Le Colonial, recent to downtown Delray, evokes turn-of-the-[20th]century tropics style in one of the most beautifully designed dining venues anywhere. The menu is accurately Vietnamese, but the curated presentation of every dish makes each a work of art. You might want to sip your lemongrass-infused Gin & Tonic or Ginger Kumquat Caipirinha with a few typical small plates such as Crispy Shrimp & Pork Roll (jumbo shrimp, heritage pork, Asian mushrooms, mint and cilantro) with chili lime sauce; or chargrilled Baby Back Ribs prepared with a Vietnamese dry rub and lemongrass.
Pho Bo – classic Hanoi Beef Noodle Soup – is rich with beef tenderloin, rice noodles, bean sprouts, scallions and herbs. Standout entrees: Roasted Half Lemongrass Chicken with sweet & sour dipping sauce; Shaking Beef, a traditional dish of caramelized Heritage Angus beef, onions, watercress, and greens drizzled with lime-pepper vinaigrette; grilled Halibut “La Vong,” drizzled with lime butter, toasted peanuts, mustard seed and dill; and Fish Saigon-style for two, a Crispy South Florida Red Snapper with chili garlic sauce.
Desserts are terrific – if you can resist French-influenced Vanilla Crème Brûlée, go for a traditional Vietnamese warm Coconut Tapioca Pudding with banana, coconut chips and custard sauce; or spectacular La Noix de Coco, a banana and coconut custard Bavarian cream in a chocolate shell, with toasted peanuts and coconut chips.
