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Went to Cochon for late lunch on Saturday (review with pics)

Posted on 2/25/13 at 10:39 am
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69047 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 10:39 am
I have had butcher many times and enjoyed it, but never Cochon itself.

My dad wanted to go out for lunch with the four of us. We were talking between Boucherie and Cochon. Boucherie I have eaten at a few times.

I forgot to make a reservation and it was slammed. I didn't even expect that on a Saturday, but I was ignorant to the place. We were told 45 minute wait and we went across the street to the Ugly Dog to have a round of beers.

We went back and were sat 45 minutes later. The server came fast and got us our drinks out quick.

We decided to order a Catchetrie plate and some Pimento fritters.

We really liked the apps. The pimento fritters had a really good flavor, but were a tad salty, but its a place dedicated to pork. Blood pressure be damned.

The Catcherie plate was housemade crackers, with pancetta, hogs head cheese, some kind of pork pate thing, pork belly and pickles. It was good, everything on it tasted excellent. Very simple starter plate.



Our dinners were:

The Cochon plate (Pork over cabbage)



Beef shoulder over Green beans with gravy



Rabbit and Dumplings



Gulf Fish (Redfish, t'was yummy) cooked fisherman's style




The little dollop of darkness in the corner was my highlight of the meal. They had a side called Eggplant and Shrimp. It was a wonderful dressing made from Sauteed shrimp and stewed eggplant. It was really good. If you go, I highly recommend this It's only $6.



We had some small service issues. Namely after food was placed, we didn't see our server again until we were finished. My girlfriend's green-beans were cold. Like they were cooked, and then sat on the counter waiting for the beef. They should have done a quick re-flash on them and it would have been okay. She still ate them, as she is a green-bean fiend. Her beef was tender and had a moist texture with seasoning that really brought out the beefs flavors.

My cochon was good. But it was pulled pork on cabbage. There wasn't anything WOW about it. It's slow cooked pork. I've had better at Squeal for $9. It was good, very well cooked pork. But it is just cochon I would pick a wilder dish, but it was good. I just had "I picked the worst dish out of the table envy".

The fish was cooked to perfection. I always love redfish, and the way it was seasoned and just so flaky and tender. Mmmm If you like fish, get the fish. It was good. But do note, they leave the scales on. (not like you eat fish skin anyway, just watch out for those giant scales.

The rabbit pot pie was good, very good stew. But it wasn't really dumplings, it was like a pot-pie. It was good though. I just preferred the take that Rue 127 has on it
(below)




I liked it, but I just don't see it going into my rotation.
I think similar Boucherie is better (Wagu with Parmesean fries YUM) and more convenient for me. Parking in that part of the warehouse district is the suck. I did see like a half dozen places in that area I want to try though, so I guess I need to Deal With It.

I don't think I would call it the best restaurant in the city. It's not in my top 20. I would dare say slightly overrated? But the Butcher is awesome.

Posted by threeputt
God's Country
Member since Sep 2008
24791 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 10:55 am to
Nice review. I agree its over rated. I have only been twice but I dont really like the place at all. I do like the butcher, though.
Posted by Citizen Kane
Member since Feb 2013
1123 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 10:57 am to
The redfish you can get at almost any restaurant in NEw orleans. The Rabbit and Dumplings at cochon however is one of a kind. I doubt you could find that at any other restaurant in the world except Ville Platte and the surrounding areas perhaps.
Posted by Salmon
On the trails
Member since Feb 2008
83514 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 10:57 am to
It is definitely overrated in the sense of being voted a top 20 restaurant in the US, but it is still a fine restaurant.

I did enjoy the small plates/apps much more than the entrees though.
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69047 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:04 am to
quote:

The redfish you can get at almost any restaurant in NEw orleans. The Rabbit and Dumplings at cochon however is one of a kind. I doubt you could find that at any other restaurant in the world except Ville Platte and the surrounding areas perhaps.



But then I listed a better "rabbit and dumplings" dish, also made in the SW Louisiana style?

Also, the piece I bit into was very rubbery. But my brother loved it. Redfish can be bought anywhere, but this one was cooked a little differently. I couldn't quite put my finger on it though.
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69047 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:07 am to
quote:

I did enjoy the small plates/apps much more than the entrees though.


I think I will go again sometime when I go to the museums, as I did want to try more small plates. In restaurants I've gone to lately, I've definitely enjoyed my apps/small plates more.


Posted by Salmon
On the trails
Member since Feb 2008
83514 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:17 am to
quote:

I did want to try more small plates


the rabbit liver and pepper jelly is awesome
Posted by Janky
Team Primo
Member since Jun 2011
35957 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:19 am to
quote:

the rabbit liver and pepper jelly is awesome


This. When I would go to the one in Lafayette I would often order two of these as my meal. I think they were chicken livers in Lafayette though, but still very good.
Posted by Rohan2Reed
Member since Nov 2003
75674 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:35 am to
quote:

It is definitely overrated in the sense of being voted a top 20 restaurant in the US


lolz. which ridiculous publication decided it deserved this status?
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69047 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:38 am to
quote:

lolz. which ridiculous publication decided it deserved this status?



quote:

Here are the 101 Best Restaurants in America (2013):
1. The French Laundry, Yountville, Calif.
2. Gramercy Tavern, New York, N.Y.
3. Le Bernardin, New York, N.Y.
4. Momofuku Ssäm Bar, New York, N.Y.
5. Eleven Madison Park, New York, N.Y.
6. Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, N.Y.
7. ABC Kitchen, New York, N.Y.
8. Babbo, New York, N.Y.
9. Girl & the Goat, Chicago, Ill.
10. Cochon, New Orleans, La.


LINK
This post was edited on 2/25/13 at 11:39 am
Posted by Rohan2Reed
Member since Nov 2003
75674 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:40 am to
Shake Shack is #11?? Ahead of Daniel in NYC?

Sorry but that list is suspect.
Posted by VOR
Member since Apr 2009
63413 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 1:44 pm to
Cochon is not a top twenty restaurant nationally (maybe top twenty in NOLA). Unfortunately, those kind of stupid ratings can hurt a good restaurant like Cochon by raising expectations and creating a lightening rod for petty criticism. Anyway, it's a good restaurant that I'll occasionally go to.

And I agree that Boucherie is terrific. Really good food with reasonable prices. Although cramped, I like the vibe in the place, too.
Posted by kfizzle85
Member since Dec 2005
22022 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 2:34 pm to
Its funny, even though over the last, say year and a half, its gotten an insane amount national media coverage, I bet if you went and pulled a classic "top 10 restaurants in nola" F&DB thread from like 2008, you would see like the exact same comments.
Posted by HideChaKidz
Member since Oct 2010
7372 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 3:34 pm to
Cochon's small plates are much, much better than their entree plates, which always seem to disappoint me. Their menu changes sometimes, but if you can, get the oyster appetizers (there used to be two, now down to one) every way they have it. It's fantastic.

Had my first cane break there too. Great beer. I see why it is always mentioned on here.
Posted by LSUzealot
Napoleon and Magazine
Member since Sep 2003
57656 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 9:19 pm to
Nice review. Now cut your thumb nail
Posted by ruzil
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2012
16862 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 10:01 pm to
quote:

Nice review. Now cut your thumb nail



Beat me to it!
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69047 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 10:59 pm to
quote:

Nice review. Now cut your thumb nail




I went to your restaurant (Serendipity) and did a review for them too. I was underwhelmed but it wasn't bad.

Posted by 337tigergirl
Houston
Member since Jan 2012
6556 posts
Posted on 2/26/13 at 8:43 am to
Love Cochon. The oysters and rabbit livers FTW.

I like Boucherie but I don't think its that great like everyone else seems to think. Different strokes for different folks
Posted by LSUzealot
Napoleon and Magazine
Member since Sep 2003
57656 posts
Posted on 2/26/13 at 8:54 am to
quote:

I went to your restaurant (Serendipity) and did a review for them too. I was underwhelmed but it wasn't bad.


To each their own.

For the value, I still think its one of the best Nola has to offer. You don't have to spend $100 even though both of us did.

My entree was only $14 and my girlfriends only $16. Our food was delicious. Atmosphere is fantastic. Great drink menu. Our service was top notch. And maybe the most impressive part to me is how they somehow can make you feel comfortable wearing a tshirt or a suit.
Posted by xXLSUXx
New Orleans, LA
Member since Oct 2010
10305 posts
Posted on 2/26/13 at 11:15 am to
Forgive my ignorance, but what's the difference between Cochon and Cochon Butcher? Are they related? Never been to either. Differences?
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