Le Colonial   

The SceneRecline beneath a palm tree in a cushy rattan chair and take in the luxurious surroundings, as fringed green lampshades glow with amber light and ceiling fans swirl in slow motion. The crowd is Gold Coast well-to-do downstairs, hip and young at the lively upstairs bar.The FoodPerfectly seared sea scallops are served over julienned green beans, bean sprouts and a nest of rice noodles, while wok-seared monkfish, a plate of tender morsels in green curry with lemon grass and peanuts, is one of Chicago's best appetizers. Filet mignon might surprise you--the menu doesn't mention that the steak's been diced into little pieces and stir-fried with yams and green beans. Wonderful. For dessert, the Vietnamese tapioca isn't like the American version, and that's just fine. It arrives in a bowl, deliciously warm and soupy, with chunks of banana and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.