Keefers – Steak Night, Delivered
With the summer heat on, 6 of the city’s finest gentleman descended on their next target for steak – Keefer’s Restaurant in River North. As usual, the ambiance in the bar was welcoming, with the large windows offering an extensive view of a bustling rush hour while diners enjoyed drinks and steak on the patio just outside. Everyone was on time, except for, ahem, a player not to be mentioned, and we indulged in some drinks and housing market talk while we waited for our table to be prepared.
Upon seating, we were immediately greeted by Emily and Patty – liking the two servers to one table style here – and of course they noticed the empty chair at our table. We informed them of the usual routine with this and they offered both a psychoanalysis of the situation as well as a practical solution of removing the chair and place setting as to confuse the missing member. It was appreciated by the group and accepted.
Finally our last member arrived, blackberry in hand, and we were set to go. I had already taken the reigns on wine and apps – going with a Hall cab that was recommended by Ol’ Gims and some apps that were recommended, by, well, me. After some shrimp, some fish tacos, and a couple versions of calamari, we were ready to rock into dinner. The take on the apps? Lots of selection and a solid delivery on variety, taste and portion.
As we awaited dinner, conversation heated up into NFL season, Aaron Hernandez and other stories of the day…including what seems to be this groups growing interest in golf, which begs for a tournament/outing soon booked around a steak night “on location.” Once the steaks came, it was time to get down to business, most of us going with the usual bone in ribeye medium rare, and all being brought out to/near perfection. All but one, of course, our late friend received one too hot for his taste and sent it back, only to get a better one a few minutes later — but no tears were shed in the process. The taste, seasoning, presentation of the steak was up to my standards and when put together with the walking sides of peas (a steak night first), fried onions and au gratin potatoes, we all had enough to fill up our plates.
Dessert time came and after a few coffees around, Brad Ray enjoyed an array of fresh sweets for his birthday and Zee German walked free after CC roulette. The two ladies who attended our table for the evening did a fine job of reading the names on the cards and spotting out who it belonged to without any prior coaching — yes, it may be indeed true that the legend of steak night has grown enough to be recognized anywhere in restaurants with more than 4 cuts of beef on the menu.
Overall Keefer’s delivered up to expectations (which are high for this place). Let’s keep the good flow going as it seems we always come to my turn needing a rebound from a crappy night prior. Hopefully this re-lit the torch for a good run to come…
8
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5 Responses to “Keefers – Steak Night, Delivered”
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Solid night all around, kudos to Mr. Martin for setting up a locale that clearly knew the meaning of good service. After the Morton’s Part Deux disaster it was good to see Chicago places still understand how important that is to the experience.
That said, of course my steak was overcooked, again. This time however they were quick, curteous and understanding. Great service all around.
Starters were abundant and filled the dashboard. Big fan of the grilled shrimp.
Great to see the group muster up enough to grab after dinner drinks. Hope this continues for the summer.
Special thanks to the strict enforcers of the rules committee for allowing the flexibility for steak night to be moved back a week.
8 – I’ll concur with the chief justice on this one.
With the hustle of the day winding down, I ventured out to the bar at Keefers a tad on the early side. I was greeted by a pleasant bar tender, whom attempted to be knowledgeable on their bourbon selection then took 10 minutes to find the one I had selected. Oh well, she made up for it with 3 fingers of Templeton Rye. The gents began shuffling in and we were off to the races. The procurement of real estate took front seat for most of the cocktail hour. New houses, new offices, and Cizzle enlightening us on his viewpoint of the market.
The round table top in the center of the room would not have been my first selection, however it was surprisingly easy to keep up the banter across the table. Glick, well, nevermind the details, was late.
The apps were possibly the largest spread ordered to date. I have never considered eating an entire fish taco prior to a ginormous steak, but it worked surprisingly well. Shrimp were top notch and prepared to perfection.
I went out of the filet norm and ordered up a KC. Temp was spot on medium rare, flavor was packed in there, and it was consumed in total. I actually was a bit disappointed in the sides, no standouts in my book, but otherwise this was way up there in terms of recent outings.
The dessert line up was ample, and made it around a couple times with leftovers. I think Scotty was trying to make his name on copious ordering or at least impress our two lady servers. He did indeed relight the fiyuh…
Walking from the meal for free is a guilty pleasure. I spent so long on the bench waiting to get my shot in the free steak game that now after a couple hits in recent months I am satisfied and willing to give the others another shot.
8.23
I called up Daddy Gimms to see if he had the phone number to hell via his immersion in the heavy metal scene. Turns out he had the direct line to Satan himself after bonding with him at an Earth Crisis concert at the Riv circa 2002. Anyway he provided the number (666-666-6666) and I called hell and the rumors were true, it had frozen over…Glick was the first one to post a steak night comment. Some things I thought I would never live to see.
On to the dinner, I have always been a huge fan of Keefer’s and was looking forward to a return visit for the first time in at least a year. There is something to be said about a local place. The boys minus Glick enjoyed pre dinner cocktails and conversation sponsored by @properties. Daddy Gimms showed up somewhat inebriated. We had a round table and stellar service from our tag team of waitresses. There was a vast array of apps with the tacos and shrimp as standouts. Porterhouse medium rare for this guy and it was a homerun, cooked perfect, lots of flavor, delicious. I have never had a bad steak at Keefer’s, consistently excellent they never seem to have an off night. The au gratin potatoes a nice complement to my porter house. The only nit about the sides is I don’t recall having any of the famous Keefer’s potato croquettes, that was a miss.
Post dinner drinks were at Sienna Tavern were we “randomly” ran into Glick’s girl. It was good to have such a large crew in tow for post dinner drinks. A final night cap at Crossing for those of us that live within spitting distance from it completed the evening. Daddy Gimms was completely inebriated by this point and would be hungover for his Friday tee time. Overall an excellent steak night from top to bottom.
On to August when special guest Balanaby will be in attendance and has expressed his hope it will be better than his previous steak night which was at Grass Fed.
I have been to Keefers more than any other Steak joint in Chicago. I have never once been disappointed – but would the streak continue? I showed up slightly late and largely drunk, but with enough time to catch up with the boys, save Glick, at the bar.
Shown to our table and staffed with a pair of ladies to assist, the night was off to a great start. I provided the recommendation of a Hall cabernet, which seemed to work for the group. Scottie Markets took a hearty run at the apps and delivered with quite the smorgasbord. Shrimp and tacos were highlights. Well played on the apps order and what seemed to be a reach on tacos played very nicely.
With my dainty yet totally awesome personal steak knife in hand, I went with the medium rare bone in rib-eye. Outstanding. Hit the mark at every turn and I think I had the best steak at the table. Sides were OK. I have to agree with the drunk idiot that the croquettes are always a highlight at Keefers.
Admittedly, as the night pressed on, my personal DVR stopped recording in1080P – so I am a little hazy. What I do recall is a great meal, great service and losing at CC roulette….yet again. Enjoyed the post dinner drinks at Martin’s daughters tavern and then school yard – however paid for the dearly in the AM.
Did the streak continue for Keefers? Absolutely – a Chicago standout.
8.5
Hans, you are up. Make reservations enough in advance so we can show balanaby a good place. He has been to three steak nights, two of which have been Grass Fed and Tango Sur. We owe our followers more.
July has brought the heat to Chicago. Keefer’s brought it to steak night. A perennial favorite amongst the group, it delivered upon the high expectations.
Sorely missed this month were Jevon, Cole and Glick. Oh wait, Glick was there. He showed up 15 minutes past 8PM, and then sat on his phone for a third of dinner. We talked about a new rule which I really like. If you show up that late for dinner with no heads up to anyone, you eat on your knees with no seat. We took his seat and place settings away before he got there but he ended up finding new ones. Oh well, it’s the thought that counts.
Anyway, Markets delivered on the wine and app choices. The apps were a nice stray from the traditional with some fish tacos and proscuitto wrapped asparagus among the highlights for me.
I say this all the time and I don’t know why I don’t listen to myself. Just get a steak. No toppings. This time went with the Au Poivre. And while the steak was done properly, I just didn’t like the topping. User error on this one.
It was Brad Ray’s Birthday so we were treated to some nice deserts, and Hans walked free.
After dinner drinks led us to Scotty’s daughter’s tavern. Surprisingly Glick’s girlfriend was there. What a coincidence Sir Jonathon!
Good times had by all.
9 out of 10.