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    RL Restaurant

    4.2 (1.1k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

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    RL RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Upscale
    Moderate noise
    Dressy

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    Recommended Reviews - RL Restaurant

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    Reviews With Photos

    Prime Filet Mignon (10 oz.) sliced
    Clare D.

    This is an amazing restaurant with a great filet mignon and escargots. Your steak comes with onion rings and a choice of three sauces. Go with the horseradish one and you will not be disappointed. A surprise plus is the roasted garlic. It is an amazing accompaniment to the steak. The escargot came with toast points. You can use these for dipping into the incredible oil and spices the escargots are bathing in. Total decadence. Our server catered to our special needs that day. We asked for our steak to be sliced and he accommodated us. Excellent service! The restaurant's ambiance is first rate. It's decorated nicely and feels very warm and inviting. A five star restaurant experience all the way.

    Dining area
    Samuel S.

    Definitely one of my favorites in this great city of Chicago. The staff is always pleasant and happy to serve you. From the valet person to your waiter everyone is excellent. My favorites from the menu are the calamari, the walleye, the perch, and the RL burger. The sides are family style and the sautéed garlic spinach and of the course the fries are my go to. I love this place. Perfect for drinks and conversation.

    The menu
    Leung Y.

    We got seated almost immediately since we have our reservation. It took another 6 minutes from seating before the waiter come and about our drink preference (bottled or tap). The seating was extremely crowded and noisy. Another few minutes before we get our bread baskets. The menu choice is extremely limited. 15 minutes later and still no one taking our order. The specials of the day was only directed to my spouse. Mind you that this was a 2 person reservation only (it's not a big party). I tried the bread basket. I took one bite and decided it is not even worth my effort of chewing, let alone the calories. That cheese crisp is not even crispy with one bite. The bread is not warm and is very dry. The butter is hard chunk cut out. The appetizer is decent. It is under seasoned but at least it is hot and coated correctly. The sauces with it was below average. 30 minutes later, our main is still not in sight. Another 10 minutes, our main came. We got the fried fish and salad with chicken. The dish is much better than the salad. The salad is crispy. The chicken is overly salty and dried. We also got the chocolate brownie, not a fan. As someone has a sweet tooth to put down the fork, you can imagine. Among all the restaurants we tried in Chicago, in terms of ambience, food, and service, Cindy's rooftop and the Shanghai Terrace are so much better. Seriously why can't there be any more good food and service at restaurants like Fred's at Barney's in the old days, or Eleven Madison Park anymore? The only reason I would think I would recommend this place is if someone is a big RL fan. This is almost like one of those restaurants in a theme park, all appearance and not taste.

    Espresso martini
    Abbey P.

    The food was top tier. The ambiance is so cute inside too it felt like we were sitting in someone's living room and the waiter made us feel right at home. It is so cozy you won't want to get up from your booth to leave. The burger was one of the best I've ever had in the city and the filet was cooked to perfection.

    Dinner
    Heather M.

    RL is a really fun experience. The food is fabulous, and the service was good. It's upscale, so you definitely get the feeling of being pampered there. We had a large group, and our server made sure we had fresh cocktails and wine often. We had a great time and would go again. Reservations are a must.

    Pigs in a Blanket
    J E.

    I had heard good things about RL, so when given the chance to have a business lunch here, I was happy to attend. Checking in we were given a table in the main dining room and seated way before this place got completely packed, about 20 minutes later. The dining room reminded me of an upscale RL store, with wood walls, bookcases, and similar upscale library style décor. Service was great... helpful, very professional, and friendly. The menu was filled with many great options and just when I thought I selected what I wanted, our server told us about their specials, which included a sea bass sandwich, so I went for that instead! We started with their pigs in a blanket - They were GOOD!! The mustard that accompanied them really added a nice touch to the flavor and the dough they were wrapped in was flaky and tasty. Next up was a bowl of their tomato bisque, again - RALLY GOOD!! The goat cheese in it added a nice, sharp flavor for each bite. The sea bass sandwich was excellent too! The jalapeño on it added a nice spice and the fish was so very soft, flaky, and flavorful! The bun was incredible too... Overall, a great sandwich! I look forward to returning... Highly recommend making a reservation and joining them!

    Can you imagine a better Shrimp Cocktail?
    Lawrence M.

    How can this place still deliver tremendous fare, perfectly crafted drinks and wonderfully personal service after all these years??? Really not sure how, but they manage! The shrimp cocktail was plump and fresh, the BLT salad was huge and the bacon (really more like pork belly) was tasty and juicy. Love this place........never tire of it. Carly was the most amazing server....her first day and she killed it! Cheers!

    Inside
    Kailey M.

    Perfect cozy winter spot. We were seated in the main dining room in the beautiful booths. We ordered the RL burger, mini Reuben's and lobster roll. Everything was good - the Reuben's were a fun touch on the menu and perfect for sharing. I did order a glass of wine and I swear it was champagne, but I was able to send it back. Overall it was quite pricey for what we ordered. But we came more for the vibes anyways.

    Fish
    Lisa L.

    We love the RL restaurant it's always a good experience and the food is delicious We tried the pasta for the first time It was very good and I had the fish which was good as well the ambience always adds to this restaurant experience which we love and will continue to return for

    Anne S.

    If you are lucky enough to grab a spot un the bar, definitely do! The wait staff is amazing, the drinks are divine and the food is delicious. I highly recommend getting a martini and the RL burger and enjoy the dimly lit atmosphere of the bar. If you happen to get the corner seat, you can do some fun people watching of shoppers in the retail store.

    Maria-Elena T.

    Review is for the bar. Came here for a pre-dinner cocktail with my cousins visiting from Italy. Can you get more American than Ralph Lauren?! Had not been here in years. And I mean many years! Never just sat at the bar so I did not remember the bar being so small but three of us got a seat right away. The turnover was fast. The bartenders were amazingly attentive and one even spoke Italian. Highly recommend!

    RL Burger
    Emily D.

    RL was a fun experience! Our service was excellent and the food was tasty. We enjoyed our drinks as well, but they weren't really unique or special. The downside of this spot is that it is truly the most crowded restaurant I have ever been to. It was claustrophobic and we were literally on top of all of the tables around us. Because of that, we won't be back! If you don't like being super close to others while dining, make sure you avoid this spot.

    Menu
    Mario S.

    Cozy spot with an upscale forwardness to it that's the vibe at RL. It feels classic Chicago, polished but not pretentious. If you have reservations, you're in luck. You'll glide right in and get seated. Us? We like to wing it. And I mean truly wing it. My advice get there early and snag a seat at the bar. It's a tight space, but honestly, the magic is in the bar. That's where the energy is. We went for brunch and split the recommended burger and fries (solid choice), plus a half dozen East Coast and West Coast oysters. Paired it with a glass of wine and it just worked. Simple, well-executed, and exactly what we were in the mood for. Be prepared this place fills up fast. Either plan ahead or have a backup plan if you're walking in. The wait staff was friendly, drinks were good, and the overall experience felt worth the effort. We'll definitely be back. Just maybe with a few friends to explore this gem.

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    3 months ago

    Service was excellent. The food was extremely ordinary and the price is not justified.

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    4 months ago

    First class all the way. Service and food are both impeccable. Excellent cocktails and menu with classics plus new and fun dishes.

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    Page 1 of 27

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    Ask the Community - RL Restaurant

    Possible to make any of the steak dishes without dairy/ butter due to allergies?

    How dressy do you have to be for lunch?

    Casual- everyone is dressed how you are up to evening, dressy date attire!

    Does the salad fill you up or is it just another appetizer/starter?

    The salad is a good size portion. You can have it as a meal.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Butcher & The Bear

    Butcher & The Bear

    4.4(184 reviews)
    2.8 miLincoln Park
    $$$$

    Yes, steak houses are expensive, but here, you get what you pay for. Check out the menu before…read moregoing there's a lot to choose from: seafood appetizers, different meats and cuts including a Wagyu tasting board. Our main server, Billy, and his team could not have been better; available when you needed them and out of the way when you didn't. When my wife mentioned to one of the team, she wanted wine with our entree, Billy was there 10 seconds later with two reds for her to taste. The focaccia with beef tallow was suggested by everyone, we thought it was nice, but nothing special. We split the beef cheeks for another appetizer and it was spectacular. We also split a Ceasar salad that was good. Both of us ordered the rib eye and a side of whipped potatoes. Both were phenomenal. Nice touch with offering the option for the kitchen to slice it for you. At this point, we were pretty full and got lemon sorbet (not too sour, not too sweet) crème brûlée gelato (good) and because it was our 39th anniversary, he brought us an "Italian donut " (sugar donut with vanilla ice cream) that was great. I noticed another table getting the biscoff cheese cake, and carrot cake. They looked great and were HUGE. Coffee came a little late but that's being picky. Complimentary lemon cello ended the evening with a nice touch. My wife said the service and food made this a wonderful experience and a memorable anniversary. I agree. The atmosphere is dark but romantic and the noise level isn't bad. I do have a HUGE COMPLAINT!! My wife's idiot husband (me) left the doggie bag with a good amount of steak and whipped potatoes on the table. We look forward to coming back with family and friends.

    First off, what you're getting for your money just doesn't gel…read more I dont mind paying an exuberant amount for food if the food matches the price but sadly it doesn't here.... The good: Salad was amazing with bits of nicely cooked pork belly mixed in and the salad dressing is to die for Focaccia bread was very good but nothing special but the bone tarrow butter was fantastic and carried this bread. Brussel sprouts were flavorful but greasy and overcooked... Beef cheek ragu noodle dish was heavy yet tasty.. Rib eye steak done medium rare was fatty and very very chewy so this was a complete fail, but seasoned very well...extra 10 bucks for some dipping sauce for the steak but worth getting to elevate the steak...Definitely don't do any steak under medium here... Lemon sorbet was the true winner of the night...Delicious without being too tart..... Overall like I said, not worth the $250 price tag before tip...._

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    Butcher & The Bear
    Butcher & The Bear - Mac n Cheese

    Mac n Cheese

    Butcher & The Bear - Beef tartare with smoked egg yolk and potatoes

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    Beef tartare with smoked egg yolk and potatoes

    Penumbra - Creole shrimp, ribeye and lobster (surf & turf) with roasted potatoes and delish side salad. Delish!

    Penumbra

    4.8(1k reviews)
    4.8 miLogan Square
    $$$

    I had the pleasure to dine at Penumbra on a Thursday evening. We were celebrating a graduation and…read morethe staff were very welcoming when we arrived. I was visiting from out of town and was not familiar with the parking around the area. I asked one of the staff members and immediately they reassured me that the side street would raking was totally fine to park just so long as it wasn't the front of the building where you have to pay. The food started with a complementary potato soup which was flavorful and lovely. We got a round of drinks and one of our party didn't care for her drink and it was replaced no question. We had the flat iron steak, the chicken, and the salmon and each entree was wonderful. The proteins were all very tender and juicy. I was also very pleased with the salad that came first which was lightly dressed and very seasonal. We finished our dining experience with a slice of cheesecake. It was a nice cap to the end of a wonderful meal. I would recommend this restaurant for any occasion - I would love to come back and try some of the other items on their menu.

    **Hidden gem!!!**…read more Penumbra is SUPER sexy and low-key elite. This is one of those spots that will make you look like a total restaurant pro if you take someone there or recommend it. The ambiance is intimate, romantic, and just feels exclusive without trying too hard. I took my girl there for her birthday and she absolutely loved it -- which is always the real test. We had the ribeye and the Rotini Bianco, and both were excellent. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful. The Rotini Bianco was rich, creamy, and done just right. Every dish felt intentional and well executed. Don't hesitate to book. If you're trying to impress or celebrate something special, this is the move.

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    Penumbra
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    Perilla korean steakhouse

    Perilla korean steakhouse

    4.1(226 reviews)
    0.7 miThe Loop
    $$$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Takes reservations

    One of the best kbbq I ever had. The quality was top notch. This is the type of place you go to for…read morea special occasion because it is pricey. My husband and I came here for dinner on a Fri night. The menu was misleading. We ordered the premium steakhouse set ($70), assuming that we could split it between the 2 of us, but you have to order per person. It came with picanha, wagyu hangar, prime short rib, and marinated prime short rib. They were all 5/5 fantastic quality. This is ultimately why I'm giving this place 5 stars. The meat was incredibly tender and flavorful. We also ordered the brussels sprouts which were the best I had in a long time. It had a hint of sweetness from the golden raisins and fermented honey. The pumpkin seeds added a crunchy element to this dish - I could've devoured this entire plate by myself. The japchae was good too. I like that it had more veggies than your average japchae. Perilla steakhouse was a beautiful restaurant. There's plenty of seating and I was surprised to see that they also serve breakfast. If I lived here, I would probably check it out.

    We went for happy hour (which is only available at the bar or outside patio). Everything we tried…read morewas absolutely delicious! The service was great; I'd definitely come back here. For food we had: - oysters - Argentina red shrimp (good flavor but you only get three shrimps which didn't seem worth it) - garlic chive pancake (loved the side sauces with this) - vegetable dumplings (really good!)

    Photos
    Perilla korean steakhouse - Custom built-in table side grilling

    Custom built-in table side grilling

    Perilla korean steakhouse
    Perilla korean steakhouse - Chilled soba noodles & kimchi

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    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Ahi Tuna Tartare*

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

    4.4(3.3k reviews)
    0.3 miNear North Side
    $$$$

    Crazy on a Monday night at 630 pm the place was packed!!…read more Classic Chicago steakhouse. It's lively and fun & the food is great! So is the service, excellent without being overbearing. We had a big party and most orders were a bit different. Everyone lived the apps, drinks and their dishes! Everyone was too stuffed to have desert. I had a perfectly cooked strip steak. It was delicious and the flavor was great! Shared a baked potato and the wonderful Mac & cheese. Mrs A liked it better than Swift and Sons - but that is still #1 for me - although it's in the west loop and not walkable if staying on MI Ave. Don't like the 3.5% for "rising" costs...seems like that has been around since COvID. I always catch it after I pay the bill...

    Joe's Seafood in Chicago has an unusual amount of personal history for me. It opened as a…read morepartnership between Miami Beach's iconic Joe's Stone Crab and Lettuce Entertain You, bringing South Florida to Grand and Rush. I first went when it was still a huge, buzzy Chicago spot, and one of my most memorable dinners came after my high school graduation in 2003. I even got a speeding ticket on Lake Shore Drive with my grandmother in the back seat on the way to dinner, which still makes me laugh. Chicago was an especially fun place for Joe's to arrive. Open outcry trading was still a force, and the wealth creation around it was wild: people who had dropped out of high school could become millionaires in their twenties, while math PhDs from the University of Chicago could make fortunes in the same ecosystem. It was a golden era for hustle culture, when commerce idolized Tony Montana in a way that today is more likely to idolize Jamie Dimon or David Solomon. Death Row and Bad Boy ruled the airwaves, while Michael, Shaq, Kobe, and Allen Iverson defined the NBA. Basketball was so dominant in Chicago culture during my coming of age that I still map other things, including restaurants, to NBA teams. Joe's felt like the Miami Heat coming to Chicago in much the same way Smith & Wollensky represented the New York Knicks: each brought a recognizable piece of its hometown culture into another major city. Joe's brought real South Florida sizzle to Chicago, and it landed at exactly the right moment. Going there felt like an occasion. Florida took longer for me to understand in full. My family has roots in the state going back decades, farther north along the Atlantic coast, and I didn't visit Miami until March 2007, when my sister started graduate school in Coral Gables. That trip began my love affair with Miami and helped me understand why the original Joe's was such an institution. A close family friend's father spent time around Miami in the 1960s and 1970s. He knew local fishermen who caught stone crabs, which gave me an appreciation for the older South Florida culture around the food, separate from Joe's own history. Another Joe's memory captures an entirely different moment. Looking through my OpenTable history, my July 31, 2008 reservation at Joe's in Chicago is the earliest reservation I can find at a restaurant that is still open today. I was 23, working at UBS, preparing to move to New York while the firm was already on fire from its mortgage losses, and Lehman would file for bankruptcy just weeks later. I was broke but wildly aspirational, dreaming about dinners at Balthazar, begging my way past the doors at Cain and Tenjune, hoping to drink for free, and trying to meet women comically far out of my league. Through all of those memories, the restaurant itself has been remarkably consistent. The stone crab claws are incredible, the seafood is excellent, and Joe's holds its own among Chicago's serious steakhouses. The room has traditionally felt a little more formal than Miami, with bow ties, polished service, and a darker old-school steakhouse rhythm, while still being genuinely welcoming. Finish with the key lime pie. Years later, my wife and I held our wedding reception at RPM Seafood, another Lettuce restaurant, then ate at the original Joe's during our honeymoon in Miami during COVID days later, which felt like a fitting circle back. In sheer range of venues, repeatability of quality and atmosphere, and consistency of hits, Lettuce is the gold standard in Chicago, with some of that same reach in Vegas and DC. I've been extraordinarily privileged in my exposure to hospitality, and I still repeatedly admire Rich Melman's model, taste, and execution, now carried forward by the next generation of the family. Joe's is a prime example: world-class, durable, unmistakably Chicago, and absolutely somewhere I want to return next time I'm in town with some dough to spend. While Joe's may not be French, this place still earns my highest marks: très bien!

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    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - The dining room

    The dining room

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Creamed Corn

    Creamed Corn

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    Beef Tenderloin Slider

    RL Restaurant - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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