Flair Magazine Le Coq Rico
From understated corner cafes to the most luxurious hotels and restaurants in the world, Paris truly has it all. While exquisite cuisine can be had across the city, one of our favorite things to do when in the city of lights is to step away from the glamour and flash and indulge in some down to earth cooking at Le Coq Rico, a Montmartre hotspot renowned for its mastery of poultry preparation.
By Kate Dannies
A whimsical blue façade welcomes guests into a simple yet elegant dining space. The rustic minimalism of the interiors makes it abundantly clear that the food is the only thing on display at Le Coq Rico.
Guests can dine at the long bar, facing an open kitchen, or in a cosy dining room set with impeccable glassware and white napkins. Dark weathered hardwood floors pair well with white textured walls, soft lighting, and plush banquettes.
At this brainchild of Antoine Westerman, it is all about the bird. The simple but satisfying menu features poultry in all of its forms, with a focus on perfectly roasted birds served with simple side dishes.
Diners can start out with a selection of appetizers, including terrines, soups, salads, and a selection of choices starring eggs. For mains, the clear choice is the restaurant’s signature roasted chicken—available in quarter, half or full portions, served with side dishes of macaroni gratin, fries, vegetable casserole and salad.
For the more adventurous, different types of poultry abound further down the page. A plate of pan-fried scallops encased in duck breast, perhaps. Or roasted guinea fowl with sauerkraut and mushrooms. Other choices include roasted young partridge and pigeon and the chef’s special of roasted duck for two. The dishes have a German flavor, inspired by Westerman’s roots in Alsace-Lorraine.
For dessert, a mouth-watering selection of the finest French pastries awaits, from profiteroles to millefeuille. It goes without saying that each of these dishes are accompanied by the finest of wine and drink selections the city has to offer.
While far from fancy, Le Coq Rico is where we come when we want the simple, satisfying cooking and relaxed atmosphere that facilitates good conversation and joie de vivre in the way that only Paris can.
