GT Prime
Having missed the groups first trip to GT Prime I was particularly interested in trying this out after reading the rave reviews. Upon arrival, it was obvious this is a recent entrant into the Chicago steakhouse market scene being all dark wood, brass fixtures, and exposed concrete. The space itself is a bit too cozy if not claustrophobic. The bar area lining the south wall is jammed in with high tops that are both for dinner and drink use which seems like a bad idea for keeping drinks flowing. The service however was eager and spot on. The finest gentlemen in Chicago began to arrive and we shortly had our high top to capacity of both man spreading and various liquor. A side note, their draconian $50.00 per person cancellation policy is outright absurd especially when you are dealing with the likes of Mr. Donald 60/40 Cole. I still cant figure out which is which in his percentages as they tend to equal 0/100 of late despite is return to excellence initiative.
I had called ahead and requested no booth to avoid frisky knee touches from Scooter Markets. The hostess was reminded and delivered us the main banquette when you enter the dining room. I was surprised how small the dining room actually is given some of the other recent entrants into the market like Steak 48 that feature multiple levels and enough room to drive a short bus through. Conversation mainly revolved around the financial state of the union and risk averse strategies. There was also debate over whether or not Scotty wears pants while on TV, the question was not resolved but assume no. I fired in some seafood apps to get us started. The tuna crudo was quite good while the crab and avocado looked like a bad skittles ad, however was pretty good as well. our waitress was quick with the wine list and actually said, “if you want to look cool you should order a magnum.” Jay Cutler responded best with his trademark, “doooooon’t caaaaaaare.” I handed off the wine duty to our two headed beast of a sommelier known as Phelpsizzle who did an outstanding job keeping our glasses full and the prices reasonable.
On to the main event. GT Prime is all about the Carnivore platter that allows patrons to taste various cuts of meat in lieu of ordering your own steak. In theory this is an interesting concept in practice I found it to be a failure. The portion size of 8oz causes temperature issues with the different cuts of meat and should you find there is something you prefer more than the other you are unlikely to get a second pass at it. We ended up going back for seconds on the strip loin and the bison, both were quite good. I was disappointed by the A5 Samurai Kamakazi Wagyu after hearing tales from abroad of meat melting in mouths in FL and TX. The sides were adequate at best although I can’t speak to the roasted cauliflower because Cizzle killed it before it made it around the horn. Nice job. I need someone to explain to me why there is such aversion to having carrot cake on a steakhouse menu. Even key lime pie got das boot over the past couple years. In the place of these staples there are a bunch of overpriced bland desserts that sell hard and disappoint harder, kinda like Rick Ray at 3am. Overall, good evening with Chicago’s finest but I would not put GT Prime ahead of some of our other favorites if someone was asking for a recommendation. A couple of beers after dinner resulted in a hazy 5am wake up on Friday. 7.5/10
Filed under: General
Although I was a bit late to arrive, and therefore an non-contributing supporter to yet another free bar tab via J Cizzle. Once seated in a nicely quaint dining roon, we were beset on the night. After some pretty good apps, it was onto the meat and that is where GT Prime was one of my favorite recent steak nights. It was nice to get a buffet type offering of several cuts of meat, all of which were cooked to perfection. However, as the point was noted, if you found a good cut you liked, it probably was your only chance at it. Finishing off the night with my birthday celebration which brought me to tears and led us into the end of the night at the Kerryman for some local color.
7.5/10
The last time we were there we were crowded out in the back room hi-top that largely isolated us from the balance of the restaurant. I was looking forward to a proper table in the actual dining room this time. I got there on time and the bar area was real crowded and I had one seat smashed up against a concrete poll. Luckily a table top opened and I was able to grab it. Hans and I kicked it all off and I have to say the server in the bar area was very good. A few obans and off to the table we went.
The menu is just ok here. The apps were good – nothing great. The tuna crudo didn’t disappoint but was nothing special and crab and avocado went the way crab and avocado usually goes…just good. The group went on to the carnivore plate which is nice to get a sample of everything but not really a “steak night” dish – it kind of feels like a steak night tapas event which I am strongly not in favor of….ever. Bison steak got top marks from me. I was very surprised and would order a bison steak all on its own. Not a ton of marbling obviously, but tender and juicy – solid change of pace
I was sitting across from Crenshaw and he was pissed at the servers rate of pour….and I have to agree. At one point she was standing over him waiting for him to set his glass down, which was still ¾ full, so she could top him off….weak.
We went out to a fart smelling bar after and all left. At first I thought it was martin crop-dusting the place as he is known to do….alas, the stench didn’t dissipate. We closed the night at Kerryman where I bought drinks because I flew free (2nd month in a row) thanks to the eagles.
We welcome home a great American next version of steak night and I for one am excited.
I missed the maiden voyage to GT Prime, which received rave reviews from the group. I was ready to pop my GT Prime cherry and see what all the hype was about.
We had an enjoyable happy hour, with an excellent server, unfortunately the great service would end here. Drinks were paid for by Crenshaw for posting violations. This year Steak Night happy hour is starting to feel like Vegas because the drinks are always comped.
Remember back in the day before social media when you spoke to someone on the phone and visualized what they looked like. Then you finally meet them in person and they look nothing like you thought, to me that’s what the dining room at GT Prime was like, nothing like I pictured it.
Our waitress was one of the worst we have ever had, pushy, not particularly knowledgeable, basically trying to get the group to chug wine as quickly as possible to drive up the bill. The starters were average at best. We got the meat sampler platter, which was good and gave you the chance to try cuts like bison which normally wouldn’t happen and it was excellent. However the platter was super small and overpriced. Basically four 8 oz cuts per platter, I believe we got two platters so 8 oz of meat per man. When you usually get a 22 oz ribeye or 24 oz porter house for yourself this isn’t going to cut it. This is the first time I have ever left steak night hungry. The steak platters had a Tapas feel and we all know Tapas is the worst thing ever invented. The cauliflower side with peppers was really good.
I was not a fan of this place. Overpriced, bad service, average apps, tiny portions, I don’t understand how it was universally praised the first time. I’m curious if the group that loved it so much the first time feels the same way after this visit. Definitely not rushing back.
We closed at the Kerryman. On to April and the return of the only man in Qatar to routinely dress like Harry Carey for Halloween.