01/04/09

Overrated

by PAdiner54

Food, decor and service are all terribly unimpressive. Most of the entrees sound interesting and delicious but fail to deliver. The roasted pork belly, while tender, was severely underseasoned and the lentils were undercooked to the point of being crunchy. Sloppy presentation on the dish.

• Cons: Food, service and ambience

07/25/08

I am stuffed!

by Hungryhungryhoney

I am in love with Cochon! I thought there could be nothing better than the scallops appetizer, but then I tried basically every other entree that my table ordered and each was more delicious than the last. I may have to make it a weekly visit!!

GO!

05/13/08

Possibly my new favorite BYOB in Philly...

by phillyfemale

My boyfriend and I spotted this place while walking the dog one Saturday morning and decided we wanted to try it out for dinner that night. We weren't sure we'd be able to get a table without reservations, but the hostess/waitress found us a table for two around 7:00 pm with little problem despite the fact that they were pretty full. My boyfriend had fried oysters and the steak; I had a salad and the duck. Everything we ordered was delicious with the wine we brought, and the berry cheesecake from Darling's was a perfect finish to the meal. I was full, almost-stuffed-but-not-quite-there, when we left Cochon. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic, not at all pretentious, and decorated with personality (check out the knickknacks on the shelf on your way to bathroom). If I had any complaint, it might be that the service was a little slow, but that's what you get for dropping in without a reservation... and anyway it prolonged our wonderful experience. I'm bringing my parents there this weekend when they come to visit so I can show them why I love eating out in Philly so much!

• Pros: FOOD, atomosphere, neighborhood
• Cons: french food is fattening?

01/27/08

We'll Be Back !

by jimrad

To be truthful, I was not really looking forward to dining here because I was a little ?afraid? of the menu - too ?Country French? for my taste. I shouldn?t have been. There were 6 of us and everyone really enjoyed what was ordered. The appetizers, including Escargot with shitake mushrooms; Crispy Chicken Livers with balsamic vinegar, and a special, Braised pork belly, were excellent. All of the entrees were just as successful ? these included the Grilled Pork Chop; the Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder; the Steak Frites ; as well as the Free Range Duck with white bean ragout.

The room had a very warm feeling and the Staff were all very friendly. We will make a point of returning. With tax & tip, figure around $90 a couple. (Remember, it?s a BYO ? Cash Only)

• Pros: Great Food - Nice Staff
• Cons: Parking

01/19/08

sour taste

by gingger

My fiance and I went to dinner last night after reading Craig LeBan's review. We had already decided on our entree based on his descriptions. My fiance wanted the pork shoulder and I wanted the duck.

After waiting 5 minutes to be seated, the waitress arrived to tell us the specials and imform us that the pork shoulder was already sold out. We figured this may happen given that it was 9:30 on Friday night. So my fiance ordered to chicken livers as appetizers and a wild boar dish special. I ordered a cauliflower soup special and the duck entree. The food was very good to even excellent at times. The duck with its crispy skin was the best of the dishes we ordered.

We were thoroughly enjoying our dinner when my fiance noticed that the table next to us was given a pork shoulder entree. They were seated and ordered 20 minutes after us. We asked our waitress why we were told it was unavailable. She said she would check with the kitchen. When she returned, she did not offer an explanation. When she returned the second time, we presssed her again for a reason. She said that she wasn't sure. She was told the pork shoulder entree was not available, but we should call in advance next time to reserve it if that's the entree we wanted!

I am truely disappointed in the service at Cochon. The food is very good. The atomsphere is relaxed. The prices are reasonable. It is a place we would have revisited had it not been for what transpired the last 10 minutes. I don't understand how a kitchen can be so arrogant as to dictate the availability of what it serves on a whim. I also wish that our waitress had treated us with a little more respect by being more forthcoming. We left with a sour taste in our mouth which is unfortunate because it started out being a very good night. We will not be back, but those who may want to try Cochon be advised of their finicky kitchen and don't be surprised if other tables are given food you were told was sold out!

• Pros: food, ambience
• Cons: SERVICE, Tempermental kitchen

Another French-accented BYOB manned by husband-and-wife culinary duo opens and the neighborhood goes hog wild.

by Contributor

In Short
For those of us who dug Northern Liberties' short-lived Pigalle, our ears perked up at the opening of Cochon. But of course, this South Philly cash-only/BYOB is something all its own. The only connection perhaps being shared French culinary verve. And don't let the name fool you. Despite a signature dish of Slow-roasted Pork Shoulder over Lentils du Puy, there is plenty for those who don't do pork [Steak Frites, Wild Striped Bass, Braised Lamb Shank]. Expect a pleasant minimalist scene where the emphasis is on the food.