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

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.