Food was outstanding, kudos to the back of house. Front of house needs serious help. From forgetting silverware to a lot of mess ups. We were asked to move seats at the bar to accommodate another couple and we complied. Unfortunately this caused for us getting served items that weren't for us and/or items that were for us but served to the other couple. Front of house is not organized. Additionally, the kitchen was running out of items and several customers had complaints about the substitutes since it is a prixe fixe menu. One guest was offered shrimp instead of the sea bass on the menu and another was offered sole fish instead of the shrimp they said would be substituted. It was a mess and hearing the other complaints was not helping. We decided to take our dessert to-go because of all the issues. A server was nice to comp a round of drinks for us and it was appreciated. Also, hearing the owner complain and use vulgar language was off putting. She kept making excuses instead of taking accountability. We wouldn't go back just because it felt like we walked in an establishment that was playing pretend to be a restaurant in regards to the front of house. Which is too bad since the food was good.
THOMAS
My wife and I are most fortunate to be able to dine out often. That said, our dining experience at Collette's s last night was beyond extraordinary. The food, service and atmosphere all merged together to allow us to enjoy an evening the likes of which we have not had in a long time. They offered a five course fixed menu with an optional wine pairing. We chose the pairing and each of the five courses  was most delicious, particularly the lemon sole and the duck breast. Our server,Kasey,was most attentive and beyond pleasant. The wine complimented the food presented at every level. Collette's is a hidden gem in Escondido and worth the trip for those of you that prefer to dine near the coast. Market (Del Mar) is our favorite San Diego restaurant. Collette's was just as good! A five star dining experience to be sure.
Nick
Escondido has a class act. This was my second visit to Collette's, the first being a regular menu evening from which I chose a steak that was grilled to a perfect medium-rare and delicious. The second was a prix-fixe multiple course tapas dinner that now challenges my memory! It included clams, ham with cheese and with a tomato puree, garlic shrimp, bacon wrapped chorizo, octopus, paella and then steak. . .oh, and a very light creme caramel with churros and a spicy chocolate sauce for dessert. That list does not do this meal justice. It was delicious, served at a leisurely pace, with proportion sizes that were small, but by the end of the meal we were more than satisfied. . .we were delighted that we have a restaurant that would meet the standard of any major city! For a better description of the meal, go to the website! Collette's on Grand Ave. in Escondido, CA!
Jessica
This is the GEM of north county! The owners have clearly considered every little detail (from the antique hob nail glassware down to the bathroom soap). The staff was some of the best we've encountered - despite being NYE everyone we engaged with truly seemed to enjoy their job! We're already HUGE fans of farm to table establishments that support our local farmers..but the food here is not only fresh but incredibly flavorful & cooked to perfection. We especially loved the unique amuse-bouche & palette cleaner offerings. The interior is small with a well considered layout that provides an intimate atmosphere where you can enjoy conversation without worrying about another table being seated on top of you. Overall we're thrilled to have discovered Collette's & can't wait to return for one of their upcoming supper clubs!
Gina
This is a little gem in Escondido. It is sweetly decorated, has a very cozy atmosphere and the staff is very friendly. The food was delicious and abundant. The wine list was great, lots of French choices. Overall, the service was a little slower due to issues with their payment system that took our waitresses time to troubleshoot but the experience was so pleasant that I doesn't prevent me from wanting to go back! Really lovely.
Gwen
The food here was exceptional, and the staff was even better. The staff made it an intimate experience explaining your dish and drink choice with beautiful detail. The ambiance is cozy and not loud. You could taste the quality ingredients and how yummy they were! We went for a girlfriend's birthday, but will definitely add it to my date night rotation.
Janice
This is a gem of a spot in downtown Escondido. Staff is friendly and attentive, food is fabulous and the interior is so charming. Best of all we could all hear each other and didn't have to yell over the constant noise that so many new places have. You must try the savory crème brûlée as an appetizer. The muscles were some of the most flavorful I have ever had and the coq a vin was chef's kiss. We will definitely be back!
Litza
Collette's is hands down my favorite restaurant ever! Honestly! The Chef knows how to mix and balance flavors, ingredients, textures, etc. I am far from a food critic, but give him a Michelin Star already!
chris
Excellent food! Its a small location and the decor is not the best but the food was excellent
Julie
We had a truly delightful dinner; the service was exceptional, the ambience was superb, and the food was outstanding. We started out with the house bread which came with Vermont butter, mushroom ricotta dip. It did not disappoint. After this consumption, we then had a non-alcoholic apple cider to cleanse our palate before the dinner. We had the sea bass, the salmon and the bouillabaisse. No disappointment there, we truly were delighted with everything. Which means we will be back.
Our first experience at Colette's but we came with high expectations. Had a great meal (their onion soup said to be the best in No. County), with attentive service in a charming restaurant. Definitely will return.
amy
This is not just a restaurant it's an experience!! One of the best restaurants we have had the pleasure to eat at with a very relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. French is one of my favorites and this was incredible farm to table!! The ingredients are masterfully combined and sooo flavorful! The plates are beautifully presented and the specialized drinks are also very pretty and tasty! There is so much to say but you just have to go!! You will be in amazement from the moment you sit down and you will definitely return! And you will return with friends to show it off. The servers are passionate about their job and the food and so very friendly! It was an amazing experience from the moment we walked in to the minute that we left. We had an appetizer, a salad and the filet mignon for dinner and all of it was beyond words! We savored every bite. Truly a wonderful experience with some of the best,freshest food we have ever had and we will be back!!  Please don't miss out on this incredible gem! 
Peter
Exceptional classic French cuisine. Service was superb. A very aesthetically appealing dining room. Staff was unassuming and clearly well-trained. The Onion Soup was second to none. The Beef Bourguignon was phenomenal and a huge serving (sufficient for two leftover meals). Skipped dessert, but the server encouraged us to return for dessert and a drink at the bar. Great idea!
Chi
Truly a gem of fine French cuisine in North County. Top notch in every aspect...ambience, service, food, wines and cocktails. Highly recommend!
Denise
A lovely intimate restaurant in downtown Escondido. It was our anniversary and it couldn't have been more perfect...well, maybe if there were escargot ...We had the house bread with a spread with truffles, and the beef bourguignion which was colorful and flavorful, and of course dessert, Bavarois, a Bavarian Creme, vanilla chiffon cake with whipped chocolate ganache... The service was excellent and the little extras made the evening special. We will to again
Food was outstanding, kudos to the back of house. Front of house needs serious help. From forgetting silverware to a lot of mess ups. We were asked to move seats at the bar to accommodate another couple and we complied. Unfortunately this caused for us getting served items that weren't for us and/or items that were for us but served to the other couple. Front of house is not organized. Additionally, the kitchen was running out of items and several customers had complaints about the substitutes since it is a prixe fixe menu. One guest was offered shrimp instead of the sea bass on the menu and another was offered sole fish instead of the shrimp they said would be substituted. It was a mess and hearing the other complaints was not helping. We decided to take our dessert to-go because of all the issues. A server was nice to comp a round of drinks for us and it was appreciated. Also, hearing the owner complain and use vulgar language was off putting. She kept making excuses instead of taking accountability. We wouldn't go back just because it felt like we walked in an establishment that was playing pretend to be a restaurant in regards to the front of house. Which is too bad since the food was good.
My wife and I are most fortunate to be able to dine out often. That said, our dining experience at Collette's s last night was beyond extraordinary. The food, service and atmosphere all merged together to allow us to enjoy an evening the likes of which we have not had in a long time. They offered a five course fixed menu with an optional wine pairing. We chose the pairing and each of the five courses  was most delicious, particularly the lemon sole and the duck breast. Our server,Kasey,was most attentive and beyond pleasant. The wine complimented the food presented at every level. Collette's is a hidden gem in Escondido and worth the trip for those of you that prefer to dine near the coast. Market (Del Mar) is our favorite San Diego restaurant. Collette's was just as good! A five star dining experience to be sure.
Escondido has a class act. This was my second visit to Collette's, the first being a regular menu evening from which I chose a steak that was grilled to a perfect medium-rare and delicious. The second was a prix-fixe multiple course tapas dinner that now challenges my memory! It included clams, ham with cheese and with a tomato puree, garlic shrimp, bacon wrapped chorizo, octopus, paella and then steak. . .oh, and a very light creme caramel with churros and a spicy chocolate sauce for dessert. That list does not do this meal justice. It was delicious, served at a leisurely pace, with proportion sizes that were small, but by the end of the meal we were more than satisfied. . .we were delighted that we have a restaurant that would meet the standard of any major city! For a better description of the meal, go to the website! Collette's on Grand Ave. in Escondido, CA!
This is the GEM of north county! The owners have clearly considered every little detail (from the antique hob nail glassware down to the bathroom soap). The staff was some of the best we've encountered - despite being NYE everyone we engaged with truly seemed to enjoy their job! We're already HUGE fans of farm to table establishments that support our local farmers..but the food here is not only fresh but incredibly flavorful & cooked to perfection. We especially loved the unique amuse-bouche & palette cleaner offerings. The interior is small with a well considered layout that provides an intimate atmosphere where you can enjoy conversation without worrying about another table being seated on top of you. Overall we're thrilled to have discovered Collette's & can't wait to return for one of their upcoming supper clubs!
This is a little gem in Escondido. It is sweetly decorated, has a very cozy atmosphere and the staff is very friendly. The food was delicious and abundant. The wine list was great, lots of French choices. Overall, the service was a little slower due to issues with their payment system that took our waitresses time to troubleshoot but the experience was so pleasant that I doesn't prevent me from wanting to go back! Really lovely.
The food here was exceptional, and the staff was even better. The staff made it an intimate experience explaining your dish and drink choice with beautiful detail. The ambiance is cozy and not loud. You could taste the quality ingredients and how yummy they were! We went for a girlfriend's birthday, but will definitely add it to my date night rotation.
This is a gem of a spot in downtown Escondido. Staff is friendly and attentive, food is fabulous and the interior is so charming. Best of all we could all hear each other and didn't have to yell over the constant noise that so many new places have. You must try the savory crème brûlée as an appetizer. The muscles were some of the most flavorful I have ever had and the coq a vin was chef's kiss. We will definitely be back!
Collette's is hands down my favorite restaurant ever! Honestly! The Chef knows how to mix and balance flavors, ingredients, textures, etc. I am far from a food critic, but give him a Michelin Star already!
Excellent food! Its a small location and the decor is not the best but the food was excellent
We had a truly delightful dinner; the service was exceptional, the ambience was superb, and the food was outstanding. We started out with the house bread which came with Vermont butter, mushroom ricotta dip. It did not disappoint. After this consumption, we then had a non-alcoholic apple cider to cleanse our palate before the dinner. We had the sea bass, the salmon and the bouillabaisse. No disappointment there, we truly were delighted with everything. Which means we will be back.
Restaurantji Recommends
Our first experience at Colette's but we came with high expectations. Had a great meal (their onion soup said to be the best in No. County), with attentive service in a charming restaurant. Definitely will return.
This is not just a restaurant it's an experience!! One of the best restaurants we have had the pleasure to eat at with a very relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. French is one of my favorites and this was incredible farm to table!! The ingredients are masterfully combined and sooo flavorful! The plates are beautifully presented and the specialized drinks are also very pretty and tasty! There is so much to say but you just have to go!! You will be in amazement from the moment you sit down and you will definitely return! And you will return with friends to show it off. The servers are passionate about their job and the food and so very friendly! It was an amazing experience from the moment we walked in to the minute that we left. We had an appetizer, a salad and the filet mignon for dinner and all of it was beyond words! We savored every bite. Truly a wonderful experience with some of the best,freshest food we have ever had and we will be back!!  Please don't miss out on this incredible gem! 
Exceptional classic French cuisine. Service was superb. A very aesthetically appealing dining room. Staff was unassuming and clearly well-trained. The Onion Soup was second to none. The Beef Bourguignon was phenomenal and a huge serving (sufficient for two leftover meals). Skipped dessert, but the server encouraged us to return for dessert and a drink at the bar. Great idea!
Truly a gem of fine French cuisine in North County. Top notch in every aspect...ambience, service, food, wines and cocktails. Highly recommend!
A lovely intimate restaurant in downtown Escondido. It was our anniversary and it couldn't have been more perfect...well, maybe if there were escargot ...We had the house bread with a spread with truffles, and the beef bourguignion which was colorful and flavorful, and of course dessert, Bavarois, a Bavarian Creme, vanilla chiffon cake with whipped chocolate ganache... The service was excellent and the little extras made the evening special. We will to again
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