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| - My first experience at Cocothé involved casually walking through Sewickley when I noticed this enchanting alleyway with dining tables and candles. It both made me think of Lady and the Tramp and a European fantasy. This instantly intrigued me. Determined to find to whom this dining area belonged, I looked around. Two doors down was Cocothé, the inside clean and elegant, like an upscale teahouse. Lining the walls on two sides are modern display shelves with teaware and tea offerings, neither cluttered nor barren.
I approached the counter as they had just opened for the evening asked to see a menu and learn more about it. Before leaving, I purchased a cookie, assuming that as a chocolatier of sorts, this should be indicative of my expectations. I do fancy myself a bit of a cookie connoisseur, and I can positively say that the cookie blew my mind. It was moist, chewy, delicious, and flavorful without being overwhelmingly sweet. I also detected a pleasant pinch of saltiness that really accentuated the rest of the flavors.
I kept this place in mind and decided to try the dinner service with my wife for our anniversary. We made reservations in advance and, upon arrival, there was no waiting, just a friendly, enthusiastic greeting, which was nice and not artificial.
My wife and I were seated outside in the Euro-like alleyway, just as I had hoped when I first found the place. Our server was very pleasant and helpful when we asked questions. For drinks, we ordered a glass of the drinking chocolate and a mug of tea. Everything here is made from scratch, including the chocolate used in the drinks. The espresso-based drinks even have homemade syrups for those who want something more than a basic cappuccino. The drinking chocolate I ordered, The Saint, was luscious and spicy, in a cinnamon and clove kind of way. There were some small discrepancies between the online menu and what was available though, and I would encourage them to get that resolved.
The drinking chocolate was pure decadence in a glass. While my wife loved her tea (most are flavored teas), it was painful seeing them displayed in glass containers. There is little question that it looks really nice, but it is a cardinal sin in tea storage as exposure to light can accelerate the oxidation process, causing them to lose their potency and flavor much faster. As a tea aficionado, I would make the recommendation to display the tea in smaller glass containers so that customers can get an idea of what they look or smell like while actually storing the tea in a dark, airtight container. The upshot, too, is that in the unfortunate event that they drop, tea isn't really wasted.
For our appetizer, we had these baked lemon chips. Accompanying them was a melted cheese, mozzarella mixed with goat, and it was topped with black lava salt (burrata was unavailable). The tanginess of the chips were balanced very well by the salt and the bitter sweetness of the cheese. It was a great appetizer, perfect for two or three depending on how heavy you apply the cheese.
We had originally planned to order the Steak Frites for dinner, but when the order was being placed, the server mentioned that the chefs are excited about the Pork with Mole and Orange Pepper Puree, wishing more people would order it. Admittedly, I was skeptical. First, I feel like I've heard these things before and have been met with disappointment, regretting not following my gut instinct. Second, I get suspicious of recommendations, believing that in many cases, they simply push the foods that have not been selling. Still, I gave it a chance, and WOW!!!! EASILY THE BEST PORK IN THE CITY!
We finished our meal with a salad as a palate cleanser before dessert. Even something as simple as a salad exhibited a great deal of care in its preparation with every single ingredient (including dressing) complementing each other. Everything was crisp, fresh, and cleansing. The dessert likewise was moist and warm without being soggy, and was executed incredibly well. I loathe when desserts are too sweet, too large, or drenched in sauces. This was not the case here. It was refined, elevated, and delightful.
In addition to the wonderful food offerings, the service itself was great. Our server always had a smile, and not once did I ever sense annoyance or agitation. I felt comfortable disclosing dietary restrictions, and she (and the kitchen) accommodated us as best as possible. The courses were well-timed as well. It's a pet peeve of mine when everything comes out at once or with very little down time between courses. I like to enjoy the company of those around me and the atmosphere without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. I felt like Cocothé handled this aspect very well.
I enjoyed everything about our experience and would not hesitate to do it again. It had the charm I was looking for on a Summer evening and they did their absolute best to make us happy. And it worked.
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