A brand new chicken shop has opened up in Hoxton Square and IMHO, it’s better than Nando’s.
It’s actually pretty unfair to compare Cocotte to Nando’s, as Cocotte has far more class. But hey, I’m doing it, because sometimes, when all you want is a bit of chicken, a cheeky Nando’s isn’t quite as appropriate as a classy Cocotte. Perhaps you’re going on a first date and want to impress? Or maybe you’re taking your parents out for dinner and want to prove that your restaurant knowledge extends beyond the chains?
Nando’s has provided us with peri-peri poulet perfection for many years, and some would swear it to be unbeatable. Half a chicken, creamy mash (or sweet potato if I’m feeling extra cheeky) and those delicious minty peas. That is my go-to Nando’s order and I, too, believed it was the Holy Grail of chicken-and-two-veg meals – especially when I was nursing a dirty hangover. But – and I hope you’ll all forgive me – there have been a couple of restaurants that maybe, just maybe, have blown it out of the water for me.
The first time I considered the fact that Nando’s may not be the be all and end all of chicken was when I visited the Chicken Shop. Now that was pretty damn good. But this place? Phewf! Let me tell you about this place.
Ever since I visited Cocotte, I have forgotten all about that medium hot half chicken with creamy mash and peas. That’s right, I’ve got Cocotte’s rotisserie chicken with BBQ sauce* and truffle mash on my mind. It’s the sort of meal that sticks in your head and you just want to tell everybody about it. You know, the type of meal that has you leaving the restaurant skipping and singing, “I JUST HAD THE BEST CHICKEN OF MY LIFE AND I FEEL SO GOOD!”.
Their chickens are free-range and marinated for 24 hours in the restaurant’s secret recipe of herbs and spices. So, pfft – peri-schmeri.
At Nando’s, half a chicken and two regular sides will set you back £10.95 whilst, at Cocotte, half a chicken and two sides will cost you £25. Okay, yeah, so it’s more than double the price. But! You deserve it! And it is twice as good as Nando’s. (Okay, I’ll stop talking about Nando’s now. Sorry Cocotte.)
The restaurant itself is beautiful, with stylish interiors and welcoming vibes. There’s also a terrace overlooking the square, which is perfect for warm, sunny evenings. Although the Hoxton Square venue is their newest one, the original branch is in Notting Hill. So east or west, there’s a place you can go for your delicious chick-fix.
Location: 95 Westbourne Grove, W2 4UW or 8 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU.
Opening hours: on their website.
Price: Full chicken is £23, half chicken is £13 and a quarter chicken is £8. Sides are £6 each.
More information: on their website.
*Seriously, this stuff is so good I told them they should bottle it up and sell it, and they didn’t say they wouldn’t. So I’m holding out hope.