We stopped in before a show at Music Hall and grabbed the last two seats at the bar. What a wonderful atmosphere this place has. Great little touches, such as servers wearing darling white tops, place settings with vintage-like dishes, copper pots and sauce pans hanging along the kitchen wall. It manages to be both bustling and calming, charming and elevated. We only tried the cold salads, the carrot and the beet. Both were delicious. Drink menu has N/A options. The brioche with butter is divine. Also, they were very accommodating about our tight timing (many people were also theater goers), which was appreciated! read more

Celebrated our 14 year anniversary here! The food was delicious but the two hour + dinner was ridiculous. The service was good and our server was really friendly and personable but beyond disappointed in the ticket time of the kitchen to table. You order all at once and they space it out. It was just off the entire meal. We were at the Tableau course and immediately the Salades course was brought out and sat in the table before we even had a bite. Then nothing for such a long time. I think they forgot about us as the table next to us ordered their courses and got their food and were out the door before our Plats course was on the table. Additionally, I saw candles for bdays at other tables, but nothing special for our anniversary when our desserts were delivered. I feel like they also missed the mark here. We drive in about 2 hours specifically to dine here. Our visit time here about 2 years ago was amazing but this overall experience fell short of expectations. Ok back to the yummy food. We enjoyed the following... Bread: Pain Maison- fresh milk brioche, seasonal butter ($11) Tableau course: Oeufs Chimay - duxelles filled egg, garlic cream, comté, breadcrumb ($11) Salades course: Parisian Carrot - toasted hazelnut, parsley, cider vinaigrette ($12) Roasted Beets - crème fraiche, goat cheese, citrus, pistachio, horseradish ($15) Plats course: Raviole du Dauphiné - comté, ricotta, brown butter ($25) Icelandic Cod - toasted brioche, caviar beurre blanc, wilted spinach ($36) Dessert: Choux au Craquelin - profiteroles, vanilla ice cream, cocoa ($10) Mousse au Chocolat - meringue, feuilleté crunch ($11) It really is good food and a cute atmosphere. Something to try if you have not been or like French food, but after this experience I doubt I will be back with so many places to eat when you are from out of town. read more

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After living and dining in Cincinnati for several years I've had the chance to try many great places but Colette Mostly French Restaurant by Danny Combs is in my top tier with only two others. I walked up to the restaurant and saw the snail logo... Simple, clever, iconic. I entered inside to a cozy, intimate feeling. I was met with caring, knowledgeable but not intrusive service. Both the Duck and Raviole were two of the best entries I've ever eaten at a restaurant. Both simply had no faults. I think Colette is one of the best spots in town and I can't wait to return and see what else they have to offer. read more

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I've been here twice, once by myself and again with my family. The food is FANTASTIC. I couldn't complain about a single dish if I tried. Authentically French, flavorful, and well prepared. The star of the show was the medium-rare prepared ribeye and those French potatoes. And when I say French potatoes, I mean butter mixed in with a bit of potato. TO DIE FOR! One of the best ribeyes I've had in the city - you might as well skip the local steakhouses and come here. And do not forget to order dessert - I've now tried two and both were delicious. read more

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Just WOW! The whole experience was a delight, the ambiance of the restaurant is quaint exactly like a French cafe. I really appreciate that their tables are not on top of each other like some OTR restaurants. Our server was so knowledgeable about the menu and helped us settle on the smoked fish dip, carrot salad, steak frites, and raviole. As a self proclaimed pasta snob, this is potentially my new favorite pasta in Cincinnati. The espresso martini was also absolutely phenomenal. The chocolate mousse was delicious but didn't stand a chance of lasting long enough for a photo. I'd like to go back and try the escargot! read more

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OMG, after the underground tour we went to Colette's to eat. We sat at the bar as there were no tables available. So happy we made this decision other wise we would have missed wonderful food and service. The Beet salad was the best and I do not like beets. I could eat this salad at least twice a week if not more often. Our first time having escargot - not a disappointment. Had the Missy drink very refreshing and then the NAviation also very good. I hade the breaded chicken it was delicious and prepared the way chicken should be prepared. The portion size was big enough to serve 2 people. The flavor rich. The ambiance was great but the service was even better. read more

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We had the pain maison. It was enjoyable. For entrees, we sampled the colette burger, the steak frites, and the raviole du dauphine. I would recommend the burger as the best of those options. The steak with the steak frites was drowned in a sauce that overpowered the steak. The Raviole didn't have much flavor. Desserts were enjoyable. Especially the gateau pommes. It was a sort of variant of apple pie and would recommend. Service was incredibly slow. We sat for a long while without being asked if we wanted appetizers. Drinks sat empty. And when asked for refills, they came slow or not at all and we had to catch someone else to refill. read more

Colette OTR * Mostly French Restaurant by Chef Danny Combs - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Really nice establishment and lives up to the hype. We came here to celebrate my birthday and it was a nice evening. The vibes were chill and cozy. The staff was really nice and attentive especially when we had our toddler with us. For starters we ordered the brioche which was so divine - I could eat literally ten on those! We also ordered the steak tartar and that was delicious, great quality. As for the entres, my husband ordered a pasta dish and I ordered their cod dish. My husband enjoyed his pasta dish, although not amazed. The cod was amazing, so amazing that my two year old toddler loved it . It was cooked to perfection and the toasted brioche on top balanced the buttery texture of the fish - well done! read more

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Cute and cozy. Really good food!! Great service. Made a reservation and recommend you do too if you dine here. Icelandic Cod: good!!!!! Their brioche crust on the fish is chefs kiss. And the cod is soooo soft and yum. Caviar beurre blanc is yum but maybe could have been a little less salty since there's caviar there. Highly recommend :) Steak frites: your average steak frites! Cook great. Fries are McDonald's vibes which I like LOL. Demi glaze is gud gud Escargot: is okayyy good and not the best. Tomato: seasonal tomato starter was yummmmm. Would recommend if you see it!!! 100% would come back for a nice dinner! Pretty reasonably priced! read more

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We had an excellent dinner at Collette - beautiful ambiance and the food was fantastic. Service was excellent - Brian recommended the Icelandic cod and it was 10/10. We also tried the steak frite, mille-feuille, and apple cake. Everything was delicious! read more

Colette has been on my list of restaurants to check out for quite a while now so I was excited to finally eat there last night. We had theater tickets for later that evening so before reserving a table, I reached out to the restaurant to see what time they suggested we come in and their suggestion was spot on! Our server also asked if we had anything to get to so he could make sure to time our dinner just right. It's little touches like that which set restaurants apart. Service was impeccable. Since it was our first visit, our server went over the menu with us and then gave us time to look it over. He had the perfect balance of checking on us without overdoing it. I noticed the manager helping out in all sorts of ways as well, delivering drinks or clearing off tables. Of course the highlight of our visit was the meal itself. We started with the bread and Animal Farm butter which comes from a very small dairy farm and is only available in a small handful of restaurants, including The French Laundry in NYC. "You might be asking yourself what's the big deal? Butter is butter." I thought the same thing but it really is special and worth a try. I started with the Parisian Carrot Salad which was light and bright. I think a smaller serving at a lower price point might be a good idea though. My husband got the escargot appetizer and enjoyed it as well. For our meals we had the cavatelli and the duck; both were outstanding. Then we shared the profiteroles which was the perfect way to top off our dinner. We will absolutely visit again in the future. read more

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Service was great - they came around frequently and were helpful. The restaurant looks beautiful and is very vibey. The food was delicious. Only con was paying for still water. I was not made aware of this when I asked for water and was disappointed to see that on the check without being told. read more

Colette OTR * Mostly French Restaurant by Chef Danny Combs - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Yum!! This place is amazing. It's super cute and our service was incredible. We sat outside and it was so nice. The drinks were amazing. The butter from the butter service was incredible. The rilettes were so delicious and fresh. The Icelandic cod was the best I've ever had. We will be back. Amazing. read more

I wanted to really like this place, especially after reading other reviews but unfortunately, this place delivered too little (literally in portion size but not on the bill) After a long flight out, my sister took my parents and I to dine her at Collette. This was my first visit and it was quite pleasant. The restaurant is on the smaller side so definitely, a reservation is a must! But the seating area was still comfortable and the ambiance was nice. Our server was excellent. He knew the menu inside and out and was helpful in helping us decide on our order. He was incredibly attentiative throughout the meal as well! We ordered the escargot Pain Mason bread to begin with. The escargot was a bit of a dissapointment flavor wise. It was missing one or two ingredients that would've really made this be delectable. The bread was very tasty but definitely felt overpriced for the quantity we received (a common theme here it seems). We also ordered the whipped cod which was different but a little plain on taste. For the main course, we ordered the Icelandic Cod, the Duck Confit, and the Herbed Cavatelli. The cod was tasty and the duck was nice as well. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the pasta dish, the Herbed Cavatelli. Again, the biggest issue with this restaurant was the portion size for the price they're charging you. I wanted to like this restaurant a lot more than I ended up enjoying it. For the price that they charge you, my expectations were higher. If they're going to charge so much, than the taste has to be there if they are going to skimp on the portion of food they end up delivering to your table. I left the restaurant hungry. That shouldn't have been the case ordering as much as we did and that isn't the case at other restaurants. Im not sure if I will be back. It would take at least an increase in portion size to have me give them a second chance. read more

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Popped in on a cold Tuesday evening. We ordered the bread and butter service, Ganay Wine and two pasta dishes. The waiter asked that all food be submitted at the same time. The service was very attentive, decor classy and inviting. The lamb Pasta dish was hearty and perfect with the bread to sop up the rich sauce. The lighter pasta dish was buttery, but less filling. Portions were medium to small, but amazing quality food. read more

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We had a 6 pm reservation on a Tuesday. I was surprised how busy it was until we started eating. After, the number of people there on a Tuesday no longer surprised me. Our server was fantastic. He took his time with us and made sure we understood everything on the menu. He recommended the Icelandic Cod, which was at odds with my plan to have the Herbed Cavatelli. I mentioned my dilemma when it came time to order. Brian reconfirmed his recommendation for the cod, so that's what I ordered. We started with Pain Maison, which was fresh milk brioche and seasonal butter. The butter was caramelized shallot and fennel. The butter was served on top of the warm brioche, which I split in two while I watched the butter disappear into the bread. The butter was fantastic and the brioche was slightly sweet. It was absolutely delightful in every way. As we were dining, the sun was going down and they were able to open up the shades. It gave the restaurant a more urban feel. Next we had Escargot a la Bourguignon. Mark was not about to eat escargot, but it was recommended he use the bread to dip into the garlic butter, which was so very good. The escargot were wonderful. It was how they were prepared that put the flavor over the top. Finally the main course. I had the Icelandic Cod and Mark had Steak Frites. The caviar beurre blanc that covered the plate of the Icelandic Cod was a taste sent from heaven. The cod was cooked perfectly, flaking in the most beautiful way. The brioche crust added a crunchy flavor that perfectly complimented the delicate fish. Mark tasted the beurre blanc with a french fry and he was in love with the flavor. Mark loved the steak and especially the sauce. After he tried my sauce, he said that Colette really knows how to make a sauce. True enough! I was nervous about tasting the steak. Have you ever been so in love with your meal that the thought of tasting something else could ruin it? Hmmm, maybe it's just me. Anyway, that taste of steak was wonderful. It didn't make me wish I'd ordered steak instead of cod. It didn't leave me wanting more steak, but I was thrilled to have had a taste. We didn't have time for dessert, which was a bummer. Brian said to come back after the show for dessert, but the show lasted longer than Colette's open hours. Dinner and the dining experience was top notch. I mentioned to Mark that I will have to reduce all my other five star reviews to four after having eaten at Colette. It's the standard against which I will compare future meals. read more

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When your phone is listening to you and just showed you everyone and everything at Colette you have to go check it out for yourself. This amazing restaurant has something for everyone and a lot of new and inspiring dishes. Of course we got the famous ones but we even tried a few staff recommendation. You cannot go wrong with anything. The small atmosphere is welcoming but intimate and the ability to watch the kitchen staff if magical! We will be return asap read more

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This is our second time to Colette because we loved it so much the first time. The food is awesome. The service is awesome. This time we had the Animal Farm Butter Service. It's a favorite and we will always have it. We shared a salad and an off-menu grilled red pepper dish for starters. We had Black Bass, steak and frites, and the Colette Burger for entrees. The Black Bass was seasonal and may not stay on the menu much longer. For dessert we shared the Strawberry Posset. Great flavor and crunch from the streusel. Beware if you order sparkling water instead of still, it's $7/glass. That was a surprise to us on our bill. Overall we love the place and will be back. read more

Colette OTR * Mostly French Restaurant by Chef Danny Combs - Animal Farm Butter Service - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Service was phenomenal, staff was so friendly and helpful, and the food was amazing. Most of the menu items are French, but the waiter did a very good job to explain every item to us and answer any questions we had. We will definitely be back!! read more

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Our dining experience at Colette was nothing short of exceptional, earning a well-deserved five-star rating. The meal began with their bread service. I do wish they provided a mini carryout container to take any leftover butter home as it was superb. We then shared a vibrant roasted beet salad, perfectly balanced with fresh flavors and creamy goat cheese. My husband's Icelandic cod was flawlessly cooked, showcasing delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture. My Herbed Cavatelli with braised lamb neck ragout--a rich and hearty dish that combined the earthy, herbed pasta with the depth of the slow-cooked lamb, creating a wonderful cacophony of flavors. I also ordered a side of pomme frites which were crispy and hot. Of course after that exquisite meal we had to end with dessert. We shared the profiterole and Mille-Feuille. Both were delicious but the profiterole was the clear standout. For a future menu consideration, I would love to see Crêpes Suzette. Every detail, from the service to the ambiance, made for an exquisite dining journey and I would dine here multiple times over. read more

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Went there for their Valentine's Day 4-course meal. Parked in the garage across the street. Great service from the moment we entered the restaurant. Decor was very nice inside. Staff was all friendly and helpful. Got seated right away. Staff was very attentive in checking on us, answering any questions, and refilling our drinks. Great selection of their most popular menu items to pick from. Everything tasted great and came out in a timely manner. Highly recommend! read more

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Stuffed myself full with the escargot and bread before my main. So much so that I could barely scratch it and the staff was attentive enough to check in on me to make sure my dining experience was up to par with their standards. I enjoyed it very much, I just could not take another bite or surely I would have seen god that evening. The venue was beautiful, the service was great, and the escargot was better than even some I had in Paris. read more

Really excellent all around. Service was impeccable. They were able to accommodate us without a reservation despite being a very busy evening. The ambiance was relaxed and background noise at an appropriate level where conversations were comfortable. Highly recommend the animal farm butter. COD and burger were equally impressive. Seasoning was on point. Great place for a special occasion or date night. Will be back! read more

Great meal! I really enjoyed the the incredible butter. Same as the French Laundry uses, which is an amazing surprise in Cincy. The service was prompt and courteous; the food was interesting and surprisingly tasty. I loved the escargot which was an unusual presentation. The duck confit was amazingly good- very tender and crisp. I highly recommend it. The cocktails were on point and I was surprised that the total bill was low based on the experience. We will be back soon read more

Colette OTR * Mostly French Restaurant by Chef Danny Combs - The duck confit was amazingly tender and crispy all at once - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Colette is the kind of place that makes even the non-French-speaking guest want to learn how to say oui. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels effortlessly chic and transportive. The service is impeccable -- polished, attentive, and genuinely warm without ever feeling overdone. And the food? Unforgettable. Every dish feels intentional, beautifully executed, and packed with flavor that lingers long after the meal is over. It's not just dinner -- it's an experience you'll be thinking about (and craving) again soon. read more

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Went here with a group for a friend's bday dinner, server was incredible. Walked us through the menu from top to bottom. French theme, super unique menu, unlike anything I've had in Cincy. The brioche rolls were INCREDIBLE, I had the Icelandic cod for my entree which was buttery and delicious. We split all the desserts dishes, all were great, but the rice pudding was the unanimous favorite. Overall great spot! read more

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Wow! I enjoyed this place so much more than I expected I would! Everything we had was delicious! The service was friendly and helpful. The ambiance is casual, with dim lighting, with some plate and art decor on the walls. The Steak Frites - perfectly cooked steak at medium. The flavor was the best I've had in quite some time, including the sauce, which I typically don't even like on steak. It was savory and warm, and even paired well with the frites. The frites were fresh and crispy, not greasy! The Raviole du Dauphiné was served still connected, which I had not seen before. It was cooked perfectly and tasted so good I think I ate it all in under 5 minutes The cocktails were made well and tasted good. The Mille-Feuille was divine. I was so full yet I couldn't stop eating it! So light and fluffy, not overly sweet, with a lovely touch of tart cherry. We can't wait to go back! read more

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Food was not good. Cover everything in way too much Dijon mustard. Both our meals and we did not get the same thing. Definitely not French food. Will not return. read more

I came here when they first opend and then again for my birthday just this past January. I think both times their food was very good and the quality of the ingredients were very fresh. I would say the last time I was here the server felt a little standoffish to my group of friends, but my steak frites was cooked to perfection and the raviole was buttery and rich. I ejnoy the food here and it is always packed no matter what night of the week you dine here. read more

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We came here on a Saturday evening at 6 PM without a reservation and were able to get two seats at the bar for dinner. The very helpful bartender (Tea or Tia, apologies for not remembering!) walked us through the menu and provided some great recommendations. The interior is fairly chill and expectedly gives off French vibes. We started off with the small brioche which was fantastic and pillowy, but the flaky salt and butter took it to another level! Next, we got the blue fin tuna crudo and the pate. Both were excellent, but the pate with pistachio on the crispy bread with the stoneground/Dijon mustard and pickle were mouthwatering. The beet salad with horseradish and goat cheese was also fantastic and refreshing! To wrap it up, we got the sweet potato plate and the raviolis. I loved the flavor of each: the labneh and lentils paired very well with the miso-basted sweet potato and the brown butter enhanced the Comte ravioli. For dessert, we got the rice pudding with candied pecans and cacao nibs. They both added a crunchy bite to the rice pudding and the dish in its entirety was an excellent nightcap to the meal! We definitely recommend trying this place out! If you want a seat in the dining room, then recommend getting a reservation as this is a very popular restaurant! read more

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Just had one of the best meals ever and one of the most pleasant restaurant experiences‼ The food was outstanding and to make the whole thing even more special, our server, Ann was absolutely delightful. The restaurant should get four stars for the food and five stars for hiring Ann. read more

ce restaurant est magnifique. This restaurant is magnificent. We have been trying to get to Colette ever since it opened. It was worth the wait. The service was top notch. The way they break down the menu makes you want to order everything. Hard choices have to be made. But it seems there are no bad choices. We started with the brioche. Fantastic and buttery. Although next time we will try the butter service. The Vol-au-Vent was insane. Love shrooms. Don't be scared of sweetbreads, they are delicious and basically taste like sausage. The Parisian carrot salad was crunchy, loved the nuts and acidic dressing. A nice way to cut all the butter on the menu. For the "plats" we ordered the Icelandic cod and the roasted mushrooms. The cod is crazily buttery and crispy and delightful. The bitter spinach plays off of it nicely. The roasted mushrooms are a mushroom lovers delight. So many textures and flavors from all the different types of shrooms. They made me shroom crazy. The sauce they're served with tasted unlike anything I've ever had. I want that tahini hollandaise on everything. As Guy Fieri says, "you could put that on a boot and it'd taste good." For dessert we splurged and got the rice pudding and the layered puff pastry. Both were delightful and not overly sweet. We preferred the Mille-Feuille. This place is a treat and it's with a splurge. Vibes were great. Wasn't too warm inside. Decor was clean. read more

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The sauces at this spot are out of this world!! This quaint Cincinnati spot brings France to OH. Our 4 person group shared the bread service (yes the butter is THAT GOOD,) beets, carrot salad (we preferred the beets,) and the Cod and tagliatelle pasta dishes. Both entrees were great but the Cod blew everything away. The buttery bread "crumb" topping is crunchy and flaky and melts in your mouth. The sauce on the Cod was the star of the night. For dessert the profiteroles and chocolate mousse were adequate for dessert but based on the rest of the menu these could be elevated. Our server knew we had another function to get to and she did a terrific job of keeping us on track. Overall wonderful decor, service and food! read more

Hands down the best meal I've had in Cincy. The lamb cavatelli was outstanding. So savory and light, not heavy at all. The bread was very flaky and had a rich buttery taste, almost a little too rich for me. The ravioli comes in a sheet and the brown butter gives it this sweetness that you would not expect. The gin cocktail had such a nice bite and bitterness from the sage that it paired so nicely with the lamb. Can't wait to eat here again. read more

Colette OTR * Mostly French Restaurant by Chef Danny Combs - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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A great overall vibe in the restaurant. I got wine and the herbed cavatelli and was wowed. Service was great as well read more

Colette OTR * Mostly French Restaurant by Chef Danny Combs - Pain maison - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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It's been a while since I posted a review on Yelp, but I have to mention Colette's Restaurant, located across from Washington Square. My sister and I had dinner at the bar, with Aaron serving as our bartender and waiter. He was fantastic--extremely attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. He recommended a beer I had never tried before. It was light and fruity, tasting almost like Champagne. The packaging was unique as well; it had a large rubber band around it, and when you removed the band, you uncovered a wrapped piece of paper that told the history of the beer. Very cool! The food was excellent! We both ordered the Roasted Beet Salad, which was the best beet salad I've ever had. It was creamy, crunchy, and had just a hint of horseradish. My sister enjoyed the Ravioles Dauphine--pure heaven! I had the Icelandic Cod, served with a rich caviar sauce. The fish was tender and had a delightful mouthfeel. For dessert, I chose Riz au Lait, which included rice with chocolate nibs and nuts. Oh, I almost forgot the highlight of our meal: the Pain Maison! This beautifully baked brioche, paired with seasoned butter, was dreamy, soft, buttery, and divine! The vibe of the restaurant was chill and relaxed. I honestly can't find a single thing wrong with Colette's. Go there; it will not disappoint! read more

Colette OTR * Mostly French Restaurant by Chef Danny Combs - Rhinegeist Table Beer - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

It was our 2nd time here at Colette. The 1st time was right when it opened. I guess it's just like French wine, gets better with age! But I must say, this time was definitely memorable. It started at the reception area, where we were promptly greeted. But more importantly, it was our waiter, Eric, who was knowledgeable andtimely. And he had a couple good dad jokes! We also appreciated, that every waiter or waitress that went by, filled our waters, whenever needed. We started with the bluefin tuna Crudo with an orange citronette , but it was the Yuzu aïoli we think that intensify the wonderful taste of this. Very light and delicious. Next we went with the escargot a la bourguignon with garlic parsley, butter, and bread. It came out so hot, that all we do was go crazy smelling it. It smelled so good. A minute later it was in our mouths and absolutely delicious. The bread was not only a tool to get it out of the crock, but also delicious for dipping the leftover delicious garlic butter. Might be the best escargot we've ever had. Next was Vol-au-vent puff pastry. I honestly don't even know how to describe it, but it was delicious. Next was Brandade de Morue, whipped salt cod. It was so yum, between the brown butter and the trout roe. It was fun in your mouth, as well as tasty. We ended with steak frites, true to temperature, with a large amount of steak frites. The steak was extremely flavorful. The fries were cooked perfectly. I would like to tell you that we ended with some amazing dessert, but in all honesty, we could eat another thing. We were so full. Can't wait to go back. read more

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In a surprise to absolutely no one, Colette was amazing. My party of 3 dined here for the first time tonight, and it exceeded our expectations. I'll admit that I was a bit nervous because French food isn't my favorite, but everything was delicious. The laminated brioche, which comes from the geniuses at Sebastian's Bakehouse, was incredible. We also got both pastas, which were super yummy. My mom, who is a tough critic, said the burger was one of the best burgers she has ever had. The sole was delicious and a large portion. For dessert, we had the chocolate mousse and Mille-fueille. They were both delicious, but the chocolate mousse was divine. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about anything we ate. The only thing I noticed is that everything I ate tonight was very butter-heavy, but that was 100% on me and my own food choices. I'd order every dish again, but maybe not all together. Service was wonderful as well. Overall, amazing experience! read more

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This place. Every time it hits. You can order anything on the menu and it's solid. I have gone here maybe 5 times now and every single time service, ambiance, cuisine quality has always been some of the best in the city. read more

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On a whim I decided to treat myself to a meal in OTR after a concert in Washington Park last Wednesday evening. I was torn between Colette and a competitor across the street, so I chose the place with the better views and snagged a table in the window at Colette. Let me start by saying if this review was based on food alone, Colette would only receive a 3 (as you'll read why). I prefer to assess the totality of an establishment, however, and given the exceptional service and wait staff, this place earns that fourth and final star. As a matter of fact, Colette has a real "star" in Brian, who was as attentive a server as I've ever experienced. Kind, polite, knowledgeable about the menu, knows when to engage in conversation and when to let you enjoy your meal. He alone is the reason for the fourth and final star. I purposefully chose to order several dishes so I could experience the totality of the menu offered, and there was a clear stand-out: the cod. I'm unsure what kind of voodoo-black-magic-seance-type rituals they have going on back in that kitchen, but damn...that cod is special. This is easily one of the best fish dishes I've ever had anywhere in the world (and I travel, friends). It can easily rival a Chilean sea bass I once had at Nobu and dreamed about for a week afterward. I'm absolutely still thinking about the sauce on Colette's cod dish. The greens beneath the cod were perfectly cooked and a wonderful accompaniment to the cod itself, which had the most delicate texture. The true star of the dish, surprisingly, is the SAUCE. I'm glad I boxed most of the dish up after a few (glorious) bites, because I might have embarrassed myself at the table licking this sauce off everything it touched. I mean, wowzers. Truly one of the most delicate, creamy, and citrusy accompaniments I've ever experienced...from a sauce. The restraint! I had an "experience" with a damn sauce. I only had a few bites at Colette to save tummy space for the rest of my dishes, but you'd better believe when I got home with my leftovers I LICKED that box clean. (Get your minds out of the gutter and just go see what I'm talking about). I'll admit I was underwhelmed by the beet salad. This was the only "miss" for me on the menu. If you're going to offer a beet salad at a place like this, people expect special (like that cod!), but this salad didn't really deliver. It felt more like a dish that was "assembled" rather than "prepared," and the pairing of mushy things (beets plus tomatoes plus dense pistachios) was somewhat disappointing. I had 2 bites to make sure I wasn't being unfair...and I wasn't. Chefs can go HARD in the paint on some beets if they're really inspired, and this dish was just interesting to look at, but not necessarily to eat. The brioche is a must, but I had one for a (first) dessert rather than an appetizer as suggested on the menu. Layer upon delicate layer of pastry drenched in butter with a crispy outside and dense croissant-like center? Give me 2. If you order this for your table, I suggest you just go ahead and get each person their own. It's considered low-brow to fight at the table over food, you know. I would have LOVED to have raved about the mille-feuille (my second dessert), because it was truly a sight to behold. This is easily one of the more difficult desserts to pull off for a number of structural reasons, so when it's done well you can't help but dance in your seat when it's in front of you. Visually, Colette's mille-feuille is perfect, and I was so excited to see the structural integrity hold through my first spoonful where I was able to get a bit of every taste/element in that first bite. I was less excited, however, to taste the scorch on the middle pastry layer, which permeated the dish. You just can't out-sauce or out-pretty a burned/scorched dish. I only had a bite and had to leave the rest behind. It was still lovely to look at, but I'd have preferred to eat it. The establishment as a whole was a real treat, I must say. I love a place that has clearly taken the time to be very particular in its training with staff. Tables are cleared quickly, servers largely operate in silence, and when they re-set the tables they're clearly using some system that's been DRILLED into them. The distance between your flatware and your plate isn't just a haphazard coincidence at Colette, it's "The Way." There's an understated Parisian elegance to Colette, and if you can snag a seat at the window you'll have the best of both worlds: a few tasty treats and a delightful view. But Holly, you only ate 2 of the 4 dishes you ordered (and nursed a tasty G&T) , why would you give this place a 4? The cod and the service. Period. read more

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