Steakhouses in the burbs
 

Dined at Pete Miller’s last Saturday night, the Wheeling location. The original I believe is in Evanston. Our experience was Very poor all around.

Started w/a catfish satay appetizer. Came out quite a bit underdone. Sent it back. Then tried the Calamari, grilled. Came out swimming in balsamic vinegar, w/tons (too much) shavings of parmesan. Calamari were not fresh.

Onto Pete’s Chopped Salad which consisted of: caramelized onions, bacon, chicken, bleu cheese, cheddar cheese (they really like their cheese here), tomato, egg, broccoli, crispy wontons w/balsamic Dijon dressing. Just not good, flavors should pop, they did not.

Judi had the Tuna Medallions – no flavor.

I had the NY strip – whatever! Not good, wet aged, doubt it was USDA Prime as waitress stated their steaks were.

The fact that each item we had was poor, we will not go back to Pete Millers
http://www.petemillers.com/

Wild Fire
 

If looking for a steakhouse type menu in the burbs especially for a business dinner, I would recommend Wild Fire in Schaumburg (and elsewhere) http://www.wildfirerestaurant.com/

I have been here quite a bit for business dinners and some items I've had, have been very well executed and pop with flavor.

Appetizers I get on a normal basis are the wood oven roasted mussels and Spinach and Artichoke Fondue.

The Chopped Tomato and Red Onion Salad with Blue cheese dressing, crumbled blue cheese, and chopped lettuce or the Wildfire Chopped Salad with Mixed greens, roasted chicken, avocado, tomatoes, blue cheese, bacon, scallions, corn, tortilla strips; tossed with citrus vinaigrette are both always very good.

My favorite regular menu entrée is the Roumanian Skirt Steak, served with grilled red onions and reduction.

The Wild Fire in Schaumburg is packed 7 days per week.

Willie -- we've done Wildfire on Erie for work (both lunch and dinner) several times and always a good experience. Perhaps we should think of this for an upcoming Cgo get-together?

Just like the Oakbrook one - I've never had a chance to actually dine there because whenever I think about it at the last minute with somebody, the wait is two hours.

But at Oakbrook, I've had good experiences at Mon Ami Gabi - but I don't like their basic hangar steak and always upgrade to a better cut of meat.

Never been to the Pete Miller's in Wheeling but I live about two blocks from the original in Evanston. Good place to shoot pool or catch some live jazz. I've only had a steak there once and it was a couple of years ago, but I remember it being good; usually I just go there for a burger.