The Red Room Tapas Lounge

"Did you know there's a topless restaurant in downtown raleigh?" My mom asks. "No, where is it?" "Right next to Bogarts, it's called the Red... more

Our first few experiences were exacting - informed service, unexpected foods and an attention to serving. Lately, though, I've noticed that all the servers recommend one or two of the same dishes without asking what we usually lean toward. We used to be asked, and being vegetarians, this was nice - instead we're blindly told the scallops and pizza are good. The empanadas used to be unexpectedly large with a crisp, light crust. Now they are more like heavy samosas. I did appreciate, and still do, that the staff is very knowledgeable about the wine parings. Even though I think of tapas as a 'bunch of friends ordering food to turn the table into a buffet', the servers now drop the food ordered in front of the person who ordered it, generally confusing new-comers as to the 'share with everyone' atmosphere. The food is still good, the servers kind, and the ambience laid-back, but something is slipping. Pros: decent food, great service Cons: declining overall more

It was the worst paella I had in my life and I am from Spain. Pros: Its a pretty red room, perfect for NC State fans :-) Cons: Spanish food that isn't more

I am an attractive Caucasian female and for the second time in two weeks went to Latin night on Thursday, with my Latino friends, and a male was denied entrance for pathetic and blatantly discriminatory reasons. more

My BF and I wanted to try Red Room after reading the reviews. We told the hostess we wanted to sit out on the patio. Our waitress came by and told us she would be right back. 20 minutes later, she came back and took our drink orders. We decided to place our food order as well. Then we never saw her (or our drinks) again. We sat there for another 30 minutes before we got up and left. Cons: Horrible service more

My husband and I strongly recommend Red Room?s Sunday night Tapas Tour. We have gone a few times now and it is always a culinary adventure! For $15 a person, you are served a chef-selected menu consisting of eight tapas, served in four courses, not always offered on the regular menu. Chef Colin?s ideas are inspirational and an excitement to the palate. He is always willing to share some cooking tips if asked and we admire his ability to combine flavors that we had not thought of before. His clams with chorizo steamed in beer a few weeks back were incredible, as were the scallops with asparagus risotto last night. In fact, there have been very few things we?ve tried that we haven?t ?mmmm?d? and ?ahhhh?d? over! The shrimp ceviche is a MUST! The Red Room itself is beautiful and we have always been very pleased with the service. We enjoy sitting at the bar where we can watch the food being prepared and Joseph the bartender is always friendly and attentive. In response to the previous review, we did notice some changes last night. The portions were noticeably larger and there were no restrictions on the number of people required to order the tour. We recommend this to everyone we know! Pros: Everything! The food, price, the service, the atmosphere.... Cons: Haven't found any! more

The Sunday night special you can read about below on another review used to be great. We recently were hosting a party for 8, and had had the all you could eat tapas special a couple of times. Not having been for a while, my wife called to ask if they still had it, and made reservations for 8. Turns out it's now $14.95 for a set course of Tapas. The worst part was they insisted that if only 7 people wanted it, they wouldn't serve it to us. Naturally the person that the selections didn't appeal to insisted we go ahead. The insistance of the restuarant on that rule really struck everyone as poor service up front. When they brought the servings, it seemed they forgot there were 8 ordering. I understand the meaning of tapas and have had them in quite a few places in this country and others - these were small orders. 1/8th of one of these would not have been a ""small plate"", it would have been a small bite. A the end of the meal, they asked if anyone wanted anything else and 2 people just laughed. We debated stopping at burger king on the way home. more

I do like coming to this restaurant. The staff is very friendly and the food is always very good. We don't go out to much, but do love to come here! Pros: Friendly staff, good food more

Rocky Top Hospitality knows how to run a restaurant...............and they do it extremely well with places such as Bogart's, Michaael Dean's, Hi-5 and Twisted Fork. But they've really outdone themselves with The Red Room. Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere..............Everything Cons: None I can think of more

I recently visited to the Red Room to try their Tapas Tour for the second time. My first Experience was great. The selection and the size of the portions was wonderful. My girlfriend and I have been trying to get back and enjoy it again but we were unable till recently. The price for the tour is still the same, but the portions have been cut down tremendously. They have cut it back to 8 courses from the amount previously experienced. I actually do not remember a specific amount from the first time. Also I could not believe the portions. The first 5 courses each person had one single sample of something to try. When I say single sample I mean one piece of something(i.e. 1 date, 1 piece of toast, 1 shot glass, etc). The 6th course was one sample that had to be shared between both of us then the last two were the same. The price tag for the evening was well over $40 and I felt like I had not eaten a single thing. I honestly believe that I could have ordered a single tapas from the menu and it would have been more filling. Before leaving I discussed my dissappointment with the manager whom informed me that they are aware of the situation and they are planning to adjust the prices, etc. The problem is they changed the special over 2 months ago and have still not done anything about it. The manager was nice and took good care of us. We then went to 518 West and enjoyed a delicious meal that was cheaper than the small appetizer for two purchased from the Red-Room Pros: Food Cons: Sevice and Atmosphere more

I was at the Red Room in Nov and had the best waitress ever...Brandy...I stopped in to visit in late Dec. and found that she had left to go work at another place which is opening soon...1705 Prime. I can't wait to have that kind of service again! Top Notch. The food was good too...but it is rare that you have wonderful service and great food and I thought I found the place to enjoy both...The bar staff can pour a great cocktail! Pros: Service Cons: Parking more

This place is in a great location & the ambiance is nice. Very hip lounge look BUT the food leaves MUCH to be desired!!! If you just stick to the drinks then you might enjoy this place. By the way: Stay away from the lime shrimps.....NASTY!!! Pros: Very hip looking, service, drinks Cons: Food more

I love taking my friends to Red Room. The atmoshpere is great and I love the way that the restaurant is decorated with a hip and romantic feel. The martinis are creative and delicious. All of the food is delicious. The beer and wine selection is terrific. Pros: Amazing food and atmosphere Cons: Service can be a bit slow sometimes more

This place has a great martini menu, and a fun atmophere. The food is good, most of the time...Dancing on the weekends is always fun!! more

We love Red Room whether its to eat , dance, or just to have a drink. Outside seating on the sidewalk in the summer is always nice. Pros: tapas,bartenders, atmosphere Cons: parking more

The food is good, and some of the waitresses seem great but there are a couple of female drink pushers that don't believe women exist (ie they paw the guy, call him sweetheart and totally ignore the female customer). They need a tip themselves - treat all the customers with respect....many times its the female who controls the purse strings, the tip and the decision whether or not to become a return customer! more

My friend and I have heard nothing but great things about the Red Room, so we decided to try it. Great choice! We came in on a Wednesday night and they were offering this amazing special. Spanish tapas coursed out and served with half glasses of wine. Not only was the food, wine and service amazing the music was great too! they were offering free salsa lessons as well!! Not only was the decor beautiful the staff and food was also. We had a great time and plan on going back for the late nite scene on the weekends. Pros: food, service, wine more

I was highly disappointed. First of all, the bouncers are starved for attention. They are type that think they are owners when in all actuality they are employees. The Latin night on Thursday is completely garbage. Small dance floor, food cold, and poor music. Overall this place is for lames & their friends. Pros: Location Cons: Bouncers, Music, Food more

This review is more restaurant based then Friday/Saturday night based. If you're going to eat here you can't beat coming on Sunday. Sunday nights they have their ""unlimited Tapas"" from 6-10. For 15.00 they'll keep bringing tapas to your table until you tell them to stop. We stumbled in on it one Sunday and come back on a quite regular basis. Some of the items are hit or miss-like the guacamole deviled eggs (thumbs up), but the next weeks asparagus and crab meat deviled eggs tested my gag reflex. I recommend calling ahead to ensure they're open-instead of being rented out. Pros: Service, Value more

Stumbled in on accident, decided to stay and it was a good choice. The atmosphere is excellent, not a detail is missed, keeping with the Red theme throughout the restaurant. We ordered 4 tapas items, all of wish were wonderful. I highly recommend the stuffed peppers and the spinch feta dip. Pros: Menu, decor, music Cons: Drink prices more