La Coquine - Short Review
Corner of Yonge and Manor, fairly recently opened. Used to be a pub, but has been reinvented as classic French bistro, with white tiled floors, wood panelling and plenty of mirrors.
Service is attentive and extremely efficient. Seasoned waiters keep the water glasses full, and have a good handle on the menu and specials.Food is classic, with some variations and creativity. Poutine is with shredded duck, brie, smoked provolone and a nice duck jus. Croque monsieur is served on decent brioche, frites are very good.
Dinner menu looks intriguing, with cassoulet and a very reasonably priced steak frites.
Worth going back to!
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re: sugarcube
I did brunch there this weekend. My friend and I split the poutine and I had the vanilla french toast and she had a croque monsieur. everything was delicious and prices were reasonable. the restaurant had a great laid back vibe and the service was really friendly. this is going to be a new addition to the brunch circuit.
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re: LemonLauren
went there tonight with coworkers. the frites were delish, i would return for those alone! the dip with the bread was fantastic too (we didn't ask the server, but wondered if it was hummus - i've since read the above posts and seen someone mention white bean dip...either way, tasty!). the caprese salad was also quite good, and i had the halibut en papillot which had nice seasoning and wasn't overcooked. the mashed potatoes were also really creamy and tasty. i'd definitely go again and try other food. the only criticism would be that it took an extremely long time from when we ordered our mains to when they came out. as a group engrossed in conversation, the fact that several of us noticed really meant it was too long, though we didn't check the time to verify exactly how long it was (my guess, half an hour, maybe a bit longer, the salmon took even longer than the other dishes)
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re: auberginegal
I agree with auberginegal re the service/timing issue. My first visit a couple of months ago, the service was fine. However, went last Friday and, although the service was relatively friendly, it was not very attentive and was pooly timed (eg. I ordered the cheese course and asked for a glass of port with it, and the port didn't come until about 15 minutes after the cheese).
I'll still give it another try though. The food has been quite tasty, and the patio (the one on the Manor Rd side) is great.
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re: torontofoodiegirl
i had a similar experience with the service last friday. timing was fine but our server disappeared for a protracted period of time after our food arrived (piping hot to their credit). we arrived around 8pm with no reservations and were seated at a four top on the patio immediately. duck confit poutine was fantastic(how could it not be?). burger trio was solid, the spicy mustard really makes them pop. i had the pork double loin chop which was nicely cooked and seasoned. my friends all ordered 6oz strip loins (at least i think that was the cut) and they arrived well past the med-rare/med they ordered. you have the option of the bigger steak of the same cut so i'm guessing the 3/4" thick 6oz ones were butterflied versions of the big ones. understandably, it must be difficult to get a good sear on them and let them rest without them being overcooked since they're so thin, i'm thinking they were probably cooked correctly and met their demise under the salamander until my big thick double chops were done. i think the dip that came with the bread was babaghanoush.
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food face
Jun 8, 2008 09:53 AM
Went there upon everyone's recs. The poutine was great My first time trying duck! The ceasar salad was nice a garlicky. Steak is great. My only concern was the pretentious mobs of people in the place. Fat ugly rich men with trophy wives. The whole place was packed with the when we went last night to the point of it being uncomfortable. Crowded like a pumping night club, loud as hell and swealtering hot.
Not a place to bring your grandma to unless you go at lunch??
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re: food face
Really the whole "Fat ugly rich men with trophy wives" phenomenon permeates practically the entire stretch up to Lawrence. There's no good way of avoiding it if you're going to eat around there. Though that doesn't mean one should miss potential chowfinds just because of that, IMO.
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I was there when it was a pub and had frozen fries. Yuck. The transformation both in ambiance and food was welcome. I had the steak frites -- and I have to say it was one of the best I've had ever. Not a big portion, but certainly big enough and extremely tasty. No sign of the bad waitress another poster wrote about. My server was appropriately attentive and polite. Prices are reasonable too. Oh -- and for those who also read the post about where to find the best baguette, the bread they serve with the meal would have to rank right up there. My mother (who grew up in the 16th arrondissement, even commented on how good it was.) I'd go back.
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Went to Coquine tonight. Four people, 4 mains, 3 apps - all delicious (poutine, onion soup, escargot, cassoulet, mushtroom ravioli, halibut, steak...). Reasonably priced wine which was delicious. Everyone enjoyed the atmosphere, the food and the great friendly service. We sat in the back room - 3 hours later we emerged from the cozy room to a very bustling bar atmosphere! Will return for sure........
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re: LemonLauren
Their website is now up with all the menus: http://www.coquinerestaurant.com/
Apps $7-12; Pastas $10-$15; Mains $15-$27
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Yesterday, after a long day of tennis, four friends and I went for a bite at Coquine, arriving there shortly after 6:30. One of my friends knew the owners, so it was hard to discern how much of our service was affected by that. One of the friends and I shared the Coquine salad and then we each had the Mushroom Ravioli. Two others had the steak frites and the other had the seafood linguine.
Coquine salad was quite good, with a perfectly dressed amount of arugla complemented with four tiny chunks of gorgonzola, a few walnuts, three dried figs, and a generous amount of prosciutto piled on top. It didn't quite match the description of "warm prosciutto wrapped figs", and I wonder if the dish would change if fresh figs were available. However, a very nice salad, nonetheless.
Mushroom ravioli was indeed outstanding, with perfectly al dente pasta filled with a generous portion of mushrooms, topped with a light creamy sauce, sundried and fresh tomatoes, spinach and more mushrooms.
The steak frites were served on a oblong dish with a bowl of skinny frites, and a small serving dish of ketchup and mayonnaise. The steaks looked to be perfectly cooked, as they were requested to be medium but were still pinkish on the inside. Seafood linguine was a generous portion of pasta and mussels, shrimps, clams, in a tomato broth. All diners were quite happy with their dishes.
The bread was a serviceable baguette, with a chewy crust, served with a white bean dip. Per glass wine selection was small and not memorable. One friend had an Italian beer which she declared to be quite good as she doesn't really like the taste of some beers. We were treated to digestifs at the bar after the meal.
When the place was the Manor Arms, I remember the interior was quite dark and dowdy. So I found the transformation to be quite impressive. The feel is very much like a French bistro, with white walls accented with a lot of wood. The windows at the front can be opened up so patrons at those tables can enjoy dining in an al fresco way during nice weather, and still be far enough away from the traffic on Yonge to enjoy the meal (wide open last night).
I think the place has a nice balance of dishes that would please people who are picky about what they eat (standard meat and potatoes folk) and those who want something a bit more interesting. That was the makeup of people I was out with last night and we were all happy with the meal. I hate being in that situation and then having to go to some place like the Pickle Barrel because they don't want to eat foods that are too spicy, too strange, too expensive, etc., etc.
Certainly nothing like Grazie.
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re: Degustation
Royaljelly
Apr 20, 2008 02:22 PM
I've must've been there around the same time as you Degustation. We had the same salad, and the mushroom ravioli, which was very good... that warm rustic flavoured mushrooms which I love. My wife had the duck, which was a bit lack lustre. I had the special steak sirlion? (I think, it was so loud), came with seared veggies and mash. Nicely cooked to the med. rare that I requested. I wanted to sub the mash for fries, but they screwed up and gave me mash. I still got my fries on the side for free - agree w/ Lamaranthe that the fries were lame (despite the ketchup and another cream based dipping sauce). While the mains are decent priced, the sides are a bit pricey ($4 for a small bowl of peas and a few pieces of ham).
I got real excited when someone posted about their Belgium beers (which I love), but the menu only has the standard fare which you can buy at most LCBO or Beer stores (eg. Stella, Leffe, Hoegarden). I was hoping for something a little more exotic, oh well.
Service was good too, and very kid friendly (i.e. loud). Overall a decent meal for the price. Will go back again to try more. BTW, no reservations unless you want to book their party room. I think their outodor patio seats will be setup pretty soon. They did have the front windows wide open, which was nice with the good weather last night.
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I was there last night for dinner. I had duck (leg & breast) with kumquat jus (tasted like lighter gravy) and yukon mashed potato. It was good, but I've had better.
My SO had today's special which was mushroom risotto with bacon wrapped pork tenderloin, and I did taste it a bit and it was quite amazing.
My only thing with the night at La Coquine was that we had a very stiff and unfriendly waitress. I haven't received such rude service in a while.
I would def go back to try out other food, and I do hope that by the time, they will have trained their employees better.
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Had supper this Friday at Coquine. Caprese Salad, with wonderful heirloom tomatoes and lots of fresh mozzarella. Then mussels, very good. The only disappoinment: the frites. Greasy, limp, unappetizing. With a soda and tip it came to $34. Friendly atmosphere, though very noisy.
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thenurse
Mar 5, 2008 11:37 AM
I've been 3 times now in the past 3 weeks. Absolutely LOVE their steak frites - best steak I've had in a restaurant, that I can remember. The cassoulet is forgettable, but I've been lucky to have had my fill in France, so I suppose I'm picky. The Coquine salad is amazing (arugula with prosciutto wrapped figs, gorgonzola and walnuts) and a generous portion. Moules frites are tasty and good value. Mushroom Ravioli is a standout, beet gnocchi is a little salty and heavy, but tasty. Never ending bread and hummus was a nice addition to a table of 3 hungry women, 2 of which were pregnant. Wine list is decent and affordable, service top notch. I hesitate to say this, but the owners are the same as Grazie, further north on Yonge. Don't hold it against them, yet....
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re: Zuzana
Just thought I'd post their link: http://www.coquinerestaurant.com/
I'm hoping they'll post their menu soon.
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