20 Cosmo Pl./off Taylor & Post, 2 blks. from Union Square.
Hidden away on a back-alley site, this authentic French Vietnamese restaurant is a branch of an upscale national chain. Le Colonial's small-scale exterior is a surprise set behind and amid bigger surrounding buildings.
An enchanting tropical decor evokes 1920s Vietnam--vintage black-and-white photos of turn-of-the-19th-century Saigon adorn the walls, quiet ceiling fans gently stir the air--and, mixed with a high pressed-tin ceiling and a semi-outdoor verandah, the elegant interior dining room offers sweet sanctuary from street bustle. This divine, romantic spot is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.
Exotic cocktails include a delicious fruit Mango Mojito made with rum and topped with a vibrant orchid, as well as the namesake Le Colonial made with vodka and passion-fruit puree.
An extensive list of appetizers includes several kinds of spring rolls--I especially liked the Goi Cuon (fresh rolls with poached prawns, rice noodles, and a hoisin peanut sauce) and the Banh Hap So Diep Chien (crispy fried wontons stuffed generously with scallops and shrimp).
My dining partner and I stuck with seafood for our main courses. I had a house specialty, Ca Hap La Chuoi (a tasty seabass-sweet potato noodle-shitake mushroom combo, wrapped in a banana leaf basket and steamed to perfection),
while he had Ca Hap Nuoc Cot Dua (delicious coconut-poached Alaskan halibut with a green papaya salad). More mains include roasted lemongrass chicken, grilled Asian-flavored steak, coconut milk-braised pork, and wok-seared sweet-savory tofu.
An absolutely-don’t-miss side is the Xu Bruxelles (spectacularly flavorful crispy-sweet Brussels sprouts with meaty portobello mushrooms and colorful carrot chips).
Desserts include light housemade gelatos and sorbets, plus fun-to-share Le Colonial Banana Roties--carmelized banana halves on cassava cake with chocolate-peanut butter ice cream and more.
Upstairs, an inviting bar-lounge with a small, private balcony serves an hors d’oeuvres menu and sometimes schedules live music. This being hilly San Francisco, you can exit there onto Sutter Street.
More things to do in San Francisco.
Way more things to do in San Francisco.
More places to explore in Northern California.
images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Hidden away on a back-alley site, this authentic French Vietnamese restaurant is a branch of an upscale national chain. Le Colonial's small-scale exterior is a surprise set behind and amid bigger surrounding buildings.
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| entrance to Le Colonial in San Francisco |
An enchanting tropical decor evokes 1920s Vietnam--vintage black-and-white photos of turn-of-the-19th-century Saigon adorn the walls, quiet ceiling fans gently stir the air--and, mixed with a high pressed-tin ceiling and a semi-outdoor verandah, the elegant interior dining room offers sweet sanctuary from street bustle. This divine, romantic spot is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.
 |
| verandah at Le Colonial in San Francisco |
 |
| entrance to dining room at Le Colonial in San Francisco |
 |
| dining room at Le Colonial in San Francisco |
Exotic cocktails include a delicious fruit Mango Mojito made with rum and topped with a vibrant orchid, as well as the namesake Le Colonial made with vodka and passion-fruit puree.
 |
| Mango Mojito at Le Colonial in San Francisco |
 |
| complimentary appetizer at Le Colonial in San Francisco |
An extensive list of appetizers includes several kinds of spring rolls--I especially liked the Goi Cuon (fresh rolls with poached prawns, rice noodles, and a hoisin peanut sauce) and the Banh Hap So Diep Chien (crispy fried wontons stuffed generously with scallops and shrimp).
 |
| appetizers at Le Colonial in San Francisco |
My dining partner and I stuck with seafood for our main courses. I had a house specialty, Ca Hap La Chuoi (a tasty seabass-sweet potato noodle-shitake mushroom combo, wrapped in a banana leaf basket and steamed to perfection),
 |
| seabass at Le Colonial in San Francisco |
while he had Ca Hap Nuoc Cot Dua (delicious coconut-poached Alaskan halibut with a green papaya salad). More mains include roasted lemongrass chicken, grilled Asian-flavored steak, coconut milk-braised pork, and wok-seared sweet-savory tofu.
 |
| halibut Le Colonial in San Francisco |
An absolutely-don’t-miss side is the Xu Bruxelles (spectacularly flavorful crispy-sweet Brussels sprouts with meaty portobello mushrooms and colorful carrot chips).
 |
| Brussels sprouts at Le Colonial in San Francisco |
Desserts include light housemade gelatos and sorbets, plus fun-to-share Le Colonial Banana Roties--carmelized banana halves on cassava cake with chocolate-peanut butter ice cream and more.
 |
| banana roties dessert at Le Colonial in San Francisco |
Upstairs, an inviting bar-lounge with a small, private balcony serves an hors d’oeuvres menu and sometimes schedules live music. This being hilly San Francisco, you can exit there onto Sutter Street.
More things to do in San Francisco.
Way more things to do in San Francisco.
More places to explore in Northern California.
images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
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