Steak joint Rosemont

Going to a show in Rosemont in a few weeks and want to do a steak house dinner. Will be eating early, around 5pm, I know it'll be expensive but that's fine - the point is to try one of the steak house places like downtown since we don't get there often and there are too many other places in the city to try.

So: thoughts on which one to go with?

I prefer - http://www.rosewoodrestaurant.com/ - good food without the hype.

Gibsons.

Dave148 wrote:I prefer - http://www.rosewoodrestaurant.com/ - good food without the hype.

I much enjoyed the Winter Special here a couple of weeks ago; it is still available.

Prime Rib + salad + side + dessert for $45.
My favorite prime rib in the area.

If steak is what you're really after, then I personally think you're better off with the Morton's/Gibson's route than Rosewood. I personally haven't had very good experiences at Rosewood.

I also like the atmosphere and decor at the new Hugo's at the Rivers Casino on River Rd, and they're pretty much serving the same menu as served at Gibson's down the street (same ownership of course), albeit with more seafood options. I've had a very well prepared steak there. Also, if you park on the 3rd floor of the garage, you don't need to go outside at all and you don't need to walk through the whole casino to get there. Of course, if your show is at the Rosemont Theater, this may add a 5-minute drive to the theater.

Thanks--anyone have reasoning for their choice over another place? I also checked out the Mortons menu, which doesnt post prices. Come on- we know its pricey, how about saying how much?

And to add a monkey wrench: are any of them walking distance to Rosemont Theater, to avoid parking twice?

Gibson's and McCormick & Schmick's are about two blocks from the theater.
M&S menu with prices -
http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/men ... Dinner.pdf

The shortest walk would be from Capital Grille. I know Gibson's offers free valet parking.

BR wrote:The shortest walk would be from Capital Grille. I know Gibson's offers free valet parking.

Capital Grille is pretty good in my experience.

Dave148 wrote:Gibson's and McCormick & Schmick's are about two blocks from the theater.

Not even. Both of those, as well as Capital Grille and Wildfire*, are only one or two buildings from the theater, about a three-minute walk for any of the four. They're all labeled on this map; restaurants have gold numbers, hotels have red numbers, so don't confuse the two.

I've got to believe that they all offer the ability to park your car once, for dinner and for the theater; you may want to call them to ask specifics regarding pay arrangements. Event parking tends to be expensive in that area, so if there's a way to park for free for both, it represents a deal.

Incidentally, Hugo's, mentioned above, is not walkable; it's on River Road north of Devon, about a mile and a half north of the theater.

*EDIT: There is no Wildfire in that area, as noted below.

nsxtasy wrote:

Dave148 wrote:Gibson's and McCormick & Schmick's are about two blocks from the theater.

Not even. Both of those, as well as Capital Grille and Wildfire, are only one or two buildings from the theater, about a three-minute walk for any of the four.

I'm not aware of any Wildfire in Rosemont, and it's not listed on the LEY website. Also, although it might seem as if Gibson's and M&S are so close to the theater, the distance door to door is actually a little longer walk than 3-4 minutes ... keep this in mind if anyone in your party is in heels.

BR wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:

Dave148 wrote:Gibson's and McCormick & Schmick's are about two blocks from the theater.

Not even. Both of those, as well as Capital Grille and Wildfire, are only one or two buildings from the theater, about a three-minute walk for any of the four.

I'm not aware of any Wildfire in Rosemont, and it's not listed on the LEY website. Also, although it might seem as if Gibson's and M&S are so close to the theater, the distance door to door is actually a little longer walk than 3-4 minutes ... keep this in mind if anyone in your party is in heels.

Wildfire was supposed to open in the space next to Capital Grille but never did.

Sorry. It (Wildfire) was shown on the map to which I provided a link. Regardless, the map is still a good guide for the area, since it shows the actual buildings involved.

I'll have to say Gibson's too. The 10oz filet mignon is $33.25 and the 48oz porterhouse is $94.50.

Thanks for the tips, that map especially is helpful. The only way Ill pay 98.00 for a steak is if you hold a gun to my head. Maybe Id let you shoot me first. Im going to search the few right near R/Theater and call reference parking, and then pick.
Thanks again, LITH-ers

aviva5675 wrote:Thanks for the tips, that map especially is helpful. The only way Ill pay 98.00 for a steak is if you hold a gun to my head. Maybe Id let you shoot me first. Im going to search the few right near R/Theater and call reference parking, and then pick.
Thanks again, LITH-ers

Aviva,

That $98.00 steak is actually a porterhouse for two, rendering the price an almost-economical $48.00 per person.

Fresser wrote:That $98.00 steak is actually a porterhouse for two, rendering the price an almost-economical $48.00 per person.

Check your math...

aviva5675 wrote:Thanks--anyone have reasoning for their choice over another place? I also checked out the Mortons menu, which doesnt post prices. Come on- we know its pricey, how about saying how much?

As far as Morton's, I took DH there for dinner in 2005, and it was about $250. I can't remember now if that included a bottle of wine, or if we just had cocktails and a glass of wine with dinner. We've also been to Gibson's, but it was for my birthday, so I didn't see the check. As far as Rosewood goes, yes, the food is pretty good; it's just that I always feel like I should be sitting at the kiddie table when I go there, as it seems the clientele skews older. (And I'm no spring chicken, alas.)

McCormick & Scmick's is also very good, but I've only been to the one downtown, not the Rosemont outpost.

I can't find a Morton's Rosemont menu with prices, although you can see the one for their Gold Coast location here. If you're going there between February 17 and 26, the Rosemont location is participating in Restaurant Week; you can view the special RW menu here. Their regular menu will also be available. Same thing for Capital Grille, whose Rosemont location is also participating in Restaurant Week and whose RW menu is here. Note, in previous years, some restaurants have extended their RW specials beyond the official end (Feb 26).

Regarding McCormick & Schmick, keep in mind that they are primarily known for their seafood, rather than their steaks. Not that you can't get a steak there; you can. But... okay, point made.

My choice would be Capital Grille. Had a great meal there the other night. For two with drinks it was just under $200.00. Not a place I go every week , but of the airport spots my favorite.

My choice in Rosemont is Morton's. The steaks are great, and the price is right in line with the rest, ~ $50 for a ribeye or NY strip, ~ $10-15 for a side dish. The best thing about Morton's is the General Manager, Patrick. He's just one of those guys who makes you feel like long time friends on your first visit. It is a little smaller than the other Rosemont steak houses, and it sits in the basement of one of the office buildings. So depending on your perception the feel is either a little like the space is an afterthought or it is speakeasy-esque.

I never pass up the lobster bisque, but I am always eyeing the wedge salad. Souffles for desert are great, but I usually skip those and head for a digestif.

The location is right across the street from the Muvico, about half a mile from the Rosemont Theater. Valet for $5, but the lot is free and right outside the restaurant.

I love a good steak, and for Rosemont, Morton's delivers, but the real draw here is the service. Go meet Patrick, and you'll get the real steakhouse treatment.

Morton's
9525 West Bryn Mawr Avenue
Rosemont, IL
(847) 678-5155

I would go with Morton's. I have been to Gibson's 8 to 10 times and have never thought anything I have eaten there compares to the porterhouse cut at Morton's.

The veal chop at the Capital Grill is pretty darn good.

I haven't been to a Capital Grille in a long time, but my recollection is that it's the only one of the bunch offering dry aged beef. That probably makes it a little pricier, but something to consider if that's important. Me, I'll take dry aged if all else is equal (other than price).

Dave148 wrote:I prefer - http://www.rosewoodrestaurant.com/ - good food without the hype.

I am going to have to second this, i have been going to rosewood for years and it is consistently good. Mortons would be my second choice.

never been a huge fan of capitol grille, gibsons is ok

Narrowed it to Gibsons, Capital Grille, McCormick/Schmick and Mortons. Not very narrow. Will have hubby look at the menus and give input. They all seem to fit the bill on most accounts, tho Gibson's I think is the most expensive, and the farthest from the theater. Anyone able to speak to any place doing dry vs wet aging and how that might influence our decision? Or doesnt apply here....

Capital Grille is the only one of the bunch that offers a number of dry aged meats (I don't think the others offer any dry aged options). Most steakhouses in Chicago offer wet aged - typically a less expensive aging process and some people are not big fans of dry aged beef. Dry aging beef will typically lead to a more intense beef flavor, although some find it too gamey. If you peruse the David Burke's Primehouse thread, you'll see that some people have greatly enjoyed the dry aged beef there, but not as much when it gets to the 55- or 70-day dry aged steaks . . . all a matter of preference.

aviva5675 wrote:Narrowed it to Gibsons, Capital Grille, McCormick/Schmick and Mortons. Not very narrow. Will have hubby look at the menus and give input. They all seem to fit the bill on most accounts, tho Gibson's I think is the most expensive, and the farthest from the theater.

Not true on both counts. Maybe you meant to say that about Morton's instead of Gibsons?

Morton's is the farthest of these from the theater (about 1/2 mile - north past the Crowne Plaza, the Doubletree containing Gibsons, the Embassy Suites, then around the corner past the Sofitel). The other three are all about the same short distance; across the street and past the Crowne Plaza to Gibsons, or across the theater parking lot and then across the street to Capital Grille and McC&S.

Morton's is also the most expensive, with Capital Grille second. For example, a 10-ounce "petit filet mignon" is $41 at Capital Grille, $33.25 at Gibsons, $28.95 (petite, size unspecified - regular is $35.95) at McCormick & Schmick. Morton's menu only shows the $50 price for a double-cut filet, probably similar to the larger 14-ounce one Gibsons has for $40.25. Again, Morton's and Capital Grille have a special bargain menu for Restaurant Week, through Feb 26 (and possibly longer).

Again, McCormick & Schmick is a good choice for seafood, but I'd choose one of the others if you're both looking for steak.

Using quality and consistency as my benchmark, I would go with Morton's. I have never had anything other than a great experience there. Food and service have always been superb, whereas I have had rushed service and less-than-stellar food at Gibson's.

Regarding Capital Grille--- We have never eaten there, but NOWHERE on their website do they claim that they serve USDA Prime meat. It might be an innocent omission, but I think that they would trumpet that fact if they did.