Sad days in Chicago
First the news that Marshall Field's is being sold to Macy's, and now, while people are trying to come to grips with the fact that that name so synonymous with Chicago will be no longer, it's announced that after 107 years in business at State Street and Adams, Chicago's venerable Berghoff Restaurant will close at the end of February. I loved the place. This is truly a loss. Devotees of the restaurant are in shock.
Among the things the Berghoff was noted for were it's stand-up bar and their "men's grill" a men only bar which remained that way until 1969, and the fact that they hold liquor license #1 in the city of Chicago, being the first place to receive one after prohibition.
In the aftermath of the Chicago Democratic Convention, the trial of the Chicago 7 was held at the Federal Court building near Berghoff's. Both the prosecution and the defendants would eat lunch there, making for quite the media attraction until the management gave them each a spot away from prying cameras.
Another unique aspect of the place was that many of the male waiters have worked there for many decades. (The service is refined and elegant, at least in my experience.) The maitre'd has worked there for over 50 years!
The Trib has an account here and a nice tribute piece from a resident of Maquoketa, of all places, here.
Many reader's comments at the Trib are touching, as many tell of it being a family tradition going back decades and spanning generations to go to Chicago during the holiday season, see the windows and shop at Marshall Field's, and have dinner at the Berghoff. Now they'll both be gone, at least in name.
There are accounts of going to the Berghoff with their grandfathers, elderly women tell of remembering their fathers taking them there as young girls, people who have gotten engaged there, or held their wedding dinners there. People now moved away to far-flung spots around the world who always go straight to the Berghoff whenever they make it back to Chicago. So much history. So sad to see it go.
Any one else with memories of this Chicago landmark?
posted by The Inside Dope @ 12/30/2005
2 comments
2 Comments:
Diehard,
Yes, Trader Vic's is indeed closing its doors on New Year's Day. That too, is a sad loss for historic Chicago. What's happening here?
Evidently however, the Haray Caray restaurant company is scouting for new locations and have plans to reopen a new Trader Vic's somewhere, but obviously, one can't replace an institution.
Here's one description of Trader Vic's:
-- Trader Vic's is an explosion of Polynesian and sailing decor, with hardly a spot on the ceiling or wall that isn't covered with bamboo. One dining room has the thatched-hut feel of a surf-side village; the other is right out of an upper-crust yacht club, with two large hardwood grills used to cook the luau-style feasts Trader Vic's is known for. When there's time to relax, try the famous mai tai, a potent drink made with two rums and fresh lime. It goes down easy but packs a wallop. --
Also being lost is the famous 7th floor Walnut Room in Marshall Field's, another landmark place to eat in Chicago.
--Seating 450 dining aficionados under crystal chandeliers and imported dark Russian wood paneling, the menu at the Walnut Room trumps what most of us ingest mid-shopping spree. Offering classics like chicken potpie, served with peas and carrots hidden just below a thick puff pastry, you'll also find Peach Nest Tuna, with tuna salad and mixed fruit and bread, and coconut shrimp, skewered to a chunk of pineapple and dipped into sesame-mango and chipotle-cream sauces. New favorites include duck confit and rosemary grilled petite filet mignon, and entrees average $8-$15. For dessert, finish off with another Chicago classic: the Frango mint chocolate ice cream pie. Need we say more?
All through the holiday season, dine under the 45-foot-tall Christmas tree decorated with 1,000 handmade ornaments.--
Yep, close all these places and bring in more Chili's and Appleby's.
What is it that is causing these places to be shut down and cookie-cutter corporate sterility to thrive? (and how do we stop it?)
Dope,
I don't know if you get emails that someone has left a comment, so I won't be surprised if you miss this, but the craziest thing happened today.
I was randomly thinking about Berghoff's today for some random reason, and then I cycled through your post-election 2006 pages only to see you had posted about it!
How many restaurants are there in Chicago? How many blogs are there on the internet?
Makes you wonder if everything happens for a reason.
Post a Comment
<< Home