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Brian's Charhouse Restaurant Review
After writing a review of Al Capone's Hideaway (St. Charles) recently, I received an email or two extolling the virtues of Brian's Charhouse and its marvelous steaks. The notes were likely penned in response to a statement I made about the prices of steaks at the Hideaway. Actually, if you read enough of my reviews, you know that I do not often order steak when I go out to eat; more on that later. It is worth noting that - although he may have been referring to the fact that he could never manage to get a tender and tasty steak at the local grocery store - my father always stated, rather emphatically, that restaurants always had the best meat. Having now spent a significant portion of my life in the employ of numerous restaurants, his statement seems to have been very spot-on, if not truly prophetic.
It was one of those Wednesdays where cooking a meal was rather low on the priorities list, so Lauren and I decided to give Brian's a try. It is only about five miles or so east of Route 59 on the south side of Route 64... not really that far from the Fox River and an easy drive - especially at the speeds that most people nowadays are driving! In any case and in retrospect, it was worth the drive. We were met at the door by, as it would turn out, our waiter. He led us to a fairly large room with a giant fireplace and not-too-closely-spaced tables and seated us at a four-top. We were about the tenth in a room of perhaps twenty tables. White paper on top of cloth on the tables, cloth napkins, silverware and steak knives, salt and pepper shakers and a candle graced the table. We were presented with a wine list, menus, water and a request for our drink preferences; the Grey Goose on the rocks was the first in a week and it tasted great. Dinner selection would not be easy. The "Chef's Selections" - specials - alone encompassed five appetizers and ten entrees; the dinner menu added another ten app's, several salads, four seafood items and a dozen steaks and chops! All items sounded great and I wasn't particularly hungry. I had come with the intention of ordering a steak... but did not for two reasons: first, save for the Filet Mignon, all the steaks were 14-18 ounces or more and second, I still have a very difficult time paying $25-$30 for a steak. Having said that, keep in mind that at Brian's, dinners included choice of potato and choice of soup or salad, making the prices a bit more palatable. Now, I like a good steak as much as the next guy... maybe more, but I simply cannot eat 14-18 oz. of meat; I couldn't even do it in the days when my rate of metabolism was three times greater than it is now (even the Grilled Pork Chops were a pound of meat!).
In any event, Lauren selected the Broiled Arctic Char Fillet ($18.95 - Topped with capers, pine nuts and menuiere butter) and I chose the Grilled Wild Swordfish Montreal Style ($19.95 - Topped with a tangy, peppery Montreal seasoning, sautéed sliced Portobello mushroom; garnished with sautéed seasonal vegetables). We did not chose an appetizer on this occasion, but did order a Caesar Salad which, by the way, was excellent. The plate presentation was well done (the outer portion of the plate was dusted with parsley flakes and bits of fresh red pepper), the plates were hot, the veggies (green beans) were bright green and just a tad al dente - perfect - and the portions were large; the fish - both entrees - was done just right. In fact, my swordfish was some of the best I have had. Lauren's Arctic Char tasted a bit like a cross between salmon and trout; it was moist and tasty. Neither the Char nor the swordfish were overcooked - a mistake made by most who cook fish - this was a refreshing change. The service was very professional and there were plenty of wait staff - even for a week night. Lauren and I were somewhat surprised to see that as the evening progressed, the number of diners seemed to actually increase. As we looked around, it appeared that much of the clientele were businessmen (many looked to have ordered Filets), possibly out for expensed dinners and business to discuss. Not that it makes any difference at all to me... my concern is good food and service at reasonable prices, which is what I believe Lauren and I received. But expensive steaks on an expense account are easier to do than an average family of four out for the same dinners. And speaking of families, I liked the fact that the bar was in another room, making it more appealing to those bringing small children and wanting to keep them away from smoke and alcohol. For those of you considering Brian's, it
may be helpful to know that there is a coupon available in the
2006
Entertainment Book
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