Restaurant Tue Mar 25 2008

A Penny for Your Steak

Don't get me wrong: Dollar Burger Night will always be an old standby for my husband and me. Tonight, though, we upped the ante by checking out the "steak for a penny" promotion at the Drake Hotel's Drake Bros. restaurant.

Here's how it works: buy one steak, and receive a second steak of equal or lesser value for a penny (in other words, bring a friend.) We chose the 22-ounce ribeye and a 10-oz Wagyu flat iron steak, setting us back just $46.01 for two of the most tender, flavorful steaks we've ever had. I'm quite sure we couldn't even buy the meat for that price at our local butcher.

In true foodie fashion, we celebrated our savings by ordering an appetizer, lobster and crab spring rolls nestled in a delicious salad of bitter microgreens, oranges, grapefruits, and citrus dressing that seemed to have a hint of vanilla. The spring rolls were full of crab, if a bit light on lobster, but overall a great start.

Steaks generally come with a salad and side at Drake Bros., but diners taking advantage of the penny promotion must order a la carte. It's a small price to pay, since sides generously serve two and run just $6 to $8. The potato and truffle casserole received our highest "scrape the serving dish clean" rating.

With appetizer, two steaks, side, and two martinis — hey, it was Tuesday, after all — our bill, with tax and a $28 tip came to just $131. I defy anyone to find a better deal for an excellently prepared steak dinner for two anywhere in Chicago.

Oh, and one more thing: spring for the side of wild mushroom sauce for your steak ($2.50). You're worth it.

— Mandy Burrell Booth / Comments (0)