Coq d’Argent is part of the D&D group of over 30 famous venues in London, Leeds and overseas. A number of them, fortunately for us, are on our doorstep. As I started to do my research on this restaurant and scrolled through the other restaurants in the group (Angler in South Place, Le Pont de la Tour at Shad Thames for instances) I realised that this might not be the casual brunch I had been expecting. The D&D websites all have really full content, and as I checked out the menu, I gleefully put my diet on hold.
Coq d’Argent is at No. 1 Poultry, which is at the Bank end of Cheapside. Very easy to get to but, having no street level presence, it makes you feel very rock star heading up in the glass-roofed lift. The concierge greets you at the top of the lift and the welcoming but professional hostess organises the smiling staff to take your coats and show you to your table.
The restaurant area is large, but very comfortable with a stylishly partitioned bar area which also enjoys a heated outside terrace.
The restaurant and bar enjoys large full length windows and the view of the terraced areas with their vines and trees deceive you into forgetting where you are. Following the success of their weekday morning classes, Exercise in the City (exerciseinthecity.com) run weekend Pilates classes on the magnificent rooftop terrace and round off with a healthy brunch menu.
I noticed that the morning Pilates class was already done and choosing their well-earned reward inside from the healthy menu options.
We were also eager to get some exercise so we lifted up the Bar Menu!
Wine is available by the glass from £5.25 and bottle from £24.50 and for wine lovers, there is an extensive range here.
There is also large selection of cocktails and mocktails (and should you enjoy one not on the menu, the barman gladly offers to make one of your choice). I particularly enjoyed reading through the whole bar menu because it is littered with interesting facts about the liqueurs, spirits and other ingredients. The bar staff have also recently added some new cocktails for the season themed around the story of Red Riding Hood. We chose a warm Granny’s Cottage and a Hunter’s Grove.
Granny’s Cottage (Served warm) (Roots Rakomelo, Bitter Cider Syrup, Hennessy)
The Granny’s Cottage was presented in a glass flask on a warming candle stove besides a large brandy glass with a slice of spiced and dried orange ready and waiting for the pour. Since it was warm, it almost didn’t feel alcoholic (which I love); it tasted delicious and reminded me of the French Génépi I adore. Many of the new themed cocktails are presented with flamboyant and interesting twists. The Hunter’s Lodge comes inside a magical ice globe sitting in a large champagne saucer. At this point, I should have taken the photo, but I was so flabbergasted that I forgot… please forgive me!
Don’t ask me how they get the cocktail inside the hollow globe, but after a minute of puzzling, the bar genius arrives at the table with a little hammer to tap out a wall, emptying the cocktail out and the globe remnants melt into the drink.
Hunter’s Lodge (Plantation 5 years old Reserve, Campari, Homemade Vermouth)
Unlike Granny, Hunter’s Lodge is a stronger mix and I knew that, as delicious as it was, one was enough with that mixture.
The themed cocktails are priced at £11 and the mocktails are £5.25.
From the Weekend Brunch Menu, you can either choose 2 courses for £26 or 3 courses for £29.
From the Starters menu, we chose the Crème Dubarry (Cauliflower velouté, poached hen’s egg, shaved black truffle, croutons) and the Tartare de chevreuil (Venison tartare, celeriac and green apple remoulade, Avruga caviar, quail’s egg).
Crème Dubarry – Cauliflower velouté, poached hen’s egg, shaved black truffle, croutons
Tartare de chevreuil – Venison tartare, celeriac and green apple remoulade, Avruga caviar, quail’s egg
Both arrived presented impressively. The Cauliflower velouté was creamy and comforting and was even more notable because my partner doesn’t actually like cauliflower very much, but every drop was lapped up. The Venison tartare was like a work of art. After my last review, to avoid feeling so full at the end that I couldn’t enjoy the dessert, I’d strategized that I’d not eat the complete starter or main, so that I’d have some space. Well, that went for a burton; there is no resisting this dish; it was heaven on a plate.
For the main course we chose the Faux filet (Roasted sirloin, Yorkshire pudding, roasted vegetables, red wine sauce) and the Cabillaud (Seared cherry smoked cod, mussels, leeks, shimeji mushrooms).
Faux filet – Roasted sirloin, Yorkshire pudding, roasted vegetables, red wine sauce
Cabillaud – Seared cherry smoked cod, mussels, leeks, shimeji mushrooms
The sirloin was perfectly cooked and this is possibly the closest I have come to my Mum’s magnificent Sunday lunch. My Cabillaud was another artistic triumph; the cod was melt in the mouth and the whole dish was mouthwatering.
Other main courses included:
Faux filet – Roasted sirloin, Yorkshire pudding, roasted vegetables, red wine sauce
Souris d’agneau – Olives and rosemary slow cooked lamb shank, pomme purée and spring onions
Cuisse de lapin – Braised rabbit leg “Grand-mère” mushrooms, pancetta, baby onions, ratte potatoes
Chevreuil – Haunch of wild roe deer, parsnip purée, wilted spinach, blackcurrant jam, Devil sauce
Croque-Madame – Roasted ham, Emmental cheese, béchamel, fried egg, mixed salad
Loup de mer – Seared sea bass fillet, hand-picked Devon crab risotto, Avruga caviar
Saumon – Slow cooked confit Scottish salmon, watercress sauce, sorrel, cucumber and braised endives
Cabillaud – Seared cherry smoked cod, mussels, leeks, shimeji mushrooms
Risotto – Wild mushrooms risotto, garlic butter, celeriac purée, parmesan crisp
You really don’t need any Side dishes, but they are available at £4.75 but we couldn’t resist the Gratin Dauphinois (the Head Chef, Damien Rigollet, is also famous for his Tartiflette).
Gratin Dauphinois
For Dessert, we chose the truly delectable Bavarois à la mûre (Blackberry and elderflower cheesecake, blackberry sorbet) and the Tarte Tatin (Caramelised warm tarte tatin, choice of crème fraiche or vanilla ice cream).
Bavarois à la mûre – Blackberry and elderflower cheesecake, blackberry sorbet
Tarte Tatin – Caramelised warm tarte tatin, choice of crème fraiche or vanilla ice cream
The cheesecake was beautifully presented and scrumptious and my partner wasn’t prepared to part with more than a mouthful. My Tarte Tatin was truly ambrosial. I’d battle to remember any Tarte Tatin that wasn’t heavenly, but this dish had more fruit and less pastry so I tried to persuade myself it was healthier, especially since I’d chosen to have it with crème fraiche
To round off the Brunch, several lovely hours later, marvellously replete, we sauntered over to the bar area and ordered another Granny’s Cottage and one more off the Red Riding Hood cocktail menu.
The restaurant and bar use all the ingredients out on the terrace in their recipes, including the apples, so we tried the Bobinette Cherra which is delicately mixed to not be too strong, topped with apple foam, and exquisite.
One of the many terraces covering 360 degrees around the circumference of the roof. All the terraces are heated and the staff put out sheepskins and blankets in the winter evenings so that you can enjoy this unique setting all year round.
Coq d’Argent, No.1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ, 020 7395 5000, coqdargent@danddlondon.com
Opening Hours
Breakfast
Monday – Friday: 7.30am – 10am
Saturday Brunch: 12pm – 4pm
Sunday Brunch: 12pm – 4pm
Lunch
Monday – Friday: 11.30am – 3pm
Dinner
Monday – Friday: 5.30pm – 11pm
Saturday: 5.30pm – 11pm
THE GRILL OPENING TIMES
Monday – Friday Lunch 11.30am – 3pm
THE BAR & TERRACES OPENING TIMES
Monday – Thursday: 11.30am – 12am
Friday: 11.30am – 1am
Saturday: 12pm – 1am
Sunday: 12pm – 4pm
Helen Hudson
