Chez Colette is a charming little French bistro in Bel Air Bluffs, run by a delightful husband-and-wife team. He's the talented chef working magic in the kitchen, while she keeps everything humming along with a warm smile. We met friends for dinner and started with a charcuterie board packed with cool options, including a couple of new-to-us items we really enjoyed. For starters, I dove into the French onion soup--rich, cozy, and just perfect. My friend couldn't get enough of her fresh arugula salad, and the escargot was a total hit, with every bite bursting with flavor. For mains, I had the wild-caught shrimp risotto, which was super creamy and delicious. My husband's beef bourguignon was hearty and packed with rich flavor. Our friends went for the duck leg confit, which she raved about, and the special--a 16-ounce Delmonico steak (really a ribeye) cooked to absolute perfection. Dessert was a so good! We shared the decadent chocolate mousse and an espresso over vanilla ice cream with salted caramel drizzle--both were out of this world. I noticed a few people enjoying the filet mignon, and it's definitely on my list for next time. Chez Colette's cozy vibe means you'll want to book a table ahead of time. It's totally worth the drive to Bel Air Bluffs for a meal that feels like a warm hug from France! read more

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Very authentic nearly flawless French dinner. We've been multiple times and the food has always been great. You can't go wrong with escargot, fois gras, French onion soup or wonderful tartare and salads. Wine list is well thought out and we hear the chef makes his own truffle oil for the fries from imported truffles! It literally feels like you are in France which we've been to multiple times and we were blown away by the flaming crème brûlée and the cafe liegois! Super romantic atmosphere for date night or any excuse to transport yourself to the French countryside. Call ahead for seared fois or parties larger than 4, Enjoy! Sorry we ate the food too fast the take a lot of pics.... read more

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We went after Thanksgiving to celebrate a birthday and an anniversary. It all started out well with a couple of glasses of wine and a shared cheese plate. The restaurant was not full. We like to eat early so we went at 6:30. First, the server came out with the wrong food, took it back. Then a different person came back with a menu and said they were out of the duck... mind you we are now an hour in. Another choice was made. Five minutes later our original server came back and said we actually do have the duck. So we wait. The food finally arrives at 7:45! I can't eat late, most of mine came home with me. The food was delicious, the kitchen was just underperforming I guess . They offered to comp dessert. And when it came it had sparklers because of our celebrations, which was nice but it was 8:30 at least by the time we left. So, of course we will try again, the place is very good and certainly one of the best restaurants in the area. But I feel like if your entrees are in the $40-48 range, the execution should match. This visit was a disappointment overall. read more

Ambience is perfect very quiet very intimate. The service is wonderful and the food. I can't say enough about I had their duck it was excellent read more

Don't see too many restaurants like this anymore. Owner and partner run the whole show and do a great job. Food is top notch with a really nice and off the beaten path wine menu which is nice to see. Sit at the bar if available read more

A very lovely French bistro with authentic cuisine. Foie gras was of a good quality, escargots as usual delicious, our choice of cheese and charcuterie did not disappoint. My husband enjoyed his chicken Normandy and I loved my very well prepared sea bass. We finished our spectacular dinner with pear Antoinette which was mouthwatering. I highly recommend this lovely gem with a very professional service and cosy ambiance. I would like however to make only one suggestion to a chef: please, replace these black stone boards that you serve your food on by the normal plates. It will be so much better looking and more comfortable to eat your wonderful dishes. Thank you. read more

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Had an excellent dinner with my family, ordered the Kir Royale as a pre dinner drink and it came with a mini champagne bottle, excellent! Food was delicious and perfectly served, especially loved the cheese platter, the lamb chop and the steak tartare and the chocolate mousse dessert was on the money, everyone in our party enjoyed what they ordered, service was friendly and prompt and the chef even came out at the end for a chat and to ask how we enjoyed our meal. Recommend if you are looking for authentic French cuisine with generous portions, reasonably priced for what you get as well. read more

One of the best meals I've had in a long time. Best olive oil w/herbs and I never eat bread in restaurants; kept eating more and more of it because I loved the herbed olive oil. Best goat cheese salad;  OMG croutons with hot melted goat cheese and herbs. I would order this again for sure. Salmon tartare-- interesting recipe; a little heavy on the chopped onions. I recommend the Vouvre wine by the glass. Light; not too acidic. Enjoyed the Crepes Suzette dessert. Highly recommended. Top notch ambiance and French music. Superb service by Tabitha. Easy parking in their parking lot. read more

They've gotten kinder on the service, and the food is always excellent. Reservations are pretty much required here but I think it's worth the effort. read more

Within the area near Clearwater Beach where we live, its been tough to find decent restaurants that aren't the cookie-cutter beach patio or slightly upscale hotel kitchen. Colette's finally was a true authentic meal experience in the area. Really impressed.. This is the first time I've had a dinner near the island, without driving far (such as into downtown Tampa) and had this positive of an experience. Its small and cute, somewhat of a European vibe, and only serves wine (and a beer). The owner herself is the server. She's talkative, super friendly, and she even is a great wine enthusiast! This made the entire meal comforting and a warm feeling. The wine list is large and the prices were fair. We got a really tasty bottle for $70 that probably goes for 50 in stores. I'll take it. Her description was also spot on. Food time - - small menu, but lots to say. The owners added this uniqueness by explaining some of the creative spins they brainstorm for each dish, and how they make it true to their own personal cooking. Favorites: 1. Seabass: normally fish dishes are solid, but are just fish dishes. This was actually a step above and I might say some of the best/interesting tasting fish I've had. 2. Steak Tartare: awesome. I'm hit or miss on tartare, and this was soo well mixed and good. 3. Frites: super crispy and delicious. Needed a sauce/ketchup though haha. Other Food: The foie-gras was half butter-fat and half of what I expected. I didn't like the butter fat portion, but the rest (and toast it came with) were 10/10... The Filet Steak I'd say to skip, but only because it was just a normal filet I could probably make at home.. Lastly, the French onion soup: they put a spin on it to deconstruct a bit, and while the flavors were all there, I'd probably want the standard crispy cheese version. Butter Cake dessert with ice cream was $$.. RIP to my stomach. In short: highly recommended, its a true feeling of disconnecting from the touristy beach-goer patio places, it has real authentic cooking, and the owners put a lot into making the experience. read more

This is the hidden gem of Belleair. The best food, service, and ambience around. I also love it here because they have SO many gluten free options. They have an incredible wine list. Love the people and LOVE the food. read more

Chez Colette - Soooo good. Here's the menu. - French Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

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New favorite! Quaint and intimate. Exceeded expectations! The menu is tight and right and every item ordered was outstanding. Fresh bread with oil and fresh herbs. French onion soup: my boyfriend said it is the best he has ever had. Not salty and very light... in a good way. Charcuterie board with a moderate amount and good pairings. Brie, feta, goat, bleu, garlic toast, grapes, raspberry, gherkins, olives, and meats. Chicken Normandie: cooked to perfection with a creamy mustard sauce and butternut puree. Filet Chateaubriand: cooked medium rare and topped with garlic butter, parsley, and shallots - the best I have ever had. I really prefer my steaks cooked more, but this was excellent. Amazing. Dessert trio: chocolate mousse, profiteroles, and creme brûlée - alllll were perfect Crepes: classic butter and sugar = perfection We brought our own bottle of 2019 Twomey Pinot Noir for a $25 corking fee. Paired PERFECTLY with everything but desserts. One of my favorite meals in a long long time. Wow. Staff was incredibly personable and friendly. We were running late for our reservation and they were very understanding and accommodating. read more

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My husband and I came here for dinner last weekend. We both had wine by the glass and started with the Bistro Plate. The bistro plate was delicious and one of the best I've had. I got the lamb chops for dinner and they were good. I cook lamb at home so I'm biased. I like mine a little more rare done and crispy on the outside. The cheesy potatoes were very good. My husband got the Duck Leg Confit and really liked it. For dessert we had the Crepe Suzette and Trio Gourmand. The desserts were very good. The ambiance was quiet and I really miss Paris so it was nice to go here. Ye, they have a TV but it's playing French themed shows or documentaries, there is no sound. I didn't feel it took away from the experience. Everything was very clean. People were spaced out properly. Masks were worn upon entering. Colette had a face shield. She also sanitized every table right when they left. We are going back this Saturday and I can't wait for that bistro plate! read more

First time at this restaurant that's been here for a long time. Called for a 6:15pm reservation and they said that they were busy at that time, but please come at 6:30. When we got there, it was about 1/3 full. It's a cute little place but it could stand a good cleaning because it smells old. Our meal took about three hours from start to finish and our server vacillated from relatively friendly to very defensive. When we asked the server if she had bread, she was impatient with us and said that of course she would bring it after she took our orders. Two people at the table got the duck breast which was slightly tough. When our server asked how everything was, we were honest and told her that the duck had good flavor but it was a little tough. She was very defensive and stated that's how that cut is supposed to be. The profiteroles were great but the chocolate mousse was way off and we didn't go back for a second bite. The crème brûlée was unremarkable. Overall, we were disappointed by the food, the time that it took and the fact that it wasn't very warm and welcoming. read more

Nice Food, too Expensive Every few years I try whichever French restaurant is in this location and I've always come away wishing that it's better. That being said, the place is charming and the server (chef's wife) is very pleasant and helpful. We started with a very standard French onion soup. We shared a goat cheese salad which was nice, but way too small and way too expensive at $14. For our mains we had the chicken which was OK but nothing special. It was a little on the tough side and the chicken and sides should have been hotter. (Warmed plates would have helped.) We also had the seabass which was a nice piece of fish and well cooked with a good asparagus side, again a bit pricey at $44. We also had two glasses of wine. Overall, things were generally good to very good. But the final bill, with tax and 20% tip, was $153. That's just not worth it. Maybe Chez Colette will morph again and I'll return. read more

I loved Chez Colette! Took me back to the years spent overseas while in the Army. Thank you Colette!! read more

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In my younger days I was consigned to French Onion Soup (soupe à l'oignon), maybe Frog Legs (cuisses de grenouilles) or possibly Snails (escargots) and not favoring most of these selections. With culinary maturing, I gained an enhanced palate and it has been incredible to learn and savor the nuanced variations French Culture has to offer. Part of the enjoyable, but also some dismay, has been searching out the best bistros that can offer the delight in such delicacies! I am inclined in classifying Colette's as one of my top go to French Restaurants visited across the country. Firstly, I must commend Collette, whom I met during our recent visit, for her perfect bistro ambience, the extraordinary food, but also her demeanor, personae and genial way. She is the badge and ethos to the culture and food she lovingly delivers in her small, but extraordinary café. Colette's is the epitome of what a French Bistro should and must be! This patron-friendly, small neighborhood bistro feel, communal and conviviality-friendly atmosphere, brings you to another element of cuisine. It is no wonder Chez Colette Pommet and her husband Bernard Jacob, have 5-star critic reviews on 75% on her reviews (not so much a proper use of this word in this case!). All in keeping with the bistro's philosophy '...to bring a little bit of our French Cuisine and our passion of wine to your table.' If your desire is to find the right bistro, anywhere in the country, here it is. Our delightful experience included a magnificent rendering of their Duck Foie Gras - a very delicate rendition on an equally great toasted brioche, enriched by berrie and onions chutney. My wife was fascinated by a superbly prepared Chicken Normandie, consisting of an excellent portion of braised chicken prepared flawlessly in cream mustard sauce. I was impressed with a superbly meticulously arranged and perfectly seasoned Seafood Pasta with absolutely tender and tasty fresh sea scallops with bountiful amount of shrimp. We enhanced our dinner by having Domaine Bernier, Sauvignon Blanc, Loire, and a of Vouvray, Domaine Pichot Chenin Blanc, both from France. Needless to say - the service was exceptional, the food fantabulous, the ambience extraordinary - Chez Colette makes you feel at home with her humbleness, and extraordinary personality which exuded beyond her COVID-required mask! The food was amazing, and all put together made for a fantabulous gastronomic evening experience to reminisce and compare with in the future. Chez, our best wishes to you and yours through these trying times: we hope and expect to come back, hopefully sooner than later - 'nuff said! Bon appétit to all French Cuisine lovers! read more

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Another visit to Chez Colette and another spectacular experience! Chef Nicolas truly cares about the authenticity and quality of everything that leaves the kitchen. Nothing is frozen or low quality here. Besides his gastronomy, he is a major expert and aficionado of wines. Where else can you get blown away by a wine that you have never seen before and doesn't show up on Vivino? Careful consideration is given for the wine/food pairing and the prices are incredibly fair. Tabitha is an excellent host and service is impeccable. Bravo! read more

Although the food and atmosphere are fantastic, take-out services are not available at this family-owned restaurant. The personal touch of the restaurant's service creates a warm and inviting environment. read more

Fantastic in every sense. I will be back many times and as soon as possible. The food. The service. Impeccable. Like a staycation. I've tried over 500 French onion soups in my 52 years. This was the absolute best I've ever had. Seriously. Enjoyed a very nice French Pinot Noir and a fantastic filet cooked to perfectiotion. It was imply amazing! read more

Chez Colette - Dining room - French Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

Was not a very good French Restaurant French onion soap was bland and the onions were not caramelized. The seabass was barely cooked .and no flavor, the chicken had no taste at all. the crepes was worst crepes i have ever had. The worst French onion soap I ever had cheese was barely cooked on top bread was old. will never go back warning do not go to this French Restaurant and over priced. No iced tea only one kind of beer. Don't waste your money. Roger read more

Our third time dining here (not counting Covid take-out), and we have never been disappointed in either the menu or the service. This is true French food. Incredible wine list as well. A cozy retreat, friendly service and absolutely delicious food. read more

Very good food the service was fantastic just small portions. Maybe next time we will have a big Mac before going. read more

The take out menu is very good, have had over our many visits here most of them; chicken normandie certainly a stand out. We had the daily special last Saturday : the menu said "sirloin" but it was a three inch thick filet with etc etc for $15 Please keep this place alive; it's a family-run treasure read more

The food was outstanding, wine list is really, really good. The presentation was very well done, service was excellent. It is an intimate setting, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Prices, I thought were reasonable for an upscale French restaurant. We are definitely going back before we head back North! read more

Hubby wanted to take me out for dinner, and who am I to turn down a night out with a handsome man? So he chooses Chez Colette as we had never been and we are adventurous when it comes to trying new food joints. We had passed the place many times but never stopped, so last night was our time to try it out. I had goat cheese salad and duck confit and hubby had French onion soup and filet mignon. The goat cheese salad was amazing with the cheese spread on small bread medallions drizzled with honey, the duck was flavorful and perfectly cooked, the French onion soup was simply incredible, the filet mignon, while perfect in the flavor category, was unfortunately tough ( I don't think it was not a filet). In all it was a nice evening out, with a very friendly staff, delicious wine, and good food presented in a beautiful fashion. read more

Chez Colette - Duck Confit - French Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

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Chez Colette is amazing! My family and I come here all the time and we love it. We would have never expected such good authentic French food here in Florida. It is authentic, delicious, and a great experience. The amazing family that works here is so so nice. If you're looking for a good dinner, go here read more

Authentic French cuisine at a family-run restaurant. What's not to like? We went to Largo to visit my husband's uncle and he took us here to celebrate. It's his favorite restaurant and he loves chatting in French with the owners. The ambiance and food made me feel like I was in France. The menu is authentic old-school French and every dish we had was well-prepared. I had the pork medallion special with tomato sauce and a side of wide egg noodles. Pork was so tender and the sauce sublime. My dinner mates had chicken Provençal and steak frites and were quite satisfied. Creme brulee for dessert did not disappoint. The wine list is small but well-picked and the owner helped us pick a good bottle since we were not familiar with the wines. Prices very reasonable! Bon appetit!! read more

I love the personalized service at Chez Colette as well as the delicious food and wine. It is the perfect local French restaurant.

Great French food in an off the beaten track location...we enjoyed our dining experience here topped off with a terrific French Pinot Noir...highly recommend this spot. read more

The HIDDEN GEM in all of Pinellas County!! We moved from Los Angeles to Belleair a few months ago, and to be honest, have struggled with finding restaurants in our area that serve real, properly prepared and delicious food, in a pleasing atmosphere. When we moved in to our home just around the corner from Chez Colette's they were under renovation, and for a bit, we were concerned they wouldn't reopen! Well, it was certainly worth the wait! I have seen photos of the old decor, and they have done a lovely job renovating the entire restaurant ceiling to floor -- giving it not only a fresh and updated look, but that of a proper, Parisian brasserie. It is such jewel amid the myriad of beach shacks surrounding it. We have visited four times now, and each time --- perfect food, perfect wine, perfect service! And to be honest, coming from LA, my husband and I almost feel a little ashamed when we pay the more than reasonable bill. The service is superb -- French and friendly. So many smiles. Delightful soup. Outstanding salads and cheese boards, and the DUCK!! Do yourself a favor and order the duck! The desserts are sublime as well! Take yourself and a loved one now, before the rest of the Tampa Bay area catch on, and you find yourself not being able to get a table here. Colette's is a delight on every level, and like our family, you will be back again and again. read more

My favorite French restaurant is Blanc in Fort Myers. But this is toe to toe with Blanc. LOVE IT! read more

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Following a school event we were driving down Indian Rocks road looking for a place for dinner. Spying Chez Colette in an unassuming strip plaza I directed the hubs to turn around and go back. He insisted that a chic French cafe would require reservations on a Friday night but I convinced him we should at least try. The Yelp reviews looked great, I was excited. We walked in, not too many tables full at 8pm..I though we were super lucky. The dining room inside is very small, there are a fre two top tables outside. The one waiter on staff directed us to choose any table. Opting for a booth at a window we seated ourselves and the waiter immediately brought menus and water. We reviewed the wine list and the menu. We ordered an appetizer and our meal. Beef bourguignon for me and beef tartar for the hubs. For our appetizer we ordered duck foie gras. In short order the waiter brought bread.. then our appetizer. We have had foie gras many, many, other places. My hubs says this foie gras was canned. I cannot say that, all I can say is it tasted off.. like game as duck can, but not fresh. On to dinner, my beef bourguignon was akin to pot roast in a very rich gravy.. served with two asparagus spears and a scoop of mashed potatoes that were amazingly HOT compared to the beef, leading me to believe they were microwaved. It was ok but not the fresh French cooking we had hoped to find in this little cafe. Overall the service was impeccable! Our waiter was very attentive, refilling drinks and frequently checking in. The food was a bit of a let down. We would have had dessert but after a disappointing appetizer and entrée, we asked for the check and said c'est la vie! read more

Chez Colette - Dining room - French Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

Authentic food, the second you step thru the door you are transported to Provence, staff treats us like family. Chef Nic puts heart and sole into every dish, and will help you pair with exquisite wines to create a special experience! read more

I really enjoyed the unpretentious, French comfort food served here; for a casual, reasonably priced, little bistro, they were really on point. We started with the pate (country style and made in house) and the snails (simply served in a mixture of parsley, butter and garlic) -- both were delicious. My entree was the duck leg confit served with sliced potatoes cooked lightly in duck fat -- also delicious. My dining companion ordered the filet, and indicated that it was perfectly cooked, perfectly tender, and also delicious. The wine selection looked good overall, and the bottle of burgundy we split was a great accompaniment. The salad we ordered was also quite nice -- simple and very lightly dressed (which most restaurants seem to never get right). We finished by splitting the chocolate mousse -- light and decadent all at once. The restaurant itself is small and it appears to be just the husband and wife -- which means that it might not be a good idea to just show up for dinner without making a reservation first. I liked the fact that it was quiet and cozy -- it would be a great place for a date read more

My wife and I visited Chez Collette, for the second time on Beaujolais Nouveau night. Our 3 course fix price dinners looked and tasted amazing. The salads were very fresh, our entrees were perfectly cooked, including my steak with winemaker borderline sauce. Our deserts were a perfect way to end our meal. All this with live music made for a perfect evening. read more

One of the few authentic French restaurants we've found in the U.S. Amazing food and service!

My dear friends invited my wife and I to this place when we were down in FL after Christmas. It is a very small bougie decorated place, it was decorated like a little french bistro and I really liked in. The kitchen was super small, and the restaurant probably only sat thirty, but the service and the food was really great! I had lamb and it was spectacular, very great flavors; I will definitely eat here again. I highly suggest giving this small restaurant a try, the menu has a lot of options and everyone at our table loved the meal! read more

I'm still here finishing my meal. Very mediocre. My appetizers were cold and I sent one back-the French onion soup. On the positive side my husband enjoyed his Filet. This is the second time I have been here. First was in May of 2016 and it was magical. I would think twice about dining here. Also there is a smell of mold to deal with. Beer and wine served. On the whole reasonably priced mediocrity. read more

This place is amazing. Everything we ordered is fantastic. Caviar with a spin on presentation, escargot delicious and the best French onion soup I've had. Definitely coming back to try to the lamb chops and filet and many other things. Service is perfect. read more