Le Colonial Brings More Than French-Vietnamese To Naples

Passing through the gold-leaf entry of Le Colonial, it's as if you’ve stepped into a glamorous, bygone era. The famed French-Vietnamese restaurant now has a prime location on Naples' 5th Avenue South, with a dream-team collaboration between Chicago architecture and design firm Knauer Inc, Connecticut firm DF Creative Designs and Swedish artist Jonas Wickman.

"Upon entering, one is transported to the seductive spirit of 1920s Saigon," says Darrah Ferrari Wahlstedt of DF Creative Designs. “Sitting nestled among the palms, with the gentle breeze of the slow-moving ceiling fans, the ambience captures the charm and romance of that time."

Each space within the restaurant claims its own unique details, from bold murals to Parisian brass lighting to hand-painted period photographs. Start the evening with a cocktail in the seductive lounge, with its rich, mahogany wall paneling, gold-leaf screens and plush seating. Then move to the dining room, which showcases a painting of a traditional Vietnamese boat sailing through Halong Bay. "Le Colonial has elevated the Naples dining scene, especially with its cuisine and style of service, providing a vibrant new reason to visit 5th Avenue South," says Sean Smith, the restaurant’s general manager.