Coco

Do women taste food differently than men? 

The chef at Coco must think so, as the food I was served at this aspiring yuppie-girl hangout was sub-par by any traditional standards.  Coco is targeting quite a discriminating and demanding audience to expect to get away with that sort of thing.

Dinner wasn’t all bad.  Their interior decorator perhaps had a vampire fetish (red velvet and dark paint), but at least it wasn’t too loud inside.  I made a reservation for a party of seven and we ended up with a group of eight.  Despite giving advance notice, the waiter didn’t seem to realize that this would be a problem until the eighth member of our party arrived, at which point it was embarrassingly late to do something.  The manager seemed much more on top of things, and was able to relocate a married couple (quite awkward for them, I imagine) and steal their table to add to ours.

The waiter’s hesitant nature prevented him from highlighting the menu in any flattering fashion, but he was able to give a brief description of items when asked.

His missteps continued when he brought out Phillip’s fig pizza as an appetizer.  So while everyone else was munching on mediocre entrees, Phillip was eyeing our food with that hungry, unsatisfied gaze that I’m more accustomed to seeing from the opposite sex.  Despite excessive delays between courses and a general lack of confidence, I must say that he was very respectful (he didn’t call me “bro”) and meant well.

The quail appetizer was the lone culinary success of the evening, as the tender meat paired well with the chocolate balsamic reduction and fig puree.  Quite tasty.

For the main course, I had the Shrimp Rouille which surrounded a machego potato puree.  The presentation was nice, with five shrimp decorating a central mound o’ taters, but these diminutive crustaceans were too small for a main course.  These were overdressed appetizer shrimp that surely were destined for a marinara cocktail dip before being diverted to my plate.  The sauce was uninspired and lackluster.

“It’s ok” I told myself.  This place is known for its desserts.  It’s called Coco after all and I don’t think they’re referring to the Columbian nose candy.

Mey went with their signature dessert known as “The Kiss”, and found it to be decent but hardly up to the waiter’s hype.  My “Menage a Trois of Chocolate Mousse” was an insult to three-ways everywhere.  They were average, but a more appropriate name might be “Missionary Position of Chocolate Mousse”.  Good, solid, average mousse.  I mean, I wouldn’t turn it down if offered, but…

Perhaps I’m being a bit harsh.  Nothing I tried was actually bad.  It just wasn’t good enough to warrant a return trip.

Ambiance:  3 Cuy
Service:  3 Cuy
Food:  2 Cuy
Value:  2 Cuy

Overall:

If you’re dating a sorority girl who doesn’t know any better; then this place will get you some action.  And good for you for dating a sorority girl at your age.

Coco's Website