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Bistro Le Coq
Categories: Restaurants French Restaurants Cafes French, Cafes [Edit]
1584 Argyle StHalifax, NS B3J 2B3
(902) 407-4564
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 12 pm - 10 pm
Fri 12 pm - 1 am
Sat 11:30 am - 1 am
Sun 11:30 am - 10 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- No
36 reviews for Bistro Le Coq
Review Highlights
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"...so we decided on: Moules et Frites, Tuna Tartar, and Duck..." In 2 reviews -
"...and strong, but my favourite drink here is the Fleur De Lys." In 3 reviews -
"...so luckily my main, the salade nicoise, was nice and light." In 2 reviews
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35 reviews in English
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Review from Bryn J.
Dartmouth, NS
1/29/2012
After wanting to go to this restaurant for some time, we finally made it. My fiance suggested we dine here for one of our date nights and I am glad that he did!!
I am a chef, and have a knowledge of French cuisine and am classically trained. So, I would say that I did have high expectations. This restaurant is amazing, I loved it all from the decor, the service to the food.... oh the food! The food was amazing, and the menu was clear, directed but had enough variety to appeal to anyone's taste.
First, the decor/ambiance I enjoyed immensely! I felt as if we had stepped out of Halifax, into a true bistro in Paris. Every detail was thought off, even the service staff had set uniforms. I thought this was a nice touch, and it provided cohesion not a cheese factor. Also, incredible was the majority of service staff spoke French which being half French was impressive to me.
The food... you have to go try this restaurant! For an appetizer we tried the Moules a Normandy with duck fat frites. The sauce the mussels came with was divine, perfectly seasoned and balanced nicely with bacon. The mussels were perfectly cooked. The duck fat frites were a delectable pleasure! The presentation was equally nice!
For a main, my fiance had poulet au chasseur and I had pot-au-feu. Both dishes had excellent presentation, and the flavours were rich, balanced and French. I actually wanted to savour every bite, and took my time eating my entree. For dessert, we had the chocolate souffle with grand marnier creme anglaise. Again, it was delicious and even had a table d'hote element which was a nice touch!
We will certainly be coming here again and I recommend everyone to give it a try! -
Review from Audrey L.
Toronto, ON
5/16/2012
This place truly is a hidden gem, but I'm so glad I found it. I went in just before the dinner rush (I had an early flight the next morning, and was looking for a 'light' meal) and had my choice of seating. Right away, I was taken back by the decor: exactly what I imagine a French bistro would look like; quaint, simple, clean but inviting.
Right away, the bone marrow caught my eye and my mouth began to water. I worried that this might be similar to a tapas place, where I might need to order another dish, but the waitress (who happened to be the manager) assured me that this 'hors d'oeuvre' would suffice. Just the same, after having read all the recommendations here, I decided to add the duck fat pomme frites to my order (how could I not, after all the mouth-watering reviews!) Neither dish disappointed.
Having only had bone marrow once before, I was surprised by the size of the dish: two large bones, drizzled with balsamic and served with 4 crostini slices, as well as a side of blueberry jam. Personally, I found the balsamic to be uneccessary--it didn't ruin the dish, but I think the bone marrow could have stood alone with the crostini. Speaking of which, I found there wasn't enough crostini, given the size of the marrow that was served. Eat this dish quickly, the fat starts to congeal when it cools and sort of takes away from the experience (personally speaking, of course).
The duck fat pomme frites... oh, those fries--there's a reason there are so many rave reviews for this dish, and I will say this much: they are worth every calorie. Seriously.
What really impressed me is that although she'd left a bottle of water at my table (which few restaurants do, but I really appreciate), the manager checked up on me several times (just enough so as not to be intrusive) and made sure that I was enjoying the meal (I was!) I look forward to returning here soon. Hopefully next time, I'll remember to leave room for dessert. -
Review from John B.
South End, NS
5/7/2012
This was my third visit to Bistro Le Coq and I now feel I can award it a reflective grade - and it's gotta be a two. I would have given two and a half if Yelp allowed; two seems a little harsh to be honest, but three would indicate a general level of satisfaction and three visits in this place is just not cutting it for me.
It's a lovely space; high-end French country-kitchen with a nice ambiance. I'll be honest though, the black-and-white striped shirt-clad servers (who, it must be said, have been uniformly delightful on all three visits) and the corkboard menus seem a little hokey; almost like the kind of French bistro you'd expect to find at Disneyland.
I opted for mussels to begin. Nice and plump, and a cream sauce that was adequate, laced with a stingy amount of applewood smoked bacon. Decent enough, but nothing you can't find anywhere else in the city and when I chose a place like Le Coq, I expect everything to be next-level good. The duck-fat frites, however, are consistently amazing, especially when you take them for a swim in the cream sauce. My comrades were less-than-thrilled with their appies as well; a steak tartar that underwhelmed, and a brioche salad that could've come from my kitchen at home.
On to the mains, and the 'meh' tone set by the first course continued for three out of the four of us. My hubby opted for the 'pavé de boeuf au poivre'. At $26 and at a resto like this, you'd have every right to expect amazeballs but it arrived overcooked; not to the point of being inedible at all (he still said it was OK) but this isn't the Steak and Stein so it was a fail. My buddy's salad nicoise was also a non-event. Again, 'good enough' but he's a foodie and I have grown used to his reaction to good food and this one didn't set him on fire.
I had an open-faced steak sandwich. At $14 the price was right, and it was OK. The beef was shaved thin and I do prefer my meat to be a bit chunkier, if only so I can order it cooked how I like it (medium rare). That wasn't an option for this dish. It was topped with gruyere (my fave cheese, but the salty taste was lost in whatever the meat was seasoned in). Topped with a fried egg; nice but actually a bit much. Tasty enough, but certainly didn't blow my skirt up. Having gorged on the duck-fat frites with my starter, I opted for a side of brussels sprouts with bacon, which were - yep, you guessed - pretty good but nothing to stop traffic for.
The show-stopper on the table was my other dining companion's inspired choice of a charcuterie plate and a cheese board - two separate menu items that the kitchen plated together on a wooden board. It was visually magnificent and judging by the rapt attention she paid to every bite, it was a major hit. But (and this may sound picky but whatever) it's cheese and meat and accompaniments , made by other artisans and assembled here.
I WILL give this restaurant another go, if only because there are some menu items I would still like to try (the bone marrow and the white sausage, and I've also heard their french onion soup is a game-changer). However, three visits in and for the expection and price-point, I can think of many other places in town that have Le Coq beat hands-down. -
Review from Charles T.
Halifax, NS
Updated - 5/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
After the rave of my first visit to Le Coq, I have been itching to return and have a second go. Since I started yelping I have found I keep opting to try new places that I read about on here rather then go back to restaurants I have already been to.
Last night I was going to Neptune to see La Cage Aux Folles and we decided to meet for dinner at Bistro Le Coq before hand.
As soon as we entered it just felt different then last time. It was busier then the last time I was there and instead of a side table towards the back, we ended up at a middle table completely surrounded by other tables which I think bothered me a bit. I get a little claustrophobic and something as simple as that could have been enough to throw me off a little as I never really relaxed during the meal.
Looking at the mains I realized there was a reason last trip we ended up just having apps, none of them jumped out at me as something I knew I would love. I almost went with the gnocchi, I have never had gnocchi as I am not a big potato fan but it is something I want to try, but sort of been saving myself for Morris East gnocchi night.
I ended up ordering the steak tartare and the salade niçoise. One of my friends upon reading my first review did the assiette de charcuterie and fromages avec des confitures which looked as amazing as I remember and judging by the smile on her face was as good as advertised.
Another friend ordered moules à la Normande et frites which looked really good and then had the steak sandwich which looked amazing. He was very happy with his dinner. He even got me to try a brussel sprout, although better then I remember as a kid, I am still not a fan.
The other had laitue which is a salad with bibb lettuce, garden herbs, house brioche croutons, to me it looked a little ho-hum, and he didn't really say anything either way which makes me think it tasted how it looked. He also have the pavé de boeuf au poivre which was centre cut filet of local beef with a green peppercorn sauce, brandy & cream, served with frites. He ordered his steak medium and it came pretty much well done. I was sad just looking at it, but then I general think a medium steak is a waste, personal tastes I guess. But it was still overcooked for what he ordered.
As for my meal, I had been reading reviews earlier in the day and Jocelyn H. had mentioned that the steak tartare was not cut up fine enough, lacked salt and the soft poached egg on top was overcooked. I should have listened, after all isn't that what yelp is all about? As I looked at it the review was flashing back to me.
While it was not bad, it was far from great. It was cut into chunks that were too big, there seemed to be a lot of connective tissue, the egg was over done and the marinade they had it in to me took away from the taste of the meat and was turning it greyish. It was not the tartare experience I was hoping for, again not bad, just not very good.
My salade niçoise was tasty, the greens were nice, the olives added at salty kick I love, tomatoes, egg and seared tuna in sesame seeds. The tuna was nice, but could have used seasoning and the sesame seeds felt gummy around it, not sure what they used to get them to stay on there but it seem like they were plastered on rather then just rolled on. It tasted really good, minus the sesame seeds and I would have prefer the eggs in halves or quarters rather then the smaller chunks but that is just being really picky.
Over all it was just a disappointing meal for me. Everyone else seemed satisfied, although not blown away. The company was delightful which makes any dining experience fun. The pomme frites and truffle mayo I stole from one of my friends dinner I probably somewhat redeemed my meal, duck fat and truffles to the rescue!
This will not deter me from returning to Bistro Le Coq again, but it certainly moved it down the list of places I want to go to again, as all through dinner I kept thinking my $6.52(taxes included) potato masala dosa and mango lassi dinner at the Scotia Square food court was far better then this $30 plus meal.Listed in: With a Little Help From My…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/5/2012
It was a perfect night... a beautiful woman, a delicious meal at a great restaurant, an intimate… Read more »
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Review from Hilary G.
4/27/2012 4 photos
I never ate mussels before I moved to Halifax, and the mussels at Bistro Le Coq are DIVINE. The PEI mussels appetizer with the duck fat french fries is large enough to be a dinner, but the key element is the sauce. The sauce has cream, leeks, bacon, and vegetables and is good enough to eat on its own. I would find it impossible to come here and not order the mussels.
I had to take home half of my entree but the chicken chasseur was very good. The "hunter" poultry cooked with shallots, butter, mushrooms and cognac was tender and moist, which is rare when you order chicken in restaurants. The ambience of Bistro Le Coq is fully French and would be great for dates. The only downside is the wine menu which is quite expensive for a restaurant that advertises itself as a bistro. The French martini is good at least. Also, the service with the waitress was good for the most part, but she disappeared at times. -
Review from Jocelyn H.
Portland - East Woodlawn, NS
4/29/2012
On our first visit to Bistro Le Coq, we walked in to a packed house so we decided to sit at the high tables in the front room where the bar is located. Right away, decor screams bistro, with a very ornate bar and beautiful ceiling. The staff is dressed in typical bistro garb and the whole ensemble feels very french. Most of the staff actually do speak french, which is a nice touch. Our waitress was very enthusiastic and obviously knew the menu very well.
A couple french beers are available, as well as one Québec beer on tap. The wine list is heavy on french wines, which is to expected in such an establishment, but all too rare in Halifax unfortunately.
We ordered the steak tartare and the tuna tartare as appetizers. Both were nicely presented in deep plates, which nicely toasted wedges of a nice bread. A nice touch was the fact that the bread had been salted, which helped balance the fact that both tartares were under-salted. The steak tartare wasn't fine enough to my taste, but was still flavorful, notwithstanding that lack of salt. The poached egg on top could have been cooked a minute less so there would have been more yolk to mix with the meat. The tuna tartare was beautiful with a nice tartness that didn't overpower the freshness of the fish. The fried capers were a very nice touch.
The main courses we chose were the duck confit salad as well as the boudin blanc. My partner said the duck confit salad was one of the best salads she ever had. The duck confit itself was flavourful if a bit dry. The beets and hazelnut gave the salad a very pleasant earthy taste. My main, the boudin blanc, was amazing. The sausage itself, made in-house of pork and chicken, was spiced just right (even though a bit too salty). The accompanying mashed potatoes with truffle oil were a bit dry and I didn't detect any truffle taste. The tender red cabbage, in the style of an "embeurrée de chou", was absolutely delightful.
We have been back here a few times since and we love it!Listed in: My Halifax favorites
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Review from Jill M.
4/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
I recently stopped into Bistro Le Coq for drinks and a bite to eat before a show at Neptune - it's position on Argyle Street makes it a prime location for such a thing.
I ordered the small cheese plate (which was quite a lot for one person) and it was absolutely divine. The cocktail wasn't my favorite, but I'll definitely be back to try out more.
I really enjoyed the ambiance here and the service was wonderful. I will certainly be back! -
Review from Tiffany T.
Halifax, NS
3/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been wanting to try this place since it opened - I had never been to the previous establishment.
I'm such a rookie when it comes to French food so having the descriptions under the meals was exactly what we needed to get through the ordering process. And now, I have the menu up so I can tell you all exactly what we had.
We ventured in around 7:30 last night (Thursday), and the place was basically empty - My first thought: "oh, no!" but my reaction was premature. We were seated near the back, beautiful music was playing and a drink menu was placed in front of us right away - I like this concept; getting the drinks cleared out of the way before the food menu arrives. We opted for a 1/2 liter of Malbec. They were out so instead a Merlot, which was pretty good ( the bf prefers red, I prefer white) .
I ordered the Duck Prosciutto, the bf ordered the Tuna Tartare (so that I could taste it, he said as he's not a huge tuna fan). Well, they were out of the prosciutto. I was told by the server that they make it in house, it takes time to cure and the last serving just went out. BUMMER, I love prosciutto and I was really looking forward to Duck Prosciutto ( I really like the word too - Prosciutto). So instead, because I wanted duck I went with the Duck Rillettes - which in English; is pretty much a pate. Both starters were accompanied with bread and mine with some homemade pickled carrots, potatoes, and pickles. The Duck Rillettes was great but the Tuna Tartare was outstanding, and will be my go-to next time I am in. Even the bf enjoyed it! Win!
We both had steak for our mains; I had the Pavé de Boeuf au Poivre (centre cut filet of local beef with a green peppercorn sauce, brandy & cream, served with frites) and he had Steak Frites (8oz prime striploin, caramelized shallots, maître d' hôtel butter & frites). Our beef came out exactly as we wished; mine -bloody and his not so much. Bf opted to have the Duck Frites with his steak, I had the original ones. We agreed that mine were better. My meal came with some fresh veggies as well.
For desert, can you guess? Creme Brule for moi (you like that French I added in there?) which was perfect except as Vanessa has said the Madeleine's were lackluster - very dry. Bf had Kirsch Bûchette( french pastry filled with kirsch, berries & chantilly creams) which was different but tasty.
I love, love, love the decor. From the pictures on the wall, to the old elevator lights in the ceilings (bf works on elevators - that's what he said), to the tables and chairs everything was very welcoming. The lighting was just right; not too dark, not too bright.
Our server was excellent, very friendly and had no problem pronouncing all the menu items. She even said them correctly, without judgement after I pointed to the items on the menu and said " I want this"
Next time: Brunch -
Review from B H.
Halifax, NS
5/14/2012
awesome interior decor
awesome waiter (didnt get his name)
awesome food
had the cheese plate (fresh bread, grapes, several cheeses, nuts, and preserves) also the pork belly app was tender and tasty, the steak sandwich was a hit, and mac & cheese nice.
We'll be back to sit on the deck once it warms u! Fabulous dining experience would recommend to everyone. -
Review from Tony H.
Halifax, NS
Updated - 2/3/2012
BRUNCH at Le Coq
This was my second outing at Le Coq. My first Brunch experience.
Its no secret I live for Brunch. If you were a friend on my Facebook you would undoubtedly be sick of my food posts and status updates about Brunch.
Fact is in my line of work, staying up late nights before the weekend conjurs up a hunger that cant be satisfied by any other type of meal. Brunch always wins.
Le Coq was sparingly busy when we arrived. Save for the table of 15 people who seemed to be having a big feast.
The hostess was extremely amicable and vibrant which is not unlike all the other servers and staff there...they are so bright and happy. Lucky them I thought.
We order coffees and mimosas, a mainstay if you are an avid Brunch goer...
The coffee is however unlike most breakfast or brunch restaurants, its actually an Americano style espresso...just like having 2-3 shots of coffee.
They dont even serve regular coffee. A win for us but bad for the waitress since its a lot more work to make espressos.
I only had 2 cups (no refills by the way) but was zinged and ready to walk a thousand miles. The coffee was also delicious in texture and roast.
I would actually go back just to dine on the espressos.
On to the mains....
It has to be said their Brunch menu is enormous by most standards. There are a plethora of options with some repeats from the Lunch/Dinner menu.
I immediately recognize the Croque Madame which Chez Tess so blazingly nails every time. A hard one to beat. So I order that just to see the differences between two restaurants.
I also order the French Toast succumbing to curiousity. You would surprized how vast the diffrences are between each restaurant when it comes to french toast mastery.
The wait for food was really long. I sensed that table of 15-20 when we walked in was the reason. My suspicions are correct when the hostess lists it as a reason for the delay.
Finally our food started coming. The croque Madame looked marvelous especially with its decadent looking egg brooding over the pieces of toast and ham.
So I dig in, I noticed the egg itself was undiluted with no abundance of cream or sauce like other places...no matter it still tasted great...the bread was moist and crispy at the edges, almost perfect, the ham was equally great. The bacon was good but it was a little greasier than most places.
My Senses were a bit stunned by the potency of the dijon sauce used in this sandwhich...it just gets a little overbearing at times.
Overall I would say its a great Croque Madame. Does it compare to Chez Tess? its not as great but its not out for the count either.
On to the French Toast....Three slices on toast like bread. It passes, its not astonishing or extraordinary but its not bad either. Its certainly not creative like Janes on the Commons or Fid's for example. But it does the job.
I will definitely be going back. I did try my friends plates as well, the omelette consensus of the group was that they are not overally exciting but the crepes tasted extraordinary so I will probably indulge in those when I return....1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/12/2012
I finally made it to le Coq (great name!)
My friend and I were on our way to indulge in some… Read more »
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Review from Ben B.
It's spontaneous irrelevant award time! Congratulations, Bistro Le Coq! You're the 2011 winner of Ben's Most Frequently Visited Restaurant award!
No seriously. I'm pretty sure I need to cool it a little bit. Ever since they've opened, I've been in at least two or three times a month, including several spans where it has been two or three times in a week...I have a problem when it comes to champagne and cheese.
Here's the updated shakedown:
**Service: professional, polite, attentive, and efficient. Jasper behind the bar is super rad and really knows his stuff when it comes to mixology and boozey food pairings.
**Ambiance: one of my favourite spaces in the entire city. For serious. Three distinct vibes make it easy to pop in for drinks, snacks, or a full dinner without feeling out of place.
**Drinks: I'm addicted to their daily champagne cocktails. From orange juice and cinnamon, to five-spice and cranberry, I have loved every single one. Sometimes more than once.
**Food: This is the only place there's some room for improvement for me. Everything I've had-including cheese plates, brunch, and dinner-has been very nice, tasty and filling. But sometimes the temperatures could use some fine-tuning by the time dishes hit the table.
**Must Try's: The duck fat, truffle and parmesan french fries are delightfully crisp and just tasty enough. The truffle hollandaise on their eggs benny is also fabulous. And basically anything else with truffle oil on it or in it deserves to be on the list.Listed in: Worldly Treats, 30-Day Yelp Challenge, I'll never stop wine-ing., My Second-Favourite Argyle, New Restaurants 2011!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/10/2011
First, a brief history:
I totally dig RCR and their restaurants but never really felt like I clicked… Read more »
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Review from Vivian W.
I was not disappointed at all! This restaurant totally lived up with all the yelpers' reviews!
I am on a business trip, and I decided to pamper myself with food tonight! I stayed at the Marriot Residence Inn, while I was debating which restaurant should I try between all the highly rated restaurants on yelp! I said to myself, well although I wasn't craving for a french dinner, but this one got 4.5 stars and its just behind my hotel, why not?
And I'm right!
Food: I ordered a glass of malbec to start (very nice, but regretted a bit for not trying their martins/cocktails) I ordered to appetizers instead of a main course. For my first visit , I usually like to go with the safest dish. So I picked the most popular dishes based on all the yelp reviews: Tuna Tartare (absolutely fantastic) and Moules a la Normande et frites (musels with duck fat fries) I wasn't too amaze by the fries, I think it sounds better than it actually tastes. I skipped the main, for deserts, I got the chocolate souffle with grand marnier! It's so good, this is definitely the best souffle I have ever had! It does take about 20-25 mins, because its made to order, and is burning hot when they bring it out! I love this more authentic texture than places that make souffle that's too airy and fluffy! This one is more close to a cake like, but still very light and got a crispy top! The chocolate isn't too sweet, its just right. Finally, if you are a big coffee fan and enjoy european coffee, you cannot pass on the cafe au lait! its handcrafted with an espresso machine for each customer. It's my favourite, and unfortunately not that common in north american dinning culture (at least not yet)
Service: wonderful service, she gave me really good advice on what I should try. She comes over often enough to check on the food, but wasn't giving me too much pressure at the same time!
Price range: honestly this place is not expensive at all for their quality of food, ambiance and service! I'd come again even I have to pay out of my pocket!
Can't wait to come back to Halifax again!
this place is highly recommended -
Review from Andrew F.
Halifax, NS
10/10/2011 ROTD 3/30/2012
Haligonians love food. This is a well-known fact, and the barrage of new restos, pubs and eateries that are popping up around Halifax reflect that irresistible desire to get our nomnom on.
A while back, I heard rumours of a new bistro that was to open in the old space that Mosiac used to occupy. Before Bistro Le Coq opened, there wasn't really an outlet for foodies on the hunt for authentic French cuisine.
(Before I start, let me mention that this review is a combined review, taking points from all 3 times that I have eaten at Bistro Le Coq since their grand opening in the summer.)
First, let me start off by pointing out how much I appreciate authenticity in a restaurant. Everything about Bistro Le Coq hits the nail right on the head. The interior is stunning (that tin roof, c'est magnifique!), I love the black and white striped shirt uniforms and the cork menus and receipt boards are adorable!
Now, let's chat about food, drinks and desserts. Bistro Le Coq has a small, specialized menu of offerings that cover a wide range of options that attempts to include everyone from vegetarians to serious carnivores. Their chicken is moist, flavourful and extremely tasty. Their gnocchi was not what I was expecting, but was still very, very kind to my taste buds. Their veggie side dishes (especially the cheesy cauliflower and savory spinach) are simple and seriously satisfying. I haven't tried everything on the menu, but thus far, nothing has left me feeling disappointed.
The Fleur De Lis and Limonade Rose are the only two drinks I have tried in the three times I have visited, but they were refreshing and complemented my meals nicely.
Finally, the only dessert I have tried (and the one I feel the need to mention) is the Soufflé. Mind you, the first time I went to the Bistro, our Soufflé fell flat after coming out the oven. The server apologized and offered to get us two glasses of ice wine on the house. This was unnecessary, but was a great touch to the already fabulous service. When we got it back for the second time, it was done to perfection. It was warm, luscious and creamy - the perfect end to a delicious meal. Also, after all was said and done, they didn't even charge us for the dessert!
Note: I went back to the bistro again last night, and I ordered the Soufflé once again. It was light, fluffy and baked to perfection. It seems they have finally perfected the technique! Kudos.
I love Bistro Le Coq, and I truly have nothing negative to say about it. The servers are all friendly, welcoming and willing to listen to any questions or concerns you may have. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable and it is the ultimate French countryside getaway in Halifax.
If you haven't tried the Coq yet, check it out! (No pun intended.) -
Review from Murray W.
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went here last month for my birthday, with a group of several friends. I'd been wanting to do a full meal here for a long time, and what better time than this?
While I waited for my schedule challenged friends, I sipped on one of Le Coq's very unique cocktails, the Bohemian. With cognac, B&B liqueur, tea and lemon peel, it was a drink that despite having some kick, wasn't going to demolish my palate for the upcoming meal.
Once my friends (that I totally did not hire to make my birthday less depressing..) arrived we placed our orders. Most people stuck with drinks and appetizers, but being the occasion that it was, I wanted to sample a few things. To start, I ordered their moules à la Normande et frites, aka mussels and fries (so much less classy in English. This is not a small appetizer and while I probably should have shared it more than I did, the mussels were too good to give more than a polite attempt at sharing. They were creamy and the bacon was noticeable and flavourful, and I would swear that the frites had some sort of bacon seasoning on them that they normally don't when ordered on their own or with other dishes. However, I'm not well versed in duck fat fried frites, so it may have been the savoury flavour of the duck fat.
For my main I decided to walk a bit on the wild side and try their steak tartare sandwich, as I had never tried steak tartare before. The finely chopped steak was served open -faced and topped with a poached egg. The meat was tender and flavourful, and was nicely complemented by the acidity of the dressing it seemed to be tossed with (lemon perhaps, like a ceviche?) and pepper, as well as the richness of the soft yolk of the poached egg.
Service was prompt and attentive throughout the night, and extremely accommodating for a decent sized party ordering from all over the menu. I don't think more can be said about the fantastic interior, other than that their bathroom was so nice I felt guilty using it.Listed in: I'm talkin' downnnntown!
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Review from R V.
9/27/2011 1 photo
Le Coq's kitchen is better at cooking food than they are at not cooking it.
In other words, skip the beef tartare and the cured charcuterie and bury yourself in the roast chicken and duck fat fries. Seriously, bury yourself there. In fact, I'm adjusting my will now. When I go, ditch the casket and just ladle on the potatoes and rendered duck lard. It'll be fitting, because odds are, they're what ultimately caved my cardiovascular system in anyway...
Dopest food in Halifax, all around.
My only complaint? That the wait staff insisted on talking to us, even though they were all clearly dressed up like mimes. -
Review from Vanessa J.
Halifax, NS
Updated - 10/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
I hate to knock it down a star, but my recent meal at Le Coq was just not 5 star material. I still love the decor, and this time I sat in the beautiful main dining area. Our server gave us cocktail menus but forgot to include the wine menu, that was ok because we went with some of the unique cocktails. I forgot the name of mine, but it had lavender honey in it, it was good and strong, but my favourite drink here is the Fleur De Lys.
We were served some warm baguette, but I was disappointed when I turned the baguette over and saw the tell tale sign of the honeycomb pattern which meant the bread was not made in house.
My companion and I split the escargot did not disappoint, piping hot, not at all chewy and dripping in garlic butter. A great appetizer. For the main course we both ordered the gnocchi. The dish was good but not great, the gnocchi were pan fried which made for a unique preparation and made the outside nice and crusty, but overall they were a bit heavy, not the pillow soft gnocchi I love. They were done in a butter sauce with a fricassee of vegetables, I was less than thrilled about the veggies, to me it had a taste reminiscent of canned corn, not my thing.
For dessert we went with the chocolate souffle with grand marnier creme and the creme brule. Because souffles are temperamental, they are made to order, which means they take 20 minutes.While that is perfectly fine, I wish the server would have let us know in advance, so we could have ordered it when our mains arrived. The souffle was good, but not out of this world, but I loved the creme that came with it. The creme brule was good, light and not eggy, but there could have been more sugar on the crust. It came with 2 madeleines, which were pretty sad. It looked like the molds had been overfilled and there was only the faintest hint of a scallop design on them. The flavour was good, but they were really dry.
Overall my second trip was not as great as my first, but I will be back for some more duck fat fries and a fleur des lysListed in: 30 Day Challenge Lists
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/10/2011
I may be slightly biased because I am a huge Francophile and have been dying to have a French… Read more »
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Review from Jennifer B.
Dartmouth, NS
10/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
It's all in the details, and Le Coq is chock full of them. Throughout our entire lunch, my coworkers and I enjoyed pointing out the little details that really helped build such a lovely restaurant. The rounded walls, whitewashed wood panelling, tin ceiling and bright red booths help with the authentic bistro feel this place worked hard to create.
We were also happily impressed that our waitress spoke fluent French. We were able to conduct our business lunch in French without needing to switch back and forth to English to order.
I had the mussels and frites, which were excellent. I would have liked the frites just a little bit crispier, but the duck fat and Parmesan were great flavour accents. The mussels and lardons were also succulent. My colleague had the great idea of making his meal out of sides, thoroughly enjoying his Brussels sprouts. I might borrow his idea on my next visit and try a meal of macaroni and cauliflower gratin. That paired with a large Cheval Blanc would make a great meal.
I would also highly recommend this spot if you just want to have a snack and drinks. Their champagne cocktails could keep this French gal happy all night, especially accompanied with their cheese platter. I don't mind embracing this part of my French heritage at all. Maudit que c'est bon.
Next time you drop in, check out the tables at the front; they have a manual crank to let you adjust the height. So rustic and useful! Again, it's all in the details. And the cheese.Listed in: Rocktober: 30-Day Yelp…, The Lunch Bunch - Downtown…
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Review from Hannah S.
Halifax, NS
11/9/2011
The first time I tried Bistro Le Coq, I had indulged the previous evening on wine and movies with a girlfriend. The wine and half a bag of kettle chips was not really putting me in the mood for French dining. I figured French Onion Soup would do the trick but found their version a little too onion-y with not enough broth.
Since my hangover haze hadn't allowed me to fully experience Le Coq I headed back with a few girl friends for dinner. We are all the type who enjoy trying a little bit of everything and are not afraid of sharing, so we decided on: Moules et Frites, Tuna Tartar, and Duck Pate washed down with a bottle of bubbly.
Moules & Frites were amazing - The leak and white wine cream sauce would have been delicious on its own but was augmented by the underlying flavour from the applewood smoked bacon. Can't go wrong there!
Tuna Tartar was the best I've had in the city since the old Bish days - fresh and beautiful tuna had a dressing with a hint of Dijon. It was dressed with some greens and fried capers that were out of this world!
The Duck Pate was a typical duck pate and went well with the bubbly. The best part of this plate to me though was the in-house pickled veggies that livened up he pate.
We were all getting pretty full so we ordered salads for our mains - I chose the Salade Nicoise which was always my mother's go-to easy meal on ballet or piano lesson nights. Although delicious, I found the olives a bit excessive and seemed to dominate the plate. The tuna was cooked perfectly with a roasted sesame crust and it came with everything I expect out of a nicoise salad including new potatoes and hard boiled eggs. Not my mothers but definitely a solid effort!
The service was fantastic, we enjoyed recommendations and friendly table-side manner from one of the most lovely servers I have ever encountered. She truly had a skill for reading the table and always made sure our napkins were folded upon return from the washroom. Sometimes it's the little touches that keep you coming back! -
Review from Leslie F.
There are quite a few things to love about Bistro Le Coq. Let's get right in to it, shall we?
1. It was comfortably busy, but not super crowded.
2. The servers' uniforms are so cute. Also, the servers were very friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and all appear to actually speak French.
3. Mon dieu, they did a great job decorating this place! It genuinely feels like a bistro you might find in Paris. Great ambience.
4. Price points were very reasonable. While my budget is not able to accommodate trips to Paris as often as I would like (so... never), this Argyle Street establishment is an acceptable substitution that even a penny-pincher like myself can afford every now and then.
5. Food was delicious. I would never in a million years ask to see the nutritional value of what we ate, lest our hearts stop immediately in shock (or perhaps on account of the clogged arteries), but fresh baguettes, truffle aioli, duck-fat fries, Quiche Lorraine... c'est vraiment magnifique!Listed in: Argyle Action
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Review from Paul B.
Nous avons passé un après-midi merveilleux . . . opps, forgot that I was back in English speaking Halifax.
It was a great late afternoon of fun in Paris - or was it Halifax. Le Coq has just opened up and it took only seconds to realize that they have a real winner. As we opened the door we were greeted by a chorus of "Bon apres-midi!" - welcome to Bistro LeCoq where all of the servers speak French - even amongst themselves. The striped tops and custom serviettes completes the Paris mood. The place has been totally redone and the tin roof and bar are unbelievable. There are at least three zones: somewhat formal, relaxed or hanging at the bar chatting with the French speaking barmen. Take your pick of zone - this is a great place to hang out for hours on end.
In keeping with the physical layout, the menu encourages lots of options. For our first visit we stuck with the cheese board ($12) and the foie gras ($10) - both of which were tasty and plentiful. Enough to get two hunger people through the evening with flavour to spare.
The drinks are also an experience. The drink of the day was a very special brew with a flower cordial base - fantastic. We tried a gin/tonic/rosemary concoction that had everyone licking their lips.
After enjoying a couple of hours in "Paris" with some new "friends", the bill was most digestible considering the food and liquor consumed. Certainly one can ritz it up by choosing from their entrees - as we will do in the future - but for our first visit this place served as an impressive short stopover on the way home. We are still smiling - or should I say "nous sourions toujours." -
Review from Cheryl C.
9/12/2011
We wavered and then were won over.
Only major point of contention was great food but many of us thought the wine list was very limited by the glass, and many by-the-bottle offerings were in a very upper price range in contrast to the reasonably priced food.
A party of about six of us arrived on a Friday after work. When we arrived, the restaurant was nearly empty. When we left it was packed. The decor is lovely, gorgeous and warm. Perfect for a bistro.
Cocktails came and got mixed reviews - but no matter what your taste, they are at least a refreshing change from the same old available in many other bars.
Appetizers were generally good. The dining companion eating the foie gras said she wished she hadn't needed the accompanying condiment as much as she did to give it a little burst of fun. And the snails, while delish, were considered just a tad heavy on the butter by one diner, and not the other *coughs*me*coughs*
And then, unfortunately, we were left to our own devices for some time. Long enough time that one of us was dispatched to fetch us some service. Server MIA. A different server was sent over to clear the table and take some more orders, and our server re-appeared about a half hour later with a smile and no "sorry about that."
The problem with leaving your customers alone for long stretches like that (outside of the obvious "hey we are still hungry and have $ to spend) is that it leaves time to focus on flaws. Thus any shortcomings with the appetizers or drinks were mulled over.
And then the mains arrived and all was forgiven. Salad Nicoise greatly enjoyed by two, chasseur drooled over by all. The crepe of the day was a stunner - white sausage with cauliflower and magic, apparently,. I had a taste and the flavour knocked my socks off. Deliciously spciy and creamy. I had the poulet roti with frites and would have licked the plate clean of the savoury herbed gravy had I not been in polite company.
Only one person had any room left for dessert - a creme brulee that was just as a creme brulee should be.
So there was a glitch in service - otherwise everything else was pretty fantastic.
Definitely a go-again.Listed in: Good eat. I mean, really food.
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Review from Katelyn A.
Halifax, NS
12/5/2011
After a failed attempt at attending an event (it turned out I had the date wrong... eek!) my partners and I decided to check out Bistro Le Coq. We'd heard great things about the new French eatery, and we were eager to give it a try.
Full disclosure: I LOVE French cuisine, but then again, who doesn't? Needless to say, my expectations were high.
How was it?
Service: We had great service. Our waiter was attentive and funny, but not overly chatty or casual. Just how I like it.
Décor: While some restaurants in Halifax struggle to unite their menu offerings with their décor, Bistro Le Coq hit the mark perfectly. All evidence of Mosaic (the restaurant's predecessor) was gone, and the space was transformed into a stylish French bistro.
Food: I was excited to see a classic French menu comprised of comfort foods - like the Croque Monsieur sandwich (one of my personal favourites) - and unique delicacies - like Duck Prosciutto. All our dishes were tasty and very reasonably priced, but the Pomme Frites were a bit soggy/limp.
Fav Bit: For dessert we shared the $12 Cheese Plate... OMFG (and I never use that acronym lightly). It was fantastic and a much bigger serving than we'd expected. I urge everyone to get in and try it before the kitchen realizes how much it's costing them and reduces the portion. Fab!
In Sum: I'll be back... often.
- Katelyn
Are you in the restaurant biz? Check out: http://www.theforkproj... -
Review from Sam A.
10/11/2011
I'm not usually a spontaneous person, but last Saturday night was looking boring so I decided I abducted my partner over the bridge to try out Bistro Le Coq. I even upfront told him, this isn't a date, this is me wanting to try something, and you're coming, so no complaints. He wasn't amused but I'd much rather look at a grumpy face on a full stomach than on an empty one, so before he knew it we were seated in a charming little Parisian environment.
Service off the top was great, cheerful wait staff and recommendations were offered up. We started with two of their menu cocktails, mine a mix of gin, lime, and rosemary and my partner opting for a concoction of kahlua, cherry and something else delicious. I enjoyed his more than mine. For a starter we ordered the Moules et Frites. Yayy, duckfat frites! These frites were the shoestring style and came with a side of truffle aioli. I didn't really detect any truffle oil in the aioli, but the frites were still delicious. The mussels arrived slightly less than warm and with the cream sauce and pieces of ham that came with them I would've wished it would've arrived 3 min earlier. The mussels were delicious nonetheless, as we cleaned the plate. A nice side of warm bread helped tide us over until the mains, whipped butter is always a plus in my books!
My dining partners' Steak Frites arrived, (yes I know, he got Frites on Frites on Frites) along with my Sea Bass. Steak looked great, with a nice slab of herb butter freshly placed and allowed to melt as he dove into the frites round 2. My Sea Bass was perched atop a mound of truffle mash (that like our aioli, didn't have any hint of truffle) and sauteed vegetables and had a sauce overtop. The fish was very well portioned, and cooked nicely, it just seemed a little watery to me. The sauce was nice, I just found myself putting a little of the table salt on to my dish to punch the flavour up. The steak was cooked great and tasted good as I stole a bite from my dining partner, I did finish this course a little envious.
Dessert? Sure, why not, after all this whole meal was started on a whim! I ordered the crème brûlée, my partner the kirsch bûchette and two coffees (Espresso and Americano respectively). My brûlée had quite a thick layer of caramelized sugar on top, which is the point, but was a little too thick for my liking, not that I didn't eat the whole thing.
A shared starter, two mains, two desserts and two coffees and 3 cocktails came to roughly $100, and fairly priced given the level of service and location. I do hope that the couple items that I found subpar were exceptions and I want to go back for an another experience (perhaps planned this time). My dining partner did remark that he enjoyed this dinner more than our recent outing to The Bicycle Thief, and while I disagree with him, Bistro Le Coq definitely had a more elegant and quiet atmosphere. Lots of tables around full of people but the ambience was well tempered and the staff were fabulous (love the nautical themed sweaters for the waitresses and aprons for the gentlemen).
Definitely worth a visit and a welcomed addition to the Argyle restaurant strip. -
Review from Kimberly W.
Halifax, NS
10/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Having travelled to Paris and the south of France a couple of times now, I was excited to see what this place had to offer. The atmosphere is perfect. There are three sections--bar, lounge, dining room--each with a distinct decor. It's amazing to see that they were able to completely transform the old Mosaic space.
Pomme frites done in duck fat, sprinkled with parmesan, truffle mayo are to die for. Possibly literally. -
Review from Tracy R.
Halifax, NS
8/27/2011
Um, I can't even tell you how much I enjoyed lunch at Le Coq today. And I am a VERY picky foodie. First of all, the ambiance is delightful. Clean, crisp decor. Love the tin ceiling. And how adorable was our server, Marie Elsa! Super friendly, efficient, cute as a button, et elle parle francais aussi!
But on to the best part - the food! After taking ages to decide (hello! wonderful selection and might I add, very reasonable price point), I chose les moules a la Normande avec les frites cooked in duck fat. OMG. Seriously delicieuses. Quite filling as an appie so luckily my main, the salade nicoise, was nice and light. And to end the meal with the floating island desert was simply perfect. I told our lovely server that this would be my death row desert for sure. Heaven. Oh...and I can't forget the yummy champagne du jour with fresh strawberries and grapefruit. I couldn't resist having seconds. (I'm sure it was 5 o'clock somewhere!)
It's awesome when a place actually exceeds ones expectations. We really need a place like this in Halifax, and what I loved was that it felt like we were in a different city altogether. Bravo tout le monde at Le Coq! A la prochaine fois!
Tracy
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Review from Rhia P.
8/15/2011
I wanted to love this place! Ok! I loved this place!
As everyone's said the decor was lovely, the servers adorable and attentive. The cocktails were exciting and different (but maybe a little sweet?) and the food was very good, but not without some teeny-tiny quibbles that made me wonder. (F'rinstance, those were some fierce pickled vegetables - all vinegar, no vegetable.)
But they're so new! And it's so, so, pretty in there! I certainly haven't given up, and I look forward to returning and being utterly wowed.Listed in: Downtown Gems, Girl's Night!
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Review from A. F.
Halifax, NS
11/18/2011
I was recently at le Coq for brunch, and was extremely disappointed, following all the hype on Yelp and other sites. The ambiance and service were fantastic, the food however fell far short of expectations.
Some concrete examples:
A croque madame should not be made with marbled white/raisin bread, or with back bacon.
A salade with confit de canard should not be served with dried cranberries or a sickly-sweet dressing.
Pomme frites should be crispy (think Belgian frites) -- they should not be soggy, and they should not be dusted with parmesan. I asked to have my frites without parmesan -- something which the kitchen could not accommodate, which begs the question, are they even fresh? Or do they arrive frozen, pre-coated in parmesan?
A salade nicoise should not be served with raw ahi tuna.
le Coq doesn't respect the French classics. Instead, its little tweaks and twists devalue tried-and-true recipes, and deeply disappoint. -
Review from Mary B.
Halifax, NS
8/11/2011
Yummy yummy pommes frites done in duck fat!
These fries are a decadent little bite I wll order again. I started my visit at the bar with a stylish cocktail with a bartender to match. After a couple great apps the sea bass was my main; I would definately order this again.
I love the details in the decor; the antique tin tile ceiling and warm lighting make for a great ambience.
I am putting this restaurant on my Friday nite list. -
Review from Glenn M.
Halifax, NS
Perhaps I have to stop reading reviews and building myself up...either that or I am become critical as I get older! LOL But I had higher than high hopes for this establishment...they were all but dashed two nights ago. From the outside you are met with two sets of doors..one on the bar side and one on the dining side...so we chose the dining side doors, WRONG! We went in and waited and waited and finally went up to the bar to seek service. We were met by a loud young woman (was that French accent real!?) Told us to sit anywhere..thanks for the direction. Sat in the lower dining area, did not even see the hip and cozy dining area at the back until we were leaving. The French onion soup tasted more like it was finsihed with Mozzarella than Grueyere...no bite at all. The pepper steak at 24.00, while cooked to perfect color had not spice or pepper flavour and had a light "Hunter Sauce" When I had questioned the server what "Hunter was" she advised it was the way it was grilled. FAIL! Now your product, don't make it up, as it will bite you in the...well I digress...the plate was flooded with fries and bits, like the bottom scrapings of the basket. During all of this it began to fill....It would appear that this is haunt favored by the opposite sex as we had a table of 8 women directly behind us drinking and shouting back and forth, a table of three to the left, two more table of two to the right and a table of two behind us, all women...and all talking like they had just been united with a lost sibling. I have found in the past that a server can forget the small quieter tables as they seem to get engulfed by the large louder ones. After sitting with empty dirty plates for over 10 minutes she finally started taking the large tables order...time to go. we made our way to the bar and asked for our bill. When asked how everything was we said "OK"...the young lady, perhaps a manger, seemed shocked We explained our plight...she was apologetic but it stopped there. She said "It will be better the next time, I promise" Doubtful as I cannot foresee a "Next Time" With the re-opening of a favorite Halifax haunt, Le Bistro....Le Coq better get ready.
NOTE TO LE COQ As this is your first winter you may want to use only one door as both doors open directly and straight into the room and with cold winter winds you can chill down a room...a customer...and a 24.00 steak in record time.
Two stars seemed a bit extreme but it truly was barely "OK" -
Review from Colin D.
Halifax, NS
2/7/2012
I was very impressed with both the food and the decor at Le Coq. I had my birthday dinner there and they were very accommodating for the large group, even rearranging the table layout to fit us together. The group of 15 of us had a variety of entrees on the menu and the only complaints came from those that didn't appreciate the overuse of butter. The steak sandwich looked the best. My chicken and bean entree was both filling and tasty. I even dared to try escargot for the first time, which proved to be much better than expected. The entire menu was very affordable, but still pleasant to the eye and mouth. The drink menu was fantastic. Each drink was bursting with natural flavours. The layout allowed for a great use of space without feeling like you're sitting on top of the other patrons. My only complaint was that our server was very ill-informed on the menu and liked to loudly intrude on conversations. She seemed very green and made us recite our orders back to her at the end of the night so that she could remember. The other servers seemed much more professional though, we just so happened to have the valley girl.
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Review from Philip H.
Halifax, NS
Authentic French cuisine just hit Halifax, and it was well worth the wait. I've been watching the transformation of the Onyx all summer with much anticipation.
The decor is elegant and spacious. They are all French without having 20 flags of France hanging around. They don't need it. You know when you go in the place (and from the name) what the deal is. I love that they greet you at the door in french and wish you well when you leave in french as well. Adds a very nice touch to an already amazing atmosphere. It's like I've been teleported to the Bistros in France that I fondly remember growing up. J'dore.
A vast wine menu, naturally weighted on the French side. For the beer lover they have a great Blanch-Chambly brewed in Quebec. No French imported beers yet, but they said they were working on that.
For my meal I went with a simple steak sandwich and a blanch-chambly draft. While you wait they bring you complementary baguette with creamy butter. They also being you a chilled litre bottle of water. Very nice.
My meal came timely, and it was hot and delicious. The frits were done to perfection, thin and crispy (you can get them done in duck oil if you ask, but having tried them done that way earlier I opted to go au natural). The steak was well done, juicy on bread and topped with an egg (soft yoke). A side of thickly sliced slaw and flavoured mayo for frits dippin'.
In all an awesome and "wowing" experience. I can't wait to bring friends here and share my excitement.
No wi-fi and not wheel chair accessible. -
Review from Mel H.
9/18/2011
Maybe I'm biased since i happen to know the two lovely ladies who run the show here, but damn, this place is delicious! Perfectly cooked food, excellent service and reasonable prices. What more could a girl ask for?
Listed in: The reasons why I love this…
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Review from Marc L.
Halifax, NS
Updated - 1/4/2012
repost: original review automatically filtered for some reason.
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Wonderful decor, ambiance, staff and food.
But please, don't offer me a Salade Niçoise on the menu and then serve me something that clearly isn't a Salade Niçoise, even if tasty.
I am starting to wonder if there are other French bistrot items on the menu that aren't what they claim to be.
But I still love you, and shall be back.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/19/2011
Wonderful decor, ambiance, staff and food.
But please, don't offer me a Salade Niçoise on the menu… Read more »
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Review from Ann K.
Halifax, NS
Updated - 11/7/2011
Nice space. Good service. Delicious duck rillettes and duck mousse with excellent homemade pickles. Frites in duck fat excellent also. I did not like the seasoning in the boudin blanc and wished I'd had the steak frites ,but the pot au feu was good . Price about $100 for two with wine. Overall I definitely recommend it.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/6/2011
Nice space. Good service. Delicious duck rillettes and duck mousse with excellent homemade pickles.… Read more »
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Review from Nikki K.
Oakville, ON
9/26/2011
We popped in for lunch on a rainy afternoon in Halifax and were absolutely delighted. Duck fat fries were a hit with the adults and the kids. Very cozy and beautiful interior and delicious food.
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