Le Colonial in San Francisco will host a New Moon Chef Tasting Dinner from Executive Chef Geoffrey Deetz on Tuesday, October 19 with service from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. This four-course meal priced at $55.00 per person with an additional $45.00 per person wine pairing is inspired by the New Moon when families in Vietnam gather outside to enjoy the cooler fall weather. Chef Deetz's experience in Vietnam afforded him the opportunity to appreciate the food and fun that the Vietnamese have during this time of year. Reservations are available via https://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/lecolonialsf.

The evening’s meal will begin with a choice of either Tiger Shrimp Spring Rolls, poached tiger prawns with butter leaf, sesame leaf, mint, rice noodles and ginger peanut dipping sauce or Portobello Spring Rolls with roasted portobello mushrooms and extra virgin olive; followed by Ha Noi Shredded Muscovy Duck Salad with poached shredded Muscovy duck breast, shaved banana blossom, napa cabbage, Vietnamese herbs, toasted sesame seeds, fried shallots, sesame crackers and ginger fish sauce or Organic Lemongrass Tofu Salad with slow baked lemongrass organic tofu, shaved fresh banana blossom, napa cabbage, Vietnamese herbs, toasted sesame seeds, tapioca crackers and sesame dressing; then Braised Pork, boneless heritage grass fed pork braised with pickled mustard greens, shallots, green chili and black pepper, Pumpkin Xao Lan, fried white pumpkin cubes with sweet onions, shiitake mushrooms, cashew oil, glass noodles, fresh mint and cumin sprouts, or Toasted Peanut Atlantic Salmon “En Papillote”, pan seared fresh Atlantic salmon wrapped in rice paper with fresh tarragon, roasted mushroom duxelles and white pepper on a bed of warm flowering kale; and for dessert, a Dragon Fruits Coconut Ice Cream Cookies Sandwich or Vietnamese Matcha Tiramisu.

Chef Deetz’s overall focus is on regional Vietnamese cuisine with French influences. Deetz has worked as a chef/restaurateur for more than 30 years starting at the age of 17 in his family’s Oakland café. In 2000 he moved to Vietnam and spent the next 17 years opening and operating a dozen restaurants, many with his wife Quynh Nhu, plus doing consulting and curating visits by the likes of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey and food writers Alan Richman and Dori Greenspan. One of his venues CNN.com called one of the top restaurants to eat at in the world. In 2017 Deetz and Nhu came to the United States to open The Temple Club in Oakland that showcased “truly authentic” Vietnamese cuisine and was named a “Top 100 Restaurant” by the San Francisco Chronicle and received GQ Magazine’s “Best Noodle Dish in America” designation, two of many local and national accolades. Throughout, authenticity and creativity have been the consistent culinary vision of Deetz and Nhu and this is now most apparent at Le Colonial.

Complementing the Le Colonial menu is an international wine list that has more than 100 selections of which about 15 are available by the glass. The list is composed of French and domestic vintages, plus wines from Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and elsewhere. The full bar’s cocktail menu showcases classic, contemporary and original libations.

The atmosphere at Le Colonial evokes the elegance of Vietnam in the 1920’s. From the mosaic-like tile flooring, vaulted pressed-tin ceiling with ceiling fans, shuttered windows, plush rattan furniture and black and white photographs of life at the turn of the century, all accented by the glow of candlelight, the restaurant feels as if it was transported here from many generations ago and 10,000 miles away. Upstairs, the 721Lounge (enter on Sutter Street) features Vietnamese bar food and a robust cocktail program, plus there is a stylish, heated parklet (on Sutter Street) that provides guests with an outdoor dining option focused on fun food and drinks at accessible prices.

Le Colonial is located at 20 Cosmo Place between Sutter and Post and Jones and Taylor. The restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday and Thursday from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 5:00 to 9:30 p.m. On Sunday, brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Valet parking is available. Visit Le Colonial on the web at www.lecolonialsf.com. For more information or reservations, which can also be made online, call (415) 931-3600.