Throwing an event or hosting your private party at Le Colonial {937 North Rush Street, Chicago; 312.255.0088} is like stepping into another time and place; one with extra glamour and intimacy that’s perfect for the holiday season. The restaurant has been bringing 1920’s French Colonial Southeast Asian cuisine and atmosphere to the Gold Coast for years, and they are ready to bring that allure to your holiday gathering this year!
The upstairs lounge is perfect for group events of varying sizes and styles, with a bar, lounge area, as well as seated dining tables. There is even an all-year terrace for unique Chicago holiday fun.
The second floor can host up to 90 people, and group dining is served family style so guests can try many dishes, as Vietnamese food is traditionally enjoyed. The typical meal includes four appetizers, four entrées, one side dish, a dessert of sorbet, and coffee service. If that’s not enough deliciousness for you, you can also arrange for passed cocktails and appetizers as your guests arrive!
Photo via Le Colonial
Le Colonial is also the perfect spot for diners with dietary restrictions, as they have menu options that are vegan, vegetarian, shellfish and nut free, as well as gluten-free. Just work with the staff, and they will create an amazing meal, just for you and your party!
What exactly can you expect on such a menu? How about Cha Gio Chay (vegetarian spring roll with spicy Hoisen sauce)? If your guests are more carnivorous, there are also plenty of meat-lover items, and their pho is a DiningOut favorite.
If we’ve wet your whistle, we’re just getting started. Lillian Dembinski, Director of Operations, Sales & Marketing, is giving us more information and delicious menu recommendations that will have you booking your holiday dinner today!
DiningOut: What do you want diners to experience when they plan an event with you?
Lillian Dembinski: We want our guests to have a customized and memorable dining experience, and that means exceptional food and drink, but also ambiance and service. An experience where they don’t have worry about the details (because we have it covered) and they can spend time enjoying their friends and family.
Photo via Le Colonial
What sets apart a dining experience at Le Colonial?
Our upstairs lounge/event space provides a serene, yet refreshing atmosphere—a place to escape the low temperatures outside during winter. Fresh palm trees and plants fill the space along with votive candles giving a warm and inviting ambiance with a tropical vibe. Our staff is professional and focused, anticipating our guests needs as well as going above and beyond.
What are some of the highlights of the group dining menu?
We serve everything family style which gives our guests the opportunity to try a variety of different flavors from our specialty dishes to a few off the menu items.
Photo via Le Colonial
How do you work to accommodate special dietary needs?
We have several options within our group dining menu selection that can accommodate vegan or gluten-free guests. We also have several separate menus for specific allergies or dietary restrictions including fish/shellfish, nut, dairy, meat, gluten.
What can we expect from the holidays at Le Colonial?
It’s a lively atmosphere with lots of celebrations and dinners, and best to make your reservations now. Le Colonial is in a prime location for holiday shoppers who want to come in for dinner or cocktails. Our event space upstairs is perfect for holiday parties, so we tend to start getting requests in September for holiday parties. We also have a few special events that we do every year for important charities, and our New Year’s Eve bash is always our biggest event of the year.
Photo via Le Colonial
What are your favorite menu items currently?
Our Ga Xao Xa Ot (wok-seared lemongrass chicken) and The Pho. The Monkfish is favorite among the staff and diners once they try it!
What are your other must-dos during the holiday season in Chicago?
The Lights Festival on The Mag Mile is a must to get into the holiday spirit! We also love all the unique finds at the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza and Dose Market during the holidays.
By Kaleigh Glaza | Online Editor
The post Experience the Holidays at Le Colonial appeared first on DiningOut Chicago.