Collette’s Collaborative Collective Cuisine

Michael Aniballi

A truly exceptional dining experience. Colette’s delivered one of the most impressive meals I’ve had since moving to San Diego. I ordered the Beef Wellington, cooked medium-rare per the chef’s recommendation, and it was outstanding. The filet was incredibly buttery and tender—nearly indistinguishable in texture from the pastry surrounding it. The execution was precise, indulgent, and deeply satisfying. Flavor was excellent throughout, but this dish truly shines as a textural experience, with the beef and pastry complementing one another beautifully. Our server paired the Wellington with a red blend that worked wonderfully, elevating the entire course. Portions were very generous, pacing was exceptional, and the service was warm, welcoming, and family-focused without ever feeling intrusive. We were also treated to a complimentary deviled egg, which was exquisite, and we ordered the goat cheese appetizer—both felt thoughtful and world-class. This is, without question, the best restaurant I’ve experienced in San Diego, with the sole exception of Alexander’s (three-star Michelin). Colette’s is a standout for North County and absolutely worth the trip.

Emily Boyer

The owner and staff are incredibly kind and welcoming. We often sit at the bar and order the Farmer's Wife or the Giddyup, their version of an espresso martini. It’s a full bar, so there is something for everyone. Mocktails for none drinkers, too. The food is delicious! I’m a big fan of their Beef Bourguignon and French Onion Soup. The Crème Brulee is such a treat. I highly recommend this restaurant for your next date night or nice night out with friends. Try it, you’ll love it!

Gloriani Weiss

Celebrated my 15th wedding anniversary here and loved it. It's a great place to celebrate but honestly even just to share a meal with a bestie. Reservations required! I highly recommend checking the menu out because it changes, the mussels I had were divine, the beef borguignon was so tender.

PureFlow Productions

Amazing place to be in Escondido, everything was amazing here and everything is set so well! My Filet was pretty bad and I didn’t finish it, but my wife’s steak frites was excellent! So I would recommend skipping the extra $16 for the filet and sticking with the Steak frites! Definitely coming back!

Christina Coons

An amazing dinner experience to start our night with a Stevie Wonder tribute performance nearby at the Arts Center. What a pleasure with Colette’s staff and chef Miguel! Only one pic of our meal as we were emerged in the culinary evening. We highly recommend!! See other reviews for close ups of various menu items, it’s all well executed. The sourdough bread and spreads are perfect starters. And desserts are rich amd worth saving room for :)

Deniz Kivrak

Absolutely wonderful experience at Collette’s! The food was spectacular—flavorful, beautifully presented, and exactly what I had hoped for. In fact, my expectations weren’t just met, they were surpassed. The service was top notch from start to finish, and owner Jeanette is the sweetest—she personally checked in to make sure everything was going well. My dad and I stopped in after a long day at work and were eager to get home, so we didn’t get to linger as much as we wanted. We’ll definitely be back soon to try the appetizers, drinks, and all the in-between goodies we missed this time. Highly recommend!

Shoshana Jordan

We stopped in here for a Thursday night last-minute dinner and I was so surprised to find this hidden gem! We were originally looking for Hunsakers, but that business had closed down and Collette’s is now in its place. Janette was the kindest owner, taking the time to chat with the patrons. I know the prices may seem high, but it is certainly money well spent. I love knowing that my food comes directly from local farmers. You can taste the freshness in the meals, with the flavors having more depth. We ordered and shared the shrimp dish with the jicama and cauliflower romanesco, and this was amazing! The different textures and bright flavors were so unique. We also shared the filet mignon, which was cooked perfectly and had such a quality flavor to the meat. It came with an accompaniment of mashed potatoes, green beans, mushrooms and rainbow carrots. Both dishes made us happy, and that’s what beautiful food is supposed to do! We had the crème brûlée for dessert (lemon flavor) and a side of ice cream with our carrot cake. They also bought out a two-bite salad after our main course, and like I mentioned above, you can certainly taste the difference in farm-to-table ingredients vs store-bought! We ordered the sourdough bread with salted butter to start, and they provided a little apple cider palate cleanser before the main meal. Annie was our server and was extremely friendly and helpful with our menu choices. Will definitely be back! The menu is seasonal, so be sure to make this a regular spot to take advantage of all the amazing dishes this chef creates! Oh, and the cute soap in the bathroom is a nice boutique-y touch!

Eriberto Ramirez

First and foremost, I would like to begin this review by addressing that the menu does change. Moving on from that, I am at a loss for words for how beautiful this restaurant is in terms of the people it employees, the atmosphere, the decor, and the food. Even as people were walking by, they would often stop to simply admire the outside of the restaurant. I honestly feel, that if you are in need of a restaurant that provides both an intimate and budget-friendly dining option for a special occasion or to celebrate love itself, you will find yourself in the right place.

Wow! Just Wow! We dined at Collette’s for the first time last night. What a delight! Their Spanish tapas night was outstanding. Every one of the eight dishes was beautiful and delicious. And the service was exceptional. Will definitely be back to enjoy their French and Italian offerings. 😋👏😋👏😋

Took my parents to dinner as a farewell because they headed to Costa Rica for a couple months. The place is small, but very comfortable proportions are a good size. The prosciutto was a little bit hard to share. I feel like it needs tongs or something. Brussels sprouts were very good. Lots of bacon lots of flavor. The steaks were the reason we went and were the reason for the five stars great steaks, great accompaniment. The staff was great at recommending wine and providing everything we needed for service. The desserts were a very unexpected delight, very rich, the chocolate pot. The cream was thick and rich, but light and delightful. The crème brûlée had a very thick caramelized sugar crust. Both of my parents couldn’t stop raving about the food. I’m very impressed and I will be back with friends. Thank you to the staff.

This is hands down the best restaurant in Escondido and possibly even San Diego. Every single dish is well thought out and unique. The chef goes above and beyond from the appetizers to the dessert. I am so grateful to have found this gem. Our second time there and I’m already looking forward to returning.

Food is made with love and the service is fantastic. Little pricey, but worth it for a night out with your partner.

Annie served us and was really nice and helpful with her knowledge of the menu.

What a lovely restaurant! Excellent drinks and service! We’ll be back soon.

Amazing!!

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.

We went to Collette’s for Christmas Eve dinner, and we will certainly be back. Inside and out, the ambiance feels upscale but comfortable. The farm to table concept is fun, especially because the menu lists the current farms they’re sourcing from. The food was all incredible, but the Beef Wellington in particular was to die for—juicy, flavorful and cooked perfectly. Our waitress, Annie, and the rest of the team were attentive and went out of their way to make sure we had a good experience. My glasses, both wine and water, were never empty. When the kitchen was a little bit backed up (because everybody was ordering the beef on the pre fixe menu) they brought us festive cocktails on the house. They didn’t have the bottle of wine I wanted in stock, so they gave me a bottle usually 4x the price for the same amount. And when we didn’t finish the champagne, they carved the cork on the champagne bottle so it would fit back in and we could bring it home with us. Highly recommend Collette’s for a nice dinner out or for any special occasion.

Every dish was amazing. Their peach salad to die for. The mussels dish was amazing. The broth was sooo good. Had to order bread just to dunk into the broth. Lobster ravioli with corn was unbelievable It was a little expensive but well worth it. Everything was fresh .vegetables & fruit were So good. Definitely coming back. Wine selection also good. I’m bringing my friends

Jose Macias

Food is made with love and the service is fantastic. Little pricey, but worth it for a night out with your partner.

Sandra Villegas

Every dish was amazing. Their peach salad to die for. The mussels dish was amazing. The broth was sooo good. Had to order bread just to dunk into the broth. Lobster ravioli with corn was unbelievable It was a little expensive but well worth it. Everything was fresh .vegetables & fruit were So good. Definitely coming back. Wine selection also good. I’m bringing my friends

AJ

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.

Megan Edgcomb

Amazing!!

V R

Annie served us and was really nice and helpful with her knowledge of the menu.

Roberto Pollorena

Took my parents to dinner as a farewell because they headed to Costa Rica for a couple months. The place is small, but very comfortable proportions are a good size. The prosciutto was a little bit hard to share. I feel like it needs tongs or something. Brussels sprouts were very good. Lots of bacon lots of flavor. The steaks were the reason we went and were the reason for the five stars great steaks, great accompaniment. The staff was great at recommending wine and providing everything we needed for service. The desserts were a very unexpected delight, very rich, the chocolate pot. The cream was thick and rich, but light and delightful. The crème brûlée had a very thick caramelized sugar crust. Both of my parents couldn’t stop raving about the food. I’m very impressed and I will be back with friends. Thank you to the staff.

Tenai Klott

What a lovely restaurant! Excellent drinks and service! We’ll be back soon.

Abigail Chamberlain

This is hands down the best restaurant in Escondido and possibly even San Diego. Every single dish is well thought out and unique. The chef goes above and beyond from the appetizers to the dessert. I am so grateful to have found this gem. Our second time there and I’m already looking forward to returning.

Susan Walker

We went to Collette’s for Christmas Eve dinner, and we will certainly be back. Inside and out, the ambiance feels upscale but comfortable. The farm to table concept is fun, especially because the menu lists the current farms they’re sourcing from. The food was all incredible, but the Beef Wellington in particular was to die for—juicy, flavorful and cooked perfectly. Our waitress, Annie, and the rest of the team were attentive and went out of their way to make sure we had a good experience. My glasses, both wine and water, were never empty. When the kitchen was a little bit backed up (because everybody was ordering the beef on the pre fixe menu) they brought us festive cocktails on the house. They didn’t have the bottle of wine I wanted in stock, so they gave me a bottle usually 4x the price for the same amount. And when we didn’t finish the champagne, they carved the cork on the champagne bottle so it would fit back in and we could bring it home with us. Highly recommend Collette’s for a nice dinner out or for any special occasion.

Food and service were quite good but not worth the price. Very expensive for small-ish portions and food that is tasty but not amazing. No bread served with dinner. Service was excellent but slightly rushed. Enjoyable experience but overall the prices were not in accordance with the value and the prices were not well disclosed.

Bryan Musicar

Food and service were quite good but not worth the price. Very expensive for small-ish portions and food that is tasty but not amazing. No bread served with dinner. Service was excellent but slightly rushed. Enjoyable experience but overall the prices were not in accordance with the value and the prices were not well disclosed.