answer can be found in Lyon, the second largest city in France, and, quite possibly, its gastronomic capital. The bouchons are small, intimate restaurants that offer generous helpings of flavorful foods, serve local wine in pitchers, and have a convivial, possibly boisterous, atmosphere. About 20 of these bistros have formed a group, produced the logo to the right, and laid down a few rules for authentic bouchons. Ti Bouchon aspires to replicate the food, the wine, and the experience of an authentic bouchon on the wrap-around porch of a colorfully refurbished Créole cottage in French Cul de Sac.
Ti Bouchon is closed for the summer holidays. We will re-open on 3 October with a new and more authentic French menu, with the same team: Thierry as chef and Roger as sous-chef. After the re-opening we will work only on the blackboard with fresh specials. We might have snails are in creamy, garlicky broth, covered with puff pastry or eggs en meurette: eggs poached in a wine-based broth and served with pearl onions, mushrooms, and more. Possibly you cold try our version of the local fish soup or our remake of frogs legs with a parsley butter sauce and a millefeuille of celery. Before you order, always check the specials because there are always surprises in the Caribbean.
We will usually have a mixed seafood platter. If the monkfish looks good we might feature some in a rich Burgundy sauce and we have done our seabass in a light orange and grapefruit butter sauce. We have featured pork filet mignon has a cinnamon and raisin reduction sauce. Beef tenderloin Rossini is sure to please. Finish your meal with a cheese plate or one of our several desserts, and if the apples look good, try thin slices cooked in orange juice with warm ricotta and honey. The local wines in Lyon would be the Beaujolais and the Maconnaise to the north of Lyon and the Rhones to the south. Good sturdy wines, known more for power than perfume. We have them plus many more.
But it is better to experience the fun, food, and wine than to read about it. Come visit us on your next visit to St Martin. We are small and strive to serve the freshest food available, so we would really appreciate a reservation.