The Power of Service
I expected to get some flack for picking Rosebud Prime after Rosebud on Walton was picked just two months prior. However, there was nary a complaint – of course the two Rosebuds are very different, it’s not like picking another Morton’s or Ruth’s Chris.
I walked in at about 7:30 to see the Brothers Ray, Scotty and Cizzle nestled up to the bar speaking with my good friend Zach the bartender. Jevon and JG were close behind. Because Zach is the bartender at the bar across the street from my work, needless to say I know him very well. Also, providing witty banter and tipping 30% four times/week for the last two years paid off – Zach gave us good cheer, a free round and topped us all off on the way to the table. Best bartender in the city.
We were escorted to our table and greeted by our waiter Mino, who also introduced himself as “the Captain.” We ordered a nice Flowers Pinot Noir to start despite still working on our top-offs from Zach.
We started off with good but not phenomenal appetizers, but the coconut shrimp and ahi tuna did not disappoint. In fact by the time the tuna got to me, there was only a little runt piece left.
At that point, we also told Mino about the club and he took genuine interest. He asked what was our best and worst experiences and provided some thoughts of his own that seemed to come from deep industry knowledge – of course maybe he was just speaking confidently and I was easily fooled after 12 oz. of Bulleit Rye and a couple glasses of Flowers Pinot. He did however provide some feedback to our choices, including his thoughts on Bavette’s and some initial thoughts on the Chicago C which replaced Keefer’s.
We then ordered the steaks. The most curious order was BRay and Cizzle choosing to order the Cowboy and Cowgirl cuts and split them. The Cowboy won out apparently – Every Cowboy sings a sad, sad song. I ordered the Kansas City Cut, which had a peppercorn crust and was in a demi-glaze, that gave it a certain Asian flare. I loved mine but Jevon didn’t care for the demi-glaze. Also, Scotty sent his back claiming it wasn’t medium rare. At Mino’s suggestion we also had a nice full Cabernet in the Mt. Brave with BRay acting as consigliere on the wine selection.
For sides we had creamed spinach, asparagus and some Buffalo tater tots. As a nice touch, individual portions of the asparagus and cream spinach were brought out on side plates for each of us. The Buffalo tots were also scooped up quickly. As an odd aside after Scotty got back his steak, he chose to bet Rick the price of dinner that American Pie did not come out in 1999. As anyone knows, you don’t bet against Rick in sports or pop culture trivia, especially when he confidently states the answer. Needless to say, Rick walked free.
For dessert we celebrated Crenshaw’s birthday. I can’t quite remember the dessert, somebody throw me a bone here….
When we threw in our credit cards, I ended up throwing in a Banana Republic credit card. Instead of being mocked, I saw a genuine look of concern from Mr. Glick that I was having money problems. I received some good natured mocking from the rest of the crew. My financial situation aside, I had simply misplaced my credit card and had to use the backup.
As an additional treat, Mr. Cartwright showed up at the very end of dinner and assisted in the reverse credit card roulette. After the meal, I went back upstairs to do some work, not the finest output of career….
In summary, the food was great, but the service was spectacular. Mino did a great job and Zach took care of us at the bar and checked on us throughout the meal, real class from Rosebud Prime.
Filed under: General
Another July 4th weekend steak night in the books, this time at Rosebud Prime. While no one was barking, falling off their chair in the middle of the restaurant or locked in a parking garage it was still a great evening.
I arrived with Cizzle at 7:00 to find Brad already at the bar, the rest of the crew soon followed. The service was great even before the bartender was aware we were with Conway, the Norm Peterson of Rosebud Prime. However the atmosphere was lacking, just one other older couple at the bar and us. None the less the drinks were tasty, the vodka sodas strong and the scotch “aged 18 years, just the way I like it”. Conversation included: weekend plans, golf, Glick’s Wedding and losing our virginity by prom.
The coconut shrimp was the highlight of the aps for me. I went with the cowboy cut which didn’t disappoint, an excellent steak. I thought the sides were a bit of a miss. I’m not sure were Conway got Buffalo tots (perhaps the alcohol talking) I thought they were truffle tots and they were the best of the sides but overall just ok as far as potatoes go. I’m not really a creamed spinach guy but had some because it was plated for me, it did nothing to turn me into a creamed spinach guy. We also had asparagus, “I cuss you cuss we all cuss for asparagus”. I guess I will keep it G rated because I don’t need asparagus, I prefer my pee to smell like pee. Dessert was “warm apple pie” (McDonald’s or homemade), I assume as a nod to American Pie.
I have no idea how American Pie came up or how Scotty and I started debating of all things the release date of this modern day cinematic classic. What I do know is that it came out in 1999 and I enjoyed my free meal. Since Conway is a regular the service was top of the line. One thing I did notice is that at times the conversation seemed to be a little fragmented, with two or three separate conversations going on at once rather than one big group conversation.
Brian “4” Cartwright joined us for the end of the meal and the after party which consisted of some random house party (not at Stiffler’s) and the Boss Bar. Brad walked free the second month in a row, a trend more annoying than the Kardashians. I believe it was Glick’s birthday. Good times as always.
July the best of months we have around.
The sites and scents and women are abound
To dine on steak is what the men will do
The first Thursday the pick is always new
Unless of course your name is Bill Conway
Who chose a repeat wary of the nays
Rosebud Prime was sure to raise a brow
Unless of course we got the best of cow
Brad and Rick and John arrived at first
To quench with brown liquor the mighty thirst
The rest began to show up bit by bit
Til finally the full group chose to sit
Apps were good but nothing was so grand
Until the shrimp showed up and took a stand
Each received a serving quite a deal!
Without a German there to hide and steal
Brad and I would test the merits of
The dry age and the wet who vied for love
The dry age won the battle of the steak
Easily a choice one needs to make
Sides were served and each would have a bite
The truffle tots would swing with all their might
Desserts were served and each we had was fine
Brad’s card would win the feisty duel with mine
In the end a fine meal had by all
Sir Bill it seemed had made the proper call
On to August summer seems to fly
If you blink it might just pass you by
Wow….who knew we had Walt Whitman in the group…I am out of the cradle endlessly rocking after that fine rendition.
That all said, Rosebud Prime was a fine choice, both becuase I like the location of a downtown, urban setting, and also becuase being there with Mayor Conway is like actually being with the real Mayor since the guy knows everyone and everyone there knows him. It nicely paid for us in a round of free pre-steak drinks and some heavy pours.
Mino took fine care of the group on this eve, even giving me some ideas for a bday gift for the wife, which to me is full service. This tim around, though, I did not buy her the 10k watch that Mino suggested but one to keep in mind for next year.
Loved the coconut shrimp app, didn’t love the overcooked cowboy ribeye I got the first time around so yes, there was no doubt, it was sent back and a replacement returned within about 10 minutes which was perfectly cooked. Sometimes you have to send the steaks back if they just don’t come out near right, and good restaurants are always up for accomodating and fixing the problem to the diner’s satisfaction. Mixing the new steak with some creamed spinach side proved to be quite the delight and convinced me that other than warm apple pie aka third base, it was time to do some betting on movie trivia with Rick Ray, which I lost terribly. Rule of the road — don’t bet Rick on anything that he could have possibly memorized or experienced in his past. Just don’t do it.
The strong part of the night was the finisher with “4” showing up and having a seat at the table. Seeing Brad Ray walk again for the second month in a row was a shocker as he had a good battle with our friend Frost (above). Sadly I was unable to join the group for some revelry afterwards as an early flight to Pittsburgh beckoned and sleep was needed..
7.5 (due to steak being sent back)
When I saw Rosebud Prime as the location for the kickoff to July 4th weekend I was a bit disappointed by the lack of creativity. However, after the meal I can appreciate Mr. Conway’s selection. (Although given his cc situation am not sure if he has some unpaid debts there that also needed some attention). But I digress.
Service really was outstanding. Mino took it up a notch, when I first started the review game one of the criteria was whether the waiter took the time to describe the steaks or the sides or anything (other than the seafood tower), mino not only walked us through the menu, he took the time to hear how our favorite places compared. Well done.
Rick was again the star of the night, with a red white and blue vest offsetting his white pants. I don’t know where he gets the space in his closet for these outfits, but each one is better than the next.
Apps were well selected by Mr. Conway. Steak was solid, I had the cowgirl cut ribeye (an unfortunate name for a steak) that came out great.
Sides were ok, creamed spinach – I’m sure I’ve ranted on this before – needs to be revamped. Simply pouring cream over bitter spinach leaves ruins both the spinach and the cream.
Desert was a 6, the carrot cake was well….not very good. However the best part of desert was the side of Brian Cartwright. Rick’s American Pie may have been his favorite (1999!)
Check came out a bit on the high side, felt bad for Mr. Thorsen. and Mr. Ray, but at least one got to walk.
After party roof party was finally attended this year and was a good time.
Overall: 8.5 (half point off for price and sides)
Oh how times have changed. This was a very different 4th of July steak night than say, 6 years ago. With a family trip planned for 6am the next morning, Scott and Brad had to depart promptly. Donald just purchased a new house, so he was unpacking, Glick returned newly married, so there is that. Perhaps it was fitting that we were in the loop in a subdued setting, rather than the viagra triangle with the young kids.
With the Grateful Dead in town for their 50th anniversary show, the loop was crawling with some good people watching. Some of the dead heads were at tables around us, which also made for some fodder.
Overall, my KC Strip was very good. I could have done with out the demi-glaze sauce, which I found a bit sweet, but the meat itself was terrific. The sides I do not remember much, although the truffle tots were a unique take on potatoes.
It has been nearly two weeks, so I am sorry to say I am forgetting some of the apps. The apple pie individually served was out of sight – really top notch and very american.
I do know the service was some of our best, the company and conversation was great and the surprise visit from Cartwright at the end of the evening made it a keeper.
8
Rosebud Prime — I showed up to the right one this time. Clearly picked for its proximity and convenience to Mayor Bill’s office. The group has only been 1x and I was ready for round 2. Showing up to what was an empty and pretty dead bar (they can be pardoned given the 4th weekend, and being in the middle of the loop — that was kind of to be expected) with really no vibe at all. I saddled in for an Oban and found the bartender to be accommodating. As rick Ray and Cizzle came in, the hospitality continued with them and the balance of the group. Mayor Bill waltzed in to what was practically a hug from the bartender….i guess Mother Morgan funds this place a fair amount and the group reaped the benefits with a freebie on our way to the table.
We were shown to our table and began ordering away. I think I was alone in calling the coconut shrimp the best I have had. It was a great combo of coconut flavor and breading for what I thought was a delicious variation. The tuna was good but nothing to write home about.
Our waiter, Mino, however, was something to write home about. I would go as far as to say one of the best we have had. Interested in the group and tradition and blended with enough talking and service to really deliver an A+ experience all around.
Crenshaw and I decided to taste test the difference at the table between dry-aged and wet-aged with our rib-eye selections. No surprise, the dry aged won out. It was a great steak and better than I was anticipating. The sides were tasty with the truffle tater tots flying off the stands. A little creamed spinach and Brian Cartwright to finish our meal. I also won a Credit Card roulette (2nd month running) and almost wasted away the profit by not posting in time — alas here it is under the gun, ladies.
Great night and wish I would have gone out with the crew after but an early flight was beckoning.
I would gladly go again to rosebud prime — great meal and outstanding service….i give my evening an 8.5