Benny’s Chop House — Redux
With only 4 in attendance for the first Benny’s experience in May of 2010, the collective response seemed to be there was potential, but service was lacking and required some time to mature. Having missed that first go-around, I was excited to host and revisit this promising establishment.
Arriving just after 7 to Scottie and our guest Mark Zebro at the bar, I felt welcomed and enjoyed the atmosphere. A heavy crowd enjoying their dinner in the bar area while listening to the sounds of the piano man who (at the request of Mr. Martin and his crumpled up and wrinkled $5 bill) was playing the likes of Pink Floyd. Service in the bar was prompt and attentive and the cocktail list was reasonably priced. Daddy Gims has switched mostly to scotch at this point – Glenfiddich on the rocks courtesy of “4” served me well.
We were taken to our table at 8 by quite the attractive hostess and were greeted right away by our server Paul. Quick to recognize the disposition of this group Paul was on top of things and eager to please. This was reassuring given the previous reviews. The rest of the service crew followed suite – coordinated, courteous and ready to make our evening an enjoyable one.
In reviewing the specials we were presented with the 30 oz. tomahawk rib-eye special of which we were told Benny’s is the sole proprietor. That seems to be the thing for steak places these days, we hear it almost every place we go – “we are the only place in the city that has this”. No, you’re not. I had that same cut at Sullivans two weeks ago. Regardless, it was cool to pass around and smack Hans with.
Apps began to flow with fried calamari, waygu carpaccio, lobster ravioli and lobster and crab louie. While the calamari was not quite as tender as I like it, it was still good. The balance of the apps was really nice and I think it is safe to say the table enjoyed them all. We had a few late comers on the lobster bisque which also proved to be a hit – less of a cream base but plenty of taste (“I mentioned the bisque…”).
Steaks came out, bone in rib-eye for me (medium rare – standard) with the spice/cajun rub. It was outstanding. Cooked to perfection and the rub didn’t dominate the steak so much as compliment it. Yorkshire pudding on the side was a nice touch. With my amazingly cooked steak we ordered up some truffled mashy p’s, lobster mac and cheese (at Pauls urging in lieu of the risotto) blue cheese croquettes and we finished with mushrooms and creamed spinach. I am a creamed spinach guy and I have to say I was disappointed here. There was a hint of what I thought was cinnamon and did not belong. The other sides were really nice however. A bit too much blue cheese on the croquettes, but all in all the consensus seemed to be pretty damn good. A nice way to round out the meal.
Not to stop there, we went on to dessert and it was no ones birthday (whoops, who the hell was hosting this dinner anyway?). Key lime and the balance of the finishers were delicious. Martin also found a way for the group to pay for his wife’s chocolate cake… again.
Now comes the time for roulette and Paul furnished what seemed to be a less than willing participant. After a heady play by Holingwa to restart roulette and save his chances for winning – the bartender pulled the cards like she was out past curfew and needed to get home. It happened so fast I was not sure the outcome was reality or my imagination – but it was so. Rick Ray won, standing up and screaming in the middle of a five star steak restaurant like he had just been called by Bob Barker to “come on down…”
Great night and dinner. Seems as though Benny’s has worked out the kinks and I cant wait to go back
8.5
Filed under: General
Well said Mr. Ray. While this was my first steak night, and even though a guest, I felt I was treated like a long standing member. The night pretty much went as expected, and absolutely met my expectations, well except for Rick walking away as the winner. Unfortunately there was no Bob Barker to greet, but Paul, the unwilling hostess, and the tables nearby gave a nice reaction, to Rick’s excitement. It was a pleasure to see a that, and I’m glad I could witness history being made.
The night started off with Scotty slipping something to the piano man along with a little whisper in the ear. Shortly thereafter, the piano man whipped up a little rendition of Brain Damage. Was that a sign of things to come? Regardless, it was a nice touch, and Scotty was indeed the lunatic with the glass.
On to the meal…
I’m no steakhouse aficionado, as I’ve only sampled 3 or 4 of them in Chicago, but I do know a good steak when I have one. I was only slightly disappointed, as I selected the wrong cut, and the wrong temp. I opted for the Kansas City strip, which was a cute little size…something you should probably feed your 12 year old sister. I made the additional mistake of ordering medium. I can’t say I’ve ever done this in my lifetime, and will never do it again. Steaks are meant to be enjoyed medium rare. Perhaps it was a rookie mistake. The next time we’re offered a one of a kind tomahawk, hand plucked, precision cut, and from the most unique cow in the entire planet, I don’t think I’ll turn it down. After all, you can only find it in one place in Chicago.
I’d put the surf and turfers as the real winners here. There’s nothing like drowning your lobster into a pool of melted butter and garlic.
As for the sides, I completely concur with Brad’s review. I’m a creamed spinach guy as well, but unfortunately that was easily the worst side of the meal. Truffled mashed potatoes were tops for me with the lobster mac and cheese a hair behind as far as my rankings go.
All in all it was a great experience with a great group of guys. I’m just happy you opened the table up to me, and hope to be able to join again sometime down the road.
With my improper selection of cut and temp choice I’d give Benny’s a 7.5, but that was my own doing, and I’ll agree with the 8.5 rating since that’s what it deserves.
I was part of the fantastic four that dined at Benny’s back in May 2010, months after it opened for business. The place had potential, the food was good however the staff was pushy and had many service kinks to work out. Quite honestly our waiter the first time around was a huge douche bag. I was anxious to return and see if it would live up to the early potential it flashed a year or so ago.
I really like the bar area: nice atmosphere, not to crowded, plenty of tables but not so many that they get in the way, cute waitress, Billy Joel like gentleman tickling the ivory, overall a quality scene. Drinks were complements of Brain “4” Cartwright for ironically violating rule number 4. Thanks 4 (the rule and the man).
When we were brought to the table our waiter Paul tried to sell us on the Seafood Tower (most expensive appetizer by at least 5 times) before we even had a chance to get settled or look at the menu. My initial thought was here we go again with the constant pushing of the most expensive items under the guise of “this would be great for your table”. How do you know it would be great for the table when we haven’t asked any questions yet or given any indication on what we might like. Aren’t some of the regular priced items potentially great for the table too, they never seem to get recommended right off the bat? To Paul’s credit after the initial Seafood Tower push he backed off when it was clear we were not interested and he turned out to be an excellent waiter.
The lobster bisque was great, not as creamy and it had a slightly different color then other bisques but it had some zip and was tasty, The calamari was weak, it was still good because anything fried is always good but you could have gotten the same thing at a shack on the side of the road. I expect more from a nice place. Having a pasta choice for an appetizer was an interesting option and the lobster ravioli didn’t disappoint.
I went with the bone in rib-eye, medium rare as always. The first bite left something to be desired but after that and once you were into the middle of the steak it was cooked perfect and oozing with flavor. A tasty steak overall. The lobster mashy p’s were the highlight of the sides.
Cue the Michigan fight song, as in “Hail to the Victor” because the cherry has been popped at credit card roulette for the Drunk Idiot. Do you believe in Miracles…Yes.
I will say the bartender recruited to help pick the credit cards looked as excited to be there as the last girl Glick slept with but I am certainly not going to complain.
Popular dinner topics included a Chicago casino and resurrecting the hetero life mate Olympics, an idea originally hashed about five years ago. Both have the potential to be unbelievable and disastrous at the same time.
Myself, Holinger and special guest Zebro stopped at Stanley’s for a couple post dinner beverages.
Benny’s is a worthy addition to the Chicago steak night scene and a place I look forward to dining at again in the future.
On to July and the three year anniversary of getting locked in a parking garage.
Ricard…..we did not have lobster mashy p’s so I don’t know how they could highlight the side selections…….BA ZING!!!!!!!
Great writeup. I too welcomed heading back to this establishment after Angie (my chocolate cake eating femme) and I first tried it when the restaurant opened up. That experience was questionable at best…this one, however, one of the best.
The crew gathered likely had something to do with that as admittedly there was no crackberry tension and the timing of everything ran as smoothly as trains do in Europe (or wherever Glick is). Apps were somewhat small in size but very fulfiiing, and the bisque was a nice departure from the usual cream heavy versions of steak nights’ past.
The ribeye I ordered was cooked to absolute perfection and the sides were well pared, as there were many selections to choose from. The dessert lost a bit of my focus, since my quest for a chocolate cake for said femme above (and new mom) had to be completed. As usual I pulled it off with nary a stumble and arrived home in tow to a warm hug and kiss as I walked through the door.
-Future Man Friend Olympic co-champ!
Check that, the lobster mac and cheese were the highlight of the sides.
After a much maligned evening from the fantastic four on the first round of Benny’s, they (almost) completely redeemed themselves. Opener at the bar was perfect – psyched to have the still very single Mark Zebro there to warm it up.
Upon being seated, as Mr. Ray mentioned, our waiter was very quick to pick up on our no-nonsense yet serious bearing. That being said, kudos to the attentiveness of the staff; all of them did a terrific job.
The appetizers were underwhelming, except for the Crab & Lobster ‘Louie’ – hands down one of the best starters I’ve had at a steakhouse. The bisque made up for all expectations that were missed, proving light and beautifully seasoned.
The Surf-N-Turf Style is the only way to go: perfectly prepared steak with the perfect complement. Sides missed except for the mushrooms.
Rick, congratulations. Mark, it was a pleasure having you along for the ride.
Until next time, gentlemen.
Arriving late to cocktail hour is not my style and for that I apologize. The Blantons was poured with a heavy hand on a fine bed of rocks, well done. The last time we were at Bennys I felt a nervous vibe int he air as they were clearly still working out the kinks. That was no longer the case and it seemed like they had found a solid stride. This apparently did not include telling the wait staff to tone down the hard up sell which has been recounted in depth by others. The shameless tomahawk plug soured me on our otherwise competent waiter. I would like to point out that the calamari was rubbery and disgusting. The lobster ravioli tasted like chef boyardee (SP?) and in general every outside of the main was lacking. Ahhh, I should mention the bisque – Shazaam! Holingwa and I upped the ante tot he surf and turf. Naysayers claim this violates steak night rules. To that I say go fuck yourself, lobster is the steak of the sea and it was delicious.
Onto the hetero life mates olympics… given the increasingly busy schedules we all have and the infrequency of great reasons to get together; this concept must be put into action. Perhaps it is in this forum of the steaks and cigars website we can begin a list of events and get underway?
On a separate note, it has come to my attention through a potential new project that Iwan Reis, the cigar store on Wabash and Madison was grandfathered in under the smoking ban and has the only smoking lounge in the city. Perhaps July’s steak night if located in proximity will actually include a long lost tradition of a cigar post dinner. That being said Erie Cafe also allows for outdoor cigar smoking which should be taken advantage of while the weather permits.
And with that, on to July.
Well, another amazing night out with the crew. After messing up and not posting last month. I was happy to treat everyone to a couple of rounds of drinks before dinner. As I type I realize I almost did it again, a mistake i vowed not to make a second time.
Benny’s was a great choice. We had good service and a nice long table near the back of the restaurant. The apps were delicious and a perfect way to move into a fine meal. The wedge salad was pretty standard and the choice of wine a perfect accompaniment to the evening.
I chose a cut that brought the two best portions of the porterhouse and it did not disappoint. The conversation flowed through the meal and the treat of Mr Zebro joining us was a nice surprise.
All in all a good restaurant but not one of my favorite of the runs. An amazing steakhouse but a tad below others in several areas. I would dine there again with no hesitation, but other wonderful places come in ahead of this Chicago staple.
Looking forward to the next installment and hopefully we can get out for some drinks after dinner next time. See you all very soon!