Restaurant Colette to Offer French-Inspired Cuisine Just Steps Away from Washington Park

Chef Danny Combs outside the future home of Colette Photo: Provided by 3CDC

A French-inspired restaurant from chef Danny Combs will be making its home near Washington Park this summer or fall.

Colette will open in the space formerly occupied by Zula at the corner of Race and 14th streets, just steps from Washington Park, Music Hall and Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine. Combs said it took him almost a year to find the right space.

“I vividly remember how much I loved both the interior and exterior of the building,” Combs said in a release. “It has an old-world charm and warm feel, and when it became available, I knew I had to jump on the opportunity. It’s just such a great location – a perfect one for folks coming from or going to the theater.”

Combs comes from a background of old-world cuisine. He spent the last 12 years with Boca Restaurant Group where he developed his palate, voice of food and love for these kinds of dishes after starting as a sous chef and working his way up to leading the kitchens at both Boca and Sotto.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work and travel with some great people through the years. In that time, I’ve been able to develop my own palate and hope to share what I’ve learned along the way,” Combs said. “Now, I’m living out every chef’s dream – going out on my own to create my own voice while simultaneously building a culture of creativity and professionalism where people want to work, and guests want to eat. That’s what I’m most excited about – building a healthy culture for professionals who love this business, while giving our guests the best experience we can.”

The overall aesthetic of Colette aims to be warm and inviting and maintain a neighborhood feel. Combs is working with local design and architecture professionals, including Ron Novak of Drawing Department and Michelle Pinales, to recreate the Zula space into his vision. The bar and dining rooms will be updated, and two private dining rooms will be added. These private dining rooms can also be combined to accommodate large parties.

Colette is on track to open in late summer or early fall at 1400 Race St.