My excitement was building as I walked through the unassuming, yet quietly refined entrance. I instantly felt like I was transported to the other side of the world with the glow from the modern chandeliers casting softly across the stone walls and our table. However, the ambience paled in comparison to the myriad of flavors that were brought before us. From oysters and tuna to the duck w/foie grass and mushrooms, we experienced a modern twist on classical French cuisine. Everything was amazing, but personally I didn't fancy the green leek dish. However, that disappointment quickly vanished when the assortment of desserts were laid before me. I still think about the macarons days after. All in all this was a wonderful experience made extra special by the service of the team. I would highly recommend if you're interested in exploring fine French cuisine whether it be for a date night or a special night with friends ! read more

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Celebrated a birthday here over lunch for a friend. The Very Coucou Lunch is very much worth the deal over the 3 course but the entire table has to do it. I had a NA French sparkling cider which was sweet, while friend had the Pinot Noir and Melon white wine (dry). Both were decent but I'm trying to drink less. Started with 3 appetizers which are all from the menu. Oysters were salty and seasoned somehow, tasty. The chickpea(?) breadsticks were to be dipped in the green sauce and then the sauerkraut dumplings came in a gewurtraminer consomme; both of these were fine and comforting. Warm sourdough bread with butter followed. Then, we were given leeks, tartare with caviar, and tuna with some sort of chili oil. All were decent as well but the tuna was my least favorite. The Pike mousse was an interesting texture along with the lobster sauce/foam. More flavors which I appreciated. The duck breast was where the meal shined. Perhaps my favorite duck breast, so tender and accompanied well with the orange. It came with some other duck pieces, endive, and foie gras - I love foie gras but this was cooked to an extent that it felt rubbery, not my preference. Then, a COLLAGE of desserts. I can't tell which ones were part of the meal vs for his birthday. We had the passionfruit sorbet, lemon sorbet, hazelnut cake, and baba rum (which comes with 2 bottles of rum for you to add more too if wanted). They were all decent but none really stood out to me. They also offered my friend a dessert wine that was most herbal and not very sweet. I appreciated that it was more herbal and not cloying. Overall, I'd definitely come back to try other things on the menu like the sweetbreads and to celebrate a special event. They really know how to make the day feel special. read more

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I've been here twice, and for some reason, I did not find the culinary experience as inspiring or magical as anticipated. Oddly enough, the appetizers and dessert were more enjoyable than the entrees. I thoroughly enjoyed the leeks--it was savory and oily all while shining the brightness / crispness of a leek. Aubergine was a bit too heavy on the sauce for me unfortunately and not a dish I would order, again. Everything listed for the sweetbreads dish sounded delightful, but whether it was the portion or lack of something to cut through the richness: I grew nauseous and tired of eating the sweetbreads after 2 or 3 bites. Maybe skip unless you are a manic for sweetbreads. Both the duck and fish entrees were unmemorable. Without the fish was cooked just right, and the duck had much more balancing flavors than the duck confit I had at Le Pavillon. Le Coucou is a solid 3.5, but I find it hard to bump the rating to a 4 due to the lackluster service as well. read more

Incredible! Would make a trip back to New York just to go to this restaurant. This used to be such a nice area, but like much of New York (and other major cities) the hood has fallen into disrepair. But the restaurant itself is an oasis. The service first class. read more

Le Coucou - French Near Me - New York, New York

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I came here for my birthday and man was I impressed by this restaurant. You would never expect that this place is sitting right by Chinatown and Soho because once you step inside you are transported to a world of fine dining. I got a bunch of stuff on the menu (which honestly 6 dishes for two people is way too much). I honestly could have skipped the appetizers because there was nothing really special about it but I got the lobster and the veal sweatbreads (this was the best thing ive ever eaten). And of course they spoiled us afterwards (when I was already about to explode from how full i was) with some mini madeleines and the passion fruit dessert. I had such a great experience here! read more

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Had an outstanding birthday dinner. Everything was incredible. Food, service, cocktails, wine pairings. The room was comfortable and we didn't feel rushed as we enjoyed the many courses. We loved it and definitely recommend! read more

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The atmosphere and service are top notch. Roberto is great, along with the rest of the crew. The food was good, but I've had better, tried a great white wine though. Overall a lovely evening. read more

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Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. You can really taste the quality and care that goes into the food. It felt like more than just dinner, it was an experience. I'm so happy I chose Le Coucou for my birthday and would absolutely recommend it for anyone looking to celebrate something special read more

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Beautiful restaurant with top notch service. The food was delicious. My favorite was the yellow tail, and steak tartare with caviar - the eggplant was also delicious. read more

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I took my husband for dinner at Le Coucou for his birthday. This place has been on my list for a little bit- and it didn't disappoint- we were both impressed by the whole experience at this restaurant. Every single detail about the restaurant felt intentional and luxurious, and the ambiance was lively! Got a bit loud at times due to bigger groups cheering or just many people talking at the same time. Maybe not a romantic vibe but def cool vibes. The staff were so kind and attentive. They also made sure to wish my husband happy birthday many times! The food met our expectations and drinks were well made. Every bite was a delight- the chartreuse creme brulee was cherry on top! One small detail- make sure you dress the part!!!! Like they call it on their website " Elegant for a NYC night out", jackets not required, but do dress to impress! ;) Thanks Le Coucou! read more

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The staff was amazing, so warm, attentive, and genuinely kind the entire time. The food was very delicious, everything we ordered was fresh, full of flavor, and beautifully presented. Overall, one of the best restaurants I've been to. I totally recommend it and will definitely be coming back. read more

Le Coucou - French Near Me - New York, New York

Came here for a family dinner and wow was I blown away by the interior! The ambiance is very upscale chic but cozy-- I loooove how each table comes with its own candle light. Service was 10000/10 amazing-- def worth its Michelin star title. - Beef tartare with caviar: 10/10 (beef tartare + caviar... how can you go wrong? It was an amazing appetizer, but def priceyyyy) - Fried monkfish: 10000/10 (omg the crispy monkfish and the slightly citrus sauce + fresh cucumber combo was to die for) - Duck: 10/10 (really good duck) - Passion fruit sorbet: 100/10 (creamy and tangy) - Crème brûlée: 10/10 (classic take on crème brûlée and it was done very well) - Wine: 10/10 (fantastic wine choices but def pricey) read more

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The fanciest French place I have ever been. So elegant, so much more to explore. Such a beautiful table setup and everything. The service was amazing. Wish the food would amuse us more but that was great. read more

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Le Coucou is elegantly decorated with definite French vibes. Every employee was also very well dressed. We went for my birthday, which I wouldn't mind coming again. We did the "a very coucou dinner" which was around 220 per person for a four course menu. We skipped out on the wine pairing or cocktails because of pregnancy. I thought everything was done well. But my fellow diners didn't think one course stood out though. For the first course, we really enjoyed the tomatoes with the tonatto dip. I appreciated that they divided the rabbit course into 3 for us. I appreciated how simple the broth was. We ended with a lobster and steak course. The menu seems seasonal so I would come back again. read more

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I came here with my partner for our anniversary lunch. We did the 2 course prix fixe menu. Here's what we tried: Entrees: - Yellowfin tuna 9/10: We loved this as the tuna just melts in your mouth. The seasoning and flavour was great, although i wish it was a bit more concentrated. - green salad 10/10: this was one of our favourite parts of the meal, and we liken it to our favourite green salad at Balthazar. I enjoyed the seasoning of this one. Fish - Pike mousse with lobster sauce 8/10: We really enjoyed this as well, although my favourite part was the lobster sauce. Meat - Prime flat iron steak 9/10: the steak was perfectly cooked and we enjoyed dipping the fries in the sauce. However, I found the fries to be a little too fried/oily/crispy for my liking, but my partner enjoyed them. For dessert we got the passion mango sorbet with coconut cream and meringue. 10/10 this was my favourite part of the meal. The ambiance was wonderful during the day, with sunlight brightening up the whole restaurant. The decord was also very well thought out and beautiful to look at. To comment on the service, we thought the staff were very kind and welcoming. One note I'd like to make is for the staff to be a little more attentive. My partner had asked for my cocktail glass to be exchanged with one that doesn't have the painted rim as he noticed some flaking of the paint but the waiter brought a new glass that looked exactly the same. We had to ask again to just have it switched to the regular water glass. He was nonetheless very kind and helpful. When it came to the final bill, we received the bill for the table next to us on accident. These are just a few little things to be a bit more aware of for a michelin restaurant. Overall, it was a nice experience and we would come again for future dinners. read more

I had high expectations for this place and have meant to try it for a while. The ambiance was wonderful, however, that was essentially it. Food bland, service unattentive. If you're looking for a place that actually appreciates its customers this ain't it. read more

Le Coucou - French Near Me - New York, New York

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The food is good, not mind blowing. Service is good and vibes are nice. It's not a huge space but it's meant to be intimate. The vol-au-vent Coucou was delicious and my favourite dish. The flavors blended well together with the crunchiness of the puff pastry. They gave me some extra dessert candies since I was sick and had a cough. read more

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Super beautiful and romantic venue to celebrate a special occasion! Came here to celebrate our anniversary - and was quite happy with our choice. Food-wise: to start off, we really enjoyed the bread provided to the table - it was two pieces of sourdough and two pieces of seaweed blended sourdough - I highly recommended the seaweed blended one! The main dishes i would recommend are: Tout le lapin (all of the rabbit) and Canette a l'orange roasted duckling, endives braised with orange (for two). Both were amazing and I loved the fact that we were able to enjoy the rabbit / duck cooked in different ways. The creativeness of this was mind-blowing. My most favourite would have to be the duck breast. One small nitpick was the rabbit soup was a bit too salty. Drink-wise: the Old fashioned was quite good and a safe choice you could always trust. I recall the service to be very accommodating, since we had quite a few special requests. This is one must-go restaurant in NYC! read more

The ambiance here is always stunning. The table ice candles and the chandeliers it's a beautiful space. The service was good, not great this time but good. It was hard to get refills on drinks from the services. The table runners and the bidders were fantastic though. The tartare with the caviar is exceptional as always. The pate was very good as well. The mushrooms dish was outstanding. I had the Duck and it was well cooked, the cherry reduction was thoughtful and not overly sweet. The skin on the duck was perfection. The dessert was a chocolate cake with hazelnuts and I didn't care for it. It was very crunchy and dry for my taste. read more

Le Coucou - French Near Me - New York, New York

Loved everything. For starters TOP TIER sourdough bread... I don't even like sour dough. Also loved the beef tartare, had a hint of Chinese radish/ pickle, balanced out the caviar so well oh my god. Veal sweetbread was HEAVY but amazing, no idea what I was eating at one point but honestly no complaints haha. Duck was MY FAVORITE!! Ambience was unbeatable & tied everything together read more

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Spectacular meal. It was one of the best duck breasts, I have ever had. The staff was professional but spirited. Beautiful but simple surroundings. Go if you have the bucks. read more

I've not dined at Le Coucou but I've been for drinks twice and each time their gorgeous bar has been the perfect place for a pre-dinner drink. The cocktail menu is abbreviated but well-executed. I had the #4-68 with rosé gin, quinquina blanc, strawberry, and egg white and enjoyed it immensely. (I'm a sucker for cocktails featuring egg whites.) read more

Le Coucou - Beautiful bar - French Near Me - New York, New York

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Come here for more traditional French food. Every time we've visited le coucou, we get the steak and duck for mains, which are always delicious. The hazelnut dessert is our favorite. The dress code is fairly relaxed. read more

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Came here to celebrate and had such a great experience. The staff--from the host to the somme to our server Jose--were all super friendly and welcoming. We noted in our reservation that we were celebrating, and they surprised us with champagne and a complimentary dessert, which was such a sweet touch. The space is very beautiful with moody lighting. Each table has a tall taper candle which really added to the ambiance. I couldn't help but notice there was no music playing, though. I think quiet instrumental music would be a nice addition. Food-wise, the tartare de boeuf was incredible as everyone says, definitely a must. We also had the thon à l'espelette, which was good but not a standout. For mains, the filet de boeuf was amazing (and the bone marrow was whipped, I think?), it was SO good. The beef was soooo tender- and the pommes purée were super smooth and flavorful. My partner had the lobster, which she loved (and I loved the fritters that came with them). It was definitely a splurge, but totally worth it for a special night. Would happily come back for another celebration. read more

Le Coucou - Complimentary desserts - French Near Me - New York, New York

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Went to Le Coucou for lunch on a relatively busy Saturday afternoon and had a nice meal. Started with the Galantine de pintade at foie gras a la chartreuse which was solid. For our entrees we had the Canette a la cerise which was excellent and the Crepinette which was not bad. Very elegant setting and spotless service. read more

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We had $69 two course lunch on a Saturday. Make reservations, as the restaurant is not that big. Any cancelled reservation will cost $50. Staff were impeccably trained to delight and accommodate. Their hard work was appreciated. We were wished happy anniversary by multiple people, so that felt nice. The upscale ambiance calls for an opportunity to dress your best. Get your cameras ready for some visually pleasing photo opps. Daytime and nighttime have different charms, so I would return just for the chic ambiance. Great place for a special occasion or a fancy date. Food was delicious. The complementary bread [two types of sourdough] and butter were served warm, which was a nice touch. Easy to get full on these refills, so be careful and slow it down! For appetizers, hazelnut leeks was the standout of the entire meal. Such a unique dish. Definitely get this one. The complexity of flavors will surprise and delight you. Avocado and shrimp appetizer was tasty as well. Simple, nothing revolutionary, but well executed, wholesome, and filling. For the main, we both had flat iron steak [which was accompanied by fries--a welcome touch]. The wine demi glace sauce was delicious. However, I would recommend opting for another main. Get your waiter's recommendations, as there are so many more unique dishes that will be worth exploring. We were hungry, so we wanted something filling. I regretted the steak, since you can get that anywhere, and my cut of meat was very sinewy, so it was far from the best steak I've had. Wish I ordered something more unique to this restaurant, per our server's recommendation. Fries were light and not greasy. Could have used more salt. Complementary petit fours at the end were a lovely touch. We opted out of dessert, but the one that a couple next to us had was impressive. Looked like a fancy apple pie a la mode, with caramelized fruit and alcohol sauce that was set on fire table side. What a show! Would recommend getting that. The reason this was not a 5 star for me was because I could not relax. It's that inexplicable feeling that you can't quite put your finger to, when you're in a hectic environment. Staff were constantly rotating, constantly present. They were not hovering, by any means, but it felt too much to always be interacting with them and feeling their presence. I am a fan of a peaceful, more relaxed dinning experience, where I do not constantly observe staff right in front of me or right next to me. I don't want to say we were rushed, but I felt rushed. As if the staff were too attentive to every single minutia, which prevented me from exhaling and just enjoying the moment. read more

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Excellent service, great food plus a beautiful and elegant setting. This was my second visit to Le Coucou and it exceeded my previous experience. I will definitely be back again. read more

First French restaurant & they didn't disappoint Paulo was our server, boy was he knowledgeable about the whole menu. He gave us what region the food originated from and gave us great recommendations for every option. My friend I was with was so excited about the place it's giving romantic & sexy with an open kitchen view. We went for lunch and everything was delicious. read more

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Le Coucou restaurant is so beautiful and romantic- think Beauty and Beast castle with white brick! They have gorgeous chandeliers of candles and then long candlesticks on every table. Now onto the food- the bread basket is heaven! Warm soft sourdough bread with soft butter, I couldn't resist having 3 pieces. We started with the eggplant appetizer and split the lobster au poivre and filet with bone marrow. Everything was outstanding! I am biased towards steak but that was easily my favorite alongside the buttery, fluffy mashed potatoes. Do NOT skip out on dessert! We finished with the mango sorbet with meringue and it was incredible. This was such a special place to celebrate our anniversary and I can't wait to come back! The service throughout the entire experience was wonderful. Everyone was so kind and welcoming to us. read more

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got the lunch menu, and honestly was pretty alright. best part was the fish in my opinion. the interior was really pretty though and i would say it's more worthwhile as a picture taking spot rather than a food spot. the food looks better than it tastes and i got enough pictures so probably won't come back again. read more

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Date: Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 Time: 1:30pm Party of: 5 Meal: Lunch Reservation Made: via OpenTable that morning *Asperges Blanches HD ($40) *Bar Noir Grille ($42) *Pojarski de Volaille ($34) *Vol au Vent Coucou ($44) *Filet de Boeuf Lunch ($70) x2 *7777 Mas Jullien Rougeos ($85) *Pinhook Rye Manhattan ($23) *Von Trapp Vienna Lager ($12) *Pinhook Rye Old Fashioned ($22) x3 *Espresso ($6.50): extra shot ($3.50) *Coffee ($6) *Mont Blanc ($18) *Tarte au Citron ($18) *Niepoort 20 yr ($12) I was on vacay and wanted to have a nice lunch. Luckily the boys were down to come here, so I made a last min reservation that morning. One in our party was super late, but the staff was understanding. We ended up ordering without him since we kinda share everything anyways. Family style all the way! A fav among everyone was the beef filet - cooked perfectly. And the bone marrow made it that much more decadent. The fries of course were a hit as well. My group celebrates frydays quite frequently. I enjoyed the asparagus as it came with sea urchin cream. Added a nice umami flavor. I hadn't had sweetbreads in a while, so the vol-au-vent coucou was a treat. The added lobster was tender and a good complement puff pastry. The complimentary bread and butter were chewy and creamy. The bread and butter at French restaurants are typically extra delish. That was definitely the case here. After the meal, they gave us some petit fours / mignardises. Cocktails were a nice way to start off our meal. My manhattan was spirit forward but still nicely balance. Le Coucou had 1 michelin star when we went and it still has it now. Definitely worth a try if you are a lover or French food. Lunch was a nice way to sample a variety of dishes without committing to dinner portions. REVIEW #3637 read more

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My husband surprised me for my birthday with dinner at Le Coucou, a Michelin-starred restaurant in SoHo, and it was such a thoughtful and memorable experience. We live in North Jersey, and while the Sunday evening traffic made the trip longer than expected, it was worth the journey. The ambiance is refined and elegant, the kind of fine dining setting where every detail feels intentional. We were offered seating at the Chef's Table or in the main dining area. While the Chef's Table offered an exciting view of the action, it's situated in a high-traffic area where servers frequently pick up dishes. I opted for the main dining area, which provided a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere, perfect for conversation. We began with the yellowfin tuna appetizer--simple, fresh, and beautifully prepared. For the main course, I ordered the lamb chop with garlic-braised neck and young carrots. The dish was perfectly cooked and full of flavor, though I'd recommend ordering an extra lamb chop (only $20 more) since it comes with just one. The accompaniments, especially the carrots, were delicious. My husband ordered the Duckling with figs, which was equally well-executed. We happened to be seated near the kitchen and could hear the chef calling out orders--his team responding with energy and enthusiasm, which added a fun behind-the-scenes touch. The sommelier was excellent, guiding us through the wine list, and I thoroughly enjoyed a glass of Sancerre. For dessert, we ordered the crème brûlée and the passion mango sorbet. The sorbet, though seemingly simple, was exceptional--served with a graham cracker crust, a light whipped topping, and a sprinkle of crunch that elevated it completely. I rated Le Coucou 4 stars for its ambiance, presentation, and overall quality. While everything was very good, there wasn't a standout dish (aside from the sorbet) that felt truly unforgettable or would compel me to rush back immediately. The food could have been a touch warmer, and our initial greeter was just okay--but these are minor notes. Overall, Le Coucou delivers on what you'd expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant: elegance, precision, and an elevated dining experience. My feedback would be to further create or refine signature dishes that completely wow guests--a feat that's well within their reach. -------------------------------------------- "Because dining is more than food - it's flavor, style and elegance that should be savored one bite at a time." - AMC read more

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This place was absolutely wonderful and deserves its Michelin star. My boyfriend and I dined here last year to celebrate my birthday, and it was really unforgettable. Le Coucou has a stunning interior, dimly lit, and romantic, with soaring ceilings that add to the elegant ambiance. We decided to order à la carte, beginning with a glass of Kir Royale and a complimentary amuse-bouche, followed by freshly baked seaweed bread with butter--both were absolutely delicious and set the tone for an incredible meal. We had two appetizers to share, two entrées, and two desserts. Appetizer: * Tartare de Bœuf - Prime filet beef topped with caviar. Excellent, we loved it. The portion was on the smaller side, but as a starter, it was just right. Gourmandises: Ris de Veau à l'Estragon - Veal sweetbreads with cream, tarragon, and maitake mushrooms. A standout dish! The sweetbreads were perfectly crisp on the outside and velvety inside, and the sauce was rich and incredibly flavorful--one of the best we've had! Entrées: * Filet de Bœuf - Served with marrow bone, the creamiest pommes purée, and sauce Chateaubriand. It was cooked flawlessly--tender, juicy, and full of depth. The mashed potatoes were impossibly smooth and buttery. Highly recommended! * Dos de chevreuili roti - Venison filet with quince and cabbage warmed in smoked cream. My boyfriend loved every bite. To accompany our meal, we selected a lovely bottle of French Bordeaux, which paired beautifully with our dishes and elevated the whole experience. Dessert: * Marjolaine - A decadent chocolate and hazelnut delight, an absolute dream! * Milk Sorbet - Light, airy, and the perfect way to end the meal. We also received a complimentary selection of petit fours (lemon macarons, and chocolates) and mini lemon madeleines, which was a delightful final touch. Service was great, warm and attentive. Highly recommend this restaurant, especially for a special occasion or any time you want to enjoy a truly exceptional French dining experience! read more

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I would give Le Coucou 100 stars if I could! One of my absolute favorite restaurants in Manhattan. The restaurant is a beautiful and tucked away behind a wall of greenery. You walk in to see the most stunning bar and can grab a delicious handcrafted cocktail. The service here is top notch as well. Attentive and knowledgeable servers, plus a world class sommelier. Starters - Poireaux Vinaigrette (delicious, a bit simple so I would maybe skip and try something else) - Thon à l'espelette (fish was very fresh and high quality, fantastic) - Tartare de boeuf (one of the best beef tartares I've had in America, MUST TRY!) The Homard (Maine lobster) is one of the most incredible dishes I've ever had the pleasure of seeing and tasting. Delicate and tender lobster paired with a decadent peppercorn sauce and fluffy fried potatoes... something I dream about every night. The Filet de boeuf is also phenomenally well done. Can't even describe how much I like this dish. For dessert, you absolutely have to get the Marjolaine. On top of being such an amazing restaurant, they also seem to run a top tier patisserie to create masterpieces such as the Marjolaine and Tarte au Chocolat. read more

Le Coucou - Filet de bœuf, jus à la moelle, queue dans la boulangère - French Near Me - New York, New York

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Had a fantastic experience dining at Le Coucou for my mother's birthday. We took our chances and arrived nearly two hours before our reservation on a Sunday night. The host did not bat an eye and was able to seat us within minutes. The atmosphere is calm and spacious, and our table was a comfortable distance from other diners--not always the case with popular restaurants! The service was overall attentive without being pushy or rushed--again, not always the case. At our request, each course was served in two portions to share. We had: - Thon à l'espelette: this was the only dish that was slightly underwhelming in flavor, but the ingredients were fresh. - Ris de veau à l'estragon: the veal sweetbreads were the dish I was most excited to try, and absolutely did not disappoint. The brown butter-y sauce was so fragrant, not overpowering rich and perfect for soaking up with the complimentary bread service. - Tout le lapin: of course, we had to get "all of the rabbit"! Each of the three dishes--tenderloin, an almost French onion soup like preparation, and a beautifully clear broth--was quite ingenious. - Canette l'orange: a seared (?) duck breast perfectly complemented with cherry sauce, and loved the use of other parts in an endive salad. The two appetizers and two entrees were a perfect amount of food and left us very satisfied. Also loved the rose and strawberry egg white cocktail. read more

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Decent French food, though underwhelming given their star and service that also did not match their accolades. I ordered the oyster apps and halibut, both of which were a bit overcooked. The oyster was forgettable, lacking depth, and paled in comparison to the Le Pavillon version. The halibut was overcooked to the point where the fish was slightly rubbery and the sauce was the most basic tasting cream sauce with no exciting / new elements to it. Ambience was decent, with lit candles at each table; however service was on par with any random restaurant I'd walk into in NYC. They confused a Happy Anniversary with Happy Birthday and waiter was not very helpful in providing descriptions / input into dish selection. Dish presentation at the table (e.g., pouring sauce onto the foods and adding heart to the duck) was also subpar, with one of the waiters clearly providing advice to another after the fact. Sauce and food was added ad hoc. Busboys were attentive though and waited always remained filled. +1 star for them. read more

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First time here, dinner with my wife, super excited to chow down. Shocked. Course after course was TASTELESS. We ordered a la carte: 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and a half bottle of wine. The bill came to nearly 800 dollars. For the meal of a lifetime? Maybe. For subpar blandness? Highway robbery. We did enjoy the candlelit ambiance and the open kitchen. And it was fun listening to the brigade shout out orders with a loud "OUI!" But then the food started arriving. Including the famed pike mousse - which like the rest of what we ate, was not just lacking a balance of flavors, it was lacking ANY flavor! As a comparison, we dined in our hotel at a noted French restaurant in the Financial District - no Michelin star but well regarded. And we were reminded that when food is good, it's delicious. You want to eat bite after bite. If you've got money to burn and don't mind food that's totally tasteless, you'll do ok at Le Coucou. Everybody else, I urge you to stay away. read more

We had the chance to visit Chef Danie Rose's place in Paris (La Bourse et La Vie) earlier this year and had the great good fortune to meet Chef Rose at the restaurant while we were dining. We had such a lovely experience there that we knew there was no place we wanted to celebrate my 60th birthday in my hometown other than Le Coucou. The vibe is definitely French, but with a New York accent. The room is gorgeous and dimly lit, with very high ceilings. In a town full of restaurants that you can't hear yourself without screaming, Le Coucou is an oasis. Even if they didn't serve food, I'd have to tell you that it was some of the best restaurant service I've ever experienced. The servers were professional, and kind, but not punctilious, and they had a knack for knowing exactly when to come by the table, and when to let us just savor the experience. The wine list is a mile wide, and several miles deep. If you can't find something you want on that list, you may wish to consider switching to beer :-) The wine by the Glass list is small, but well chosen. As we had come off a celebration the night before where many prize bottles were opened, we ordered off the Glass list. We ordered a really lovely Merseault, and a fabulous French Chablis, both of which really well complemented the food. As it was my birthday, the front of the house staff went above and beyond to make it feel special. Every table is lit with an honest to goodness real life taper. In front of ours was a lovely card memorializing my birthday. The back of the house staff treated us very well. The chef sent several complementary appetizers to us, in addition to the ones we ordered. A particular highlight was the tuna and scallop Crudo that was one of the best raw fish dishes I can recall eating. The scallop was like "buttah". We started with leeks vinaigrette, which we enjoyed so much in Paris. It's an incredibly simple dish, but perfectly executed at this place, with the addition chopped toasted hazelnuts giving it a fantastic texture. We also ordered the foie gras torchon, because, well, foie gras. The chef sent us an additional foie gras app, this time served with Chantrelle mushrooms in an amazing broth that I think might've had a little bit of miso in it. I could've had gallons of the stuff :-) For our main, we chose the roasted duck breast, and the lobster. The duck was perfectly cooked, the skin rendered and crisp, and served with a sauce of apricot, and what they called "the rest of the duck" . In a copper pot on the side of the plate rested the most delectable bits of crispy, dark duck meat, swimming in the apricot sauce. It was divine. The lobster was a thing of beauty. It was served shelled on a plateful of what I swore was the steak frites sauce that we had in Paris. The sauce was amazing with the sweet, perfectly cooked lobster meat. That sauce was also perfect for dipping the bites of soufflé potatoes that they served with the lobster. Imagine tiny, crispy potato flour popovers, and you're halfway there to experiencing them. Dessert was a chocolate marjolaine, and assorted mignardises from the pastry chef. It was spectacular with the drip coffee which was a cup of heaven. It's not the cheapest restaurant I've ever eaten in, but I think that the price was a great value for the quality of the food, and the wonderful atmosphere and service. Plus, it's in New York City, and things just tend to just cost a little more "the big city" Highest recommendation for an amazing French meal in my hometown. Bravo, Chef Rose and team!! read more

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Ok, wow. This meal was superb in every meaning of the word. Perfect wine pairings and fantastic dish suggestions. You must get the scallop starter and you must get the duck main. We were in love with the dishes and our waiter made the experience just so much fun. If we are ever back in NY, we will be back. read more

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Le Coucou is a textbook example of why I blindly trust the Michelin guide I was at the Jersey Shore on vacation and felt really ... bored by the dining scene there. I also, last minute, took a Frontier flight up from Atlanta and was positive I wasn't going to make it past the E gates at Hartsfield Jackson after using the remaining points from my grad school days. Anyways, I figured I would continue my cheap blind luck and use NJT's "transit holiday" to go into manhattan for a few hours and try out a new 1 star spot that I haven't been to. Le Coucou showed up as having lunch availability 24 hours before my haphazard and impromptu trip into the city so I booked it. A $69 prix fixe is a good deal for fine dining in Manhattan, and my pseudo-materialistic obsession with claiming yet another star was exciting to me at a bare minimum. I'd describe Le Coucou as traditional French with a modernist twist. I decided to get the galantine as my first course and it was absolutely incredible. The course was a perfect example of creating your own experience with every single bite, due to the variety of ingredients in the galantine itself and the "green ring" that surrounded it. I decided to spend an extra $14 to get the duck course and it was worth every penny. Another example of a beautifully plated entree that is firmly planted in French roots yet allows a diner to experience the dish in an infinite number of ways. I was in what I affectionately refer to as "duck organ heaven". Seriously, everything was delicious. I also had 4 drinks there. Don't skip on their wine menu because they have some unique bottles that are downright impossible to get elsewhere in NYC. I was especially impressed with the dessert wine selection and ingenuity that went into crafting that menu and being able to source those selections. Le Coucou - I'll be back for dinner sometime soon!! I apologize for my shitty planning - but I'm glad the low tier combo of Frontier and NJT got me to your restaurant. Next time I'm up, I'll surely be on a United flight, will be staying at my usual spot on the Upper West Side, and will book well in advance because I know I'll make it. In the meantime, thanks for satisfying my palate with this impulsive lunch. read more

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