RL
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via Stay22About this place RL
RL, at 115 East Chicago Avenue, is Ralph Lauren's idea of a restaurant, right next to the world's biggest Polo store. What you wear there, you can buy next door.
The place looks exactly like you’d expect: British hunting lodge meets American country club. Think dark wood, equestrian art, and enough tartan to outfit a small army. It’s all very on-brand, from the lighting to the silverware.
The menu leans American, with things like steaks and a good burger, and the prices are what you'd call "designer." It's a spot where the food is solid, if not groundbreaking, but the real draw is the full-on Ralph Lauren fantasy.
It's also a gay-friendly spot in Chicago, which means a polished, design-forward space that welcomes everyone who appreciates that particular brand of old-money aesthetic. If you’re into the Polo lifestyle, this is your dinner.
For more details, including what time they close, check rlrestaurant.com.
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Great lunch. The burger and fries were excellent. My friend got the special of softshell crabs which he said were excellent also.
No organic/biodynamically grown menu. This is all poisoned by chemical pesticides and herbicides, which harm human health slowly over time.
The athestetic is great only second to the staff. Tables are a little tight to each other as they fit in as many as they can.
This has been one of our favorite spots, and we were excited to return tonight. That made the experience more disappointing than it might otherwise have been. Our server, Matthew B., was a standout - warm, attentive, and present throughout the entire meal. Apps, entrees, and dessert were all solid. The evening was marred by one interaction. We selected a bottle from the California red list (a wine we were familiar with) and found it tasted flat after opening. We gave it time to breathe, but it didn’t improve. When we flagged the issue to Matthew and offered to still pay for the bottle, he handled it graciously and looped in management. A manager then approached and suggested that “next time we should order a bottle we’re familiar with”. Given that we were familiar with the wine and the issue was with that specific bottle, the comment came across as dismissive. It colored the rest of the evening. Matthew’s service is worth returning for. The management response is worth noting.
Very nice atmosphere, excellent food. Difficult to find a table without a reservation.
The food is excellent, but its a tight space and tables and chairs are packed in. Maybe a little background music to drown out the noise and make the ambiance a little more Ralph Laurenish. (thinking about the kind of music I've heard in the past in the stores.) I will warn you that something very suspiscious occured. My tip was for 20% and when my admin was doing my expense reports the transaction was for a 22% tip. When I called the restaurant and asked them for a copy of my signature to match what I have on my receipt currently, they sent me a PDF transaction without my signature and for the higher amount. Very suspiscious.... Save your receipts and check your credit card bill after dining here. I've never had something like this happen at a restaurant before.
Exceptional food in a classic yet modern setting with a great patio. Quality of food and service were excellent. This was perfect for our business discussion our social gathering— it’s upscale without being too pretentious and they paid attention to detail which was great. Food is consistent new American.
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Last updated on 3 August 2026