LOCAL Houston | The City Guide February 2018 | Page 28

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE PERFECT PAIR By Mike Cook | Photography by Anthony Rathbun Let’s just say that everything about Le Colonial is, “Le Nice.“ Residing in This month’s Perfect Pair mates two new items off the recently updated menu. the River Oaks District and celebrating all things 1920s French colonial The Ca Hoi Nuong lays a perfectly seared, miso-glazed verlasso salmon southeast Asia, Le Colonial is full of sass, swank, mahogany, wicker and atop shiitake mushrooms, crispy, but cooked baby bok choy, annato oil leather banquettes. While the swank and sass rotate in and out of the front for color and tang and coconut lobster broth which is a treat in and of door, the mahogany, wicker and leather banquettes blend seamlessly with itself and also as a yang to the miso. Pair the salmon with a creative drink period photography, palm trees and all the other details necessary to pull off of Le Colonial’s Vietnamese-inspired cocktail menu, the Tra Thao Moc off the perfect opulent oasis that is Le Colonial. Both areas have outside (The Evening Tea). Combining Half Hitch Gin out of London with Italicus seating but inside, downstairs is a grand dining room where many, many, (Italian bergamot liqueur) and a touch of lemongrass-infused simple syrup many majestic meals take place. Upstairs, Le Colonial lets the guard and topped off with sliced lemon and fresh ground pepper, The Evening Tea is the lights down. You want to head upstairs when you’re looking to live it up an elegant and unique cocktail with Earl Grey-like flavors, hence the name. on the busy days or escape the dining room vibe on the slow days; even It also smells wonderful and drinks easy with a unique thickness. When the music up here is trendy. And the people are fun to watch! Food covers paired, the dish and the drink combine for a wonderful balance, a really all the traditional Vietnamese comfort choices and also blends in French/ enjoyable meal. Asian fusion across the menu, served as large or small plates, soups and salads. The Bo Luc Lac (Shaking Beef) is a hot seller and we‘ll be trying the Vit Quay (Crispy Whole Duck) next time we’re in the mood for a good time and a fancy meal for sharing. Also worth noting, how many French (martinis) the bartender was pouring, but there‘s an entire page of cocktails, six pages of wine and three draft beers, so we’re sure you’ll find something you like – everyone else did. 01.16.2018 3:50pm CA HOI NUONG + TRA THAO MOC (ROASTED SALMON) 28 L O C A L | 2 . 2018 (EVENING TEA) LE COLONIAL 4444 Westheimer Rd. (River Oaks District) | Houston, TX 77027 | 713.629.4444 www.lecolonialhouston.com | [email protected] 2 . 2018 | L O C A L 29