About
Welcome to Colette OTR, a gem nestled in the heart of Cincinnati at 1400 Race St. This "Mostly French Restaurant" is the brainchild of Chef Danny Combs, whose culinary journey brings a taste of France to the Midwest. Renowned for its chic yet cozy ambiance, Colette captures the essence of French dining in a way that resonates with both locals and visitors alike.
Step inside, and you’ll be enveloped by an inviting atmosphere that balances sophistication with warmth. The interior, adorned with subtle French decor, sets the stage for an exceptional dining experience. Guests are often greeted by the engaging staff, who share their knowledge and passion for the menu, which artfully blends traditional French techniques with innovative flavors.
The restaurant has garnered acclaim not only for its delectable dishes but also for a welcoming ambiance that encourages connection. Patrons have praised the attentive service, highlighting how the staff's recommendations elevate the dining experience further. Whether you're savoring the warmth of freshly baked brioche or indulging in the richness of the escargot a la bourguignon, each dish tells a story of culinary expertise and passion.
Happy patrons describe Colette OTR as a dining destination that exceeds expectations. From its thoughtfully curated menu to the charming atmosphere, this restaurant sets a standard for what it means to enjoy French cuisine in a modern setting. Visitors often leave with plans to return, reminiscing about the flavors that linger long after the last bite. If you’re in Cincinnati, don’t miss the chance to experience the magic of Colette OTR, where traditional French dining meets contemporary creativity!
“ 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! ”
“ 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 ”
“ 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. ”
“ 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. ”
“ 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. ”
“ 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. ”
“ 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! ”
“ My family went for dinner on a Friday night. There were 7 of us and we had reservations. The place has a nice vibe with hardwood floors, brick walls, interesting wall art. It's actually several connected rooms, none of which are large. This is helpful in keeping the noise down. We had an excellent server, who knew the menu completely. We had one with food allergy, and the server even made a marked up menu, with the help of the chef, to guide him on what could be ordered. We had the two bread options as starters, both which were amazing. We had steak, cod, a few pastas, lamb, and mushrooms as meals. Everyone really enjoyed them. We shared two desserts and they were great as well. All in all, a very nice meal and great atmosphere. I would highly recommend this. ”
“ We finally made it to Colette for dinner with friends before a show! We got Vol-au-Vent, Roasted Beets Salad, and Laminated Brioche for the table and they were all delicious bites. Vol-au-vent was so rich and savory, while the brioche was light and airy and oh so buttery. My partner and I split the Herbed Cavatelli pasta and Icelandic Cod entrees. The cavatelli pasta was cooked perfectly and paired well with the lamb ragout. I was, however, a little disappointed by the cod. I'd heard such great things, and while it was very good, our dish was over salted. The cod paired really well with the wilted spinach - a nice contrast - but the sauce was overly salty - perhaps a outlier? Overall, great experience! Service was superb. Recommend if you're looking for a high quality meal in Cincinnati. ”
“ 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. ”