Le Colonial

Address:
  937 North Rush Street
  Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: (312) 255-0088

Website: www.lecolonialchicago.com

Pricing: $$$

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Description:

Le Colonial is Chicago´s noted up-scale French Vietnamese restaurant which 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, featuring a main floor dining room, seasonal cafe on the first floor, and a bar, lounge and all-season terrace overlooking Rush Street on the second floor, all featuring savory authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

Designed by Greg Jordan, of Greg Jordan, Inc., Le Colonial transports guests to another milieu from a bygone era, to the enchanting tropical Southeast Asia from the 1920s. To re-create the mood and experience of this magnificent time and place in all its splendor, Mr. Jordan says, "I chose to design with unique tiled floors, crudely painted walls and antique mercury panels to keep the interior as simple, yet as elegant as possible." 

The ecru walls of the first-floor Dining Room are lined with handsome, louvered shutters. Comfortable, tightly-woven rattan chairs surround amply-spaced tables that provide seating for as many as 95 guests. The floor is tiled in a discreet Asian pattern. The 12 1/2-ft. ceilings feature delicate fans to gently cool the room, which is filled with lush, potted palms and graceful banana trees. Nostalgic photographs of life in Saigon during the 1920s cover the walls and lead guests up to a lively second floor Lounge.

Upstairs, there is a large mahogany Bar that serves cocktails for up to 30 guests. Sensual music fills the spacious room, which has an 8 1/2-ft. ceiling. Guests can sit at the Bar or in the 60-person Lounge, a comfortable, romantic oasis adorned with over-stuffed sofas,

Oriental rugs, low tables and antique furnishings.

Enhancing the restaurant’s exquisite ambiance and feel is the exceptional menu of authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Among the Appetizer and Petite Salad choices are Chao Tom, grilled shrimp wrapped around sugar cane with angel hair noodle, lettuce, mint and peanut sauce; Goi Ga Xoai, Grilled chicken with mango, mesclun greens, tomatoes, cucumber & tamarind dressing; and Banh Uot, grilled sesame beef over flat rice noodles, cucumber and fresh herbs.

Signature entrees include Ca Chien Saigon, Vietnamese crisp-seared whole red snapper with a light, spicy and sour; Sup Do Bien, Vietnamese bouillabaisse in lemongrass saffron broth, served with rice vermicelli; Ca Hap, Steamed fillets of Chilean sea bass, with cellophane noodles, oyster mushrooms, tomatoes, scallions, & fried ginger in a light ginger broth; Ca Nuong, grilled salmon with dill over vermicelli noodles; Bun Thit Nuong, barbecued pork over angel hair noodles; Cari Tom, sauteed jumbo shrimp with eggplant in a curried coconut sauce; and Bo Sate, sauteed filet mignon with sate spice, yams and string beans.

An expertly trained waitstaff assists guests in understanding the truly unique menu, and is always available to offer suggestions on complementary dishes. Reservations are confirmed with a telephone call, and two hours are allotted to each table to avoid a crowd of people waiting to be seated.

 

Heralded as "One of Chicago´s most romantic restaurants" LE COLONIAL has been the premiere French Vietnamese restaurant and lounge in Chicago since 1996. 

Le Colonial is open 7 days a week for Lunch and Dinner. Valet service is available for lunch and dinner Tuesday – Saturday and dinner only on Sunday and Monday.