Little Italy’s Le Coucou is the brainchild of celebrity chef Daniel Rose and Starr Restaurant Group, and the flawless aesthetic and menu make this restaurant one of not only New York’s best, but it should definitely be one of your top ten #birthdaybucketlist musts. This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime meals you might only experience on your birthday, in fact. The setting is stunning but comfortable, in a part of NYC that always feel full of life, character and charm.
Photography by Roman and Williams
The Scene
The amazing design team Roman and Williams was behind the creation of the striking space at Le Coucou. While many formal dining venues in NYC can feel stuffy and aged, unfit for the current diners within their walls, Le Coucou is the polar opposite. The vibe is cool, but not overly so, and chic without being unapproachable. If a birthday venue with serious style, gorgeous architectural detailing and all-around good juju is your thing, this spot is perfect for you.
The Eats
French classics are the focus at Le Coucou. While brunch might start with pain au chocolat and café au lait, you’ll soon find yourself dining on the most decadent omelette filled with caviar and crème fraîche. Buckwheat crepes with egg and lobster are also a gorgeous, rich dish. Never one to go basic, chef Daniel Rose (of Spring and La Bourse et La Vie in Paris) takes you on a tour of all things old-world France from sweet breads to foie gras to escargots. We can’t think of a meal, let alone a brunch, that’s more birthday-worthy.
The Location
Located on the corner of Lafayette and Howard, Little Italy sets the scene for Le Coucou. A part of the city that’s always had, and continues to have, a really good sense of cultural and historical significance, you can’t ask for a better hub to explore during an epic birthday weekend. Book a gorgeousroom at the nearby boutique Broome Hotel and you can expect a weekend full of being pampered in a pocket of NYC that's like nowhere else on earth.
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