LE COQ | San Diego Restaurant Photography
Le Coq isn’t your typical steakhouse, and this isn’t your typical photoshoot. When the Puffer Malarkey Collective and Chef Tara Monsod teamed up to open a bold new French steakhouse in La Jolla, you knew it was going to be something special. As a San Diego restaurant photographer, I was beyond excited to capture this space, where Parisian vibes meet SoCal cool. Everything was staged and styled to perfection (shoutout to Lillian Dang for making my job a breeze!), and I had my massive lights and umbrellas ready to go to do this stunning spot justice.
How I Planned This Restaurant Photography Shoot
Le Coq is one of those restaurants that just glows at night. With rich red velvet booths, warm lighting, and plants bringing life to every corner, this spot practically demands an evening shoot. Shooting at night let me control the lighting and set the right mood to highlight the space’s dark and cozy vibe. Those big ol’ lights? Essential. The results? Totally worth it. Restaurant photography is all about capturing the atmosphere, and for a space like Le Coq, that meant playing up the drama.
The Bar: The Heart of Le Coq
Let’s talk about the bar. This isn’t just any bar—it’s a 36-foot stone-topped, circular masterpiece that sits right at the center of Le Coq, welcoming everyone who walks in. And the best part? The retractable roof above it that opens up to the stars. I made sure to capture it from every angle, showing off that indoor-outdoor magic.
This bar is a total showstopper, the kind of spot that just pulls you in and makes you want to stay all night. It’s everything you want in a San Diego restaurant: inviting, stylish, and perfect for those SoCal nights.
Design Details that Make It Unique
Le Coq’s design is all about blending the old and the new, and designer Megan Power nailed it. The building itself has a history—it used to be an Oldsmobile dealership back in the 1930s—and Megan kept cool industrial elements like the exposed brick and steel trusses while layering in that cozy, retro ’70s vibe.
The red velvet booths, lush greenery, and lacquered wood give it a supper club feel, but with a fresh, modern twist. Photographing these details was a blast; every corner had something interesting and unexpected that I couldn’t wait to capture.
Closing Thoughts: A Dream Team and a Dream Shoot
This shoot was one for the books, thanks to the amazing team at Puffer Malarkey Collective, Chef Tara Monsod’s vision, and the design magic by Megan Power. Capturing a space as unique as Le Coq is why I love being a restaurant photographer in San Diego. It’s a place that’s full of character, yet welcoming and comfortable, where the past meets the present in the best way. If you’re ever in La Jolla, you have to check it out—trust me, it’s even better in person!
Owner: Puffer Malarkey Collective
Designer: Megan Powers
General Contractor: Nick Sandvig
Lighting: NEAL
