Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Schaumburg — Restaurant in Schaumburg Township

My fiancé and I have dined at Perry's on special occasions. This last Friday, I decided it was time for a date night to reconnect. Reservation went smoothly, found parking with relative ease. She and I know that we are in for a not only high quality meal, but an expensive one.

Upon entrance to the establishment, I spoke to one of the young women working front of the house and gave her my name, etc. After a short wait (having to negotiate some rather rude and not self-aware patrons), the same young woman pointed to one of her other colleagues (longish blonde hair, short, bespectacled) and said that she would call my name.

A name was shortly called that may have been mine or someone else's. While I get that some non-native English speakers may be unfamiliar with how to pronounce my name as it IS in Gaelic, but living in Illinois, let alone so close to Chicago, it's a fairly common name. This happens. Not a big of a deal....

But when the blonde woman was looking around and asking for "Seen", I wanted to make sure that she was, in fact, calling my name. At this point, to reiterate, none of this was bothering me and I politely walked to the counter and asked her "what name are you calling?" for the sake of clarity. The restaurant was also very busy and loud and I didn't want to jump in line and make things awkward for anyone by assuming that is was my name that was being called due to the noise level of the environment, even though I had a hunch.

She met my gaze and I could tell that she was NOT having a good evening. Her body language reeked of irritation. Frustratingly she said louder and exasperatingly, "SEEN". I smiled and knew that this was an innocuous mistake and I said politely, "It's pronounced, 'Shawn'". She then promptly rolled her eyes and quickly and flatly muttered "this way". By this time my politeness had shifted to one of dismay and irritation. She looked over her shoulder as my fiancé and I followed her to our table and completely half-headedly offered a disingenuous apology as she continued her brisk walk to the table.

The rest of the evening was grand. Our server was attentive, funny, and kind... but my exchange with the blonde woman at the front of house really took me out of the experience and continued to nag at me well into the weekend and that's why I'm posting what I'm posting now.

Simply: I know my name is an odd one, especially considering if English (Iet alone Gaelic) may not be your first language. BUT, it was the manner in which my desire to not make an awkward exchange worse, coupled with my patience with a simple matter of a mispronounced name was met with EXTREME rudeness and scorn that provides me with enough pause, and perhaps even Perry's restaurants, that having patient, kind, and POLITE people working your front of house DOES make an impact on the entire...

I have been to Perry's prior and had an excellent experience - even during the covid-19 issues last year Perry's did a great job. However; this past Saturday (09/04/2021) we had reservations for 7 for a birthday dinner for my wife. I had made the reservation via open table a week prior and had called Perry's 2 days prior to the reservation to make sure everything was set. During that call hostess asked if it would be ok if they pulled several tables together. I said that would be fine. I noted to her that it was for a birthday and I'd like the table to be in a great spot for a great experience. When we arrived on 09/04/2021 for our 5:45pm reservation, they had a table for us right inside the entry door - in the main traffic area - right next to the area where guess congregate to wait for their table. I asked to be seated at another table. The hostess said there was no other table available. I asked to talk to a manager, he said the same thing. Lastly I asked to talk with the main manager - asking him for a private conversation away from his customers as not to make a scene or call him out in front of his staff. During this conversation, he refused to seat us elsewhere, and refused to assist in anyway. When I brought up the hostess telling me that she could accommodate our group at a nice table several nights prior. He also refused to say our reservation taken a week prior should have been first priority over a reservation taken after ours. If anyone knows the Chicago area, to try to find a last minute dinner spot at 5:45pm on a Saturday is extremely hard. Perry's knew they had us over a barrel and would likely just submit to the table in the entry way. However; one of the members of our party called Capital Grill, just 2 buildings down on Golf Road. They were took our party of 7, made it a special night for my wife, and we had a great time. We ended up spending over $1,000.00 at Capital Grill. Perry's customer service, their manager, pushed us out the door to another establishment because they would not make good on the reservation. Capital Grill stepped up and made it right. We will NOT be back to Perry's. We will be taking our business elsewhere. Perry's not only missed out on our bill that night, but we were going to book a wedding rehearsal dinner - for 30 people - which would have been a huge bill. Perry's food is good as we have been there prior and had a great experience. But I will NOT be back due to the way we were treated, the explanations given, and the way the manager knew he had us captive because finding another dinner spot on a Saturday for 7 people is near impossible. THANKS AGAIN TO CAPITAL GRILL. I suggest everyone spend their money with...

My recent visit to Perry's Steakhouse was an extraordinary journey of culinary delights, with each course surpassing the last in both creativity and flavor. This wasn't just dinner; it was a symphony of the finest ingredients, masterfully prepared and presented with flair.

The evening began on a high note with appetizers that promised an exceptional dining experience. However, it was the bone-in New York strip steak that truly redefined my understanding of what steak could be. This wasn't merely a meal; it was a revelation. The steak, with its perfect char, exquisite seasoning, and tender, juicy interior, was a masterpiece of culinary craftsmanship. Each bite was a celebration, a harmonious blend of flavors that danced on the palate, leaving a lasting impression of sheer delight. Perry's has transformed the steak into an art form, setting an unmatched standard that will be the benchmark for all future steak experiences.

Adding to the culinary euphoria was the wedge salad, a dish so perfectly executed it was, quite literally, to die for. The crispness of the lettuce, the tangy burst of the blue cheese, and the smoky bacon laced throughout created a refreshing contrast to the rich indulgence of the steak. It was a testament to Perry's ability to elevate even the simplest dishes into something extraordinary.

Amidst these culinary triumphs, the dessert—a sublime pudding—offered a sweet finale that was both comforting and luxurious, the perfect end to an impeccable meal.

Yet, it was Francesca, our waiter, who elevated our dining experience from memorable to unforgettable. Francesca's expertise, warmth, and attentive service added an invaluable dimension to our meal. Her recommendations were impeccable, her timing flawless, and her ability to anticipate our needs was nothing short of remarkable. Francesca's passion for her work and her guests shone brightly, making us feel not just welcomed, but truly celebrated.

In essence, Perry's Steakhouse has crafted an unparalleled dining experience that tantalizes all the senses. From the transcendent bone-in New York strip to the heavenly wedge salad and the sumptuous pudding, every dish was a testament to culinary excellence. Combined with Francesca's outstanding service, Perry's has solidified its place as a destination not just for special occasions, but for any occasion that calls for an extraordinary meal. I am already counting the days until my next visit, eager to once again indulge in the unmatched pleasure that is...