Review Le Colonial - Chicago

Upscale Vietnamese fusion cuisine at one of the fanciest streets in Downtown Chicago. The food has a very balanced taste, just the perfect amount of "delicious". This goes for the small plates (appetizers), large plates and desserts. Food is so good in fact, that I completely forgot to take pictures for this review. Completely fabulous experience. Patricia, our waitress, made our experience even more fantastic with her welcoming attitude and deep knowledge of the recipes and pairing wines. There is a dress code displayed in writing... DRESS UP to the occasion!

I did last minute booking at this restaurant, but had great experience. Food portion overall was on the smaller side, but it sure was tasty. I really enjoyed pho and wide noodles! Atmosphere was really pretty and nice. Servers and all workers were super friendly too. Would definitely go back sometime soon.

I am a fan of French Vietnamese cuisine. I came in for lunch and loved everything about Le Colonial Chicago. From the area, the lobby entrance taking the elevator to the reception / hostess area. Great service, even better food, and a nice ambiance with an affluent clientele. Posted are the pictures of what we ordered.

Very expensive but very delicious. They don't strictly enforce the dress code (not during lunch anyway) but it did seem they were sitting more casually-dressed people in one room. I'd recommend wearing business casual just in case. The butter noodles were amazing, as were the snapper and the duck.

Elevated Vietnamese fare, executed with finesse under the guidance of a native Vietnamese chef. Recently took a visit for a Saturday lunch. The ambiance of Le Colonial oscillated between elegance and casual charm. While the main dining area exuded the sophistication reminiscent of upscale Vietnamese eateries, the glass-roofed terrace offered a breezy escape. We started off with two of their seasonal cocktails - Mua He and Mua Thu, representing summer and autumn respectively. A great blend of tropical fruit flavors, these drinks were as refreshing as they were colorful. The Mua Thu, with its subtle sweetness, was slightly better. For appetizers, we chose the Hanoi Beef pho and baby back ribs. While both were good, they weren't groundbreaking. The pho, however, stood out with its clear and grease-free broth, reminiscent of the authentic ones I've tried in Hanoi. The highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the fried snapper. Though pricey, the dish justified its cost with its flawless presentation and taste. Encased in a light, crispy batter, the snapper retained its moisture and tenderness. The accompanying sauce and vegetable toppings added layers of flavor, making the dish fragrant and extra crunchy. Overall, a delightful culinary experience, blending authenticity with contemporary flair. Highly recommend visiting for anyone seeking a gourmet Vietnamese experience.

I must confess, Le Colonial has become my not-so-secret obsession. I've been there a lot and I don't plan on stopping. This place is like a siren calling me back for more, and I surrender gladly. The food at Le Colonial is like a love affair between France and Vietnam, and I'm just a third wheel in this culinary romance. Their dishes are so unique that I'd bet my last spring roll you won't find them anywhere else. It's like the chefs got together and decided, "You know what would be amazing? Let's combine these two fantastic cuisines and make taste buds all over the world do the cha-cha." And they succeeded! The flavors are so complex and exciting that my taste buds do a conga line every time I take a bite. Now, let's talk about the interior – it's the kind of place you walk into and immediately wonder if you've accidentally stepped into a time machine set for "Colonial Indochine Elegance." It's like being on the set of an old-school movie, and I half-expect Humphrey Bogart to appear at the bar with a fedora and trench coat. The ambiance is so cool; it's basically the James Bond of restaurants. But it's not just the food and decor that keep me coming back. The service at Le Colonial is so good; they practically read your mind. I once dropped a napkin, and before I could even contemplate the physics of bending over to pick it up, a server appeared out of nowhere with a fresh one. It's like they have a sixth sense for hospitality – "The Server Sense," if you will. And the waitstaff is incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. They could probably recite it backwards in their sleep while juggling flaming knives. Not that they do that, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did – they're that good. I can't recommend Le Colonial enough. It's like the best-kept secret that I just can't keep to myself, even though I secretly want to. So, if you're looking for a dining experience that's a perfect blend of fantastic food, a time-travel-worthy interior, and service that's smoother than a silk scarf, look no further. Just promise me you won't become as addicted as I am – I need to make sure there's still room for me at that fabulous colonial-inspired table!

8/26/23: The food is decent (had the chicken dumplings, fried red snapper, pho, Vietnamese coffee) but the rum chocolate cake is the stand out. So food is 4 stars but the excellent decor bumps it to 5 stars.

The combination of flavors in every dish were superb. We didn't have reservations, but were able to get seating at a small table by the fireplace. Even though it's an out of the way pocket, the staff were very attentive to us. Food came quickly and so did the drinks.

Lovely Authentic Vietnamese food. Great spicy (hot) level, awesome fresh food. Lots of options for vegeterians. The place is very clean and attract, also the vibe inside. Nice dessert menu options and honorable wine menu for all tastes.

Will definitely go back. Food was great. Lots of different unique flavors. Service was a little slow, but once the food started to roll out it came out fast.

Gorgeous upscale Vietnamese restaurant! Whoever designed this interior space deserves an award! You are instantly transitioned to another world upon entering the dining area. I love airy and bright dining area in the “atrium”. We were seated in another room, which was dark, moody, and romantic. The service was great. The food was fantastic. I enjoyed the Pho Bo way more than I thought I would! I felt like I cheated the mom and pop pho restaurants on argyle in Uptown! The baby back ribs were tender, and the meat fell right off the bones. Everything was great and I would definitely come hear again! The restaurant noted a dress code, but as long as you’re not in swim/athletic attire you should be good!

We always love dining at Le Colonial. We choose to sit in the bar area because we love the atmosphere. The service is always fast and friendly and they are very accommodating with special requests. The food is fresh and delicious.

Overall experience was decent. Food and service were good. It’s definitely a beautiful restaurant. However, the pho was pretty average even a bit below average. In traditional standpoint, it’s not very authentic, in the fusion perspective, I didn’t see any creativity or delicate technique. It’s not bad, but I expect more.

Walked in last minute after biking and we were nervous about the dress code but they were super nice. REALLY a pretty place and much fancier than we thought. The food was out of the world. We loved the beef pho prob my favorite pho ever had. The beef was soft and tender and cooked in the broth. The short ribs were out of this world. Perfect size and flavored with viet flavors with cabbage and peanuts. Must get the ribs. The pan fried dumplings were overrated but decent for sure. Red snapper came out as a huge fried fish but the service was great he deconstructed it for us. Garlic noodles were garlicly and the cream brûlée was delicious ofc. 10/10 experience will go back.

A beautiful place with lots of natural lighting and amazing food. The price is a bit high but it is definitely worth a stop. Some of the dishes are authentic and full of flavors. The pho soup is light and absolutely delicious. However, it is very small compare to actual Vietnamese restaurants. My all time favorite is the red snapper. It is crispy, sweet and savory all in one bite.

Le Colonial really lives up to its name. Right from the ambience to the food they serve everything here is top notch. We visited here with few friends and they were really impressed with the options they had here and the staff here was really helpful as well. We tried the Cha Guo Chay crispy vegetable noodles,sui cao chien pan -seared chicken dumplings, salad and Banh Xao tofu. Each of these items had their own flavour which stood out and was really yummy and fulfilling. If you are looking for a place with really good Vietnamese food then this place should definitely be on your list of places to visit in chicago.

I love Vietnam cuisine. We ordered pho and broth was really good but portion was small to fill me. Appetizer and duck dish was amazing as well. Desserts were exceptional, especially mango & coconut thing :) I would like to visit again!

This is probably one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Chicago. Everything is very tasty. The Pho Bo definitely must try, the broth tastes with a strong flavor and the beef is very tender. The atmosphere is very upscale. However, a couple of comments, first is the green curry which is very good but it doesn't come with plain rice so how can anyone enjoy it? The price isn't cheap so my expectation is it should include the best experience. In addition, the bus boy keeps rushing the clean up empty plates. Other than that, it's a good restaurant and I probably will come again.