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Welcome to Le Coucou

At Le Coucou, a Michelin-starred French restaurant nestled in the heart of New York City, dining transforms into an elegant experience that delights all senses. With its chic ambiance, adorned by stunning chandeliers and lush greenery, the atmosphere is romantic and inviting. Guests can indulge in a thoughtfully curated menu featuring exquisite dishes like veal terrine and lobster in rich sauces, bringing traditional French cuisine to life with a modern twist. Acclaimed for impeccable service, each visit feels like a celebration. Whether enjoying their warm sourdough bread or a beautifully crafted dessert, Le Coucou embodies a harmonious blend of sophistication, warmth, and gastronomic artistry, making it a must-visit destination for culinary enthusiasts.

LOCATIONS

Welcome to the enchanting world of Le Coucou, a French culinary gem located in the heart of New York City at 138 Lafayette St, where modern elegance meets traditional French dining. As soon as you step inside, the romantic ambiance created by candlelit chandeliers and rustic décor instantly transports you to a fairy-tale setting reminiscent of the beloved "Beauty and the Beast" castle. With its chic vibe and impeccable service, Le Coucou is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience meant for celebration, special occasions, or simply indulging in the finer things in life.

This upmarket establishment boasts a diverse menu crafted by renowned Chef Danie Rose, offering a blend of classic French flavors with contemporary flair. The culinary offerings range from delightful hors d'oeuvres like hazelnut leeks and warmed oysters to elegantly plated main dishes like lobster tail in peppercorn sauce and duck with apricot. Each dish is a visual masterpiece, showcasing the restaurant's dedication to quality and aesthetics.

  • Appetizers - Start your meal with standout offerings such as the terrine de veau and the unforgettable huitres tièdes, where the warm oysters are perfectly complemented by a silky seaweed butter.
  • Main Courses - Indulge in dishes like the sole Véronique, which features Dover sole with grapes and herbs, or the rich filet de bœuf paired with a flavorful bone marrow jus—each bite a celebration of French culinary art.
  • Deserts - Don’t overlook the dessert menu, where creations like the marjolaine and the ethereal mango sorbet provide a perfect, sweet finish to your meal.

One of the highlights that sets Le Coucou apart is its commitment to creating a memorable dining experience through attentive service that feels both personal and professional. Guests frequently rave about the knowledge and warmth of the staff, who go above and beyond to ensure every detail is taken care of. As noted by patrons, it’s an environment where you feel welcomed and celebrated—ideal for anniversaries, romantic outings, or simply a cherished meal among friends.

While the atmosphere is upscale, the dining experience remains accessible; the restaurant features options for takeout and delivery, making delectable French cuisine available beyond its ornate walls. Vegetarian options are limited, but vegan selections allow for a wider range of dietary preferences.

With a full bar, offering an extensive wine selection that complements each dish, and delightful happy hour specials, Le Coucou is perfect for any time of day—be it a sumptuous lunch or captivating dinner. The restaurant's moderate noise level allows for intimate conversations, making it an ideal choice for groups or couples looking to enjoy good food while creating lasting memories.

Le Coucou stands at the crossroads of sophistication and warmth, offering a culinary adventure that leaves diners eager to return. For those seeking a truly exceptional French dining experience in NYC, this Michelin-starred restaurant should be at the top of your list.

START YOUR REVIEW OF Le Coucou
Kseniya K.
Kseniya K.

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.

Jessica E.
Jessica E.

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.

Warren B.
Warren B.

Service. Style. Class. But far from pretentious. You can dine simply or more complex. Or throw your credit card into the wind and order the five course tasting menu. Everything was delicious. From the fois gras to the Lapin three ways. Classic dishes. Simply prepared with love. An extra desert. Some red fruits gelee' exceptional coffee. A wine list that speaks your language with expert assistance. It's worth every moment you spend in their care.

Ferzeen P.
Ferzeen P.

One of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time! Went for the 2 course lunch and at $69 it is a steal! The $23 lobster add on was to die for as was the flat iron steak. The shrimp and avocado appetizers was one of the best things I've eaten in this year and will set the bar high for 2025. The ambiance of the restaurant is elegant but not stuffy! Service was attentive but not too pushy. Can't wait to come back

Elena N.
Elena N.

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

Arthur B.
Arthur B.

While in NY, I made a reservation for what some say is the best French restaurant in the city. Le Coucou. Upon entering I really loved the rustic interior and was warmly greeted and my coat taken. The wine last was INCREDIBLE. Absolutely extensive and stunning. We started with a glass of Cremant and were served some delicious warm bread with butter. I started with the Galentine de Pintade et foie gras a La Chartreuse. Absolutely lovely. 10/10. My entree was the Canette aux abricot. Incredible. 20/10. I ended the meal with the sorbet. 10/10. Le Cou Cou should be on your list of must try restaurants when in the city. I can't wait to make a return trip.

Amy G.
Amy G.

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.

Rob J.
Rob J.

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.

Marc G.
Marc G.

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!!