As another steak night beckoned, and needing to get the flow of the New Year off to a good start (actually it already was gleaming with the OSU dismantling of the Tide), the noted steak gentlemen of Chicago descended upon the next venue fit for our enlightenment – Sullivan’s.  Given that a schedule adjustment was made to accomodate those with festive New Year’s schedules, the group’s dine was moved to January 8th, which was fitting for most of us – having nearly a packed house of 8 attendees also put us in the deep freeze of winter with outside temps struggling to approach zero degrees.

Fittingly, that seems to be where Sullivan’s business activity might be as well.  Having been here a couple times in the last few years including a steak night visit, the restaurant vibe seemed pale in comparison to what had been experienced prior.  Did the weather do it?  Was it the falling oil prices?  The fact that the “walk us through our sides” group was returning for yet more mischief?

Getting to the meal and service probably answers that better than anything.  The bar area is rather comfortable and was in decent shape for the evening as I arrived to find a few of the fellas waiting for me.  I was a touch late as I had arrived a the venue a few minutes earlier to find the dining room completely empty and turned around and walked out…only to find this was the right place.  A true stinger like the Jack Frost that nipped at my nose the whole walk over that evening.  Jack Frost I hate you.

Post bar, I was able to frankly take the group myself to the table.  This was a true honor and one that more hosts of the evening should try.  I actually got to feel what it was like seating easily the largest group of the night at pretty much any table we wanted.  Nicely for us there was an 8-er laid out in the middle of the dining room where we could make all the noise we wanted and not offend anyone since the restaurant was on fire at this point as 4 new diners (2 couples) had inexplicably chosen the place for dining pleasure that night as well.

The service was as close to impeccable as a dead restaurant would get, so that is good.   Kenny, the waiter, was a bit too animated, used his hands a lot and the pic above proves it.  For the apps, the calamari still showed it steps up to the plate when called upon (a past group favorite) and I happened to like the garlic meatballs as a change of pace from usual apps.  Picked some wine I can’t recall as the vintage was off on the menu and thus we got a bit younger wine than anticipated.   The steaks came out mixed – some over done, some perfectly cooked, and some with some interesting cuts – shame on those who do the steak for two as you clearly get your punishment from the restaurant on that one.   I particularly enjoyed the au gratin potatoes as the perfect steak compliment and was hoping for a good round of liars poker – only to have Mr. Glick take the free dinner down after a long and painful season of pick ’em on the Yahoo! site.  Well done for sticking it through all the way on a 17 week season.

The gentlemen went off in the night to their respective endeavors and all in all the meal was sufficient but the ambiance was a bit lacking.  Sullivan’s had been a curiously forgotten staple of the group and before this month, I wondered why.  Now the picture has become a bit clearer and with new blood moving into town, Sullivan’s might want to think of a refresh to stay relevant.

7/10

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