Coupette: Go For The Brunch, Stay For The Cocktails

Coupette ★★★☆☆

By Kyra Hanson Last edited 78 months ago
Coupette: Go For The Brunch, Stay For The Cocktails Coupette 3

Coupette is first and foremost a très chic cocktail bar, headed up by Chris Moore, the former head bartender at The Savoy's Beaufort Bar. They've purposely left the old signage up outside the 160-year-old building so you'll just have to trust Google Maps has brought you to the right place. And it's oh-so trendy: think obligatory exposed brick walls, pendant lighting and a bar top covered in 10-franc coins (in case you missed the French theme).

If you're smart you'll skip the new brunch menu and head here in the evening when the dim lighting and artfully mixed cocktails combine to create an ambience which is lacking during the day (through no fault of the staff, who are super attentive). With that in mind brunch starts with a bellini, two in fact — the refreshing pureed peach and fizz is pure heaven in a flute.

On to the food, which is locally sourced and French inspired. The croque aux Lyonnais consists of melted gruyere, nutty roasted mushrooms and a tart, creamy Lyonnaise sauce, which oozes out of two crisp loaf slices — OK it's a glorified toasted cheese sandwich but it hits the spot. Our companion is less convinced by the truffled eggs, which err on overpowering, but we concede that if you're paying £8 for scrambled egg you probably want to be able to taste the truffle.

If your ears pricked up at truffled eggs and champagne bellinis then Coupette is a worthy brunch destination. If mid-morning fry ups are more your thing, you're probably better off at E Pellicci down the road.

Coupette, 423 Bethnal Green Road, E2 0AN.★★★☆☆

Last Updated 27 September 2017