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Le Colonial
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Le Colonial
8.7
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Business Lunch Power Players
Since 1996, Le Colonial has served refined French-Vietnamese cooking in an elegant Gold Coast row house overlooking Oak Street. Guests pair shaking beef, oxtail pho, and chicken curry with attentive service in a palm-filled, white-tablecloth dining room used for date nights, client dinners, and special occasions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bo Luc Lac (shaking beef), Pho Bo with oxtail broth, Chicken curry (Cari Ga)
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 9.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: A long-running Gold Coast institution marrying white-tablecloth service with polished French-Vietnamese classics and a transportive 1920s colonial-style room.
Who should go: Couples and groups seeking upscale Vietnamese in a polished setting.
When to visit: Prime weekend evenings for peak energy and terrace views.
What to order: Bo Luc Lac shaking beef, oxtail pho bo, chicken curry.
Insider tip: Reserve the terrace or upstairs lounge for a quieter, more intimate experience away from the main dining room.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Evening valet is typically available along Oak Street; street parking is limited and meters can be difficult during peak hours.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets and dresses fit the room, upscale jeans are acceptable.
Noise level: Moderate — lively during peak hours but conversation is still manageable at most two-tops.
Weekend wait: Often fully booked; without a reservation expect a 45–75 minute wait or bar seating only.
Weekday lunch: Generally minimal wait with reservations rarely required.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several small plates, salads, and entrées can be prepared vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Limited — 1–2 dishes may be adapted, but sauces and curries often contain dairy or fish products.
Gluten-free options: Yes — staff can guide substitutions and many rice-based dishes are naturally gluten-friendly, though there is no separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the refined, palm-filled dining room and attentive service create a polished, romantic setting that works especially well for thoughtful, conversation-forward dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possibly — the bar and lounge may have limited space for walk-ins, but prime weekend evenings typically require advance reservations for dining-room seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — older kids and teens are fine during earlier seatings, but the atmosphere skews adult and special-occasion rather than casual family dining.
Best For
Better for: Upscale Vietnamese with polished service, elegant ambience, and consistency for client dinners, anniversaries, and milestone occasions.
Skip if: You’re seeking casual Vietnamese street-food pricing, very large portions, or a strictly vegan-leaning menu.
Le Colonial
8.9
Le Colonial is a long-running French-Vietnamese dining room where polished service and Saigon-era cooking meet a refined Oak Street setting. Pho Bo shares the menu with classics like shaking beef, spring rolls, and whole fish, making it one of the few places in 60611 where a bowl of pho feels genuinely special. It’s used as much for client lunches as for dressed-up date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Bo - Hanoi Beef Noodle Soup, Bo Luc Lac (Shaking Beef), Banh Uot - Sesame Beef Rolls
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 9
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 9.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: An upscale French-Vietnamese institution where richly layered pho sits alongside classic Saigon-era dishes in a polished townhouse setting.
Who should go: Date nights and small groups craving upscale Vietnamese off Oak.
When to visit: Evenings for buzzy room; weekday lunches for calmer, quicker service.
What to order: Pho Bo, Bo Luc Lac, Banh Uot sesame beef rolls.
Insider tip: Ask for a table on the terrace or in the lounge if you want a slightly quieter experience than the main dining room while you linger over pho.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet is typically available along Oak Street during dinner service; nearby garages are the most reliable option and street parking is limited, especially after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets, dresses, and polished footwear fit the room; upscale jeans are acceptable but feel secondary to business-casual attire.
Noise level: Moderate — lively buzz in the main dining room, but you can generally hold a conversation; terrace and lounge areas are slightly quieter.
Weekend wait: Reservations are strongly recommended; without one, waits can stretch 45–60 minutes or longer at peak times.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait with a reservation; walk-ins are often seated quickly outside peak business-lunch windows.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several appetizers, salads, and mains can be ordered meat-free or are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can be adapted with modifications; best to confirm with the server.
Gluten-free options: Many items can be prepared gluten-free on request; staff is accustomed to guiding substitutions, but there is not a separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the refined townhouse setting, attentive service, and balanced noise level make it feel special without being overly formal, especially if you request the terrace or lounge.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — weekday lunches and early evening seatings are your best chance; for prime weekend dinner slots, walk-ins should expect a significant wait or bar seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally family-friendly at lunch, but it skews adult-oriented in the evening; older kids and teens are fine, while very young children may feel out of place during peak dinner service.
Best For
Better for: Polished service, refined ambiance, and an elevated take on French-Vietnamese classics — including a pho experience that feels occasion-worthy in a luxury setting.
Skip if: You want casual, budget-friendly pho, very large portions, or a fast in-and-out meal — more relaxed Vietnamese spots will be a better fit.
Le Colonial
8.6
Le Colonial is a Gold Coast institution for French-Vietnamese cooking in a two-level townhouse with a quieter daytime terrace ideal for client lunches. Service and ambiance skew formal but comfortable, making it a go-to when you need polished hospitality and a sense of occasion without feeling stuffy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bo Luc Lac Shaking Beef, Signature Fried Rice, Crispy Shrimp & Pork Rolls
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Refined French-Vietnamese classics served in a lush, townhouse-style setting.
Who should go: Clients who appreciate quieter rooms and white-tablecloth polish.
When to visit: Weekday lunch in the terrace room for softer noise levels.
What to order: Bo Luc Lac, Signature Fried Rice, Crispy Shrimp & Pork Rolls.
Insider tip: Request the upstairs terrace or window tables when booking for more privacy during sensitive conversations.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site lot; most guests use nearby paid garages along Rush St. and Delaware Pl. Street parking is limited and competitive, especially after 5pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — blazers, dresses, and polished attire fit the room; elevated jeans are generally acceptable at lunch.
Noise level: Moderate-quiet at lunch with easy conversation; evenings can become livelier but still manageable for business discussion.
Weekend wait: Reservations are strongly recommended; walk-ins may face 30–60 minutes or be waitlisted during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically seated on time with a reservation; walk-ins usually have little to no wait outside peak corporate dining windows.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several accommodating options, including vegetable-forward small plates and mains; staff can guide substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited but possible with modifications — mention preferences when ordering to adjust sauces and dressings.
Gluten-free options: Multiple dishes can be prepared gluten-conscious on request; sauces and marinades should be confirmed with the server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the refined townhouse setting, attentive service, and softer lunchtime or early-evening rooms create an elegant, low-pressure atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — the bar and limited walk-in tables may be available at off-peak times, but for business lunches and weekends, booking ahead is the safer move.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids and teens who are comfortable in formal dining rooms; there is no dedicated children’s menu and the vibe is oriented toward adults and business diners.
Best For
Better for: Polished hospitality, privacy-friendly terrace seating at lunch, and refined French-Vietnamese classics delivered with consistent pacing for client meetings and quiet celebrations.
Skip if: You want a casual, budget-focused meal, highly adventurous modern dining, or a loud, high-energy scene — other Gold Coast spots may fit those needs better.