Red Light?

I'm new to the forum. i tried doing a search for red light, but couldn't find anything. is there an old thread on Red Light? anyone have any additional thoughts? thanks

Welcome aboard! I did a quick search and didn't find much myself, except for this reference in a thread about Arun's. I was there before a Bulls' game in March and had a decent meal, but nothing that made me want to return.

I was at Red Light last year after many years of avoiding it. I was hoping that Chef Shen had managed to take it and turn it into something special.

Unfortunately, I found nearly every dish I tasted to be exceedingly sweet and one-dimensional. It was a disappointing meal with no memorable flavors. I doubt I'll be returning.

Best,
Michael

Beautiful room, great desserts (Jackie's Chocolate Bag is a favorite), extremely disappointing entrees full of shaved overripe mango and maraschino cherries. Their lunch specials do offer at least a huge quantity of food, and aside from the canned fruits, the meat quality is good (big shrimp, nice steak in the Mongolian Beef, etc.). Average hot and sour soup.

I guess I had a slightly better experience in that I found the food and place enjoyable. But I was dogged by the thought that just a couple of miles south I could be eating the same dishes, just better and for about 1/3 the cost.

There are some good and very good places on that stretch of Randolph, and Red Light ain't bad for me, and would be pretty good if it was in Dayton, but I really can see no reason to go there in Chicago. Try Lao Sze Chuan, Mandarin Kitchen and about a dozen other places in Chinatown.

dicksond wrote:I guess I had a slightly better experience in that I found the food and place enjoyable. But I was dogged by the thought that just a couple of miles south I could be eating the same dishes, just better and for about 1/3 the cost.

There are some good and very good places on that stretch of Randolph, and Red Light ain't bad for me, and would be pretty good if it was in Dayton, but I really can see no reason to go there in Chicago. Try Lao Sze Chuan, Mandarin Kitchen and about a dozen other places in Chinatown.

In fairness to Red Light, I don't believe it is trying to compete with, and I don't think it should be compared to, any of the places in Chinatown. The menu is really pan-Asian, the decor/atmosphere are geared toward an entirely different diner, and there is a bar scene far different from any place in Chinatown. And even though Opera (owned by the same folks) offers primarily Chinese food, I again think that the decor, presentation and bar scene make it an entirely different dining experience than one would expect to find at Lao Sze Chuan or similar type places.

eatchicago wrote:I found nearly every dish I tasted to be exceedingly sweet and one-dimensional. It was a disappointing meal with no memorable flavors. I doubt I'll be returning.

I agree completely, however I'd add "completely overpriced" to the equation.

I hit Red Light last year for a bachelor party dinner... the food was mediocre for the price. But it was a nice space and served the purpose well. I can't recommend it if you are making the decisions however, unless food is secondary to atmosphere.

BR wrote:In fairness to Red Light, I don't believe it is trying to compete with, and I don't think it should be compared to, any of the places in Chinatown. The menu is really pan-Asian, the decor/atmosphere are geared toward an entirely different diner, and there is a bar scene far different from any place in Chinatown. And even though Opera (owned by the same folks) offers primarily Chinese food, I again think that the decor, presentation and bar scene make it an entirely different dining experience than one would expect to find at Lao Sze Chuan or similar type places.

I agree completely. Most of the restaurants in Chinatown offer a completely different dining experience than Red Light (or it's far superior sibling Opera), from the food to the decor/scene factor. I do think that Opera turns out much better food than Red Light, with more complex flavors and even better quality ingredients. I get the impression that Opera works harder to establish repeat business than Red Light, possibly because it's more of a neighborhood restaurant in a more residential neighborhood.

Personally, I go to Opera when I'm in the mood for great Asian-inspired food and a more formal dining experience, and to Chinatown restaurants like Lao Sze Chuan or Three Happiness when I'm in the mood for great and authentic Chinese food.

BR wrote:In fairness to Red Light, I don't believe it is trying to compete with, and I don't think it should be compared to, any of the places in Chinatown. The menu is really pan-Asian, the decor/atmosphere are geared toward an entirely different diner, and there is a bar scene far different from any place in Chinatown.

No, no, no, no.

I agree that Red Light has a better bar scene than any place in Chinatown and might even be a better bar.

I agree that Red Light offers a wider range of (mediocre) food than most places in Chinatown except Joy Yee, which I dislike. But I would be hard pressed to choose one over the other. I suppose Joy Yee would reluctantly get a nod for having a better quality of mediocre food, while Red Light does get the bar nod.

I agree that Red Light is trying to attract a different clientèle than Chinatown.

I disagree strongly that if I buy a dish at one place and the same dish at another place it is somehow "unfair" to compare the two because of differences in decor and liquor service. I certainly stand by my statement that I can get better versions of many of the same dishes for 1/2 to 1/3 the price in CT. While I agree that there is some value in fancy decor and a better bar, does it somehow make the quality of the food irrelevant? If only there were an icon for <shaking>.

Yes, Red Light has a better bar and decor. It would not be a bad plan to go there for a few drinks before or after getting some good food in CT. Or maybe before and after. Just expect to overpay for mediocre (but not really bad, IMO) versions of pan-asian food if you actually choose to dine there.

dicksond wrote:Just expect to overpay for mediocre (but not really bad, IMO) versions of pan-asian food if you actually choose to dine there.

Here we can agree

I haven't been to Red Light for 5 or 6 years, since having possibly the worst dining experience anyone could have.

One of my companions and I were served salads that, by most objective standards, would be deemed serious "off". Unfortunately, I ate part of the offending dish before my companion alerted me to the problem.

The manager yelled at me when I complained because I was still being charged for the dishes (she didn't know the price of her salads, took off a lesser amount, told me I didn't know what I was talking about when I questioned her, and only when presented with a menu showing the prices acquiesced by grabbing the bill out of my hands and storming off).

The waiter was absent during most of the meal (including taking drink orders from 2 out of the 4 people at our table, then wandering off). Oh, and his grungy/hungover/just rolled out of bed with dirty, disgusting fingernails look just didn't appeal to me.

To add insult to injury: On the way out, I spotted two business friends who told me they'd gotten several free appetizers with their meal because the kitchen messed up a small part of their order (not that I really wanted to eat anything else served out of their kitchen). The restaurant seemed to treat its customers in an uneven manner.

I'm more of a lurker here than a poster but I can't take it any longer....where is the love for Red Light? the catfish has got to be the best dish in the city. The 5 spice ribs are unreal. There is a green bean dish that is about the best side I've ever had. Yes, it's big loud, and pricey but for the love of....it is the best go to restaurant in the city.

Please people, if u haven't been, go, then come back here and admit you missed the best thing going.

I've been there a few times. It's ok, but nothing I've had there could be described as the "best" of anything.

There is some discussion, including my opinion of Red Light here.

Best,
Michael

The Catfish made top ten billing in the Chicago Mag best dishes in the city. So a few of us think it has something special.

I think you'll find more than a few of us that don't. Then again, that's the great thing about subjective food tastes, they run the gamut.

For my tastes Red Light does a couple of things moderately well but falls flat on their face in terms of price point. If it were half the price it'd still barely compete with better options throughout the city. Even then, the place would likely still seem to be more grounded in an antiquated West Loop hip ethos than actual culinary worth.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:Even then, the place would likely still seem to be more grounded in an antiquated West Loop hip ethos than actual culinary worth.

I'm just curious - which part of the city would get the nod for the hip ethos that's current?

I'm not sure if any geographic area does entirely. What I'm suggesting though, is that a decade ago when Red Light was fresh, it felt somewhat chic and novel with its décor and West Loop setting and that that made the food seem all the better. Now its lost any semblance of that and is left with only the quality of food to tout its worth.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:What I'm suggesting though, is that a decade ago when Red Light was fresh, it felt somewhat chic and novel with its décor and West Loop setting and that that made the food seem all the better.

Actually, when they first opened, the food was better. For example, they used to have a Peking duck station in the window where they continually prepared ducks throughout the day and you could order a pretty decent rendition of the aforementioned dish any time. Alas, the duck station, many of the original dishes and the original chef is gone. I read an interview with Jackie Shen once where she admitted that despite her ethnic heritage, she had never cooked Asian food before being tapped as head chef for Red Light and had to learn on the job. I think it shows.

stevez wrote:I read an interview with Jackie Shen once where she admitted that despite her ethnic heritage, she had never cooked Asian food before being tapped as head chef for Red Light and had to learn on the job. I think it shows.

Then again, I'd venture to guess that many of the chefs at the various Chinatown ventures that were compared to Red Light do not share the same credentials in terms of classical French and fine dining presentations that Jackie does, so they may not be as qualified to do the fine French-influenced Asian cuisine that Red Light is famous for. Rick Bayless didn't grow up cooking regional Mexican cuisine but he seems to have mastered it quite well.

YoYoPedro wrote:the French-influenced fine cuisine that Red Light is famous for.

stevez wrote:

YoYoPedro wrote:the French-influenced fine cuisine that Red Light is famous for.

Sorry if my original post was hard to understand. It has been edited for clarity. I assumed everyone knew the Asian aspect.

When Red Light first opened, Michael Kornick was in the kitchen. They hired Paul Wildermuth shortly thereafter ("stealing" him as the opening chef at Ben Pao if I recall). The food was quite enjoyable for some time. The Ikan Bilis was great and much of the food was good and fairly authentic.

When Arun was brought in (to consult?), the prices were raised considerably. I think this was his main contribution to the restaurant. I enjoyed the place quite a bit when they opened and it seemed to slide downhill into the fusion concept that exists today. I haven't been there in years and since I'm not a big fan of fruit in my food I guess I won't be going back soon.

From the Red Light website (http://www.redlight-chicago.com):

Red Light & Marche Gift Certificate Exchange
$50 gift certificates dished out!

When you dine at Red Light any Sunday through Thursday, from June 1 to September 30, each person will receive a $50 gift certificate to Marche! Gift certificates will only be issued during dinner service, Sunday through Thursday. There is a $20 per person minimum food purchase required to receive the $50 gift certificate.
Please contact Red Light for reservations.

I've never been to Red Light, but I do like Marche, based on my remembrances of an all-out graduation party-slash-eat-a-thon my extended family performed there several years back. But, even more than that, I like deals, and $50 gift certificate seems like one to me. Just thought I'd share in case anybody was interested.

For a while, there was a gift card swap between Opera and Marche. The $50 giftcard was a great treat when going on the $25 prix-fixe night (don't know if they're still running those). I don't know that I would have gone to either restaurant normally, but between the giftcard and the prixe-fixe menu, it was too good a deal to pass up.

I don't know that I would have gone to either restaurant normally, but between the giftcard and the prixe-fixe menu, it was too good a deal to pass up.

Indeed. In fact, the last time I went to Opera with a $50 gift card on prix-fixe night, they refused to accept it, since the former's "not valid with special offers," or something to that effect. A good enough deal, I guess, but at least in our case, not as good as we had hoped.

I have a confession to make. I like red light. I know it's no LTH, it's no Sticky Rice, I get it. I like red light.

We went last night for our second time there. We started with the lobster mango spring rolls. They are simple, though when you fry lobster I'm convinced you get little more than the texture of the lobster. That said, they are good. We also got the steamed dumplings in hoisin cognac sauce. It really tastes a bit like a plum sauce, but it's simple and it's good.

Entrees are really where this place shines for me. The Kung Pao chicken, while I understand it's a total americanization, is really good. It's got enough heat to make it shine and has a really pleasant texture with the peanuts in it. Last night we had the pan seared scallops for the first time- perfectly cooked to a delicate texture and served atop polenta on a curry based sauce, this too had wonderful heat.

Was it the absolute best food I've ever had in my life? Nah, but was it great along with great service? Absolutely.

jpschust wrote:I have a confession to make. I like red light. I know it's no LTH, it's no Sticky Rice, I get it. I like red light.

I'm always disturbed when people feel a need here to apologize for what they like. De gustibus is what it's all about. Or should be, anyhow.

I like Red Light too. The key to enjoying places like this is not to order what you'd get at an authentic ethnic restaurant but look at their unique specialties.

LAZ wrote:

jpschust wrote:I have a confession to make. I like red light. I know it's no LTH, it's no Sticky Rice, I get it. I like red light.

I'm always disturbed when people feel a need here to apologize for what they like. De gustibus is what it's all about. Or should be, anyhow.

I like Red Light too. The key to enjoying places like this is not to order what you'd get at an authentic ethnic restaurant but look at their unique specialties.

I hope that my posts have made it clear that I don't apologize for any restuarant I really like- it was more a sarcastic apology The reality is that Red Light and LTH cater to very different crowds.