Go inside the stunning French bistro that was just named the best new restaurant in America

The winners of the James Beard Awards were announced this week, crowning the best establishments and biggest players in the restaurant industry. Known as the Oscars of the culinary world, a panel of over 600 judges selected winners in 23 different categories, from “Rising Star Chef” to “Design Icon.”

This year, the title of “Best New Restaurant” went to New York City’s Le Coucou. Opened in June 2016, the French restaurant is helmed by Chef Daniel Rose – who also runs the Paris-based Spring – and famed restaurateur Stephen Starr.

Le Coucou has earned plenty of praise for its delicious dishes as well as its charming dining-room setting. It was given a three-star review by New York Times food critic Pete Wells back in November. Below, take a look inside America’s best new restaurant.

Le Coucou is located in 11 Howard, a boutique hotel in Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood.

The restaurant opened its doors with a dinner menu in June 2016.

Aside from the beautiful dining room, there’s also a gorgeous bar that serves a variety of cocktails, like a pear cider that comes with white vermouth and yellow chartreuse.

Though he’s originally from Chicago, Rose studied culinary techniques in France for six years before opening his own restaurant in Paris. Le Coucou is his first restaurant in the US. Here are Rose and Starr just before the James Beard Awards.

Wells noted in his review that the dishes focus on “old-school” recipe traditions.

He was also impressed with the rich and flavorful sauces.

Dinner hors d’oeuvres include the “poireaux” dish with leeks and hazelnuts, the “asperges et thon, vinaigre fumé” with asparagus and tuna, and the “terrine de veau,” a veal terrine.

Among the dinner entrees is a “canard et fruits,” which includes duck breast and foie gras.

There’s also a simple breakfast menu, which was introduced soon after the restaurant opened. The breakfast includes options like croissants, avocado toast with poached eggs, and pancakes. This is separate from the restaurant’s weekend brunch menu.

Reservations for Le Coucou can be made on OpenTable, though given the restaurant’s popularity, actually scoring one can be tricky.