A Very French Affair At Bistrot Le Coucou

A refined French bistro brings both elegance and warmth to the dining experience inspired by the affectionate greeting to close friends and family in Bonifacio Global City. Welcome to Bistrot Le Coucou...

Exquisite cuisine and exceptional wines are celebrated at Bistrot Le Coucou with a lavish French flair by Chef Luis Martinez. From the Nikkei Group of Restaurants led by Carlo and Jackie Lorenzana, Bistrot Le Coucou brings both rustic French style and flavor to a growing portfolio of restaurant concepts for a welcome addition to Bonifacio Global City's dynamic and vibrant dining landscape. 

Bistro Le Coucou exudes that distinctive French style with a modern design aesthetic both inside and the al fresco dining area, setting the tone for a memorable lunch or dinner. It's one of the few restaurants at One Bonifacio High Street Mall that's taking French and European cuisine to a whole new level while maintaining a relaxed and intimate vibe staying true to the affectionate French greeting that inspired the restaurant's name.

Simple yet sumptuous and hearty meals at reasonable prices in a modest setting remain the key attractions for any traditional bistro. Through the years, the humble bistro has evolved with its elevated approach to familiar flavors. Today, the lines separating the bistro and fine dining experience continue to blur and even intersect. You can say the classic bistro even democratized culinary excellence in its evolved form. At Bistrot Le Coucou, diners can expect the same high level of meticulous attention with each dish, from starters to mains and desserts. Anchored on a stellar selection of fine wines, Bistrot Le Coucou takes wine pairings quite seriously just like the French. And you'll find that particular label you've been searching for in the extensive and well-curated list of vintages at Bistrot Le Coucou. 

For more intimate gatherings, Bistro Le Coucou also offers private dining areas perfect for family and friends. Shall we start with a glass of wine? 

But don't pass up on the Apero Hour offerings of Bistro Le Coucou for the perfect pre-dinner tipple. Every weekday afternoon from 2:30 to 6:30 pm, enjoy 2 cocktails for only P 595+ while waiting for golden hour...

...and the refreshing Aperol Spritz seemed like the proper libation before a sumptuous French feast. 

Our feast began with the classically French Salad Niçoise (P 450) with ripe tomatoes and anchovy generously drizzled with black olive vinaigrette, silky smooth and creamy tuna mayonnaise and black olive oil powder on garden-fresh and crisp Baby Gem lettuce wedges. 

Each bite brings bold, contrasting and vibrant yet refreshingly clean notes to the palate, the perfect starter to any feast at Bistrot Le Coucou. And using the crisp lettuce wedges is a nice touch too.

The intricately layered Pommes Frites (P 395) with potato mille-feuille, Parmesan cheese, Black Herring Caviar and herb mayonnaise brings a delicate and delectable crispness with each bite teasing the palate with its textural play and richness. 

This isn't your usual fries, far from it. The layered mille-feuille execution gives these fries that French flair. And a whole lot of flavors too from a stellar cast of support ingredients. The distinct flavors from the Parmesan, caviar and herb mayonnaise completes the medley of flavors for a complex yet balanced finish. One more round of Aperol Spritz, please. 

The Fresh Clams with White Wine (P 650) brings real and honest flavors to the table as the briny sweetness from fresh catch of succulent sautéed shellfish comes through complemented by the distinct notes of white wine and garlic, shallots and parsley made even richer with La Conviette French Butter. 

A deceptively simple dish perfectly executed by Chef Luis Martinez and his team, the Fresh Clams with White Wine brings the rustic elegance of the French bistro to the evening's feast. And don't forget to soak up the rich broth with a crusty baguette. 

Then, Chef Luis Martinez turns it up a notch with another timeless French favorite with the Foie Gras Terrine (P 1,200). Beautifully plated, the homemade terrine of French duck foie gras with balsamic glaze and a side of salad teases both the eyes and palate...

...with that first bite of crisp crostini topped with a slice of terrine delivering a flavorful burst of savory, buttery and earthy richness. 

It's not completely French without escargot, right? And Bistrot Le Coucou stays true to the iconic French staple with its exquisite rendition of Escargot (P 695). 

The unrestrained richness of the oven-roasted French snails stuffed with garlic and parsley is expectedly indulgent. And rightly so, with butter weaving everything together.  

The Ravioli-Demi Luna Scallops and Chicken Umami (P 950) with beurre blanc, chicken skin broth and seared scallops topped with Périgord Black Truffle brings the "umami" to the aptly named dish with its deep savory richness. The delicate briny sweetness of the succulent scallops are perfectly enhanced by the rich butter sauce in true French style while the chicken skin broth packs the umami punch capped by the prized Périgord Black Truffle with its intensely deep nutty hints. 

The Confit De Canard (P 2,200) is another Parisian bistro classic recreated by Chef Luis Martinez at Bistrot Le Coucou. Imagine French duck leg slow-cooked for thirty hours in duck fat. The long and tedious cooking process results in concentrated notes with each tasty bite. The juicy tender duck with its light crisp outer layer teases the palate with a delectable play on textural contrasts before releasing its decadent savory richness. 

Candied oranges and red onions complete the elegant dish. The repertoire of comforting dishes executed with meticulous flair and precision becomes a recurring theme at Bistrot Le Coucou, adding a pronounced French accent to One Bonifacio High Street's eclectic and diverse restaurant scene. 

But always save room for dessert at Bistrot Le Coucou...

Why? Because the Mousse Au Chocolate (P 395) is the decadent finale to your dining experience at Bistrot Le Coucou. 

The bold lingering notes of chocolate comes through with each spoonful of the velvety smooth and lusciously creamy mousse, releasing even more chocolate indulgence as it slowly melts. Topped with shards of chocolate for both contrasting textures and even more bursts of richness, the Mousse Au Chocolate is every chocoholic's dream dessert. And mine too. Dessert for me has always been chocolate, and the Mousse Au Chocolate is pure chocolate bliss. 

When hearty French cuisine is on your list of cravings, think of Bistrot Le Coucou as the Nikkei Restaurant Group's French connection to timeless and elegant French flavors. Head up the View Deck at One Bonifacio High Street and experience a very French affair of comforting and traditional flavors with each sumptuous course by Chef Luis Martinez at Bistrot Le Coucou...

Bistrot Le Coucou is located at the Second Level, View Deck, One Bonifacio High Street, Taguig, Bonifacio Global City. You can also visit their IG Feed at https://www.instagram.com/lecoucou.mnl/ for more information and updates. 

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