What: La Côte is a new BYOB restaurant located in Paulus Hook in the space formerly occupied by Presto’s. The 2-month old restaurant specializes in cuisine from the French and Italian Riviera.
Interior: The dining room at La Côte includes plenty of warm woods with bare white walls and matching white chairs. The space is very minimalist, which makes it feel as if you’re eating inside a boutique art gallery. It has a chic vibe sans the attitude. We love that it’s not unnecessarily loud; music is kept at low volume. The restaurant also has outdoor seating, which they recently added.
The Menu: La Côte’s menu offers a wide variety of coastal dishes from France and Italy. You’ll find mussels, pastas with shellfish, and even a classic French bouillabaisse. Appetizers range from $7.95 to $14.95, soups are $5.95, salads $5.95 to $14.95, pastas $13.95 to $24.95, and entrees range from $14.95 to $33.95. Although it’s very meat and seafood heavy, there are still plenty of options for non-meat eaters such as Linguine Primavera and an Eggplant Parmigiana — both priced at $14.95 each. Sides range from $5.95 to $6.95 and desserts — tiramisu or tartufo — are $7.95 and $6.95, respectively. There is also a take-out/pick-up pizza menu with seven different thin-crust pies. They range from $7.95 for the 10-inch Funghi pizza to $19.95 for the 16-inch Proscuitto pie.
Bouillabaisse ($28.95)
We Loved: Seafood lovers should go straight for the bouillabaisse ($28.95). It’s one of the best seafood entrees I’ve had in Jersey City with generous amounts of fish, mussels, and clams. The tomato saffron broth is sublime and brings out the essence of the shellfish without overpowering any ingredient. It’s an elegant dish executed to perfection. Standout appetizers include the Herbed Ricotta Cheese ($7.95) served with thick, country bread. It’s the perfect summer appetizer served with a smattering of fresh herbs and drizzle of olive oil. We also loved the Moule Mariniere ($13.95), which are served in a delicious broth of white wine, olive oil, garlic, and parsley. (They can also be ordered with marinara sauce).
Could Be Better: Although La Côte accepts walk-ins, the restaurant is rather small and can fill up rapidly, especially on popular nights like Fridays and Saturdays. We were actually turned down on our first visit. Subsequent visits we’ve been seated at a previously reserved table. We’ve never felt rushed by the staff, but to avoid the awkward “let me see if we can accommodate you” convo, just make reservations or visit on an off night. Also, service — while friendly and helpful — noticeably slows down as the restaurant gets busy.
Final Take: La Côte is a must for seafood lovers or anyone looking for a hearty Mediterranean dinner. It’s a different vibe from the rest of downtown — you won’t find TVs or a thumping soundtrack here — but a very welcome addition to the neighborhood.
Mussels in White Wine ($13.95)
Scallop Ceviche ($14.95)
Linguine Aglia & Olio ($13.95)
Herbed Ricotta ($7.95)
Funghi Pizza ($15.95)
La Côte | 199 Warren Street | www.lacotejerseycity.com
