14 Mar Côte announce reopening of St Albans restaurant after extensive refurbishment
Côte has announced the reopening of the St Albans restaurant after a major refurbishment project that celebrates the art of French dining by creating a contemporary space that brings people together around a table.
The restaurant has been closed whilst the works are carried out and will re-open on Friday March 22, following a VIP champagne party to celebrate the stunning new look.
The refurbishment was driven by Côte’s commitment to continually enhance shared experiences and the modern redesign will create a space that provides more comfort, ensuring every visit is a memorable occasion.
The revamped layout will provide extra space around tables allowing more room to mingle, ensuring every seat feels like the best in the house. Côte will also install new, warm lights, plants, mirrors, a brand-new bar ready to elevate the experience.
The refurbishment process, meticulously crafting the new layout, began after the restaurant closed in mid-January and will be completed in the coming weeks. The larger tables will accommodate more guests, ensuring that gatherings with family and friends will be even more enjoyable. The design reflects a perfect blend of French sophistication and coziness, creating an ambiance that goes beyond a meal; it’s about sharing moments, laughter, and stories with your favourite people.
The much-loved Côte is situated on the High Street in the historic St Albans town and has seating for over 140 diners. The latest refurbishment follows the successful renovation of Côte restaurants in Bristol and Kingston with more to follow throughout 2024.
The newly appointed General Manager, Ioana Decu brings years of passion and experience in Côte, where she worked previously, and where the love for the brand brought her back, just in time for this new start. She said “We’ve kept the heart of Côte and given it a makeover to make the French art of gathering together around the table an every day reality. The restaurant is fresh and modern with more room, more comfort and more reasons to linger. The new bar is an exciting one for us, our new cocktail range not only means more choice but amazing French classics and more occasions for guests to come and see us. We can’t wait to welcome the community back and see them laughing, chatting and connecting whilst raising a glass. Sharing those moments is so much more than just eating and drinking.”
Côte’s core belief is quality food, freshly prepared seasonal ingredients, served with respect and enjoyed in relaxed, stylish surroundings which has inspired the company since 2007.
Now, with more than 80 Côte restaurants across the UK, the menu designed by Steve Allen, Gordon Ramsay’s former Executive Chef, has evolved to encompass the timeless French classics guests know and love, alongside new dishes that capture the excitement of contemporary French cuisine. What Côte brings to the table will always be the very best it can be. And that’s always been Côte’s promise – because in France, they wouldn’t do it any other way.
Cote’s Executive chef Steve Allen has worked at Michelin starred restaurants, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Petrus and opened Gordon Ramsay at Claridges which won a Michelin star within its first year.
Steve said: “I have been cooking French cuisine since the age of 13 our menu is a reflection of everything I love about French food. Our main focus is and always will be about the taste of our food at Cote. Simple, yet complex and delicious.”
Côte is not just a place to dine; it’s an experience waiting to be embraced. With expanded sharing options, and an extensive drinks menu with exciting cocktails and an impressive selection of exclusively French wines and cheese, this newly designed restaurant promises to bring the joy of shared moments, exceptional cuisine, and impeccable hospitality in St Albans.
