Cocotte Closed

Just saw a sign that Cocotte closed. I know there are folks here that didn't like it, but it was my favorite restaurant in the Slope...very sorry to see it go. Wondering if they're also closing Lulu's (their restaurant in Fort Greene)

That sucks... I really liked Cocotte too. I thought it had much better food and atmosphere than the two other French restaurants in the vicinity (Belleville, Moutarde).

Yes, we went last night for dinner and saw the sign. We were able to talk to one of the waiters and he said that the owner had planned to close for some months now. the rent had gone higher and they just weren't making enough to keep up. though, i am not sure they knew exactly when it would happen.

We are so disappointed! It was our favorite restaurant in the hood. Now, if a place that had been around for almost 6 years and was crowded most weekends for brunch and dinner can't make it-just what is happening to the area?

Oh-as for Lou Lou's, we drove there last night (had never been before) and according to the head waitress, they were just fine and in no danger of closing. It's just so sad to see so many places dropping like flies around here-who's next?

Ah that is sad news. I also thought that among the 3 French restaurants this one was the best. Thursday night for some time they offered 2 entrees for the price of one. It was just such a nice place to meet friends and linger over dinner. I will miss it.

Shoot I liked their mussels at the bar.

just saw the sign today too and I'm also upset, I haven't been there in a few months, but my fiance and I always took advantage of the thursday night special, we always left very happy with our meals.

Subject: Is Red Lobster replacing Cocette?

I hope you all are pulling my leg.

It's awful that so many popular businesses must close due to criminal rent hikes.

Walking in Manhattan today and seeing mom-and-pop diners replaced with Applebees and The Olive Garden was depressing. With Petco and Uno Chicago Grill, living on the Upper East Side must be like living in the suburban shopping mall. And what business does the 2nd Avenue Deli have on 3rd Avenue?

I was so sad when I saw the sign in their window today - that was my favorite neighborhood spot...merde.

LongTimeSloper wrote: Yes, we went last night for dinner and saw the sign. We were able to talk to one of the waiters and he said that the owner had planned to close for some months now. the rent had gone higher and they just weren't making enough to keep up.

Is this true? If so, are there any politicians we can contact in hopes of gaining support for businesses that are in danger of getting pushed out by high rent?

I'm not sure if Cocette is the best French restaurant, but it is the only one I ate at in Park Slope. If it goes, I might as well just hop on the train and visit some of my favorite French restaurants in Manhattan before they get crushed by Applebees and T.G.I.F..

raw wrote: [quote=LongTimeSloper]Yes, we went last night for dinner and saw the sign. We were able to talk to one of the waiters and he said that the owner had planned to close for some months now. the rent had gone higher and they just weren't making enough to keep up.

Is this true? If so, are there any politicians we can contact in hopes of gaining support for businesses that are in danger of getting pushed out by high rent?

I'm not sure if Cocette is the best French restaurant, but it is the only one I ate at in Park Slope. If it goes, I might as well just hop on the train and visit some of my favorite French restaurants in Manhattan before they get crushed by Applebees and T.G.I.F..

There is no "if it goes", it is very sadly already gone. And, yes, you better start enjoying those chain restaurants, because they will be the only ones able to afford it around here soon. Just look at how many places (and some of them long time ones), have closed recently!

raw wrote: [quote=LongTimeSloper]Yes, we went last night for dinner and saw the sign. We were able to talk to one of the waiters and he said that the owner had planned to close for some months now. the rent had gone higher and they just weren't making enough to keep up.

Is this true? If so, are there any politicians we can contact in hopes of gaining support for businesses that are in danger of getting pushed out by high rent?

I'm not sure if Cocette is the best French restaurant, but it is the only one I ate at in Park Slope. If it goes, I might as well just hop on the train and visit some of my favorite French restaurants in Manhattan before they get crushed by Applebees and T.G.I.F..

I recently did some research of businesses in NYC that have been forced out because of ridiculous rent hikes. Catherine (the owner of the Community Bookstore) is really interested in this kind of thing and has access to people we don't. She's the VP of the Park Slope Chamber of Commerce. I gave her the research I did but that only included businesses that had been in existence for over 10 years. If people are really upset about businesses closing because of huge rent hikes, let me know. I'd like to get more specific examples and put together a more thorough file to give Catherine.

Subject: Re: Is Red Lobster replacing Cocette?

raw wrote: And what business does the 2nd Avenue Deli have on 3rd Avenue?

maybe you already know this, but it's because chase bank is now in their spot on 2nd Ave.

Subject: Re: Is Red Lobster replacing Cocette?

sweet tea wrote: [quote=raw]And what business does the 2nd Avenue Deli have on 3rd Avenue?

maybe you already know this, but it's because chase bank is now in their spot on 2nd Ave.

This is a perfect example of what I was talking about. Their landlord wanted to raise the rent by $9000 a month.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/05/nyregion/05deli.html

The 2nd Avenue Deli is near 3rd Avenue because they own the building. It seems to be the only way to stay in business these days

yeah-hubby said before we fall in love with the next restaurant we better ask if they bought the building or not-that is the only way a place stays around!

Saw the owner...it wasn't a rent hike...they just did a very poor business mid-week and they've been struggling for awhile and finally made the decision to close

Ah-the waiter was wrong. Oh well-still very very sad to see them leave. You would think the weekend crowds would have been enough to keep them going.

LongTimeSloper wrote: Ah-the waiter was wrong. Oh well-still very very sad to see them leave. You would think the weekend crowds would have been enough to keep them going.

Most restaurants and bars survive on the weekend crowd.. well in PS BarNites seem to include Thurs. because people get their early start on the weekend. My guess... reason here is rent hike coupled with not enough business to meet the increase and make a profit. Just being logical.

I walked by Cocette today and the boarded up windows depressed me.

raw wrote: I walked by Cocette today and the boarded up windows depressed me.

Prime location and nice fascade. To see that boarded up is depressing.

My bf and I had some of our first dates at Cocotte so it makes us very sad.

man, I loved that place. We went a lot. Went last weekend for brunch and it was closed so we went to Moutarde.

Sad :-(