I like Fire and Ice, I eat there about once every other trip to Boston as I stay at the Sheraton Commander about three blocks away.. In Chicago we have a local place with a couple of outposts called Flat Top that is very similar, does some things better (special woks for people with allergies, better service) and worse (less variety of meats and vegetables). I like Fire and Ice a little better overall.

Most high-end steakhouses that have expanded are good. I've had good experiences at the Chicago locations of the Palm and Capital Grille with other FTers, and at Morton's in other cities.

Then there are the chains that I'll visit on business trips in smaller cities but would never consider when at home. Outback, Maggiano's and Romano's are at the top of that list: slightly better than acceptable, decent bar, and a price tag that won't destroy the project budget.

In Chicago, we have a couple of companies that have a lot (as in a couple of dozen) of restaurants but usually no more than a few of any particular subchain. Lettuce Entertain You (leye.com) is the biggest; they're the ones that created Maggianos and Corner Bakery and sold them chains to Brinker (the owner of Chili's), where unfortunately the quality of both have since suffered.