Keefer's

Mrs. JiLS and I enjoyed our anniversary weekend by staying (with our loyal terrier Peanut) at the Amalfi Hotel at Dearborn and Kinzie. Picked it because it was a deal on Orbitz, and honestly wouldn't recommend it for non-business travelers (the Burnham Hotel is much, much better for the pleasure traveler, with mutt).

Anyway, we ate dinner last night at Keefer's, picked partly for convenience (it's in the same building as the Amalfi and I predicted correctly we would be tired by the time we got there), and partly from a dialogue I got into on CH comparing Keefer's to Saloon Steakhouse (which I wanted to visit for personal reasons). First, the plus side for Keefer's. The steaks (filet mignon and Kansas City strip) were impeccable. In fact, all the food was first rate. Mrs. JiLS had a tomato and onion salad, with gorgonzola, that was a breath of August -- neither of us could figure where they got these tomatoes from, but they tasted like they were dug out of our own yard that day. I had a shrimp cocktail, because I was at a steakhouse and that is what I have as an appetizer when I go to a steakhouse (which is rarely). The shrimp were pretty good, the sauce was pretty mild. Not bad, not great, but they tasted good with a very large and very well mixed Maker's Manhattan. Sides were also pretty tasty (basically just cheese and potatoes and sauteed spinach, but well done). And the wine list was decent and, quite unexpectedly, reasonably priced. We enjoyed a '99 Cosentino "Poet" Meritage, just the sort of jammy fruit bomb I love so much (and associate with that label). That was about $80, but the average bottle on their list was maybe $40, with only a few peeking above $100 and one or two going higher than that. Maybe they keep a few bottles you have to ask for, but I found it refreshing not to have the $700 bottles of 1st growth Bordeaux on the list.

We had the good fortune to be seated outside the main room, which was stirring like a beehive and uncomfortably loud. Our table was nestled in the corner by the fireplace and was a fine place for intimate conversation rather than yelling over the throng. However, this was Saturday night before Valentine's Day, so I'll guess even the main room isn't so chaotic on most nights. That said, and considering this may be the reason behind the following complaint, I did find the service was way too quick. We were pushed through our courses and, worse yet, plates with food still on them were removed without asking (O.K., not the steaks, but bread, salad, etc. were whisked away with robotic efficiency and nary a question from the bussing staff). Another very minor complaint: I like Basil Hayden bourbon in my Manhattan; even Harry Caray's (right across the street) can accomodate that request, but either Keefer's didn't have it or my waiter didn't know what it is. Just a minor point, but still it shows something. At the price point, I'd like to be pampered and accommodated (within reason), and I just didn't feel that was going on at Keefer's. Good to great quality food; service just a solid "B".

I was doing a little Valentine's dinner research and came across this. Wondered about LTH Keefer experiences, because I was thinking of going back there (we go every other year or so).

If you ever have a rushed or off feeling at Keefer's, don't hesitate to let Glenn Keefer know about it. He work's the floor on nearly every shift and is genuinely into providing the best dining experience he can.

He tries to talk to everyone, but doesnt always get to. I've been compted drinks or appetizers just for chatting with him, not even complaining (such as telling him it was our anniversary, or something)

Very enthusiatic restauranteur.

After reading the Playboy Top Ten Steakhouses in America, which included Keefers, I went there this past week with mixed results. Our "bored with saying the same speech over and over" waitess barely tolerated us as we dined on everything from a tasty ceviche but diiffucult to spoon out of a glass, a very average crab cake and tartare, to a beautifully cooked Filet. Wine List is fairly esoteric for a steakhouse.

Another perspective - went to Keefer's recently with a fairly large party and had excellent, attentive, non-rushed service. Not sure if that just means they had no other reservations for 6 and were therefore in no rush to turn over our table, but we all left completely satisfied with the food and service.

I dined at Keefer's a couple of years ago for the first time and felt horribly rushed as well, which was not appreciated considering the final tab. Plates were wisked away as soon as our forks hit the table. I also recall asking the waiter how the pork chops were, and got an answer along the lines of, "well this is a steak house, so I would order a steak." Which if that is his way of saying he does not recommend the pork chops, he should have said that, as opposed to reminding what type of restaurant I chose to dine at. I ended up having the pork chops, probably more to spite the waiter (although they are a favorite of mine) and did enjoy them. They were huge and cooked very nicely.

I enjoyed lunch at Keefer's much more than my dinner experience. At lunch, I surprisingly never felt rushed and had a pleasant waiter, who gave many helpful suggestions.

Food is very good, but would not go back for dinner because of the poor service I had received many years ago. If I was at a burger joint, I don't mind, but when these waiters are making hundreds of dollars per night in tips, I do expect more for them.

Butter.......I would give it another try.

I have never had a bad meal, experience, service lapse or anything close to a problem in the dozens of times I have been to Keefer's--lunch, but mostly dinner. I think this is one of the most professionally run restaurants in Chicago, with absolutely solid, straight-ahead food. Innovative it ain't, but I've found it to be just the right place for widely mixed groups--it works as a steakhouse (of sorts) for those looking for the tops in that, but is every bit as strong in fish and seafood (not just with a few afterthoughts for those who happen not to want a steak). It also serves as a place for those wanting something less formal/more casual/less pricey with their bistro menu--burgers, fish and chips, steak frites, etc.

I also thought it was pretty cool last year when the City Council announced the smoking ban for 2008, Keefer's went smoke-free that day, way in advance of being forced to do so. A great move, and I'm told it resulted in an increase in their business--not downfall--as predicted by a number of restaurant owners.

I am usually up for second and sometimes third chances after having bad experiences at a restaurant (either service or food related), but with so many good steak houses in the city, and never having a bad experience, in terms of service at another, I don't see the need to go back to Keefer's. Snooty waitstaff in L.A. is one almost expected, but not here in the midwest.

Mrs. JiLS and I made a return visit to Keefer's Saturday night for a late (9:30) dinner. No sense of being rushed on this occasion, although dishes did come out at a decent clip. The reason for this post, however, is to encourage all to get to Keefer's NOW to enjoy the best appetizer you are likely to taste anytime, anywhere in the next month. I refer to the special Nantucket scallops, which will be available as long as they are available, which apparently ain't very long. These were the best scallops I have ever eaten, and as a fan of the scallop, that puts them ahead of a lot of competition. Small in size, these weren't the same-day, diver scallop monsters that you typically see highlighted on menus here (I still fondly remember the single, $23 scallop I was served at pre-Bowles Avenues a few years back, but I digress). Served in a lemon beurre blanc, browned perfectly, these were the most tender, sweet, spicy, rich ... well, try them and add your own superlatives. At $15, an expensive appetizer, but without question, worth it. And Keefer's continues to be a great place for meat. I had venison, perfectly rare and served with a surprising little oat cake stuffed with berries and a puree of chestnuts. The meat itself was over-fussed, over-dressed with cracked pepper and cherry sauce. Our waiter agreed that the kitchen may have been over-doing things here, because it was awfully hard to taste the venison under all those flavor additions -- almost like they were trying to hide the "gamey" taste, which was not at all in evidence (this was the mildest venison I've ever eaten). So, it might as well have been beef, but very good beef. We were comped dessert, I don't know why (I'll attribute it to Mrs. JiLS's charm), which was a death-by-chocolate flour-less cake surrounded by candied nuts that was delectable.

JILS -- had to chime in here--I had the Nantucket scallops at another restaurant about a week ago and man alive are they not the best scallops you've ever tasted in your life?

They're special and incredible. I recommend to anyone who likes scallops to try them when they're on a menu.

s

If I hadn't just had a less than stellar scallop preparation, I'd be running over there this evening.

Try Shaws' scallops --they have them right now and, though pricey, they're definitely to die for!

I'm just going to bump this with a reminder that Keefer's continues to be one of the best, most reliable choices for a steak restaurant (as opposed to a stereotypical "steak house") in Chicago. Mrs. JiLS and I had a fantastic mid-week meal at Keefer's a few nights back, once again impressed by the service, the room, the very thoughtful and interesting wine list, and this time around, the special squab entree (the highlight being the succotash served under one of the pair of little birds). And another great feature of Keefer's is the bistro menu, with lower cost but not lowered quality. Mrs. JiLS enjoyed (half of) a fantastic and humongous steak sandwich and frites that can stand up to any of the best in town. Easy to get into (walk in no problem), elegant room, excellent food. In 80% of the rest of America, Keefer's would be the best steak house - and maybe the best restaurant - in town.

On the first night of our visit to chicago we wanted to try a steakhouse. I read good things about Keefers - so I called for a reservation upon arrival in the city. We got one for 9 pm, even though in tone the conversation went a bit like the one I had later with the lady from Graham Elliots (see other topic) - the greeting by the host was pretty reserved as well, so this kinda attitude might be a chicago thing, we thought.

To the food: as recommended by our waitress we all had the Rib Eye - Delmonico Steak, and they were just great! Really. Excellent. What mor can I say? Great flavour, great texture, cooked to perfection. I would say that it is virtually impossible to get that kind of quality here in Germany.

Same can not be said about the sides, though. The potato-gratin was terrible (way too much liquid cream and cheese - it was more like a stew) and the Braised Endive with lemon tasted strangely artificial and "soapy" (and I love endive!). Sautéed Spinach with Olive Oil & Garlic was quite good, Crispy Fried Onions were good, too, but way too much, even shared among 3 (who can eat such an amount of fried onion rings??).

Speaking of portions: honestly, I think that the portions in US-steakhouses are insane. No joke, sorry.

Apart from the huge steaks, our 2 foie gras starters would have been enough for 4 (the raisin chutney that came with it was way too sweet and sticky, by the way). Who can eat such amounts of food?
We visited 3 steakhouses on our USA-trip (DB Primehouse, Emeril's Delmonico), and it was always the same...

Our young waitress was very nice, charming and professional - really good in recommending items (or telling what to stay away from), but overall maybe a tad too much on the "selling" side.

Also, the speed was rather fast - I should have known it when our waitress said "it will be 20 minutes till the steaks are ready, so if you like there would be enough time for a starter...". Well, she was right: 5 minutes after the foie gras plates were gone we had our steaks served...
For the money you pay at such a restaurant you should not feel rushed.

The atmosphere at Keefers is very nice: kind of modern elegant, yet very lively and cheerful )some might say "noisy").

All in all a good start into the chicago restaurant scene...

kai-m wrote:Speaking of portions: honestly, I think that the portions in US-steakhouses are insane. No joke, sorry... Who can eat such amounts of food?
We visited 3 steakhouses on our USA-trip (DB Primehouse, Emeril's Delmonico), and it was always the same...
..
For the money you pay at such a restaurant you should not feel rushed.

I think many Americans would agree with everything you've said.. portion sizes here are ridiculously over the top. realize though that often times the portions are purposely larger than what one person would consume, just so a restaurant can justify charging more. (many would call this wasteful... if i'm downtown though i always take my leftovers and hand them to the nearest homeless person. or take them home.)

in my book there are two types of steakhouses: the "meat and potato" type (which I put Keefer's into), then the more cutting edge places that will serve you a great steak with a fancy, trendier side (many of these places don't necessarily feel bothered to call themselves a steakhouse even, and probably have other stuff on the menu).

Often times the meat and potatoes one are huge portions of meat and the sides are a la carte, huge, and overpriced at that ($8 for creamed spinach? pahleeze).

if you're eating at a meat/potatoes steakhouse and have a table of 2, there's a good chance you'll get a less balanced meal too... with a larger table the huge sides make more sense and you can actually order more than 1, but for 2 ordering 2 or more sides will always result in giving half away.

In part I'd say that the clientele that visits these places the most are roughly the same... people who want a good, but "safe" meal... which often equates to people having business meetings... and people on business meetings don't necessarily care to distinguish the difference between a $40 plate and a $30 plate. It's all going on their expense account anyway.... and the large portion sizes somehow help justify the overpriceyness of it all, even though the people ordering are often never going to finish the entire thing. If you ask me, this is why these meat and potato restaurants are "allowed" to charge so much for simple sides, that aren't even always that good.

i also blame this as the reason that there's *Always* a bottle of Silver Oak cabernet in sight...it's a pricey bottle (overpriced for what it is IMO), yet recognizable enough that everyone will be impressed, right?? ...it's the yellow label of cabernets these days.

... I've eaten at Keefer's and myself was less than impressed. The steak was good, but I've had better. I guess if anything to me it was nothing atypical of many other steakhouses I've been to. I'm sure I wrote a whole tyrade about them somewhere else in another thread... but the waiter was going on about how great their steak was because it was wet aged... i stopped to ask him why wet aged was better than dry, and he didn't seem to have any real understanding and certainly no good explanation... as far as feeling rushed, i wouldn't put this restaurant in the category of a "slow" meal... they run it a bit like a machine, and it seems to work for most because many business people like to get in and out anyway...

Interesting explanation ddane. Makes sense.
Thank you.

dddane wrote: The steak was good, but I've had better.

Of course, my evaluation of the steak quality is based on my experiences over here.

dddane wrote:

kai-m wrote:
i also blame this as the reason that there's *Always* a bottle of Silver Oak cabernet in sight...it's a pricey bottle (overpriced for what it is IMO), yet recognizable enough that everyone will be impressed, right?? ...it's the yellow label of cabernets these days.

... ...

Sigh...S/O just isn't the same post Justin Meyer.

Sorry for the hijack.

If I'm going out for a steak dinner in Chicago and it's my choice of where to dine, I'm choosing David Burke's Primehouse without question, and no matter who my guests might be. Simply put, the best dry aged beef in Chicago and dry aged beats wet aged every day in my book. But here and there, friends or family invite me to join them at the steakhouse of their choosing and quite often they choose Keefer's. Last night was one such night. In my opinion, Keefer's has generally proven to be the master of wet aged beef in Chicago. Last night it was very good, although not as good as it has been on other occasions.

Bread service is fine - raisin bread, flatbread crackers, french bread . . . not bad but I really missed my David Burke's popovers.

Lobster bisque was a very fine version - luxuriously rich and creamy with a great lobster flavor, a fine touch of sherry and diced lobster meat.

Bone-in ribeye was cooked to almost a perfect medium rare . . . that is, it might have veered slightly towards medium but only slightly. Maitre D' butter is the standard finish here, and it's fine, but last night the char on the beef wasn't as strong as it has been in the past, and wet aged beef really shines with a strong char. Still, very flavorful and well marbled . . . just not David Burke's.

Seafood pot pie was less than traditional in that it featured a thin broth base, but the fish (lobster, shrimp, etc.) and vegetable filling and fennel scented broth was wonderful as was the crisp, puff pastry lid.

Fish and chips - just ok. Breading was a bit too thick, fries a little limp. But the house-made tartar sauce with a strong dill flavor was great.

Sides - broccoli with garlic chips was simple steamed broccoli but where were the garlic chips? There were very few of them and I didn't taste any garlic. Creamed spinach was good, although perhaps a bit too creamy for me, and offering a bit too much nutmeg (and I love nutmeg). In my opinion, Berghoff's creamed spinach is the standard for great creamed spinach.

As for service, I've never had anything but the best service at Keefer's, and last night was no exception. I also like the dining room, which is far less club-like and more modern than most steakhouses in town. Another solid meal at Keefer's, even if I know I would have been happier dining at Primehouse. I suppose if I'm going to be "dragged" to a steakhouse not of my choosing, I'm lucky that the steakhouse chosen was Keefer's.

Keefer's Restaurant, a steak and seafood spot in River North, is closing at the end of May after a near 13-year run. The lease at 20 W. Kinzie St. will be taken over by the owners of Chicago Cut Steakhouse.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... over-lease

Dave148 wrote:

Keefer's Restaurant, a steak and seafood spot in River North, is closing at the end of May after a near 13-year run. The lease at 20 W. Kinzie St. will be taken over by the owners of Chicago Cut Steakhouse.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... over-lease

This makes me sad. Always been a fan, especially for long(er) lunches. The new concept sounds interesting except for the awkward name.

It was only a matter of time before the food trucks ran Keefer's out of business: http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2012/ ... n-oped.php

Reap what you sow.

Kman wrote:

Dave148 wrote:

Keefer's Restaurant, a steak and seafood spot in River North, is closing at the end of May after a near 13-year run. The lease at 20 W. Kinzie St. will be taken over by the owners of Chicago Cut Steakhouse.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... over-lease

The new concept sounds interesting except for the awkward name.

I didn't see the name in the article. There was a mention of "The Local", but that's an existing spot.

We were passing the time at work the other night, and tried to come up with a list of Downtown steakhouses and quickly came to more than 40. 13 years was an amazing run for a steakhouse anywhere. Keefer and Hogan should be congratulated. I look forward to seeing what they do next.

scottsol wrote:I didn't see the name in the article. There was a mention of "The Local", but that's an existing spot.

C Fish-House Chicago. Rolls off the tongue, don't it?

BR wrote:It was only a matter of time before the food trucks ran Keefer's out of business: http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2012/ ... n-oped.php

haha exactly what I was thinking when I read this.

Anyone know if the Keefer's Kaffe part is closing too? I'm assuming it is, that would be a shame, their beef on weck is one of the best sandwiches in the city.