This replica of a Parisian bistro is the kind of restaurant you hesitate to tell anyone about, for, next time when you want to reserve, they may be all booked up. Small, intimate, with country French furniture and paintings, this store-front in the Town and Country Center has become an "insiders" spot for the last 20 or so years. Its menu is constantly the same and consistently good. Service by the owners and two assistants is cheerful and competent; you often see people you saw the last time you ate there because this place draws a steady, repeat clientele. Carrot soup-I first enjoyed it here- and enjoy it in winter. Their onion soup is also great. Mussels in broth and laced with garlic is my husband's favorite starter. For "mains," their list is small and selective-roast duck with green peppercorn sauce, tarragon chicken, a lovely boeuf bourguignonne, duck a la orange-all are prepared the same, but almost perfect every time. During winter, on occasion they'll prepare a scrumptious cassoulet, the most elegant bean dish you'll ever have. It takes hours to make; we've done it,a la Julia,many times, so appreciate it when others do the work for us.
Listed on a blackboard with their prices, desserts are invariably good and irresistible, with lemon tart, bavarian cream, and creme brulee the standouts for us.
Selectively, we've recommended the Bonne Bouffe to friends who have later raved about it and thanked us enthusiastically. It's a special "find."