Le Colonial   

937 N Rush St
Chicago, IL 60611
312-255-0088
www.lecolonialchicago.com

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Romance the night away at this two-level treasure in the Gold Coast that pays tribute to the French colonial period in Vietnam. Le Colonial features classic and contemporary Asian dishes accented with French flavors. Owned by Rick Wahlstedt, who also owns another location in New York, the restaurant caters to the stylish foodies frequenting the nearby high-end shopping meccas such as Prada, Barney's and Ikram. Those looking for a formal dining experience head for the first level, which is laid out with crisp, white linen tablecloths, soft music and an immaculate staff decked out in traditional Asian garb. Upstairs is the lounge, frequented by trendier guests for dinner and drinks. The lighting upstairs is dimmer, giving off a sensuous glow for couples. Bartenders crank the beats, which vary from downtempo house to Asian-influenced acid jazz. Low, cushy sofas and turn-of-the-century artwork add to the bar's mystique. On weekends, upstairs reservatiopns are highly encouraged, as many fashionable types make this their first stop before heading out to the area's other hot spots for the night. The full menu is served in the lounge, however, most guests opt for light fare and specialty cocktails. Specialties include the duck and a number of seafood dishes.