Mortons, again?
Pinch hitting for Cole on a post 12 days after he hosted a second trip to Morton’s in two months sets a new standard for poor performance. I am not sure what punishment could possibly suit this disgrace. For the next six months he is only allowed to order petite filet charred to a crisp? Or perhaps, he is allowed to come to dinner but is only permitted to smell the grade A meat of others?
The Mortons at 65 East Wacker boasts a fully remodeled interior and claims to be new and improved. It is essentially the exact same it was when we last visited except everything is now clad in gloss black and mirror panels. Basically Las Vegas circa 1992. The drinks were flowing early on due to a website transgression of my own and Mr. Glick. I will still contend I wrote a lengthy post in time that was swallowed by the google machine. Ole Daddy Gimms got to the bar early so that in the event his very pregnant wife called with news of an imminent birth he would at least have time for a couple Obans beforehand.
The waiter started off with a good start by acknowledging our steak eating prowess and use of the interwebs to document said prowess. In my opinion that was the extent of his respectable service and shifted it right into neutral for the rest of the meal.
Starters, soups, and salads were exactly the same as last month. Middle of the road at best and nothing of significance. I decided to go the cajun ribeye route since I had heard so much banter about this over the past couple visits. I requested they cook my steak to a perfect medium rare first to seal in the goodness, then lightly dust it with the cajun seasoning. Instead they decided to take my steak out in a tornado of cajun seasoning, leave it there for a couple hours, then run it over with a cajun tank and grill it. My sodium levels have started to come back to normal. Mortons should consider reworking this because the flavor is tremendous but the salt is just over whelming. Desserts were the same as up the street a month prior. No after dinner drinks for this guy, early morning work called.
Filed under: General
Well another trip to Morton’s that, given the prevoius month’s trip, I wasn’t that sorry to miss. Worth it to note that on location in NYC I did dine on a fine Ribeye that very evening.
Sub standard performance seems to be coming par for the course around here. Luckily summer is here and a wild excursion (casino/out of town trip) awaits as a possible savior to this slump.
I usually find it to be a safe play to go with the Cajun rub after some heat on the grill. Sorry to hear that it didn’t work out. That’s what you get after a weak choice.
I don’t disagree that Don deserves some of the flak he has received for the pick and posting performance, however, I was just happy to be dining with the good gentlemen of Chicago for the first time in over 3 months.
Off the plane and made it just in time to enjoy a frosty, muddled and delicious beverage before heading to the table.
It may be the time it took to get the post going, but the only memorable items that made it to the table from my recollection were my bone-in ribeye and the carrot cake. The sommelier also did not steer us wrong with our wine.
A lot of laughs, checking in and good company – that’s what makes steak night special. The service, sides and steaks can sometimes elevate the experience but – lest we forget – we have a fantastic baseline from which to work.
Morton’s 2 months in a row – strong reservations about this call echoing from the Ray camp; both male and female. While my wife verbally accosted Don for his selection – I have to say compared to the original Morton’s, Wacker place at least has more of a vibe to it. Please don’t mistake that for acceptance of this terribly dreadful decision to dine with the same menu two months in a row. Only Donald….
I was first to arrive and waited about 15 minutes for the Valet to come and get my car. Then I settled in for a tasty Oban. On call for the birth of Charlotte, I had to monitor my intake.
The group filtered in and took our seats to order some wine and apps. Following the month prior the apps were kind of the apps. I actually think the cajun shrimp were better at the other Morton’s. I went with the wedge which is, well, a wedge and was very good. Contrary to my visit last month, this time I went with the proper cajun rib eye – not the lighter seasoning option. I have to say, it makes a difference. The flavor was unbelievable – even if the meat was well over cooked from my preferred medium rare. The only draw back about the Cajun rib eye is the salt….just a ridiculous amount of salt leaving you puffed out like a tick. When you are fat that makes you look even more puffed out.
I made it down to the finals in CC roulette which of course had me losing. I think I took over sole possession of last place winning CC roulette 1 time in 6 years….1 F’ing time.
Gents, lets get back to some variety on the off July date – typically one of steak nights best.
I was tempted to write “see last month’s review” for my post since I had the exact same meal. However I will indulge the group with some fresh musings. First off terrible pick going to Mortons after just dining there the previous month. I cannot for the life of me rationalize how you make this pick based on the circumstances, then I remembered Cole made the pick and all of a sudden it kind of makes some sense. Still a highly questionable choice and this is coming from a guy in favor or repeats.
There are some differences between the two Mortons, of course the menu is not one of them. The Wacker location does have more of a vibe and was more bustling then the Original, at least on the nights we were there. My steak was better prepared at the Originals, my steak was over cooked here. I enjoy the Cajun ribeye at Mortons but the next day you feel like a prune, the sodium level is higher than Cartwright at a Phish show. Still a good steak. Service was better at the Original Mortons, our waiter at Wacker was awkward almost like he didn’t have the rhythm of waiting on people down. Everything else is pretty much the same, good lobster bisque and the sides don’t stand out. While I enjoy Mortons I think it is safe to say we don’t need to go to Mortons Northbrook next month.
Solid table and the majority of the group was in attendance which sets the tone for a great night, good to have Chris “muddle my muthafuckin limes” Holinger in the mix for the first time in a while. Lots of discussion around the NBA and NHL playoffs and the popularity of the various broadcasts. Ratings are for corporate types to sell ad space (one of which happened to be at the table) thus I don’t care about the ratings and would rather watch the Blackhawks then the NBA playoffs.
A victory in credit card roulette makes the evening that much more enjoyable. No after dinner drinks. It was decided to move the July steak night to the second Thursday since the first Thursday is on July 4th. There was talk of going to a dinner anyway on the 4th for those that are in town.
Not a strong performance by our beloved Mr. Cole. A repeat choice a month later and then a no post from the host. We expect more of Chicago’s finest gentlemen. I think Don should be at the next steak night but he is only allowed to have salad.
There were a lot of positives to the night. Chris back in the mix, nearly a full boat, great round table, bustling dining room, high energy conversation and a solid debate about the merits of the NHL vs. the NBA playoffs.
Our waiter was weak and went from top to bottom rather quickly. That said, the atmosphere is 100% different and might i say better than the Rush street location. Moreover, the exploration of the tuna app was a welcome addition. I had the cajun rib-eye and thought it was terrific.
A few possible developments – Chris might move to NYC – that would make me sad.
Since Steak night – Brad and Sam had another baby girl – this makes me happy
I love this group and I love the fact that there is always good fodder.
On to a positive July
May’s steak night, I mean June’s steak night…. wait, okay. Both brought us to Morton’s. This month’s excursion was to the newly remodeled Wacker Place location, right out of 1982. You could almost smell the blow in the bathroom.
We almost a full crew which was nice. Holinger and Don have become the exception which sucks. Scotty “Big Time” Martin was off galavanting in the big city again and was the only no-show. Looking forward to hearing his excuse for not attending “steak / casino” night in the future. But enough about busting Scotty’s balls. In memory of the late, great Tony Soprano which died of a heart attack two days ago, we’re here to bust Don’s balls. With an inexplicable second trip to Morton’s in two months, I’m beginning to wonder if Don know’s we have a website that we post on in which you can see previous locations month by month. We’re better than this folks.
On to the food. Salads, soups, apps and sides….. see last month.
I switched it up and went with a New York Strip. It was good, although a tad overcooked. This is becoming a mild problem with steak joints.
Rick Ray won credit card roulette. Brad Ray lost. Again.
No drinks afterwards as we’re all preparing for a huge summer steak season.
In between then and now, Brad Ray had baby #2. Congrats Daddy Gimms.
Round 2, well let’s just say like anyone who’s watched Rocky and Rocky II back to back, the original is always a little better. (I know the original was in the suburbs but the cedar and rush one will always be the original to me). On the other hand, seeing them back to back enabled one to truly compare the experience.
This one’s negative experience I chalk up to bad service, awful communication with the kitchen and just a poorly run operation. Unlike the original, they could care less if we ever came back. Poor form.
Apps were ok, asked for a chopped salad with anchovies, got neither a chopped salad nor anchovies. (No big surprise.)
Cajun Ribeye – tough to go back to back with anything, but these steaks were way way overcooked. Again, seemed like no one cared. Steaks took so long, etc impossible to send back.
Good news is I don’t think we’ll be heading back – to this location. Clearly a massive difference between the two.
Big Hawks win was highlight of the night.
Overall – 6.5