What a gem. I met colleagues for dinner, and from the start it was a fantastic experience. Our server was perfectly in tune with our conversation cadence -- we were nonstop chatting, and she seamlessly appeared at just the right moments to refresh drinks, offer recommendations, and keep everything flowing without ever interrupting us. The drink menu is excellent, and the dinner menu delivers. I had the melt-in-your-mouth scallops, and several friends ordered the duck -- chef's kiss. The atmosphere strikes that rare balance: upscale enough for a special night out, yet cozy and comfortable enough to relax. I'm already looking forward to coming back. read more

Service was very professional (Kirin) and they did a nice job covering each other. The food was great. Partner had hanger steak and I had duck breast. The duck breast was one of largest I've seen. Sauces on both meats were amazing. We had a nice CdP that was reasonably priced and split an outstanding salad. Really liked the decor with lots of pig and hog artifacts (cochon, of course). Oddly the menu wasn't skewed to pork, although it had a nice looking chop. read more

What a wonderful evening we had during our first visit here! We were seated at a beautiful table near the live music which we really enjoyed as we looked over the expansive wine list. Then our server described the specials as well as some of her favorites on the menu. We had the fried oysters and the octopus salad --both were delicious. For entrees we had the scallops and the tenderloin and again both were great. The food was so good that we cant wait to go back for more. And the ambience was cozy, romantic and just perfect. We loved it. read more

The service and food were exceptional! Our waitress, a mature woman by the name of renee was very accommodating pleasant and just all around a wonderful experience. Our food was perfect. The atmosphere was perfect and the price though on the high-end was what I expected to pay for what we got. Kudos to all involved at Cochin on 2nd I will recommend you to everyone. read more

I haven't been back to this place in about a year but it still doesn't disappoint. While the entrees don't change out too often, they are very well done. The apps are some of the stars and the cheesecake for dessert is made by one of their long time servers which is always first rate. It rotates fairly often and is one of our favorite things to get to take home. I have been to a number of nice places in Williamsburg and this one always stands out. Eric the manager is always welcoming and friendly with excellent wine recommendations. Their wine list has also improved greatly over the last couple years. Also I recommend trying their monthly wine dinners as they are often sold out. read more

Cochon on 2nd - Pan seared Halibut with a tomato Rosa style sauce. - Diners Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

Nice, whate-tablecloth kinda restaurant with good food and good service. Two things tho: 1) This place is **LOUD** with a capital L. If it's more than 1/2 full - which it always is - you literally cannot hear the person next to you without screaming. 2) They don't apparently have any exhaust fans in operation, because when I was there (evening of 27AUG25) the place reeked of charcoal fumes and the smell of cooking meat. I mean; that's OK if you're outdoors, but concentrated inside a small restaurant is bad. I'm a local. I live less than 2 miles from Cochon. I wish I could say that I'll be back there to eat again, but I can't. There's plenty of elegant restaurants in Williamsburg where one can have a quiet, relaxing meal while breathing clean air; Cochon's is not one of them. read more

Cochon on 2nd I heard great things about this restaurant from multiple friends and it had amazing reviews, so when we planned to stay in Williamsburg for the weekend, we decided to make a reservation. It's worth noting that to reserve a table through Open Table, you have to provide your credit card information since they charge for no-shows. Our expectations were high, and we were very excited about my birthday weekend. My kids joined us for dinner at Cochon on 2nd which I had long been looking forward to visiting. First, the aesthetic and decor of the restaurant were everything I loved. However, the lighting was not good. I understand the appeal of low lights for dinner dates, but this was very low. Almost every table had to use their cell phone flashlights or hold up the candles on the table to read the menu. Our server, Terry, was sweet and did a nice job overall. The service, however, seemed slow for the entire restaurant, and we ended up waiting longer than expected. We had a reservation for 6 p.m., but we did not finish our meal until almost 8:30 p.m. Despite the wait, we remained patient because we believed the food and experience would be worth it. As starters, we ordered the Pork Belly, which was served with a scallop, and the Firecracker Shrimp. I also had the Lobster Bisque. The Firecracker Shrimp was the highlight of the night and everyone loved it. The Pork Belly was also very delicious. Although the Lobster Bisque tasted good, it had no bits of lobster in it. Maybe that's how they prepare it? I'm used to having bits of lobster in this soup. We were served zucchini and carrots with all the main courses, and we had the option of either au gratin potatoes or roasted new potatoes. I ordered the Branzino, my daughter ordered a medium rare filet, my son ordered scallops, and my partner ordered a medium rare NY Strip steak. Unfortunately, we were disappointed with the main course. The au gratin potatoes were overly salty, making it difficult to eat the small serving. The vegetables were undercooked, even though we prefer them cooked al dente. The steaks were ordered medium rare, but the dim lighting made it hard to tell. While it wasn't the worst meal we've ever had, it didn't meet our expectations. Unfortunately, we were unable to order an espresso martini due to a malfunctioning espresso machine. However, we did try a chocolate martini and enjoyed a cup of coffee, as well as two desserts - crème brulee and chocolate torte - which were both delicious. Although my friends had recommended this place, we were a bit disappointed with our experience, possibly due to a one-off issue. read more

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Such a lovely dining experience at Cochon, hard to say what my favorite bite was. We went for a work dinner and had a party of ten, but the service was still attentive and prompt. Great selection of wine, and extremely fairly priced per bottle. The atmosphere is sophisticated but not uptight, great for date nights. We will definitely be back. read more

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Food was amazing. Especially the pork chop and the tenderloin. Service was excellent. I actually lost my AirPod at the restaurant and they found it and brought to my hotel because I was leaving early next morning. Coming back here again for the food and the service read more

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This was our first visit to Cochon on 2nd. We went for a birthday dinner, and they went out their way to ensure we had an extraordinary evening. Our server was friendly, polite, and very knowledgeable. She spaced our drinks and food so we could relax and savor the offerings in their warm and cozy restaurant. Tables are well spaced, ceilings are very high, and the decor is rustic. Noise is minimal, and we could have an intimate conversation. We started the evening with a French Martini and a Hibiscus Margarita, followed by the fried oysters served in a cocktail glass with remoulade dipping sauce. We also accepted their homemade bread service. It was a seeded bread, which we really liked. All items were delicious! For entrees, we enjoyed the duck paired with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and a rockfish special with Provence sauce and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Both plates came with a square of potatoes au gratin, asparagus, and carrot. The portions were generous and exceeded our expectations. We left room for dessert and ordered the pound cake with strawberries and whipped cream. The description said it included Grand Marnier, but we didn't taste it. We also ordered a Chocolate Martini and a latte, which were excellent! We highly recommend Cochon on 2nd for an excellent meal for any occasion. While prices may be a bit higher than many of the local restaurants, the food, drinks, and experience are truly special. read more

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Updated review for our anniversary celebration at this fabulous restaurant where I knew we would enjoy a scrumptious meal. First we started with bone marrow for each of us, so delicious. The blueberries were perfect on top. Don't judge us until you've had it because once you do then you'll know what we're talking about. Followed by fried oyster salad for me and a bean soup with ham for hubby. Then I had the Rockfish special while Hubby had the Duck. It became very quiet as we each enjoyed our meals. The best way to judge a restaurant is to see if there are live flowers or not at each table. Yes, Cochon on 2nd does indeed have them. The rose has a pleasant scent. If the restaurant doesn't have live flowers or if they're wilted or worse, plastic then proceed with caution. That's what my husband just taught me and he's a very smart guy. Oh, yes btw he treated me to this expensive meal. read more

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I'm still a major fan of this gem of a restaurant. It has everything, atmosphere, cocktails delicious food, exceptional food.

This is one of those places that deserve a 7 star rating, but... alas, that is not an option. Absolutely PERFECT meal for my wife and me... Our waiter was impeccable. He was there every single time we thought that we might need him, so here you have it - telepathic service! (It does not get any better) The steaks we had were as good as can be had on this planet. The wine was unbelievable for the price, and even regardless of the price... They served an entree that was simply unbelievable... (somewhere I have a picture)... It looks like a piece of layered bread, but in reality, It's about 50 layers of thinly sliced potato interspersed with cheese. It's simply amazing. The experience was exactly that - unbelievable! The attention to detail was impressive. I have to mention the wine list, which was impressive. And the prices were far below what other similar places would charge. I have spent two, three, or four time the cost of this meal and not gotten half of the enjoyment. One thing I will mention, and I think this is a testimony to the level of dedication these folks have... one item was delayed... our water was so concerned that he provided us dessert for no charge. We were so enchanted with the place that we absolutely were not concerned... However the desert was Devine. Absolutely a "must try" place. If I were ever nearby, I would return. This was one of the most memorable meals of my 67 years on this planet. read more

Cochon on 2nd - Working fireplace with an antique weight driven spit. - Diners Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

Finally get to try this fairly new restaurant in Williamsburg. Reservation is a must! This restaurant reminds me Farm-To-Table style restaurant we had in Ibiza Spain with mediocre taste compared to other FTT restaurants we have. Let's talk about the waitresses demeanor. Our waitress is a bit over-bearing, lack of finesse or refined. I thought maybe it's just her, then the waitress on the next table also has the same demeanor. Both are loud and maybe it's just me, but I hate it when strangers call me 'Love'. Do we know each other? FOOD -Octopus Salad 5 stars We started with their appetizer special Octopus Salad (marinated octopus, then charred using their wood grill served with vinaigrette dressing, shaved fennel, capers, olives, cherry tomatoes). Grilling octopus can be a hit and miss. This one certainly grilled to perfection. Instead of ordering the actual dinner, I ordered the Moody's Sticky Ribs and Firecrackers Shrimp, while my husband ordered Beef Tenderloin. -The Moody's Ribs 4 stars It has a delicious taste (the sauce), meat is tender yet crisp outside, but had they marinated the ribs before cooking, I would give them 5 stars on this. Since Covid, my taste has changed significantly. I can't enjoy eating meat (pork, beef, chicken, etc.) that has a strong taste of the meat itself. The ribs taste too 'porky' for me. I had to scoop lots of sauce and mix it in my mouth. The sauce is really good! -Firecracker Shrimp 4 stars Very yummy with an okay balance of sweetness and sourness. I think if they add more sourness, it'll be perfect. Still, it's quite yummy. The wonton wrapper on the bottom is a bit stale. - Beef Tenderloin Green Paper Sauce 4.5 stars Menu is small and didn't want to order out of the specials, this one seems to be the best option out of the menu. I, myself, don't care much about the taste or the flavor of the beef itself. I would rate 3.5 but since it's his dish, I put his rating. Desert A minuscule Crème Brûlée is quite DELICIOUS! 5 stars However, it's not described in the menu of being minuscule. I need 2 ramekins if this is the size! D2.5" x H1.5" ramekins but the actual crème brûlée is only 3/4" high! Is this a French Restaurant??? Updates: When the waitress asked how the desert is, we both said it's very delicious but SMALL. She got us another one on the house. read more

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Last night we went to Cochon on 2nd for my Wife's birthday! We had a little bit of everything it was so good! We had an octopus salad, ribeye with foie gras, duck breast, and an amazing grilled pork chop! The strawberry cobbler and 40yr old Tawny was so delicious. Easily one of my favorite meals I've ever had! Oh and I can't forget about those ribs I'll be dreaming about for a while! The service was top notch, one of the best servers I've ever had. I highly recommend for a date or special occasion! read more

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Today I wrote a complaint on their website about the policy of taking a credit card for a reservation and charging $25 if you cancel within three days. Whether you agree with this policy or not, the response I received from the owner was that I was rude, misinformed and I was told not to come in. read more

Went for Christmas Eve. Food and drinks and service were good but definitely not worth what we were charged.

Ambiance is more of an upscale rustic colonial vibe; wait staff were friendly and attentive, and definitely knew the menu and were able to handle any questions. Prix Fixe menu for special occasion (Mothers Day in this case), but still a reasonable number of options. Octopus and pork belly for appetizers, duck and crab for mains, brownies and cheesecake for dessert. All were luscious! read more

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I've dined at Cochon about half a dozen times. It has always delivered until last night. Started off great with delicious cocktails and bread service. I ordered the tomato salad as a first course. Tomatoes were peak flavor. Blue cheese was good. Overly simple (three thick tomato slices scattered with blue cheese) but again tomatoes tasted super fresh and perfectly ripe. I ordered the tuna tartar for my meal. I was super excited s as it's one of my favorites at Cochon. It was a miss. Tuna lacked flavor and the wonton was soft. The crème brûlée was divine and the espresso martini was solid. The service seemed a little off. Not terrible but not what I've come to expect. I'm really hoping it was a one off. Cochon has always been a 5. Rating it against itself, I would have given last night a 3. read more

Excellent service--food was wonderful--very nice place --a fun bar --bartender was super nice --

The restaurant is quiet and the staff is welcoming and very attentive. The bread was tasty and the entrees were visually pleasing and delicious read more

The food, service, and ambiance exceeded expectations. We went for my husband's birthday dinner and he was very pleased.

Lovely restaurant with holiday decor and crackling fire. Excellent service and nicely timed course service. My fried oyster salad ($21) was crisp snd nicely dressed while surrounded by succulent oysters. Breast of duck($33) was just more than medium as requested with a buttery texture; vegetables were sad and overcooked on side.they needed a bit more attention. Husband followed the house salad ($11) with a succulent pork chop and devoured all. The restaurant delivered delicious food and great ambience. read more

This is a very good restaurant. Given the price point, the expectations were high going in. All on all, it was an outstanding experience with a number of hits and a couple of misses. The atmosphere is great. Small, quaint and comfortable. The bar and dining areas are very nice and there are high ceilings, so it is not so loud. We went for the Sunday jazz dinner and the music was incredible. What a great experience. The service is top notch. Friendly, non pretentious, and thoughtful without being intrusive. The pace was not rushed. We were there for 2 hours eating and listening to music. Our server was wonderful. The food landed on good. The salads were huge and the oyster cocktail was a home run. Probably the best fried oysters I have ever had. The duck was a miss. I love duck and this one was underdone and cold. I wonder if it was sitting too long. The scallops were super minus the risotto and the odd addition of shiitake mushrooms and the bitter sauce it was in. The wine selection was small, but on point. The prices are fairly decent considering the quality. Overall it was a superb experience and a restaurant I recommend. We will definitely be back. read more

Sometimes you get exactly what you need, or want for that matter. And by pure chance that serendipity comes to taste all the better. Visiting Williamsburg, we knew we wanted to escape the ordinary for something somewhat elevated but not jacket and tie. Cochon arrived via Open Table in a last minute bid for some culinary magic and viola we snagged a table for two. We had goat cheese and heirloom tomato salad and a watermelon/feta/balsamic vinaigrette salad; beef tenderloin for her and sea scallops for me, while dessert was a mousse and crème brûlée number. All excellent. We'd made our reservations indicating it was our anniversary and the menu arrived with our names and Happy Anniversary!!!! in gold lettering emblazoned printed as the header. All of it (included understated but inviting decor) very enjoyable and made so especially by Jeremy K our host. Exactly what we needed. read more

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One of the top dining locations in Williamsburg. Go and support local, not chains!! Menu is modern and multifaceted.

I was pretty disappointed with this place. The service and atmosphere were really nice, had high hopes. Got a really good old fashioned. Ordered the prime tenderloin and like 33% of it was inedible. Like so hard that the steak knife couldn't cut through it, I tried to chew it and it hurt my teeth I basically just had to suck on it and spit it out. Maybe 17% of it was fat which is fine normally but not when such a huge part of it is completely inedible. The other 50% was good, not ideal for a $70 steak much less a $25 steak. The potatoes au gratin were perfect. Bread was good. Waitress was pretty good. read more

We feel like Jed Clampett striking crude... Texas T baby. We rolled into Williamsburg for a conference with no plans for dinner but found Cochon on 2nd. We consider ourselves foodies and what we loved are the flavors that kept us guessing. Was it mint? Was it lemon? So balanced. If you're in Williamsburg and searching for a dinner spot, make yourself a reservation and get in there. p.s. We ate and we cried. read more

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This is my second anniversary dinner at Cochon on 2nd and I am really disappointed with Chef Neil Griggs. I wanted a prix fixe menu (where last year I spent $500 because we bought bottles of wine to take home - their wine list is very good), so I called two weeks ago looking for Melissa (who helped me last year), but I was told she wasn't available (translate: no longer worked there) and spoke to a very nice host instead. She understood my request and naturally would need to speak to Chef Griggs about it. We both agreed on a reservation time of 7pm on June 4th. Two days later, I get a call from Chef Griggs asking time to explain what it is I was looking for, what we had last year, and what we wanted this year. He seemed confused by my request and told me he would have to think about it. I never heard from him again. I realize Chef Griggs is busy with his catering business (e.g. W&M graduation) as he publicly posted that his other location would no longer serve the general public, but rather focus on catering events. So when he didn't call back, I knew there wasn't going to be any type of special event for my husband and I, but I certainly didn't think that there wasn't going to be a reservation for us, either! Yes, you heard that right; we didn't even have a reservation. When I explained the story to the host (it was the same one I made the reservation with two weeks prior), she was very apologetic and found us a table, which wasn't hard since they were only half full. Our server, Teri K., was very welcoming and also apologized for the mix-up. I told her not to fret, it wasn't her fault, it was Chef Griggs'. We ordered the tastiest salads: Arugula with shaved Parmesan, apples, pecans, poached pears? (it says peaches on the menu), and honey lime ginger vinaigrette. Unfortunately, my beloved smoked maple leaf duck with port & fig reduction was so salty I could barely eat it. If Chef Griggs thought my request too taxing or not worth the effort (BTW, I ended up spending half of what I did last year this time), he could have just told me so. But with three chefs just standing around with nothing to on the line and a half-full restaurant, I don't think it was being too busy to accommodate was the issue. At the end of our meal, Chef Griggs did come by and apologize. He handed us his business card and hoped we would come back next year. He didn't even remember calling me or what we discussed (hint: it was that the lobster was way too expensive now and I was okay with that as I don't appreciate seafood like others do). All I can say, is what a difference a year makes. I hope his catering business keeps them afloat, but I won't be using him for that either. You never know, they might not remember your order and not show up. It would be par for the course. read more

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Renee was an amazing waitress she knew everything about the menu and specials and vividly explain them even telling us that some of the ingredients are from local farms We started With sticky ribs and they were. Like no other rib I've ever had simply amazing. Then we both had salads that were perfectly designed and the warm goat cheese really made it over the top. My wife had the beef tenderloin and it was cooked perfectly I had the smoked duck breast and words don't even describe how great it was. Now time for dessert my wife had a lemon cake with berries I had the crème brûlée with a flowerless chocolate cake. Both of these were amazing. This is a need to go to place. read more

Great food, excellent ambiance, exceptional craft cocktails and fantastic service. Cute place well with the visit!!

My wife and I were visiting the area and came here for dinner Wednesday night. We elected to sit at the bar for drinks/dinner. Kaitlyn the bartender was attentive and efficient at juggling several different tasks. Partly based on her recommendations we ordered the compressed watermelon salad and fresh crab cake for appetizers. Both were spectacular! For our entrees my wife had the fresh Halibut with cilantro lime sauce and I ordered the Tenderloin steak with peppercorn sauce. Not that we needed it but we shared the pound cake with fresh peaches and cream for dessert. This was the chefs mothers recipe and it was amazing! All in all a home run choice. The ambiance is very contemporary and a bit rustic and welcoming. Great food, great staff equals a great evening! read more

Second best restaurant in Williamsburg VA according to the local colleague who booked our group dinner. If that's true I can't wait to try no. 1. Great wines, beers. Rib and Chicken appetizers were phenomenal. Gazpacho was super fresh. My Filet was awesome, tasted the Salmon option too, delicious. Steak was accompanied by the best Au Gratin I've ever tasted. read more

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In a word: disaster Tried to have dinner there last night (4/4/23). Seems good, but one problem-- we waited for over an hour and twenty mins for entrees that never came. Hard to fig out what the problem was, but other tables seemed slow too so it doesn't seem our order was lost. We even waited 20 mins after asking the status of the meal. With no food or waiter in sight we opted to leave. The restaurant nonetheless charged me $228 for drinks, wine and salads. Oh, and they also charged $30 for the reservation. The $30 fee was not deducted from the bill I paid. A good restaurant would have comp'd and apologized. Meanwhile, as I was paying the tab at the bar the chef chased my wife, two children and my wife's parents outside demanding they not leave. He threatened to call the police, embarrassing and scaring the children. He never asked why we were leaving and made no effort to check with the waiter or receptionist. Ridiculous and sad. Do not recommend unless you're a masochist or they find a new chef. read more

This was not the experience that I expected at all. I visited this restaurant last week, David is a great bartender and made wonderful drinks! I ordered the salmon and it was over cooked, the carrots were the vegetable and were small with very little taste. i enjoyed the chocolate mouse once it thawed enough to place on my spoon! I will be a repeat customer for David's drinks but wouldn't suggest the food. Not worth the price at all. read more

Cochon is a 5 star restaurant in all dimensions. The open, high ceiling dining room is welcoming, attractive, and sound-absorbent. Service is extraordinary. The food is perfect, with just enough variety in the limited menu to satisfy everyone. Even though the place is sort of French, the wine list offers excellent variety and very good value, not just a bunch of overpriced French bottles. Our dinner consisted of the chicken gumbo, an excellent lobster bang-bang appetizer, and the salmon entree. We also had the banana bread pudding for desert. All were outstanding. Nothing to criticize here! read more

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Wonderful delicious with a super service. You can see and appreciate how it is a well oil machine everyone works together and with a genuine smile. There are many options to your seating. You can seat near windows, closer to the open kitchen, the bar or a more secluded area. The cocktails, appetizers, salads and entrees are so unique. read more

Cochon on 2nd - Kitchen - Diners Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

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My friend and I dined at this establishment because of the good reviews but we were so extremely disappointed I just had to share it here. I'm not sure where these 5-star reviews are coming from or if these are friends of the people that work there but there is NO WAY this place is good to so many. First of all it's dark as night in there. We had to use the light from our phones to read the menu. I understand "upscale" restaurants use dim lighting however, "upscale" restaurants don't have paper table coverings, burlap curtains or painted cement floors. The guests at the bar were loud. It reminded me of being in a sports bar. Our water glasses were dirty and the logo for the restaurant was peeling off so the server was kind enough to get us clean ones. The wine selection was good but terribly over-priced. We decided on espresso martinis. They were weak and bitter. The salads were under dressed. Our food was okay but not fantastic. The vegetables were undercooked and the au gratin potatoes were tasteless. The server was kind but, we could tell she was having a bad night. The atmosphere as a whole seemed tense. We skipped dessert. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant at all. There are so many other fine choices in Williamsburg. I'm disappointed we wasted our time and money here. Never again. read more

My husband and I love our date nights here. Their steaks are so delicious and local which is a huge plus for us. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable! read more

I came in on a Saturday night without a reservation. They found a place for me at the bar. Absolutely everything was top notch. Service, menu, staff...: I started with the scallop & prawn appetizer, then the steak salad (tenderloin & bacon)... Had the duck as a main.... A duo dessert that was a brûlée and a fudge like chocolate... a perfect culinary experience It was all excellent and as described....nothing pre cooked or frozen tasting here. An actual chef, complimented by actual wait staff that knows s their job. One of the best dining experiences I've had in the last few years... read more