I've heard so many of my friends about Le Colonial so I had to come try it myself before I move out of Chicago. I came with three if my friends on a Wednesday night. We ordered a couple drinks to kick off the night. Not gonna lie, these drinks are STRONG. I ordered a mango margarita and my friend described it as "drinking straight tequila". We ended up getting a second round of drinks later in the night as well. My second was the papaya colada which was much sweeter and yummier. As for food, we started off with the gyoza and shrimp on sugarcane appetizers. They were both very yummy. The shrimp appetizer came with four and the gyoza one came with 6(?). For the main, I ordered the shaking beef. It was like a big steak salad, featuring juicy chunks of filet on a bed of greens dressed in a sweet dressing. The portion was quite filling. Nonetheless we still opted for a dessert - the chocolate cake (I forgot the name of it). This dish is a show in itself. The waiter lit the cake on fire and dropped a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. It was a bit small to split across 4 people but very delicious. Overall, everything was yummy but nothing blew my mind. I think maybe I had set really high expectations based on hearing everyone else's opinions and it felt short of what I was envisioning. Also not sure if the decorations and outfits of the hostesses are problematic...? read more

Le Colonial - Bo Luc Lac / Shaking Beef - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love the decor, the food, the service! All top notch. My favorite was the fresh spring rolls, just delightful. Kinda pricey but you're paying for an experience and was aware of that before going. In love with how elegant this place is, if you're thinking to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or graduation this is the place! Feels like a restaurant from another time. read more

Le Colonial - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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What delicious food. Amazing decor. It Felt a little stuffy. I sat at the bar to eat. The bar was not busy yet as I was there at 6pm. I had to flag down the bartender. I ordered a spicy margarita which was delicious. I had to wait a long time to get the bartenders attention again (he was busy on his phone). I ordered the chicken curry, which was absolutely amazing. The only problem was the service was very medium the bartender who took my order was less than enthusiastic. I had to flag him down again for the bill and at that point he perked up. you can guess why. Overall, I'm giving it a 4 (not 5) because the service was subpar. read more

Le Colonial - Chicken curry - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The service isn't what it used to be. We had a reservation for 5 and were seated at a very small table where the end flaps were pulled up. Two of us has our plates on end flaps that were tilted down at an angle and two of us were seated elbow to elbow on one side of a 4 person table. Our server rarely checked on us, mocktail orders were not delivered, extra taro chips were not delivered, water wasn't refilled etc... Our server actually left before we ordered dessert and passed us off to someone else that paid even less attention to us. He never introduced himself or checked on us. It was a very strange experience. 5 stars for the quality of the food, one star for service, 3 stars overall. Our bill was over $600. Side note, despite several notices online and in the restaurant about dress code, several patrons were dressed in old t-shirts, athletic wear, and flip flops - things have definitely changed. read more

My friend and I decided to come here for a quick dinner bite before returning to the hotel. I had no reservation, and I came here around 8:45 pm. There were no tables available, only a lounge table. We ordered the pho, beef salad, green beans, and eggplant. Everything was good except the beef salad. It was nice that the pho was split in half in the kitchen. The vegetables were good; they were not overcooked or too oily. However, this place was overly priced. French interior design restaurant that served Vietnamese food. read more

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Unbelievable ambiance and the perfect place to take a date. Food is a little overpriced but still outstanding. I'll definitely be back.

Excellent food - I really wonder at any negative review that didn't like the food! Green Curry Shrimp, Tuna Tartare, Sesame Beef Ravioli, and Bass. All were really good. Le Colonial is pricey but you know that coming in. Maybe the Bass is priced a bit high but the rest were fine. And they were all delicious! The staff were excellent and attentive. The room we were in, the first, is my kind of space: big windows which only got better as night came on and a vintage feel that was very comfortable. Drinks were delicious as was desert. On a Sunday night, the space was filled and fun. They've been here a while and know what they are doing. read more

Le Colonial is worth the hype!! Everything was amazing and the whole table agreed it was a 5/5 experience. Cocktails are pricey at around $18-20 but we all agreed were worth the cost for the entire experience. We started off with many shareables: Banh Cuon / Rice Noodle "ravioli" - light and flavorful. Egg Rolls (Cha Gio) - super crispy and came with an awesome dipping sauce Do Bien Tai Chanh / Seafood Ceviche - came with these taro? chips. Sui Cao Chien / Pan Seared Chicken Dumplings - can't say much bad about dumplings. They were crispy on the outside and bursting with flavor inside. Suon Nuong / Baby Back Ribs - great sauce, tender and everything ribs should be. The mains were also delicious as expected! The brussel spouts should not be missed! These were some of the best brussel sprouts I have had in a while. Overall, a great night. We would love to come back to Le Colonial! read more

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One of my favorite spots in the city. Upscale Vietnamese/ French style restaurant. I love how each of the sauce has its own twist on flavor. The blending of many spice ingredients brings out an unique and flavorful texture. My recommendations are of the most favored; chicken fried rice, whole Sea Bass or snapper, and pho beef soup. And the most delicious crème brûlée. read more

My review is very limited, based on my order size, but I loved what I had!! I had the scallop salad, which was so fresh and bright. I also had the eggplant side, which was warm and savory and complimented the salad well. My friend had the tapioca dessert, which looked delicious. This is a fancy place! Dress up! Next time, I'd love to come back and order cocktails and other dinner entrees. I was just aiming for something on the lighter side that night. Service was friendly and quick. I'll be back! read more

Vietnamese cuisine in a French setting. Interesting and unexpected combo worth a try. Food was good but at the Gold Coast prices and the setting I was disappointed with the overall presentation. The sui cao chien dumpling were super good and I did enjoy Cari Tom and Tom Xao Sate. I can't say this was the best Vietnamese food I had in the city but for Gold Coast it's just what everyone thinks they need. The white paper sheets over the top of the table does cheapen the experience. Since Vietnamese food uses plenty of sauces, the white paper quickly becomes covered in dark soy sauce dots and orange curry. For an upscale experience I would prefer dark color table covering that would better hide the unfortunate mess we all make when sharing chicken dumplings in a bed of black vinegar sauce. Our wait staff was very good. Our waitress changed in the middle of our dinner since she was helping out. Wish I remembered her name since she was super good. Very helpful and paid attention to details. Even ended up coming around at the very end, after the check arrived, with a small birthday desert for me. Who ever you are miss, you get 5 review stars. Unfortunately like most spots in Gold Coast this did not make my "must comeback" list. I do recommend you give it a try if you are lucky enough to find a table. read more

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Had an awesome time at Le Colonial! Our bartender Frankie was absolutely wonderful - so genuine and personable throughout our visit. He made excellent drinks and made sure we were taken care of. What really stood out was his food recommendations. The golden sunset was out of this world! We werent originally planning to get dessert but so glad we him them on the pineapple coconut cake and it was the perfect way to end our evening! The ambiance was warm and welcoming and you could tell that the staff really cares about giving everyone who dines there a perfect experience! Will be back! read more

Love the ambiance and decor of the place. Came with my family on a Saturday night and the restaurant was packed so definitely make a reservation if you can. It's clear as soon as you walk in that it's one of Chicagos iconic restaurants, as it should be. The service was great - our waiter made great recommendations and the food came out fairly quickly. For drinks we started with the Mango Margarita, the Lychee Martini, and the Mua Dong. All of the drinks were good but my favorite was the Mua Dong mocktail - really refreshing and wasn't overly sweet. For the small plates, we ordered the Cha Gio Chay (Crispy Vegetable Rolls), Ca Bam (Hanoi Style Monkfish), and the Goi Ngo Sen (Lotus Root Salad). Everything was super flavorful and cooked perfectly. The Ca Bam didn't have any residual "fishy" taste and the crispy crackers it was served with complimented the fish nicely. Both of the vegetarian options were also so yummy and very filling. For the larger plates, we ordered the Cari Tom (Green Shrimp Curry) and the Ca Hap (Steamed Sea Bass). We were also able to sub the chicken in the Cari Ga for tofu which was awesome. Table favorite was the Ca Hap - the glass noodles served balanced the flavor of the fish, and the fish was cooked perfectly. Both of the curries had great flavor but I think my favorite of the two was the Cari Ga. We also got sides of the Crispy Brussels Sprouts, and the Shiitake Mushroom Sticky Rice. Both of the sides were pretty basic but their textures offered something a bit different compared to other dishes we ordered. The portions for the food were very reasonable for the price at this type of restaurant. I think for 4 people we could've done with one less main dish as we did have quite a bit of leftovers to take home. Overall it was a lovely experience and the food was wonderful! Will be back for sure. read more

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I will have to upload more food pics later. This is a very trendy Vietnamese restaurant with french influence. Located around a shopping area, the exterior and interior were pretty luxurious. I felt a little underdressed but it's okay. We ordered food to share family style between the five of us and everyone chose a dish that they liked. Service was friendly here and they recommended dishes some noodle dishes and fish dishes for variety. read more

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Whether you like this restaurant or not will largely depend on context. I took my team here as a thank you dinner. We shared appetizers, larger dishes and desert. Let's start with apps. We got shrimp with pork roll, beef roll and chicken dumplings. Each dish is about 15 dollars and while nothing special, my team enjoyed them. For large dishes we got duck, snapper, fried rice and a side of pickled veggies. The rice and fish were yummy but the duck had no flavor and was under-seasoned. In addition, all these dishes were pretty cold by the time everything arrived. Considering that the duck dish was over $50 dollars and snapper close to $100 dollars, they were disappointing. I fond myself wishing that I was eating a duck soup and fried fish from the tiny neighborhood Vietnamese takeout restaurant by my house. To finish off the meal, we got ice cream and warm chocolate cake for desert and both were lovely. However coffee and tea were cold as well. If you are looking for a fancy night out but food is not the focus, this restaurant could work as an option. For me, the ambiance alone is not worth an almost $400 dollar bill with so many choices around. read more

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All I can say is wow. We had lunch here on a fluke and what a great fluke this was. The restaurant is in a nice area of downtown Chicago and the decor was perfect. Our meal was slow, in a good way, and we were able to relax during our experience. Our server was attentive and never a moment delay for anything we needed. I ordered the chicken dumplings and they hit the spot. Crispy, yet soft. My main course was the pho and it was my first time having pho. This was my favorite dish of all the restaurants I visited while in Chicago. Dessert isn't common for me, but who can resist crème brûlée? Certainly glad I ordered desert because it was heavenly. We'll definitely visit again when in the area. read more

Le Colonial - Crème brûlée - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Always such a pleasure. Wonderful staff, delectable menu and very professional. Wonderful for any occasion. Very clean and very aesthetically pleasing. read more

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The food was great but thought it was overpriced for what it was. As others had said, the restaurant is upscale and is nicely decorated inside. We came for brunch for a party of 8 adults and 1 toddler. When I tried to make a reservation, I was told they only can host up to 8 people. They were only able to accommodate my party because the child was small. If you're planning to come with over 8 adults, you might not be able to get a table. We got a variety to share - the food overall was very good and had a lot of flavor but I must say, coming from Los Angeles, it was not comparable to the Vietnamese food I'm used to, especially when comparing price value. Highly suggest coming here only if you don't mind paying for overpriced Vietnamese food and a nice lunch/dinner date spot. read more

Le Colonial - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food was amazing, the vibe was on-point, and our server, Ryan, was an absolute delight. We were running late, and he was attentive, efficient, and we can't wait to go back. I forgot my bag, and Ryan ran after me and saved the day!!! read more

If there were 10 stars, I would have given it a 10. The place is beautiful, very classy. The staff is very attentive. The food is over the top. We shared many dishes and each one had a different flavor and taste. They have valet parking. Parking is not easy. read more

I didn't know what to expect from this place... I didn't see any Vietnamese people, there were forks everywhere... But let me tell you, though small, the phở was actually good. We got the banh cuon and it was a bit dry but the flavors were good. The host was a bit weird... we didn't have a reservation but we also went in on a Monday at like 10 am... and he made it seem like a super big deal even though the restaurant never really got full. They also have signs that outline an expected dress code... but we had sneakers and flannels on so, it wasn't a huge deal. read more

In a nutshell... you can find identical Vietnamese cuisine at a lower price point--you are paying for the fancy sounding name and the ambiance. I received multiple recommendations to try out Le Colonial while visiting Chicago so I thought why not?! Upon entering, I was very impressed by the fragrant lilies in the lobby and the gorgeous space... but that was about it. Upon looking at the menu, I was confused by two things: 1. Where is the French influence on the menu... except the space? 2. What can I get here that I can't at any other restaurant? Don't get me wrong - the food was delicious! They do Vietnamese food justice... but as someone who has frequented many, MANY Vietnamese restaurants I could not fathom paying the prices on the menu for the EXACT same dishes I could get anywhere else. It took us a long time to order because we couldn't wrap our heads around the price & menu options. Now, enough ranting... I think you get my point. Even still, this was a special occasion for my friends and I so we made the best of it. We ordered: FOOD - Ca Tim Nuong (side of Grilled Japanese Eggplant)* - Goi Cuon (Grilled Shrimp Rolls) - Seared Scallop Salad* - Green Shrimp Curry - Chicken Curry* - Side of Rice (because the curries don't come with rice, so plan ahead if you want this dish) DRINKS - Lychee Paloma* - Thai Chili Margarita* * = my recommendations Their drinks were delicious!! Nothing but great things to say about the Lychee Paloma, and the Margarita was surprisingly good! I'm not a spicy drink person - but the spice was done right here. The eggplant and seared scallop salad were my favorite food items of the evening. The eggplant was grilled perfectly and the sauce was delicious. Same for the seared scallop salad - it is a must order here, I only wish they had more scallops! Perhaps I'm not the audience for this restaurant and I would not come back here - but if you are looking to have fine dining at a Vietnamese place this is it! It boasts some gorgeous views by the window and interior, and is a lovely spot! I should also add, our waiters were incredibly kind! read more

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Always a favorite for myself and my family. The decor is beautiful. Lots of Asian influence and much more spacious than its previous location. The food is authentically Vietnamese with a French twist. Don't forget to order their cocktails which are unusual but delicious. The best appetizers in my opinion are the sugar cane shrimp as well as the fried spring rolls although the ceviche is outstanding as well. Filet mignon as an entree is always excellent as well. Wait staff are very professional and attentive even when the restaurant is busy which is pretty much most evenings and over the weekends. read more

Le Colonial - Cha Gio - Crispy Shrimp & Pork Rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The place is beautiful feels like the old Chicago. It's a very crowded restaurant. Everyone was very nice and professional. Drinks could be better I believe their specialty is wines but I wish they had more variety when it came to drinks. read more

Le Colonial - Banh Uot - Sesame Beef Rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After hearing wonderful things about Le Colonial, I finally was able to spend an evening with a friend for dinner here. From the moment you step on the elevator to go up, to entering the restaurant, you feel the luxurious history of the building. The ambiance embodies the classic element of being in such an old Chicago building which I loved. The service was excellent and very accommodating. Nothing stood out specifically but I appreciated how timely everything was, despite how busy the restaurant got. The food was delicious and I'll be dreaming of the lychee martinis I had. The Cha Gio Chay was flaky, crispy, and flavorful as was the Sui Cao Chien. The Suon Nuong had a good amount of meat on them and we were even given warm towels afterwards to clean our hands with. All apps came with just enough for two people to share evenly. For a main, we shared the Banh Xao and I enjoyed a bowl of the Pho Bo. It was hard to choose a favorite but I took the Banh Xao home for leftovers and ended up eating them that same night so it's safe to say that was the standout dish for me. However, the Pho Bo left me warm and happy on a cold evening. Le Colonial is a great place if you're celebrating something special or just want to splurge on a nice meal like I did. I can't wait to come back when I'm looking to treat myself again. :) read more

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My mom and I came here on a Tuesday at 12pm as soon as they opened. We didn't need a reservation, but we were surprised at how quickly the restaurant filled up with other businesspeople on their lunch breaks. We got the rice noodle ravioli as an app, which was very flavorful and soft. I loved the texture and thought it was a decent portion size considering the price for an app. However, we thought the green shrimp curry, which was labeled as a large dish, would be bigger than how it came--it was the same size as an app and for $35, we were not satisfied. It had plenty of huge tiger shrimps mixed in and the flavor was great, but it was not spicy at all. We were disappointed that the jasmine rice for the curry had to be ordered extra on the side for $6. We were even more disappointed to find a small bug in the rice. The service was quick and considerate. It's a really pretty restaurant great to impress, and you really get the ambiance of fine dining without the price tag. Unfortunately, the price tag and the flavors of the food don't correlate enough for this to be a place I'd want to go back to. read more

Le Colonial - Cari Tom / Green Shrimp Curry - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I love this restaurant every time I've gone EXCEPT on Valentine's Day. We dined with a pre-fixed menu that was communicated but not shared what it would entail, which was price gauged, overpriced, and significantly small portions which lacked flavor. Over $400 dollars later, we left frustrated, still hungry, and feeling scammed for an appetizer, entree (a stirfry) that included white rice, and their sad attempt at a dessert which was $125 PER PERSON. Cocktails/every dish significantly marked up and lacked any dish I've had countless times that I know & love here but didn't receive. No issue with paying this price, but expect a much better standard of service, quality, and food. Throw your money away instead and it would feel better. Restaurant had many frustrated customers discussing displeasure with their Valentine's Day scam. read more

Le Colonial - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Needed a special place to celebrate a birthday and this place hit the spot. Elegant charming little Gold Coast restaurant. Dress is business casual and you'll encounter a mixed age crowd of trendy gen z's and fashionable much older people. The food is great and the service was even better. The curry was outstanding and the sugar cane shrimp and tuna tartar were standouts . We ordered a noodle dish which was good but nothing special. Wasn't a huge fan of the ceviche either but by no means was it bad. Everything was top notch and can't wait to return for another special occasion to try more menu items ( very pricey so it's the only thing preventing me from returning so fast). read more

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Beautiful ambience great food great service love everything about it I love going there with my friends, enjoying great food

One of my last stops in Chicago, this place is a hidden gem in the city. It's fairly difficult to find as you have to scale an elevator to reach the restaurant but once inside you are greeted to a cute dining space blending French diner and Vietnamese tones together. Now onto the food, the food was good overall. All the flavors are strong and the dishes were really good. Definitely a spot that's worth going to if you are on a date or in need to impress one. Overall, I liked the place but I personally don't think the prices are good compared to the portions and what you are getting but besides that, it is a spot worth checking out. read more

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The happy hours phenomenal! Everyone is so thoughtful. The environment on the second floor is so welcoming, and the food is astounding. And so are the cocktails. read more

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Everything on the menu is outstanding Been dining there and at there original location for over 16 yrs One of my top 5 places read more

Despite this being a "chain" of sorts with locations in Lake Forest and a few other cities outside Chicago, this is a Gold Coast gem for us. A true reliable staple. Amazing flavors. Great service. Well made cocktails. We go often, eat and drink at the bar, or enjoy a table by the front windows during the non-Winter months. read more

I really wish I went in person and didn't do delivery, because it doesn't do this place justice. But the pork and shrimp rolls were good; nothing to write home about. And the shaking beef was exceptional. Delivery charges through caviar were insane, but glad I tried this place out. read more

Le Colonial - Cha Gio / Crispy Shrimp & Pork Rolls, and Bo Luc Lac / Shaking Beef - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Whenever I travel to Chicago I have to come here. It is by far one of the best dining experiences I have ever had and will probably ever have! The food is just immaculate. When you arrive, you enter what feels like an fancy apartment lobby. You take the elevator one floor up, and this wait builds up the excitement. Once on the restaurant floor, you are immediately greeted by the friendliest host in an elegant space. The bar is absolutely gorgeous, and it is worth taking a lap around the restaurant to check out its luxury. I will say though the decorations were fairly unsettling and could use some re-evaluation. Onto the food! Where do I even begin?! So first we started with some small plates, including the Pan Seared Chicken Dumplings and the Rice Noodle Ravioli. The dumplings were quite literally bursting with delicious umami flavors and the sear created a perfect yet delicate crisp on the bottom. Best dumplings ever. The Rice Noodle Ravioli melted in my mouth and we're drowning in delicious sauces. They were such a fun noodle to eat. Both were exceptional starters. For the main, we got the Noodle Stir-Fry, the Roasted Half Duck, and the Shaking Beef. The Noodles soaked up the delicious spicy sauce and were perfectly cooked (tasted like Drunken Noodles almost). The Roasted Duck fell off the bone it was so tender and packed with flavor. The sauces also complimented the meat so well. I saved the absolute best for last: the Shaking Beef. It truly deserves its own paragraph! The tender and caramelized beef melted in my mouth and had the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Just wow. The preparation was unmatched. My boyfriend and I literally traveled the country and even after visiting numerous restaurants from coast to coast, we found this dish to be unparalleled. Nothing we ate compared to how we felt after indulging in this entree. Nothing. Overall, this is a MUST try in Chicago. The food here literally changed my life and how I view fine dining. The prices are a little high, but you are paying for what you are getting considering how well-prepared everything was and how incredible the staff was. I am not sure if this place is considered authentic by any means, and I hope that they are considering how they are not and how they can create a positive experience for all. read more

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We have been eating here since it was located on Rush. We live the new restaurant on the second floor. Feels like you are in Vietnam. Great place to share plates so you can try all the amazing dishes! read more

Stepping into Le Colonial transports you to an island where you feel welcomed and relaxed. We had reservations however decided to dine at the bar. Our drinks were lovely to start with. My colleagues and I decided to try a bit of different items to share. We went with the Shaking beef (mind you I'm not that big of a beef eater) but this was divine. Juicy tender pieces of beef accompanied with veggies...so yum. The Chicken stir-fry...was good but not as tasty as the beef. Also, the Ceviche! A different take on what a typical ceviche is. This one was delicious with the different flavors. It was so good. I highly recommend it. The dumplings was good as well but nothing you can't get somewhere else. I really think the star of this show was the beef. I can't wait to try the location back at home in Florida. Bar seating service 9/10 Food 10/10 Ambience 10/10 read more

From the first impression after stepping off the elevator to the host stand, I was greeted with a spiel about dress code. No hello, no welcome. I had a reservation, and read the sign upon arrival, but continued because they stated they don't enforce the dress code on the outdoor patio. Great, I thought. It was 86 degrees and incredibly muggy in Chicago I was in golf shorts and a tank top. She continued and stated that she would make a one time exception because I had a reservation. She seated me outside on the patio, which according to the policy, the dress code shouldn't matter anyway. The space is beautiful, however the menu I was handed was dirty, the plate was wet with dish sanitizer and the silverware had water stains. Food was good albeit inconsistent. The beef ravioli, the mushroom rice were good. The green beans were so mushy and overcooked. Service was....fine. Very old school fine dining which felt out of place on a patio for lunch. When the servers didn't have anything to do, they just stood in the corner, hands behind their backs, staring at the patio motionless. Everything about this place makes you feel self-conscious. For how beautiful the design is, everything else about this restaurant lacks warmth. The management team should take a long hard look at what hospitality means. All in all, the space was BEAUTIFUL. There were barely any guests there. Maybe that is the aesthetic they were going for. I was so incredibly excited about visiting this restaurant, and after this experience definitely do not recommend this spot. There are so many incredible restaurants in Chicago, go somewhere that is happy you are there. read more

Service is slow, but maybe that's alright, because the food was outstanding. Cocktails are pretty good, but don't stand up to the quality of the food. It was a little loud. The shaking beef and garlic noodles cannot be missed, both were truly outstanding. read more

Le Colonial - Ca Hoi Nuong / Roasted Salmon* Bo Luc Lac / Shaking Beef* Jasmine Rice Garlic Green Beans Mi Xao He / Garlic Noodles - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We were a large party, great menu for sharing food. Excellent service both accommodating and attentive. We ordered 5 different small plates and 5 entrees everyone was very happy. Very noisy atmosphere we were seated in the long outer room, difficult to hear your dining guests. read more