Marc Aka Max H.
Yelp
This was my second dine at Le Colonial, and in some respects, I was less impressed than the first. I'm not fully down on the restaurant, but experienced a meal which was somewhat amateurishly "presented", an expression that they use to describe the Le Colonial "experience". Our server, "N", was sweet, but not engaged in servicing our table after she took the order. And her explanations of some of the dishes were not what we got to eat.
Now to the food, the appetizers of cha gio and chicken dumplings were outstanding. No doubt that I WOULD ORDER THOSE AGAIN. Two of the three main plates were disappointing, very disappointing. The chicken curry had a scant amount of chicken, and the vegetables were soft. THE CURRY WAS NOT MILD, AS i requested, and its flavor overwhelmed the dish, although as stated, there was little chicken to overwhelm. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND, even if a curry lover.
THE GREEN SHRIMP CURRY was equally disappointing. THE SHRIMP WERE SMALLISH, TOUGH TO EAT, much chewing required AND AGAIN THE CURRY overwhelmed the dish. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND AND WOULD NOT RE-ORDER, ESPECIALLY at $35.
The stand-out hit was the BRONZINO. A WHOLE FISH, filet in the kitchen, after being shown to us table-side. IT WAS MEATY, TASTY, COOKED TO PERFECTION, AND EVEN AT $57, would be my reason to return. Two people can easily share the bronzino, two appetizers, and one dessert, and be quite satisfied.
THE MARTINIS WERE WELL MADE, AND THE BAR SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED FOR their perfect mixology. AND RETURNING TO SERVICE, i had to ask for a bowl for the bones in the bronzino, and the banana wrapper for the sticky rice. When it did not come, i put the bon es and banana leaf on the table, which was unappealing, for sure.
The host or perhaps the manager on duty at the entry upon arrival and departure was abrupt, no smile or half a smile, made no eye contact, While their role is not to entertain guests arrival but perhaps a bit of a welcome or good night when you depart?
And let me not forget, when making the reservation on Open Tab;e I specified that one of the diners was having her 80th birthday, and when calling the afternoon of our reservation I was told that they had a note in the reservation about the birthday, and a candle would be placed in whatever dessert we ordered and the plate would be chilled, with Happy Birthday. Well, none of that happened. Some break in communications between the staff. Disappointing "performance on their behalf." Would I return? YES. But with much lower expectations and a better idea of the menu.