A brilliant new French restaurant has opened in our neighbourhood.
We locals were hoping to keep it a secret, but after just two weeks of trading, it’s already getting hard to make a booking. And that’s because every neighbour we know has already eaten there twice.
Chef and owner Jay is well-credentialed – he was the former head chef of Bistro Mémé and previously worked at La Grande Bouffe. Apart from being an incredibly nice guy, his food is excellent – well crafted, carefully balanced and delicious…
Charming Jeremy runs the front of house. His staff are well trained – the service is professional and efficient, whilst still being relaxed and friendly…
We’ve now eaten there at every sitting. At Saturday brunch, Pete had the Honey and Cinnamon Roasted Granular with Greek yoghurt and baked rhubarb ($13.50)…
Jay’s Duck Liver Parfait with pickled cauliflower and onion jam ($17) is my favourite dish so far, and that’s saying a lot, because I’ve loved them all…
As Small Man is in the middle of his HSC trial exams, we took the boys down for dinner as a mid-week treat. The bread basket ($7) arrived and we demolished it. As you all know, I’m pretty fussy about bread, but this was that perfect French baguette that I just can’t seem to master – crispy with a tender crumb, served warm…
Soup of the week was a richly flavoured, slow cooked French Onion ($16), served in their trademark cocotte…
Pete and I weren’t particularly hungry, so we shared a few entrees. The Seared Panchetta Rolled Scallops with Leek Fondue and Saffron Emulsion ($19) was sublime…
The Rabbit and Ham Hock Terrine ($18) was very good, but I think I prefer the Duck Liver Parfait…
Small Man was starving, so he had the Grilled Eye Fillet of Beef with Trumpet Mushroom Jus ($32). He ate every morsel on his plate…
For sides, we ordered Petit Pois and Lardon, Ratatouille, and a bucket of Pomme Frites ($7)…
Big Boy chose the Confit Pork Belly with Honey Apple Purée, Braised Red Cabbage, Fig and Chestnut ($29). He’s always been a fan of confit pork, but he declared that this combination of flavours was the best he’d ever tried…
For dessert, Pete and I shared the Apple Tart. Hmm…shared as in I let him have a couple of bites…
…and Big Boy raved about the Creme Brûlée, with it crackly caramel topping…
Bistro Cocotte offers a fixed price three course dinner (with a choice of dishes) for $55, as well as a $35 Tuesday to Friday lunch special (entree and main). Their full menus are available here – there are only a few vegetarian options listed, but if you advise your food preferences when booking, Jay will happily create to order. The restaurant is fully licenced, but BYO is available Tuesday to Thursday. We can now take our old bottles of wine, walk to a fantastic French bistro, eat glorious food, then walk home!
. . . . .
Bistro Cocotte
78 Ramsay Street
Haberfield NSW 2045
tel: 02 8964 1301
www.bistrococotte.com.au
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
I shouldn’t have read this before breakfast. Yum. Thanks Celia.
That sounds like my kind of bistro. Fair prices and a policy of BYO during the week enabling families to dine without breaking the bank. Beautiful food- I wish them every success.
Good morning Celia…so delicious and your photos are gorgeous. I love how you have captured the people behind the food! This looks like an asset to your neighborhood and being able to walk is such a bonus isn’t it? x
That’s utter food porn in those photos Celia!
“As you all know, I’m pretty fussy about bread”, you are? Gosh I never would have guessed. ;)
Well, those photos explain why it is SOOOOOOO busy, food porn indeed :)
An unusual name for a French restaurant. Food looks good though
Booked in for tomorrow!
I tried to get in last night with the kids … had I been successful, it would have been my second time, too! Love it! Great post, Celia; sharing on FB … the horse has bolted and so happy to see a new restaurant in Haberfield succeed. x
I’d love to meet you for a meal there when I’m in Sydney sometime, Celia. It sounds lovely. :-)
It’s hard when you discover something new and wonderful – I’m always torn between telling the world and trying to keep it a bit of a secret so I can still get in. But quality will always get out eventually.
Looking forward to trying this out soon. I finally got to visit the Temperance Society Wine Bar in Summer Hill. We got a very warm welcome and my friend and I thouroughly enjoyed a long catch up over good wine. I made mention of your post :)
That apple tart….
Thank you! Have a number of friends living in your area who will be delighted to get the name, menu and critique! Especially since all do not share my fascination with Asian or African :) ! Love the look of both the terrine and the parfait [actually on my ‘to do’ schedule for the weekend!] . . . . now back for a second look at the menu!! . . . . with good wishes to you . . .
Isn’t it a joy when a restaurant opens in your area and it’s a winner. The food looks very good and there seems to be good variety too – no wonder the local have already been there at least twice. But why is it whenever you take the kids for dinner, they always want the most expensive item on the menu! Good luck to Small Man on his trials xx
Oooh, yum! Lovely local success story :)
Looks fantastic…we may need to make an excursion to Haberfield….such great food in the inner west! :-)
Lucky lucky you girl!
Sounds amazing – will have to pop down! Another recommendation is Dosa Hub on Great North Road – best Indian I’ve had since London days.
Family get togethers are the best aren’t they? Especially when the food is well priced, professionally cooked & delicious! I’m so glad y’all had a wonderful time Celia! ( but no bread will outdo yours!) ;)
What a great idea to have the restaurant byo during the week. That sounds and looks like yum-station101 – on legs.
That looks a great place to eat. I wish I had waited until I had eaten tea before I read your post – I want to order from this now not cook!
What a great place – I don’t think there’s one thing there I wouldn’t enjoy. Ok, let’s be honest…there’s very little food I don’t enjoy! So glad you were able to get out and enjoy some family time together.
yum yum celia. this looks pretty darn delish!
All this fabulous food, and you can walk there…can’t get a better combination than that.
This was a sweet read… the boys call my mother Mémé, which is what she used to call her Grandmother. And we have many cocottes ;) xx
Oh yum, Celia! Lucky you to have this so close by…..x
The platings look absolutely lovely! Thanks so much for sharing this gem of a restaurant!
You take very good ‘descriptive’ photos of the dishes and I would definitely like to tag along with you next time you go ! xx