Launching this Spring, Coupette will be a new neighbourhood bar opening in the heart of Bethnal Green with a local aesthetic and a French accent to everything. Located on the ground floor of a 160-year old building, a former pub known as The Albion, Coupette will be joining the area’s roster of acclaimed drinking spots. This newcomer will offer a cocktail menu that aims to bring innovation to local French traditions, utilising both lesser-known ingredients such as calvados, cidre and poiré.
Heading up the venture is former head bartender of the Beaufort Bar at The Savoy Hotel, Chris Moore, whose passion for exploring the history of cocktails and less well-known ingredients can be seen throughout the menu. His in-depth knowledge of French culture and products will inform the selection of drinks on offer, including Calvados specially selected from the Pays d’Auge and Domfrontais regions and Coupette’s very own CBGB (Coupette Black Grape Bitters) and original French Amer, created in collaboration with artisan producers The Bloomsbury Distillery. There will, of course, be a bespoke coupette, inspired by the original design for the coupe, which was based on the beauty of Marie Antoinette’s breasts.
Served up on a bar top hand-crafted from vintage Francs, the launch cocktail menu at Coupette is designed around the six borders of France, known as the ‘French hexagon’, drawing inspiration from the heritage of art, fashion, design and craftsmanship which is sewn in to the fabric of the culture. The hand-illustrated menu, created by UK-based artist Joe Wilson, is based on six French antagonists with each section made up of six drinks. The chosen influencers are all known for their free-spirited and pioneering nature, constantly disrupting the norm. Names include; Pierre Soulages, an abstract artist known for his work with the colour black, Edwige Belmore, the Paris queen of punk, and Le Corbusier, one of the forerunners of modern architecture.
Coupette’s signature cocktails will include; ‘Apples’, in which Calvados is mixed with cold-pressed apple juice that will be carbonated in-house daily, a ‘Truffled White Negroni’, made with truffles in season at the time, and the ‘Champagne Pina Colada’, a modern take on the classic. The calvados and apple used to make ‘Apples’ will change each month in order to showcase the depth and variety available. An entirely French wine selection will also be available, curated by the team, and will feature less recognised grape varietals, natural wines and a small selection of champagnes.
The food menu, created by Head Chef James Allen Thompson, has been designed to complement the drinks on offer and will feature a simple selection of French classics including a whole section dedicated to that most iconic of favourites, the croque monsieur. Diners can choose from the time-honoured combination of ham hock & gruyere or opt for the more adventurous truffled creamed leeks & confit salmon, Lyonnaise onions & Gruyere or Merguez sausage & pipperade.
Larger plates will follow a similar route and will be made from the best seasonal ingredients on offer. The opening menu will feature a whole roasted lamb shoulder served with wild garlic & baby gem, confit duck leg with orange glazed salsify and chicken liver parfait with crispy skin & seasonal chutney. There will also be a range of snacks on offer for those coming to the bar for a quick drink, expect a changing menu that will feature the likes of British charcuterie, salmon rillettes and beef tartare.
Coffee and a choice of freshly baked pastries will also be available throughout the week for those dropping by earlier in the day. On weekend mornings, diners can sit down for a relaxed brunch served from 11am. Expect classic brunch fare with a French twist – including the Full French Breakfast with local sausages, oven-baked eggs, confit tomato, Lyonnaise onions, boudin noir & a toasted baguette, truffle scrambled eggs with smoked eel and smashed avocado with peas, mint, radishes & poached eggs on toasted granary.
In autumn 2017, the team at Coupette will also be launching the world’s first Calvados Club, a charitable initiative that will see French producers coming to London to deliver a series of unique tastings on a bi-monthly basis in the bar.
Chris will be joined in his new venture by head bartender Franck Dedieu, formerly of Redwood, and assistant manager Dan Schofield, formerly head bartender at 69 Colebrooke Row. Taking charge of the kitchen will be James Allen Thompson, formerly of City Social and Bethnal Green local Corner Room.
Coupette is a modern neighbourhood bar, combining the chance for cocktail connoisseurs to savour and discover something totally new and a hangout for locals just looking for a quick coupette – meaning a ‘cheeky one’ in French.
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