An Old Favorite with a New Look
Paulus Hook’s recently opened la cote is in the former space of past neighborhood staple Presto’s. The new eats and interior are directly inspired by the culinary coasts of Italy and France, with a breezy, white walled interior and a menu filled with classic seafood, chicken, veal and steak dishes.
At this point, la cote is BYOB, which has not stopped locals from quickly filling this dinner-only spot to sample traditional Italian dishes with a French twist, and to enjoy the friendly, lovely service. Traditional cooking aside, our server – and the owner – were super accommodating on the busy Saturday night that we visited to accommodate our fellow diner who had multiple, highly specific allergies. Gluten-free pasta is always available on the menu, as well.
Vegetarians are well served with a host of appetizers and pasta options, including the Herbed Ricotta Cheese, served with Country Bread, and the Linguini Aglio e Olio – a classic dish of thin spaghetti tossed with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, basil and parmesan – which was perfectly prepared.
The buzz on la cote has spread quickly, so we suggest booking in advance. The number of tables in this cozy spot are limited, and we have noticed guests like to linger long after their food is gone, which is not surprising based on the lovely ambiance. What a lovely addition to Paulus Hook!
la cote, 199 Warren St. 201-433-6639 lacotejerseycity.com