Originally from France, David and Suzanne Cot opened The Woodlands area’s latest cafe, Madame Brioche Bistro, on July 1 to bring authentic brioche, or French bread, to the area as well as French cuisine.

“I thought a little tiny restaurant, working with our heart and the little knowledge we have would be a good idea for the area,” Suzanne Cot said.

What’s special about it?

The family-owned business is owned and operated by the Cot family including husband and wife David and Suzanne Cot and their son.

With 30 years of experience owning restaurants in France, David Cot said after the couple moved to the United States 12 years ago they realized the need for authentic French restaurants here.
David and Suzanne Cot opened Madame Brioche Bistro in The Woodlands in July. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
David and Suzanne Cot opened Madame Brioche Bistro in The Woodlands in July. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Upon moving from California to The Woodlands area the Cot Family decided it was the ideal place for their restaurant.




The name of the restaurant, Madame Brioche Bistro, was inspired by French culture, since the eldest women in a family typically baked brioche bread, David Cot said.

“So we decided to call it madame [meaning] mom in French and bistro, because it's open for lunch also,” David Cot said. “So it's like a bistro [and] a full service restaurant.”

David Cot said he would like the bistro to be known as a locally owned mom and pop cafe where people can gather and enjoy authentic French specialties. Madame Brioche Bistro also plans to offer live music on the weekends as well as catering services.

On the menu




Madame Brioche Bistro is known for its brioche, which is made from scratch during a two-day process. David Cot said the brioche can be used for both savory and sweet dishes.

“​​We came up with the idea to center [the bistro] around brioche, because there is no real brioche here, not even if you go to a supermarket,” David Cot said. “So we decided to do something around [authentic] brioche, a real French bread with an authentic recipe from centuries and that's what we do, bake our own brioche.”
The breakfast croque madame ($14) comes with a side of hash browns or potatoes. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
The breakfast Croque Madame ($14) comes with a side of hash browns or potatoes. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
A few must-try menu items the Cots recommend include:
  • Quiche Lorraine, a traditional French tart made with 14 eggs, cream, bacon, Swiss cheese, bacon and caramelized shallots
  • Croque Monsieur made with buttered brioche, light cheese and pastrami
  • Parisian flan, a French custard tart made with a pastry crust filled with vanilla custard
  • Cot-Cot, with marinated grilled or fried chicken breast, pecans, smoked bacon, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, barbecue sauce and baguette
Aside from its breakfast and lunch options Madame Brioche Bistro offers specialty coffee including the Nutella Latte, chai latte and cappuccino as well as specialty cocktails, bottled beer and wine.