As the calendar quickly turned from fall to winter for Chicago’s finest dining group, it was quite heartwarming to again have the occasion upon on us when we gathered at one of the city’s finer establishments for the November edition of Steak Night.  Bestowed up on us to make the night even more full of magic was an old flame, Dr. Mark Zebro.  Upon his original acceptance of my personal invitation, far be it from me to expect any letdowns on this night.

That said, the bar at Mastro’s is defnitinetly not a letdown, and if you go there, it might sadly be near the highlight of the meal.  Expansive, good service, nicely lit with accessible for viewing televisions all support attendance here.  Mix in a desirably-looking lounge singer with a decent back up band (was there even a band?) and you have a reason to come back.

After changing the reservation a couple times last minute due to uncertain group participation (can we penalize that shit), the clock struck 8pm and away to our table we went.  Not sure if word has spread around, but it is nice to see that our group seems to get one of the most central tables in the restaurant of late…just almost perfectly so placed where The Long Island Sound can easily disrupt a few diners.  That said, as I noted to young Mason at one point, the table this time around didn’t have too much significance as half the dining room (as well as upstairs) was vacant during the night.  Why, you may ask?

The service at Mastro’s was pretty spot on and almost made up for the redic pricing at the place – whether it was for food, booze or wine, which just borders on the insulting when it comes to the knowledge and history this group has.  So, trying to be frugal, which was impossible, we ordered the first 2 bottles (of what I think was a 5 bottle night) of Hess Allomi for a cool $75.  Complimenting that on the apps was a nicely sautéed shrimp, gargantuan bacon flight and king crab, which began to fill up the group nicely.

Conversation was lively as usual – dashing to and fro from financial markets and the impeachment that will never happen to how bad Matt Nagy sucks.  Yeah, I’ll say it again.  Mitch isn’t a bad QB, Nagy has abandoned him by sucking away his confidence and creating a toxic environment in which he could have thrived.  Oh wait…what were his stats against the Lions that following week?

Back to the food and what is most important – the steaks.  Overall good comments were circulated both in temp and cut, however, I wasn’t blown away.  Given my go-to these days being in the bone-in filet, a poor temp or lack of seasoning does not hide in that thing.  Overall the cook was good but the “steak taste” if there was such a thing, was lacking.  I am guessing the sides were good, and certain they were expensive.

Crenshaw walked free for his first CC roulette win in ages, well deserved, and it was the doctor’s birthday as we did acknowledge the others recently celebrating in the group.  The night finished early for me but not before an obligatory trip to local luxury bar, Snickers, to mingle with some other white collar folk.

6.5/10

 

 

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