For its first French foray, Nikkei Group introduces Bistrot Le Coucou in BGC

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The Parisian-style bistro serves European-inspired cuisine in a casual yet sophisticated setting

MANILA, Philippines – The Nikkei Group — known for Japanese, Japanese-Peruvian, and Spanish concepts like Nikkei, Sakagura, Terraza Martinez, and Alma — is venturing into new territory this year.

BISTROT LECOUCOU. Image courtesy of Nikkei Group

Bistrot Le Coucou at One Bonifacio High Street Mall in Bonifacio Global City is the restaurant group’s first foray into European-inspired cuisine, with a classy, Parisian-style bistro branch to boot.

BAR seating and warm lighting. All food and restaurant interior photos by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

Bistrot Lecoucou’s ambiance differs from Nikkei’s and Sakagura’s dimmer, nightlife-oriented spots; Le Coucou is brighter and more classic, with white tablecloths, round tables, cushy booths, and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in natural light.

MODERN-TRADITIONAL setting.

It has the look of a modern-traditional bistro, and its menu follows suit by sticking to French staples and fine wines.

PRIVATE dining room with a wine display.

In French, “coucou” primarily acts as an informal greeting, like “hello” or “hi,” which reflects in the restaurant’s fine-casual experience.

Hungry? Oui, oui!

Starters — “Hors d’ Oeuvres” — include a Melted Cheese (P1,450) dish, featuring a smooth and slightly punchy Beillevaire cheese flown in from France. It comes with dried figs, caramelized shallots, roasted cashews, and crostini — in one bite, you get crunch from the crostini and cashews, creaminess from the delicate cheese, and chewiness from the dried figs.

MELTY and gooey cheese.

Other familiar dishes like Moules Frites (P1,200) offer a straightforward but comforting combination of Chilean mussels in a savory cream sauce with fresh garlic and herbs, served with fries.

CREAMY and herby sauce.

There are also seafood plates — “Fruits De Mer” — salads, and mains such as Salmon in Riesling Sauce (P950) — a pan-seared, moist salmon loin served with gnocchi, caramelized onions, spinach, and a mildly tangy white wine cream sauce.

RIESLING sauce made from white wine, butter, and cream.

For meatier options, there’s the Beef Short Rib in Red Wine (P2,800), a sizable dish good for two people. The meat is braised until soft in a red wine reduction with carrots and shallots, served with bacon and mashed potatoes.

BEEF short rib.

Classic bistro dishes like duck confit, steak, and chicken are also on the menu, along with cold cuts and charcuterie boards.

COMPLIMENTARY baguette and premium butter.

Desserts include Bistrot Lecoucou’s Profiteroles (P480), choux pastries filled with vanilla pastry cream and topped with warm chocolate ganache. Drinks include a few specialty cocktails, martinis, mocktails, and a curated range of wine, whisky, gin, vodka, and other spirits.

CHOCOLATE ganache poured on top.

Price-wise, Le Coucou is a notch above mid-range — in line with the rest of Nikkei Group’s offerings — but still a bit more accessible than what you’d typically expect from a French restaurant in a high-end BGC location.

Bistrot Lecoucou is located at the 2nd Level, View Deck of One Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City. It operates from 11:30 am to 10 pm on weekdays and until 11 pm on weekends. – Rappler.com