Red Tavern

We have had some great evenings here. Food has always been great! And cocktails delicious! Our server was Faith for a couple of the times and we wanted to give her a shout out for taking such good care of us, being attentive and knowledgeable and helping to make a very positive experience.

This place is consistently good, whether it be for brunch or dinner. Much of what they serve is made from scratch, in-house, and the quality of the ingredients is excellent. Another area where they excel is in service. Not one time have I ever had any less than top-notch service. In fact, I believe one of the consistent servers is in fact one of the owners, so you know they are invested in making customers happy.

Wonderful restaurant! The dishes are excellent, the staff is pleasant. I highly recommend to everyone!

We visited for the first time on Mother’s Day. LOVE that they take reservations and we were able to choose between dining room or patio. There was a DJ and the moms in our party were given fresh cut roses. Our hostess was very knowledgeable and arranged a special mocktail for my sister who is nursing. Portions were very generous, everything was tasty, great value and experience. This will be our new tradition.

My wife and I love date nights here. The menu always has wonderful new optionss, and the staff is always really great. It is definitely a treat we highly suggest love one here for any occasion.

This is our favorite date night place in Chico. Terrific food and excellent cocktails and wine list

Wonderful Portuguese food for a special event! Great service and special live music!

+6

Excellent service. Management greeted me for my birthday. Nice setting and the food was Devine!

The best place to have an elegant dinner food is superb matching the service. Special occasions this is the place

Great happy hour and outstanding service! We couldn't be happier with our experience at Red Tavern. Everything from the atmosphere to the attentive staff made it a memorable visit. Highly recommended!

A hidden gem of Chico. Absolutely wonderful high class restaurant.

My partner and I passed through Chico on Sunday night, and at the advice of a friend, decided to dine at this establishment. We were not disappointed! On Sundays, Red Tavern is open for supper service from 5-8. We arrived about 20 minutes early, having no other errands to run, and sat in anticipation, watching several more cars pull in awaiting the opening of the doors. We did not have reservations, and I would highly recommend making them, as the place filled up quickly. The ambiance is lovely-- darker earthy tones on the walls, highlighting beautiful art. The lighting is indirect in most of the building, creating soft illumination, bright enough to read the menu, but muted enough to create intimate atmosphere. Soft jazz music wafted through the restaurant, as an unobtrusive backdrop to the many tables of people holding various meals and celebrations. The service was exceptional. Our server was Connor, who was friendly, knowledgeable of the menu, and more than willing to answer questions on everything from preparation of menu items to wine pairings and more. Our glasses were never empty, and any time we looked like we even thought about having a question, someone would lowkey come make eye contact and ensure our needs were met. Staff has clearly been trained to work as a team-- ensuring everyone in the restaurant has full glasses, clean silverware between courses, and more. The food... oh Lord, the food. As is our custom, my partner and I cruised the menu and set our plan, finding the food that hooked our eager palates, and pairing it with a wine which would compliment the meal. We perused the European-inspired menu, contemplating a number of dishes which caught our eye-- duck confit ravioli, a filet mignon with an authentic Bordelaise sauce, gnocchi, and other rich fare. For starters, we settled on the Alsatian Tarte Flambe, a house-made, flaky, buttery savory pastry, topped with fromage blanc, bacon, honey, figs, charred shallot, and arugala, finished with a cherry vinaigrette. The pastry was utterly decadent, melting in the mouth beneath the fusion of tastes and flavors on top. For our main course, we chose the sea bass-- a tender cut of fish served over a creamy celery root puree, and topped with a savory sauce. The bass was flaky, warm all the way through (something that can be challenging with such a cut of fish), and supported the creative flavors paired within the dish. The meal was also served with an artisan, ciabatta-type bread, soft, warm, and paired with a compound garlic butter. The garlic was chopped small, but not fine, accompanied with shallot and parsley, in a way which created an earthy texture to each bite of baked goodness. For dessert, we ventured out with a spice cake, plated with scratch-made butterscotch and a scoop of vanilla gelato. The cake was delightfully dense without being heavy, and the gelato was a bright and lively counter-balance to the confection. We paired all of this with a 2021 Dry Creek Vineyard (Sonoma County) Old Vine Zinfandel-- a wine durable to the whole meal, its mocha and pepper nuances counterbalancing both its own berry overtones, as well as the fusion of flavors throughout the meal. Near the end of our meal, Connor asked us, "Thoughts on the sea bass?" to which I responded, "I think we'll be back very soon for more!" Kudos to the owners and team of food wizards who have created such a culinary delight as Red Tavern. We will also be trying their Italian sister restaurant, Rione, the next time we are in Chico. Can't wait!

Absolutely amazing food and service. I cannot recommend this place more. Make a reservation and visit if you haven't yet. You won't regret it.

Good food and cozy atmosphere! Located in the heart of chico is this unpretentious building where the Red Tavern is located. They open at 430pm and happy hour specials are available until 6pm. The place is somewhat small but they were packed by 530 pm today (december 20). We ordered the 10 ounce steak and the 11 dollar happy hour shrimp. The shrimp was awesome with butter and garlic. We split the steak but it was too rare for me. Dessert was a eggnog cheesecake which was delicious! Shae (our waitress) was friendly and attentive. The owner came by a few times to check on us which i thought was a very kind gesture. They have a full bar and outdoor seating with heaters. Overall a good experience and would definitely come again! See receipt for pricing.

I've been here a few times now and the experience has always been great. The food, the service, the atmosphere, all perfect. Whether it's just my wife and I or a group of 10+, they always manage to handle things perfectly. I particularly love to sit out on the back patio on a nice evening, they sometimes have live music which gives the best vibe for a nice dinner. Their menu changes, not too often mind you, so what I've had may or may not be on it when you go. In the 3-4 times that I've gone, I've ordered different cuts of steak that might be available at the time and they're always cooked perfectly and well-complimented with the sides. It's one of the classiest places to dine in Chico, excellent for a date night or a low-key celebration with friends and/or family. The personal touches are all over this restaurant and the owners are wonderful hosts with an excellent staff.

Excellent meal, outstanding service, Caitlyn is an amazing server, the short ribs and pork were excellent.

Celebration of our friends 80th Birthday. Wonderful service and food choices.

Finally made it to one of the top 5 restaurants in town according to the local foodies. Wish the locals had a little more class and had more in their wardrobe besides blue jeans. Moved here in July, and chose it for my birthday dinner. Could never have sat outside in Michigan this time of year. Unfortunately because of all the rain the mosquitoes were worse than a spring in the upper peninsula. Sydney was an excellent waiter. Appetizer was substantial and delicious, l recommend. Beat salad was unique, my late father would have loved. Scallop special was a must, should become a standard. Filet Oscar was larger than expected and perfectly cooked. Bernaise sauce tasted more like hollandaise. Lobster claw was dry, and Oscar is usually crab. Why smash asparagus into whipped potatoes to make a tower? Try laying them like a lean-to. Lava cake and Gelato that tastes like ice cream is to die for. Only noteworthy dessert item by far. Will be back.

*2023 edit* The food is still amazing. The staff is still top notch. And the place is still one of the best places my wife I like to go for an upscale date night. They even paired a wonder red wine with my lamb tonight. It was perfect. Also I'm pretty sure I could eat like 8 of their creme brulees. Original review Super fine dining experience. From the attentive wait staff to the delicious appetizer and entree, this place is a Chico treasure. My filet was cooked perfectly and was so soft and delicious, I never wanted it to be finished. Also the lavender creme brulee is a fresh twist on my favorite dessert. Can't wait to go back!

Amazing, attentive and friendly server anticipating our needs. The food had wonderful combinations of tastes and consistencies. We tried everything on the Happy Hour menu. We'll be back to explore more.

Very nice well heated patio area. Service and people were very nice. The food was so good. I had the meatballs over polenta and Me and my wife shared the seafood cakes. That was so good. The sauce was perfectly matched for the seafood. My wife's entree was truffles oil blackened pasta. She enjoyed it hughly

Took my boyfriend here for his birthday dinner, and it did not disappoint! I arranged for some chocolates and a card that I bought to be left at our reserved table, which made the evening super romantic. The food is easily some of the best in all of Chico! I had the Filet Mignon Bordelaise, and he had the Coq Au Vin

Great food especially for Chico. Definitely a high end feel. Great flavors. Meatloaf and chicken and hamburger were all delicious.

I made reservations online for five of us to arrive at 6pm and was extremely happy with our experience. One of our guests is extremely picky with restaurants and even he was happy with his meal. I would highly recommend Red Tavern if you are wanting an excellent meal. For a birthday celebration, it was worth the cost. We were too busy enjoying the food to take pictures but trust me, it was yummy! Also, the service was great and our waters stayed topped off. We also had a “few” cocktails 😋 The desserts we tried were pretty tasty too.

My wife & I came in tonight to celebrate our Anniversary. The atmosphere was really nice & the service was outstanding! My wife enjoyed a vegetarian dish, I enjoyed a seafood dish, & we shared a cheese plate. The food was amazing & the drinks were really good as well!! Red Tavern always beats our expectations every time! We love returning to celebrate special occasions.

HueHueo Suezo

Absolutely amazing food and service. I cannot recommend this place more. Make a reservation and visit if you haven't yet. You won't regret it.

Mary P

Good food and cozy atmosphere! Located in the heart of chico is this unpretentious building where the Red Tavern is located. They open at 430pm and happy hour specials are available until 6pm. The place is somewhat small but they were packed by 530 pm today (december 20). We ordered the 10 ounce steak and the 11 dollar happy hour shrimp. The shrimp was awesome with butter and garlic. We split the steak but it was too rare for me. Dessert was a eggnog cheesecake which was delicious! Shae (our waitress) was friendly and attentive. The owner came by a few times to check on us which i thought was a very kind gesture. They have a full bar and outdoor seating with heaters. Overall a good experience and would definitely come again! See receipt for pricing.

Scott Chalmers

Celebration of our friends 80th Birthday. Wonderful service and food choices.

Andrew Slankard

I've been here a few times now and the experience has always been great. The food, the service, the atmosphere, all perfect. Whether it's just my wife and I or a group of 10+, they always manage to handle things perfectly. I particularly love to sit out on the back patio on a nice evening, they sometimes have live music which gives the best vibe for a nice dinner. Their menu changes, not too often mind you, so what I've had may or may not be on it when you go. In the 3-4 times that I've gone, I've ordered different cuts of steak that might be available at the time and they're always cooked perfectly and well-complimented with the sides. It's one of the classiest places to dine in Chico, excellent for a date night or a low-key celebration with friends and/or family. The personal touches are all over this restaurant and the owners are wonderful hosts with an excellent staff.

Paul Winquist

Excellent meal, outstanding service, Caitlyn is an amazing server, the short ribs and pork were excellent.

Erik Owens

Finally made it to one of the top 5 restaurants in town according to the local foodies. Wish the locals had a little more class and had more in their wardrobe besides blue jeans. Moved here in July, and chose it for my birthday dinner. Could never have sat outside in Michigan this time of year. Unfortunately because of all the rain the mosquitoes were worse than a spring in the upper peninsula. Sydney was an excellent waiter. Appetizer was substantial and delicious, l recommend. Beat salad was unique, my late father would have loved. Scallop special was a must, should become a standard. Filet Oscar was larger than expected and perfectly cooked. Bernaise sauce tasted more like hollandaise. Lobster claw was dry, and Oscar is usually crab. Why smash asparagus into whipped potatoes to make a tower? Try laying them like a lean-to. Lava cake and Gelato that tastes like ice cream is to die for. Only noteworthy dessert item by far. Will be back.

Brent Kimberley

*2023 edit* The food is still amazing. The staff is still top notch. And the place is still one of the best places my wife I like to go for an upscale date night. They even paired a wonder red wine with my lamb tonight. It was perfect. Also I'm pretty sure I could eat like 8 of their creme brulees. Original review Super fine dining experience. From the attentive wait staff to the delicious appetizer and entree, this place is a Chico treasure. My filet was cooked perfectly and was so soft and delicious, I never wanted it to be finished. Also the lavender creme brulee is a fresh twist on my favorite dessert. Can't wait to go back!

SherryBChico Butler

Amazing, attentive and friendly server anticipating our needs. The food had wonderful combinations of tastes and consistencies. We tried everything on the Happy Hour menu. We'll be back to explore more.

Robert Fetty

Very nice well heated patio area. Service and people were very nice. The food was so good. I had the meatballs over polenta and Me and my wife shared the seafood cakes. That was so good. The sauce was perfectly matched for the seafood. My wife's entree was truffles oil blackened pasta. She enjoyed it hughly

Tyler Gates

Took my boyfriend here for his birthday dinner, and it did not disappoint! I arranged for some chocolates and a card that I bought to be left at our reserved table, which made the evening super romantic. The food is easily some of the best in all of Chico! I had the Filet Mignon Bordelaise, and he had the Coq Au Vin

Greg Reid

Great food especially for Chico. Definitely a high end feel. Great flavors. Meatloaf and chicken and hamburger were all delicious.

Michelle James

I made reservations online for five of us to arrive at 6pm and was extremely happy with our experience. One of our guests is extremely picky with restaurants and even he was happy with his meal. I would highly recommend Red Tavern if you are wanting an excellent meal. For a birthday celebration, it was worth the cost. We were too busy enjoying the food to take pictures but trust me, it was yummy! Also, the service was great and our waters stayed topped off. We also had a “few” cocktails 😋 The desserts we tried were pretty tasty too.

Nicholas Dugan

My wife & I came in tonight to celebrate our Anniversary. The atmosphere was really nice & the service was outstanding! My wife enjoyed a vegetarian dish, I enjoyed a seafood dish, & we shared a cheese plate. The food was amazing & the drinks were really good as well!! Red Tavern always beats our expectations every time! We love returning to celebrate special occasions.

Nadezhda Shalobalo

Wonderful restaurant! The dishes are excellent, the staff is pleasant. I highly recommend to everyone!

A little pricey for Chico, but my petite filet was perfectly cooked, the cocktails were excellent and the service was outstanding! Worth the price for a truly perfect experience. 🥂🍾❤️

Absolutely incredible. My first time here and my husband and I were sat by Micheal who was friendly and handed us an open menu and made things feel so inviting. Shay was our server and she was awesome, very well spoken, very informed on the menu, and checked on us consistently. The young girl dropping off the food was also incredibly nice… I truly haven’t had service like this as long as I can remember. The food was absolutely 10/10. We got some appetizers that were delicious and I was impressed with how hot everything came out, like it hit the plate and was walked out the door immediately. This has by far the best steak in town, well over even the fancy “steak houses”. Lastly the price was very reasonable even after we splurged a bit. Can’t wait to come back and bring my in-laws!

Connor was our server and was especially patient this as a family of 6 it a 4 year old in tow. It was a lively evening where everyone tried something new and all of it was delicious. a really nice lady whom I am sure was either an owner or part of the management team, brought our little one crayons to color with while we waited. Her the gentleman manager/owner also helped clear out first course and Conner kept our wine glasses from being empty. We had a lovely time. Thank you to all of the staff that assisted us with our evening!

This place is great for a quiet romantic or social gathering. I usually go for the giant rib eye and have the soup of the day with a bourbon sour. The pomegranate tiramisu was a bit funky sure to a very interesting flavor and texture, but the other desserts were well made.

Great staff, very pleasant and attentive. Food was amazing. Visited in a Friday Arrived right when they opened and glad we did. Started to get busy around 5:30p. Would highly recommend making a reservation

Love Caitlyn. Absolutely the best waitress we’ve witnessed. She’s attentive, bubbly, and knowledgeable. Any night we have a bay sitter, we come to red tavern!!

lynnea r

Great staff, very pleasant and attentive. Food was amazing. Visited in a Friday Arrived right when they opened and glad we did. Started to get busy around 5:30p. Would highly recommend making a reservation

Jasmined Smith

Connor was our server and was especially patient this as a family of 6 it a 4 year old in tow. It was a lively evening where everyone tried something new and all of it was delicious. a really nice lady whom I am sure was either an owner or part of the management team, brought our little one crayons to color with while we waited. Her the gentleman manager/owner also helped clear out first course and Conner kept our wine glasses from being empty. We had a lovely time. Thank you to all of the staff that assisted us with our evening!

Glenn J

This place is great for a quiet romantic or social gathering. I usually go for the giant rib eye and have the soup of the day with a bourbon sour. The pomegranate tiramisu was a bit funky sure to a very interesting flavor and texture, but the other desserts were well made.

mindy ann

Absolutely incredible. My first time here and my husband and I were sat by Micheal who was friendly and handed us an open menu and made things feel so inviting. Shay was our server and she was awesome, very well spoken, very informed on the menu, and checked on us consistently. The young girl dropping off the food was also incredibly nice… I truly haven’t had service like this as long as I can remember. The food was absolutely 10/10. We got some appetizers that were delicious and I was impressed with how hot everything came out, like it hit the plate and was walked out the door immediately. This has by far the best steak in town, well over even the fancy “steak houses”. Lastly the price was very reasonable even after we splurged a bit. Can’t wait to come back and bring my in-laws!

Justin Anderson

A little pricey for Chico, but my petite filet was perfectly cooked, the cocktails were excellent and the service was outstanding! Worth the price for a truly perfect experience. 🥂🍾❤️

Molly Anderson

We visited for the first time on Mother’s Day. LOVE that they take reservations and we were able to choose between dining room or patio. There was a DJ and the moms in our party were given fresh cut roses. Our hostess was very knowledgeable and arranged a special mocktail for my sister who is nursing. Portions were very generous, everything was tasty, great value and experience. This will be our new tradition.

Haven't been here in several years. The outdoor seating is nice and they space out the reservations. Ordered the salmon and it was served skin side up, which was different. The salmon was cooked to perfection. My sister had the filet mignon. The hubs had the gnocchi. Everyone enjoyed their meal and the staff was amazing.

Their menu options are always unique and delicious. The dining area is small and quaint. The vibe is upscale but still relaxed. Seasonal drinks and menu items make it fun to visit and still have new experiences.

The service was amazing Rio the bartender knows his craft. He can probably make anything you want to drink and super friendly. Mike our waiter was just as awesome and attentive also The Manger was very friendly and attentive. And the food was delicious. It is definitely a place I would put on my regular rotation if I was not moving. But my friends will be frequenting there now for sure. Even the nice date night or girls night out spot.

We arrived for our reservation on time and we were seated outside on the patio as we requested. 20 minutes elapsed and we hadn't been served or even poured water yet. I called the restaurant from my table to ask if they had forgotten about us. They had. The waitress passed it off as a communication problem with a new server. She was friendly but not very apologetic. I feel like she was put in the middle of it, and the manager should have been the first one to come out. The manager contacted us and brought the appetizer out. He also informed us that there was a communication issue with a new server and that he had a talk with them. He informed us that they would be comping our appetizer and desert if we chose. We ordered the octopus for our appetizer. I was surprised it was only one tentacle and some potatoes ($18) it was advertised as grilled and it definitely was as the end of it was pretty well charred. The bread was very fresh and tasty and both entrees were spot on. (Seabass and the filet) We opted for no dessert so they comped the one beer that I had. I have had many positive experiences at this restaurant and I was very surprised. I am undecided as to whether I will return or not.

A week later and I am still thinking about the black sesame peanut butter creme brulee. This dessert looked, and might as well have tasted like a soggy ashtray. The waitress put it on the table and quickly left, and upon seeing we had barely eaten any of it, said zero when she took the dish away. First, the sugar was scorched black all over (if it was somehow sesame seeds making it black, you couldn't tell by taste or texture). Then, when we cracked it open to get to the creme, we discovered a grey paste which tasted vaguely like peanut butter and sesame seeds, but mostly just a bland, disappointing, cold mush. Can someone at Red Tavern please explain this dessert to me? It was just comically bad. How could you serve that?! Anyway, the entrees were mediocre. Wine was good. Service good. Ambiance always nice. Red Tavern is just not what it used to be, which was a truly gourmet restaurant. Well, the prices are still gourmet, but the food is not. I do not feel that there is any consistent passion for food at Red Tavern anymore. It is beginning to feel generic and tired I am sorry to say.

Menu options sounded good but arrived dried and overcooked. Octopus was touch, burgers were just okay and meatloaf was dry. All and all disappointed for good reviews and ticket price. Not certain I would recommend.

Came in with a small group on a Sunday night. Restaurant wasn't even half full. server took about ten mins to greet the table. Had the personality of a wet brick. Disappeared for 20mins after taking drink orders. A beer. Two sodas. Two cocktails. 20ish mins to arrive. Took another 25-30 mins for two apps to come out. And holy jebus was it disappointing. The octopus was so undercooked it was unchewable. It shouldn't even be on the menu if it's cooked that poorly. Speaking of food, what's going on with this menu? The food pairings... Just don't make sense. The pork chop was cooked well but probably the most lackluster sides I've ever had with a chop. And also, whoever butchered that piece did a very sub par job. Would have been better if, you guessed it, it didn't take another 30 mins to come out after the apps were finished The cocktail menu lacks any originality at all and simply lists a few classics on there. I thought this was supposed to be one of the nicer places in Chico... Won't be returning until it gets some new management/staff or some more help in the kitchen

Where do I begin. The dining room was so noisy, we literally couldn’t hear each other. The meal: Rib Eye special. Awful! So tough, I had to shave off slivers of meat just to be able to chew it. The scalloped potatoes had good flavor, but dry and warm. And only 4 perfectly cooked green beans… our server was great and kept apologizing for the noise. Honestly, this used to be my favorite restaurant in Chico. I can say I will never go back after this experience . I called the next day to talk to manager/owner. The asst. manager was put on the phone. He seemed uninterested in what I had to say and said he had already spoken to our table the night before. Pretty much……oh well attitude. Horrible! So disappointed ☹️

What a disastrous. disappointing Valentines evening dinner. How do you run out of food when your restaurant is booked two months in advance on a Prix Fixe menu?? . My feelings go out to the service staff who tried their very best to smile through the situation as there was just no food choices and even before 7 PM.! This is a top down management issue. It will be a long time before we give them a 2nd chance.