Thumbs up? Thumbs down?

My hubby and I are celebrating our 7 year anniversary today. We have a babysitter and we want to go out for a great meal at a great restaurant. I've only heard good things about Ruth's Chris but we've never been there. I know it's pricey, but just this once I want to have a dinner with my hubby that is more upscale than Red Lobster. LOL Second choice is Bonefish Grill, which we also have never been to.

I made a reservation at Ruth's Chris but I want to make sure that the food is worth the $. I don't mind paying good money for good food and superb service. Thoughts?

I've not been, but a friend of mine, who loves to eat out says this is her favorite restaurant.

I have been once - to the one in Nashville, TN. It was nice, but not what I expected. I thought it was overpriced for what we got - but it could have been an off-night. The service was fine, but not over-the-top as you would expect for the price.

I've been to Bonefish Grill in Macon, GA and it was WONDERFUL. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

I'm not a big fan of Ruth's Chris for the reason already posted (overpriced for what you get.) I would agree with Duchess Skittles on choosing Bonefish Grill over Ruth's Chris.

If I have to go to a chain steakhouse, I like The Capital Grille.

Ruth's is okay, but I've found in most cities big enough to support a Ruth's that you can find a local steakhouse which is better. Ruth's does everything on the menu a la carte, so expect to pay for a salad, soup, side dish, etc.

del Frisco's as a chain is way better than Ruth's.

I've only been to Bonefish once, it was good, but not good enough to make me want to go back. I'm not a big fan of any chain restaurants...

But between Bonefish and Ruth's, I'd go with Ruth's, especially if it is your aniversary

Only eaten at Ruth's once and that was in Indy and it was very good, but pricey.

I've never been a big fan - they always seem to mess up my steak. If there's a Capital Grille close by, I'd go there before Ruth's Chris.

I have been to Bonefish and loved it!

call into the Hannity show Aggs, you might get comped....you do listen to Hannity, right?

If they have a Mastros, it is fine fine fine. Not cheap, but hey, it's your anniversary. Never been to Ruth's Chris. If you are not a steak conniseur, you might not get the attraction or price of USDA Prime steak, it may not be for you. hint: always choose ribeye over filet, much more flavor.

I ate there once. The steak was really good, however, it was not good enough for the price. From now on, I'll buy a nice steak and grill it at home or as others have said, many local places are just as good for far less of a payout.

That being said, for an anniversary, it's probably worth treating yourselves once!

I have eaten at Ruth's Chris in two different cities, and have been really impressed at one. The one here in Minneapolis I've been to twice and I thought it was amazing. I went to one in San Francisco and wasn't as impressed.

It's my husband's absolute favorite

Pale stole my thunder, I was going to say if it's good enough for Sean Hannity then it's good enough for me (although I've never been to one).

And that should be good enough for Aggs as well.

Love a good steak and when I ate at Ruth's Chris it was delicious. It is expensive, but was worth it to me. Happy Anniversary!

Ruth's Chris is my absolute favorite steakhouse (Chicago). It's pricey, but worth it. I love it! Happy Anniversary!

I've been to four different Ruth's locations including NYC, AZ, Chicago and WI. The waiter in NYC took the time to chat with my husband and I and taught us that you ALWAYS want to get the steak with the bone in it. Cooking with the bone in adds so much more flavor. Their Texas Rib Eye is to die for.

I will say I was somewhat disappointed the last time we went to the one here which was about a month ago. Can't put my finger on it but I told hubby, I like the local fine restaurant (non-chain) that we've been going to lately more than Ruth's. The fact that they build their menu around local produce and meats makes for a much more interesting steak or whatever you're having.

So, where'd you go? Hope the night was fabulous!

Which place?

Went to the one in Miami a few years ago. Everything was a la carte. The steak was great, the wait staff excellent (even offered me a colored napkin so if I needed to wipe anything off my blue shirt there would be no lint, as from a white napkin). Pricey, very pricey, but I would go again!

Sardines on Williamson Street. I'm partial to their oysters with mignonette sauce and their antipasto plate with pate. Loved their ice tea so much I asked for their supplier so I could brew my own at home.

I'm guessing it's better in bigger cities. I've only been to the Ruth's Chris in King of Prussia, PA, and at Mohegan Sun in Wilkes Barre. Both were mediocre and pricey.

I'll make another plug for the Capital Grille. If you go, spring for the calamari and cold shellfish appetizers, and go with the Porterhouse au poivre with courvoisier cream sauce.

Here's the dinner menu: http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/menu/dinnerMainCourses.asp?

where is the one in WI?

Madtown... over on the westside on University Ave.

Thank you all for your input! I had made a reservation for us at Ruth's Chris, but once I got home, my husband really didn't want to go there. He said we can go to a different restaurant and go all out and still spend 1/2 of what CR would cost us. But he left it up to me. We looked up the menu for Bonefish Grill and ended up going there instead. We really liked it, the Bang Bang Shrimp was awesome!

I still want to try Ruth's Chris, but it will just have to wait. It will be a great place to go to once our house sells in a couple of years and we want to celebrate.

Aggs - that's when we went. Last year when we finally closed on the home we were selling in Georgia we drove down to Nashville, stayed in the Opryland Hotel and ate at Ruth Chris. Very memorable evening.

I'm glad you enjoyed Bonefish Grill.

I'll drive to Chicago then