The James Beard awards were announced this week with the crowning of the best creation and innovative establishment in the restaurant industry. Referred to as the Oscars of the culinary world, a group of more than 600 judges chose 23 different categories of winners from the "rising star chefs" to "design icons." This year's "best new restaurant" award in America has been given to the French bistro Le Coucou. It opened in 2016 and was started by French restaurateur and Chef Daniel Rose who also steered a similar startup in Paris called Spring and made the American entry with famed restaurateur Stephen Starr.
Le Coucou won much praise for its delicious cuisine and charming dining room. It was previously examined by the New York Times food critic Pete Wells who gave it three stars.
French connection
It is however the best new restaurant in America and does come up with cool concoctions with traditional French style cooking and cuisine that might delight American consumers. Le Coucou is located in 11 Howard, a boutique hotel in the Soho district of downtown Manhattan. The restaurant opened last year, and in addition to the beautiful dining room, there is a gorgeous bar serving a variety of cocktails like white Vermouth with yellow/green pear wine. Although he originally came from Chicago, Rose studied cooking techniques for about six years in France before opening his own restaurant in Paris.
Le Coucou is his first restaurant in the United States, with it winning the latest James Beard award.
Delectable cuisine
In his comments, critic Pete Wells indicated that the focus of meals was traditional recipe-based and "old school." He was also impressed with the delicious sauce and the cool French stuff offered there. For dinner, snacks include "poireaux," a dish of leeks and hazelnuts, asparagus, tuna preparations, and a popular veal casserole.
For dinner, the main dish is "duck and fruit", including duck breasts and foie gras. There is also a simple breakfast menu, which began shortly after the opening of the restaurant. Breakfast includes croissants, avocado toast, fried eggs, and pancakes. It is separated from the weekend brunch menu at the restaurant. Reservations can be made online at OpenTable, although, given the popularity of the restaurant, finding a table may be tricky.
