Le Coq et Fils -- Restaurant Review

 

For general information, menus, directions and reservations check their website: https://lecoq-fils.com/

Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor € = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

3 - star ...........................€€.......................................... 4-🔔 

Our snowbird friends—who split their time between Paris and Palm Springs—organized a dinner for friends visiting from Texas. They chose a restaurant conveniently located near the end of their Montmartre walking tour. As many of you know, Montmartre feels like stepping back into old-world Paris. It’s a charming, cinematic neighborhood where many films are shot, thanks to its iconic sites like the Place du Tertre and the Sacré-Cœur. Naturally, this also means it’s packed with tourists.

The restaurant, Le Coq et Fils, translates to "The Rooster and Sons" and, as the name suggests, it specializes in poultry. In addition to chicken and rooster, they also serve guinea fowl and pigeon.

Our reservation was for 8:30 p.m. JJ and I arrived at 8:25 and were told the table wasn’t quite ready yet—they needed a few more minutes to prepare it. No problem. Our friends soon arrived, and the waiter explained that we’d be seated at a row of tables currently occupied, but the group would be leaving shortly.

That’s when the red flag went up for me. I really don’t like restaurants that turn tables—it’s usually a sign of a tourist-oriented place. While there was a large group of French-speaking diners in the back, they appeared to be from out of town celebrating a special occasion and had their table for the evening. It was also a very noisy restaurant. 

I noticed the waiter whisper something to the two remaining diners at "our" table, and shortly after, they got up and left—around 8:45. I assume they were asked to vacate. We were finally seated around 8:50. Regardless of how kind the staff was, it wasn’t the best first impression.  BTW, the french are horrible at turning tables, it's a new concept for them, with the exceptions of the 24/7 cafes.

The space is quite tight—typical of many Paris restaurants—and also includes a bar where one of the chefs works. You can sit there and eat as well.

Note: I’ll only review the dishes I personally tasted.

ENTRÉES

HUMMUS D’ARTICHAUTS Crumble au Parmesan & huile d’olive. (Hummus artichokes). This was a very simple starter: a hummus made from pureed artichoke hearts, rather than the traditional chickpeas and tahini. In fact, there was no tahini at all—just artichoke, olive oil, and a generous amount of lemon. It’s a bright, citrus-forward dish that would appeal to lemon lovers.

The Parmesan crumble added a nice savory contrast, giving the dish a bit of texture and richness. Overall, it was pleasant, but not especially memorable. A fine opener, but nothing particularly unique or crave-worthy.

PLATS

This place leans more toward a family-style restaurant. We shared a whole roasted chicken, which the waiter presented to us whole before taking it back to carve. Once plated, they brought it back out along with the coq au vin.

ROAST CHICKEN: The roast chicken was quite good—moist, nicely seasoned, and well-prepared—but not exactly mind-blowing. And if I’m being honest, it was steeply priced. While six of us shared it, the chicken alone was €149. And, no it is not a typo. For context, I can buy a similar, slightly smaller, farm-raised chicken at our market for around €15. So, yes, it was good, but it didn’t quite justify the price tag.

QUART DE COQ AU VIN (Quarter Rooster in Wine Sauce): This was the standout dish for me—the highlight of the night. It was rich, flavorful, and perfectly braised. In the U.S., coq au vin is often made with regular chicken, which doesn’t stand up well to long braising and can result in a bitter, underdeveloped wine sauce. But using an actual rooster allows for a longer braise, which mellows the wine beautifully without the meat falling apart. This version was deeply savory and satisfying.

SIDE DISHES:

I didn’t get photos of the sides—they were served in small ramekins and not particularly photogenic. We had salad greens, fries, mac and cheese, and a vegetable fricassée. All were fine, but nothing out of the ordinary.

DESSERT

CRÈME DE PISTACHE (Cream of Pistachio) JJ ordered this dessert, and unfortunately, it was my least favorite of the evening. You really have to love whipped cream to enjoy it—because that’s essentially what it tasted like to me: lightly whipped cream, with a hint of green (possibly pistachio coloring) and a few toasted pistachios sprinkled on top. The cream itself lacked depth of flavor, and overall, it felt more like a filler dish than a thoughtfully crafted dessert. If I were the chef, I’d seriously reconsider keeping it on the menu—it just didn’t live up to the quality of the other dishes.

The Domaine Angelliaume Chinon Vieilles Vignes is a red wine crafted from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes grown in the Chinon appellation of France's Loire Valley. This cuvée is notable for its use of old vines, which contribute to the wine's depth and complexity.

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: The wine exhibits a ruby hue with violet reflections, indicative of its youth and vibrancy.

Aroma: On the nose, it offers an expressive bouquet of ripe red fruits, such as raspberry and cherry, complemented by subtle spicy notes. Hints of dried herbs and a touch of minerality add complexity to the aromatic profile.

Palate: The palate is well-structured, featuring flavors of stone and dried fruits. The wine's tannins are present yet refined, providing a balanced mouthfeel. A refreshing acidity enhances the overall harmony, leading to a long and satisfying finish.

SUMMARY

This restaurant is located in a very tourist-heavy part of Paris, and it shows. Having lived in the area, I can say there are quite a few restaurants here that focus on quick turnover—and this is definitely one of them. Personally, I’m not a fan of places that turn tables. It takes away from the dining experience. With that said, the service was excellent and attentive. 

The specialty here is fowl—chicken, rooster, guinea fowl, and even pigeon. Thankfully, one of our friends who organized the outing knew that a whole roasted chicken would go a long way, so we kept the ordering minimal. Had we all ordered separate plats, the bill could’ve been significantly higher (just check the online menu for reference).

If you're looking for a romantic, innovative, or quiet dining experience—with elegant plating or creative flair—this isn’t the place. It’s a straightforward, family-style restaurant serving rustic poultry dishes, the kind you might cook at home. That simplicity can be comforting, but for me, it wasn’t enough to make me want to return.

Overall, the food was just average.

For 5-entrees, A whole roasted chicken, a coq au vin (quarter), 2-bottles of wine, and 3-desserts, our bill came to €384 for 6-people or €64 person, not bad