The Coterie Room

My good girlfriend and I had the most fabulous catch-up/friend dinner at the Coterie Room in Belltown.  This charming little French nook has a traditional and tasty menu, simple yet elegant decor, and really great service!

We started off with some freshly baked rolls with salted butter, along with some Pellegrino (of course, right?).  Next, we ordered the Poutine, which is on the "small plates" menu list, but I certainly wouldn't consider this a "small plate".  I was really excited to try this, because I have heard of it and seen versions of it on the Food Network.  Along side of the Poutine, we enjoyed a beet with freshly made cottage cheese salad, and an endive, Gouda salad with a mustard vinaigrette.

The Poutine arrived and we both looked at each other like little kids in a candy store.  It smelled amazing and tasted even better.  Thick cut french fries, atop a pork shoulder gravy, fried Beecher's cheese curds and lightly tossed greens on top.  Holy cow, seriously one of the best things I have ever eaten.  I'm not a gravy person, but it was so light and flavorful and the fries never got soggy.  The lightly tossed greens and fried cheese curd added bursts of flavor to the already salty and rich gravy, all perfect compliments to one another.  And the fries were the perfect conduit.

Since that was technically an appetizer, we also ordered the Ratatouille.  Ive also never had this dish, so was super excited to try it.  Summer squash, tomato, eggplant, sweet onion, topped with a roasted pepper puree and a fried squash blossom stuffed with fresh herbed chevre inside.... OMG, yum.  The proportion was small, so perfect for one person if you hadn't had the Poutine to start, and super light and tasty.

For desert we had the peach gallette, which is light and flaky pastry stuffed with warm fruit, topped with Lavender ice cream.  Warm, crispy, buttery, peachy pastry, with the cool, calming, aromatic Lavender ice cream = perfect ending to this meal.

One of the best meals I have had in quite some time.  I can't wait to go back and try some of their other classic French dishes.  The atmosphere was lovely, service was stellar and pricing very reasonably.  All of the above, plus wine, was under $100 for two people.  I'd say that was pretty good for a French joint in Belltown.

Bon Appetit!