First time visiting Red The Steakhouse, and overall it was a good experience. I've heard great things about Red, and have visited Steakhouses in Chicago that are world class. So suffice it to say that I was looking forward to the evening.
The young ladies at the host stand when we arrived must have been paid not to smile because they appeared disinterested and it felt like we were imposing upon their conversation. Not a good first impression.
Our waiter was prompt and friendly, and eager to please all night long. We were sitting in the bar area, and the female bartender seemed very engaged and eager to help her customers.
We got the calamari and it was alright. Not great. It had a burnt aftertaste, which was odd. Salt helped. Dinner ranged from meatballs and pasta, to Poke, to a dry aged steak. The steak was perfectly cooked to medium rare, but the pepper crust was also a little burned.
Overall it was a nice evening. Not the wonderful experience I had been told it was going to be, but certainly if I'm downtown again and want more than a burger, I'll come here. Just probably won't make a special trip in for Red, considering all the other great options in the area.