Wildfire
(312) 787-9000
159 W Erie St
Chicago,
IL
60610
41.8939
-87.6333
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central
What People Are Saying About Wildfire
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
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.
User Reviews
thedoglvr
September 24, 2008
Let me start with the best part: I ordered the filet medallions oscar and I COULD CUT IT WITH A BUTTER KNIFE! I have had meat that tender only one other time in my life. This was one of the best steaks I've ever had. Okay... now from the beginning... We made reservations with 3 hours noticed and were seated at the time of our reservations. There wasn't much space to sit or gather but the host staff was very friendly and did offer the bar area for seating early. Our table was around the border of the dining room, which is square in shape with a raised border section over the lowered middle. We had a nice view of the bar and our table was perfect for 'people-watching'. We each ordered flights of wine. I had the progressive and my fiance had the whites. The amount of wine in each glass was very generous - about a half a glass - and much more than the "shot" of wine that I have had in flights in the past. One of us had the barbecue chicken dish and the other had the filet medallions oscar. The medallions were SO tender and the portions were perfect. The filet was ordered rare, and a truly good rare seems to be hard to come by. Wildfire got it right. Other restaurants give you meat slightly well done and others seem to hand you something that isn't even warmed and somehow still frozen. This was a truly enjoyable cut and cooked filet. The service was prompt. Nothing spectacular, nothing terrible. Just good, courteous service staff. For me personally, I will go back again for one of the best steaks I've ever had.
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dsg29
July 11, 2008
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.
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Celstrial
May 04, 2008
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.
read full reviewThe Details on Wildfire
The Extras:
With 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 Sit:
Avoid the hot, high-traffic central section and sit at one of the cozy booths on the perimeter.
What to Drink:
Martini 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.
Category:
Restaurants, Barbecue Restaurants, Catering
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Private Rooms, People Watching, Business Dining, Online Reservations, Date Spot, Group Dining, Food Delivery, Dine At The Bar, Notable Wine List, Bar Scene
General Info:
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
At Bar
