Chicago's Finest

An Afternoon at RL Restaurant

I love brands and the worlds they create. Few brands embody this idea of world creation, such as Ralph Lauren. I'm sure you've been into a Ralph Lauren store and probably at least one piece of Ralph clothing. However, there is no better proof that the Ralph Lauren brand is one of the strongest brands in the world than in restaurants. 

The fact that you could go in the RL store and walk next door to the restaurant and feel like you are in the same space, all within the greater universe of what Ralph's personal house is, is incredible and unparalleled. While The Polo Bar, Ralph's younger Manhattan restaurant outpost, is only open for dinner and only available to those with reservations (currently the hardest to get in NYC), RL in Chicago is open all day and is first-come-first-serve. Over the weekend, my girlfriend and I were in Chicago, and we decided to stop in for an afternoon cocktail. 

We'd been before, but the scene on a beautiful Saturday afternoon was quite a sight to behold—the ladies who lunch crowd who seemed to be regulars were sipping shots of tequila, couples had champagne after window-shopping on Oak Street, we recognized some friends who were off to a wedding and decided to stop in for a pre-ceremony tipple, guys who just wanted a burger and a beer on their lunch break, the scene had everything. The atmosphere was not too overcrowded, and, most importantly, really fun and inviting. RL always feels celebratory, even if you don't need a reason to celebrate.

Naturally, everyone who worked there was in RL. The men were in RL navy suits with striped ties, the women wore dresses, and everyone wore a big smile. RL is fancy, yet here was a level of formality without being stuffy—a feat Ralph effortlessly pulls off. You could have a cocktail, bar snacks, or a three-course meal with bottles of champagne. All is welcome.

As now a fact that's probably taken advantage of and taken for granted, Ralph's attention to detail was omnipresent even at the bar. Any drink served in a rocks glass was chilled with one large ice cube, individually branded upon order with the RL insignia, and garnished with a wooden stirrer shaped like a polo mallet.

The bar was bustling, yet the bartenders adhered to this level of detail when I knew they had an endless queue of cocktails to make while delivering prompt service—a detail that we certainly appreciated. 

Next time you are in Chicago, stop in RL for food and drink. Sit at the bar or the cozy banquettes behind the bar, sip your drinks slowly, and I guarantee you'll have a great time.