Coucou West Hollywood brings California-inspired French dining to Norma Triangle.
Coucou serves an array of California-inspired French dishes and raw bar delights; PHOTO BY DYLAN JENI
Whisking up Santa Monica Boulevard, it’s easy to miss Coucou West Hollywood. The bistro from owners Jesse and Hayley Feldman is just past the bustling Rainbow District and right before WeHo turns into Beverly Hills. The husband and wife duo opened the hotspot this spring, a year after debuting the original Venice outpost. Walking up to Coucou feels like you’ve happened upon a great secret.
Within walking distance of the legendary Troubadour and numerous galleries, Coucou West Hollywood embraces its arts-and-culture-minded neighborhood. The Feldmans—who helmed the interior design—were intentional in their curation of vintage and custom pieces. Indoors, the jewel box dining room is an homage to Paris’ Café Charlot, beloved by the owners. Outside, just beyond the entry flanked by 300-year-old Tunisian-patinated iron gates, diners sit on wicker chairs and are surrounded by boxwood hedges, star jasmine and roses.
The intimate indoor seating offers a quintessential Parisian bistro experience; PHOTO BY DYLAN JENI
The beverage menu offers aperitif classics while the wine selection showcases French and California standouts. Isabel Hales of the Michelin-starred Healdsburg restaurant Barndiva was tasked with cocktails. The Hippies in Paris (Citadelle gin, raw turmeric, lime, ginger galangal) is a favored crowdpleaser. I opted for the vibrant and refreshing Bonnie & Clyde, a jalapeño-infused tequila and mezcal concoction with grapefruit, hibiscus, elderflower and agave.
Helmed by chef and Bouchon alum Jacob Wetherington, the new location’s menu drives home the restaurant’s Parisian-meets-Pacific ethos with a lineup of dishes crafted with local, consciously sourced ingredients. You’ll find L.A. standards like ceviche, tuna tartare and crudites, plus zucchini beignets and fried olives. The prawn cocktail with Monte Carlo cocktail sauce will make you a believer that this dish should always be wood-fired.
Expansive marble tables welcome large orders of pommes frites, grilled asparagus and more; PHOTO BY DYLAN JENI
Thanks to the French specialty section of the menu, the West Hollywood bistro is set apart from its Venice sister. The Onion Soup Gratinee is enlivened by caramelized onion and Comte cheese, while the Pizzette D’Escargots is loaded with green garlic, lemon, smoked bacon, aioli and pork saindoux. From the standard entrees, you’ll find the best reason to dine here: L’Haute Dog. An elevated take on the American classic, the pork sausage from Santa Monica Farmer’s Market vendor Peads & Barnetts is drenched in cheese fondue, spicy mustard and French onion marmalade. It comes topped with chives and pepperoncini.
With a chocolate hardshell, almonds and Luxardo cherries, the velvety vanilla soft serve sundae—with Strauss Organic Creamery ice cream—stacks high. Also delicious is the Chantilly cream and classically prepared mousse, an extraordinary combo with each rich bite.
Impressive to Francophiles and French cuisine-lovers alike, the pizzette d’escargots is not your typical flatbread. PHOTO BY DYLAN JENI
Norma Triangle was in need of another neighborhood restaurant and Coucou West Hollywood more than fills the void. Whether you’re strolling over on the weekend or grabbing a bite to eat before a show at the Troubadour, Coucou pulls Angelenos in with its intimate buzz and savory French-California creations. We can’t wait to try out brunch, next.
Photography by: BY DYLAN JENI
