Kinzie Chophouse. I think…..
Summer wind…….comes blowin in…………from across the seeeeaaaaaaa……
Good old Frank sang it best. The words ring true. There’s nothing like summer in Chicago. And there’s definitely nothing like a summer Steak Night to start the weekend off right.
This month’s selection: Kinzie Chophouse. It had been a long time for a return and the group was ready. We had a surprise visit by Mr. Richards, and an unexpected showing by The Mayor Bill Conway. I love it when a plan comes together.
We had a healthy showing at cocktail hour. The standard libations were consumed, jokes cracked, and general catching up was done. And for whatever reason, this is where my mind started to go. This night was very hazy for me. Three Scotch’s as an appetizer will do that to a guy I guess. We were seated at a table close to the main entrance, which at first didn’t seem ideal, but I’m not sure anyone noticed it after things got going.
The Apps: I’m actually a little hazy here, as was much of the night for that mater. But I believe it was calamari, oysters, and a rock shrimp risotto cake. All were serviceable from what I recall.
The Steaks: I had the dry aged Kansas City. It was good for sure, but nothing spectacular. It was cooked fine, but lacked a little seasoning. I seem to remember Kinzie being vastly underrated. Now I think it’s properly rated.
The Sides: Bacon and scallion smashed potatoes, creamed spinach parmesan, and four cheese mac. Again, all were serviceable, but nothing knocked my socks off.
The Wine: Tonight we had a special treat all the way from Mendoza, Argentina. Rule of 3 Wine is a little wine company started by a dear friend of ours. Having received this special bottle about a month ago, I wasn’t sure when I was going to crack it open. Then it occurred to me that what better night to do it than with a good group of friends at steak night. Rule of 3’s first offering is a 100% Malbec. It’s a young vintage from 2012, but already has a very rich Malbec taste. It paired impeccably with the steak. If you haven’t had a chance to try it out yet, I suggest ordering a bottle, or two, or hell just get a case. You won’t be disappointed.
All in all, it was a fine evening with fine gentlemen. I savor these beautiful summer nights and am already looking forward to July.
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6 Responses to “Kinzie Chophouse. I think…..”
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I found myself coming into cocktail hour a little hot. Ready to cool down and kick back with bourbon on the rocks while being serenaded with tales of Brad Ray’s wrong hotel tour was just the thing I needed. Ray can embellish the details if he so chooses, but I will say epic indeed. A visit from one Roderick Richards added some old school flavor to the mix. The bar area is a bit cramped but the bar tender took solid care of us. Highlight of cocktail hour was an elderly, yet impeccably dressed, woman interrupted our yapping to ask how a group of such handsome young men all came to be. She followed it up with, “Are you all in finance?” I have a feeling this was a puma sighting….
A table near the door is probably the best place for this group should the other diners revolt we have a quick exit. I am in agreement with Cizzle on the apps, nothing outstanding. I did enjoy my oyster, but otherwise nothing to recommend. I too went with the KC and while cooked perfectly it had zero taste. The steak was clearly a decent cut, tender, and seared on the outside but literally it tasted like a mcdonalds burger. I dont even know how this is possible. Perhaps the Rule of 3 had overrun my taste buds and anything after that delicious malbec would be devoid of flavor. The mashed potatoes were clumpy and dry, straight out of the box in my opinion. Its two friends were equally bland.
I hate to say it but I will not be coming back to Kinzie’s. There are too many great places in Chicago to waste a steak night on sub par.
A return to the Kinzie Chop House. There is always something about going to a local establishment that I enjoy and this was an appropriate way to kick off the Summer steak night season.
There was a pleasant surprise as I saddled up to the bar to join the assorted trouble makers I was expecting to run into, none other than the other RR. Mr. Roddy Richards returning to Chicago and paying us a special visit. The bar area at Kinzie is not the best; kind of small, cramped and non-descript but we were basically the only one’s there so it worked. The bartender whose name escapes me was spot on with his service and the appropriate timed comment. He may have been a little too spot on with his scotch pours as Crenshaw drifted a bit into Brad Ray territory as far as remembering dinner although he didn’t comment on the meal before actually eating it.
The rock scrimp risotto cake was the highlight of the aps for me. I went with a porter house medium rare, bonus points if you actually have a porter house for one on the menu which is on fewer steak house menus than you might think. It was cooked properly and had some flavor but could have had a bit more but a solid steak overall and I killed all 24 ounces. The bacon and scallion mashed topped the sides, don’t remember much about the other sides. Overall the meal was good but nothing really stood out either, just kind of solid middle marks across the boards. Nothing great, nothing bad.
I am not a big wine guy so I did not indulge in any Rule of 3 wine but the Vodka I was drinking was delicious. As soon as Rule of 3 vodka sets up shop in Russian and starts pumping out barrels I will certainly indulge. Don Cole was in the sin bin for past infractions and was forced to do a shot of the groups choosing. We tried to get some of that warm malort/carpeting cleaner mix we made Conway do but lucky for Cole they did not have it. We decided on the old standby of Green Chartreuse which looks and apparently tastes like the Green Goblin’s piss. Scotty looked like hell when he was forced to do his shot of chartreuse and we were expecting the same reaction from Cole. However Cole put the thing down like water, almost like he enjoyed it and green chartreuse has been his go to shot for years. Certainly not the reaction the group was expecting but it begs the question. Is Cole a huge stud or is Scotty a huge pussy? I guess I will not find out unless at some point I am sentenced to the same fate.
I kind of had an after dinner drink with Crenshaw but he was only there physically, mentally I think he was in bed for two hours already. Overall a fantastic night as always. On to the July steak night which falls the day before a holiday so perhaps we will add to the already rich tradition of steak night classics that have happened in July. Start planning accordingly.
Heading back to Kenzie, I remembered it much like Sam Adams, Always a good decision. While it wasn’t too far off, I recall it being better than it actually was. One of my main goals for this steak night was to not show up hammered….Success. I showed up to the bar stone sober and was able to catch up with Mr. Roddy Richards. I was aware of his pending appearance so was looking forward to catching up.
A few cocktails at the bar and lucid for dinner, we began to dine. One order of business was on Cole taking a penalty shot. I took the lead on this and we ended up with Green Chartreuse. Dona took it down like a champion and there were no tears or choking like Scotty.
The meal itself was mostly non-descript. Not bad….but nothing I really remember. I don’t recall the shrimp risotto, not sure if Hans ate all of that again before it go to me. I do recall apps being good, but just that. I got the bone in rib eye and it was cooked as ordered. Sitting next to don who ordered the same, his was decidedly rare and since I can handle a rare steak just fine, we actually switched our plates.
Rule of three was really the highlight. Thanks to Cizzle for bringing it for the group to try. I am currently remiss in my purchase but will be making an order. Whereas I once thought we didn’t hit this establishment enough, I am fine waiting another few years before we come back. Great times as always with this crew and July awaits!
Scotty’s having trouble posting, so I’m testing that and commenting – great to see you gents! Solid meal, solid time in Chicago. Loved the smashed potatoes.
First and foremost, someone needs to tell me where I can find some that wonderfully tasty, surprise of a drink, Green Chartreuse. I don’t know where its been hiding all of these years, but damn! I am almost tempted to rack up more infractions if not for the fact that: (a) it would not be cool to do so; and (b) this group of fine gentlemen would surely take away this simple pleasure and replace it with something god awful like a 50 year old bottle of Chivas Regal Royal Salute. Definitely not worth it, but I digress…
I was pleasantly surprised to see Mr. Richards in town; unfortunately, however, my late arrival cost me some valuable catch-up time with him. But, it was a pleasant surprise nonetheless.
The crew was in fine form, which was appropriate considering our meal. I was a bit disappointed when I first learned of the choice to head back to Kinzie, but that concern (and frankly, flat out anger) quickly dissipated upon the presentation of all of those fine cuts. I decided to go against ordering ol’ reliable (the bone-in filet) and be a bit more adventurous by ordering the bone-in ribeye – I did just house a shot of Green Chartreuse, mind you – and while I was not disappointed by the cut itself, I can’t help but place some partial blame on it when my medium rare came out with the cow that it was cut from came limping out behind it, i.e., it was RAAAARE. Now, i’m not sure if it was done in an attempt to prevent any of my usual hysterics, but good ol’ B. Ray a/k/a Daddy Drunk was kind enough to switch plates with me and came to the restaurant’s rescue. After that, it was all good.
Not sure what happened to the sides on this round for me, but it appears from the post that Zee German is possibly to blame – or the fact that the Green Chartreuse has wiped away the memory of much of the evening’s side shenanigans (get it?).
Great times overall, and I am happy to be back in the saddle.
I enjoyed Kinzie Chop as I always do. I dare say, it’s my favorite steakhouse in the city. The quality of meal was belied by the quality of the company.
Steaks: (6/10) I got the middle cut filet. Poor choice. Should have gone with a nice bone-in Demonico.
Wine: (9/10) The quality of the wine is only bested by the fashion sense of the Vintner. Robust taste equalled by long and distinct tannins. Only point off is for the youth of the wine, it needs a few years in the cellar/on the shelf/in the paper bag/in the center console.
After a rough day at work, it was great to see you all at my favorite steakhouse. Also, Don Cole taught us a lesson by taking his punishment like a man.