Cognac Bistro is North Brookline's up and coming neighborhood destination, offering a menu that showcases classic French cuisine imbued with the heart of New England. A focus on fresh local seafood, extensive raw bar, and sustainable, organic ingredients throughout make Cognac Bistro truly an experience to savor. Accompanied by a robust wine list and full bar.
"Simple and delicious, like a true French bistro. Everything tastes really fresh and portions are the right size (not those overwhelming and overloaded plates). Service is pleasant and efficient, and ambience is casual and inviting. A true neighborhood gem of a restaurant."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Cognac is one of those places that you can taste the freshness with every bite. In addition, the waitstaff is excellent, knowledgeable, and answers your questions honestly and intelligently. Highly recommended."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"This is a great place overall. Every course we had (4 people) was excellent. The Warm Frise´ salad was to die for, and the hanger steak was excellent. If you haven't been give this place a roll, it's smokin'."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"Pace of service and quality of food were excellent. Highly recommend. A lovely place to meet friends for dinner. Will be back this summer to enjoy the patio dining!"
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, notable wine list
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"Cognac Bistro is located in a former gas station and that's apparent. So, while it's not very traditional looking, if you like quirky and different its esthetics will appeal to you. Their outdoor seating did not appeal to a friend who I dined with, due to the fact that's nestled between their parking lot and busy Harvard Avenue, but it would not have bothered me.
That being said this was my second time eating there; the first time was for brunch and both times I have greatly enjoyed their food. For this dinner, we split the fried calamari which were wonderfully prepared with peppers and olives. And then we both had the monkfish with mussels. It was wonderfully prepared with a wonderful broth, perfect for soaking up with bread."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, notable wine list, neighborhood gem
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"I have to admit that I was a little disappointed. I went to this restaurant solely based on people's reviews and, although I would recommend this place, I'd let people know that they are better French restaurants around Boston. Food was quite good, but not great. White sausage (boudin blanc) was phenomenal (excellent balance of flavors) but the duck that I ordered was a bit off-flavored. Don't get me wrong here: meat itself was outstanding, cooked to perfection. However, the layer of creamy mayo (with herbs) and the red sauce next to it were both overpowering and way too sweet. Too bad for such a quality of duck. Green beans or spinach would have been greatly appreciated. Service was too slow, but our waitress was professional and nice."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, neighborhood gem
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"My food was absolutely fantastic. I started with the field green salad and had the trout for my main course. It came out piping hot but still moist. The green beans served with it tasted fresh. Finished with a berry crisp "mini dessert." Again, it came out hot, tasted fresh and light with a notable absence of that corn syrup flavor so often present desserts like this. The dessert was perfect as it satisfied my sweet tooth without the indulgent serving size. It only cost $3!
Service was good but not as good as the food. Two servers were trying to attend to the entire restaurant. They were very pleasant and helpful, but it took a few minutes to get a menu and place a drink order. Courses came out in a good cadence, though."
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"First time here since they closed Kozina in Waban and I found the same good food and owners doing a great job . I like it because the menu is simple and I always have a number of choices. The prices are reasonable and wait staff pleasant. I did not sit outside but this is a great new option and we will be going back to try it out. I also like that there is more space at this location."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"First time visit this past weekend. A nice solid "A". Walked in the door and straight to our table, no wait. Our waitress, Kerry was wonderful - very friendly and knowledgable about everything on the menu. Very cold and fresh oysters, awesome! Very good duck entree. Only thing we didn't like were the mini deserts, but they are cheap and you just need to order an assortment to try them all lol."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"I had driven by this unassuming gas station turned restaurant several times and decided that it was time to try it. The raw bar was amazing, oysters, clams, shrimp cocktail and a massive mound of crab meat! We then moved to the steamed little necks which didn't disappoint either. We split a bowl of French Onion soup because we were so full at that point and capped of the night with a shared bowl of apricot-cherry bread pudding. We have decided to go back in the late spring so we can eat outside and try some of the other menu options!!!"
Dined on 03/27/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Very good food...service was a bit slow, but it could have been the server giving us space to have a leisurely dinner. Former gas station building provided funky ambiance. Fun place with good food..will return!"
Dined on 03/21/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"My husband and I went here after seeing an add for a prix fixe menu that looked appealing. It turned out to be an excellent meal and outstanding value. Both the onion soup and the bouillabase were terrific. Lots of seafood, including half a lobster beautifully prepared. The only place it fell down some was with dessert. The creme brulee was served in a tiny serving dish and had far too loose a consistency. But, overall, it was great meal and we'll be back."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Cognac Bistro is fantastic, from the food to the service to the ambiance. The raw bar is an added bonus. We had the duck and the trout, both of which were perfectly cooked and world-class delicious."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"My first time there having heard about it from friends who, like me, also went to the owners' prior restaurant in Newton. Well I always loved Kuzina and I really enjoyed my lunch at Cognac Bistro. Everything was done perfectly. Can't wait to go introduce this spot to my family."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"This was our first time eating at the Cognac Bistro. The place is small, so make reservations. The food was very good. The oysters were fresh and delicious. We also had the calamari which were perfectly fried (not too much) so you could actually taste them. The salad frise with goat cheese was a success. For entrees, we had the Hanger steak and the duck breast. The steak was juicy, tender and the duck was excellent. The creamy sauce and spaetzle were nice with the duck. The portions were appropriate, none of us were left hungry. The wine list is similar to the menu, not long but with good items at the right price. We will definitely visit the Cognac Bistro again."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"We went for the first time last week to celebrate my birthday. Based upon previous recommendations we ordered the warm frisee and beet salad - it was terrific. We had the duck, lamb burger and trout. All 3 were great - the lamb burger was cooked to perfection, incredibly juicy. The desserts are tiny, but scrumptious. The bread pudding was unbelievable - the perfect size for one."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Converted from a former two-bay service station, Cognac Bistro is small and intimate. About half of the space (one of the original "bays" features an oyster bar; the other bay serves as the dining room. In warmer months, a garage door opens up to allow for outdoor dining.
Menu is mostly seafood -- half roasted chicken and hanger steak being two exceptions-- but everything we tried was perfectly done and very flavorful, rivaling the best Boston restaurants. Service was attentive and very pleasant. We'll be back!
Parking can be challenging at this location, due to the small size of the property."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Disappointing. The menu is limited. Would not go out of my way to eat here again. We were there to celebrate a friends birthday. Service was polite but te kitchen w slow and very limited. Good raw bar."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2008
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"Our server was more interested in flirting with a table of four next to us to actually serve us. My wife had to walk over to the bar to find out what the dinner specials were and ordering additional wine ended up being a chore (We purchased them from the bar, rather than waiting for the server.)"
Dined on 02/01/2013
2008
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"The food is very good but the place was freezing. The outside temperature was in the mid-20s and every time the door opened a cold breeze swept through the restaurant. Even with the door closed the dining room was drafty. The management should crank up the heat on cold nights."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Very reliable food. Oysters always of superb quality. While the menu does not change much, that can be a benefit too, if you have not been for a while and miss something. Very good value."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2005
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"The food and service were very good for our brunch. Because the space is a former garage, there is virtually no insulation, so the space is cold in winter, and all four of us were uncomfortable. Also, only coffee is served -- we couldn't believe it when our server said that they don't serve tea. Otherwise, it was a positive experience and we would try it again (in warmer weather!)."
Dined on 01/27/2013
2006
Special Features: great for brunch
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"This was our first visit to CB. While the space is a little unusual -I believe it is a converted garage - the food is very good. Fresh squeezed juices, homemade breads (both as a side and as a base to the eggs benedict or the croque monsieur). Not too crowded, either. We will definitely go back."
Dined on 01/20/2013
2011
Special Features: great for brunch, neighborhood gem
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