Le Colonial Houston is a celebration of the seductive spirit and vivid flavors reminiscent of Saigon in the 1920's. Heralded as "an escapist’s paradise," the famed French-Vietnamese institution is designed to capture Vietnam's bygone era of romance and soft architecture.
Located in the center of River Oaks District, Le Colonial features a lavish downstairs dining room adorned with period photography, overhead fans and leather banquettes, and flanked by a Parisian-Style sidewalk café seating. On the second level is the lounge, where a large bar, mahogany millwork and plush seating create the perfect atmosphere for cocktails and light fare. Custom louvered shutters surround the west veranda, while an additional terrace on the north side is fully enclosed and features additional dining tables. The Lotus Room, anchored by a mural created by Swedish muralist Jonas Wickman rendered in gentle tropical tones, seats up to 14 for private dinners and wine tastings conducted by our on site Sommelier.
Private Dining
Private Chef's Dining Room, Lotus Room, North Veranda, West Veranda, Lounge, or full restaurant buyouts available
Chef’s note
Owners
Celebrated restaurateurs Rick Wahlstedt and Joe King
Joe King , Owner
Joe King is one of the Chicago area’s most prolific restaurateurs, playing a pivotal role in Windy City ventures spanning from nationally acclaimed Japonais by Morimoto, Rockit Bar & Grill and Le Passage nightclub to local favorites like King Café Gourmet and Go. He is also a partner in award-winning East Coast establishments, L’Escale in Greenwich, CT and Artisan in Southport, CT, and co-owns South China Management with Rick Wahlstedt.
A Massachusetts native, King first found his love for the hospitality industry as a teenager working during summer breaks. In 1996, he entered a partnership with Chicago’s Le Colonial, where he was intimately involved in all operational, culinary, service and design aspects that have made Le Colonial an institution in Chicago, as well as the big picture of the Le Colonial’s legacy.
Rick Wahlstedt, Founder & Owner
A lifelong entrepreneur by way of Sweden, Rick Wahlstedt is the creator and/or partner and driving force behind some of the country’s most successful, innovative and acclaimed culinary and hospitality concepts such as Japonais, Le Bilboquet, La Goulue, L’Escale and Artisan.
Wahlstedt’s uncanny ability to know what his patrons want is based on a simple principle: he creates sophisticated, inviting and unpretentious venues that he and his friends would enjoy. In 1993, Wahlstedt set out to create something unique in Manhattan debuting the adventure of Le Colonial, the first upscale fine dining Vietnamese restaurant in the country. After 25 years of great success and with Le Colonial thriving in Chicago, Atlanta and Houston, Wahlstedt is spearheading Le Colonial’s expansion with five new restaurants during the next two years and establishing joint ventures internationally and licensing opportunities.