At the end of last year I went to Cote in Ealing and had a very nice duck cassoulet.
I had been thinking about going out to eat, whilst up in London for work. In my hotel I looked over various menus, but did quite like the sound of the Cassoulet de Toulouse with confit duck leg that was on the menu at Cote.
I had eaten there earlier in the year and had, what could be described as a nice meal, wasn’t excellent, but wasn’t bad either.
I was given a warm welcome and offered a table by the window, which I took.
I ordered the Cassoulet de Toulouse.
The cassoulet is described in the menu as a hearty slow-cooked white bean stew gently simmered with wine and a blend of herbs. Originating from Southwest France.
Cassoulet de Toulouse was cooked and came with confit duck leg, Toulouse sausage and bacon lardons, topped with melted garlic butter and sourdough croutons.
Obviously they didn’t cook it from scratch and I don’t think they had a pot of cassoulet on the go from which to dish out my plate of food. So my guess was that they heated up a pre-cooked version of the dish. Not that I was too worried about that, as sometimes a nice cassoulet tastes better if cooked, cooled, left and re-heated.
The duck leg I enjoyed, but I would have said it was overcooked. It was very tender, and the skin was nice and crispy. I liked it even so.
I really enjoyed the cassoulet it was full of flavour and it worked well. I could have quite easily had a second portion.
My only criticism, the dining experience was slightly ruined by the neighbouring table where a very loud conversation was happening. They weren’t really thinking or considering their fellow diners. You couldn’t really ignore it. Maybe I should have asked to move, but I was hungry.
I didn’t stay for pudding.