Parisian-style bistro Cognac opens in downtown St. Pete, serving classic French fare

Cognac, a new Parisian-style bistro, has opened in downtown st. pete | st. Pete Rising

The owners behind the upscale Bacchus Wine Bistro near Beach Drive, Christophe Guillot and Philippe Challeau, have debuted their newest dining destination in downtown St. Pete — Cognac.

The Parisian-style bistro opened earlier this month at 201 2nd Avenue North, occupying the space formerly home to Dirty Shirley, which closed less than a year after opening in 2023.

Cognac offers a menu inspired by traditional French cuisine, featuring dishes such as caviar and Croque Madame, along with a bar specializing in craft cocktails.

“Cognac will be like walking into a bistro in Paris. People can enjoy traditional dishes such as steak frites, escargot, and different cognac selections,” Guillot said in a previous conversation with St. Pete Rising.

Executive Chef Louis DeBiase, who has been with Bacchus since its opening, serves as the “heart and soul” of Cognac, leading the kitchen operations and menu creation.

Cognac features indoor and outdoor seating with a coverd dining patio | cognac

Located next to the Sundial shopping and dining complex and less than two blocks from Bacchus, Cognac distinguishes itself with a full liquor bar and seating for up to 50 guests, offering both indoor and outdoor dining.

As the kitchen does not open until 3 p.m., Cognac currently serves a dinner menu.

Brunch and lunch services will launch at a later date.

The majority of entrees range from $30 to $50, while small plates, salads, sandwiches, and desserts are available at a lower price point.

Diners can indulge in refined French cuisine, beginning with small plates such as caviar—offering Pink Trout Roe ($45) or Hackleback ($90); Escargots de Bourgogne baked with parsley butter; Soupe de Poisson, a fish stew with saffron mayonnaise, Gruyère cheese, and French crostini; shrimp cocktail; or grilled seafood options including sardines, gambas, and scallops.

Cognac’s bar features classic cocktails like the French 75 | cognac

Main courses include surf-and-turf selections, such as Steak Frites, a prime 10-ounce sirloin with green peppercorn sauce; Escalope de Poulet Grillé, a grilled chicken breast with Dijon mustard; and Saumon en Papillote, Atlantic salmon baked with lemon, capers, red onions, and roasted tomatoes.

Expanding on its seafood specialties, the Le Pêcheur menu—meaning “the angler” or “the fisherman”—features Atlantic salmon, mussels, rainbow trout, and Florida grouper-based dishes.

Additionally, the bistro serves several sandwiches, including the Cognac Burger, made with prime beef on a brioche bun, layered with Emmental cheese, bacon, cognac, and aioli; the La Croque Monsieur, crafted with French bread, jambon blanc, Gruyère, and béchamel sauce; and the La Croque Madame, which includes the same ingredients as the Monsieur with the addition of a sunny-side-up egg.

For something lighter, Cognac offers a selection of salads, such as the Cognac Romaine Salade à la Lyonnaise, which is a blend of bacon, romaine lettuce, poached egg, and tangy vinaigrette.

As for dessert, diners can indulge in chocolate mousse, crème brûlée, sorbet, or a classic French lemon tart.

The drink menu includes draft and bottled selections from local breweries, red and white wines, sparkling wines, and coffee and espresso from Kahwa Coffee.

Signature cocktails include classics like the Espresso Martini, French 75, and Old Fashioned. For non-alcoholic options, Cognac offers handcrafted mocktails such as a Sparkling Raspberry Rose, Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini, and Cucumber Melon Mojito.

Cocktails and mocktails are priced between $10 and $14.