We first came to RPM Steak on October 3, 2014. The newly-opened restaurant had just been graced by the presence of President Barack H. Obama the night before. I won’t recount the details of that night, but whether it was the Obama hangover or the newness of the restaurant, they did not perform well. However if there is one thing America loves, it’s redemption. While RPM did not blow us away and enter the top elite Chicago steak house pantheon, redemption complete.
I strolled in at 7:15 to see Messrs. Crenshaw and Rick Ray at the bar. Fortunately the seat next to them was open and they had left some Oban in the bottle. I quickly saddled up to both. There was a bit of discussion regarding Mr. Crenshaw’s role as a guest lecturer in a recent college level class, a teaching performance that can only be described as Dead Poets Society meets Sam Kinison in Back to School. Quickly thereafter Messrs. Brad Ray, Thoresen and Glick joined and we were promptly seated at a nice table back and to the left, back and to the left.
Our waiter Cornel did a nice job. He sensed we were hungry and brought out popovers for us in about 30 seconds. We also thoroughly enjoyed the thick cut bacon and calamari. Both were scarfed down upon minutes of their arrival.
We also ordered a nice Kistler Pinot Noir, while not inexpensive, was better priced relative to the rest of the menu. Positive reviews lead to a second bottle to go with our steaks. Last time the wine list was beyond exorbitant so it was nice to see some variety there.
I ordered a 16 oz. bone-in filet. It seems they have added a bit of salt to the steaks since our first visit, which was just wonderful. All were enjoyed, none were sent back.
The sides included hand cut fries and jumbo asparagus. Both were finished, no commentary provided on their quality, but hard to screw those up and they didn’t.
They brought out a nice chocolate cake for my birthday, which was almost as delightful as the Company.
Mr. Thoresen also regaled us about the upcoming OJ mini series which is supposed to not only be superior to the Cuba Gooding vehicle that just aired, but also be a historically good documentary.
All in all, the service was great, the wine list became more reasonable, the steaks were better. Leaps and bounds of improvement since our previous visit.
We ventured out to Sienna Tavern right across the street. We all had nice after dinner cocktails. At one point, Mr. Brad Ray walked outside to leave and then quickly came back in and declared that it was too early to head home. I took it as an early birthday present.
Stories of redemption are as American as Apple Pie, and RPM Steak did a nice job redeeming itself
When I used to think of RPM Steak, I thought of it as sort of the Viagra Triangle north, only if the people on the V were a bit younger. It’s a place full of charlatans, groups of ladies from the burbs, and couples on first dates where the guy is clearly compensating for a lack of, well you know. But now, I can actually think of it as a decent place to get a steak. Stylistically, I still prefer the boutique feeling of Bavette’s (and the French flare sure don’t hurt), or the classic, Sinatra-era feeling of Gene’s and Gibson’s. But tonight, in terms of steak, I’d put it up against any of those, and I could not have been further from that feeling on previous visits.
Rick and I arrived first to the bar. Drinks were ordered and musings were had about my 11 year old nephew who called to talk shit about the Nationals/Cubs Series (cough sweep cough). Sir Bill arrived, fresh off of a hump-busting day by Old Man Morgan. We filled Rick in my guest lecturer appearance at Bill’s class that he teaches at DePaul. Pretty sure I’m going to be audited and/or indicted after that one. Luckily I was able to get some video of Bill’s portion. He does a great job.
Bill Teaching @ DePaul
The rest of the crew arrived and we were seated.
Brad Ray had been talking big game about the Coal Roasted King Crab. Anticipation was high and it did not disappoint. Even though Hans wasn’t able to attend, we still put in two orders and we were all able to enjoy it. Normally he likes to keep one for himself. Something about him and shellfish that really brings out a selfish side. It’s quite unbecoming. Anyway, the crab was succulent, buttery, smoky, and just an orgiastic feast for the senses. The popover rolls are a welcome addition at any restaurant, and the bacon, although not as good as MJ’s, was superb.
But the real reason we’re all here is for the steak. This time I stayed away from the $71 dry aged ribeye, as it disappointed last time around and instead went with the 16oz Boot Steak, another fancy cowboy term for the wet aged bone-in ribeye. I know I can easily be won over with salt, but to be honest, everyone should be. Salt and butter are the two things that make everything taste better. You properly salt a steak and I’ll sing your praises. And that’s what RPM deserves this time. The steak was outstanding, and I could put it up with anywhere in the city on this evening. I guess every dog has its day.
Sides were asparagus, and actually a welcome French fry. Sometimes you can get too cute with sides and it was nice to see a regular old fried potato in front of us. Wine was also reasonable this time around, as we kept it in the sub $150 category, as it should be. We must have been on the locals wine menu tonight.
Last but not least, we shared some birthday cake for the birthday boy, Mr. Conway.
It was a pleasant surprise to have a great meal and experience at RPM. No overbearing waiters or sommeliers, and good company all around. Looking forward to Jon Glick taking us to the chophouse in June!
9/10
RPM Steak is home to one of the best bites of food in Chicago. More on that later. I arrived late from a work function and standardley not sober.
I arrived at the bar and our gracious host Mr. Conway handed me a glass of scotch. In my not so sober state I took a sip and asked, “What is this”? Bill responded with “it is a sample of your blood…no, it is actually Oban”.
We were shown to our table in the back and began to chow down. I love popovers and prefer them to standard bread at any restaurant. Soon to come was the best bite of food in Chicago – RPM’s coal fire crab. Well sectioned to allow maximum enjoyment of its rich buttery flavor that includes Japanese mayo to top it off. King crab, mayo and drawn butter; so simple yet so fucking brilliant! Bacon was overcooked – I didn’t care much for it.
Mr. Glick and I shared the dry aged rib-eye. Seems a bit gay, I do confess, but really the right call as I always leave half a steak on my plate. We both enjoy medium rare and so this has become somewhat of a regular thing for us. Steak was perfect and unlike Hans on the apps, was shared appropriately.
I must say I was not a fan of the weak side order. I like overdoing the sides. We didn’t have anything with cheese on it? Who does that at a steak place? So I can’t say much other than the fries were, well, fries. Wine selection was great and we all headed out after to Sienna. I stayed for a bit, left and upon hailing a cab, decided my night was not over so went right back in. The clear choice at the time. However, my morning hangover told me different.
Love RPM, would go back anytime. 9/10.
A common theme for steak night has been when we attend a much anticipated new opening, the restaurant fails to deliver. On the second trip (if it doesn’t go the Grass Fed route) most are considerably better. RPM didn’t disappoint.
Rick was especially excited for the weekend’s derby and he broke out his powder blue searsucker suit combined with a pink skin tie I think he saw Tom Brady wearing once. It was quite the look. More surprising was how fired up Rick got in politics. For one who generally frowns on the subject, his unwavering support of The Donald was something to behold.
The apps were good – while in honor of the Derby, the crab may have been better called the Exaggerator as it was the most hyped appetizer in steak night history – it didn’t disappoint.
I split the Bone-in with BRay – and it didn’t disappoint. Now that steakhouses have put $70 steaks on the menu, I have no shame in stepping up to split one.
Sides were great – fries and asparagus on point.
Special shout out to the bill (and Bill) wine was on point and the check was not as bad as feared.
Overall 8
Would give the overall experience a 9 based on the fcat that everyone(even Jevon) (but me) kept the night going. That was my highlight. Great to see.
I had some negative pre conceived notions about RPM Steak. It is always the place brought up as a favorite among girls who don’t know anything about steak places or at the very least have different criteria then yours truly. Judging it on things like trendiness, have the owners had a stint on reality TV, the scene and can I spilt my entrée with 10 girlfriends. My pre conceived notions were further reinforced when members of this group gave it luke warm reviews after the first visit. Perhaps I was aided by low expectations but I was pleasantly surprised by my first visit to RPM.
Crenshaw and I were the first to arrive and secured some quality real estate at the bar. The bar area has a more modern feel but is less obnoxious than anticipated. It was busy but not overly crowded and provided a quality setting to kick off the night. The group trickled in and we got the highlights of Crenshaw’s guest professor performance at DePaul. After hearing them I was surprised he hadn’t shown up in a tweed jacket with patches on the elbows. Despite his request the group has refused to address him as Professor Crenshaw or Dr. Crenshaw.
We were escorted to a nice round table in the middle of the bustling dining room. Appetizers included the Coal Roasted King Crab, which came with high expectations and delivered. The bacon was just ok, its bacon so it’s good but it lacked a distinct flavor. I love pop overs and these were great but there is something annoying about being charged extra for bread. I went with the boot steak which is basically the wet aged smaller version of the more expensive dry aged cowboy cut. It was fantastic, better than the dry aged steaks I sampled from those around the table.
Remember when the Bears hired Marc Trestman and you thought he was capable of doing the job but he failed miserably, the same can be said for Conway’s side order. Terrible job on ordering sides. I’m not a fan of having fries with steak, especially because the fries at many bars are better than those at steak places. If you get fries you need to get another potato too, something you have to eat with a fork. Steamed Asparagus, I don’t need something that makes my pee smell worse. We could have used a couple of additional sides.
Had some spirted dinner debate. I’m not a Trump supporter and to me it was less about politics and more about these extreme notions that gain steam in the media and society. I don’t support the overblown, over hyped, extreme doomsday scenarios that gain traction in the media, social media and society as a whole. Just like the world didn’t end with Y2K it will not end if Trump is elected, or whoever is elected regardless of what you think of them. Society should take a page out of the Public Enemy play book and Don’t Believe The Hype.
Went to Sienna Tavern for after dinner drinks. It was fairly tame until Brad decided to come back and then we went to Boss bar and the head was hurting a little more the next day. I am also issuing a challenge to the group, can we go somewhere besides Sienna Tavern next month? I like the place but we need to take a break from it.
Great night. Looking forward to the summer steak months.
Honestly, I do not remember a ton about the food other than that it was terrific and I was able to use a Christmas gift certificate to pay for my meal. I remember more that we had a lot of politics conversation. There is a reason we have avoided such topics for the duration that we have. It got heated and ugly. Spit flying, juicy bits of steak strewn, high tempers…. Well maybe it was not that dramatic, but it added flair. I was pleasantly surprised by RPM – it was not too crazed, nice setting, very good steak and great company. Well done