Speakeasy Supperclub

Just saw the post on South-- which I'm planning on trying this weekend-- and thought I'd chime in on their sister restaurant, Speakeasy Supperclub.

Went there on a Friday night a few weeks ago with my brother. It was fairly empty-- but also was opening week for South which might explain it. Inside it is dimly lit, with exposed brick walls, and floor to ceiling windows on one side, looking out on Devon.

Dinner:

Our server was very attentive, helpful in describing dishes and seemed to really enjoy her job. We were very pleasantly surprised to be served with a complimentary amuse-bouche, a warm salmon croquette-- very tasty. My brother got a salad of spinach, goat cheese, pecans and strawberries with a vinaigrette dressing. Delicious! I got the "duo" of salmon and tuna. It consisted of a salmon tartare with sesame seeds and a tuna spring roll, filled with lightly seared tuna. Found the salmon to have too much lemon juice sprinkled over it and I should have remembered that I'm just not that big a fan of seared tuna. After the appetizer we were served a second surprise treat-- this time it was a "sangria" sorbet served in a martini glass. I skipped on the main course-- not for lack of great sounding options (including an ostrich wellington)-- but because I was getting full and wanted to hold out for dessert. My brother ordered a pecan(?) encrusted grouper, served with mashed potatoes. Very good, flaky, rich... By the time he was finished with that, he was too full to get a dessert all to himself. We decided to share the "hot chocolate" creme brulee. Oh-My-God. This was the definite highlight of the meal. rich, luscious milk chocolate with a definite spicy heat. It was, in a word, delicious.

Total bill: $70 incl tax and tip

Other plusses included: BYO (permanently!), prompt & attentive service, low-volume atmosphere (jazz played softly in the background, noise from other tables was minimal.

Definitely recommend & will be back... after I try South

Speakeasy Supper Club
1401 West Devon Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660
773-338-0600

I ate at Speakeasy about six months ago and was entirely underwhelmed by the food and service.

We shared a portobello appetizer which was very oily. I had the ostrich wellington which tasted passable but was a mess on the plate. The Ms. had monkfish, if my memory serves, and it was just OK.

I remember that they were out of my inital order (one of the specials) and I didn't find out until very late. Now, I am not tough on service people at all. I empathize with their difficult job, but I believe that if there is any possibility that an order might not be able to go through, they should find out right away. A different server came back nearly 15minutes after our app. was cleared and asked me to pick something else. A big no-no in my mind, and is a symptom of a mis-managed kitchen.

When my make-up order came out, it was delivered by a chef from the kitchen in a FILTHY white smock.

We shared the red chilie creme brulee with a curried truffle for dessert, which was enjoyable.

All in all, the food was passable, but not worth the price. They seemed to be trying way too hard, and missing the mark, in every respect. That, and the lack of the service staff's attention to detail made us choose not to return.

Just my 2 cents.

Best,
EC