Le Colonial

Le Colonial

Owner

Transporting guests to another time and place, Le Coloinal vividly recaptures the beauty, romance, and spirit of French colonial Southeast Asia from the 1920's. Le Colonial is situated in the heart of Chicago's esteemed Gold Coast in a charming two-story vintage rowhouse. Le Colonial is heralded for its offering of two distinct atmospheres under roof. A 90 seat dining room is on the first level which is adorned with handsome, louvered shutters; potted palms and tropical banana trees; slow moving ceiling fans; tightly woven rattan chairs; and nostalgic black and white photos of life in Saigon during the turn of the century. A seductive Bar/Lounge on the Second Floor includes an enclosed Terrace overlooking the bustle of Rush Street for year-long enjoyment. Le Colonial serves authentic Vietnamese Cuisine seven days a week and is open for Lunch and Dinner.

Contributor

Citysearch

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 you--the menu doesn't mention that the steak's been diced into little pieces and stir-fried with yams and green beans. Wonderful. For dessert, the Vietnamese tapioca isn't like the American version, and that's just fine. It arrives in a bowl, deliciously warm and soupy, with chunks of banana and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.