Red Light

04/27/2008 Posted by daffodilps

This place serves the best pan-Asian food in Chicago.They have a good number of vegetarian options (I love the eggplant dumplings.)The atmosphere is great,our waitress was very warm and friendly .Its quite relaxed,no need to dress up.Though everything was marvelous once we sat down,things weren't quite nice until that point. The Valet service is 'Atrocious' .It was pathetic and the guys were pompous,if you dont drive a BMW ,they dont look at you.We waited for ever and ever and had to scream to get noticed. The guy asked us if we are ok to him parking in front and giving us the keys (for $10),parked our car came in and threw the keys on our table.It kind of spoilt the start for us,that and being seated next to the front door on a chillly night.I know someone has to sit there,but still... So...'d def go back (will take a cab this time) without expecting anything until iam at my table.

02/21/2008 Posted by Machiave11i

I've never been to a Pan-Asian restaurant before but I placed an 8:30pm reservation at Red Light (on a Tuesday) after glossing over the reviews. My date and I were instantly seated at a small, intimate table near the door. If you're looking for ambiance this place is a must-- all the chairs, lighting fixtures, etc. have a curved serpentine bend to them and as the name implies, there are red lights EVERYWHERE which coexist along with huge potted plants (fake? I'm not sure...) and large busts of Buddha (I think...). If you need to freshen up or use the restrooms, the individual "water closets" are kind of interesting as well. Our waitress (and the other server guy) were very attentive, constantly checking up and refilling our water glasses (or dusting crumbs off the table) but not often enough that I would consider it an annoyance. Everything was spot-on, the food was great, I had hanger steak with wasabi butter and polished it off with a jaded dragon green tea martini and a chocolate mousse cake for dessert. I have two marginal complaints. The vegetarian spring rolls (an appetizer) I had a hard time consuming (although my date enjoyed them)--I thought they were very bland (however in Red Light's defense, I never eat vegetarian food...) Secondly, sitting near the door we were constantly freezing (I'm not sure if this is because the front door is revolving or not...) but it does get a little drafty...dress warm. Overall I would consider this a triumph. We even stayed a half hour after closing and the staff was incredibly chatty and informative--they didn't seem intent on booting us out the door. Two thumbs up!

Pros: Ambience, service, food, etc.

Cons: None.

01/23/2007 Posted by bling76

I did not like Opera so I wasn’t expecting very much (they are owned by the same people). But the food was great!!!! They have a large array of things to choose from. I’m a vegetarian and was pleased to see a vegetarian menu and the food was really great…The staff is a little strange…our waiter seemed like he wanted to care but at the end of the day he just didn’t he was just very fake and plastic. If you make reservation don’t expect them to keep it, I made my RSVP for 8:30 we did not get seated until close to 9:00…why bother making reservation if we had to wait anyway? If you are going for food say yes to Red Light if you are looking for good service you would get better service at McDonalds (sad but true).

Pros: Tasty Vegetarian menu.

Cons: strange plasticy waitstaff...and unfriendly hostesses.

12/08/2006 Posted by prettyhot

I thought the restaurant was really cool inside, but I was there for a great culinary experience. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. It was very expensive and the flavors werepretty bland, and flat tasting. The scallops were cooked perfectly, but everything else was lackluster. I went here once, and wouldn't return. I go to Argyle St. for authentic Vietnamese,.

Pros: Cool looking restaurant

Cons: EXPENSIVE, OVERRATED

11/20/2006 Posted by dianamunn

When I first got there I felt like a celebrity! My boyfriend and I were a little rattled at the menu, but the staff was amazing and walked us through everything we needed to know. Trust me, if they recommend something, it is because it is EXCELLENT!

10/02/2006 Posted by akirkland

Went to Red Light Friday night with some friends and we're all still raving about this place. We had the Chef's tasting, which included about 8 courses of the Chef's choice shared around the table. At $70 per person, it's a bit pricey, but definitely worth it. My only complaint is that the food was so good, that I completely overate! We started with the first course of a very tender and flavorful seared ahi tuna with a sweet soy and wasabi sauce, followed by steamed dumplings, and then a course of different rolls. The mango lobster roll was awesome! Just when we were starting to get full, the shrimp course came - complete with traditional pad thai and black tie sesame shrimp. The next course included the Peking Duck with orange ginger cranberry sauce. This dish was incredible and I'm not usually a huge fan of duck. It was actually very lean and the orange ginger cranberry sauce was the perfect compliment. I honestly thought that I could not eat anymore, but then came the 3 pound crispy Shanghai whole catfish, the stir-fry beef tenderloin and the wrinkled green beans. All entrees were exceptional, and I am now a big fan of the wrinkled green beans with roasted garlic and soy caramel. Last - but certainly not least was the dessert course of Jackie's chocolate bag with white chocolate mousse, coconut banana cream pie and a berry tart with lavendar ice cream. The perfect ending to a wonderful evening. The staff is very friendly and Executive chef Jackie Shen even brought out some of our dishes to explain where they were from and how it was prepared. The atmosphere is fun and exotic. Great for a party or a romantic evening out. I recommend making reservations, especially on the weekends, as it can get pretty crowded.

Pros: Cuisine, Atmosphere, Service

Cons: A Bit Pricey

11/19/2005 Posted by bdjk

The food was very good but overpriced for what you received. The service was short and a bit rude. We felt like we were being pushed out the door right from the beginning. This was a week night and there is no excuse for rude service at these prices.

Pros: trendy location, quality food

Cons: hasty rushed feel, rude wait staff, expensive

04/01/2005 Posted by brijacks

Not impressed by place. Got best seat in house but didn't get a chance to enjoy it. Within minutes of being seated, waiter was there to take our order. Got the lobster/mango spring rolls that tasted like neither lobster or mango - not impressive. For dinner, we ordered peking duck in a raspberry sauce that was good however the duck was literally swimming sauce. Also had beef special that was very mediocre - flavorful but extremely fatty. Rice seemed to be leftovers from the night before - dry and crunchy (how hard is it to cook rice?) Had the chocolate bag for dessert - easily the best part with great originality. Overall, restaurant was decent but bill was way too high for the food. Most disturbing part was in the kitchen there was a text book of recipes. Is this a restaurant or a cooking school diner?

Pros: valet

Cons: expensive, rushed service

02/17/2005 Posted by jmprimus

I had a $50 gift cert. for Red Light and after reviewing their menu and prices online, was unsure that I could afford to have a complete "dining experience". Let me just say, if you have the cash, Red Light offers up fantastic food, attentive service and an unpretentious, inviting atmosphere. We started with the Seared Tuna, a wonderful Chicken Satay w/ cold noodle salad and the fried artichoke special. My dinner date and I both had the Miso Salmon, it was flavorful and juicy, the noodles still firm and the urdu lending a dash of color. The portions are just right, none of this American-style over-indulgence. For dessert, the creme brulee, which, I admit to having a weakness for anyway, was delicious. I highly recommend Red Light, for (1) the food, (2) the attention to service and (3) the unpretentious atmosphere.

Pros: Attentive service, Great food, Not rushed

Cons: Expensive

03/09/2004 Posted by saintlouis

Went with a friend a few weeks ago and we LOVED the food. The ribeye and green beans were unbelievable. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Am planning a return trip to Chicago and will make reservations for dinner before hotel. Only downside was the slightly cramped tables and mediocre drink list. Not cheap but worth it!

Pros: FOOD, FOOD, FOOD

Cons: , mediocre drink list