Prior to last week I had never eaten at RedSeven: Kitchen+Cocktail. After unsuccessfully trying to sneak a peek through the windows so many times as I passed by on my way to other plans downtown with friends, I was stoked to finally give it a try.
Location
Across from the bridge and train station on the downtown Lafayette corner of 2nd St. and Main St., RedSeven can be found easily by bike, car, or bus (a very short walk from the CityBus Center). There is nearby parking which has time limits during business hours on weekdays. Otherwise, you’re pretty much free and clear and there is usually a space within a block provided there is not an event.
Mood & Ambiance
What a mix! Not sure if they are going for Asian fusion, technical library, or classy big city hotel, but I happen to like all of those things; so no complaints from me. Judging by a sign I must have glimpsed on the door or something—hard to recall—they are affiliated with Christos, a favorite amongst many locals for their steak and gyros. Some of the same urban vibe translated to RedSeven and I believe is even slightly more pronounced. I recommend snappy casual dress, but business casual or cocktail would not look out of place.
The Service
The maître d’ and wait staff were prompt and efficient. Our main waiter was personable and familiar enough with the menu to have useful opinions and details when asked directly. Not too helicopter-y, just there when you needed him.
The Food
After much internal debate, I chose the Lemon Pepper Calamari and from their lunch menu, the Grilled Chicken With Avocado sandwich. The calamari were crispy, tender, and charmingly presented; the accompanying pomodoro sauce, SO good. The sandwich looked a bit lonely on its plate, but I blame that on the fact that I ordered a salad versus fries. The salad came in a separate plate with the house mango champagne vinaigrette on the side. It tasted fresh and crisp and the dressing was a delicate compliment to the greens. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, and the avocado was really rich, not sure if I just got lucky that day or they have good suppliers. I thought the pretzel bun was a nice touch, too. In fact, everything I tried tasted thoughtfully put together and generally great. There seemed to be a good variety of options to accommodate most tastes and restrictions, although I didn’t see many specifically gluten free offerings. Take a look at the menu to see for yourself.
The Drinks
There is a decent selection of wine and beer offered. They also feature a fair amount of unique mixed drinks on which I decided to focus my attention. I tried the Pineapple Mojito and Plum Martini. The mojito was very refreshing, as it should be. However, there was not a strong pineapple note—at least not as strong as one would expect from a drink with pineapple in the title. The martini was lovely, and definitely the winner of the two. The plum flavor was light but still present, and it was not overly sweet as some fruity martinis end up being. Also, it was shaken at the table and poured, which was a nice touch.
Closing Time
Is it wrong to offer empanadas, potstickers, and calamari consecutively on the same appetizer menu? I say as long as it tastes as good as what I tried, I’ll keep coming back for more. RedSeven may have given a first impression that it is undergoing a mild identity crisis, but a crisis it is not. This kitchen and cocktail bar has the sort of confidence you would find in a city far larger than Lafayette, and my entire dining experience was truly enjoyable.