Le Colonial Review - Gold Coast - Chicago - The Infatuation

"This French-Vietnamese spot has been doing its thing since 1996—a long time considering the way restaurants come and go. It's a white tablecloth kind of restaurant, and great if you need something a little quiet and somewhat formal in the Gold Coast. Candlelit tables with white tablecloths and wood shutters are met with palm trees and woven chairs. And you’re here for dishes like pho and barbecued pork, goi cuon, and curries like cari ga. A meal at Le Colonial won’t be inexpensive. But know that you’re paying for the great service and a nice space, it makes for a pleasant afternoon or evening. Food Rundown Cha Gio Never a bad idea to start with fried spring rolls. Your choice of shrimp, pork, or mushroom that all come with a chili lime sauce. Bun Thit Nuong Thinly sliced barbecue pork over angel-hair noodles w/ mesclun peanuts and lime garlic sauce. The pork is hit or miss with being a little plain, but when it’s good it’s good. Pho The usual stuff. Oxtail soup with rice noodles, beef tenderloin slices, and a variety of herbs. It’s just as good as when you’re eating it while wearing sweatpants on the couch. Tom Xao Sate Sautéed jumbo shrimp and asparagus with a date, chili, and garlic sauce. Sup Do Bien A boullabaisse of coconut saffron, lemongrass broth, lobster, mussels, shrimp, scallops, whitefish, and vermicelli noodles. If you’re into shellfish and coconut saffron broth you’ll be into this dish. Chao Tom Our go-to appetizer. Grilled shrimp wrapped around sugar cane with angel hair noodles, mint, cilantro, lettuce, and a peanut plum dipping sauce. Take the shrimp off the sugar cane and make lettuce wraps with it. Mein Xao We always like to have a side of these cellophane noodles with crab meat, mushrooms, and cilantro on the table for good measure." - Sam Faye