Gibson’s Italia – What’s Old is New Again
February in Chicago is generally one of the tougher times of the years – no less brutal this year as the weather has been downright awful. Trying to turn the situation around we decided to try one of the newest kids on the block – Gibson’s Italia
7 (er 6) of us enjoyed the night due to a much expected last minute cancellation from DC who at this point probably should start watching youtube videos on how to chug an entire bottle of luxardo because that’s what he’s probably built up to at this point.
Nevertheless 6 of Chicago’s finest ( The Brothers Ray, Scottie Martin and Hans and Crenshaw who decided to dress up like Stepbrothers for some reason) attacked the scene and the Mr. Martin sponsored drinks at Gibson’s Italia. Much was made of the Pappy’s on the barlist – but alas we all let Mr. Martin off easy. His shot of Luxardo was taken like a man. They call the gordie howe hat trick a goal an assist and a fight – I think the Scottie Martin version would be picking up the bar tab, doing a shot of luxardo and picking up at least one random dude at the bar. Alas tonight he did not convert as the dudes were surprisingly not biting.
As for outfits Rick was in full Patriots Bandwagon mode, replacing his Alabama houndstooth Fedora with the Bellichick cut sweater. We’re all looking forward to tournament time when he breaks out his Blue Devil blazer.
On to dinner – the setting is really well done and we had a booth in the back with a good view. Unfortunately it was a booth for 4 and the 5 of us crammed in could not survive the manspreading going on. This would be my only knock on the space.
Apps were a dozen oysters that were solid, meatballs (which caused us to learn Brad can fit two of which in his mouth – not that night – but in practice) and rice balls that were filled with cheese.
On to the steaks – where Brad and I split the Chicago chop – which was great despite having sat in the serving plate for what seemed like a long time as it lacked its sizzle.
Waitress was great, rolled with all of our jokes and even allowed us to learn that Crenshaw fantasizes about having a fist shoved up his ass. Weird things you learn. They comped the cost of the steak back to us and gave us an extra dessert after the Birthday Boy – Scottie Martin – flubbed his lines by going for the Italian Cookie tower. Last time we let the Birthday Boy pick.
BRay walked and I’m starting to feel like how the Cubs and Sox fans felt during the past 80 years – I won a few in the beginning but have not won since we expanded beyond 6 guys.
Went back to the bar afterwards and played my favorite game of Spot the Pro. Verdict was inconclusive as to whether there are more in the new or the original.
Overall: 8.5
Filed under: General
6 Responses to “Gibson’s Italia – What’s Old is New Again”
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I was fairly optimistic to give this new Gibsons a shot predominantly to see the space but also to see if they could update the classic to make something new. Obviously we did not dabble into the italian options sticking to the steak, but the menu certainly had some reasons to give it another shot when not in the company of Chicago’s finest. I found myself being privately chauffeured directly to the front door by none other than the illustrious Scott Martin who is known mainly for his flowing mane of curly locks and secondly for his repertoire of witty quips. Upon entry it isn’t well marked where you are supposed to start your evening so Scotty and I took the elevator for a ride and ended up a floor above our destination. Luckily he found a guy in a bathroom or somewhere that could give better directions. Upon our arrival the high top against the windows facing the split in the Chicago river was as welcome a sight as four fingers of free bourbon aged til it was legal. Service was impeccable. After we ran up the tab on our successful TV personality friend we headed to our table for dinner.
The booth was perfectly situated and the multi tiered setup gave everyone a piece of the view. BRay, had something going on down south that required maintaining 18 inches between his knees at all times, only a doctor can confirm if its contagious. The apps were all on point, nothing outrageously unique but all delicious. I decided to get my bone in filet from down under. I didnt detect an accent but did have a perfectly cooked piece of meat. Sides were much like the apps, all perfectly on point. Overall it was a very solid showing by the fancy new kid on the new block of the Chicago river. I would definitely recommend it for the experience, the view, and the service. The food was all extremely good, and given the trend of late among its competitors, I thought reasonably well priced. Having now lost the Super Bowl pool to BRay as his Eagles took out my Patsies, I must admit I am tired of paying for his dinner. This aggression will not stand. 8.5/10
PS, I think the bar had more professionals than meets the eye.
The destination for February was Gibson’s Italia, a relative new comer on the Chicago steak scene but brought to you by some of the originators of said scene. Despite the Italian slant it is still very much a steak place in many ways. I was really curious what this place would be like compared to the original.
Everybody was anxious to get there early because drinks were on everybody’s favorite Fox TV personality, no not Joe Buck but Scotty Martin. I arrived to find Crenshaw and Brad situated at a table at the back of the room. I like how the bar is on one floor and the main dining room is on another. I enjoyed the bar area, certainly a different, newer, hip vibe compared to the old school original. You can already see the bar has become an after work hot spot and when the weather gets warmer that will get magnified because there is a great outdoor area. The waitress was almost too on top of it, ready to refill your glass before you were finished. The rest of the crew rolled in and we enjoyed a great happy hour.
We all piled into the elevator and headed up to the main dining room. The room has a great view and was packed. We had a booth in the back of the room, while this provided an impressive view for everyone it is a booth. To me booths are for diners, which is the only place I like sitting in them. They are passable if you have like four people but when you have more they are just too crowded, especially when it is a table of strapping young lads many of whom frequent East Bank. However the booth was one of the few negative parts of the meal, obviously Brad winning at credit card roulette would also fall into that category.
The apps included meatballs and risotto balls which were both delicious and let us sample some of the Italian inspired cuisine. I went with the Chicago Cut medium rare. While the steak was excellent it came out sliced, why? I don’t understand this at all, give me a huge chunk of meat and I will cut it myself. I can’t remember the sides at this point. The waitress was excellent, I honestly didn’t realize she was missing a hand until like 20 minutes into the meal. Super impressive. After dinner we went back to the downstairs bar and apparently stopped at Lone Wolf on the way home which I didn’t remember until the following morning.
I think Gibson’s Italia is a worthy addition to the Chicago steak night scene and it is able to establish itself with a different vibe and take then the original. If Gibson’s is the Grandfather you like to visit Gibson’s Italia feels like the hip Grandson. I would like to try this place on a non steak night, I picture getting a small filet and a bowl of pasta. Great times as always, on to March.
I have to say this was probably my favorite steak night in the last year…or that doesn’t really say much because I believe I have been to what, 3 of them? Eh…who’s counting. Might be due to the fact that whenever I show up, and probably being one of the poor guys at the table, curiously I am always paying. Thanks Obama!
The cocktail ‘2 hour’ on me was a pure delight and after getting back on the sugar train with some smelly scotch I was happy to piss off the table with a stout order of Ardbeg, which is sure to displease the sensitive. What was a bustling, happening bar area that was not easy to find still allowed us to have solid service and feel like we were in the right place for dinner.
Arriving at our table though was quite a disappointment as the booth had a fat guy in a little coat type feel with 5 dudes into what would typically be an area with 3 people in it. Oh and then i was given the seat on the end where i was able to have my back to the restaurant and the lovely view down the Chicago River with only my erudite guests able to describe it to me.
The apps I don’t really remember – but I heard they were good. I ordered the bone in filet medium rare with some bernaise sauce and given the unevenness of recent cooks on steak with this group, I have to say that the bone in filet is one of the safer, more tender pieces you are going to get at a steak joint. Very reliable piece de resistance.
Worth noting the place died down considerably while we were eating and getting out of there was still a chore with the valet losing my car for a few trying minutes…but all in all it was a fine selection and I’d go back, even just to try to catch a glimpse of the view that I missed.
8
Not often this group of fine gents gets to go to a brand new spot. Gibson’s Italia is just a steak house – nothing too Italian about it, which was fine by me. I got there a bit early since Martin was buying drinks. I went easy on him, despite wanting to destroy the Pappy 23-year at about $250 a glass.
The space is pretty cool at Italia. The elevator opens up to a huge bar area that was packed. The bar itself doesn’t have a ton of seating but table tops around and more of a lounge vibe around the corner create a cool space. The restaurant itself is on a different floor. The group was pretty crammed into a small booth which was the drawback of the evening. Waitress was great and able to roll with the group. The oysters for an app were delicious as were the aroncini and meatballs. As per usual Glick and I split the chop which was great – cold – but great.
We had some lively super bowl discussion where Rick predictably stroked off the patriots. Alas, Eagles was the pick and won me the following:
• $2,500 from Martin
• $170 from Rick
• Free March Steak Dinner
• Admission from rick in front of the table “Brad, you were right”
I also happened to walk free on the night…..Kid Ray on a roll!
Kudos to martin for taking down the luxardo like a man…..Don Cole is up next. Great night and very much look forward to going back to Italia when the weather is nice and having some drinks outside.
8.5
Gibson’s Italia may turn into a quentissental summer drinking location. Situated at a unique spot on the river near lake street, Gibson’s has really hit a homerun with this one. Three levels of culinary and alcoholic excellence punctuate one of the best views in the city.
We had a nice group of five, at a table for four. Other than the rookie seating accommodations, everything else was excellent. I had a really nice ribeye, while others in the group chose their normal cuts. To be honest, I’d say only half were satisfied. User error in my opinion. But movlng on, the apps and sides were a nice blend of a classic dish, prepared on a modern way.
Scotty chose an awful dessert from what I recall. Some sort of Madeleine tower.
All in all a great night at a fabulous location that we’ll be sure to return to soon.
Time Zone Test. Currently 10:30 CST.