Amusee to start: spring roll (not fried) of shaved shallot, bean sprouts, shaved celery with a vinaigrette.

Appetizers: Duo of Vietnamese Spring Rolls. Cold: slow roasted pork, shrimp, sweet spicy shallots and Warm: Chicken, vermicelli, four pepper vinaigrette. Also Banh Xeo.

Entrees: Roast Duck Breast w/Seared Foie Gras. Lemongrass duck rillette, confit of plum, creamy polenta, green cardamom jus. Roasted Rack of Lamb w/Red Curried Loin. Fennel salad, sweet coconut gnocchi, eggplant chutney.

Amusee was a wonderful way to start.

Banh Xeo was ok, but also included on this plate were a couple deep fried mushrooms w/a light batter over a marinated mushroom salad. Also crispy pork belly served w/a chopped mango salsa. Mushrooms and crispy pork belly were terrific.

The duck and foie gras were cooked perfectly so pretty hard to mess that combination up.

The lamb rack and loin were two of the best pieces of lamb I’ve ever had, so full of flavor. Combined w/the salad and chutney made this a very enjoyable dish.

A couple flights of Pinot Noir were the wine of choice for us.

With an Executive Chef of Roland Liccioni along w/Chef Arun (yes that Arun) Sampanthavivat, I expected more out of Le Lan. Menu and the flavors we experienced are more in the French category rather than Viet.

A quote, "So you take one four-star chef, add another four-star chef, and you get-a two-star restaurant?" from Phil Vittel's review of Le Lan here: http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...ining_top_heds

Le Lan Restaurant
749 North Clark Street
Chicago
312.280.9100
http://www.lelanrestaurant.com

Le Lan is proud to announce that internationally renowned Chef Peng Looi will be joining Chef de Cuisine Andy Motto and Executive Chef Roland Liccioni in the kitchen for a culinary event on Monday July 25th, 2005.

Chef Looi's food has been described as "Works of Edible Art"

This seven course tasting menu will be featuring Wine Pairings from the
Acclaimed Winemaker August Kesseler recognized for his world class
Reislings and Pinot Noir.

For reservations please call 312.280.9100. The price of the evening is
$125 per person excluding Tax and Gratuity.

http://www.lelanrestaurant.com

Every Tuesday through the end of August, Le Lan is offering their $36 three course prix fix menu. This allows you to choose one soup or salad, one entrée, and one dessert from the regular Le Lan menu.

Went to Le Lan a couple of nights ago. The food was decent, but the desserts were amazing. The two pre-ordered desserts (Chocolate Fondant and suffle) were both awesome. As good as any I have had in Paris.

You are making me VERY hungry. I'm going to Chicago in August and may have to visit this place.

My FIL just told me about a French Vietnamese place in Atlanta that he went to. Is this a new fusion or something old I haven't heard about before?

GG

don't forget to tell us when you're coming, GG, we'll do a special Flat Top lunch for ya!

Le Lan was just mentioned in Chicago Magazine's recent article "The 124 Best Dishes". The dish mentioned was Zucchini Wrapped Talapia - seared talapia wrapped in very thin zuchini slices, topped by a vinaigrette with sun dried tomatoes, candied ginger, and flageolet beans.

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This place knows what they're doing. Excellent spot! ^