Normally, a French restaurant is not my style. I’m more of a steak burrito kind of guy. But I was pleasantly surprised when I went to Coquette in North Hills to celebrate my parents’ birthdays.
As soon as I walked in, I was taken back by the ambiance of it. Not only were there people speaking French to some of the waiters, but the decor was vintagey, clean and crisp. Black and white mosaic tile is not something you usually see in Raleigh.
There was polished brass everywhere, and the lighting was dim. I’ve never been to a Parisian bistro, but in my mind, that is what I imagined one to look like.
The service was also great. The staff was constantly refilling our water and was eager to answer our questions.
On a recommendation, I ordered the escargots for an appetizer. For those of you who don’t speak the language of love (like me), those are snails cooked and soaked in garlic and butter. I was surprised to enjoy them. They were like little balls of slightly chewier chicken.
For my entree, I ordered the Steak Frites. That is steak with french fries. The steak was tender and flavorful, but the part of the meal that really caught my attention were the frites. Think McDonalds fries, but while you’re eating them, you find a million dollars sitting next to you.
My younger sister is normally a really fussy eater, but when she tasted her salmon that she ordered, she thought it was the best she had ever tasted, and a smile broke out across her face.
Some typical French items were on the menu as well, such as onion soup and beef bourguignon (a beef and wine stew).
For those whose idea of a good meal is not snails and frites, le hamburger is always an option.
For dessert we ordered the Creme Brulee, which is a creamy custard covered with a burnt sugar crust. I was glad I saved room for dessert.
Overall, Coquette is the perfect place for a special occasion. It was a refreshing change from pizza and burritos.
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