By Olivia Damavandi
It’s the perennial question for families everywhere: Where can we eat that makes everyone happy?
At La Bistro, a new all-day dining destination in Cos Cob, the answer is finally—and deliciously—within reach. Set beside the tranquil Mill Pond, this welcoming spot offers more than just a well-executed meal. It’s a thoughtfully curated experience where the menu is as varied as the guests who fill its sunlit dining room and covered patio throughout the day.
La Bistro is the brainchild of Seleste Tan and Mogan Anthony, the husband-and-wife team whose culinary résumés span some of the world’s most revered kitchens— including Jean-Georges, Perry St., WD-50, Shangri-La, and the Four Seasons.-
Seleste Tan and Mogan Anthony, 11-year Greenwich residents and creators of La Bistro. Photo: Olivia Damavandi
An abundance of natural light during lunch time at La Bistro. Photo: Olivia Damavandi
The warm and welcoming interior of La Bistro. Photo: Olivia Damavandi
The couple also founded Lady Wong, the acclaimed New York City patisserie blending Southeast Asian heritage with classic French pastry technique. Named Eater NY’s Best Bakery of 2022, Lady Wong earned national attention with its Black Sesame Passionfruit cake, which was recently featured on The New York Times’ Top 25 Dishes list. This cake, and more delectable confections from Lady Wong, fill La Bistro’s dessert menu.
A display showcasing freshly baked Lady Wong cakes and pastries greets guests at the entrance of La Bistro. Full cakes are also available for purchase. Photo: Olivia Damavandi
At La Bistro, Tan and Anthony bring their meticulous focus on flavor, quality, and presentation to a broader, more casual setting. The menu reads like a global itinerary—American staples layered with French, tropical, and Southeast Asian influences—yet the inspiration was far more personal.
“We have three children, varied tastes, and a shared love for food,” Tan said. “It’s always been a challenge to find a restaurant that satisfies everybody’s preferences.”
That challenge became the mission. La Bistro is designed to be that elusive place that caters to all: from the discerning foodie to the pickiest child.
During lunch, the dining room floods with natural light and the lively hum of casual business meetings over Hamachi Crudo and friends splitting Steak au Poivre with crisp herb fries. On the patio, families enjoy Tiger Mom chicken dumplings, Kale & Broccoli Tacos, and Chickpea Curry bowls.
As dusk falls, La Bistro eases into a more intimate rhythm. The lights dim. Voices soften. Servers deliver bowls of Julia Child’s Mussels in Leek Butter to couples on date night. Nearby, guests pass plates of Japanese Firecracker Tuna, Foie Gras Terrine, and Lemon Kale Salad across the table before settling into mains like Roasted Faroe Island Salmon or golden-crisp Bistro Schnitzel.
“Lunch and dinner are two entirely different experiences,” Anthony said. “We love the shift—from a casual midday meal to an evening setting that feels more intimate and atmospheric. Our bar, especially at night, is ideal for sipping cocktails and settling in.”
And then comes dessert—almost too beautiful to touch. Almost.
A selection of Lady Wong desserts that look too beautiful to eat (until you take your first bite). Clockwise, from upper right: Black Sesame Passionfruit cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Hazelnut Praline Mille Crêpes, Mango Sticky Rice Tart. Center: Strawberry & Guava tart. Photo: Olivia Damavandi
Tan recommends the Strawberry Guava Cake and the Chocolate Hazelnut Mille Crêpe, both from the couple’s acclaimed Lady Wong Patisserie. These aren’t just sweets; they’re elegant finales, built on refined flavor pairings rather than sugary excess. Each bite is a study in balance, craftsmanship, and memory—dessert, reimagined.
Whether you come for brunch, a midday bite, or a long, lingering dinner, La Bistro reflects the way people really eat now: globally inspired, locally rooted, and joyfully unpretentious.
La Bistro is located in the Mill Pond Shopping Center at 203 East Putnam Ave in Cos Cob.
Hours
Monday to Thursday 11:30 am – 9;00 pm
Friday & Saturday 11:30 am – 10:30 pm
Sunday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Tel (475) 897 -1331