I was back again in the city again, London’s busy financial district, for another breakfast meeting with my financial advisor Peter and his colleague James. Peter had recommended Coq d’Argent, which means silver rooster in French (I translated that online). I had a giggle when I realised it was located at No 1 Poultry, get it? Silver Rooster at Poultry, ha, ha. Anyway, the food was first class, and Peter got a gold star for recommending this restaurant, grill and bar with a stunning rooftop terrace. If you’re looking for the best breakfast near Bank station, places for business lunches in the city or French restaurants in the city, you must book yourself a table at Coq d’Argent.
“Book a table at Coq d’Argent, the rooftop restaurant with breathtaking views of the city and well-executed classic French cuisine,” Homegirl London
Coq d’Argent Breakfast Menu
We were there for breakfast, which is served from 7.30 am until 10 am weekdays. The cuisine is classic French with head chef Damien Rigollet at the helm. I must say it was a great menu with some delightful dishes which you’ll probably be deliberating about for a few minutes before making your choice. Hungry punters can enjoy the gigantic full English which featured everything you could wish for including a Toulouse sausage. Alternatively, you can go for the 250g Australian Black Angus steak sirloin with eggs and potato rosti which is also quite substantial. Peter went for the devilled lamb’s kidneys on toast which arrived with a side pot of sauce to pour over. He said it was cooked perfectly and he ate every mouthful. If you aren’t overly hungry, you can order the bacon or sausage sandwich or the Croque Monsieur instead.
Devilled Lamb’s Kidneys on Toast
They had such a wide choice of egg dishes which included Bayonne ham and tomato Benedict, smoked salmon with spinach Benedict and smoked salmon and eggs on brioche. They also had simple options of eggs cooked any style on toast and a three-egg omelette. The interesting vegetarian egg dishes were the mushroom pancake with poached egg and hollandaise sauce which I tried. It was so delicious that hollandaise sauce was perfect, and the sauce from the mushrooms was also appreciated. James ordered the fried eggs which were perched on top of field mushrooms, a bed of spinach and a toasted muffin, which was also another brilliant breakfast choice.
Mushroom Pancake with Poached Egg and Hollandaise
Healthy options included porridge, Greek yoghurt with apricot or berry compote, fresh fruit or muesli. They also offered American pancakes with a berry compote or bacon and the obligatory maple syrup. Croissants, pastries and toasted brioche were also available. Drinks included freshly squeezed orange, grapefruit and pineapple juices plus smoothie of the day. If you’re in the city at the weekend, you should check out the brunch menu which offers two and three-course options.
Spinach, Field Mushrooms, Fried Eggs and Toasted Muffin
I had a look at the other restaurant menus for you. For lunch and dinner, you can order some fabulous fish dishes. For example, there’s seared fillet of sea bass with South Devon crab risotto and Avruga caviar. Meat-wise its rump of lamb, rabbit, veal or steaks. Game options included haunch of wild roe deer and roast grouse. Vegetarian dishes were wild mushroom risotto or puff pastry. There is a vegan three-course menu, a mushroom menu and six-course truffle and Maille mustard tasting extravaganza. The Grill menus featured lamb shank, and corn fed chickens and premium rib-eye steak which you can order a la carte or go for a set menu of two or three courses.
Coq d’Argent Interiors
The restaurant is situated on the top floor of No 1 Poultry, which is an office and retail postmodern architecture building designed by James Stirling. This property has often been unkindly referenced as an eyesore which makes it easy to spot. Look out for the large property with striped cladding and a clock on the top. It’s situated on the corner of Poultry and Queen Victoria Street so you can’t miss it. I was looking for a street entrance and then realised it was inside No 1 Poultry, look out for a lift which will take you up to the top of the building where you’ll find the restaurant.
Restaurant Interior
The views from the rooftop are breathtaking, so it’s a great spot to enjoy a meal on the terraces when the sun is shining. Unfortunately, it was raining on the day I visited, which is a shame. Inside, the walls are clad with large stonework, so the décor is quite minimal because a large portion is taken up by windows onto the terrace. The restaurant is split into two parts with the greeting desk in the middle. We were sat on the right side as you walk in. The tables are dressed in crisp linen, and the teal leather armchairs were very comfortable. I found it a relaxing place to enjoy a business breakfast. When I arrived at 7.30 am, it was quite empty, but by 8.30 am most of the tables were full, so make sure you book.
Coq d’Argent Information
Cuisine: French
Price: Full English is £16, breakfast steak £32 and egg dishes £7-13
Website: Coq d’Argent Website
Address: No 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ
Near: The nearest station is Bank (Central, Northern and Waterloo and City Lines plus the Docklands Light Railway). This underground is a bit of a maze so head for exits marked Bank of England and then Exit 9 and you’ll come out very close
Open: Check online for the current opening times
Wi-Fi: Yes
Décor: Simple and smart
Seating: One level inside with 148 covers and outside on the terrace with 66 covers
Toilets: The left side of the restaurant as you enter
Reservations: Make reservations via online booking
Service Charge: Yes
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Breakfast dishes by Homegirl London, other photography courtesy of the restaurant. Thanks: Peter and James for the company and Lauren Adams for photographs.
