The nook of Homosexual and Excessive streets downtown retains getting higher and higher! Constructing on the presence of Brioso Espresso, Veritas and The Residents Belief, and Speck Italian Eatery, the intersection welcomed Hank’s Low Nation Seafood earlier this 12 months, and now Chouette French restaurant.
Chouette is dropped at us by the identical of us behind Hank’s and The Junto Lodge. It takes over the northeast nook of Homosexual and Excessive, within the area that was as soon as Brioso’s authentic dwelling (you possibly can see what it seemed like way back). It’s been utterly opened up, exposing the unique plaster ceilings, including a small mezzanine, and lightening the area with many extra home windows.
The attractive new bar options stained glass as a small accent piece. (And observe the Kronenbourg 1664 on faucet!)
The mezzanine actually transforms the area by drawing the attention up and providing an elevated view of the primary eating room.
It additionally hosts a small assortment of tables. It’s cozy and intimate up there!
Additionally they added a protracted, lined patio alongside Homosexual Avenue and wrapping partly across the nook to Excessive Avenue.
Throughout our dinner, we bought a beneficiant sampling of appetizers, major programs, desserts, and drinks.
To have a good time the restaurant’s opening, we have been handled to a style of champagne from Bollinger.
We began with a style of the gougères, very mild cheese puffs crammed with gruyère. They’re a pleasant starting, and you might simply snack on them all through your complete meal.
Just like the gougères, the applewood smoked bacon tarte flambée is wealthy with out being heavy. The skinny crust can be topped with onion and crème fraîche.
The soiled French caesar salad combines little gem lettuces with inexperienced olives and an herbed French dressing.
I don’t typically go for steak tartare, however I’d order it extra typically if it was like Chouette’s model. Theirs options tender angus beef blended with cured egg yolk, crispy shallots, and chives, served with house-made potato crisps.
I suppose it wouldn’t be a French restaurant with out escargots, proper?
I can’t recall the final time I had escargots. They’re tender and properly seasoned with parsley, lemon, and garlic butter.
Chouette after all includes a full cocktail menu and sturdy wine checklist, plus beer and ciders. Kudos to them for that includes cocktails sans alcohol, too. That is the Moulin Rouge with Ritual Zero Proof aperitif, myrtle, raspberry, tonic, and soda.
The entrees at Chouette make a phenomenal unfold, from bouillabaisse to moules frites, linguine with butter-poached lobster to cauliflower steak.
The bouillabaisse Marseillaise will be ordered for one or two individuals. It’s loaded with lobster, bass, shrimp, and mussels in a saffron rouille. Remember to order further bread to soak all of it up!
Who’d have thought that rooster could be a spotlight, however the roasted heritage rooster was an actual standout. It was splendidly seasoned and tender, served with summer time greens in a lardons ragout.
So too with the crispy striped bass grenobloise. It was complicated with out being overly sophisticated. Completely cooked and served over cauliflower with capers, sorrento lemon, and croutons.
Chef Jacques Sorci mentioned he wished to characteristic authentically French recipes which can be considerate however simple, and I believe that’s borne out in dishes just like the bass and the rooster.
Fast pit cease for a cocktail!
After which dessert!
The peach melba was considered one of our desk’s favorites (which is saying one thing, given the general high quality). It’s meant for sharing. It combines vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, toasted almonds, and whipped cream.
The chocolate mousse makes use of Julia Youngster’s recipe, as a nod to her love of French cooking. It’s wealthy with mocha, hazelnut, and whipped cream.
The crepes suzette (pictured within the again) is one other winner. Completely folded crepes doused with orange sauce and Grand Marnier.
The apple tarte tatin is fantastically composed, served with vanilla bean ice cream and caramel.
It’s a deal with to pour the nice and cozy caramel sauce over the tarte.
If you happen to’re fortunate, you’ll catch a glimpse of the culinary crew at work.
Chouette is a welcome addition downtown! I like seeing the area remodeled and this new funding in downtown Columbus.
Chouette is presently open for dinner, Sunday-Thursday from 4-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 4-11 p.m. Lunch and brunch hours are coming quickly!
Chouette
66 N. Excessive St.
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 705-2665
Internet: chouetterestaurant.com
FB: Chouette
IG: @chouetterestaurant
