Where to get the best coq au vin in Boston?

[Mgirl]

Coq au vin is one of my favorite winter foods, and Garden of Eden made a very good one, until they closed a couple years ago. We went to Petit Robert in the South End last week, and I was pretty disappointed with their version. Any recommendations for good places to try in Boston or surrounding areas?

[Allstonian]

I'm no expert on the dish, but I *loved* the coq au vin that I had at Brasserie JO last week.

[Friendly D]

My House! ha ha ha
Brasserie Jo's is really excellent, I agree with the above.

[MC Slim JB]

Agree on Brasserie Jo.

Bon Savor has a great "summer coq au vin", but it's off the menu now.

A lot of places that used to offer it do a roast or grilled chicken now instead, like Aquitaine, Pierrot, and Beacon Hill Bistro. Maybe it's a seasonal thing at those places, too.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[barleywino]

for a slightly different take on the dish, try the 3-cups chicken at Jo Jo Taipei

[MParente]

I had Coq au vin last weekend at Pigalle and it was awesome. Came with the buttery noodles. Not as beautiful as my husbands Salmon in puff pastry (also delicious), but really really good. I often think Pigalle is overlooked by a lot of people. They have a great $40 3 course prix fix available every night.

[MC Slim JB]

I used to love Pigalle, but I felt its quality had declined in the last couple of years as the chef/owner got distracted by other ventures. Prix fixe aside, it's not cheap, so it's kind of hard working up the enthusiasm to give it another shot. It sure doesn't get much coverage here. I have found his other restaurant, Marco, to have been more consistent recently.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[hunterboston]

Agree with your comment on Pigalle (although they do seen to have some faithfull fans). The last time I was there (@1.5 years ago) the food and service were just average. Have not been wowed by Marco either. I no longer go to either.

[FeastNut2008]

Echo the Brasserie Jo recommendations.

[cannedmilkandfruitypebbles]

I'm not sure it's always on the menu but Petite Robert does a good coq au vin.

[MC Slim JB]

I think that one's pretty good, too (buttered noodles, yum), but the OP stated that she was disappointed with it.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[cannedmilkandfruitypebbles]

oops. just kind of skimmed the post. I think a good question to ask is why the OP was disappointed. Could have just been an off plate. I found it rustic, rich, and authentic- no extra ingredients, ect.

[Ricardo Malocchio]

I love PRB as much as anyone, but their "coq au vin" is made from regular roasting chickens, not a sinewy, vinegary ol' rooster.. Tasty for what it is - though I've never ordered it again - but certainly not coq au vin.

[cannedmilkandfruitypebbles]

Where have you had a sinewy rooster in Boston proper?

[Ricardo Malocchio]

Nowhere in Boston have I had coq au vin. I'm certainly not stating that no place serves it, just that PRB does not.

Also, I'm fairly certain PRB lists this dish on the menu as 'chicken "coq" au vin', so I'm not suggesting they're trying to fool anyone either - lke I said, I love PRB.

Does Brasserie Jo feature real coq?

[MC Slim JB]

If it's tough old stringy bird you crave, I'd suggest the sopa de gallina served on Sundays at Pupuseria Mama Blanca in Eastie. Not sure if that's an old rooster; the name suggests it might mean "old hen", but I'm not certain of its connotation in Salvadoran Spanish. Regardless, mighty tasty!

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[keith]

Sopa de Gallina is indeed traditionally hen, whereas Gallo en Chicha (a sweet and sour Salvadoran stew) is made out of Rooster. While delicious though, it is probably not going to satisfy a true coq au vin craving.

[birdy30]

Brasserie Jo. Now I want to have some coq au vin!!!!!