MJ’s
April 20th, 2016
So my interaction with MJ’s started off on the wrong foot with the hostess informing me over the phone that a party of eight could only be seated in at a high-boy table, and being warned twice that jeans were allowed but jerseys were not. I ended up getting around the situation by using an Amex concierge to remake the reservation, and we arrived to a great table in a fantastic room. In a 20% full restaurant. But as soon as we sat, smiles came easy.
Our waiter arrived with gusto and enthusiastically took us through the menu. He later deftly handled a question about the ownership structure of the restaurant and hotel, which left me quite impressed. The bacon and garlic bread appetizer were suggested as the no-brainer choices, and were quickly ordered and happily consumed. We were also very pleased with a quite well-priced Sonoma Cab, and we made a small dent in Michael’s supply. My steak was fine, no better.
A highlight of the evening was Glick’s guest who walked us through his Shochu business (Japanese vodka, for the uninitiated). He had a bottle with him and the waiter happily accommodated our request for more glasses. The bottle was well-enjoyed, and I will definitely be adding one to my bar.
I give the restaurant high marks for architecture and attractiveness, but the ambiance was really hurt by the low attendance. I enjoyed the food, but wouldn’t seek a return visit.
7.5/10
Filed under: General
MJs was a very unexpected surprise the last time we graced this venue with our presence. The bar was packed, the food was incredible, and the service was top notch. Arriving with these high expectations this go around, we found the bar to be near empty. It was actually a miracle we made it at all. Rick and Cizzle picked me up in an Uber X that was piloted by Cheech. When given the address of 505 N Michigan, he asked if we intended to go to the state of Michigan. he then proceeded to miss both the highway on ramp and the highway off ramp. But I digress. Once seated at a quiet end of the second level, well the entire room was quiet actually, we settled in for another night of meat and manly banter.
The bacon and the garlic bread with blue cheese fondue is enough to kill a man and if you are going to let food take you down this isnt a bad way to go. Simply delicious. The wine was expertly paired by our host Mason. The steak was the star last time. This time it was average at best. It was a slightly past medium rare delmonico that tasted like something I could buy at the grocery store. The sochu surprise was a nice aperitif, but that was brought in by a gracious guest of Glick. I need to be reminded of the brand name, but like Mason, I highly recommend procuring a bottle for your bar.
A quick trip to meet up with the other halves at Siena closed out the evening. I was overall disappointed with MJs this go around. Its hard to say if that was due to my high level of expectations from a previous visit or if they have dropped off their overall quality. The dining room is one of the more unique nestled in the upper level of a two story atrium with a glass bridge connecting the lower stairs. Sitting among the upper detailing of the classic columns is a very unique space, but not enough to make the food worthy of a return trip soon.
I arrived at 7:35 thinking I was running late, but I walked into the ground floor bar to find Mason at a large table by himself patiently watching Masters highlights he’d clearly seen five times already. Upon seeing a first arrival, Mason’s face lit up probably not unlike the Phelps children on Christmas morning. Soon after everyone else arrived and suddenly scotch was poured, discussions of Spieth’s early dominance in the Masters persisted, Jesse was educating us on Shochu and our table was ready.
It was odd that the place was not more full, but maybe I enjoyed the scintillating conversation more because I barely noticed the spartan conditions.
Guided by our waiter, Mason ordered the shrimp and garlic bread, both of which were fantastic. Usually I avoid garlic bread, perchance to spy a lady later in the evening, but this bread was unlike any other garlic bread I’d ever had and deserves the moniker of “most famous restaurant garlic bread outside of Olive Garden.”
I was trying to not overeat because of an upcoming Navy fitness test, which requires a strong yet nimble physical acumen. Needless to say, my performance on the test two days later would impress anyone this side of Magnus Ver Magnusson. Therefore, I ordered the 7 oz. filet and side of butterfly shrimp. It was extremely delightful and just the right size to be filling but not gluttonous. I did initially lament that this was supposed to be my time to walk free due to my impressive NCAA tourney prognostication, but fortunately I was able to save that for May when gluttony will be in store.
I agree that the Shochu tasting was fantastic and our waiter was nice in that he brought out glasses and did not mention anything such as “corking fees” or “bringing in outside booze is frowned upon.”
All in all, a nice steak night, was it thrilling? No. But was it enjoyable with a decent meal, it was. Much more enjoyable than Spieth’s back nine three days later.
It seems fitting that we dined at Michael Jordan’s the final month that the Bulls would own the record for 72 wins in a season.
My evening started off with the worst Uber driver I have ever had. The initial conversation went something like this:
Me- “I put the final destination on Michigan in the app but we need to pick up my buddies first”
Driver-“You are going all the way to Michigan”
Me-“No Michigan Avenue, I put 505 N. Michigan Ave in the app, isn’t that what it says?”
Driver- Stoned laughter “It does say that”
The guy had to be taking hits with Cheech & Chong beforehand or perhaps it was with Brad & Scotty aka Stoney & Baloney. None the less Cypress Hill would be the appropriate soundtrack for this trip. In addition to blessing the earth he wasn’t exactly Dale Earnhardt when it came to driving skill or Magellan when it came to directions. Thus Cizzle, Hans and myself arrived about 5-10 minutes before 8:00.
We started with the bacon and garlic bread fondue and both were excellent. I got talked into going for their signature MJ’s Delmonico instead of the traditional bone in ribeye I had on previous visits. The Delmonico was just ok, a bit overcooked and a bit bland. I wish I ordered the traditional bone in ribeye. I love the mashed potato trio, consisting of sweet potatoes, old bay seasoned and onion soup seasoned potatoes. The onion soup inspired potatoes winning the gold medal. The atmosphere is lacking, probably the biggest knock on this place. Only a couple of tables were full when we sat down and we were basically the only table left at the end. Our server was spot on.
Dinner conversations included the Masters, the penalties for Scotty and Jevon canceling within 24 hours, the Cubs, and all things Shochu.
After dinner drinks were at Sienna because if we don’t go there at least once a week the universe might explode.
Great times as always. On to the warmer months.
In a city with great steakhouses, when you tell an out of town guest the secret steak society is headed to Michael Jordan’s, the response is quizzical. To that end MJ’s did not cease to be an enigma wrapped in the heart of a hotel setting it is better than.
I won’t belabor the point, but the ambiance at MJ’s does not meet the traditional steakhouse feeling. The service and food is fantastic, the restaurant is caught in a paradox of a bad location, neglected hotel management and a kitchen that’s way better than it looks. Whether MJ’s goes the way of Hans’ favorite The Saloon remains to be seen. I’m not sure we will ever be able to return.
Rick ever excited for the start of baseball season brought out his (Yankees) pinstripe suit. While some thought the 4 buttons a bit tough to pull off, Rick’s 6ft 5 frame trapped in a 6 ft body allowed him to carry it off. The wingtip shoes and derby hat added the touches only he is able to pull off.
Dinner was solid – the garlic bread and the steaks were good. Service was fantastic – as mentioned they allowed us to bring out a bottle of Jesse’s Miszu Souchu and could not have been more accommodating. High marks here.
Dinner convesation centered around the RE market, the Shouch market and whether Conway and I were going to rich with King Speith’s spoils (alas we still have to keep our day jobs).
Overall: 7 – like MJ’s basketball career I fear future returns will diminish how highly we once viewed this place
Being that the Host failed to meet initial timing requirements on the “Host Post” due to technical difficulties, I decided to take my time since all bets were off on the response timing. And by doing so, I’ve basically forgotten everything about MJ’s. But, I’ll try me damndest.
After taking a cab towards the great state of Michigan, Hans, Rick and I finally arrived, broken toe and all, at the house of his Airness. We walked into a very sad looking, hotel-y bar scene to find Mason and Sir Bill tucked away in a corner, far from the reaches of the Michigan Avenue tourist shopper and convention-goer crowd. Glick and his out of town guest showed up and we were off.
Jordan’s has an odd set up, with the restaurant situated up a very old school, elegant staircase with long tapestries and burgundy, turn of the century carpet, which gives way to an awful steel and frosted glass looking catwalk to take you into the split dining room. They could use some decorating ideas. It smells of “new money.” One almost expects to see a tanning bed and Ferrari on the way to the table.
Anyway, Jordan’s has always been known (by me) as an extremely underrated steak joint. The appetizers are outstanding with the bacon leading the charge. But the cheese fondue garlic bread is apple pie love making worthy as well.
This is also one of my favorite steaks in the city. Probably top 6. This night the ribeye steak was good, but not great for some reason. I was more interested in the French onion soup mashed potatoes. Too bad Hans ate them all. This is really becoming a problem. Wine pairings by the host were right on point, especially the very reasonable Sonoma Cab. Glick’s dinner guest also treated us to his Shochu (Japanese Vodka) that he was hocking all over town. It was actually a really nice addition.
Dessert was something. Probably good. (What a review) But not as great as the company. It was another successful steak night in the books.
Summer, come at me bro.