There's no rushing Redstone American Grill
At Redstone American Grill — which in June marked its seventh anniversary in Oakbrook Terrace — the staff is more geared to serve something right than right away.
“That's one of the keys to our success,” said food service veteran Dave Ambroz, general manager at the restaurant for 3½ years. “If an entree is less than perfect, it doesn't go out. I would prefer to apologize to a guest for the delay.”
Nor does the Minnesota-based restaurant chain rush its expansion efforts. In addition to its Illinois branch, Redstone has only four other outlets: in Minnetonka, Minn.; Eden Prairie, Minn.; Marlton, N.J.; and Plymouth Meeting, Penn.
“Nothing's on the table now, but we are aggressively exploring possible sites on the East Coast as well in Schaumburg and downtown Chicago,” Ambroz says. “Our most recent opening was three years ago. We definitely want to add more stores, but we're being very selective.”
A menu of contemporary American cuisine — the same at all Redstone locations — attracts diners. Average guest checks, excluding alcohol, range from $18 to $20 at lunch and $32 to $38 for dinner.
Popular lunchtime entrees prepared in the exhibition kitchen under the supervision of Executive Chef Elliot Williams include rotisserie chicken chopped salad, classic rotisserie chicken entree and pan-seared sea bass, among others.
Dinner guests will find starters like the crispy calamari, grilled wings and jerk chicken fondue made with smoked gouda. Entrees include steaks, fish, pork tenderloin, ribs and barbecue chicken. If you want something lighter, you can go the sandwich route with burgers made of beef, turkey or salmon.
Redstone's dining room has capacity to handle 240, plus 90 at a seasonal patio. There are two semiprivate areas that each seat up to 30 guests, but that's about to change. A building expansion project now under construction will result in a new 50-seat private dining room with its own patio. Completion is expected by the third week of November. That space also will have a 70-inch diagonal flat-screen TV with full audiovisual hookup capability.
Oenophiles will find a broad selection, from entry-level to high-end wines. Represented are Napa Valley wineries Caymus and Chimney Rock and highly rated Super Tuscans. Though the emphasis is on domestic producers, the cellar stocks labels from Europe, South America and Australia. Wines by the glass go for $8 to $19 and bottles, $31 to $130.
Much in demand is the Stoli Doli, a signature martini of vodka infused for seven days with pineapple. The end result: a silky smooth fruit-flavored drink.
“Our bar bridges the gap, whether you come in for a burger and beer or go the full nine yards with a nice bottle of wine paired with fish selections,” Ambroz says.
<b>Redstone American Grill</b>
13 Lincoln Court, Oakbrook Terrace, (630) 268-0310, redstonegrill.com
<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday