With the summer heat on, 6 of the city’s finest gentleman descended on their next target for steak – Keefer’s Restaurant in River North.  As usual, the ambiance in the bar was welcoming, with the large windows offering an extensive view of a bustling rush hour while diners enjoyed drinks and steak on the patio just outside.  Everyone was on time, except for, ahem, a player not to be mentioned, and we indulged in some drinks and housing market talk while we waited for our table to be prepared.

Upon seating, we were immediately greeted by Emily and Patty – liking the two servers to one table style here – and of course they noticed the empty chair at our table.  We informed them of the usual routine with this and they offered both a psychoanalysis of the situation as well as a practical solution of removing the chair and place setting as to confuse the missing member.  It was appreciated by the group and accepted.

Finally our last member arrived, blackberry in hand, and we were set to go.  I had already taken the reigns on wine and apps – going with a Hall cab that was recommended by Ol’ Gims and some apps that were recommended, by, well, me.  After some shrimp, some fish tacos, and a couple versions of calamari, we were ready to rock into dinner.  The take on the apps?  Lots of selection and a solid delivery on variety, taste and portion.

As we awaited dinner, conversation heated up into NFL season, Aaron Hernandez and other stories of the day…including what seems to be this groups growing interest in golf, which begs for a tournament/outing soon booked around a steak night “on location.”   Once the steaks came, it was time to get down to business, most of us going with the usual bone in ribeye medium rare, and all being brought out to/near perfection.  All but one, of course, our late friend received one too hot for his taste and sent it back, only to get a better one a few minutes later — but no tears were shed in the process.  The taste, seasoning, presentation of the steak was up to my standards and when put together with the walking sides of peas (a steak night first), fried onions and au gratin potatoes, we all had enough to fill up our plates.

Dessert time came and after a few coffees around, Brad Ray enjoyed an array of fresh sweets for his birthday and Zee German walked free after CC roulette.  The two ladies who attended our table for the evening did a fine job of reading the names on the cards and spotting out who it belonged to without any prior coaching — yes, it may be indeed true that the legend of steak night has grown enough to be recognized anywhere in restaurants with more than 4 cuts of beef on the menu.

Overall Keefer’s delivered up to expectations (which are high for this place).  Let’s keep the good flow going as it seems we always come to my turn needing a rebound from a crappy night prior.  Hopefully this re-lit the torch for a good run to come…

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