Last Tuesday, Chris Ohara and I visited the upscale steakhouse, 437 Rush in Chicago. We arrived at 8:00pm sharp, but despite having a reservation, were not seated until 8:20pm. This leads me to believe the place is extremely popular due to the volume of customers. I used the extra time to observe the venue. Most of the patrons appeared to be older accomplished business men and women. We were but a pair of kids amongst a high class refuge of big spenders, (perhaps media and advertising moguls); both the bartender and our waiter carded us. We sat down at the bar for a moment, and this was funny:
Chris: "You have to see our ID’s just to sit at the bar?"
Lady bartender walks off with our ID’s for a moment, and returns.
Bartender: "That’s how old I’m getting. I don’t have a clue anymore."
She returns our ID’s.
The first thing I noticed was the full bar. It is packed with bottles from A to Z like spelling bees surrounded by a curvy mahogany bar which wrapped around the wall. At the corner of the bar stands an interesting tower light in the shape of octagons whose diameter increase with height. The mural above the bar suggests a classy, jazzy, old-school setting. The floor made of large black and white tiles was dimly lit by yellowish ambient ceiling lights in the shape of a slice of the bottom half of a sphere. I suggest checking out the virtual tour of the bar on their website. After a brief delay, we were seated. Our waiter, Miguel Munoz deserves a commendation for five-star service in my opinion. He was very attentive and explained everything in great detail. Most notably, he brought out a plate of some of the finest cuts of meat in Chicago and explained each piece. He cleaned crumbs off our table as we ate. The portions, though intricately decorated, are rather small in size. I’m most impressed by the steak and the dessert. Both desserts had a hunk of thin orange caramelized twigs amalgamated together. The salmon crumbles like 15 year old aged cheddar. The filet is better than most, charred and crunchy on the outside and extremely tender on the inside.
The Bar
Bar Corner
The part where the bar wraps around the corner
Complimentary Bread
Rush Street
Grey Goose Vodka, Limoncello, Peachtree Schnapps, Cointreau, and White Cranberry Juice served in a martini glass garnished with a lemon wedge; sweet and strong well defined hint of the Goose
437 Rush Cocktail
Ketel One, Campari, grapefruit, pineapple and cranberry juices served in a martini glass garnished with an orange wedge; a bit tart, but sweet
Dining Area
Dimly lit ambient lighting
Bruschetta al Pomodoro (Appetizer)
Toasted Italian bread topped with oven roasted cherry tomatoes and capers
Tomato and Mozzarella (Appetizer)
Three thick tomato slices wedged together with mozzarella globs and splattered with a light pesto sauce
Meat Selection
a carefully wrought display of some of the finest prime steaks and chops on a bed of lettuce
Wine Rack
fine Italian wines everywhere.
White and Red Wine
Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay, Russian River white wine (left) to go with the salmon and Folie A Deux Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley red wine (right) to go with the filet
Roasted Red King Salmon
Roasted Red King Salmon in a Yukon potato crust, served with a potato puree, caramelized shallots, toasted bacon and a 10-year aged balsamic vinegar reduction
Filet Mignon
Charred on the outside, severely tender on the inside; best steak ever!
Sauteed Mushrooms (Side)
typical sauteed shrooms; nothing special here
Pineapple Carpaccio
Super thin pineapple slivers marinated in pink grapefruit juice and fresh ginger, served with mango sorbet covered by a carmelized sugar artpiece, garnished with Vanilla seeds and powdered sugar dots
437 Tiramisu
Lady Fingers soaked in espresso coffee, Mascarpone creme cheese custard within, flavored with brandy, Sambuca, Kahlua…
Cheers!
Cheers to another ad-sponsored dinner done right!
The Bill
$187.55 with tip
I liked the Tuscany when I visited there in the past. I knew that if I liked that, then I knew I would like 437 Rush. Janelle Dole initially recommended this place to me as a spot for a special Italian-style dinner date, so I tested it out. 437 Rush exceeds my expectations in quality of food and top notch service for an upscale place (with the exception of our not being seated on time). The steaks seem flawless. The portions are a tad small, but then again, I guess that’s one way to bait a customer: Give them a little tiny taste of the best, and they will come begging for more. Overall I am satisfied with the experience.
Phil Stefani’s 437 Rush
437 N. Rush St.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 222-0101
Google Map
