Ruth's Chris Steak House — Restaurant in Town of Colonie

Was excited to try the newest steakhouse in the area. We were sat at the first table as you walk into the dining room which was loud but someone has to be seated there so we ignored it and sat down. Staff was there to greet us quickly and was very kind. We chose this restaurant as we were eager to to try it and online they showed a lovely vegetarian menu when I asked to see that menu IT DID NOT EXISIT. The waitress said she would check on that. When she came for our drink order I asked yet again about the vegetarian menu I saw online today for this location. She came back to say they offered ONE of the choices I saw online. I believe online there were 4 options. I know what you’re thinking if you’re vegetarian why are you eating at a steak house!? We have meat lovers and non meat lovers and when we see online a restaurant that appears to cater to everyone we happily go and this is the first restaurant to disappoint when it came to options. Our vegetarian was an excellent sport and ordered some vegetables off the menu and a salad. Others had steak, we added the lobster Mac and cheese, baked potato, and asparagus The wedge salad (minus bacon) looked great. My steak was ordered medium came out medium plus but I ate it. Their steaks was more spicy than I personally like but tasted ok. The portion matched the menu. The medium rare steak came out Perfect. The lobster mac and cheese tasted good. The lobster was on top and a bit dry. The vegetables were good. Wine was had by all and was fine. Staff always offered a refill on the wine and was attentive to that. Dessert was a flourless chocolate cake which honestly was my favorite item I ate. The manager did stop by and ask how things were and for a Wednesday night this place was busy! I love trying new places hoping for great food and an excellent experience however I will hesitate before returning. There is an excellent steakhouse in Albany that outshines this one by far and one in Saratoga that just can’t be beat by Ruth Chris. The restaurant is beautiful and the staff is friendly and kind- the food was good. For the price it needs to be better than good. I do wish them well and hope I just have higher standards than the...

We were excited when we arrived for our early dinner reservation and were promptly seated. So excited that we missed an enormous red flag as we were guided through the crowded dining rooms to our spacious table; no one seated had any food. Now, I know restaurants can get into the weeds every once in a while and if the hour it took to get our entrées were the only issue, this would be a different review. (They did take our drinks off the bill for the delay).

First, the bread we were served was straight up stale and tasteless. I would expect that a restaurant with this reputation and at this price point would make its bread in house because, honestly, I've had better supermarket bread. The same is true for the a la carte side dishes. Fifteen dollars for a small bowl of roasted Brussels sprouts which arrived tepid, were charred on the outside yet somehow undercooked in the center. I have had better sprouts from a food truck at a concert and for much less money. The au gratitin potatoes tasted like they had come from a can, were prepared, frozen and then warmed over again before serving. But not to worry, the lackluster flavor of the potatoes themselves was masked with a generous and overpowering ration of blue cheese.

The steaks were a true bright spot, however. Again, this would be a different review had everything else been prepared with the same level of care and attention. They were cooked perfectly and were served piping hot on the "500 degree" plates.

I also have to note that the service and wait staff wete excellent.

Finally, the desert menu was so uninspired we just asked for the check. If you're curious, there are four items on it: a flourless chocolate cake, cheesecake, creme brulee, and bread pudding (I guess they have to do something with all that stale bread). We didn't think that any of these selections would have improved the...

My 4th RC. Truffle butter Parm crust 11oz filet was just the best steak I've ever had in my 43 years. That should be enough of a recommendation, but there more.

(I'm aware of the criticism that RC just soaks everything in butter and that makes them not a real steak house, but fine, then sont go there if that bugs you. For normal steak enjoyers, it's really freaking good and I don't care how they cheat or don't in the kitchen.)

We started with poke appetizer, which in fairness, was NOT poke, but seared tuna. But whatever it was mouthgasmic. As were the roasted Brussels as a side. IMO their potatoes are always just ok.

Because it was my birthday, they gave me a card, the menu was printed special and they threw some birthday bling on the table. I felt special haha.

Service was pitch-perfect. We had 'salt of the Earth' type servers which I love to be honest. I truly despise when people act fake or dead inside when they are waiting tables. You can be professional and still have a soul, folks.

My only knock is the ambiance is decidedly mid. Very generic, very recognizable macaroni grill footprint. They did have some art of Nipper which was cool tho. But tables and chairs and windows/shades were all just "hotel chic". Meh.

Price wise you are looking at the same as 677 Prime and about 10-15$ more per steak than black & bleu (which is our weekly "I'm in the mood for steak" haunt). So the way I look at it, RC for 15 bucks more than B&B is totally fair for the best filet I've ever eaten.

I still prefer 677 Prime to RC because of the menu diversity. RC is essentially steak and steak house sides. And that's it. Mazzone is always coming with surprises so that remains my personal #1 place to eat in Albany, but that does not at all mean we can't have two very very excellent steak houses in Albany.

Will absolutely go there again and again. If you...