Sad news today from Kat LeSueur at Cocotte.
“With mixed emotions, and after endless consideration, I am announcing the closure of Cocotte Bistro. After nearly five years of cooking, laughing, learning, and growing, the time has come to bow out. I could not be prouder of our accomplishments, and am closing this chapter without regret.
Though this was a difficult decision to make, my husband and I are heartened and excited about new opportunities. In the short term we are making no firm plans for a next business venture, though I hope to provide food, drink, and hospitality in some way in the future. For now, Henry and I are excited to travel more and spend time with our families, to continue discovering and learning, and to grow as individuals and as a family.
My heart swells with nostalgia reflecting on the past five years. We have been very fortunate to form genuine and lasting relationships by way of our bistro, for which we are so grateful. To our wonderful regulars, thank you so much for your undying support and friendship. I hope to stay in contact with you and feed you again in the future. To our amazing suppliers and purveyors, thank you for years of consistently reliable, personalized, above-and-beyond service. To our staff, past and present; there is no way to put into words the gratitude, pride, and respect I have for you. Thank you a million times over for giving a piece of yourself to my dream.
Our last day of regular dinner service will be Sunday November 22nd, 2015. Please come dine with us at least one more time before Cocotte is gone. Let’s make as many more happy memories as we can in the final weeks; help us finish on the highest note. And please, come use those gift certificates you’ve been holding onto while you still can.
For the final menus, I’ll be taking requests for fan favorites. Please email them to kat@cocottepdx.com, subject: “fan favorite”, with as many details as you remember about the dish, and I will do my best to work them into menus and specials. If your request makes it onto a menu, I’ll be sure to email you and let you know.
The past five years have defined me as a person and as a chef. Thank you for indulging me.”
I really like Cocotte, and am sad that they will be closing. I’m not sure why the restaurant never took off. Best of luck to Kat and her family.
Kat LeSueur says
Thanks, Food Dude. It’s a tough industry for sure. And though we consistently received great reviews, especially over the last few years, our numbers ultimately didn’t add up.
The greatest success I’ll take away from this is knowing that we gave many people special memories.
Cocotte has been my labor of love. But the amount of love I have for it makes saying goodbye very painful.
<3
PDX Food Dude says
I will miss it. One of my “go to” places.
victoria says
One of our favorite places- you will be missed. If we lived less than 2 1/2 hours away, we definitely would have been regulars! All the best from my family.
Tina Curry says
This makes me so so sad. Always recommended it to others who went. Gruner this week too – we’re loosing great places that definitely improved the PDX food scene. I hope they come back in the not too distant future.
Kristine says
Wow. Had no idea. Just came across this. Very sad. Am surprised to see them go and didn’t know they weren’t doing well. They always seemed busy when we went. Best wishes for the future…..sorry we won’t be able to enjoy your work any longer.