The corner of Gay and High streets downtown just keeps getting better and better! Building on the presence of Brioso Coffee, Veritas and The Citizens Trust and Speck Italian Eatery, the intersection welcomed Hank’s Low Country Seafood earlier this year and now French restaurant Chouette.
Chouette is brought to us by the same people behind Hank’s and The Junto Hotel. It’s taking over the northeast corner of Gay and High, in the space that was once Brioso’s original home (you can see what it looked like a long time ago). It is completely open, exposing the original plaster ceilings, adding a small mezzanine and lightening the space with many more windows.
The lovely new bar features stained glass windows as a small accent. (And note the Kronenbourg 1664 on tap!)
The mezzanine really transforms the space by drawing the eye upwards and offering an elevated view of the main dining area.
It also hosts a small collection of tables. It’s cozy and intimate up there!
They also added a long, covered patio along Gay Street and a wrap around part way around the corner of High Street.
During our dinner we were served a generous sampling of starters, mains, desserts and drinks.
To celebrate the opening of the restaurant, we were treated to a tasting of Bollinger champagne.
We started with a taste of gougèresvery light cheese puffs filled with gruyere. They are a great starter and you can easily snack on them throughout the meal.
Similar to gougères, the tarte flambé with applewood smoked bacon is rich without being heavy. The thin crust is also garnished with onions and crème fraîche.
The dirty french caesar salad pairs baby gem lettuce with green olives and an herb vinaigrette.
I don’t often go for steak tartarebut I would order it more often if it was like the Chouette version. These include tender Angus beef mixed with a baked egg yolk, crispy shallots and chives, served with homemade potato chips.
I guess it wouldn’t be a French restaurant without it escargotright?
I can’t remember the last time I had escargot. They are tender and well seasoned with parsley oil, lemon and garlic.
Chouette, of course, has a full cocktail menu and a solid wine list, plus beer and cider. Kudos to them for offering non-alcoholic cocktails as well. That’s it Moulin Rouge with Ritual Zero Proof aperitif, myrtle, raspberry, tonic and soda.
Entrees at Chouette make a beautiful spread, from bouillabaisse to moules frites, linguine with butter-poached lobster to cauliflower steak.
The bouillabaisse marseilles can be ordered for one or two people. It’s full of lobster, sea bass, shrimp and scallops in a saffron roll. Be sure to order extra bread to soak it all up!
Who would have thought that chicken would be a highlight, but roast heirloom chicken was a real standout. It was wonderfully seasoned and tender, served with summer vegetables in a lardon ragout.
Likewise with crispy striped bass Grenobleise. It was complicated without being too complicated. Perfectly cooked and served over cauliflower with capers, Sorrento lemon and croutons.
Chef Jacques Sorcy has said that he wants to present authentic French recipes that are thoughtful but straightforward, and I think this is borne out by dishes like bass and chicken.
Quick stop for a cocktail!
And then dessert!
The peach melba was one of our table’s favorites (which is saying something considering the overall quality). It’s meant to be shared. Combines vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, toasted almonds and whipped cream.
The chocolate mousse used Julia Child’s recipe as a nod to her love of French cuisine. It is rich in mocha, hazelnut and whipped cream.
The crepe suzette (pictured back) is another winner. Perfectly folded pancakes drizzled with orange sauce and Grand Marnier.
The apple tart tatin is beautifully composed, served with vanilla bean and caramel ice cream.
It’s a pleasure to pour the warm caramel sauce over a tart.
If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the culinary team at work.
Chouette is a welcome addition downtown! I love seeing the space transformed and this new investment in downtown Columbus.
Chouette is currently open for dinner, Sunday-Thursday 4-10pm and Friday-Saturday, 4-11pm. Lunch and brunch hours are coming soon!
Schuette
66 N. High St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 705-2665
Website: chouetterestaurant.com
FB: Chouette
IG: @chouetterestaurant