RL Restaurant — Restaurant in Chicago

Went this past Friday & it was not what I was expecting! Food was phenomenal! That's where we'll start because aside from Ricardo & Ramon being the light in the darkness that was RL Restaurant for my bestie & I, everything else was just that; Racism & darkness :(

We arrived early for our patio reservation & were seated at the bar as we wait. We arrived maybe 15-20 min early so this wasn't the issue, what was the issue was other people just arriving were being seated before us. Once my friend brought this to their attention we were sat at what seemed like a last minute setup; comparably smaller than every other patio table and only seating for 2 rather than the standard 4 person seating at EVERY OTHER TABLE. We were also seated absurdly close to the shrubbery they have placed for aesthetic.

After having to assert ourselves to our reserved table, We have a habit of perusing menus and seeing what we may like. We got the seafood plateau & our server even joked how there wasn't enough space for it as our small table. Scott was far from pleasant. When asked about wine recommendations for the special he dryly instructed my friend to check the wine list. As we watched him be friendly and joke at the tables around us it was hard not to notice the change in behavior when he'd approach us.

The seafood plateau was good though; I believe they sized it down for us. We also had the scallops which were heavenly Chef's Kiss. The burger was great and my friend had the bass which was good as well. The escargot was good & All the drinks we had were great & again Ramon & Ricardo were the highlight.

I'm not sure if they thought we couldn't pay or how they judged us from entry but they've loss the chance at a longtime consumer who was willing to bring all my friends who don't even know you all exist. But maybe we as patrons aren't wanted here, & I've never needed to be somewhere I'm unwanted.

As soon as Scott mentioned he was leaving I almost jumped for joy & prayed Ricardo would be better & to my delight he and Ramon made sure we were comfortable.

I did not plan to tip Scott, but after inquiring we were informed they pool the tips. So here is the review for Scott and the establishment to which he is employed because he isn't the only one inside with that mentality & this is obvious.

All thing aside the staff except for two & the chef; Horrid. The environment nice but the treatment appalling in 2023.

If I venture back I am requesting Ricardo specifically.

Someone asked for me to reach out but didn't leave contact information;...

Sooo I dropped in today, alone, for lunch rather than walk back to the Capital Grill my favorite 😍. I ordered the lobster bisque which while really good was lukewarm and Salmon Caesar which was delish. As usual when dining alone I turned a movie on on my phone. Toward the end of my meal an older woman came in and was seated behind and to the right of me.. I noticed because I looked up when a young couple seated a couple of tables away became engaged with the waiter about what to do and where to go in Chicago. They were telling him they had just been married. He was suggesting the museums and the Aquarium in particular going into detail about the exhibits. She was walked past me to be seated. Shortly thereafter a little guy in a suit came over to tell me that it was against RL policy to allow me to use my phone to watch movies. I just said ok and shut it off. BUT said policy is not posted anywhere. My little phone was causing no more disruption than the conversation I had begun listening to, or the conversation and raucus laughter of two ladies three tables away about their jobs and dates. Until that point I had really been enjoying my lunch. I am put out because I think it was unnecessary to ask me to put my phone away. Nobody around me complained the whole time they waited for and consumed their meals, ordered before I arrived, or while I waited for and consumed mine. Nor did the young business looking couple seated right next to me even so much as glance my way. There was no issue till toward the end when that lady was seated. I find it reprehensible that the wishes of one guest weigh heavier than those of another. If she felt disturbed she should have been seated elsewhere. The experience disturbed my peace and put disturbing end to what had been a pleasant lunch for me. Imagine if I had asked the two raucous ladies, or the waiter and the young couple to lower their voices. I wish I had taken the time to walk back to the...

Eh.

So I was thinking about how to structure this review and rate RL as it is supposed to be a nicer restaurant than what I usually go to now that wife and I have a little one. In the end, I think the highest I would have gone is 3 stars if it wasn't such a hassle with a baby.

First off, the whole family came for my brother-in-law's celebration dinner. Bringing the baby for dinner was a mistake, but we were told this should be fine. It was crowded and the environment is not good for a baby which I thought would be the case despite what the restaurant said. Inside is not very big and it seems like they packed the tables together pretty tight. Anyways, on to the rest of the reasons why this place is receiving a lackluster rating.

Service was fine, but nothing to say was great especially compared to other restaurants in this category. Even if a place is subpar on other aspects I usually think of a place more favorably if service is on point.

Food was why I have to give the low rating. Honestly, for the pricepoint of this place and even in general the food was not that great. I got the scallops for my dinner with the shrimp cocktail as my appetizer. The shrimp cocktail was fine. Nice, plump pieces of shrimp there. The scallops though were slightly overcooked lending them to be rubbery. On top of that it was just such a paltry amount. Wife got the baked cheese appetizer and a grilled steak salad. She was not impressed with either dish.

I think there was a reason the wife and I never had this on our radars when we would dine downtown more frequently and it is a shame that with all the nice restaurants in this city to try or retry that RL will not be a place we will...