To celebrate our anniversary, I made a dinner reservation at the newly-opened Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on Wolf Road in Colonie (Albany). When we arrived, the large parking lot was packed - even on a rainy night.
Our OpenTable reservation was in good order and we were greeted warmly. When the hostess promptly seated us, we were delighted to see that our reserved table for two was adorn with Happy Anniversary glitter. Our menues also had Happy Anniversary written in bold colors at the top as you opened them. Small details, yes, but it sure made us feel special!
The restaurant was full but the tables were spread far enough away so we could easily converse with one another in a normal tone (unlike Chianti II in Saratoga where you have to scream at each other to be heard because the tables are almost on top of one another!). The décor is inviting, calm, and not too industrial like many new dining establishments these days. Very pleasant.
We started our meal with two expertly-created adult libations. Mine was a Dirty Martini with blue cheese-stuffed olives (our server's suggestion) and Tito's - the perfect amount of "dirty" (in other places, I often have to request more olive juice) and the creamy blue cheese was a delicious touch. My husband's specialty Dos Agave Margarita was also very good. I don't often expound about the drinks, but these were memorable.
The menu offers a wide range of beef (of course), veal, lamb and seafood. We chose their prix fixe dinners which included three choices of salad, an entrée (6 oz. filet and shrimp or filet and lobster tail), a side and dessert. We both chose the Caesar Salad (ice cold and very crisp, dressing on the side). My entrée was the Filet and Lobster Tail but I upgraded to the Rib Eye for an upcharge, plus garlic mashed for my side. My husband selected the Filet and Shrimp but upgraded (upcharge) to the larger size (11 oz.) with creamed spinach as his side. Both steaks were cooked, rare, to perfection.
Our three comments on the food are as follows: my lobster was, sadly, over cooked and dry and we both felt that with my husband's upgrade to the larger filet, they should have served three shrimp instead of only two. Also, in a fine dining restaurant such as Ruth's Chris, the bread should be served warm. It wasn't. The food earns 4-1/2 stars which, unfortunately, you can't give in these reviews.
We took our dessert (mini cheesecakes) to go so I can't comment on them yet.
Our server, Venetia, was spot-on. Her timing was superb. We didn't feel rushed. She gets 5 stars. Ditto the other people who cleared our dishes and the manager who checked on us twice to ensure we were pleased with our meals. Everything was conducted with a smile.
Anyone who knows this franchise is aware that it's costly to dine here. We knew that going in, and the $300 hit for the two of us came as no surprise. But we've paid the same at 15 Church and Morton's at the Racino in Saratoga and did not have as positive experiences. So, for us, when we're celebrating a special occasion and have a hankering for steak, we will make the 50 minute drive for what - I have no doubt - will be another very enjoyable evening. read more