A sultry, seductive destination.

(312) 957-4483

937 N Rush St (Walton Place)
Chicago, IL 60611 41.90017 -87.62724

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

www.lecolonialchicago.com

Hours:

Open Daily for Lunch: 11:30AM - 2:30PM

Dinner: Monday - Friday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm, Saturday: 5:00pm - 12:00am, Sunday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm

Price:

$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants, Lounges

Payment Methods:

American Express, Cash, Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Late Night Dining, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Outdoor Dining, People Watching, Online Reservations, Date Spot, Food Delivery, Private Parties

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Asian, Vietnamese

Smoking Permitted:

Lounge

Editor's Tips

Email Business

What People Are Saying About Le Colonial

The Owner

Le Colonial

Owner

Le Colonial is celebrating 15 years in Chicago's Gold Coast area at Rush and Oak street, just off Michigan Avenue. Within walking distance from many hotels, this noted upscale French Vietnamese restaurant transports guests to another time and place, vividly recapturing the beauty, romance and spirit of 1920?s French colonial Southeast Asia.The second floor is available for private dining and semi-private events in the main bar, lounge, and terrace. This area is adorned with plush couches, woven rattan chairs and potted palms and can accommodate up to 125 guests. Black and white photos of…

Provided by CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Recline beneath a palm tree in a cushy rattan chair and take in the luxurious surroundings, as fringed green lampshades glow with amber light and ceiling fans swirl in slow motion. The crowd is Gold Coast well-to-do downstairs, hip and young at the lively upstairs bar. – – The Food – Perfectly seared sea scallops are served over julienned green beans, bean sprouts and a nest of rice noodles, while wok-seared monkfish, a plate of tender morsels in green curry with lemon grass and peanuts, is one of Chicago's best appetizers. Filet mignon might surprise…

Editor's Tips

Look Good:
Skip the quiet downstairs dining room and scoot to the upstairs lounge, one of the sexiest bars in town. You can order from the full menu and exotic specialty cocktail list, and smoking is allowed.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The decor is beautiful and the waitstaff are pleasant and unintrusive.”
  2. “The atmosphere is good, a nice Gold Coast crowd.”
  3. “Although the ambience is nice (a bit too dark for my taste), this place is way over rated and one can get better and less expensive food elsewhere.”
  4. “The ambience was romantic and beautiful.”
  5. “It is a great spot for a romantic dinner.”
  6. “We've always eaten on the patio and the people watching is always fun!”
  7. “Although it's situated near the loud and busy Rush St area, it provides a nice intimate atmosphere inside.”
  8. “The ambiance and French Colonial Decor and combination of colored walls, candle light, white tablecloths, heavy silver and elegant china are complimented by old pre-war photgraphs of another erah in Vietnam.”
  9. “great atmosphere - beautiful dining room with casual outdoor dining option in the summer.”
  10. “The food is good and the atmosphere is comfortable.”
  11. “Amazing combinations of flavors and incredibly romantic.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “With her help in selecting drinks, appetizers, entrees and desserts we had a memorable meal.”
  2. “Price is very reasonable and dessert, coconut macaroon with vanilla ice cream is to die for.”
  3. “The service was pretty good, though a little slow at the end -- we waited around to order dessert but then ran out of time because they forgot to bring us menus.”
drinks
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “With her help in selecting drinks, appetizers, entrees and desserts we had a memorable meal.”
  2. “After a nice dinner, we went upstairs to the bar.”
  3. “great wine list and food.”
  4. “Anyway, real bad wine list.”
  5. “The bar and lounge is a wonderful place to relax and perhaps meet new people who enjoy the same wonderful experiences as you!”
  6. “usually like people who know about the food and wine; maybe I'm spoilt by these European trips.”
food quality
92.55000114440918% positive
  1. “First, I must say that the food was very good.”
  2. “Dishes are perfect for sharing, although one might not want to share because everything is just delicious.”
  3. “Overpriced food”
  4. “The server told us it's a "family style" restaurant and most people order "several" dishes apiece (@ $20).”
  5. “The fish is always fresh and yummy.”
  6. “The food was good, I liked it a lot but I had better and small neighborhood restaurants in LA and NYC.”
  7. “With her help in selecting drinks, appetizers, entrees and desserts we had a memorable meal.”
  8. “Great service; tasty food”
  9. “Not 'too' authentic if you want to try a safe dish, but there are also some unique options if you want to be adventurous.”
  10. “And the food is definitely authentic.”
  11. “Great food in the bustle of Rush Street”
  12. “The service and food were flawless.”
  13. “Good options including, vegatals and meat.”
  14. “The food is a fusion of the most delectable exotic sauces and textures topped off with the best of service.”
  15. “Wonderful food, great for group dinners and sharing plates.”
  16. “The food was so YUMMY!”
  17. “the food is very creatively made and there is great variety in the menu options.”
  18. “Fresh, flavorful cuisine”
  19. “Although the ambience is nice (a bit too dark for my taste), this place is way over rated and one can get better and less expensive food elsewhere.”
  20. “The food and service is also terrific.”
  21. “While this place is not the cheapest in town, you can have a good meal for about $40 per person.”
  22. “The chicken filled ravioli are the best ever.”
  23. “This place is just more proof that you can't get good, finely prepared asian food in Chicago.”
  24. “The spring rolls appetizer was very tasty.”
  25. “The combination of fish, mushrooms, sauce and pasta was so good.”
  26. “The menu was simply wonderful with many unique dishes to choose from.”
  27. “This place has the best Vietnamese / French cuisine.”
  28. “great wine list and food.”
  29. “The flavors and quality of the ingredients were wonderful though they did mess up some of the basics like the noodles in the bun (totally forgivable though because the pork on top was fantastic!)”
  30. “Good vegetable and meat options with Vietnamese influence.”
  31. “The food is always wonderful.”
  32. “Incredible food and service”
  33. “The food was excellent, the evening a complete success.”
  34. “had an okay(nothing spectacular) sea bass and my girlfrend had the worst dish possible 'mi xao do bien'.”
  35. “Excellent service, great food,extremely professional staff.”
  36. “Shrimp salad is awesome, though a bit spicey.”
  37. “Nothing like taking a bite of food with a waiters backside in your face.”
  38. “While the food was very good, the experience was that of a fast food restaurant.”
  39. “How I miss getting cheap good food in Asia!”
  40. “Le Colonial has incredible food and excellent service.”
  41. “It also give you the possibility of adventuring with some no usual dishes but also if you like "safe" dishes it could be not the best choise.”
  42. “All in all, the food is on par with the best in Chicago while the other facets of this Le Colonial are less than perfect, much less.”
  43. “The food is good and the atmosphere is comfortable.”
  44. “usually like people who know about the food and wine; maybe I'm spoilt by these European trips.”
  45. “This is the perfect place to grab a healthy and tasty lunch with friends in between some shopping.”
  46. “Appetizers were amazing-the beef strips, chicken w/mushrooms, and the beignets were absolutely delicious.”
  47. “am a very difficult customer to please and l must say l haven't felt like a princess since i arrived in chicago 2yrs ago until l dined at Le colonial with a friend of mine,the service was impeccable,both waiters were extremely attentive,polite,they serv”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The menu was simply wonderful with many unique dishes to choose from.”
  2. “Not 'too' authentic if you want to try a safe dish, but there are also some unique options if you want to be adventurous.”
  3. “the food is very creatively made and there is great variety in the menu options.”
  4. “Good options including, vegatals and meat.”
  5. “The service was pretty good, though a little slow at the end -- we waited around to order dessert but then ran out of time because they forgot to bring us menus.”
  6. “Good vegetable and meat options with Vietnamese influence.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is a great place to celebrate a special occasion.”
  2. “Although the ambience is nice (a bit too dark for my taste), this place is way over rated and one can get better and less expensive food elsewhere.”
  3. “We frequently drop large amounts of cash at great restaurants and this place is a joke.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “This is my favorite place to dine in Chicago and I have taken many of our friends and they always come back.”
service
94.73999977111816% positive
  1. “Nothing like taking a bite of food with a waiters backside in your face.”
  2. “Beautiful people meet at Le Colonial Bar!”
  3. “The server told us it's a "family style" restaurant and most people order "several" dishes apiece (@ $20).”
  4. “We've always eaten on the patio and the people watching is always fun!”
  5. “At the end of dinner,we had a chat with the manager and l could see why he had an excellent staff,he was humble,charming,kind and polite.”
  6. “The service was professional, helpful and efficient.”
  7. “am a very difficult customer to please and l must say l haven't felt like a princess since i arrived in chicago 2yrs ago until l dined at Le colonial with a friend of mine,the service was impeccable,both waiters were extremely attentive,polite,they serv”
  8. “The food and service is also terrific.”
  9. “They seated our party of 10 on time and the service was great throughout the night.”
  10. “The food is a fusion of the most delectable exotic sauces and textures topped off with the best of service.”
  11. “The service and food were flawless.”
  12. “usually like people who know about the food and wine; maybe I'm spoilt by these European trips.”
  13. “Great service; tasty food”
  14. “Excellent service, great food,extremely professional staff.”
  15. “The hostess is SO rude!”
  16. “Le Colonial has incredible food and excellent service.”
  17. “The bar and lounge is a wonderful place to relax and perhaps meet new people who enjoy the same wonderful experiences as you!”
  18. “The service was pretty good, though a little slow at the end -- we waited around to order dessert but then ran out of time because they forgot to bring us menus.”
  19. “Incredible food and service”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “Although the ambience is nice (a bit too dark for my taste), this place is way over rated and one can get better and less expensive food elsewhere.”
  2. “How I miss getting cheap good food in Asia!”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “The service was pretty good, though a little slow at the end -- we waited around to order dessert but then ran out of time because they forgot to bring us menus.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/15/10

Definitely is a place to go!

by jennc86 at Citysearch

Definitely is a place to go! Good options including, vegatals and meat. It also give you the possibility of adventuring with some no usual dishes but also if you like “safe” dishes it could be not the best choise. Nice outdoor dining in the summer!!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/25/09

Le Colonial...Elegant, Sophisticated and Hip! My Favorite!

by David Childs at Citysearch

The ambiance and French Colonial Decor and combination of colored walls, candle light, white tablecloths, heavy silver and elegant china are complimented by old pre-war photgraphs of another erah in Vietnam. Stunning and tasteful!

The food is a fusion of the most delectable exotic sauces and textures topped off with the best of service. An epicurian delight!

The bar and lounge is a wonderful place to relax and perhaps meet new people who enjoy the same wonderful experiences as you! Beautiful people meet at Le Colonial Bar! FIVE STARS!

  • Pros: One of the finest restaurants in the USA!
  • Cons: None
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/13/09

Incredible food and service

by matthewrolnick at Citysearch

Le Colonial has incredible food and excellent service. This is a great place to celebrate a special occasion.

  • Pros: Quality and service
4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/22/08

Great for something different

by ajblue at Citysearch

if you are tired of typical restaurants (the endless debate of Italian or Chinese) this is a great alternative. Good vegetable and meat options with Vietnamese influence. Not 'too' authentic if you want to try a safe dish, but there are also some unique options if you want to be adventurous.

great atmosphere - beautiful dining room with casual outdoor dining option in the summer.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/16/08

Sensational dining experience

by matthewross at Citysearch

Some might say I am crazy, but I enjoyed my dining experience at Le Colonial almost as Charlie Trotters. The food, service and ambiance were all sensational.

The Details on Le Colonial

Place Categories:

  • great food
  • great service
  • favorite takeout place
  • comfortable intimate atmosphere
  • worst dishes
  • wonderful dining experience
  • best french vietnamese
  • memorable meal
  • great vietnamese restaurant
  • good meat options
  • beautiful most people
  • beautiful ambience
  • amazing combination
  • beautiful dining room
  • nice dinner
  • bad wine
  • unintrusive waitstaff
  • wonderful quality
  • dessert price
  • truly amazing scallops
  • overpriced prepared asian food
  • professional staff
  • yummy fish
  • always fun people watching
  • delectable exotic sauces

Message from Le Colonial

  • Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine
  • Private Space Available
  • Lunch and Dinner 7 Days/wk

Le Colonial is celebrating 15 years in Chicago's Gold Coast area at Rush and Oak street, just off Michigan Avenue. Within walking distance from many hotels, this noted upscale French Vietnamese restaurant transports guests to another time and place, vividly recapturing the beauty, romance and spirit of 1920?s French colonial Southeast Asia.

The second floor is available for private dining and semi-private events in the main bar, lounge, and terrace. This area is adorned with plush couches, woven rattan chairs and potted palms and can accommodate up to 125 guests. Black and white photos of turn of the century life in Saigon set the stage for your next special event.

Le Colonial
Advertisement

Featured In

Recent Reviews In Chicago

1 Star Rating: Poor

La Fiesta

3333 W 111th St, Chicago, IL

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Chicago Chop House Inc

60 West Ontario Street, Chicago, IL

3 Star Rating: Average

La Scarola

721 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Salpicon

1252 N Wells St, Chicago, IL

Advertisement