Le Colonial Lake Forest

Even though the place was packed, the staff quickly found space for us on the patio and served drinks and appetizers while we waited for our dinner table. The patio runs its own tab, so we carried our drinks over once our table was ready. The bar itself is pretty small, with a few seats taken by guests waiting for takeout orders. Once seated, our servers were outstanding—attentive, friendly, and happy to chat about the menu. Their recommendations were spot-on, and every dish we tried was fantastic. The whole red snapper, in particular, was absolutely incredible. They even packed our leftovers with extra care so everything stayed fresh. Overall, a truly memorable dining experience! They just need to add a few more vegetarian options, and I’m sure I will be back soon.

You have to check out Le Colonial, Lake Forest! It’s a hidden gem that totally blows your mind. Food was incredible (we had tuna tartar, pork roll, soup, and salad)! Everything was perfectly balanced and delicious. What I liked the most was the ambiance… I loved all the settings and the decor inside. You would look around and each corner would surprise you with a different feeling! I highly recommend Le Colonial for a high quality meal and an unforgettable experience. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Fine dining is perfect for any special occasion, such as weddings and birthdays. A variety of menu combinations featuring Asian and European cuisine.Elegant setting, lovely ambiance, and delicious food. Service outstanding.Highly recommended.

Hard to know where to begin with this review. I took my girlfriend here for our 5-year anniversary. We love the location in the city and decided to try this spot since we’d heard good things. I made the reservation a week in advance and noted that it was for our anniversary. When we got to our table, everything was covered in flies. This was somewhat excusable since we had asked to sit outside, but the staff didn’t even offer to bring new plates or silverware—we had to ask ourselves because of the smeared, dead flies all over the table. Despite the rocky start, we tried to stay positive and ordered an appetizer and our entrees. When the food came out, they had completely forgotten my girlfriend’s order, and we had to remind the waitress what she had asked for. Maybe if she had written it down, this wouldn’t have happened, but I digress. There was barely an apology, nothing was comped, and we weren’t even offered dessert despite them knowing it was a special occasion. Overall, the experience was extremely disappointing. We’ll be sticking to the city location from now on—it’s miles better in both service and atmosphere. Hope this helps anyone considering this spot for a nice night out. Far much better vibes in the city.

Had a great experience at Le Coloniel in Lake Forest. We had the duck which comes with sticky coconut rice and bao buns and also had the steak. They were both amazing (especially the steak!!). The steak sauce had a tiny kick to it and was insanely delicious. Beyond flavorful. For dessert we had the creme bruele which is also a must. Great place, many tables, great service, and excellent food. Will be coming back again!

Le Colonial in Lake Forest made my birthday extra special. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, elegant, and transportive — like stepping into a chic escape with 1920s Saigon charm. We started with the tuna tartare and ceviche — both fresh, beautifully plated, and full of flavor. The tartare had just the right citrus kick, and the ceviche was light and bright — the perfect start. But the highlight? My birthday cake — an adorable lemon-shaped dessert filled with the most delicious limoncello filling. It was almost too cute to eat… almost. It quickly became everyone’s favorite at the table. Exceptional food, thoughtful service, and a gorgeous setting — Le Colonial delivered on every level. Highly recommend for a special night out or any reason to celebrate.

Everything was absolutely amazing. The service was excellent, very attentive. Our food was so flavorful. The spicy sauces for me were mild, but I can handle heat .

Been fortunate enough to have been here twice, both with great experiences. I love their family style approach to the dining experience. Both of these visits were with coworkers, The restaurant is decorated perfectly to the menu and experience they want you to feel. Their staff and servers are top notch. They treat you well and any of them will help answer questions even if it's not their table. True professionals. The food has so much flavor! I have a hard time narrowing down what I would recommend. The red snapper is amazing. Their curry dishes are delicious. I loved a steak salad sort of dish this last time I went. We had to order two servings of it for the table. This is a higher end restaurant, so you will pay accordingly, but it's worth it. My one complaint would be their cocktails. I think they are presented well, but haven't tasted anything that was really any good. So maybe save a few pennies and stick to a good bottle of wine or water. I would definitely recommend Le Colonial to anyone looking for a nice dinner.

I love that Le Colonial is in Lake Forest. Lychee martini and the smoked old fashioned are amazing. Appetizers Sesame beef ravioli- delicious and I love eating the cucumbers and lettuce Vegetables spring rolls Beef pho (large bowl) Mains Shrimp green curry (no bamboo shoots) -good and spicy Shaking beef - delicious and salad on the side is good too Sides Garlic noodles - they changes the noodles to a thinner one. I like the thicker noodles better Signature fried rice (no Vietnamese sausage) - delicious Overall, the people who work here are amazing. The maître d' from Atlanta, Paul is exceptional. Great food, great service. Only complaint is that it's hard to get a reservation here so book weeks in advance for the popular dinner times on the weekends.

I've dined at 3 Le colonial locations now several times, as a regular diner and for events; Atlanta Chicago downtown Lake forest And they never disappoint. The food, service, and ambiance are always stellar. So much so that I am considering throwing a shower at the atlanta location. I can't figure out why all of the negative reviews for this place but they will always have my business- in any city!

Went here for dinner, service was super slow and we didn't really feel that we got attentive care. The food was good and we enjoyed the vibe of the restaurant but had to take off a star or 2 for the lacking service. We will def try again and hopefully it was an off night.

Totally cannot understand why some think this spot is less than stellar. Food was inventive and delicious (one star left off due to food not being hot) , service was amazing and attentive. I was very impressed all around.

Always busy and packed. Expect consistently great food and service every time. It's always open the place is gorgeous. I used to go the one downtown every week, it's nice to have one up here now. A good reason to dress up.

Food is excellent Crispy spring rolls are delicious The fried rice is perfection Cocktails are superb and refreshing Service is attentive and very prompt. Seating is very tight and cramped in my view. wish they were a touch bigger but it's a great place for a quick cocktail and some appetizers .

I've wanted to try this place since I saw a friend's picture take here. The restaurant is beautiful and feels like eating at a fancy Restoration Hardware with Vietnamese upscale cuisine. Service is very nice and everything is done right from presentation of food on unique plates to the beautiful interior and exterior. A true experience. We enjoyed our time for my birthday. I'd have given 4.5 if I could.

Five stars from start to finish. Made reservations and arrived. About five minutes early. Those offered to us to eat at the bar, which we elected. Once we had our first drink. He approached us again and told us that there was no hurry. Enjoy our drink. Our table will be reserved and it's ready for us. The weight staff was exceptional and extremely knowledgeable of the menu. We got two appetizers, tuna tartare and the pork spare ribs, both were absolutely delicious. Then I ordered the shaking beef, which was a melt in your mouth. Medallion good from a fillet in seasoned perfection . This place deserves six stars!

This place is super pretty and fancy. It has a dress code that must followed. Clientele are very snobby and there is a huge show of wealth at this restaurant. The food is good. The atmosphere is great. The people who are here and make it unpleasant to go back.

We just happened to be visiting the Lake Forest Market Square and were smitten with this charming restaurant upon first sight. The bustling and beautiful outdoor patio called to us, and with Vietnamese food being some of my favorite cuisine, their front door plaque advertising French-Vietnamese fusion was equally alluring. We were a party of 8, with no reservations, so it was a kindness and a blessing they were able to seat us indoors, which was also beautifully decorated. The menu featured a multitude of enticing dishes that are a bit different from the usual Vietnamese restaurant offerings. I was very excited to give something new a try. The people sharing my table had varying preferences and familiarity with Vietnamese food, so we tried to get dishes that would appeal to everyone. We sampled the chilled vegetable roll, the sesame beef ravioli, pork and noodle dish, crispy brussel sprouts, grilled eggplant, and perhaps something else I am forgetting. My husband wanted a bowl of their pho bo, so I tried that as well. Table guests also ordered the two mocktails, Saigon Mint Colada and Le Diable. Both of those were good, but I'd say Le Diable was a little better. All in all, the food was sort of forgettable. Nothing really stood out as exceptional, and especially for the price. The meat in the sesame beef ravioli was especially a letdown, and the dish was overall sort of bland. When I think Vietnamese food, I am expecting a certain intensity of flavor, which nothing we tried really delivered. I have had authentic French food, and authentic Vietnamese food, both of which I preferred much more to anything I had here. Maybe we just ordered all of the wrong stuff, but still, too many things for none of them to be a hit. If I had to pick, my husband's pho bo was probably among the best of what was at the table. In summary, you are definitely visiting (and paying) for the atmosphere when you visit Le Colonial. I will also commend the service, which was gracious, kind, and hospitable to us. The food was fine, and inoffensive, but it won't be drawing me back.

Goi Cuon|CHILLED SHRIMP ROLL -- Black Tiger Shrimp, Rice Noodles, Lettuce, Peanuts, Bean Sprouts, Ashland Farm Herbs, Peanut Sauce -- strangely full of crunchy carrot sticks and lacking in shrimp Suon Nuong|HERITAGE PORK RIBS -- Chargrilled Heritage Pork Pork Ribs with Signature Vietnamese Dry Rub, Lemongrass, Cabbage Slaw, Scallion Oil, Toasted Peanuts -- overcooked by a lot Banh Cuon|CHICKEN & MUSHROOM RAVIOLI -- Hanoi Steamed Rice Crêpe with Miller Farm Chicken, Wood Ear Mushrooms, Bean Sprouts, Nuoc Cham Sauvr -- mostly carbs Bo Luc Lac*SHAKING BEEF, Caramelized Creek Stone Farm Filet Mignon, Onions, Elawa Farm Greens, Stone Creek Watercress, Lime Pepper Vinaigrette -- incredibly salty Crispy Brussel Sprouts -- Caramelized Fish Sauce, Lemon, Roasted Peanuts Ca Tim Nuong -- Chargrilled Japanese Eggplant, Scallions, Crispy Shallots, Spicy Basil-Lime Fish Sauce. it's fine. Vanilla Peach Coconut Mille-Feuille -- Coconut Pastry Cream, Vanilla Poached Peach, Caramelized Puff Pastry, Organic Coconut Chips, Matcha Ice Cream -- pastry puff with some cream, pass. Warm Chocolate Cake -- Valrhona Guanaja Dark Chocolate, Vanilla Ice Cream, Chocolate Streusel, Flambée of Rum -- well made, flambee show at table was nice and keeps the center gooey warm, 5/5

Really enjoyed our diner. They have small plates that you share. We (6) all enjoyed the atmosphere and food. The portions are good size and easy to share. Service was excellent. They spaced / served each entree so as not to rush you. The dining room is very well done, very comfortable. We didn't sit in the bar, but tat looked like a good place to meet friends and have drinks and appetizers if you didn't have time for diner. Highly recommend.

What really leaves a bad taste in my mouth are hidden fees. 18% for all to go orders + 3% "restaurant fee". If you need to charge more for your food, then charge more money for your food. Don't hide behind 21% restaurant/service charges and pretend like people are going to be okay with this sort of deceptive nonsense. I can literally go and dine in at the restaurant and actually receive service not to mention much larger portions. When I have dined in here in the past you easily get 1.5 -2 x as much food compared with the to go. The salmon we received had minimal veggies and was on the smaller side for ~$42. If anyone is looking for an alternative, I highly recommend the green room in Libertyville. I'll never be ordering from this restaurant again.

Food - the food was delicious. All the flavors seemed very high-quality and authentic. Service was very good. Our server was super knowledgeable and helpful when it came to give me recommendations. Ambience was elevated and luxurious while also giving a accessible vibe not to snotty.

Beautiful atmosphere. Good service and food. $250 tab for two and we get charged $2 for chips and 3% surcharge just because. During Covid, fine. But now? BS. Cheapens the whole experience.

Lovely ambience. The service was exceptional. We had red snapper for two, absolutely delicious. Served beautifully. I highly recommend Le Colonial for special events. It's very special.

We have dined at Le Colonial Lake Forest several times and we always have a wonderful time. The ambience, the apps, the entrees, the desserts, the service. Whenever we bring guests, they always have a lovely time.

Le Colonial in Lake Forest is a true gem that offers an exceptional dining experience from start to finish. Nestled in a charming location, the restaurant exudes an elegant ambiance that perfectly complements its exquisite Vietnamese cuisine. Every visit feels like a special occasion, with beautifully decorated interiors that transport you to another world. The food at Le Colonial is simply outstanding. Each dish is a perfect balance of flavors and textures, showcasing the best of Vietnamese cuisine. From the fresh spring rolls to the flavorful pho, every bite is a delight. The menu offers a wide variety of options, ensuring there's something to satisfy every palate. The presentation of the dishes is as impressive as the taste, making the dining experience both visually and gastronomically pleasing. The service at Le Colonial is impeccable, with a team of attentive and knowledgeable staff who make you feel truly welcome. They go above and beyond to ensure a memorable dining experience, providing excellent recommendations and catering to any dietary preferences. To top off the night, the Vietnamese coffee is a must-try, offering a rich and smooth finish to a perfect meal. Le Colonial has quickly become one of our favorite spots, and we look forward to many more visits in the future.

An upscale French and Vietnamese restaurant located in Lake Forest! My mom and I came here for happy hour after we had high tea around the corner. After cocktails we couldn't resist grabbing some food to go! I can't wait to come back to this place because it feels like you whisked yourself off to vacation land The lychee martini is a must try! Also note to any vegetarians - they are able to make some of the dishes veggie if you ask! I will come back with a full review after I've dined for dinner!

I wore a Panama hat to Le Colonial. Entering, it felt appropriate. The atmosphere is as if a movie set designer decided to recreate the era of French/Viet Nam, but without the imperialism ; ). We found the food creatively enjoyable. Our server, Antonia, explained the menu, suggesting that given the proportions, the dishes were for sharing. Antonia was attentive throughout. We ordered a beet salad (2 types of beets with a tangy sauce), spicy chicken soup - coconut broth, exotic mushrooms and quality chicken (5 stars, enjoyed by my partner as well who is very cautious when it comes to spices), lamb chops (3) medium rare, almost rare, with a tangy sauce (5 stars), shrimp green curry (5 stars - Antonia recommended when asked for input - too spicy for partner). Not a big deal, but worth some comment: we asked for a second serving of rice (it comes as a small bowl of steamed jasmine white rice with the shrimp entree) - $4 up-charge; we asked for a substitution of the lamb chop side (steamed broccoli) - $5 up-charge. AND there was a 3% restaurant surcharge. We were very appreciative of our server and tipped well. Who gets that 3% surcharge? The mango sorbet was good, but ordinary.

The ambiance of this location makes for a perfect special occasions option - whether the main dining room, the patio, or the smaller group rooms, I have yet to have a seating at Le Colonial. The French Vietnamese food is definitely an elevated version of the familiar Vietnamese takeout options we're familiar with. The hand rolls are always a hit as starters as well as the flavorful pork ribs. When sharing, we always go back to the Shaking Beef but for lunch, the Pho Bo or the prix fixe lunch combinations have always hit the spot for us.

Le Colonial. Is a French Vietnamese fusion restaurant. What a great experience. From the moment we arrived until we left we had a friendly and flavorful experience. The host seated us quickly and a server came soon after. The server explained the menu and portion sizes and was very helpful in our ability to select enough options for the table. We ordered three small plates and three large plates which was more the enough for the four at the table. The crispy shrimp and pork rolls were as advertised and very flavorful. For me the Bo Bu Lac / Shaking Beef was suggested by the server and I ordered. It was a delicious plate. The beef was the most tender piece of beef with Asian flavors. The vinaigrette and spices put this over the top. I look forward to returning on our next trip to the area.

Out-of-towner in North Shore Chgo craving the vibrant ambiance of a remembered lunch in La Veranda on Oak St. The new venue on Lake Forest's Mkt Square (steps from Wms-Sonoma) didn't disappoint. Exquisite ambiance (at its peak when paired with a Cole Porter playlist), friendly and attentive staff, and perfectly sized plates for sharing. Especially liked the crispy shrimp & pork rolls (ooohmommy!) and green papaya salad (refreshing). Based on my earlier experience, I was ready this time to risk rudeness by asking for a bit of lime and chili paste, but instead discovered I could savor the subtle flavors.

Delicious. Have never really been to an upscale Vietnamese restaurant. Everything we had was so delicious and I was excited to eat the leftovers! Came here to celebrate a birthday on a week night and everyone enjoyed their meal. The steak as cooked perfectly and every dish had balance. Often find this cuisine can be too salty but never felt that wag here. Nice staff, insightful. Will be back to check out the Chicago location!

Le Colonial dishes romance and sultry vibes along with refined French-Vietnamese fusion. Seriously luxurious ambience, replete with dark wood paneling, rattan furniture, and colonial upholstery. Well-appointed bar with a nice cocktail program and a good wine selection. The food is consistently well-prepared, with big flavors and nice portions. Service is classic white coat and was very kind.

The food, the service and ambiance were all amazing! We were lucky enough to have Hugo as our waiter and he guided us through a culinary food and drink experience! Will definitely be back and look forward to the warmer weather to enjoy the outdoor patio!

We were regulars at Market House before the sale. 1st time at LC was shortly before opening and it was clear they were still working things out. Long wait, nervous staff, food was ok, not what I remembered from the city. 2nd time was for a business dinner. Fly had gotten in the restaurant and several staff members were running around trying to catch it. It happens. Food was not remarkable. 3rd time was for a birthday dinner, with a reservation made well in advance. My husband is over 6ft; they sat us (for a birthday dinner) in the back, at a children sized table under the AC vent and 2 plants which obstructed table. We tried to reason with the host, he could not have cared less. 2 stars for the aesthetic. I don't get the appeal, Underwhelming food, pretentious staff. Le Colonial does not function like a local place; it is a destination spot that doesn't deliver. Sophia Steak and Deer Path Inn are both better options.

The food here is always so delicious! Love the environment with the French Polynesian vibe and the server was knowledgeable and answered all our questions.

We celebrated our anniversary dinner here and we're pleasantly surprised at the high levels of ambiance, service, and food. We had a reservation and were seated right away. The vibe is plantation chic and it looked like one of the sets from Apocalypse Now director's cut. Our server was chill friendly and helped make the experience so good. We started with the chilled shrimp rolls-- just prefect fillings, wrap, and sauce. Our entrees were all around great-- the Shaking Beef was simply flavorful and a dish so close to perfection-- the Roasted Salmon was just as superb. We ordered the garlic noodles late and they showed up in time for us to enjoy with our entrees tanks to our hustling server. The crème brûlée was the spot on finish to a delightful dinner.

We had an amazing meal. Every single bite was filled with flavors. We had appetizers, salad, drinks and main courses. The desserts were as a work of art! The service was perfect.

Very posh and bougie with elegant decor. Fairly large with an outdoor patio. Our server was excellent. Friendly and professional. I made reservations on Open Table and noted it was my anniversary. The host and our server wished us a Happy Anniversary which was nice that they noted that and made it special for my husband and I with that simple gesture. I got the Lychee martini and he got an IPA. The martini was strong and I can definitely taste the lychee flavor. Definitely recommend this drink since it was not overly sweet. We started with the seafood ceviche which was spicy and it had a nice tart flavor. I got the shaken beef and my husband got the pho. Both dishes had a modern twist on a traditional Vietnamese dish but both excellent. The crème brûlée was excellent. It was not overly sweet however, the mini madeleines were not that great.

This was my second visit to this location this year. Really love the Chicago location and was excited that we now have the Lake Forest one. My 2 friends and I wanted to celebrate the holidays by enjoying a nice evening with good food drinks and conversation. The restaurant was beautiful, yummy drinks, excellent entrees and our server, Anada was incredible. We were having such a wonderful time. Shortly after being served our deserts, our service came by with the bill and informed us that the manager, Paul wanted us to know that people with reservations were waiting for the table. (We had a reservation too). We asked to speak to him. We informed him that many others in the restaurant were already seated before us yet they were not being basically asked to hurry up and leave. He didn't provide a valid reason to us other than claiming they needed our table for 4 (even though there was an empty one beside us for 4). Our mood quickly went from happy and upbeat, to quiet and disappointed. This was humiliating to us, no one else in the restaurant was being forced to hurry up and leave. He also told us that our reservation was made that day, it was not. I booked almost a week ago. Needless to say, if we ever go there again we will call to make sure Paul is not working that day. What a letdown. Thanks to Anada for making us feel special despite the circumstances. It made everyone very uncomfortable. Paul needs to put people first, his behavior was blatant and unacceptable.

Twice been there .Food is good .Ambiance very good . First time Saturday very busy , service good . Next visit Tuesday 7:00 pm . Not busy at all, was asked to wait on confirmed reservation in bar area . for table be ready. Many tables empty. Table Service by waitress was terrible, and he was training new worker .... Three stars only . One food , two for ambiance

My only complaint about living in the North Shore is the lack of good restaurants, but if city hotspots keep popping up that takes care of that problem. Le Colonial is just as much of a hotspot in the burbs as it is in the city based on how booked they are for reservations. So plan ahead accordingly! We happened to have a reservation the same time as friends so I called the restaurant and asked if they could combine our reservations. They very nicely declined and said they were too busy to combine reservations...so it turned into a date night for my husband and I! Jared was our fabulous dinner. He seems to know his stuff so we asked for his recommendations for our food and ended up ordering the following to start: - seafood ceviche: 4 stars - tuna tartare: 5 stars - chicken dumplings: 4 stars As for our entrees we went with: - Shaking Beef: 5 stars - Fried rice: 5 stars And for dessert Jared recommended the chocolate cake. My husband isn't really a chocolate cake fan (not sure how that's possible), but since Jared hadn't led us wrong all night we gave it a try. Sooo delicious and the benefit of being married to someone who doesn't have chocolate cake is there was more for me. Good food and a few lovely glasses of wine and it was the perfect Saturday evening date night!

I found a piece of meat halfway into eating my vegetarian rice, then had to bring it back In for a refund and got questioned by the staff to show it to him. Also I got charged an 18% service fee on to go orders plus another 3%. I guess people don't question it so they just allow it. The food is nothing like the downtown Chicago location. The egg rolls had rubbery tofu and a terrible sauce and the rice even tasted bad, could not taste any ginger or flavor besides lots of soy sauce. I had very high hopes for the food here, but I won't return here ever.

Average Vietnamese/Asian dishes served in a beautiful restaurant with comfortable seating and service which could use a little improvement. The staff were very friendly and professional; however, the flow of service was a bit off, with a long wait before the initial greeting from the server and a few forgotten requested items. I really wanted to love this new Lake Forest spot, but was slightly disappointed, expecting the entrées to be more elevated. The flavors in the shrimp stir fry were lacking and the dish was filled with mostly scallions which could have benefitted from more of the accompanying veggies. The papaya salad was delicious; however, and the stir fry chicken and shrimp roll were pretty good. Although not what I expected, I'm definitely open to giving them another try...and may try a few different menu items!

I was really excited Le Colonial opened up here as I had fond memory of the visit at the one in the city years ago. Esp with the pandemic, I really miss traveling to Asia and the food we had in Hanoi during our last trip there. This branch location had really great service and lovely decor. Every staff there is superb! Wine was good. On to the food...it's different menu from the one in the city. Very safe, very approachable. It's not disappointing but nothing really memorable either. All in all, it's still one of the better dining experience in the north shore.

Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area with many Vietnamese restaurants to dine at, I was quite impressed with this restaurant. Although it is not authentic, the French-Vietnamese concept was something unique that I have only found in bakeries. As a Vietnamese person who has been to Vietnam several times, this restaurant is an excellent ease for the American palette to experience Vietnamese flavors; though I think the menu could be more ambitious for example, including Bo Kho (with French bread) or Banh Xeo, it introduces flavors that I do not believe the clientele at this location would feel comfortable exploring given a different setting. I wish the dessert included more iconic Vietnamese flavors such as pandan or mung bean. Overall the service was excellent, and I will continue to be a customer and bring my American friends here. The menu needs to be more innovative, then it will be well done.

Love this place!! We usually get 3-5 dishes (for 2 people) when we go. 1 appetizer, 1-2 small plates, and a large plate Will was a great server!! Super nice. He served us on the patio. If it's nice out I highly recommend sitting outside. We can't wait to come back again!

We had a bad experience at this restaurant last weekend. We called for a reservation and was told the restaurant was full but we could get a seating in the bar on a first come first serve basis. The maitre'd stated if we came on the early side of 6 o'clock we should be fine. We arrived around 5:45 and were escorted into the bar. There was plenty of seating but once we sat down we were notified that half the bar was being sectioned off for a reserved seating and we were rudely escorted from our seats. This misrepresentation of the bar as first come first serve and then this rude treatment was not up to the high standards this restaurant pretends to live up to. After seeing us and another group being kicked out of the bar, many patrons nearby claimed they would not be returning to this restaurant ever again, including us!

Took my friend here for her 80th birthday lunch & what a giant disappointment. Let me count the ways. #1: We walked into an almost empty restaurant & the first question asked is if we had a reservation. What???!! Once seated, the same gentleman was our server. He spoke very fast & was barely understandable. #2: I ordered a Bloody Mary as my beverage & ordered off the Price Fix menu for $35. My choice of two items was disappointing at best. My friend ordered off the regular menu because she wanted the beef soup. She enjoyed the noodles but she couldn't finish the broth because it was overpowered by the pepper that had been floating in it. #3: I specifically stated when we sat down that we were celebrating a birthday. Most restaurants would offer a complementary dessert, but instead we were shown the dessert menu & made a choice of the "gourmet" ice cream scoops. Were told we had a choice of 3 flavors, but we received 2 and were told we had to pay for it. #4: When I received the check, I saw a charge for $20 for Grey Goose, so I asked our server what that was for & he garbled something about they don't have Blood Mary's, but that was the charge for my drink. Well I could have bought myself a half a bottle of Grey Goose for that amount! The Bloody Mary was bare-bones with 3 little olives on a stick...not a stalk of celery or a pickle or the rim dunked in salt & pepper that you'd get in any other decent bar! The server kept saying "I'm sorry" when I questioned the $20 charge, but he displayed a surliness that capped off a very unsatisfactory dining experience. This was my second visit to this restaurant & definitely will be my last!

The food and service are nice, and the interior of the restaurant is cool too. However, this place is pretty pricey, and better Vietnamese food can be found elsewhere. I'd say this restaurant is pretty nice, but kinda forgettable.

I would give them 10 stars! We had a special evening last night with a 60th and an engagement. Wow! Paul the GM was outstanding! Our server stellar. Im eating my delicious leftovers now! The best! They can make your food not as spicy if u need. The flavors are so good. Ive been a customer from the old days! Le Colonial is like a fine wine!

What a treat it is for Le Colonial to come to the burbs. It really is a special occasion place. Food is delicious, and the ambiance is on point. It's really hard to make a reservation now, so I haven't been in a while, but I should plan better and return!

Ok so came here a second time and this time service was a bit like what I read from other reviewers: a little disjointed and amateurish for this caliber and price point of an establishment. I'd say the back waiters were sloppy and rushed this time around. For example, water came and the person would point to your glass for you to hand it to her but never came back again to refill without us asking for more water; a waiter was sliding an entree on the table while moving another plate WITH that entree. Um, try picking up the dirty plate first before putting the new entree down dude! In other words- retrain!! Nevertheless, food was once again deeeelish, but please improve some of the service staff because it really diminishes the whole experience. Sorry got to take away a star.

Came here on a Wednesday night for our anniversary. First impression of the outside it looked really fancy. I loved the sign and different plants they had. They have a big parking lot I believe it was 2-3 hr parking for free. We got there at 6 pm the restaurant had a few guest at the time. They have a big bar area , outdoor patio seating and dining room seating . Love the art work they have in there. When 7pm rolled around the place was packed. We started off with Lychee martin which was strong and not too sweet. I also had 3 Floyd's Gumball Head which is one of my favorite beer. For appetizers, we started with the seafood ceviche which was super spicy and a good amount of citric. I had the pho and my wife had the shaking beef. The pho broth had so much flavor. Beef was cook just right. Both dishes very flavorful and you can tell they used quality ingredients. And when we first got there they asked if we were celebrating anything, we told them we are celebrating our anniversary. For dessert they gave us a free Crème Brûlée also very delicious!

I love Le Colonial usually, and often choose this restaurant for special occasions in my life. So when I went with my family to Le Colonial for my birthday, I expected an enjoyable evening. The food was excellent as always, but the service was not--and ruined the night. When we first walked in our entire party wasn't there yet. The host told us that he wouldn't seat us until the party was complete (not a big deal) but added he would cancel the reservation if they were 15 minutes late. Why say this, when they were not yet late? I told him it was my birthday celebration and his response was to tell us to go to the bar and not stand around. This set a negative tone to the beginning of the evening. We first ordered drinks, as the server recommended doing this before ordering our appetizers. The wine came out within 10 minutes--but the cocktails were more like 20-30 minutes--and the server had not come back to take our appetizer (smaller plates) orders. For some reason, when we asked to have enough soup for 7 people, he gave us three bowls and said we should share the bowls and spoons. With the main course, the fried rice shared plate and the jasmine rice meant to eat with the other plates came a full 20 minutes after the rest of our entrees (which we had already finished). We had reminded the server about the missing food--he gave us a blank look, and never came back to follow up or tell us they were on their way. After our meal, the server started throwing down plates for dessert on top of a messy table from sharing various dishes. When I asked him to clean it first, he gave me a dirty look, wiped it partially with a cloth, and asked sarcastically if that was enough (no, it wasn't clean). The restaurant added an automatic 20% gratuity because it was a group of more than 6 people. An added gratuity for a large group is standard, but I have never seen it as high as 20%. When you are spending $1K on dinner, this is a huge insult. What a disappointing evening. I am not sure if this a personnel issue, training issue, or management issue, but if your service does not match your food it's not worth going.

Overall a really wonderful meal! The ambience of the restaurant is upscale yet still comfortable. The decor is unique and makes you feel like you are somewhere special. Our service from the entire staff was wonderful. My husband and I tried a variety of starters and shared a main. My favorite was the Cha Gio - Crispy Shrimp & Pork Rolls. I though our entree was good, but it was my least favorite of the night. If I were to go back I would probably just share a bunch of appetizers and skip getting an entree. The cocktails were all delicious, however we were overcharged by $10 for one and I didn't realize it until we got home, so that was annoying. We did receive a complimentary dessert since we were celebrating our anniversary, which was a really nice touch.

Came here for the first time for a weekday lunch at the recommendation of a friend who was here prior. This is my first time to this restaurant and luckily there was parking in the front for free for a few hours. Found out when we arrive that if you do not make reservations, you cannot sit in the main dining room, and you have to sit in the lounge bar area which, by the way is equally as beautiful. Looking back on it this was a great decision to sit in the lounge as it was closest to the bar, and it wasn't busy there for the waiter was super attentive. We ordered a few small plates and ordered the same dessert three times and some drinks. Everything was super tasty with some complex flavors and I would definitely come back and try more of the menu. This place being located in Lake Forest is notorious for being expensive downtown and is equally as expensive in the suburbs. The French fusion and influenced food is delicious.