Brunch is a great way to brighten a gray and rainy Sunday, the perfect excuse to catch up with friends, or, perhaps, an alternative to a dinner for two. If you want to add one more place to your brunch list, somewhere cozy with a slightly shabby-chic and vintage feel, you’re going to be in safe hands at Cocotte.
The restaurant is almost entirely white with wooden tables. As you enter you cannot help but notice the wall on the left hand side, adorned with a huge mural of pink peonies. You can feel the Provencal touch is present, and much appreciated.
As the name suggests, the strongest dish here is the one that comes served in the round iron baking dish, the Cocotte. Classic brunch dishes are offered such as pancakes with maple syrup and fresh fruit, eggs Benedict, or eggs poached in a cocotte with asparagus and bacon. There are also other options that forego the cocotte, including the Club Sandwich and the Croque Madame.
No brunch would be complete without something sweet. Cocotte serves pancakes with powdered sugar, chocolate, cream and fresh fruit, the latter helping delude you that you’re not entirely indulging your sweet tooth.
If you look around, Cocotte has paid attention to getting some of those vintage details. Not everybody might be aware of this, but the word ‘cocotte’ not only refers to a type of cookwear but was also a byword for a fashionable kind of courtesan. This might explain the slightly explicit and risquè decorations on Cocotte’s walls. Another detail worth mentioning is the elegantly taps serving sparkling and still water to customers.
Brunch, brilliant pastries, friendly staff, fast service and an original idea: for a little less American-style brunch, Cocotte passes with flying colours.