Sometimes I get to do fun things just because I like to write words and use social media. Last weekend was one of those times.  Ruth’s Chris in Rogers, Arkansas invited me and a few of my fellow bloggers to join them for a VIP preview of their new patio space, and, well, I have never been one to turn down an evening that includes friends, warm breezes, and complimentary adult beverages. They know me so well…

Ruth’s Chris is well known for their amazing dinner menu and outstanding service, and their new patio addition follows along in that tradition. The food provided to guests that evening was delicious, but the cocktails were definitely the star of the evening with me and my friends. You’d think we never get to have a night out with other grown ups! Hmmm… come to think of it, we are all parents, so… that might actually be the case.

Whether we were all giddy because we were out of the house or because of the creative cocktails, they were splendid, none the less. There were five different stations set up in the bar and on the patio, each serving a different hand-crafted cocktail, and I think we tasted most of them. The runaway favorite was the Hurricane. It was not only super-tasty, it also looked gorgeous. Check out the sparkly chartreuse sugar around the rim of the glass. Definitely not the typical Bourbon Street Hurricane… and that’s just fine with me. A little pricier, perhaps, than what you’d get in NOLA, but without the subtle undertone of urine and titty bars. You get what you pay for.

Unlike some restaurants in Northwest Arkansas, Ruth’s Chris put a roof over their patio. No sunburn in the summer, and on rainy days you could still enjoy most of the seating. Stormy, spring Arkansas weather?… maybe not. The patio is furnished with stylish but comfortable furniture, including granite-topped tables in one area, and comfy sofas put together to encourage hanging out and enjoying some conversation. The televisions that hang around the patio help provide a more casual feeling than you experience in the main dining room.

I have eaten dinner at Ruth’s Chris only once, but I distinctly remember being tremendously impressed with the portion sizes and our server. The bartenders and servers on the patio definitely fulfilled my expectation of outstanding service. They were eager to make sure we were all enjoying our experience, and went out of their way to help my friends and I find extra chairs so we could all sit together. They were the icing on the cake for the evening.

It’s been almost a week since my evening on the patio and I’m fairly certain that the cocktail buzz has faded, so when I assure you that I am still a huge fan of the patio at Ruth’s Chris you can trust that it has nothing to do with vodka. If you are looking for a place to spend an evening with friends or to have a fancy date night with your honey, Ruth’s Chris’ new patio definitely has you covered. <— see what I did there? ;)

Eat (and drink) well, my friends!!