French Classics Meet Vietnamese Spice, Fairly Priced
Gold Coast · Chicago · French-Vietnamese · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 8, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Le Colonial’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Over 200 bottles is impressive for a French-Vietnamese spot, and the list leans heavily into France—fitting given the colonial theme. The program feels safe and established, not adventurous, with a smattering of New World options to round things out.
France dominates as expected, with solid representation from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhône. You'll find United States, Argentina, Chile, Germany, and New Zealand rounding out the international selection, but this isn't a list chasing trends or natural wine darlings. It's a classic, crowd-pleasing spread with enough depth to keep wine drinkers interested without overwhelming diners who just want a decent glass with their pho. The 200+ bottle count suggests ambition, but the actual range skews traditional and dependable rather than exciting.
15-20 pours by the glass is a respectable offering for a restaurant of this size. The Château Ducasse Sauvignon Blanc blend at $8 and Delas Frères Ventoux Grenache blend at $8 show they're pricing glass pours accessibly, even if bottle markups run steep. The selection appears rotational but not dynamic—you'll find reliable options, not weekly experiments.
Château Ducasse 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Blend — $8
At $8 by the glass, it's a clean, versatile white that won't break the bank and pairs well with lighter Vietnamese dishes
Delas Frères Ventoux 2018 Grenache Blend
Ventoux is an underrated Rhône appellation—this $8 glass delivers spice and fruit that can stand up to shaking beef without overwhelming spring rolls
Most bottles with 3-4x retail markup
The markups here run steep—300-400% over retail—so stick to by-the-glass pours or bring your own if they allow corkage
Delas Frères Ventoux 2018 Grenache Blend + Shaking Beef
The peppery grenache and Rhône spice mirror the beef's caramelized crust and bold flavors—both have enough structure to not get lost in the dish
The Bottom Line
Le Colonial delivers a solid, French-focused wine program that complements the cuisine without taking risks. It's reliable for a date night or business dinner, but markups are steep enough that you'll want to stick to glass pours or explore their lower-tier bottles.
Logan Square · Chicago · Italian
For a bottle night, start with Thursday's advertised half-price selection. Wednesday's posted four-course menu is $55 with an optional $30 wine pairing, before other charges. The restaurant discloses a 3.75% administrative fee on guest checks; confirm current terms when booking.
Lincoln Park · Chicago · American Casual
Summer House is not a wine destination, but it's a reliable place to drink well enough without getting gouged on the low end — just steer clear of the big-name bottles where the markup climbs. Send your friend here if they want something easy and good; don't send them here if they're chasing something serious.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chicago · Italian
il Carciofo is doing something genuinely rare: building a wine list that treats Italian regional variety as the main event, not the footnote. If you're tired of the same Pinot Grigio and Chianti Classico circuit, this is exactly where you should be eating dinner.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Chicago · Chicago · Steakhouse
STK Chicago is here to sell you a night out, and the wine list is just part of the set dressing. If you care about what's in your glass, eat here for the steak and order water.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chicago · French Brasserie
La Grande Boucherie Chicago is a reliable wine destination for anyone who wants a French-focused list executed with genuine effort and the occasional smart value. The markups aren't shy, but the BTG program and specials take some of the sting out — go in with a plan and you'll drink well.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
· Chicago · Steakhouse
This is not the wine list you expect to find at The Palm, and that's exactly why it earns attention. Six bottles, zero filler, genuinely fair pricing — if someone's tending this list, they deserve a raise.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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