We are all about spring as it brings warmer days, lighter nights, and an eagerness to try new things. We especially love it when springtime arrives and restaurants change their menus to showcase seasonal food.
Côte Brasserie has done just that and added new dishes to their menu with plenty of choice for the family. Our writer Rachel McAlley visited York’s Côte Brasserie on a Sunday afternoon to try out dishes from the spring menu.
York was busy with tourists, so it was wonderful to step into Côte Brasserie to a calming environment. We were offered a choice of tables, and took one at the rear of the restaurant, in a quiet area. The menus were presented to us, and we were informed about the new dishes and also the dishes that were unavailable on the day.
We opted for the Côte Sharing Board (£14.50), which comprised of baked Camembert, truffle saucisson sec, Coppa sel sec, olives, cornichons, honey tomatoes, and rosemary crackers. We also ordered bread (£3.25) from the hors d’oeuvres so that we could dip into the hot, gooey Camembert. This was a good call as there was plenty of delicious molten cheese to enjoy.
The rosemary crackers were out of this world and melted in the mouth, definitely a highlight of the sharing board. The tomatoes were also very juicy, with just a light hint of honey.
Côte Brasserie Launch Spring Menu
Our mains included Tuna Niçoise (£14.95), a side of French Beans (£3.75), and from the Petit Menu, Haddock Goujons (£6.95 for 2-courses). The sesame-crusted tuna was served with free range soft boiled egg, artichokes, anchovies, red onion, potatoes, and mustard vinaigrette. Equally, the fish goujons were served alongside frites and petit pois, and in my guest’s case she added an insane amount of ketchup!
The tuna was the best I have eaten in years, it was cooked and seasoned to perfection and the different seeds made it extra special. Every element from the mustard dressing to the addition of chunky artichokes made this a truly wonderful dish. Furthermore, there is no doubt that this is going to become a favourite dish of the season.
My petit guest went head first into selecting two sorbets from the child’s menu; lemon and raspberry, and she enjoyed every mouthful. However, the pièce de résistance was one of the new desserts added to the spring menu, the Espresso Martini Crêpes (£7.75). Two crêpes, espresso martini syrup, coffee crème fraîche, Kahlua, vodka and chocolate sauce, plus raspberries made this a tasty treat to end the meal.
If you are a steak lover then the Côte de Boeuf pictured below (£58.25 for two to share) should be on your radar as it looks delicious. Had I dined with an adult and not a child then I would have ordered this amazing-looking piece of beef.
There are over 80 Côte Brasseries across the UK to choose from as Côte Brasserie launch spring menu. Visit Côte to book a table and locate your nearest restaurant.
The feature image is also a new dish at Côte Brasserie; Monkfish Normande (£19.95).
Words by Rachel McAlley
