/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50241835/Chef_20Nicole_20Routhier.0.jpg)
The wait for Le Colonial has certainly been a long one, H-Town. Originally scheduled for a Spring 2016 arrival, it appears that the French-Vietnamese restaurant is finally getting close to opening its doors.
A representative for Le Colonial tells Eater that no official opening date has been nailed down as of yet, but that diners can expect for it to land in the first or second week of August, immediately following a private grand opening event planned for August 5.
In June, the restaurant announced that renowned chef and cookbook author Nicole Routhier, who designed the original menu for Le Colonial’s NYC outpost, would serve as culinary director alongside Executive Chef Dan Nguyen. Sommelier Sebastien Laval, formerly of La Table, has been tapped to oversee the restaurant’s cocktail and wine programs.
The menu is still being finalized, but look forward to classic Vietnamese dishes with plenty of cheffy influence. You’ll be able to dig into suon nuong, or baby back ribs grilled over charcoal with lemongrass and glazed with honey. Or, perhaps, the cha chien Saigon, a whole red snapper seared until crispy in a spicy garlic glaze.
Stay tuned for updates on Le Colonial’s official opening date.