Oh Hugo’s…
Wow, what a fun time. Not sure if it was the muscle relaxer or the comradery, but I thought that it was worth my money. And this is coming from a guy who for the first time in his life asked for a doggybag for his steak!
I will speak solely on the waiter and sides and leave the steak commentary to you boys. The waiter seemed to be in good form; though he didn’t come close to ol’ Manfred. He was an attentive person who probably should have resisted the urge to recall our orders by memory. Simply put, he won’t be accused of having an elephant’s brain anytime soon. But, as the great Teddy Roosevelt once said, “[i]t is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena”. So, my hat is off to our waiter for giving it the old try.
The sides were sadly only adequate in my estimation. First, the creamed spinach tasted more closely like spinach from a can, and not the gourmet-like you’d expect for the price. The best, without a doubt, was the Crawfish Mac & Cheese andouille sausage and scallions. Simply amazing. It tasted as if I was somewhere in the south with the crew.
Let me also say that the soft-shell crab is a little bit overrated. I wish I could go back into time and select the king crab leg-I’d do it every time.
Lastly, W.R.’S Chicago Cut was absolutely fantastic the next day…And a big shout out to Brad, Sam, and there little one, Katherine (who clearly knows the importance of a man’s night out to eat steaks with friends – there’s perhaps a spouse or two who need to be taking notes on this one!)
Filed under: General
For a while I think many of us were wondering if the August 2011 edition of steak night would happen. It was less then 48 hours from sitting down to dinner and still no word of where we were going to eat. After some additional prompting by the group and the group suggesting a place on Cole’s behalf a decision was finally made by Mr. Cole. Chicago’s finest gentlemen and their guest would dine at Hugo’s.
Hugo’s, a cousin of Gibson’s is a new addition to the steak night roster. Located in the heart of the Viagra Triangle the bar and restaurant were bustling with activity. We were joined by two out of town guests; Glick’s buddy Scott and a man so legendary he’s like Bono or Madonna, only one name required….Balanaby.
Our table felt like it was intended for 6 and we were a party of 8, way to small. I felt like Shaq sitting at this table. It was also kind of crammed into the corner. Not a good combination and one of the worst tables in steak night history.
I really enjoyed the meal. I had some of the best New England clam chowder (is that the red or the white) that I’ve ever had. Tried frog legs for the first time and although the way they were prepared was tasty there is not much to them, seemed like more bones less meat then wings. My rib eye was excellent, prepared perfect and packed with flavor. The crawfish mac & cheese also needs to be highlighted, it was tremendous. Our server did a nice job, attentive and informative but not overbearing. Overall a very solid meal, the only negative being the table.
Last month a new rule was passed because of the last second cancellations of Martin and Holinger. I fact here is Jevon’s write up verbatim from last month:
Based on the performance of Mr. Martin and Mr. Holinger, a new rule was passed. If you are to bail, you must do so by responding to the entire list. Further, if you bail within 24 hours of said evening, you are to do a shot of the group’s choosing post dinner.
Ironically Jevon will be the first to pay the price for this rule. This should be interesting since he doesn’t drink and 3 wise men suck even if you do drink.
Balanaby won at credit card roulette. The after dinner drinks at Cedar Hotel were uneventful. The September edition of steak night take’s place the Thursday before Labor Day weekend. I suggest taking Friday off.
Hey, thanks for allowing me to join for an evening. Had a great time and I look forward to another random appearance!
Hugo’s Frog Bar; the first Steak Night experience at this establishment. I was touch and go on attendance due to my wife being sick, err, uh, I mean my pending fatherhood. Nevertheless, I managed to pull it off.
Balanaby was in attendance as he and I arrived to a lone Holingwa at the bar just after 7. A rather portly fellow was tickling the ivory and the bar area was bustling – a nice vibe even if heavy on the tourists. Balvenie Doublewood for me. It remained the three of us right up until the 8pm mark. It seems as if Mr. Glick’s tardiness has spread through the group faster than Cartwright’s herpes on the dance floor at Stanley’s. Wow, that totally unprovoked and super aggressive. Completely uncalled for…Sorry, Brian.
The group finally got together quarter after 8 and were ready to be seated. After 2 faux attempts by the staff, we landed at a table ready for 6 – at least that is what it looked like. Upon questioning, our server indicated this was a standard 8 top. Packed at the shoulders and knees, the lack of comfort hindered my dining experience.
Onto the apps where we destroyed a bunch of frog legs which were excellent. One would expect that to be the case, being the namesake and all. The pre-entrée highlight was the lobster bisque, one of the best I have had to date. Calamari and crab cakes also receive high marks which helped make the cramped quarters more tolerable.
When it came time for the steak I got my standard bone-in rib eye, medium rare. I usually get tempted with the Cajun rub since it is so good at Morton’s and Smith and Wol’s. I took my chances with it at Hugo’s…..whiff, huge whiff. I can’t tell if the rub is just that terrible or the top came off the paprika when seasoning – it was that bad. The disappointing rub was enough to ruin the steak even if it was cooked perfect. My rib eye was complimented, however, with a delicious soft shell crab. The surf and turf option is gaining a bit of steam with the Steak Night crew and I have to say, I like it. I am sucker for soft shell crab and whenever it is in season I need a taste. The crab was a nice compliment to my otherwise sub-par entrée. Sides were meh with the exception of the mac and cheese. It had a southern flair and was different then mac and cheese we have had in the past.
Standard Key Lime for dessert. Hugo’s and Gibson’s know for their gigantic desserts, the key lime was a nice was to finish the night.
All in all is was a great night with the boys though. I would go back to Hugo’s, perhaps with a smaller group given the cramped quarters. I am sure my marks would be higher without the Cajun rub.
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I believe I became the first person to see their parents at the restaurant this evening. Solid dinner, enjoyed the special guests and the pleasure of the expecting father spending on of his last quiet nights with us. Not sure who started the surf and turf – kind of a dangerous trend at least for the checkbook. At least the market is rocking. It and the market will both turn, I can feel it.
Next month I suggest we move it back a week to allow for the labor day weekend and fantasy draft plans.
Drinks ain’t on me!
Not only was the expectant father in attendance – what was Sam, 1 week overdue at that point? – but he arrived second behind yours truly with Balanaby in tow. Well played, Daddy-o, and congratulations!
I believe calling Hugo’s “just another steakhouse” as some imply above is selling it far short from the tremendous establishment that it is: quality service, delicious food and it happens to share a kitchen with one of the most well known steakhouses in Chicago (a difficult shadow from which to emerge). Yes, the table was too small for our purposes. But the king crab leg accompanying my W.R. Chicago Cut was one of the most decadent experiences I have had at any steakhouse.
I also move that we push September’s evening by one week due to its proximity to Labor Day weekend.
Completely disagree with pushing Steak Night. The reason for having it on the first Thursday of each month is so people can plan for it. If you can’t make it that’s fine but if we start moving dates around to try and accomadate everyone it will never happen.
Pushing it a week means it would be on opening day of the NFL season which is a terrible night for Steak Night.
Historially steak nights that fall on the Thursday before a 3 day weekend have been memorable nights. A very handsome fella once got locked in a parking garage on one of those nights.
After a late decision on where we would go, followed by a late post by Mr. Cole, I am glad to be writing this just in time. Or is it? At this point so many rules are getting violated and deeming the need to come up with new ones due to constant infractions, who really cares.
That said, the atmosphere was a little ticklish at Hugo’s – in that it was cramped from the bar scene for the pre-dinner drinks all the way through dessert. Getting a group of 8 seated at a table of 7 might have had something to do with it, or putting the largest group in the middle of the dining room might have been it as well.
At any rate, the app selection was good, as was the wine choice (mine). The H.R.’s Cut was decent, but not as grea as other ribeyes; more disappointing even considering that it was cooked perfectly. The steak was tough from start to finish and the bleu cheese rub I got was only a step or two better than the lousy cajun, aka paprika, rub Daddy Gimms got.
Generous dessert rounded out the night and it was nice to see Balanaby walk free. I was a close second but nobly wanted to lose. The man came in from New York just for this, so he deserved a free meal for the effort, especially since 2 fellas that were missing had amazingly even lousier excuses as to why they weren’t there than me and Holingwa did a month prior.
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