My new years resolution is to stop getting so drunk before steak night so I can enjoy it more. Scotty and I had a bit of an early start, say…around 4:20pm. Our host for the evening, TDI, showed some excellent foresight selecting Sable for drinks, understanding the bar at Burkes is sub-par for a large group.
I was a little disappointed to be judged so harshly for my pre-cocktail activities by J-cizzle upon entrance – very uncharecteristic.
Smashed some Oban at Sable, saw a baby-faced Holinger for the first time in a decade and then we were off to Burkes. I usually love Burkes but it was a bit of a let down this go around. Perhaps because we were fresh off the holiday circuit or the inclement weather – the vibe was not the same. Neither was the wait staff. There was nothing overtly terrible to criticize, but the server was just kind of there going through the motions.
Apps were good with the bacon always being the standout. Some of the best in the city and I could eat it all myself. Dumplings and Waygu sashimi also get high marks. For my steak I always go with the 40 day bone in rib-eye. It was good this time around, but not as perfect as I remember.
Lively discussion around new memberhip – I for one am in favor. I will just leave it at that.
All in all, not the best effor t from David Burke’s, but the company is always on point.
Note: I am already out of playoff pool….awesome.
Walking into Sable to find a freshly shaven Holinger was a pleasant surprise. Not like a stripper jumping out of a birthday cake surprise, but more of a oh hey check it out I found a crisp hundred in my pocket. The conversation was off to a fast start and was rolling along well until it was derailed by a pair of ambitious steak eaters that were leading the league in intoxicants. The walk to Burkes was a bit far in my taste given the chill in the air. Walking into a basically empty restaurant, we were sat in the far corner. Somehow we still managed to offend the patrons closest to us who requested a table change within 10 minutes of our arrival.
Apps, the wagyu tartare was indeed delicious however it was really the truffle aioli that made it magnificence on a fork. The crab cake was odd. The dumplings were fried and tasty mainly because they were fried. The bacon is the sole reason to come to Burkes. Period.
The 40 Day Ribeye was much hyped and priced to match. I was completely disappointed. It was perhaps due to my expectations, but I truly feel this was a lackluster cut and poor preparation. I did not Glick it back to the kitchen, maybe should have.
I should have mentioned that the bourbon was chased down with some finely paired wine. The conversation and chance to catch up with Chicago’s finest in the brand new year was top notch as always. I cannot recommend Burkes as one of the best in Chicago, there are simply better all around experiences to be had in this Meatopolis of ours.
The first steak night of 2014 brought us to David Burke’s, a consistent top pick amongst many in the group. The last time we dined here we had a fabulous experience, and were even given a tour of the aging room. This time things went a little differently.
The Crew:
We have a full boat for the first time in a long time. A solid showing by all.
Cocktails:
In a slight change from normal protocol, we played an away game for cocktails, heading to Sable for pre-gaming. David Burkes doesn’t have the greatest bar area in the world so it seemed like a good choice. Turns out there were about five people in the restaurant so I don’t think we would have had to deal with crowds but no matter. Good choice to mix it up a little.
The Apps:
The bacon is really all to speak of here. It’s excellent every time. We had some wagyu beef sashimi and some dumpling thing and both were forgettable.
The Steaks:
40 day dry aged bone in rib-eye for myself. I haven’t been this disappointed with a steak in a long time. Overcooked, underseasoned, underwhelming.
The Sides:
Mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, mushrooms, and something else. I can’t think of a great steak house with worse sides. Nothing else to say here.
New Members, NFL Playoffs, etc:
After some discussion we were able to come to the conclusion that adding a new member would be a good thing, so a Mr. Bill Conway will be joining us for February’s edition.
We did our playoff picks. I got San Diego. Enough said.
Conclusion:
Maybe a 5/10 for me on this one. My lowest rated steak night outside of Grassfed. Not a great way to start 2014. Shame on you David Burke.
A trip home for 10 days would not have been complete without a Steak Night with this fine group. After such a busy holiday, it was nice to have one more high quality event before pushing off the next morning.
We’ve been to David Burke’s before so I was sceptical as soon as Rick announced the pick. Thankfully, our host visualized the evening well and started us off at Sable, a bar with dangerous mixology (in a good way) and a lively atmosphere. While it was obvious some of us were still in vacation mode – I’m looking in your direction, Brad and Scotty – most were prepared and well dressed for a solid start to 2014.
Appetizers
Wagyu Beef Sashimi = 10
Tuna Tartar = 8
Crab Cake = 6
It was during the appetizers that we knew the score: on the second day of the year, they do not staff for success. Service was lackadaisical. The energy was deflationary but our crew kept true to the purpose of steak night.
Steak
40 day bone-in ribeye. Delicious. The meat was cooked perfectly, however the cut was not as high quality as hoped.
The sides were forgettable.
All in, this place has the reviews and talks a big game but amazes with its inability to deliver on promises time and again.
Good company was again the salvation; I’ll eat anywhere with this group and can’t wait for the next time I’m in Chicago for the first Thursday of the month.
Well, I wish I could say I remembered more of this evening but I admit it was more because the food and atmosphere at the restaurant was more forgettable than anything. The walk to the restaurant sure was memorable and it was, as put earlier, fucking freezing. Nice to know that it was only to get worse days later….
Arriving with Stoney and seeing the crew at an off site locale like Sable added a winter twist we probably didn’t need, even given the fact that the bar at Burke’s sucks a fat girl’s ass. When we arrived at DB’s we sat at a curiously placed table and the drinking / munching began.
Gotta say the bacon was good but my fav was the sashimi. Went down well to a belly full of other things and started off the protein intake. Did the usual Burke’s move and went with the 30 day ribeye and from what I recall, it see like it had been cooked 30 days ago and left on the roof to cool. Chewy and somewhat flavorless, it was nice to have something to regret for the night.
Playoff picks were done and as the light shines on the fortuitous, I am a step away from collecting on the Broncos win. That said, keep in mind I haven’t won anything from this group other than an orange chartreuse shot or whatever it was months ago. That, folks, tells you to take the Seahawks w the points.
Dessert finished off with a meandering to the quaint bar area to watch Alabama getting smoked like Baloney in their bowl game. Hilarious as the bannister wasn’t happy. How could he be? They were 11.5 favs.
Coming off a hot one in Bavette’s, this one really fell short. Next month let’s hope some redemption awaits as after another solid month of cold, snow, babies and famine, we will all be looking forward to the next episode.
My new years resolution is to stop getting so drunk before steak night so I can enjoy it more. Scotty and I had a bit of an early start, say…around 4:20pm. Our host for the evening, TDI, showed some excellent foresight selecting Sable for drinks, understanding the bar at Burkes is sub-par for a large group.
I was a little disappointed to be judged so harshly for my pre-cocktail activities by J-cizzle upon entrance – very uncharecteristic.
Smashed some Oban at Sable, saw a baby-faced Holinger for the first time in a decade and then we were off to Burkes. I usually love Burkes but it was a bit of a let down this go around. Perhaps because we were fresh off the holiday circuit or the inclement weather – the vibe was not the same. Neither was the wait staff. There was nothing overtly terrible to criticize, but the server was just kind of there going through the motions.
Apps were good with the bacon always being the standout. Some of the best in the city and I could eat it all myself. Dumplings and Waygu sashimi also get high marks. For my steak I always go with the 40 day bone in rib-eye. It was good this time around, but not as perfect as I remember.
Lively discussion around new memberhip – I for one am in favor. I will just leave it at that.
All in all, not the best effor t from David Burke’s, but the company is always on point.
Note: I am already out of playoff pool….awesome.
Walking into Sable to find a freshly shaven Holinger was a pleasant surprise. Not like a stripper jumping out of a birthday cake surprise, but more of a oh hey check it out I found a crisp hundred in my pocket. The conversation was off to a fast start and was rolling along well until it was derailed by a pair of ambitious steak eaters that were leading the league in intoxicants. The walk to Burkes was a bit far in my taste given the chill in the air. Walking into a basically empty restaurant, we were sat in the far corner. Somehow we still managed to offend the patrons closest to us who requested a table change within 10 minutes of our arrival.
Apps, the wagyu tartare was indeed delicious however it was really the truffle aioli that made it magnificence on a fork. The crab cake was odd. The dumplings were fried and tasty mainly because they were fried. The bacon is the sole reason to come to Burkes. Period.
The 40 Day Ribeye was much hyped and priced to match. I was completely disappointed. It was perhaps due to my expectations, but I truly feel this was a lackluster cut and poor preparation. I did not Glick it back to the kitchen, maybe should have.
I should have mentioned that the bourbon was chased down with some finely paired wine. The conversation and chance to catch up with Chicago’s finest in the brand new year was top notch as always. I cannot recommend Burkes as one of the best in Chicago, there are simply better all around experiences to be had in this Meatopolis of ours.
Lets go Seahawks!
The first steak night of 2014 brought us to David Burke’s, a consistent top pick amongst many in the group. The last time we dined here we had a fabulous experience, and were even given a tour of the aging room. This time things went a little differently.
The Crew:
We have a full boat for the first time in a long time. A solid showing by all.
Cocktails:
In a slight change from normal protocol, we played an away game for cocktails, heading to Sable for pre-gaming. David Burkes doesn’t have the greatest bar area in the world so it seemed like a good choice. Turns out there were about five people in the restaurant so I don’t think we would have had to deal with crowds but no matter. Good choice to mix it up a little.
The Apps:
The bacon is really all to speak of here. It’s excellent every time. We had some wagyu beef sashimi and some dumpling thing and both were forgettable.
The Steaks:
40 day dry aged bone in rib-eye for myself. I haven’t been this disappointed with a steak in a long time. Overcooked, underseasoned, underwhelming.
The Sides:
Mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, mushrooms, and something else. I can’t think of a great steak house with worse sides. Nothing else to say here.
New Members, NFL Playoffs, etc:
After some discussion we were able to come to the conclusion that adding a new member would be a good thing, so a Mr. Bill Conway will be joining us for February’s edition.
We did our playoff picks. I got San Diego. Enough said.
Conclusion:
Maybe a 5/10 for me on this one. My lowest rated steak night outside of Grassfed. Not a great way to start 2014. Shame on you David Burke.
A trip home for 10 days would not have been complete without a Steak Night with this fine group. After such a busy holiday, it was nice to have one more high quality event before pushing off the next morning.
We’ve been to David Burke’s before so I was sceptical as soon as Rick announced the pick. Thankfully, our host visualized the evening well and started us off at Sable, a bar with dangerous mixology (in a good way) and a lively atmosphere. While it was obvious some of us were still in vacation mode – I’m looking in your direction, Brad and Scotty – most were prepared and well dressed for a solid start to 2014.
Appetizers
Wagyu Beef Sashimi = 10
Tuna Tartar = 8
Crab Cake = 6
It was during the appetizers that we knew the score: on the second day of the year, they do not staff for success. Service was lackadaisical. The energy was deflationary but our crew kept true to the purpose of steak night.
Steak
40 day bone-in ribeye. Delicious. The meat was cooked perfectly, however the cut was not as high quality as hoped.
The sides were forgettable.
All in, this place has the reviews and talks a big game but amazes with its inability to deliver on promises time and again.
Good company was again the salvation; I’ll eat anywhere with this group and can’t wait for the next time I’m in Chicago for the first Thursday of the month.
Sad, because this is my favorite place in town – but they were off their game this night. Service – sad, setting -sad, food – good, Banister – sad.
It was wonderful to have a full boat, good banter with the group on whether to add people – more on that to come.
It is cold in Chicago
Well, I wish I could say I remembered more of this evening but I admit it was more because the food and atmosphere at the restaurant was more forgettable than anything. The walk to the restaurant sure was memorable and it was, as put earlier, fucking freezing. Nice to know that it was only to get worse days later….
Arriving with Stoney and seeing the crew at an off site locale like Sable added a winter twist we probably didn’t need, even given the fact that the bar at Burke’s sucks a fat girl’s ass. When we arrived at DB’s we sat at a curiously placed table and the drinking / munching began.
Gotta say the bacon was good but my fav was the sashimi. Went down well to a belly full of other things and started off the protein intake. Did the usual Burke’s move and went with the 30 day ribeye and from what I recall, it see like it had been cooked 30 days ago and left on the roof to cool. Chewy and somewhat flavorless, it was nice to have something to regret for the night.
Playoff picks were done and as the light shines on the fortuitous, I am a step away from collecting on the Broncos win. That said, keep in mind I haven’t won anything from this group other than an orange chartreuse shot or whatever it was months ago. That, folks, tells you to take the Seahawks w the points.
Dessert finished off with a meandering to the quaint bar area to watch Alabama getting smoked like Baloney in their bowl game. Hilarious as the bannister wasn’t happy. How could he be? They were 11.5 favs.
Coming off a hot one in Bavette’s, this one really fell short. Next month let’s hope some redemption awaits as after another solid month of cold, snow, babies and famine, we will all be looking forward to the next episode.
6/10
It was awesome…almost as good as my lunch there at restaurant week.