Has anybody been here?

3705 W Memorial Rd #707, Oklahoma City, OK 73112

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bonjour/309531822590944

I've read that a guy that was at Guernsey is running it. I haven't been, but its doing well in the reviews.

Yes, Vuong Ngyuen is owner/operator of the place.

The food was good the one time I made it up there. It's a bit out of the way for me to go frequently.

Never been, but if it tastes even 1/2 as good as it looks on their FB page, I may need to set aside my aversion to driving to the north side for a meal.

My wife and I went a couple of Sundays ago. Food was good and creative. Not fabulous, but a fair way above average.

That looks fantastic.

I went there today. I liked it a lot. Hope to go many times more cause everything on the menu looked good.

I really like this place. Highly recommend it.

There aren't too many seats though. I talked with Vuong's sister (co-owner) and she mentioned they have plans to add more seating along with opening for dinner.

We've been there multiple times, ordered different things each time (but only breakfast, we're going to try lunch next time), everything is really good (except the croissants - not enough butter), but the crabcake benedict is fantastic - it uses crabcakes instead of English muffins, wow... Coffee is great too - Cafe Du Monde chicory mixed with some cocoa, can't get enough. Not sure how they will add more seating unless they move into neighboring spaces in the strip mall, and I believe there are tenants on both sides of them. Glad they added table service instead of doing the "line up at the counter" thing, chef said they just couldn't handle the counter service now that they're getting busier. Definitely one of our fave breakfast places (and the fact that they're open until 4 PM on Saturday is a big plus for us)!

My experience here was great. My only wish were that it was in Midtown or Paseo or somewhere a bit closer.

You can't have all the great places to eat!

You can't have all the great places to eat!

No kidding. I think the only breakfast places in that area are jimmys egg, all about cha (does that count?), and first watch? I am hoping to try first watch this weekend. I'm aware its a national chain but have never been.

No kidding. I think the only breakfast places in that area are jimmys egg, all about cha (does that count?), and first watch? I am hoping to try first watch this weekend. I'm aware its a national chain but have never been.

There's also Joey's Cafe on NW 122nd/May (a little further south), they're pretty good, a better/less-greasy Jimmy's Egg... Katie's is on 178th (or whatever it's called there)/Santa Fe, also fairly decent.

First Watch is decent, but nothing great, we like to think of them as a 2nd-rate Egg Harbor (place we went to lots when we lived in IL). Bonjour pretty much kicks the crap out of anything at First Watch. :)

Can't compare First Watch and Bonjour...are totally different concepts appealing to two totally different markets. Both are good for the markets they are trying to appeal to.

Tried Bonjour for the first time today and it was really good! It was very busy and fairly slow but we were not in a hurry and that wasn't a problem but beware if you are on a time crunch. The food was excellent. Really, really good and the people at the next table were regulars and said it is one of their favorite casual places in OKC. Don't expect a fancy decor or atmosphere - more cafe like I guess. But we will definately be going back!

It's currently my fave place in OKC. They're looking into opening for dinner and re-vamping the place too.

It needs a little revamp, in order for the decor to match the food, very strip-mally. Having said that, however, we eat there often, mainly breakfast (the crab cake benedict - OMG), but had lunch there last time - salmon linguine and croque madame, pretty awesome, have to try the rest of their lunch menu. Chef comes out and chats each time, so that's pretty cool, get to ask him how he does certain things, like how the coffee's not just Cafe Du Monde chicory, but it along with some spices (we fell in love with chicory coffee on our trips to NOLA, and his coffee is like Cafe Du Monde's on steroids). One of our regular places. And BTW, Thomas, I know you were thinking about trying First Watch - don't bother if you like Bonjour, not even close, we went there for the first time in about a year, had to step over a towel on the floor in front of the cash register, wait almost 10 minutes for a server (when they only had 4 other tables occupied), and the food was pretty much tasteless (how do you de-rye rye bread to make it taste like white and the home fries had *no* seasoning at all, among other things)...

I love Bonjour's coffee! They blend it from a couple different beans they buy in the Asian District.

It needs a little revamp, in order for the decor to match the food, very strip-mally. Having said that, however, we eat there often, mainly breakfast (the crab cake benedict - OMG), but had lunch there last time - salmon linguine and croque madame, pretty awesome, have to try the rest of their lunch menu. Chef comes out and chats each time, so that's pretty cool, get to ask him how he does certain things, like how the coffee's not just Cafe Du Monde chicory, but it along with some spices (we fell in love with chicory coffee on our trips to NOLA, and his coffee is like Cafe Du Monde's on steroids). One of our regular places. And BTW, Thomas, I know you were thinking about trying First Watch - don't bother if you like Bonjour, not even close, we went there for the first time in about a year, had to step over a towel on the floor in front of the cash register, wait almost 10 minutes for a server (when they only had 4 other tables occupied), and the food was pretty much tasteless (how do you de-rye rye bread to make it taste like white and the home fries had *no* seasoning at all, among other things)...

I've already been, and can confirm. Bonjour's chocolate milk is worth mentioning too.

I love Bonjour's coffee! They blend it from a couple different beans they buy in the Asian District.

Interesting, the chef told me he made it from the Cafe Du Monde coffee & chicory (in the orangey can, same as we buy), but add spices...

I may be confused. His sister was telling my they buy a couple different beans at the Asian district, or so I thought. I know they blend it themselves.

I'll get details next time I'm in, which should be in 2-3 weeks, lol...

I go almost every Sunday. The breakfast reuben is my go-to. I love their homemade ketchup too!

^ I want to try the the regular reuben. I liked the breakfast one, and their ketchup is good! I get a chocolate milk every time I go. Like everything else, they make it.

Since Chef Nguyen is leaving, anybody know if he was able to train enough other cooks/chefs to keep Bonjour open? Seriously hope so...

You sure he's leaving? I know he helps out at gigglezz after his bonjour hours...

You sure he's leaving? I know he helps out at gigglezz after his bonjour hours...

. . . per Smithsonian article. . .

. . . per Smithsonian article. . .


You have a link

. . . per Smithsonian article. . .

I know his cousin really well, he's not going anywhere, he said he traveled the world a few years ago, and now he's back in OKC building his empire.....

One of the other chefs, Harry (not sure if a place like Bonjour needs a sous chef necessarily), makes some of the stuff.

Anybody else find it odd that the smithsonian article was future dated to about a month from now (march 16?)

He's at Gigglez every night and will sit down and talk with you. I talked to him again last night, just visit and ask him.

You have a link

Oklahoma City Is Becoming a Hotspot for Vietnamese Food | Arts & Culture | Smithsonian (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/oklahoma-city-becoming-hotspot-vietnamese-food-180958096/?no-ist)

. . .

Anybody else find it odd that the smithsonian article was future dated to about a month from now (march 16?)

. . .no. . . the hardcopy article is in the March 16 issue of the Smithsonian magazine which usually hits my mailbox around the 20th of each month :)

I know his cousin really well, he's not going anywhere, he said he traveled the world a few years ago, and now he's back in OKC building his empire.....

You're wrong. From the Smithsonian article:

Last year Nguyen opened his own well-regarded breakfast and brunch eatery, Bonjour, just north of the Asian district. Go there sooner rather than later, because chef Nguyen isn’t staying in Oklahoma too much longer. This son of the immigrant experience—where people were so grateful to be in a stable, peaceful nation that they clung like barnacles to the new land—is preparing to head out into the vast world himself. As with many of his generation, the shy and retiring stereotype of his forebears no longer applies. “I want to expand my mind,” he says. “YouTube doesn’t do it for me anymore.” One of the first stops will be Vietnam, where he plans to work a “stage,” or short-term apprenticeship, in some of the country’s great eateries. “But I need to go, and soon. My wings are spread so far I’m hitting people in the face.”

You're wrong. From the Smithsonian article:

Last year Nguyen opened his own well-regarded breakfast and brunch eatery, Bonjour, just north of the Asian district. Go there sooner rather than later, because chef Nguyen isn’t staying in Oklahoma too much longer. This son of the immigrant experience—where people were so grateful to be in a stable, peaceful nation that they clung like barnacles to the new land—is preparing to head out into the vast world himself. As with many of his generation, the shy and retiring stereotype of his forebears no longer applies. “I want to expand my mind,” he says. “YouTube doesn’t do it for me anymore.” One of the first stops will be Vietnam, where he plans to work a “stage,” or short-term apprenticeship, in some of the country’s great eateries. “But I need to go, and soon. My wings are spread so far I’m hitting people in the face.”

I think he meant that he wasn't going to leave and stay away. He is going to travel, again, and learn from other regions. I understand it as he will be back in OKC after he does some travelling.

^^^ Yes, but the main point is that he *is* leaving, permanent or not. Which leaves Bonjour up in the air, I guess, for right now - if it was open today, I'd stop in and eat and ask, but won't be able to get there for few days...

But, but, but Tundra knows his cousin. :rolleyes:

Talked to Vuong today. Confirmed he's not leaving (anytime soon). The interview that the article was referencing took place 2 years ago.

I love to be right..........:banana:

You're wrong. From the Smithsonian article:

Last year Nguyen opened his own well-regarded breakfast and brunch eatery, Bonjour, just north of the Asian district. Go there sooner rather than later, because chef Nguyen isn’t staying in Oklahoma too much longer. This son of the immigrant experience—where people were so grateful to be in a stable, peaceful nation that they clung like barnacles to the new land—is preparing to head out into the vast world himself. As with many of his generation, the shy and retiring stereotype of his forebears no longer applies. “I want to expand my mind,” he says. “YouTube doesn’t do it for me anymore.” One of the first stops will be Vietnam, where he plans to work a “stage,” or short-term apprenticeship, in some of the country’s great eateries. “But I need to go, and soon. My wings are spread so far I’m hitting people in the face.”

Don't believe everything you read in those two bit hack magazines, like the Smithsonian

I feel bad for not knowing the Smithsonian existed before the topic of Vuong leaving. I also need to visit Gigglez to see what he's up to on the dinner side of things.

I feel bad for not knowing the Smithsonian existed before the topic of Vuong leaving. I also need to visit Gigglez to see what he's up to on the dinner side of things.

I've been to Bonjour 15-20 times and have never gotten anything I didn't like.....I would like to see what he's doing for dinner as well.

I've been to Bonjour 15-20 times and have never gotten anything I didn't like.....I would like to see what he's doing for dinner as well.

I've been there a fair amount of times. Had close to everything on their menu, in addition to some stuff not on the menu, but two things. Favorite items include the breakfast reuben, French B.E.L.T, and crabcake benedict.

Wanna investigate? I'd planned to go when they had a comedy show lined up, but I haven't seen anything since opening.

Talked to Vuong today. Confirmed he's not leaving (anytime soon). The interview that the article was referencing took place 2 years ago.

Major fail on Smithsonian's part, that's just ridiculous of them to put that in print if it's that old. I barely read them anymore, used to read it all the time, but stopped a few years ago when they just weren't up to the standards they used to be, which they still apparently aren't. Just sent a comment to Smithsonian calling them out on it...

Clung like barnacles to the new land??

I'm not a PC referee. And I'm vocal about my criticisms of certain Vietnamese business practices. But barnacles?

Barnacles are far and away associated with fouling ships. Increasing drag and costing more fuel to make a journey. I may be reading too much into that statement. And if that's the case, at any rate, it's an ignorant thing to write.

Clung like barnacles to the new land??

I'm not a PC referee. And I'm vocal about my criticisms of certain Vietnamese business practices. But barnacles?

Barnacles are far and away associated with fouling ships. Increasing drag and costing more fuel to make a journey. I may be reading too much into that statement. And if that's the case, at any rate, it's an ignorant thing to write.

Out of curiosity, what are your criticisms of Vietnamese business practices?

It's not an across the board criticism of a race or the OKC community. It's also not for forum style discussion like this so I'll not delve deep. Essentially it's frustration over buildings sat empty and crumbling, or businesses that baffle the mind how they are even in business...buildings still crumbling.

Miriwa restaurant and Truong Thana market are some major offenders. I and several colleagues have made offers on those buildings...bordering on the insane. The offers comes back like "we'll take double." Then you wonder if it's a game, then you wonder if it's a joke, then you're just left confused.

Then across the street you've got the high valued corner property across from the drake. He declined offers and donated the space for a goodwill drop off so it's exempt of any taxes (plus the charitable rent write off) for the duration. Meanwhile the neighborhood is booming and people are eager to invest dollars. But they just sit there, crumbling...So they'll just sit there until??

And now I've derailed the thread...Good job me.

I went the other week. I believe I am now considered a 'regular'.

They got all new tables/chairs and increased the number of seats by about 4.

I went the other week. I believe I am now considered a 'regular'.

They got all new tables/chairs and increased the number of seats by about 4.

Welcome to the club. :) Wondered what exactly they were doing last time we were in there, they had started tearing out the drink counter...

Anybody had their lunch items? Always done breakfast and am sure the lunch is good, but just haven't had any of them yet...

Welcome to the club. :) Wondered what exactly they were doing last time we were in there, they had started tearing out the drink counter...

Anybody had their lunch items? Always done breakfast and am sure the lunch is good, but just haven't had any of them yet...

I've had about every item on the menu.

My favorite is the French B.E.L.T

Also enjoyed the club, reuben, and chicken salad. Nothing is bad, but I enjoyed these over the rest.

I've had about every item on the menu.

My favorite is the French B.E.L.T

Also enjoyed the club, reuben, and chicken salad. Nothing is bad, but I enjoyed these over the rest.

Thanks, had the French B.E.L.T. and croque madam already, don't do much chicken salad, was thinking about the chicken/waffle or or chicken pasta, wife is hoping the portobello sandwich is good.

Thanks, had the French B.E.L.T. and croque madam already, don't do much chicken salad, was thinking about the chicken/waffle or or chicken pasta, wife is hoping the portobello sandwich is good.

Heads up, the chicken isn't fried. Portabello sandwich is good, but I can't get over that there's no meat in it.

The chicken and waffle is different. Not bad, just different.

My personal favorite is the breakfast reuben.

Heads up, the chicken isn't fried. Portabello sandwich is good, but I can't get over that there's no meat in it.

Yeah, saw it when someone ordered it, just grilled, but thought it might be worth it just for the taste. Big mushrooms like that are supposed to be a meat substitute. :) I'm not a big mushroomhead, but wife is, so she'll probably get it just to try it.

I went on Wednesday and they had a steak & eggs that wasn't on the menu. It was skirt steak and the eggs were poached. Came with potatoes.

I think I mentioned it before, but their home fries and homemade ketchup are amazing.

I think I mentioned it before, but their home fries and homemade ketchup are amazing.

Yes, agreed, best home fries I've *ever* had *anywhere*, and I've only had the ketchup once (I only do ketchup on fries, but he brought out a sample so I could try it), but it was also fantastic (like the Divine Swine's, back when they were around).

Tomorrow, Sun, 7/3 is the last day they'll be doing breakfast/lunch until October, which is when they move to a new location in The Shoppes at Quail Springs. He's only doing prix fixe dinners Tue-Sat until then, needs the extra time to manage the buildout of the new space (3 times bigger, he said). New location will be doing breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so that's nice, I thought their breakfast was going away altogether, which would've been really sad.

Good for them!

I liked to think of this place as a hidden secret. I doubt that will continue at the new location. But I will still visit.

I really need to get their ketchup recipe

Good for them!

I liked to think of this place as a hidden secret. I doubt that will continue at the new location. But I will still visit.

I really need to get their ketchup recipe

I guess I know where I'm going later today. Vuong would probably give it to you. I get an ingredient list every time he makes a special, granted i don't remember any of them.

I guess I know where I'm going later today. Vuong would probably give it to you. I get an ingredient list every time he makes a special, granted i don't remember any of them.

Went to their last breakfast today. It was great, add always.

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