As the restaurant industry gets back into gear and people are looking for their new favorite place, healthier food and an eclectic ambiance are a priority for the country’s dining public. Riding this wave, The Coloniala high-end Vietnamese restaurant, opened its most recent location in Delray Beach, Florida, adding to their national footprint. Colonial’s remarkable success can be attributed to several key factors that have propelled the restaurant chain’s growth.
The Colonial’s recipe for success rests on several key ingredients. “Our restaurants offer a romantic and warm atmosphere combined with unique cuisine to create an experience that sets it apart from other restaurants,” noted Rick Wahlstedt, restaurateur and co-owner of Colonial.
Wahlstedt’s story reflects the opportunity the restaurant and food service industry provides to a visionary entrepreneur. Originally from Sweden, he worked his way up in the service industry, going from waiter to maître d’ at some of New York’s most respected restaurants. He then co-founded Le Colonial more than 30 years ago. Over the past three decades, Wahlstedt and his team have built a brand that celebrates the ambiance and cuisine of 1920s Saigon. Although each of the restaurants features these French influences, local customers are greeted with a slightly different concept including unique menus, colors and design.
“We are known as the grandfather of lounges and we understand that the dining room guest and the bar guest are in many cases looking for a very different experience,” detailed Wahlstedt. The original Colonial had a truly fancy dining room, with a lounge and bar on the second floor. At the time, this was unheard of, and Wahlstedt reflects on how stepping outside the norm made people question his legitimacy in the restaurant industry. “I remember my colleagues came to visit the site and said I was crazy and that I was never going to succeed.”
They were wrong, because Le Colonial was thriving and starting to expand and open more locations. They’ve continued to open in the same way, with the original owners expanding their ideas into new locations, taking advantage of the vibe of the city they’re in. “For thirty years, all the restaurants have been individual units, so you never feel like you’re eating at a chain restaurant,” Wahlstedt added.
There are four more locations on the way with Naples, Florida coming soon, Cherry Creek/Denver following that, and then further expansion to the East Coast. They plan to “go from eight restaurants to fifteen by 2029,” Wahlstedt continued.
The commitment to creating a unique local experience is reflected in Colonial’s approach to its menus. New Delray Beach restaurant incorporates more seafood dishes on their menu. “We emphasize farm-to-table Vietnamese dishes,” Wahlstedt emphasized. “To achieve this goal, we work closely with local farms. »
Le Colonial prides itself on catering to all lifestyles, offering plenty of plant-based, vegan and pescatarian options while emphasizing light and healthy cuisine on its menu. and elegant decor with pleasant and healthy cuisine.
To achieve its “local” culinary goals, Le Colonial has built an experienced culinary management team. Hassan Obaye, culinary director, and chef Nicole Routhier collaborate on the menus with Wahlstedt. “We still offer 20% of the original recipes, including the very popular red snapper on the menu since we opened. Our food and design have stood the test of time.
Le Colonial has existed for over thirty years and continues to prosper. The ambiance and quality of the food are key to their success, as well as the cohesiveness that follows the iconic chain. With upscale farm-to-table dining and a fun, specific theme, the country’s most discerning guests continue to find their Le Colonial timeless.
Learn more about Le Colonial and their locations at their website.
