Jeff Ruby's - An Electric Kool Aid Acid Test

After several people told me that Jeff Ruby's had a great bar and the best steak in town, Donna and I headed there last night. The initial shock hit as we entered the bar area. Perched above the bar was an enormous piano with an enormous man playing, singing with an enormous voice at an enormous volume. We literally could not hear ourselves think, let alone carry on a decent conversation. The bartenders were rather attractive and certainly their low cut outfits accentuated their finest features. However, they knew very little about liquor and I was compelled to give them a lesson in the types of rum they had stocked behind the bar. Soon, we were escorted to our banquette. Both Donna and I were speechless for several minutes. Looking at the decor of the room reminded me of my screening of the movie "Fantasia" in 1969 at Cornell University. An array of stimulation motorized my senses, and I flashed back to either a scene from "Scarface" or was I actually looking at Monte Carlo in Moscow. Chris, our server, came over to explain the menu to us, but we were somewhat catatonic as we eyed a "kind of" art deco explosion of plastic, mirrors, and orange velvet. Were we in an accident and arrived in Hell? What is this? For a minute I thought I had landed in a house of ill repute in Bucharest. We shook ourselves out of our numbness and concentrated on Chris as he explained the classic steak house menu. I asked him what I thought were some subtle questions about the decor, but as must of you know from my posts, subtlety is not my strong point. He explained that the design of the room was Jeff' Ruby's showcase for the expansion of the restaurant chain to Las Vegas and places beyond. I nodded like Mr. Ed and stared at the menu. While the steaks were okay, and the sides plentiful, I could not get over the design of the place to enjoy myself. Chris was a great server and the wine list was quite interesting.

Speaking of steaks, I seem not to be able to get as good of a steak as I can get in Milwaukee anywhere else in the world. Friends of mine from New York City, when told that the best steak I have eaten is in Milwaukee, laugh at me with derision. However, when they visit me in Wisconsin, and I take them to either Coerper's or the Jackson Grill, they exclaim that this is the best ------ steak I have ever eaten, in their best New Yorkese. Donna thinks the steaks taste better in Milwaukee because they marinate them. I don't know.................

"I nodded like Mr. Ed..."

Great line. May I steal it on occasion?

Your description of JR is what I have imagined, and has kept me from going there. I guess the $100 gift card I received will push me over the line to giving it a go.

Phil - thanks for describing in such detail! I laughed out loud at the mental picture of it all. I have had other people try and explain the decor to me, but now I can see they failed miserably. Seems to me that Mike & I will continue to get our fabulous steak fix at Palermo Viejo and save ourselves the sensory overload.

Michele

Were they busy?

The bar was fairly empty but the restaurant was somewhat filled with groups of casually dressed people. I must admit, most of the patrons seemed very pleased and they appeared out for a special occasion.

For a minute I thought I had landed in a house of ill repute in Bucharest.

Whoa, there, pardner. I've been to Ruby's, and I've been ...

On second thought, maybe discretion really is the best part of valor.

Wow, I can't help but notice in the virtual tour that the poor little "EXIT" sign in the dining room is completely overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the walls.

Of course the "EXIT" sign is very necessary in a place like that, as I've been to carnival fun houses with less flashing lights and color saturation.

Also, fantastic description. I laughed out loud at several points, but I must admit I did think you were engaging in a bit of hyperbole until I took the virtual tour. You definitely nailed it.

Some people fail to realize that it takes all types for various needs. People who travel to conferences and stay primarily in the downtown area are looking for audio-visual stimulation, a la Fourth St Live. Although Jeff Ruby will probably not get my business, I commend him for adding intense pizazz to the Main St hotel-dining zone.

Lava Lamps. You can't go wrong with Lava Lamps, Jeff Ruby.

Has anyone perused the Forecastle lineup? Sounds like a match made in MDMA heaven.
Does Mr. Ruby allow the carry in of take out bubble tea?

After several people told me that Jeff Ruby's had a great bar and the best steak in town, Donna and I headed there last night. The initial shock hit as we entered the bar area. Perched above the bar was an enormous piano with an enormous man playing, singing with an enormous voice at an enormous volume. We literally could not hear ourselves think, let alone carry on a decent conversation. The bartenders were rather attractive and certainly their low cut outfits accentuated their finest features. However, they knew very little about liquor and I was compelled to give them a lesson in the types of rum they had stocked behind the bar. Soon, we were escorted to our banquette. Both Donna and I were speechless for several minutes. Looking at the decor of the room reminded me of my screening of the movie "Fantasia" in 1969 at Cornell University. An array of stimulation motorized my senses, and I flashed back to either a scene from "Scarface" or was I actually looking at Monte Carlo in Moscow. Chris, our server, came over to explain the menu to us, but we were somewhat catatonic as we eyed a "kind of" art deco explosion of plastic, mirrors, and orange velvet. Were we in an accident and arrived in Hell? What is this? For a minute I thought I had landed in a house of ill repute in Bucharest. We shook ourselves out of our numbness and concentrated on Chris as he explained the classic steak house menu. I asked him what I thought were some subtle questions about the decor, but as must of you know from my posts, subtlety is not my strong point. He explained that the design of the room was Jeff' Ruby's showcase for the expansion of the restaurant chain to Las Vegas and places beyond. I nodded like Mr. Ed and stared at the menu. While the steaks were okay, and the sides plentiful, I could not get over the design of the place to enjoy myself. Chris was a great server and the wine list was quite interesting.

Speaking of steaks, I seem not to be able to get as good of a steak as I can get in Milwaukee anywhere else in the world. Friends of mine from New York City, when told that the best steak I have eaten is in Milwaukee, laugh at me with derision. However, when they visit me in Wisconsin, and I take them to either Coerper's or the Jackson Grill, they exclaim that this is the best ------ steak I have ever eaten, in their best New Yorkese. Donna thinks the steaks taste better in Milwaukee because they marinate them. I don't know.................

I haven't dined at JR's, but sounds as though the visually arresting decor attempts to mask an otherwise mediocre dining experience(??)

Actually, in retrospect, the food was pretty good, not great, but okay for standard steak house fare. I was so overwhelmed by the Hieronymus Bosch decor, that I was completely distracted from enjoying the food. I do want to emphasize, in the vein of being fair, that the service was great. I do not usually enjoy chain restaurants, and this experience confirmed my beliefs. Jeff Ruby is catering to a certain clientele that would find the design elegantly nouveau riche. The company is a financial success. If that is their goal, they certainly are a five star restaurant. I am simply giving this forum my take on things. Who the heck am I?

[Robin Garr]

Hieronymus Bosch decor

EX-cellent!!

Doesn't sound like the Garden of Earthly Delights to me.

After several people told me that Jeff Ruby's had a great bar and the best steak in town, Donna and I headed there last night. The initial shock hit as we entered the bar area. Perched above the bar was an enormous piano with an enormous man playing, singing with an enormous voice at an enormous volume. We literally could not hear ourselves think, let alone carry on a decent conversation. The bartenders were rather attractive and certainly their low cut outfits accentuated their finest features. However, they knew very little about liquor and I was compelled to give them a lesson in the types of rum they had stocked behind the bar. Soon, we were escorted to our banquette. Both Donna and I were speechless for several minutes. Looking at the decor of the room reminded me of my screening of the movie "Fantasia" in 1969 at Cornell University. An array of stimulation motorized my senses, and I flashed back to either a scene from "Scarface" or was I actually looking at Monte Carlo in Moscow. Chris, our server, came over to explain the menu to us, but we were somewhat catatonic as we eyed a "kind of" art deco explosion of plastic, mirrors, and orange velvet. Were we in an accident and arrived in Hell? What is this? For a minute I thought I had landed in a house of ill repute in Bucharest. We shook ourselves out of our numbness and concentrated on Chris as he explained the classic steak house menu. I asked him what I thought were some subtle questions about the decor, but as must of you know from my posts, subtlety is not my strong point. He explained that the design of the room was Jeff' Ruby's showcase for the expansion of the restaurant chain to Las Vegas and places beyond. I nodded like Mr. Ed and stared at the menu. While the steaks were okay, and the sides plentiful, I could not get over the design of the place to enjoy myself. Chris was a great server and the wine list was quite interesting.

Speaking of steaks, I seem not to be able to get as good of a steak as I can get in Milwaukee anywhere else in the world. Friends of mine from New York City, when told that the best steak I have eaten is in Milwaukee, laugh at me with derision. However, when they visit me in Wisconsin, and I take them to either Coerper's or the Jackson Grill, they exclaim that this is the best ------ steak I have ever eaten, in their best New Yorkese. Donna thinks the steaks taste better in Milwaukee because they marinate them. I don't know.................

Phil -
I am not sure what they serve in Milwaukee, but if it is marinated it is not USDA Prime. Jeff Ruby's prides itself on serving the best beef available. If it is a marinated steak you are looking for get the top sirloin at Texas Roadhouse. Everyone has their own opinions, but I never seen a steakhouse in Wisconsin ranked amongst the best in the country. We all have our opinions and you have been quite straight forward, but I believe your taste may have been jaded by your distaste of the decor.