First off, two huge reasons to come here: ambience and staff/service, equally. Food is delicious, great wine selections, unique and tasty looking cocktails (I'm getting the Coup 75 next time--muddled blueberries and blackberries? with gin, champagne, lemon...), decent coffee but sadly no espresso machine? (at least my friend said there wasn't), which surprises me in a French/high-end establishment as this. I came for Arizona Restaurant Week so I didn't look at the regular menu but I'm sure it's wonderful. From what I can tell this is best as a special occasion/date establishment; in other words, don't wear your tattered shorts and flip flops, and leave the kids at home. I unfortunately didn't explore the entire restaurant, which looks as though it was formerly a house or something; the rooms inside are probably lovely. The bar area is quaint, seats 4 or 5, and has an attractive laquered wooden bartop. It's just beautiful from the outside; gorgeous back patio--quite easily on my list of top 5 best patios I've seen in Phoenix. Perfectly dimmed clear-bulb lights are strewn across this open-air brick patio, complete with a wood burning fireplace in one corner, and surrounded by tall Oleander bushes. These outdoor tables even have white tablecloths and candles, very romantic. Service was outstanding from start to finish, and when I say start I mean from the moment I made my Open Table reservation. I called to confirm their BYOB policy and upon speaking to a gentleman on the phone (I believe it may have been the owner's son?) learned that it has changed. You may still bring your own wine if you join their wine club. I won't go into details lest I give out incorrect information; just know this: they have a full bar, complete with impressive (albeit very small) wine list, cocktails, etc, so **do not go by what Open Table says**... you do **not** have to bring your own wine in order to drink some. Also, on Open Table I was given the option to make a reservation as late as 9:30, so I made mine for 9pm. Upon calling about the wine policy, I discovered they're only open til 9. I felt badly and almost cancelled, but the gentleman on the phone said to please still come in, that they looked forward to it. Despite that my reservation was at the time of close, I was treated as though I were the first guest in the door. I never felt rushed; on the contrary had great conversations with Nicole, Andrea, and Wes, as well as a couple other employees who came out to the patio briefly. Everyone was SO hospitable, kind, and pleasant. If my wallet were fatter I'd come in every week just to see these people! So as I said, I came here for Restaurant Week; was very happy with everything. The escargot was delicious, mostly because of the heavenly buttery sauce it was in. The Beef Tenderloin was very tender, cooked to a perfect medium rare. I admit the sauce wasn't as delectable as I'd expected; perhaps it needed more cognac? Regardless, very flavorful. For dessert I had the Chocolate Espresso Eclair with espresso mousse, caramel corn, and chocolate covered espresso beans. YUM. Excellent and provided a little kick after dinner with the mini caffeine boost. My only wish for Coup Des Tartes is for them to get an espresso machine (unless there is one hiding somewhere I didn't see...?), but it isn't reason enough to drop a star from my rating.
I am so glad that Coup des Tartes has reopened! My husband surprised me with reservations in May to check the new location out. It ended up it was restaurant week, so an added bonus too. The space is beautiful, charming and shabby chic...a little more work could go a long way. The service was impeccable and the food was amazing. I started with the french onion soup (perfect portion and flavor), moved on to the beef tenderloin (perfectly prepared and full of flavor) and finished with an amazing dessert. We love that it is no longer BYOB only...great that they have a full bar to choose from now.
(5)
Teresa S.
Ate there on Friday night. Took out of town guests. Were disappointed. My three onion tart was delicious, but I don't think they need to add sugar to the tart pastry. My sisters fish was good. Basically, the dishes themselves were fine though not exceptional. The bread was cold and the plates were cold, which is disappointing. The decor is very plain and not charming. Why do they need a TV in the bar?! While noise levels were good, rooms feel cramped and crowded.
(2)
Pete J.
I felt really bad about leaving a 3-star rating because it is obvious that the restaurant owner is really trying to make a success of this restaurant, but there really are many areas of opportunity that need to be addressed. Let's talk about the restaurant itself. When you run a business out of a converted house there are bound to be some aesthetic quirks. But the tables really are too close to each other. It's not cosy, it's intrusive. We were seated in one of the little rooms with a couple directly behind me and a couple directly behind my wife. We could hear every word of every conversation. There was also a 4-top in this room which thankfully sat empty as I don't think I could possibly endure listening to another conversation. The server was very friendly, but missed a few social cues that a more experienced server would not have missed. My wife and I were trying to enjoy a quiet, romantic night out together. We had found a babysitter and were really looking forward to our date night. Unfortunately the server wanted to talk about the weather, about camping up north, about what our favourite cities in AZ were. It was too much. Right intentions, but poor execution. We overhead that he was normally a bartender and not a server, so maybe that was it. He was also at our table way too much. Between him and the owner visiting the table we hardly had a moment to ourselves. I was a little disappointed by the depth of the wine list. I only saw one Cabernet on the list and that was a blend.However, the wines were priced well. The food was also very reasonably priced. We started with the beet salad and the French Onion Soup. Both were excellent. I would go as far as saying it was probably the best FO Soup I have ever had. Entrees were a bit more of a miss than a hit. They had run out of the sea bass, so we had the halibut instead. It was dry. I ordered the filet with a shrimp on top. Both dishes were accompanied by overcooked asparagus and fried potatoes. My filet had a dollop of herb butter on top, which if served correctly will slowly melt over the steak imbibing its rich flavor to the meat below. Unfortunately the steak wasn't warm, the butter didn't melt and I was left with a glob that I had to scrape off the filet. It felt like the Chef had given up. Dessert was good, but here I am three days later trying to remember what they were and I'm having a hard time. I think mine had popcorn on the plate?
(3)
Cameo W.
This place is really a hidden jem. They excel at proving excellent service, a very welcoming feeling, excellent drinks and fantastic food. Started off my meal with a taquila cocktail at the bar, which was very unique and expertly prepared. Had the onion soup which was excellent, though very mild which will appeal to some more than others. Also, had a chance to try the sea bass. The pistachio coating provided a unique sweet flavor that was perfect with the light flavored fish. They also have an interesting wine club system where they allow you to bring your own wine if you join the club. Great way to make this a BYOB place for a reasonable cost.
(5)
Mary C.
My boyfriend and I had the pleasure of experiencing Coup des Tartes for the first time this past Friday for Restaurant Week. We initially sat inside but we realized we couldn't waste the opportunity to dine outside on the spacious patio on the first bearable night in months! Everything about our visit was perfect from our waitress, to the wine selection, and finally to our meal. Mr. Pacioni (the owner) even stopped by just to make sure everything was going well--truly a gentleman! Everything we ordered was a delight, but Coup des Tartes is a master of desserts. My crème brulee cheesecake was absolutely decadent! I plan to return this week with my mom so that she can experience Coup des Tartes, as well!
(5)
Scott M.
Having enjoyed the original location so much, our party of three went - sans reservation - on a recent weekend evening. We do that from time to time. We know going in there may be no room, or a very long wait. We were fine with rolling the dice, hoping we could nab a table at the new location. Like most others, we like the new location. It's a bistro of sorts, so yeah the tables are close together, just like most other bistros. The patio looks great and with cooler weather coming will no doubt be crowded. Once we entered and stood at the reception table there was no one there to greet us. Staff running around (the place was fairly busy although the bar was completely empty) but no one acknowledging us. After a few minutes a harried hostess greeted us and we told her we knew that without a reservation we might have to wait a while, or maybe the place was fully booked. She told us to wait and she would see what she could do. After 20 minutes and no sight of the hostess we figured we wouldn't get in. Hey, no problem, that happens from time to time (but what about the empty tables in the bar?). Here's what got us: when the hostess came back after those 20 minutes she told us that "even with a reservation it is sketchy getting a table." Pardon me? Are you telling me it is troublesome getting a table even with a reservation? If that's the case what's the point of reserving a table? For that matter, what's the point of coming back? So, in fairness, my review isn't for the food (I have no idea if the food is any good), but for the amateur behavior of the hostess. Should we elect to go back perhaps we'll do so after making one of those "sketchy" reservations.
(2)
Marta K.
Quaint restaurant with genuine staff. The building itself was beautiful and recently renovated by the charming owner. The beet salad was delicious (the goat cheese was on point). Desserts were also very nice.
(4)
Chris B.
Very disappointing. We loved the other place. Now you have to "join" the wine club ($45 year) to BYOB. The outdoors will be nice when it is cooler but indoors is a maze. Many rooms with just 2 tables, and very closely spaced. Better not hate your neighbors or you will be screwed! We had a room to ourselves but when it gets busy, I can see issues for sure. The waitstaff is scattered, literally and figuratively. The food was not nearly as interesting or flavorful as it used to be. The thing that really set me off was dessert, the key lime pie right from the BOX AT TRADER JOE'S!!!!!! Totally, I am not kidding!!!! The nerve! If you can't make a home made desert, please don't insult me with this one!
(2)
Monica H.
This is our favorite restaurant, bar none. The food is impossible to describe, it is so amazing. Each dish is artfully prepared by their excellent staff, and the result is heavenly. We have been here many times and the food is always exceptional, along with the service. We can't say enough good things about this place, you'll simply have to experience it for yourself. Try the filet, or the lamb shank. And for goodness sake, don't skip the three onion tarte!
(5)
Gaby A.
Unique, classy, quaint, best romantic outdoor patio bar with fireplace, awesome food and drinks! Excellent service! LOVE LOVE!
(5)
January S.
We tried CDT on Sat. Opening a restaurant in what used to be a single-family home is interesting but impractical. Having several "cozy" (small) dining rooms scattered throughout a building isn't great: the tables are too close together so no conversation is private. It's tough for servers to adequately keep track of their tables as they end up with tables in different rooms. It's always harder to serve a section where you can't see all your tables at once. Ours was a friendly gal who was really nice and chatty, though a bit scattered. She seemed to be playing catch up on her tables. She apparently got several tables seated in her section at once and I know what a nightmare this is. All your tables need you there at the same time for every stage of service for the duration. It's impossible to give thoughtful, efficient service if they get more than 2 tables at once without at least a 5-10 min spacer. That way their tables would be at different stages and everyone gets good service. There is skill to timing seating. We got seated in a small room near a window and were sharing it with a table of 4 other guests. Originally likely a bedroom, it felt as though we were part of each others conversations which I find distracting. Our server brought us water and explained the menu. Strange: they offer Moules Frites which in Belgium and France is Muscles (Moules) and fries (Frites), but they don't actually serve fries in this place we were told, so the Moules Frites are just Moules. I speak French and this is absurd. Call it something else like Moules Traditionelles but don't mislabel the dish. Imagine trying to order the Steak and Eggs and being told they don't serve eggs in the place? We ordered a bottle of Zin off their eclectic, interesting and well-priced wine list. I won't go on about the BYOB, wine club, corking fee biz. When I'm out to dinner, exploring the wine list and choosing from what the owners deem suitable to accompany their food is part of the dining experience. What's next? Bring your own Amuse Bouche? "Yes I believe we will start with this can of sardines and Ritz crackers I got at Safeway." It's make-work. I wondered if they had sent someone to Sonoma California to pick up the wine we'd ordered, as after 10 mins it still had yet to arrive at the table. Our server returned, sans wine, to take our food order, which in good service is bad. We decided to share the Caesar salad and Pate Campagne to start followed by the Short Rib Pappardelle pour elle and the Crispy Maple Duck Breast pour moi. Our sever said that they could split the salad onto two plates. She also suggested we course it: start with the pate, then the salad, then the mains. Perfect! A few mins later, our server, sans wine, brought out a Caesar salad (not split. not the pate) and plopped it down in front of my wife and left. Then a guy FINALLY appeared with the wine we ordered. Imagine we're in a "high-end" restaurant and the first incorrect course has arrived at the table, inaccurately presented and before the wine. Straight up bad service timing. Someone then appeared with the pate and placed it in front of me. I guess we weren't coursing the appies. Wine guy opens and pours. He seemed uncomfortable and nervous pouring and spilled some on the tablecloth. I guess in the old place the guests brought their wines and poured it. Perhaps some of the staff aren't yet comfortable opening and pouring wine. I could do a training session and have them up to par and confident in no time. I poured the wine hence forth, as no one else was ever around to do it. We clumsily scraped some of the salad onto my side plate which I hate doing because then it looked like a goat's breakfast. The salad had a nice delicate dressing that was perfect. The lettuce was crunchy and had a mouth-feel more akin to Kale. The pate was okay. It had an interesting flavor and was served with delightfully hot mustard and some mini cornichons. The Crispy Maple Duck wasn't crispy at all. It was smothered in a maple cream sauce that soaked any crispiness out of it; disappointing, as I love crispy duck. The breast was perfectly medium and the sauce was exquisite. It came with some very creamy mashed potatoes so I had a deliciously creamy experience. My wife said the Short Rib Pappardelle was excellent. The pasta was perfect and the meat very tender. She said the sauce was amazing. No one ever appeared at the table to do a quality check on our mains. We had long finished eating before our server came back. Don't get me wrong, we liked her, she made up for it in personality. BTW, we never once saw or interacted with a Manager. I tipped well. We MIGHT try this place again. In fine dinning it's great food and great execution by the establishment as a team that make the dining experience wonderful. It's a dance that needs to be practiced and timed from back of house to front and this place isn't quite ready to Dance With The Stars just yet.
(3)
Linda A.
If I could give 4-plus, I would. There is beautiful outdoor seating near a fireplace on a brick cobbled setting. Inside there are intimate dining areas with their own personalities. The beef tenderloin was perfect as was the escargot. Decent wine selection although their wine club and corking fees don't seem worth the costs unless a super regular customer.
(4)
John L.
This is what happens when you trust a couple tartes. Stabbed in the back! Food poisoning. Worst night of vomiting and diarrhea in my life. I had the lamb.
(1)
Mykle F.
Had a fantastic meal at Coup Des Tartes with my neighbors. There were 6 of us, and we ate there for Restaurant Week. The Fixed Price menu had some great options. I chose the French Onion Soup as my starter. It was lovely. For the entree, I had the lamb shank. So tender and delicious, and was served with quinoa and vegetables, which soaked up the juices from the lamb. For dessert, I thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate eclair. The meal was great, and we very much enjoyed the outdoor patio area. I only had two concerns, preventing me from giving 5 stars: 1) The server, although very pleasant, was just adequate. We had to repeated ask for water. With 6 people at the table, the one bottle of water provided barely lasted one round. After the 3rd request for more water for the table, she brought two bottles. 2) The check/bill was totally unacceptable. It was on one of those Guest Checks, on which they take your order. We actually gave the wrong amount, because the total was carried over to the other side (would have been nice if that was pointed out when the bill was presented). It was truly impossible to determine if the total was correct, and the gratuity was added in because we were a "large party". Not sure when 6 people became a large party. Due to the bill being on the guest check, we had no idea how the gratuity was actually calculated, or what percentage it was. Having already made an error with the total on the front of the check, as opposed to the total on the back, we just paid what was requested and called it a night. We will definitely eat there again, as the food was totally worth it, but I do hope they get their act together when it comes to the bill. Hopefully, it's just a growing pain of being new, and in the near future they'll write up actual checks that list each item.
(4)
Monique W.
Beautiful restaurant with several smaller,intimate dining rooms. The food is great, the service is excellent and we, like several other diners that night, were personally greeted and thanked by the owner for coming in. The menu is imaginative and had so many delicious-sounding options it was hard to choose! (I chose the sea scallops, they were AMAZING). Though not traditional French, many of the entrees were reminiscent of dishes I tried while traveling in France. The featured wine list has local and international selections; a full bar and a craft-cocktail menu. Overall it was like stepping into an authentic Paris bistro. I look forward to eating there again!
(5)
T L.
The thing to remember with any restaurant that relocates is that they are basically a brand new restaurant, with all the little problems that naturally occur. We went for Restaurant Week. The escargot and the salad were very good as starters. The french onion soup was just okay; it lacked depth of flavor and it was a bit on the small side re portion size. The tenderloin and the lamb shank were excellent. Unfortunately, the short rib bolognese papparedella was one of the most disappointing entrees I have ever experienced out; it arrived cold, but worst of all had no flavor or seasoning at all. Regarding the desserts, the sponge carrot cake was the standout. There is no espresso available yet, just coffee. The new location is not as quaint as the original, but how could it be? Tables seemed a bit set up more like a chain would...squeezed together. I see a lot of potential with the new outside dining area. The bar area is a nice touch; drinks were not cheap though, $17 for a small martini and a beer. I miss when they were a BOB and you didn't have to pay $45 for a membership to be able to bring in your own wine; there is still a corkage fee. Service was okay, pleasant enough, but had anyone checked in we could have mentioned the issues with the papparedella. The owners seem to be really trying, they just have a new set up, kitchen, and staff.
(3)
Sharon F.
First time back since they re-opened. Service was great as always, but the food is still coming along. Will send direct feedback to the owners. VERY busy night, the kitchen was a bit overwhelmed. The timing of our food was good but others after us had to wait longer. Still working out some of the kinks I think. They will get there. Nice wine list, love to be able to still BYO. Beautiful setting, the patio is lovely! Bar is very nice as well. Lots more capacity than the original location. We were in the room that was carpeted, I actually love the original wood floors in other parts of the building. Harder to be an intimate setting when tables so close together and conversations easily carry. Pastry chef hit a home run!! Highlight of the meal!
(3)
Audrey B.
Intimate, elegant, but pricey restaurant. Excellent service, great ambience and delicious food. This is the kind of restaurant you go to when you want to celebrate a special occasion and linger over a fabulous meal. Don't go here expecting to rush through your food. Everything on the menu is very tempting so it was hard making a decision what to order. Reservations are a must.
(5)
Isabella E.
Our experience at Coup des Tartes for our 4 year anniversary was the best dining experience we've ever had, hands down. The food was absolutely amazing--we had escargot, the three onion tarte, the filet mignon, the duck and the caramel salted creme brulee. Each one of these dishes was so good they almost overwhelmed us! My partner is a student at Le Cordon Bleu and she was very inspired by every aspect of the restaurant. The service was so attentive and friendly--as a gay couple, we did not feel out of place at all. In fact, between the server and the owner, we must have had 10 pictures taken trying to get the perfect shot--they did not make us feel as if we were inconveniencing them at all. The atmosphere was romantic and homey with cozy rooms seating a few tables...we loved this design. Though it was too hot to eat outdoors, we remarked on how chic and lovely the outdoor dining area was and are giving serious thought to getting married there! In fact, the owner himself suggested his restaurant as a wedding venue for us. Though we seldom have the money to spend on extravagant dinners (although we felt the price for our dinner was very reasonable...maybe even underpriced for the outstanding quality), we will be putting what we can into our foodie fund to make it a point to visit Coup des Tartes at least a few times a year. Thank you and Bravo!
(5)
Ron E.
Came to Coupe Des Tartes during Restaurant Week. The whole experience was excellent. The Host and Owner escorted us to a table for four in a cozy room. The room was not noisy and was appreciated. After cocktails and a bottle of red wine We ordered the fabulous food. all four of us enjoyed the plates we ordered from appetizers to dessert. We will definitely return.
(5)
Melanie M.
Looked forward to a beautiful May evening dining on the patio which ended up being a disappointing experience. First, the patio was sorely understaffed and the service painfully slow and disjointed. When our entrees finally arrived, while flavorful they were all served lukewarm taking away from the quality. Even the coffee was weak and served lukewarm. Highlight of the evening was the four berry tarte which was exceptional but not good enough to recommend this restaurant to friends. Never mind paying for good food and service but this was not the case. There are too many good restaurant choices in Phoenix.
(3)
Mikmeister G.
Fabulous! This was our first real meal at CDT since it reopened at its new location. It used to be, and now is again, one of our favorites and we were waiting for them to settle in to their new home. Great food, fabulous ambiance, and unmatched service. My partner has a lot of allergies (shellfish and gluten, just to name a couple), and our server, Jessica, and the kitchen were very patient and accommodating. The chocolate hazelnut torte is to die for!
(5)
Anni F.
Visited on a Thursday evening with my picky MIL. Such an intimate dining experience. The Roquefort salad was yummy and filing. Had the sea bass with curried crab meat as a main course. Shouldn't have eaten it all as it was a decent size but just couldn't stop! MIL had the lamb which is a menu staple. Meat was tender and hearty. Can't wait until the fall to sit on the patio. Service was impeccable!
(5)
Mj B.
Beautiful, Intimate, and cozy are just a few words to describe the new and improved Coup Des Tartes atmosphere. Then there is the FOOD and Service- Wonderful! The menu is expanded, and all delicious. I had the crab cakes, roquefort salad with toasted hazelnuts and roasted duck breast. It was all divine! Can't wait to go back to try more dishes. The bar is also welcoming with many handcrafted cocktails by the gracious Helena. Then there are the desserts/tartes they are famous for and Jessica the original pastry chef is there to prepare them. This whole relocation and project has been a labor of love, but it has been worth it! Don't miss the opportunity to check this out, before you have to wait forever to get a reservation. It is so unique- nothing like it I have seen in Phoenix. Ron ( the owner) will be there to welcome you and share his vision come to life so you can experience it as well. It will become a Favorite- I am positive!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Megan C.
First off, two huge reasons to come here: ambience and staff/service, equally. Food is delicious, great wine selections, unique and tasty looking cocktails (I'm getting the Coup 75 next time--muddled blueberries and blackberries? with gin, champagne, lemon...), decent coffee but sadly no espresso machine? (at least my friend said there wasn't), which surprises me in a French/high-end establishment as this. I came for Arizona Restaurant Week so I didn't look at the regular menu but I'm sure it's wonderful. From what I can tell this is best as a special occasion/date establishment; in other words, don't wear your tattered shorts and flip flops, and leave the kids at home. I unfortunately didn't explore the entire restaurant, which looks as though it was formerly a house or something; the rooms inside are probably lovely. The bar area is quaint, seats 4 or 5, and has an attractive laquered wooden bartop. It's just beautiful from the outside; gorgeous back patio--quite easily on my list of top 5 best patios I've seen in Phoenix. Perfectly dimmed clear-bulb lights are strewn across this open-air brick patio, complete with a wood burning fireplace in one corner, and surrounded by tall Oleander bushes. These outdoor tables even have white tablecloths and candles, very romantic. Service was outstanding from start to finish, and when I say start I mean from the moment I made my Open Table reservation. I called to confirm their BYOB policy and upon speaking to a gentleman on the phone (I believe it may have been the owner's son?) learned that it has changed. You may still bring your own wine if you join their wine club. I won't go into details lest I give out incorrect information; just know this: they have a full bar, complete with impressive (albeit very small) wine list, cocktails, etc, so **do not go by what Open Table says**... you do **not** have to bring your own wine in order to drink some. Also, on Open Table I was given the option to make a reservation as late as 9:30, so I made mine for 9pm. Upon calling about the wine policy, I discovered they're only open til 9. I felt badly and almost cancelled, but the gentleman on the phone said to please still come in, that they looked forward to it. Despite that my reservation was at the time of close, I was treated as though I were the first guest in the door. I never felt rushed; on the contrary had great conversations with Nicole, Andrea, and Wes, as well as a couple other employees who came out to the patio briefly. Everyone was SO hospitable, kind, and pleasant. If my wallet were fatter I'd come in every week just to see these people! So as I said, I came here for Restaurant Week; was very happy with everything. The escargot was delicious, mostly because of the heavenly buttery sauce it was in. The Beef Tenderloin was very tender, cooked to a perfect medium rare. I admit the sauce wasn't as delectable as I'd expected; perhaps it needed more cognac? Regardless, very flavorful. For dessert I had the Chocolate Espresso Eclair with espresso mousse, caramel corn, and chocolate covered espresso beans. YUM. Excellent and provided a little kick after dinner with the mini caffeine boost. My only wish for Coup Des Tartes is for them to get an espresso machine (unless there is one hiding somewhere I didn't see...?), but it isn't reason enough to drop a star from my rating.
(5)Amy W.
This is by far the Best Place for Restaurant week! I started with the lobster pot pie with the most incredible homemade crust. Butternut Squash Risotto no words other than amazing! Finished yes I said finished with Crème brûlée Cheesecake with strawberries it was delicious. The owner Ron checked on our table multiple times to make sure we were enjoying our dinner and to make sure we were well taken care of. Our waitress was very efficient, friendly and knowledgeable. My new favorite restaurant in Phoenix.
(5)Debra S.
We really enjoyed our Restaurant Week dinner here. I made our reservation for 7 people a week in advance. The staff member on the phone was friendly, helpful and gracious. I called the night before to reconfirm and had the same lovely experience. I was impressed. We arrived for our 8 pm res and I was really surprised that our table was outside. The patio is pretty but it's still too hot to dine outside. I expressed my concern and displeasure that I hadn't been asked about outside dining when I called. A waitress brought water and shortly thereafter the waiter came out to say an inside table had opened up and we could move. We were all grateful to move into the AC. Their attitude was refreshing. No one acted like we had put them out. The RW menu had nice variety but we had a lot of steak fans so many ordered the filet, mashed potatoes and asparagus. They all seemed to like their choice. I'm sure it was good but rather unimaginative. I had Moroccan lamb shank with couscous and stone fruit. A delicious melange of flavors and textures. For dessert several chose the crime brûlée cheesecake and loved it. I had the chocolate caramel fleur de sel tart. It was tasty but super sweet - just as described by our waitress. Speaking of wait staff, they were helpful, friendly and genuinely happy to make our evening a delight. I'm happy to recommend. Overall, a great start to Restaurant Week!
(4)Jennifer S.
I am so glad that Coup des Tartes has reopened! My husband surprised me with reservations in May to check the new location out. It ended up it was restaurant week, so an added bonus too. The space is beautiful, charming and shabby chic...a little more work could go a long way. The service was impeccable and the food was amazing. I started with the french onion soup (perfect portion and flavor), moved on to the beef tenderloin (perfectly prepared and full of flavor) and finished with an amazing dessert. We love that it is no longer BYOB only...great that they have a full bar to choose from now.
(5)Teresa S.
Ate there on Friday night. Took out of town guests. Were disappointed. My three onion tart was delicious, but I don't think they need to add sugar to the tart pastry. My sisters fish was good. Basically, the dishes themselves were fine though not exceptional. The bread was cold and the plates were cold, which is disappointing. The decor is very plain and not charming. Why do they need a TV in the bar?! While noise levels were good, rooms feel cramped and crowded.
(2)Pete J.
I felt really bad about leaving a 3-star rating because it is obvious that the restaurant owner is really trying to make a success of this restaurant, but there really are many areas of opportunity that need to be addressed. Let's talk about the restaurant itself. When you run a business out of a converted house there are bound to be some aesthetic quirks. But the tables really are too close to each other. It's not cosy, it's intrusive. We were seated in one of the little rooms with a couple directly behind me and a couple directly behind my wife. We could hear every word of every conversation. There was also a 4-top in this room which thankfully sat empty as I don't think I could possibly endure listening to another conversation. The server was very friendly, but missed a few social cues that a more experienced server would not have missed. My wife and I were trying to enjoy a quiet, romantic night out together. We had found a babysitter and were really looking forward to our date night. Unfortunately the server wanted to talk about the weather, about camping up north, about what our favourite cities in AZ were. It was too much. Right intentions, but poor execution. We overhead that he was normally a bartender and not a server, so maybe that was it. He was also at our table way too much. Between him and the owner visiting the table we hardly had a moment to ourselves. I was a little disappointed by the depth of the wine list. I only saw one Cabernet on the list and that was a blend.However, the wines were priced well. The food was also very reasonably priced. We started with the beet salad and the French Onion Soup. Both were excellent. I would go as far as saying it was probably the best FO Soup I have ever had. Entrees were a bit more of a miss than a hit. They had run out of the sea bass, so we had the halibut instead. It was dry. I ordered the filet with a shrimp on top. Both dishes were accompanied by overcooked asparagus and fried potatoes. My filet had a dollop of herb butter on top, which if served correctly will slowly melt over the steak imbibing its rich flavor to the meat below. Unfortunately the steak wasn't warm, the butter didn't melt and I was left with a glob that I had to scrape off the filet. It felt like the Chef had given up. Dessert was good, but here I am three days later trying to remember what they were and I'm having a hard time. I think mine had popcorn on the plate?
(3)Cameo W.
This place is really a hidden jem. They excel at proving excellent service, a very welcoming feeling, excellent drinks and fantastic food. Started off my meal with a taquila cocktail at the bar, which was very unique and expertly prepared. Had the onion soup which was excellent, though very mild which will appeal to some more than others. Also, had a chance to try the sea bass. The pistachio coating provided a unique sweet flavor that was perfect with the light flavored fish. They also have an interesting wine club system where they allow you to bring your own wine if you join the club. Great way to make this a BYOB place for a reasonable cost.
(5)Mary C.
My boyfriend and I had the pleasure of experiencing Coup des Tartes for the first time this past Friday for Restaurant Week. We initially sat inside but we realized we couldn't waste the opportunity to dine outside on the spacious patio on the first bearable night in months! Everything about our visit was perfect from our waitress, to the wine selection, and finally to our meal. Mr. Pacioni (the owner) even stopped by just to make sure everything was going well--truly a gentleman! Everything we ordered was a delight, but Coup des Tartes is a master of desserts. My crème brulee cheesecake was absolutely decadent! I plan to return this week with my mom so that she can experience Coup des Tartes, as well!
(5)Scott M.
Having enjoyed the original location so much, our party of three went - sans reservation - on a recent weekend evening. We do that from time to time. We know going in there may be no room, or a very long wait. We were fine with rolling the dice, hoping we could nab a table at the new location. Like most others, we like the new location. It's a bistro of sorts, so yeah the tables are close together, just like most other bistros. The patio looks great and with cooler weather coming will no doubt be crowded. Once we entered and stood at the reception table there was no one there to greet us. Staff running around (the place was fairly busy although the bar was completely empty) but no one acknowledging us. After a few minutes a harried hostess greeted us and we told her we knew that without a reservation we might have to wait a while, or maybe the place was fully booked. She told us to wait and she would see what she could do. After 20 minutes and no sight of the hostess we figured we wouldn't get in. Hey, no problem, that happens from time to time (but what about the empty tables in the bar?). Here's what got us: when the hostess came back after those 20 minutes she told us that "even with a reservation it is sketchy getting a table." Pardon me? Are you telling me it is troublesome getting a table even with a reservation? If that's the case what's the point of reserving a table? For that matter, what's the point of coming back? So, in fairness, my review isn't for the food (I have no idea if the food is any good), but for the amateur behavior of the hostess. Should we elect to go back perhaps we'll do so after making one of those "sketchy" reservations.
(2)Marta K.
Quaint restaurant with genuine staff. The building itself was beautiful and recently renovated by the charming owner. The beet salad was delicious (the goat cheese was on point). Desserts were also very nice.
(4)Chris B.
Very disappointing. We loved the other place. Now you have to "join" the wine club ($45 year) to BYOB. The outdoors will be nice when it is cooler but indoors is a maze. Many rooms with just 2 tables, and very closely spaced. Better not hate your neighbors or you will be screwed! We had a room to ourselves but when it gets busy, I can see issues for sure. The waitstaff is scattered, literally and figuratively. The food was not nearly as interesting or flavorful as it used to be. The thing that really set me off was dessert, the key lime pie right from the BOX AT TRADER JOE'S!!!!!! Totally, I am not kidding!!!! The nerve! If you can't make a home made desert, please don't insult me with this one!
(2)Monica H.
This is our favorite restaurant, bar none. The food is impossible to describe, it is so amazing. Each dish is artfully prepared by their excellent staff, and the result is heavenly. We have been here many times and the food is always exceptional, along with the service. We can't say enough good things about this place, you'll simply have to experience it for yourself. Try the filet, or the lamb shank. And for goodness sake, don't skip the three onion tarte!
(5)Gaby A.
Unique, classy, quaint, best romantic outdoor patio bar with fireplace, awesome food and drinks! Excellent service! LOVE LOVE!
(5)January S.
We tried CDT on Sat. Opening a restaurant in what used to be a single-family home is interesting but impractical. Having several "cozy" (small) dining rooms scattered throughout a building isn't great: the tables are too close together so no conversation is private. It's tough for servers to adequately keep track of their tables as they end up with tables in different rooms. It's always harder to serve a section where you can't see all your tables at once. Ours was a friendly gal who was really nice and chatty, though a bit scattered. She seemed to be playing catch up on her tables. She apparently got several tables seated in her section at once and I know what a nightmare this is. All your tables need you there at the same time for every stage of service for the duration. It's impossible to give thoughtful, efficient service if they get more than 2 tables at once without at least a 5-10 min spacer. That way their tables would be at different stages and everyone gets good service. There is skill to timing seating. We got seated in a small room near a window and were sharing it with a table of 4 other guests. Originally likely a bedroom, it felt as though we were part of each others conversations which I find distracting. Our server brought us water and explained the menu. Strange: they offer Moules Frites which in Belgium and France is Muscles (Moules) and fries (Frites), but they don't actually serve fries in this place we were told, so the Moules Frites are just Moules. I speak French and this is absurd. Call it something else like Moules Traditionelles but don't mislabel the dish. Imagine trying to order the Steak and Eggs and being told they don't serve eggs in the place? We ordered a bottle of Zin off their eclectic, interesting and well-priced wine list. I won't go on about the BYOB, wine club, corking fee biz. When I'm out to dinner, exploring the wine list and choosing from what the owners deem suitable to accompany their food is part of the dining experience. What's next? Bring your own Amuse Bouche? "Yes I believe we will start with this can of sardines and Ritz crackers I got at Safeway." It's make-work. I wondered if they had sent someone to Sonoma California to pick up the wine we'd ordered, as after 10 mins it still had yet to arrive at the table. Our server returned, sans wine, to take our food order, which in good service is bad. We decided to share the Caesar salad and Pate Campagne to start followed by the Short Rib Pappardelle pour elle and the Crispy Maple Duck Breast pour moi. Our sever said that they could split the salad onto two plates. She also suggested we course it: start with the pate, then the salad, then the mains. Perfect! A few mins later, our server, sans wine, brought out a Caesar salad (not split. not the pate) and plopped it down in front of my wife and left. Then a guy FINALLY appeared with the wine we ordered. Imagine we're in a "high-end" restaurant and the first incorrect course has arrived at the table, inaccurately presented and before the wine. Straight up bad service timing. Someone then appeared with the pate and placed it in front of me. I guess we weren't coursing the appies. Wine guy opens and pours. He seemed uncomfortable and nervous pouring and spilled some on the tablecloth. I guess in the old place the guests brought their wines and poured it. Perhaps some of the staff aren't yet comfortable opening and pouring wine. I could do a training session and have them up to par and confident in no time. I poured the wine hence forth, as no one else was ever around to do it. We clumsily scraped some of the salad onto my side plate which I hate doing because then it looked like a goat's breakfast. The salad had a nice delicate dressing that was perfect. The lettuce was crunchy and had a mouth-feel more akin to Kale. The pate was okay. It had an interesting flavor and was served with delightfully hot mustard and some mini cornichons. The Crispy Maple Duck wasn't crispy at all. It was smothered in a maple cream sauce that soaked any crispiness out of it; disappointing, as I love crispy duck. The breast was perfectly medium and the sauce was exquisite. It came with some very creamy mashed potatoes so I had a deliciously creamy experience. My wife said the Short Rib Pappardelle was excellent. The pasta was perfect and the meat very tender. She said the sauce was amazing. No one ever appeared at the table to do a quality check on our mains. We had long finished eating before our server came back. Don't get me wrong, we liked her, she made up for it in personality. BTW, we never once saw or interacted with a Manager. I tipped well. We MIGHT try this place again. In fine dinning it's great food and great execution by the establishment as a team that make the dining experience wonderful. It's a dance that needs to be practiced and timed from back of house to front and this place isn't quite ready to Dance With The Stars just yet.
(3)Linda A.
If I could give 4-plus, I would. There is beautiful outdoor seating near a fireplace on a brick cobbled setting. Inside there are intimate dining areas with their own personalities. The beef tenderloin was perfect as was the escargot. Decent wine selection although their wine club and corking fees don't seem worth the costs unless a super regular customer.
(4)John L.
This is what happens when you trust a couple tartes. Stabbed in the back! Food poisoning. Worst night of vomiting and diarrhea in my life. I had the lamb.
(1)Mykle F.
Had a fantastic meal at Coup Des Tartes with my neighbors. There were 6 of us, and we ate there for Restaurant Week. The Fixed Price menu had some great options. I chose the French Onion Soup as my starter. It was lovely. For the entree, I had the lamb shank. So tender and delicious, and was served with quinoa and vegetables, which soaked up the juices from the lamb. For dessert, I thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate eclair. The meal was great, and we very much enjoyed the outdoor patio area. I only had two concerns, preventing me from giving 5 stars: 1) The server, although very pleasant, was just adequate. We had to repeated ask for water. With 6 people at the table, the one bottle of water provided barely lasted one round. After the 3rd request for more water for the table, she brought two bottles. 2) The check/bill was totally unacceptable. It was on one of those Guest Checks, on which they take your order. We actually gave the wrong amount, because the total was carried over to the other side (would have been nice if that was pointed out when the bill was presented). It was truly impossible to determine if the total was correct, and the gratuity was added in because we were a "large party". Not sure when 6 people became a large party. Due to the bill being on the guest check, we had no idea how the gratuity was actually calculated, or what percentage it was. Having already made an error with the total on the front of the check, as opposed to the total on the back, we just paid what was requested and called it a night. We will definitely eat there again, as the food was totally worth it, but I do hope they get their act together when it comes to the bill. Hopefully, it's just a growing pain of being new, and in the near future they'll write up actual checks that list each item.
(4)Monique W.
Beautiful restaurant with several smaller,intimate dining rooms. The food is great, the service is excellent and we, like several other diners that night, were personally greeted and thanked by the owner for coming in. The menu is imaginative and had so many delicious-sounding options it was hard to choose! (I chose the sea scallops, they were AMAZING). Though not traditional French, many of the entrees were reminiscent of dishes I tried while traveling in France. The featured wine list has local and international selections; a full bar and a craft-cocktail menu. Overall it was like stepping into an authentic Paris bistro. I look forward to eating there again!
(5)T L.
The thing to remember with any restaurant that relocates is that they are basically a brand new restaurant, with all the little problems that naturally occur. We went for Restaurant Week. The escargot and the salad were very good as starters. The french onion soup was just okay; it lacked depth of flavor and it was a bit on the small side re portion size. The tenderloin and the lamb shank were excellent. Unfortunately, the short rib bolognese papparedella was one of the most disappointing entrees I have ever experienced out; it arrived cold, but worst of all had no flavor or seasoning at all. Regarding the desserts, the sponge carrot cake was the standout. There is no espresso available yet, just coffee. The new location is not as quaint as the original, but how could it be? Tables seemed a bit set up more like a chain would...squeezed together. I see a lot of potential with the new outside dining area. The bar area is a nice touch; drinks were not cheap though, $17 for a small martini and a beer. I miss when they were a BOB and you didn't have to pay $45 for a membership to be able to bring in your own wine; there is still a corkage fee. Service was okay, pleasant enough, but had anyone checked in we could have mentioned the issues with the papparedella. The owners seem to be really trying, they just have a new set up, kitchen, and staff.
(3)Sharon F.
First time back since they re-opened. Service was great as always, but the food is still coming along. Will send direct feedback to the owners. VERY busy night, the kitchen was a bit overwhelmed. The timing of our food was good but others after us had to wait longer. Still working out some of the kinks I think. They will get there. Nice wine list, love to be able to still BYO. Beautiful setting, the patio is lovely! Bar is very nice as well. Lots more capacity than the original location. We were in the room that was carpeted, I actually love the original wood floors in other parts of the building. Harder to be an intimate setting when tables so close together and conversations easily carry. Pastry chef hit a home run!! Highlight of the meal!
(3)Audrey B.
Intimate, elegant, but pricey restaurant. Excellent service, great ambience and delicious food. This is the kind of restaurant you go to when you want to celebrate a special occasion and linger over a fabulous meal. Don't go here expecting to rush through your food. Everything on the menu is very tempting so it was hard making a decision what to order. Reservations are a must.
(5)Isabella E.
Our experience at Coup des Tartes for our 4 year anniversary was the best dining experience we've ever had, hands down. The food was absolutely amazing--we had escargot, the three onion tarte, the filet mignon, the duck and the caramel salted creme brulee. Each one of these dishes was so good they almost overwhelmed us! My partner is a student at Le Cordon Bleu and she was very inspired by every aspect of the restaurant. The service was so attentive and friendly--as a gay couple, we did not feel out of place at all. In fact, between the server and the owner, we must have had 10 pictures taken trying to get the perfect shot--they did not make us feel as if we were inconveniencing them at all. The atmosphere was romantic and homey with cozy rooms seating a few tables...we loved this design. Though it was too hot to eat outdoors, we remarked on how chic and lovely the outdoor dining area was and are giving serious thought to getting married there! In fact, the owner himself suggested his restaurant as a wedding venue for us. Though we seldom have the money to spend on extravagant dinners (although we felt the price for our dinner was very reasonable...maybe even underpriced for the outstanding quality), we will be putting what we can into our foodie fund to make it a point to visit Coup des Tartes at least a few times a year. Thank you and Bravo!
(5)Ron E.
Came to Coupe Des Tartes during Restaurant Week. The whole experience was excellent. The Host and Owner escorted us to a table for four in a cozy room. The room was not noisy and was appreciated. After cocktails and a bottle of red wine We ordered the fabulous food. all four of us enjoyed the plates we ordered from appetizers to dessert. We will definitely return.
(5)Melanie M.
Looked forward to a beautiful May evening dining on the patio which ended up being a disappointing experience. First, the patio was sorely understaffed and the service painfully slow and disjointed. When our entrees finally arrived, while flavorful they were all served lukewarm taking away from the quality. Even the coffee was weak and served lukewarm. Highlight of the evening was the four berry tarte which was exceptional but not good enough to recommend this restaurant to friends. Never mind paying for good food and service but this was not the case. There are too many good restaurant choices in Phoenix.
(3)Mikmeister G.
Fabulous! This was our first real meal at CDT since it reopened at its new location. It used to be, and now is again, one of our favorites and we were waiting for them to settle in to their new home. Great food, fabulous ambiance, and unmatched service. My partner has a lot of allergies (shellfish and gluten, just to name a couple), and our server, Jessica, and the kitchen were very patient and accommodating. The chocolate hazelnut torte is to die for!
(5)Anni F.
Visited on a Thursday evening with my picky MIL. Such an intimate dining experience. The Roquefort salad was yummy and filing. Had the sea bass with curried crab meat as a main course. Shouldn't have eaten it all as it was a decent size but just couldn't stop! MIL had the lamb which is a menu staple. Meat was tender and hearty. Can't wait until the fall to sit on the patio. Service was impeccable!
(5)Mj B.
Beautiful, Intimate, and cozy are just a few words to describe the new and improved Coup Des Tartes atmosphere. Then there is the FOOD and Service- Wonderful! The menu is expanded, and all delicious. I had the crab cakes, roquefort salad with toasted hazelnuts and roasted duck breast. It was all divine! Can't wait to go back to try more dishes. The bar is also welcoming with many handcrafted cocktails by the gracious Helena. Then there are the desserts/tartes they are famous for and Jessica the original pastry chef is there to prepare them. This whole relocation and project has been a labor of love, but it has been worth it! Don't miss the opportunity to check this out, before you have to wait forever to get a reservation. It is so unique- nothing like it I have seen in Phoenix. Ron ( the owner) will be there to welcome you and share his vision come to life so you can experience it as well. It will become a Favorite- I am positive!
(5)