Mile High Dine and Recline: Vietnamese Restaurant Le Colonial

By Katie Rapone, editor.

Celebrated Vietnamese restaurant Le Colonial recently made its Colorado debut at 255 Fillmore St. in Cherry Creek. The restaurant, helmed by famed restaurateurs Rick Wahlstedt (who also brought Le Bilboquet to Cherry Creek) and Joe King, brings the seductive spirit and vivid flavors of 1920s Saigon to Denver’s dining scene, creating an experience that is as memorable as it is flavorful.

From the moment you step inside, you are transported to another time and place. The 6,000-square-foot venue evokes a romantic ambiance and old-world sultriness by blending outdoor elements and custom-crafted furnishings throughout its dining room, porch, lounge and private dining areas.

“The vision for Le Colonial Cherry Creek was to bring to Denver, specifically Cherry Creek, a quality experience, high design, delicious food, and elevated service. We wanted to introduce something new and unique to this market,” says King. “This restaurant aligns beautifully with the brand’s identity. We took the design of the architecture of 1920’s Saigon and combined it with the healthy, delicious food of Vietnam as we have with our other outposts.”

Design and Construction

The design, spearheaded by architecture and design firm Knauer Inc. and Darrah Ferrari Wahlstedt, Le Colonial’s marketing and creative director — and built by Denver-based Jordy Construction — melds influences from Paris, Marrakesh and the Far East that exude a harmonious mix of vintage and contemporary styles with velvet banquettes, brass light fixtures and silk lampshades.

“Bringing Le Colonial’s vision to life was an exciting opportunity for Jordy Construction. From intricate design details to the seamless execution of the build, our team collaborated closely with Le Colonial and their architecture and design firm, Knauer Inc., to create a space that perfectly embodies the restaurant’s unique identity. We’re proud to have delivered a project that reflects the highest standards and elevates the guest experience,” Jordy Construction said.

Hand-painted murals, charcoal-gray Marmorino hand-troweled plastered walls, a custom wrought iron marquee, and a hand-applied gold leaf ceiling were designed under the direction of famed Swedish artist Jonas Wickman. The interior showcases innovative design elements with a focus on lush greenery. Large tropical plants, eye-catching floral arrangements and Vietnamese accents adorn the interior.

The restaurant offers multiple dining areas, allowing patrons to tailor their experiences. Through French doors, the main dining area provides a refined atmosphere with Moroccan cement tile floors, smoky-hued wood paneling and leather banquettes, all anchored by a large oil landscape painting of the Vietnamese countryside. Adjacent is a picturesque porch that serves as a garden retreat, inviting guests to unwind amidst verdant tropical foliage. The inviting cocktail lounge is reminiscent of a buzzy, intimate hotel bar, perfect for casual drop-ins and evening nightcaps; here, diners enjoy a full, dedicated bar as well as a curated selection of bites from the main menu. For intimate gatherings, the private dining room accommodates 12 guests in a secluded setting, enveloped by a hand-painted mural of delicate orchids and a charming herring-bone-patterned floor reminiscent of classic Parisian apartments. 

Colorado marks Le Colonial’s seventh U.S. location, with existing outposts in Atlanta, Chicago, Delray Beach, Houston, Lake Forest, Naples, and soon, Scottsdale.

“We’re elated to add Le Colonial to Cherry Creek’s vibrant culinary landscape,” Walhstedt says. “We want our guests to feel transported and enchanted by our design and ambiance. Our goal is to become an integral part of the local community and a go-to spot for celebrating life’s moments.”

Food and Beverage

Under the leadership of acclaimed Vietnamese chef and cookbook author Nicole Routhier and national culinary director Hassan Obaye, the menu artfully blends time-honored classic Vietnamese recipes with contemporary trends. Le Colonial has partnered with several local vendors including Rebel Farm, Colorado Sun Tofu, Boulder Farms, Petrocco Farms, Fiber of Life and Rocky Mountain Fresh to showcase fresh, locally sourced vegetables, premium seafood and top-quality meats and poultry, all of which are enhanced by the chefs’ skillful use of herbs and spices. 

“Denver’s dining scene starts a little earlier than in other cities. We open the lounge in Denver at 4 p.m. to capture the earlier diner. We offer ‘lite bites’ along with our hand-crafted cocktails for the early diners. We have also added some new items in Denver that have gone over very well. We have a Tomahawk bone-in pork dish and also added a Steak Au Poivre dish to the menu for some hearty choices,” says King.

The restaurant’s signature offerings include dishes that have been menu staples since 1993such as Bo Luc Lac, shaking beef complete with caramelized filet mignon, garlic confit, snow peas, organic watercress salad, Vidalia onions and market lime; Mi Xao Don Chay, crispy egg noodles served with a wok-seared leafy greens, shiitake mushrooms, tofu and soy-ginger sauce; Ca Chien Saigon, a whole red snapper for two with peppers, scallions, dill, butter lettuce and chili-garlic fish sauce.

Other new additions specific to the Denver location include Soun Cuu Nuong, grilled lamb chops from Boulder Farms served with roasted rainbow carrots, petite potatoes and lamb jus; Goi Bo, grilled beef tenderloin tossed with Rebel Farm local greens, pickled red onions, cucumber, herbs and sesame rice cracker garnished with Thai basil, sweet chili-garlic dressing, fried garlic and fried shallots; Ca Kho Tieu, ginger marinated sablefish prepared with Fiber of Life’s shiitake mushrooms, Rocky Mountain tomatoes, herbs and fresh jalapeños; and more.

The beverage program incorporates bright Southeast Asian flavors and was curated in collaboration with world-renowned mixologist Danito Bozoviks of New York’s Employees Only, ranked one of the world’s top cocktail bars. The menu offers an array of classic and signature cocktails and mocktails, as well as organic teas and a more than 110-bottle wine selection. 

Notable offerings include the Lychee Martini, blending Wheatley vodka, house-made yuzu liqueur, lychee puree, a sake spritz and fresh lime juice; Le Colonial, combining Corazon Añejo tequila, Kikkoman plum wine, absinthe mist, egg white and fresh lime juice; Saigon Tea, Askur gin, shochu, Lush Orchard tea, house-made yuzu liqueur, fresh lemon juice and Q tonic. Non-alcoholic selections include Le Diable, a refreshing blend offresh pomegranate, ginger root, cilantro, lime juice, pomegranate molasses and Q ginger beer; the Saigon Mint Colada made with coconut milk, fresh pineapple, lime juice, mint, turmeric and freshly grated nutmeg; and more.

In a city known for its dynamic culinary landscape, Le Colonial brings a touch of elegance and exotic flavor that sets it apart. For those seeking a dining experience that transcends the ordinary, this Cherry Creek gem is not to be missed.

Le Colonial will be open daily for dinner from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Sunday and Monday and 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. The Lounge will be open from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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