Linda B.
Yelp
The new Rosebud Steakhouse in Wheeling is a lovely restaurant. They have valet parking, a coat check, and a nice bar area. However, our experience on New Year's Eve was surprisingly disappointing. We made a reservation several weeks before and arrived early to have a drink at the bar before we ate. Everyone at the front was very polite and welcoming. Sitting at the bar we found the bartenders to be inattentive and focused on cleaning and serving the customers eating at the bar-even though the bar was almost empty. When ready for another drink, we tried to catch their attention but ended up being seated at our table after going without a drink for a while. The beer selection was very limited and not listed on the drink menu.
Once seated at a corner banquet table, we found the seats very hard and uncomfortable. I waited and waited for someone to bring water and take the unneeded wine glasses. At most Chicago fine dining restaurants the staff immediately fills water and asks to start on a drink, even before the waiter arrives. Bread is usually brought right away. We sat, thirsty, hungry, and ignored, until our waitress finally came. The one caveat is that the waitress was very friendly but extremely overloaded. This restaurant needs to hire more staff. She was expected to buss the table, serve the food including filleting Dover Sole at another table and tossing salad and plating at the table, as well as normal duties of wait staff. She was so busy with the many tables that we had to ask for bread, waive her down for water and a refill, and the unnecessary glasses were never fully cleared. Other tables received a carafe of water but we did not. The refill of a drink finally came after dinner was over and we were waiting for the bill. She was frazzled and rushed and we felt bad for her.
Even worse, we ordered grilled sea bass and received salmon, and the 8 ounce filet tasted and smelled as if doused in liquid smoke, even though tender. The mashed potatoes were gooey. My husband ate some of the fish and asked me if it seemed correct and we realized it was salmon. We finally were able to tell our waitress and she went to the manager. He reduced the price of the fish to match the lower price of the salmon but did not apologize or comp or offer an explanation.
Other tables asked for various things and were told they were out of things-at only 7pm on New Year's. They were out of king crab legs, and types of alcohol, and other items. We noticed that food was coming from the kitchen and being brought to the waitress to bring to tables-even though she was busy at other tables. The few supporting staff were not told what tables the food belonged to. Even when ordering tiramisu to go, it was plated instead of being brought in a to go bag.
Altogether, a meal that costs as much as the finest Chicago restaurants should be served with excellent food and service. Even being a new restaurant opened in November this is part of the Chicago Rosebud restaurant group and they should have prevented these errors and shown the exceptional hospitality and food we expect from this company. There are many wonderful restaurants in the area and unfortunately we have crossed this one off of our list.
