My wife and I had an excellent date night dinner here and really enjoyed our experience. Service was wonderful and we are happy to find a nice spot close by. Will be coming back to try all the different menus soon. read more

What a gem! This is truly farm to table. Prices are higher end than others in downtown Escondido but i believe quality and price warrants. flavor profiles are amazing. everything we got was delicious! The indoor is very cute as well as the patio! read more

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Absolutely fabulous, yet again! We came for an impromptu NYE dinner and were not disappointed. The service staff is always with a wonderful smile and such a caring attitude. We went for the special which was a beef Wellington and that knocked anything I've had like that out of the water!!! The beef was super tender, and the puff pastry was beautifully baked. We also started with the charcuterie board, which you definitely cannot miss! We'll be back! Keep supporting local! read more

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Amazing French restaurant on Grand! I came here for dinner & the service was fantastic. Super friendly & attentive! Their menu changes frequently so make sure to take a look at their website for the latest. Their dishes are made with fresh, local ingredients. Compared to other restaurants on Grand, they are on the pricier side but you will be paying for top quality! Baked Cavatelli: Delicious & flavorful! It was a huge dish & I had plenty of leftovers. A small salad is served after your meal. Cocktails are delicious. They have seating available inside, at the bar or outside. read more

Collette's - Baked Cavatelli - French Near Me - Escondido, California

Collette's feels like having dinner at someone's cozy, artsy home with really, really good food. We came for dinner with a reservation and immediately because we had noticed their Pride flags out front. A rare sight in Escondido and inclusivity matters! We shared everything: the brussels sprouts (crispy, fresh, great flavor combo), the summer crostini (goat cheese, grilled peaches, prosciutto = chef's kiss), and a perfectly cooked filet mignon with absolutely amazing mashed potatoes. Portions were great for sharing, and we even had a few brussels left to take home. They didn't have a mocktail menu, but they happily made one on the fly and it was delicious. Service was super kind and relaxed; this isn't a rush-in, rush-out kind of place. You get conversation around the dining experience, information about where everything is sourced from, and little palate cleansers between courses, which was such a nice touch. The vibe is quiet, cozy, and full of charm plus, the bathroom has a pink neon "You're like really pretty" sign, so they clearly get it. We'll definitely be back. Great food, warm energy, and a place that makes you feel welcome from the moment you walk in. read more

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Collette's strives to provide the ultimate dining experience. As we entered, they delivered an ambiance worthy of mentioning it. Beautiful! Upper crusty dining quarters of a European home, very comfortable! We were warmly greeted by Annie, our night's Server who had tan overalls just as the other servers. Farmer-like overalls! That was part of the whole experience. A visit to the restroom to just wash your hands before dining is worth the additional steps in your day's count. I thought they were uniquely decorated to be available to all. Our evening started off with a Cosmopolitan and an EIEIO (their version of an Old Fashion). I liked the Cosmo. Nice touch on the sugar rim! The other cocktail did not quite hit the note. It barely offered a Bourbon kick sought. We had a chance to savor their French Onion Soup, the Filet Mignon, and Rack of Lamb both delectable though side vegetables seemed cooler than preferred. Noted that their French Onion Soup had a deep flavored bone broth. I'd be back even if just for that! Prices we felt were overstretched. Expensive enough to mention it. You decide. read more

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We came here for a family celebration, and it was so special! Everything was so thoughtfully done. The food was amazing! The service was amazing! We loved the decor and the vibe. I thought it looked classy and refreshing. I am so glad that we found a place that we can entrust to make a celebration so wonderful. read more

What a great find in Escondido! The food and service was exceptional. We will definitely be coming back here in the near future. The cocktails were on point and the bartender had such a great personality. For food we ordered the mussels and soup... delicious. For the main we had the lamb ravioli and the Beef Bourguignon...delicious! read more

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Happy new year! So we've never been blessed with the opportunity to go to Colette's before and were taken to dinner to celebrate the holidays . We read the yelp reviews on the way there and we're super excited to experience the cuisine and the service that we read about. We were not disappointed. We had Annies our server, and we're happy about that because we had read some awesome reviews about her. Really the whole staff it seemed like their whole goal in life was to make us happy and comfortable. The food was great. The service was great and the company was great! Thank you so much! read more

This is our 3rd time back to Collette's, and it definitely won't be our last. Delicious new menus every week - all fresh farm to table ingredients with which the chef does amazing things. This week was prosciutto and San Marzano tomatoes, followed by a delicious Vidalia Onion Soup, then we had crispy Sea Breem and potato with tomato Brava sauce & garlic aioli (we don't do octopus after watching My Octopus Teacher). After that was Halibut and Patagonian Shrimp, and then wagyu Steak with mushrooms and peppers in a bone marrow demi glace. OMG!! So Fantastic! Dessert was Crema Catalan (think creme brule with cinnamon) to die for (& churro & mexican chocolatesauce). Yummy, yummy, yummy. We will be back!! And I highly recommend! read more

It was an amazing New Year's Eve experience. My husband and I went there for the New Years dinner. We had Casey as our waiter. He was AMAZING. He did not steer us wrong. He suggested the beef Wellington for me. Seasoned to perfection and the light pastry shell was amazing. The beef was so tender you could use a butter knife. Portions were plenty, I am eating again today. My husband had the steak , the best fillet mignon he has had and the man is a proud carnivore. The cocktails - OH LORD! Again Casey suggested the Farmer's wife and the Tex something. Sorry cant remember... probably from the alcohol but oh so yummy. My husband had the French onion soup and I had the muscles with Spanish chorizo, so incredible. Then finally was the cream brûlée. One of the best. We will certainly return. Loved Casey and all the staff. He knew his menu and drinks. What a wonderful way to start a New Year. read more

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This restaurant is nothing short of outstanding. The food is what I would expect at a Michelin star restaurant. That isn't an exaggeration at all, it's truly great. The dining room is simple and elegant all at once. Almost feels like your sitting in a friends dining room in rural France. Service is at the Michelin star level as well. I would be shocked if they don't at least get a nod in the future. I can honestly say that, in my opinion, this is the best restaurant in Escondido, Vista or San Marcos. read more

Our first time here, and we were beyond impressed with the delicious food. We had come for the Italian Supper Club menu where they served us five courses and every single course was amazing. We savored every bite. We love the fact that the food is high quality and comes from local farms. We definitely plan on coming back soon! read more

My first time at Collette's. I'm not sure how I feel about the food. Here goes, I think there is a wonderful effort with some very good ingredients. The service is warm and natural. The ambiance is comforting. I truly appreciate and understand this style of restaurant and all the work and creativity invested. I wish the best for Collette's and do plan a future visit. read more

Foods were amazingly delicious. Services were exceptional! It's a place to go for small gathering or a date

This was one of the best restaurant experiences I have ever had. The staff was attentive, the aesthetic is super cute, and the food was absolutely amazing. Highly recommend the beet salad app. read more

Collette's - Shrimp and Lobster Pasta - French Near Me - Escondido, California

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Everyone was super nice! Kasey and Annie definitely made our time here memorable. Kasey is an amazing bartender. Definitely have to come back again! Thank you for the great service read more

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A Hidden Culinary Gem in Escondido - Collette's is a Must-Visit If you're searching for that rare restaurant that exceeds expectations in every category, including service, ambiance, presentation, and most importantly, flavor, look no further than Collette's in Escondido. This unassuming little spot is tucked away where you'd never expect to find food this thoughtful, elegant, and memorable. But what a discovery it is. Formerly known as Vincent's, Collette's honors the legacy of fine dining with an updated personality that is warm, intimate, and refreshingly unpretentious. Under new ownership, the transition has kept everything that made the location great while elevating the experience even further. The quality has not only held up, it's flourished. From the moment we walked in, the tone was set. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with a refined charm that makes you feel like you've stumbled into a European bistro. It's the kind of place where the chef clearly puts care into every plate, and you can tell. The portions are modest, but each dish is balanced, beautifully composed, and cooked with the kind of attention that's increasingly rare in today's restaurant world. Now let me talk about our server, Kasey, because he was nothing short of a standout. Professional yet warm, attentive but never overbearing, Kasey elevated our evening with a kind of hospitality that's impossible to fake. You could tell he was proud of where he worked, and for good reason. His recommendations were spot on, his pacing of the meal was flawless, and he made our family gathering feel like a special occasion without ever trying too hard. As for the food, simply unforgettable. Every course was a standout, from the first bite to the final sip of wine. There is a level of restraint and mastery in the flavors, where nothing is overdone, yet everything feels luxurious. The balance of seasoning, the thoughtful pairings, the tenderness of the proteins, this is the kind of meal that stays with you. The rack of lamb, in particular, was exquisite, cooked to perfection with a crust that was crisp and seasoned just right, and a center that was rich, warm, and flavorful. It's not a large restaurant, and that's part of the magic. Because it's small, the kitchen has the capacity to give each plate the attention it deserves. You're not just another table here. You're a guest being treated to a carefully crafted experience. I highly recommend Collette's to anyone who appreciates quality over flash, detail over trend, and genuine hospitality over pretense. It's the kind of place you want to keep to yourself, but a restaurant this special deserves to be celebrated. Thank you to the entire team, and especially to Kasey, for making our night with family one to remember. We'll absolutely be back, and we'll be bringing friends. read more

Oh gosh. I can't believe I haven't been back to review since the rebrand. For shame! Really love this place and its people. Casey and Annie are the absolute BEST things to happen to our dining and drinking experience for multiple years running now. Jeanette has the best tequila recommendations. We're honestly just as likely to wander in here because we've missed the people as when we've missed the food. We adore that the proprietors boldly display Pride every year no matter how often they are vandalized by nearby bigots. The evolution of the farm-to-table seasonal menu approach has been awesome; the bar program continues to be the most informed and elevated in town. I still maintain that despite the price tag the value for the money is incredible. It makes me so sad when people look at the menu before being seated and say "too expensive" because boy are they missing out on both quantity and quality. We can never finish everything and always get at least one more meal at home out of a visit here. This is a great spot to have a date night dinner inside, a casual drink or snack outside (patio is a killer spot to watch Cruisin' Grand from), or belly up to the bar. There's not a bad seat in the house, the vibe is upscale with some cheeky touches that show the personality and approachability. My only wish is they'd bring back the teasers on Instagram to advertise specials and menu switch-ups. Otherwise, no notes! read more

Absolutely amazing. Everything. Food, presentation, atmosphere, service, wine... 10 stars!

If you're looking for a meal that's both soul-soothing and flex-worthy, Collette's on Grand is your spot. From the first bite of their house sourdough with compound butter to the last spoon of creme brûlée with farmers market berries, this place delivers art on a plate without the pretension. I started with the summer crostini -- grilled peaches, goat cheese, and prosciutto on crusty bread, like summer in one perfect bite. Then came the crispy Brussels sprouts, where bacon, blue cheese, and orange zest team up like a flavor power trio. For the main event: the blackened lobster and colossal shrimp over creamy cheese grits. I briefly considered writing them a thank-you card. Service? Warm, knowledgeable, and refreshingly human. The vibe? Like your chic foodie friend invited you over and somehow cooked a five-star meal using only ingredients from JR Organics and a farmer named Schaner. Whether you're celebrating or just hungry for something real, Collette's is the kind of place where the food tells a story--and it's a good one. I'll be back, and next time, I'm not sharing the cherry pie. read more

Fantastic dining experience! My husband and I went with friends and we tried every delicious item from appetizers, entrees and deserts! The service was excellent , food was outstanding, can't wait to go back. Kathy D read more

Collette's - French Near Me - Escondido, California

Excellent food and service at this cute little French gem in Escondido. The manager was extremely helpful and personable.

Colette's was fantastic! We ordered the filet and the lobster pesto pasta, and both dishes blew us away. The filet was huge--at least 8 ounces--and perfectly cooked to our liking. The potatoes and mushrooms on the side were a great complement. The lobster pasta was a pleasant surprise; I wouldn't normally pair pesto with lobster, but it totally worked. There was a generous amount of lobster, and the pasta had a soft, gnocchi-like texture even though it wasn't gnocchi. Our server, Casey, was attentive and friendly, making the whole night even better. Overall, it was a perfect anniversary dinner!. read more

Collette's - Filet and lobster pasta - French Near Me - Escondido, California

My wife and I ate here for our our anniversary and it was fantastic. The service was attentive and prompt. The food was beautifully plated and very tasty. The gin martini was fantastic. And the commitment to local farm to table dining was a blast. We will definitely return. read more

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When you walk into Colette's, it is adorable and well laid out. You are greeted by some of the nicest people in the food industry, and they are extremely knowledgeable of the cuisine and beverage choices. The food is amazing and the chef frequently sends out little gifts of food for you to try. My wife and I absolutely loved it and we will be back. read more

Amazing food, great service & even better vibes. This is a go to place!! I've gone multiple times.

I actually don't know how to leave a review of this place. We came here last night for the Dia Dinner. Seems like they were overwhelmed with the situation. We weren't explained how the dinner worked or if we had allergies etc, just were plopped out some dishes after 30 minutes of waiting. We had the cocktail "pairing" although they were not timed with the dishes and ended up having to chug two cocktails at the end of the night. That being said... we will be back! lol the food was so good and despite poor service everyone was kind and apologetic. A little work on the service and they would have such a great place. read more

Magnifique! We enjoyed a wonderful dinner experience at Collette's on a Thursday evening with our friends. The food was exceptional, the service divine and the atmosphere is elegant and comfortable. Collette's is a Gem in Escondido! We will absolutely visit for another spectacular dining experience again! read more

We had the most lovely date night dinner at Collette's this past weekend. The service was wonderful, food was to die for, and ambience was very cute. We loved the house made bread with spreads, homemade vegetarian pasta, and steak & frites. Only thing - as a restaurant that sources so many veggies locally, we would have expected more vegetarian entrees other than just the pasta. Nonetheless it was DELICIOUS food and will absolutely come back! read more

Collette's - French Near Me - Escondido, California

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What I don't like is when check-out time comes and your tip choices are digitized at 20%, 25% and 30%. Minimum wage is already up there so why the scamming uptrend? In Europe, being a waiter is a career and tipping there is a few Euros to 10%. Bring cash. read more

Went to get gift cards and was told the owner doesn't want to use them. What business doesn't sell gift cards...

My Husband and I popped in for dinner on a Thursday night. We had no reservation but were greeted and sat by the owner. Our server Annie was so kind and knowledgeable. She was able to give me good wine recs which were spot on. We had the roasted chicken dish as well as the steak frites, both were amazing. We'll be back! read more

Really love the decor here! It's super beautiful inside, the menu has some really delicious offerings from locally sourced businesses. The staff is incredibly friendly and fun to talk to. Can't wait to come back again! read more

French bistro atmosphere that is inviting and elegant. The menu is well chosen for items to share or not. The appetizers were creative and perfect to start the meal. The entries were varied and included something for all appetites. The four of us each chose something different, and we all raved about our selection. Save room for dessert! Heaven! This restaurant is a special spot in Escondido! Don't miss it! It is exceptional! read more

This is a little hidden gem! It's farm to table so expect a limited but unique menu. The food was not only beautifully plated but was delicious. They put so much thought into little beautiful details from the tableware to the water infused with mint and cucumber. The bar is gorgeous and craft drinks were amazing. Our server was so friendly and attentive. This is a great date night or girls night out place! Support local and try it! read more

This is Escondidos' hidden hot spot. The food is excellent. They have the best French onion soup I ever had. Our waiter knew the menu and guided us to a fabulous meal. Going back soon. read more

Dined with a private group dinner this past week- food was wonderful, service was top-notch and the restaurant was beautiful. Really enjoyed their focus on local vendors- from the food to the featured artisan soap in the bathroom. Loved everything I had- artichoke bisque, salmon, salad- the Brussels Sprouts were amazing! Thank you so much- we'll be back. read more