Red House — Restaurant in Renton

EDIT (in response to owner): thank you for being kind in your response. I’ve upped my review to 3 stars!

Yes, I did ask my server if there was soda, but I was told lemonade was the only non-alcoholic option. I would’ve also had them remake my food, but since it already took a long time to come out, I didn’t want to wait anymore. I’ll take the blame for that one, but please make sure food comes out in a timely manner next time.

I was not made aware that there was a ramp either, but it does make me happy to know that you are ADA compliant! If that’s the case, I probably need an ASL interpreter next time, as one of the reasons I didn’t speak up was because I have a mute disorder and have trouble speaking. Anyways, thank you so so much for responding! =)

ORIGINAL: TL;DR: I would only recommend this place for groups. I didn’t have the best experience as a solo diner.

I really wanted to give this place 5 stars, especially since the food was good, but there were other factors that made my experience as a solo diner, well… not so good.

I spent a total of almost 2 hours in the restaurant in the middle of the week when it wasn’t packed. It was busy, but there were many empty seats in the bar and outside. I was expecting much quicker service and attention, especially since I sat in the bar and I was by myself.

I got my dinner an hour after I ordered it. For that time I was hoping it would’ve been one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The veggies were steaming hot and fresh (and delicious), but the protein and other side was lukewarm and cold. I was extremely disappointed, and was only checked in on twice the entire time I was at the restaurant. The staff seemed to pay more attention to the regular customers coming in through the door, as I saw them hug and call each other by name.

Over $50 for one drink (non-alcoholic lemonade) and one dish was a little bit overpriced. The lemonade was almost $7 and I’ve had better lemonade at most other restaurants. I’m also aware that this is a bar, but for people like myself who come just for the food and not for the drinks, I’m shocked that they don’t have any other non-alcoholic drinks. No fountain soda or sweet tea? Most other bars have those options.

The restaurant also seems inaccessible not just for children (as I read in another review), but also for disabled people as well. there are stairs, so it’s not accessible for people in wheelchairs. For someone deaf or hard of hearing like myself, there were no captions on the TV as I was watching the local sports game that they were playing.

Overall, I’m disappointed, but I would come back with a group of friends. I hope they make the restaurant more accessible...

Recently this restaurant had a new owner and it absolutely can shine if service improves. I called to make a reservation a while back and mentioned I will be celebrating my friend's birthday. The gentleman I talked to said no reservation is needed just drop in anytime. Last Thursday we dropped in and surprised our friend with her favorite birthday ice cream cake, We asked one of the gentlemen to help store the cake in the freezer or fridge and he replied oh our freeze is small, and probably no space but the refrigerator has plenty of space. We replied that would be perfect, thank you! We sat down at our table, and roughly about 10 minutes a gal walked out from the kitchen holding the cake and loudly speaking that she had no space in the freezer and made a big deal about it then she walked to our table and made a big deal after that she asked if we called to give them an FYI on the birthday celebration or bringing in a cake. Then she loudly told us that there is a $20 cake fee and she tried to explain to us that bc they do have in-house dessert and we should know that every restaurant charges a cake fee. (I have never heard of this! Even the old Four Seasons Olympics Hotel doesn't implement this fee when they had an in-house pastry chef and an entire production team!) Since is my friend's bday we didn't want to make a big deal. Shortly after our water arrived, she came over and lecture us on how we should use a coaster due to the table being so precious. This table was gorgeous but also the coating on this table is so thick that even after years without using a coaster it still be fine. On top of that omg, this is a restaurant, if this table is so important why don't you put it at home! The four of us find that she was extremely rude, not very welcoming, and super bossy! The food is good but the price is slightly high for its location, and the service was exceptionally slow ( our cocktails never arrived until we asked, take forever for everything). Even with a $20 cake fee, we still have to cut our cake. Throughout the evening she softens up but we likely will not return to this place. We are very sad because we have been going here off and on for the past 15 years and the prior owner...

I want to start by saying I have not eaten at Red House and have heard only good things about the food and environment.

I only want to share that I made a reservation through their online service. In doing so, I was asked about any special food accommodations for our party (allergies, vegetarian, vegan, etc) and if there were any other accommodations that we wanted to share. I included that we would need a booster or highchair for our toddler. I received a message the next day that read exactly “Hello Katrina - You are welcome to bring a booster seat, but we do not offer high chairs or boosters or a kids menu, we are an adult restaurant. Thank you!”

Needless to say, I cancelled my reservation as for this particular meal, we would be dining with our toddler and I didn’t feel that she would be well accommodated. I’m not necessarily saying this is a bad thing, I just want to make other parents aware that this is not a “family” restaurant…it is an “adult” restaurant. I have never had an experience quite like this so I’m left not sure 100% how to feel about it. While I feel the message was a little bit pretentious, I also think it’s their choice what to do with their restaurant and I know not everyone wants to dine in the presence of children.

I will still potentially consider eating here in the future, but will have limited opportunities to do so because I have a child.

EDIT I originally chose a 3 star rating, but after thinking it over and the response from the restaurant, I don’t think that’s fair as I have not eaten here. I have updated my review to 4 stars with the information above about...