Since moving to Chicago nearly seven years ago there has been one restaurant I’ve wanted to try but have never made it into both for fear that it would cost too much and fear that I wouldn’t like prime rib. Finally though this weekend I made it into Lawry’s, one of the highlights of the Chicago restaurant scene.
I’d never had prime rib until a few weeks ago, when we picked up some very inexpensive prime rib in Las Vegas. I fell in love with the cheap stuff so I knew it was time to check out the best at Lawry’s. This weekend was the perfect time to venture there since my boyfriend’s parents were coming into town for a visit.
Some restaurants try to over-extend what they offer on their menu and try to offer a little bit of everything. Lawry’s keeps their menu short and simple. They offer prime rib. And more prime rib. And a little bit of lobster. The side dishes are predetermined, though you can choose to add a vegetable. All told, you can get a very large meal for about $35, which is definitely expensive in some markets but is fairly reasonable for a fab dinner out in Chicago.
The meal started with an incredible “spinning salad.”
The salad consisted of lettuce, roasted beets, a bit of cheese, and some croutons, which were “spun” with a house dressing. It was super tasty and I probably could have just ended my meal after the salad and been happy.
But alas, I chose to keep eating. The prime rib was, unsurprisingly, a thing of beauty. They come and carve it right at your table, based on your specifications. I asked for the “California Cut,” which is 6 oz and mine was medium rare. I’m not sure exactly how you’re supposed to describe meat, but what I’ve come to love about prime rib is that it is “soft.” Sometimes steak can get somewhat chewy, but prime rib almost melts in your mouth. It might just be one of my new favorite treats. And don’t even get me started on the mashed potatoes. The waitress informed us that they make a new batch every day. The gravy tied everything together in a very nice way. While this meal was definitely “simple,” the taste was anything but plain.
I could justify every other part of this meal. It was tasty. I didn’t eat that much throughout the day preceding dinner. Meat and potatoes aren’t that bad for you. I definitely cheated on Nutrisystem, but I’ve decided I can’t beat myself up for those days. We had important company in town and there’s no way I was going to sit home and eat a boxed meal while they enjoyed a nice dinner out. C’est la vie. There is not any excuse for what you see above. I love me some chocolate cake and when everyone else ordered dessert I followed suit.
Let’s just say that the chocolate cake you see above is hands down the best cake in the entire world. And it’s larger than it appears in the picture, too… the plate is the size of a dinner plate, meaning there was enough chocolate cake to feed a small army. The frosting is made out of delectable Belgian chocolate. I took approximately three bites before I had to stop. I was getting full from dinner and starting to feel bad about cheating on Nutrisystem. Plus there’s the fact that nobody in his/her right mind needs a piece of chocolate cake that large. How I wanted to finish it! How glad I am now that I didn’t!
If you’re ever in Chicago I definitely recommend checking out Lawry’s for a very distinctive dining experience. The restaurant itself is pure class, even if the waitress’ uniforms are a bit outdated. The food cannot be beat.
Rating: 
