We loved RL Restaurant for brunch! Loved how classy it is and everything is very Ralph Lauren from the monogrammed menus to the dishware. I love the navy blue and brown vibes too. We opted to sit outside on a nice summer's day. The food was excellent too. read more

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The food here was good and the service was great. They don't have anything overly unique on their menu, but the food all tastes really great. Lots of sandwiches and basis main courses. Their latte was made very well. The restaurant was a little cramped though. Tons of tables squished into a small area! read more

RL Restaurant - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Beautiful lunch spot in Chicago. The dark wood and library walls style is gorgeous. We were seated near the front so we had a sidewalk cafe view. The calamari and perch were amazing. My granddaughters loved it, too. Best spot on Mag Mile! read more

We ordered lunch for delivery and door dash made a mistake on our order. When we called RL, Adam the General Manager went out of his way to rectify the issue, and handled it with the best costumer service we have had in years! Not to mention the food is always over the top. Thank you RL and Adam, top notch all around! read more

This restaurant is really nice and classy. This is a great place for a special occasion or date night. I had a birthday gathering for a party of 15 they were able to accommodate me. They have a waiting areas in the front room where you can get drinks while you wait for your table. We were seated pretty close to the reservation time. The server was attentive and kind. The food was delicious. I had the calamari as an appetizer. They gave the table several different kinds of breads. For the main course I had the crab cake. I did not order dessert and had sprinkles delivered. They accepted the outside parties treats and presented them in a nice manner. I was very pleased. The restrooms are located on the basement or first floor and they have an elevator that takes you there. I wish they had more stalls for the women's restroom, but I can say it was very clean. The entire staff made it a group effort to ensure that everyone was happy and accommodated for. They work well as a team here and it shows in the product or end result. I recommend this place. read more

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Really, RL...you never deviate from stellar expectations! Arrived for two family members' birthday celebrations, and we closed this place. 4 hours sitting here, and we still wanted to linger longer. We started with drinks and appetizers- 2 martinis (vodka base) for the birthday ladies: 5 (Flavorful, not sweet, strong, and a bit sour; perfect.) Cabernet: 5 (We each had a couple glasses; very good!) Starters- Calamari/octopus/shrimp: 5 Entrées and sides- Sword Fish + heirloom tomatoes (choice of the day): 5 Dover Sole: 5 Filet mignon: 5 RL jalapeño burger (choice of the day): 5 Sides- Brussel sprouts: 5 Sautéed spinach:5 Fries: 5 Dessert- Chocolate decadence cake: 5! Lattes: 5 Coffee: 5 Service: 5+ Ambiance: 5+ RL- never change! read more

Came here Saturday night with family. The atmosphere is dark and moody with a decidedly elegant feel. The service is attentive and professional. We were a group of 6 so maybe they're more friendly with smaller groups, I'll have to check that out. They get points for knowing how to make a proper sidecar. A lot of places claim to but most don't deliver so kudos to the bar tender for knowing their craft. The food was delicious. I started with the crab croquettes. Which were small lightly breaded balls stuffed with large juicy chunks of crab. The out side was crispy and light and the inside was juicy and plump. The croquettes were very flavorful and came with a wonderfully spicy sauce. For dinner I had the Dover sole. It was very mild with with a pleasant texture and a buttery and garlicky flavor. Very enjoyable. As a side I got the roasted brussell sprouts. They were perfectly cooked. Not to crunchy or chewy and had a wonderful almost sweet flavor. For dessert I tried the chocolate cake. It was rich and creamy. All in all a wonderful meal. read more

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RL does everything right. Good food, good service, good ambiance and no attitude. Lesser Chicago restaurants with big, bad attitudes should take note as this obvious (yet hard to find) formula has helped RL withstand the test of time in a highly competitive city and industry. The only thing to take into consideration before dining there is your budget as, even for lunch, it is expensive but, rest assured, you do get what you pay for. read more

I have been here many times. The service is outstanding and the employees are so kind. We had a table of 10 for lunch on Sunday, the gentlemen in the bar were welcoming and made the best cocktails for us. Rodrigo and James. In the Dining room a table of 10 i the middle of the restaurant was perfect! Taylor and Juan were our servers and they were so attentive. Thank you for a special day. Everyone was so impressed with the service. read more

The whole experience is special. Servers are kind and efficient, cocktails are beautifully poured (the French 75 is spectacular) and the food is excellent. Make sure you have a reservation and be inside if you can- the frame-to-frame artwork is so much fun. I love this place! read more

What a great lunch experience today. We sat on the patio, during a beautiful Chicago afternoon. Get the Ruben, it's insanely delicious. We got lucky when Jermey (patio) was our server. Great attitude and awesome conversation, true asset to RL. We're definitely going back and requesting him. Thanks Jermey! You're the best. read more

RL Restaurant - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Everything was absolutely amazing!!!! Atmosphere was perfect. Service was outstanding. Another reason I love the RL brand!!!

Thank you for helping us celebrate our anniversary. We had only one night in Chicago and we chose RL with confidence. This was not my first time dining at RL. For me it is a must when I am in town. The food is always perfect. The service is warm and comforting. The management is present and personable. The dining room and bar are so beautiful and the ambiance is dreamy. A special thank you to Anna and Jeff for your warm and kind service. read more

RL beautiful ambiance inside and out. Superb service and wonderful menu choices. Had a corn beef sandwich that was perfect! I always try to get into RL when I am in Chicago!!! read more

This place is everything you'd expect it to be. Came here for brunch and had the French toast the presentation was everything!!! The decor was amazing,ambiance,service was top notch read more

RL Restaurant - French toast - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Where do I start - this has to be one of my all time favorite restaurants in Chicago. Everything about this restaurant is executed so well. Their service is always on point, their food always hits the mark, and their dark, elegant, leather laden decor is exactly my type of vibe. I always get my same favorite dishes - the carpaccio, the veal Milanese, and either the RL brownie or key lime pie. My girlfriend also holds the crab cakes in very high regard. This restaurant also happens to hold a special place in my heart because the sommelier introduced me to my favorite dinner drink - a cocchi americano on the rocks with an orange expression. If I'm in the area and hungry - this is where I return without hesitation. read more

I have heard from a number of colleagues and friends that RL has great food and service and thought it was about time to give it a try. The service was impeccable, attentive but not overbearing. Nicole did an excellent job be there and providing us with suggestions. I had the house salad to start followed by their famous RL burger and what a treat it was. The burger reminded me a little of the Gibson's burger but more flavorful and just melted away. I followed up with the brownie dessert which was also perfect, not too heavy but quite the delight. I would highly recommend RL and especially their burger, which I can safely say was the best I've ever had read more

RL Restaurant - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I cannot tell you the love I have for this place. There is not one bad thing I could say about it. The staff is amazing, the service is top notch, the food is fabulous.. when I'm in Chicago, my wife and I will stop in every day for lunch. From steaks to oysters to burgers or lobster rolls, they can accommodate all your cravings. The decor is awesome, blue walls with art work hanging everywhere. They understand all the details of dinning and what the customer wants. I love the little elevator you take downstairs to the restrooms, which are very well kept I might add. Keep up the great work you guys, it is so appreciated! I am your number one fan, even more so than Oprah! read more

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Loved the experience here. It was a class act. We didn't see our server for 10-15 minutes initially because of some confusion of who had the table but that was well resolved when we received extremely attentive service there after. Our server had a second server who was helping and they were both great. Our food came quickly and was very delicious. The presentation and the flavor were excellent. The short rib was so tender and full of flavor. I'm so glad we were finally able to make it in. We tried to get in 3 times and we were passing by and were able to swipe a cocktail table in the front, it was just perfect for our party of 3, so if you're in the area I would certainly recommend a reservation! read more

The restaurant is so much authentic and The interior design is amazing. Other hand waiters are very interested and polite. And also the environment is comfortable enough to talk with your friend, on the other hand, it is impressive enough in a romantic way with your lover read more

One of my partner and I's staples. Best martini in town, great jumbo shrimp cocktail, and a crab cake that is seriously 3 inches thick! Highly recommend the patio on a nice day as they have shrubbery that blocks the street while you can still soak up the sun. read more

Russell is a true gem of the mag mile. Talk about experience, my fiancé and I stopped in for a drink and stayed for 4. Russell made us feel like Chicago royalty. He customized drinks, made relatable conversation, and kept us engaged! This is the neighborhood Cheers, and I want everyone to know my name. I will bring friends, family and colleagues back. Thank you Russell for marking the X on the map in our Chicago neighborhood. read more

100% recommend going to RL for lunch or dinner. The fillet mignon is absolutely amazing and it comes À la carte. I recommend ordering it medium or medium rare. The béarnaise sauce and garlic butter shallot sauce are absolutely phenomenal to pair with the filet mignon. I would also recommend the crabcake as an appetizer, it falls apart like butter. I also would recommend ordering the RL burger. The fries are also a delight. Don't forget to order cocktails, you must try the round hill! It was absolutely excellent. The servers at RL were so kind and funny. If you looking for a great lunch or dinner spot, RL is the place! read more

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Great ambiance and great service but food was not impressive. We shared the pigs in a blanket made with wagyu beef and I got the crab cake while my partner got the burger. Crab cake was a nice large serving and tasted good. Burger was also large but underwhelming in taste. read more

RL Restaurant - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I appreciated the maî·tre d' who seated me promptly despite me being early for my reservation. Kudos to Terry M. Jr. for providing me with a lovely dining experience and memories of Denver, CO. I told him I liked cucumbers, so I got extra cucumbers, awesome! I enjoyed my lunch because of the super fresh ingredients and excellent preparation of the dish. I will return to RL on my next visit to Chicago. Kudos to the staff! read more

This place is BUSY! Luckily we had a lunch reservations and were able to get right in. I had some sort of club sandwich and a side of brussels sprouts and they were both very tasty. I definitely recommend making a reservation instead of simply walking in. read more

A very fancy-pants dining establishment, that's also not that fancy? Yes - maybe that is a bit confusing. But what I mean is - you are instantly transformed into a low-lit, library type environment when you enter. It's cute, intimate and cozy. You feel like you are in your own living room - if you lived in a large, ornately-decorated home. We were sat promptly upon arrival (of which we made reservations.) I had a Basil Hayden Old Fashion as my drink of choice for the evening. The cocktails had adorable little polo mallet's as the stirrers. A+ for attention to detail and aesthetics! First, the bread basket is a great freebie! The cheesy, cracker type option is divine. For dinner I had the salmon. The pesto, cheesy glaze was a perfect accompaniment. For dessert, I split the chocolate cake with my boyfriend and it was more than enough. In a city like Chicago it's hard to pick and choose restaurants. For a good American fare with a cozy atmosphere, RL is a good route! (Also, rumor has it that once Justin Bieber sat at the window table with Oprah.) read more

The food was delicious and the atmosphere was very enjoyable. It's a small setting which created a nice buzz even on a Thursday night. The staff was great from the bartender (try the old fashion) to the waiter. The NY strip was superb and I would definitely recommend the cheesecake for a finale. We had a reservation but waited for an additional 40 minutes which was the one down fall of the evening. The staff was very apologetic and did what they could to make it right. read more

We walked into the restaurant on Friday at around 8:45pm, and It was packed. There was a 20-30 minute wait for a table of 5 with no reservation, which wasn't bad so we waited at the bar. The bar is a small area, but it was a comfortable wait. The dining area has a very nice ambiance and looks like a library. I ended up ordering the burger, and it was one of the best burgers I have ever had. They actually cooked it medium rare, and the bun was nice and crispy. People probably don't usually come to RL for the burger, but definitely try it. After dinner we ordered the bananas foster, and you can watch them cook it in the corner, which was neat. Overall it was a great Friday night dinner spot. read more

RL Restaurant - Burger with Brussels sprouts - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Servers were very nice, place very inviting and cozy, their lounge area is crap though on a crowded day which is everyday, food has gone down a bit over the years, maybe it get better when they get less customers during the next downturn..... read more

I enjoyed lunch here with the hubby this weekend. We've been fans for years of this place, but omg, this time I had the corned beef sandwich aka Reuben. Literally the most ridiculously good corned beef in the world. Like unreal. Go enjoy a fun, fancy lunch with impeccable service & cuisine. Don't be surprised by the high bill at the end, it's worth it for amazing food, service & atmosphere! read more

After years of living a few block away I finally went to rl with friends to celebrate my ninth month of pregnancy. Immediately felt uncomfortable with the server. He was trying to be funny but felt very patronizing. He kept telling us how gorgeous we were... how happy he was to see us... ok thanks. Then he was completely badgering us about not drinking. First and foremost I am a recovering alcoholic with more than 10 years sober, secondly I'm visibly 9 months pregnant. When I tried to laugh off the continuous harassment I finally said yeah ummm "I'm giving birth next week." It did not stop. He suggested the hospital would not know because it wasn't till next week. I was mortified! I have never felt more embarrassed and uncomfortable in a restaurant. I have worked in many restaurants and never ever have had issues with servers like this. Everyone has bad days but this was so unacceptable. I always tip very well. I order a ton of things to make up for my lack of drinking (which I know isn't necessary, maybe my own insecurity). There were a litany of other issues but this was the most egregious. I didn't make a fuss in the restaurant bc I just wanted to leave and forget it ever happened... but I will never go there again after being treated that way! read more

A really pleasant surprise and in classic Ralph Lauren style. Crystal and silver, monogrammed plates ware. The Incredible paintings and scones- just so impressive. The food and menu were equally impressive too. Had the veal chop (awesome), Vermont mashed potatoes and Shrimp Cocktail. Large portions and impeccable service! read more

A diner's delight! Feels like you're walking into Ralph Lauren's home, between the fireplace, art work, photography and library. Food was made to order and the ambiance was perfect. Freshly cut flowers are all over the place. A little pricey, but definitely worth the stop. read more

Had lunch on a very cold day in Chicago. Staff was amazing and food was awesome. Escargot and Burger for lunch doesn't get any better. Hostess was very helpful. Coming back for dinner!!!! read more

Johnathan was amazing as he took care of us on Sunday evening and Wednesday for lunch. OUTSTANDING service! We will be back!

It's hard to believe that many, many years ago, the lot that RL currently sits on used to be an Arby's and a Jack in the Box. But it's true. It's the only restaurant in the Ralph Lauren empire, and it's attached to their flagship Michigan Avenue store. It boasts a library feel, with a decidedly east-coast decor. You can almost picture Yelp's celebrity librarian donning one of his ascots, sipping on a cocktail here. Original oil paintings line every inch of wall and there's a cozy fireplace just off the bar area. We got all dressed up and chose RL for our holiday dinner, as the food, ambiance, and location just spell "winter" and "holiday" to me, especially since it's directly off the Boul Mich, which always looks so spectacular this time of year (annoying tourists notwithstanding). We were given a romantic booth in the corner, all the better to relax and people watch. I ordered a glass of Malbec and my dining companion ordered a Bombay Sapphire martini. As expected, all the servers and staff are appropriately attired in Ralph Lauren button-down shirts. It's a very country-clubish atmosphere, without being stuffy or pretentious, but trust me, you will feel more comfortable erring on the side of "dressing up" as opposed to casual. I saw more than one Hawks jersey here on a Friday night. No, just no. Bust out the sartorial splendor! We studied the menu, which has very classic dishes and preparations, and started with fresh oysters, served on a bed of crushed ice with the best mignonette sauce I've ever tasted. And the best part? The mignonette sauce was almost a granita, which kept the oysters nice and cold. They were fresh as can be and a perfect starter. For our entreés, I chose the steak Diane and for him, the grilled salmon, and we split an order of potatoes Dauphinoise. The steak Diane is prepared not quite tableside, but you are able to watch them add all the ingredients and flame it in the corner of the restaurant. I believe they also do this when you order the dover sole. Everything was beautifully presented and I had no doubts that it would taste as good as it looked. The steak was cooked a perfect medium rare and the sauce was rich and lush; you could taste the shallots, cognac, dijon and butter in every bite. The salmon came in a Pernod and fennel broth, which was a beautiful complement to the fish. The Pernod did not overpower the fish, which it has a tendency to do if not burned off all the way. I loved the potatoes too, but again, they were very rich, and it was just too much with the heavy entrée I ordered. We couldn't pass up dessert so in addition to our cappuccino and double espresso, we shared a piece of key lime pie. The kitchen splits it for you, which is a nice gesture so we don't have to fight over it. Theirs is slightly different in that they use a gingersnap crust instead of the traditional graham cracker crust. It was topped with a small mountain of freshly whipped cream. Despite how full we were, we managed to polish it off without any hesitation. Before we called it a night, I made a quick detour to the ladies room, which is an elevator ride away. Even if you just need to "freshen up," you must pay a visit to this exquisite bathroom, easily one of the prettiest in the city. It's hard to get enthusiastic about a restroom, but this place is too lovely not to check out. RL is a great place for a date, a cocktail, or "ladies who lunch," and the staff is gracious with everyone, both tourists and locals alike. RL is a restaurant that everyone should experience at least once. read more

I really like to go out to eat by myself. I like to sit in a bar and read or work while nice people bring me food and drinks. Considering how often I do this I must have a list of go to places for a nice meal. RL is at the top of that list. There isn't really anything I don't like about RL. The décor creates the perfect warm, intimate, library atmosphere. The staff are all attentive, knowledgeable, and quick with a smile. The food and drinks...where do we begin about the food and the drinks?! I love the chicken hash, with a nice glass of white wine. I have never had anything that wasn't good at RL, but my top favorites are the chicken hash, cookies for dessert, the short ribs, and of course the burger is very good. RL isn't the kind of place you can walk into at 7:30 on a Saturday night and expect to get a table right away, so make a reservation if you don't like to wait. Or grab a table in the bar, maybe even by the fire. read more

This would be a great place to have one of the better dinners in Chicago... in 1965. The only problem is, this place didn't exist then. In fact, I don't think this place is more than a dozen years old. So rather than dropping a bunch of dough at RL, you may want to consider investing in time travel. Just saying. This place is kitsch, almost to the point of being a parody of itself. If you think having your main course or dessert flambee'd tableside defines the culmination of fine dining, then you're in luck. I'm talking steak diane, crepes suzette, and bananas foster. No baked alaska though. :( Anyway, no service tragedies befell us, and everything was pretty much as advertised on the menu, so I can't give it less than 3. I just hope people don't go to this place thinking it's some Chicago institution steeped in history, because it's not any older than the American Girl doll I'm hosting a tea party for next week. read more

I love RL for several reasons. First, the decor is at once familiar/nostalgic but totally original in Chicago. Second, the food is also familiar/nostalgic and an ironically refreshing departure from all the hot new foodie establishments. You go to RL to feel like you're going to dinner in the 50s or 60s, like you're going to dinner with Don and Betty Draper. I'd give it 4 stars because the second to last time I went, I had the steak salad and it was mediocre, at best. Wilted lettuce, way too much bleu cheese dressing. Too sad a salad to pay over $20 for. Last night, however, we had a 5-star experience with our boys (11 & 7). It was our 11-year old's birthday. He could choose any restaurant for dinner. He chose RL, having been once before after seeing a play. Our younger son had never been, and I worried the menu would deflate him. I figured he'd order the RL burger and that would be that. The service: I'd made reservations online and had written in the comments that it was my 11-year old's bday and could they treat him like the one who was in charge. I gave my own name when we came in, and the hostess looked at the reservation and said, "Table for four for John O_____?" Yay! He was tickled that it was under his name. When they seated us, they gave him the menu first. Yay again. Overall, that level of service continued throughout the meal. I'm always grateful when staff other than your server participates in service. If anyone at RL (manager, hostess/host, busperson) walks by your table, they will assist in your service. The food: My older son started with the heirloom tomato and mozzerella tart. He was in heaven and now wants to learn how to make one. I was lucky enough to get a small bite, and I have to say it's a solid appetizer. The tomatoes sort of made it, though. They were bright and tasty. Otherwise, it might have been a little mozzerella pie without them. My younger son had the shrimp by the piece. He wanted 10 (at $4.75 apiece), but we talked him into two. He was sucking on the tail and trying to get every last bit of shrimp out. He was in love with the spicy cocktail sauce. I didn't taste his shrimp, but I dipped my fork into his cocktail sauce, and it's a really good traditional horseradishy sauce. My husband had the lobster bisque for his appetizer and my younger son had it for his meal. To quote my son: "This is just ... oh, my God." He was speechless about how delicious it was. (This was my younger son's first truly "fancy" meal out, and his conclusion was "It's more expensive, but it's worth it.") I ordered the Steak Diane, figuring I'd order something they're famous for. It's prepared tableside, which my kids thought was amazing. This is an old-school dish. It's a steak smothered in a sauce. But, oh what a sauce! And the steak was cooked to perfection. Tender. Delicious. I ate the entire thing, which is embarrassing. My older son ordered the salmon. I didn't taste the fish, but he devoured the whole thing. I did, however, taste the corn it was resting on, and I had to stop myself from eating all of it. I asked how it was prepared and the waitress said something about chipotle (which I'm normally not a huge fan of). If there was one thing I could see myself eating every day, it was that corn. Oddly, my son didn't like it. Lucky for me, though, because I could eat as much as I wanted. My husband had the lake perch, prepared with panko breading. I had a bite with a little of the tartar sauce. Again, old fashioned preparation. My husband liked but didn't love it. I thought it was delicious. The tartar sauce looked very old school but tasted lighter and fresher. The dill was the strongest taste, which went beautifully with the fish. For dessert we shared the chocolate ganache cake and (of course) the bananas foster. The bananas foster is phenomenal. It's another specialty, so anyone who goes to RL (no matter how full you are) should order it. They did not prepare it tableside, which was a little disappointing, but the dining room was busier by the time we ordered dessert, so it's understandable. The cake was solid. They brought it over with a candle and 'Happy Birthday' written in chocolate sauce. Again, my son was over-the-moon about how special they made him feel. The cake itself was a little dry, but the ganache (again, something I'm normally not a huge fan of) was amazing. Not overly sweet but super flavorful. The boys had kiddie cocktails, which they loved. I had the best French martini I'd ever had, having asked them not to make it too sweet. It was huge, too. I was feeling it about 1/3 in. Food's expensive but, in the old-fashioned tradition, the portions are big. (That includes the martini.) Long review. Sorry. But last night was a night my family really enjoyed. We left RL happy, satisfied, and sure to return. My 7-yr old has already decided it's where he'd like his birthday. He also mentioned he would like to have an RL attached to our house. read more