Wildfire
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: (312) 787-9000
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- LaSalle Boulevard
- Directions:
- El stop: Brown Line to Chicago, Red Line to Chicago or Grand; bus: 22, 156 to Erie
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 5pm-10pm, Fri 5pm-11pm, Sat 4pm-11pm, Sun 4pm-9pm
Editorial Review for Wildfire – by Chris Barsanti
The Scene
With Wildfire's hefty pillars, wood cabin-like walls and stone ovens blazing in the visible kitchen, one can imagine Paul Bunyan striding in, laying down his ax and ordering a steak. A mix of well-heeled suburbanites, tourists and locals looking for a great steak fill the nearly 300-seat restaurant.
The Food
Large portions of meat prepared simply with expertly proportioned elements and well-justified confidence. Wood oven-baked goat cheese is a killer starter, and tender broiled filet mignon is a favorite entree. Mushroom-crusted pork chop--a lean, explosively tasty cut of meat--is a popular alternative. Most entrees come with chunky red-skinned mashed potatoes, generously mixed with cream and butter. Leave room for apple pie, served in a small metal pan with a giant dollop of vanilla ice cream perched atop a piping-hot, crispy crust.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
The ExtrasWith six or more people, order from the Club Supper menu: choice of appetizers, salads, entrees, sides and desserts, starting at $26.95 per person.
Where to SitAvoid the hot, high-traffic central section and sit at one of the cozy booths on the perimeter.
What to DrinkMartini flights are two-ounce tastes of four different flavors for $10.95. Beer lovers can sip the Goose Island-created Wildfire Pilsner; there are 20 wines by the glass as well.
User Reviews for Wildfire
07/11/2008 Posted by dsg29
My colleague and I needed a great steak to celebrate the end of a long week. I picked Wildfire because it was close to our hotel on State. St. I made the reservation through Wildfire's website for that same evening. In fact, I did it with less than 2 hours' notice. I'd go back again, regardless of where my hotel is in the future. I love a good steakhouse, and Wildfire is among the best I've experienced. The ambiance is classic upscale steakhouse. It's busy, but you can hear dinner companion without shouting. The service is prompt, professional, helpful and of a level I'd expect at a great steakhouse (think Morton's, Capital Grille, Smith & Wollensky...Wildfire is at least equal to any of those) The wine list is excellent, but it's really all about the food. My colleague pronounced her filet medallion the "best she's ever had, anywhere, anytime". My NY Strip was excellent, and the parmesan crust (Wildfire's trademark is their interesting seasoned bread crumb crusts--6 varieties) gave it an added flavor unlike i'd ever had before. The sides are shareable and terrific. The key lime pie for dessert was sublime. Wildfire is outstanding, from the moment you enter until you stagger back out onto the street. If you're in downtown Chicago and you want a terrific steakhouse, Wildfire stands proudly with all the other better-known competitors. Give it a try. You'll be happy you did.
Pros: Incredible steak, great service, very good wine list, good atmosphere
Cons: none
05/04/2008 Posted by Celstrial
Haven't been to Wildfire in a while and after this weekend, I'm wondering why I don't come back more often. In a town of great steak, it's not easy to say "highly recommended" to just any chop house, but Wildfire does a great job and at a very good value. We had the cold plate with shrimp, lobster, mussels, ceviche which was a safe but good choice, not the best, but for the main course I had a 10oz prime rib with a side of au jous and horseradish which were great! Perfectly medium rare and warm by the time it was served. I had a side of button mushrooms which were perfectly seasoned and paired well with the meal. My date had a full rak of ribs which he enjoyed thoroughly. For dessert, we had the chocolate chip/pecan cookie baked in the pan to order with a dollop of vanilla ice cream which was a perfect, comforting end to a great dinner. Portions were large enough for left-overs which was even great a day later. Steaks average 20-high 30 dollars which is great for a steak -- compared to the other steakhouse down the street. Again, like every downtown/river north hot spot, make reservations a few days ahead.
Pros: Great steak value, good loud ambience, wide open dining room
Cons: Need reservations on weekends
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