Set the Scene.
At Le Coin, dinner starts when you spot the pink and green striped exteriors in the Meatpacking District. This newly opened French restaurant blends classic French flavors with a curated selection of original photography from the Leica Gallery. Scattered throughout the restaurant are 17 original works, in both black-and-white and colored, from world-renowned photographers.
Guests will easily be impressed with the vibrant floor-to-ceiling striped walls and the dimly lit flower fixtures throughout the restaurant. Sitting outside, guests can enjoy the openness without the loud city bustle in cozy, wickered seats perfect for lunch. When seated inside, dine with a romantic yet modern intimacy in the plush leathery booths.
Let’s start it off with drinks.
After the deserved oohs and ahs of the interiors and photography, the food and drinks menu deserves applause in its own right. There’s truly a drink for all taste profiles. An expertly crafted cocktail menu is bound to entice, like the Le Coin Speciale featuring Belvedere vodka and St. Germain. Accompany your meal with a selective wine menu, from fresh white wines to fruitful reds, with vintage offerings upon availability.
Not overly sweet or empowering, the cocktails served to blend a refreshing spark, pairing perfectly with the rich food to come. La Pomme is made by whipping up Patrón Reposado, freshly pressed apple juice, Calvados—an apple brandy—lemon juice, and orgeat syrup. For those with a unique taste palette, Harmonie is crafted with Macallan Harmony, Chambord, yellow chartreuse, and lemon juice.
What can we expect from the food?
Created and led by Executive Chef Sebastien Chaoui, Le Coin serves simple yet rich dishes. Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Paris and coastal France, the dishes here take guests on a culinary rollercoaster. Every dish is a visual masterpiece, and the flavors are heavenly and savored.
Start the meal with La Saint-Jacques, seared scallops served with a sweet blood orange Beurre Blanc and savory leeks. We complemented the scallops with the Salade de Magret de Canard Fumé. Comprised of slices of smoked duck breast, jammy figs, fingerling potatoes, and a balsamic raspberry vinaigrette, this fresh salad was surprisingly hearty. Plus, there’s a little deconstructed twist on the classic French onion soup. Served in a hollowed Vidalia onion, the soup was prepared over 72 hours and is a sweet, warm glimpse of the food to come.
Going into the main course, La Tartine de Poulet, was a pleasant surprise. It was a medley of flavors working together, presented on freshly baked bread topped with whole roasted chicken, curry-honey aioli, pickled onions, and figs. You can’t walk into a French restaurant without considering Les Moules, a mountain of mussels tossed in fragrant, herby sauce with a side of bread to soak it all up, with a glass of white wine that feels like a classic bistro affair. To top it all off, L’ Entrecôte, a 12-ounce New York Strip with a red of your preference and a side of pomme frites, is a no-brainer to order.
But for the pièce de résistance is Le Plateau de Fruits de Mer. For seafood lovers, listen up. Served over ice is a mix of lobster, East Coast oysters, king crab meat, tiger shrimp, homemade blinis, and rouille and celery remoulade.
Final Thoughts?
Le Coin is serving up elevated French bistro classics with Executive Chef Sebastien Chaoui’s expertise. The waiters and host were knowledgeable and explained each dish. All in all, from the servers to the ambiance to the food and drink, everything felt warm and cozy in the middle of the Meatpacking District.
Top Takeaways
Location: Meatpacking District, New York City
Address: 18 9th Ave, New York, NY 10014
Cuisine: French
The vibe: A vibrant bistro spot tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the Highline. It felt trendier due to the location and interiors.
Pricing: $$
Takes reservations? Yes – Opentable and Resy
Our favorite dish on the menu: La Saint-Jacques. Even after trying every dish, we still remember the very first bite of the scallops.
The attire: Elegant Casual
Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner: Dinner is served daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
