Q: Has Le Colonial on Fifth Avenue opened yet? — Eugene Jenkins, Naples
A: Le Colonial is one of two upscale dining options anticipated to launch next week on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples.
Le Colonial, a French-Vietnamese restaurant known for its celebration of the flavors and spirit of Saigon in the 1920s, is ready to debut Dec. 14 at 457 Fifth Ave. S.
About seven blocks east on the corner of Fifth Avenue South and Goodlette-Frank Road, Limón rooftop restaurant and bar is set to open Dec. 15 atop the new AC Hotel Naples 5th Avenue by Marriott.
Le Colonial Naples
Acclaimed restaurateurs Rick Wahlstedt and Joe King celebrate 30 years of success in the dining world as they open their Le Colonial Naples at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14. Naples joins Le Colonial’s stunning location lineup in Chicago, Atlanta, Houston and Lake Forest, Illinois. The first Florida location for the luxurious restaurant concept opened this year in Delray Beach.
Wahlstedt made waves in 1993 in Manhattan with the opening of the first Le Colonial. That restaurant’s success eventually led to King joining him as a partner for the opening of Le Colonial Chicago in 1996.
Naples billionaire David Hoffmann praises Le Colonial as one of his favorite restaurants in Chicago. Because Naples has many second-home residents from Chicago and even more Midwestern transplants, coming to Naples was an easy decision, King said.
“We’ve long been fans of the area and have been waiting patiently to line up the perfect spot to share our renowned style of elevated Vietnamese cuisine, paired with unparalleled service and ambience,” he said. “We feel the bustling and beautiful community in Naples is ideally suited to appreciate the unique vibe and vibrant tastes of Le Colonial.”
Wahlstedt said he looks forward to Naples experiencing their restaurant’s romantic interiors on the city’s toniest street.
“We are delighted to be opening on one of the most beautiful streets in Florida and believe Le Colonial will be an exciting addition to the dining scene,” he said.
Le Colonial attracts an ardent following not only for its artfully plated, authentic dishes, but especially because of its elegant and sophisticated atmosphere. Named as one of the most beautiful restaurant interiors in the world, the Naples restaurant was designed by Knauer Inc., which also designed Ocean Prime, Del Mar and The Vine Room on Fifth Avenue South. For the new restaurant, the Chicago-based architectural and design firm collaborated with artist and painter Jonas Wickman of Stockholm and DF Creative Designs of Connecticut.
The local space for the iconic brand creates a more than 6,500-square-foot dining destination in a redeveloped downtown space that formerly was the longtime home of Bellini Italian restaurant, Citrus seafood restaurant and Paddy Murphy’s Irish Pub. The resulting restaurant and lounge are designed to impress with a seamless blend of well-appointed indoor and outdoor spaces. Greeted by a black steel door entrance with oversized custom brass handles and painted gold leaf, guests will be transported to a romantic and timeless world, the company promises.
The 74-seat dining room features leather banquettes, muted cream wall panels, vintage mirrors, hand-painted period photographs, slow-moving fans and custom-made hanging light fixtures from Paris. A 64-seat al-fresco patio with lush tropical foliage provides a garden hideaway.
Adjacent to the dining room is a cocktail lounge with plush seating, mahogany paneling, herringbone wood floor, gold leaf screens and cream Venetian plaster walls. An intimate private dining room—The Magnolia Room—overlooks the bar and lounge area and seats 12 at a black resin chef’s table.
The menu has been developed under the leadership of Vietnamese chef and cookbook author Nicole Routhier and national culinary director Hassan Obaye with input and execution by Moosah Reaume, Naples executive chef. Reaume previously was director of food and beverage at the Mandarin Oriental in Boca Raton and executive chef at Public Chicago Hotel and Pump Room restaurant.
www.neiljohnburger.com
Meant for sharing, Le Colonial’s menu features locally sourced, health-conscious ingredients such as lemongrass, mung bean sprouts, clams, swordfish and Gulf shrimp. Featured items include Banh Cuon chicken and mushroom ravioli and Ca Song with spicy yellowfin tuna tartare and Hass avocado. Large plates include Ca Chim, halibut with “La Vong” aroma; and Bo Luc Lac with caramelized heritage Angus beef.
Dinner will be served 4-10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 4-11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The lounge, which is walk-in only, serves a full lounge menu an hour before and after the main dining room times. Lunch on Saturdays and Sundays will launch Jan. 6.
Limón Rooftop Bar
Another new dining option features Mediterranean traditions with a modern twist on the rooftop of the three-story AC Hotel in the Naples Square development at 455 12th St. S. across from Tin City. Inspired by the Amalfi Coast of southern Italy, the elevated dining experience will be open for lunch and dinner daily.
“This rooftop space is designed for everyone who loves interesting dishes and drinks,” said Douglas Gaquer, the hotel’s food & beverage director.
Limón strives to be a place where favorite dishes meet updated flavors in a culinary focus that balances the classics with the contemporary, especially with an emphasis on fresh Florida ingredients. The dinner menu has small plates, salads, flatbreads and entrees such as butternut squash ravioli, a fresh catch daily chef’s special and a Prime hanger steak with shoestring fries and Meyer lemon chimichurri.
Limón’s modern takes on Mediterranean classics include Nona’s Meatballs with Sunday gravy and garlic toast; Spanish-style rock shrimp with al ajillo, black garlic and naan bread; skin-on red snapper with fennel, fried capers, stewed tomatoes, watercress and herbed Israeli couscous; the Rauschenburger with crispy prosciutto, Manchego cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, dill pickle and romesco sauce; and an olive oil cake with sweet cream and fresh citrus.
Diners may sit inside or outside at a table or around the bar at the hotel’s signature rooftop venue. The 150-room hotel also will host AC Café, a casual spot with coffee service and grab-and-go items on the ground floor of the new business. OTO Development, part of The Johnson Group, based in South Carolina, developed the hotel and will also manage it.
The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com.
