Stepping into Le Coucou, diners are welcomed by the inviting yet sophisticated ambiance. In keeping with the atmosphere, guests are also politely requested to dress their best for a NYC night out, making it the perfect destination for a special occasion or a memorable evening out. Soaring ceilings and white-washed brick walls are the backdrop for extensive pewter chandeliers. The Roman and Williams-designed interior, with its bar and open kitchen, well-spaced tables with crisp white tablecloths, and flickering candles, invites diners to witness the creativity behind each dish. The restaurant buzzes with life as guests remain late into the night.
The menu emphasizes high-quality ingredients and creative presentations while honoring traditional French culinary techniques imbued with Rose’s personality. It is written in French with English translations. Dishes are designed to be enjoyed individually rather than shared, allowing diners to appreciate each course fully. In keeping with Rose’s love affair with France, the menu reads like a compilation of the hexagon’s greatest hits.
Lunch is simple, capturing the old-school French bistro vibe with a classic two-dish menu.
Dinner gets more serious with a fanfare of additional delicacies or “gourmandises,” with classic ingredients like sautéed sweetbreads or foie gras. For the main plats, diners are spoilt for choice with punchy dishes spanning fish and seafood to game and red meat and sublime sauces. Dessert is a delightful skip through a selection of France’s finest patisserie. Naturally, there is also a ‘service du fromage.’
Chef Daniel Rose, a Chicago native, owes his old-school French culinary technique and execution to his formative years spent cooking in France. He learned from some of the country's finest chefs through a combination of formal training at the prestigious Institut Paul Bocuse and later apprenticing across the country for six years. He also oversees two restaurants in Paris: Spring and La Bourse et La Vie. Le Coucou is his first venture in the US.
Le Coucou has received widespread critical acclaim, including a three-star review from New York Times critic Pete Wells in its opening year. Just a year after opening, the James Beard Foundation named it Best New Restaurant, and in November 2018, it was awarded one Michelin star.
