Laura, from my handy dandy FLC - AND, in the Bouchon book there is even a recipe for making cornichons!!
"cornichon is French for 'gherkin,' cornichons are crisp, tart pickles made from tiny gherkin cucumbers. They're a traditional accompaniment to pates as well as smoked meats and fish."
Most larger grocery stores will carry them - personally I would not try to sub another pickle, I'd look for them as they do have a distintive flavor.
Oh Lorraine, I've gotten so many party ideas from Bouchons - and of course, we had dinner there one night a year or so ago - one of the greatest food events in MY life.
That's when I first had Sweetbreads.
Also, the wine maker's dinner I did a month or so ago, I got the Salad three ways from his book - I'll have to (or you can mention) mention these to Gil, they were so great - Roasted Beet Salad, of course the celeriac, and the chickpea and carrot.
I could go on and on about his two books I have - Lorraine, will you please hurry up and get married and then we'll do Bouchon's as our "monthly book" to cook out of. He has so many just wonderful easy dishes with just the slightest tweeking that takes it over the top.
Grilled ham & cheese sandwich with a fried egg & Mornay sauce
Dungeness crab salad with cavaillon melon & citrus vin.
I'll stop!
(can you tell I love that book?)