| Gordon Biersch Brewery/Restaurant | | Print | |
| Restaurant Reviews - Reviews: Chicago and Suburbs |
A sampling of Gordon Biersch's Micro-Brews Photo Credit: Sarah Adamson
Gordon Biersch Brewery/Restaurant Menu Proves Perfect Match for Gordon Biersch's Micro-Brews The Scoop - Total Dining Experience: ★★★ ½ out of 4 In April 2007, I was invited to attend a soft opening for the then-new Gordon Biersch Brewery/Restaurant restaurant in the Promenade Shopping Center in Bolingbrook. I’ve attended many restaurant openings in the past and am always pleased to do so, but the invite always comes with an expectation -- to make constructive suggestions to the owners before they have their official opening. The idea is to help the place run smoother and to make modifications to the menu if needed. I tell you all of this for reasons of full disclosure: I have no ties to Gordon Biersch but I have critiqued them before. I might also add that if you're invited to a soft opening, there is some obligation involved. Fast forward three years later. While I've had a quick few lunches at Gordon Biersch while shopping, I haven’t really "dined" there for quite a while. My daughter Kathrine and I dropped by about at 5 p.m. on recent Thursday night and by 6 p.m., the place was packed. One often wonders if the food at a brew house will be any good given that beer is the main focus. Thankfully, Gordon Biersch takes great care with its menu and offers a slew of choices, from steaks and seafood to pasta and burgers. And in addition to a regular menu, it offers six seasonal menus throughout the year. Walking into the place is a fascinating experience -- it's swanky, with 20-foot ceilings and chic interior design that you might find in a large-city restaurant. The large open kitchen is the focal point and that's always a hit with me. Seated in a booth in the center large room, not far from one side of the bar, I was thankful for the large plexiglass panels that divide the rooms and helped buffer the noise of the very busy bar area. We’ll go back, due to the craft beers, seasonal menus, service, atmosphere, attention to details, ease of parking and fun factor. Yum Factor − Details of the items we tried. We started off by ordering the beer sampler, featuring Gordon Biersch's micro-brews. There's something here for everyone here: Golden Expo -light, dry, a step up from Bud Light Hefeweizen -sparkling, fruity, similar to Sunshine Wheat or New Moon Czech Pilsner -lager, classic, smooth M!rzen -more flavor than Czech Plisner, heavier, similar to a Bavarian lager Schwarzbier -a dark beer with a hint of coffee; a seasonal offering, which was our favorite (not too bitter, light, flavorful). Seasonal -hardy, full flavor The sampler, by the way, is a good deal cost-wise. It’s less than the price of two beers and lets you expand your beer palate. You might be surprised by a new beer, have a different experience paring them with a variety of types of food, and, of course, it's fun to talk about them. Since their Winterfest menu was available, (perfect for the cold weather). Chili and Bison Sliders: The former was a hearty mix, containing ground beef, green onions, sour cream, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, pinto beans and seasonings. Filling and flavorful, with a little kick. A cup is $4, a bowl $6. As much as we liked the chili, the bison sliders had it beat. They were scrumptious! One serving is three burgers topped pepper jack cheese, caramelized onions and crispy onion rings. Tasty, not greasy, and a huge serving that's equal to its $11 price tag. We thought the garlic and parsley fries would be a nice complement to the meal, but they were a bit more than we bargained for. If you like garlic, these are for you, but they were far too strong for my taste. $6 Surprisingly, our favorite dish was an appetizer. Crispy Artichoke Hearts: were light, finely breaded, with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top and accompanied by lemon aioli dipping sauce. The portion was humongous and could easily be split between people. The sauce was on the lighter side, not overly loaded with mayonnaise. Be careful, though -- this dish is addictive and when paired with lemon aioli, heavenly. $10 Kentucky Cool Cider: was a refreshing treat. Made with Marker’s 46 bourbon, cranberry and apple puree, and a secret homemade vanilla-spiced syrup, it's served in a martini glass and garnished with a lime. It's unique, not too heavy on the liquor side and fresh flavored. $9 Dessert: Mini Tasters: served in tiny glass jars. We loved three of the four. The strawberry cheesecake was melt-in-your-mouth good, the chocolate fudge cake rich and gooey and the warm apple bread pudding both sweet and tart. The only disappointment was the brownie mousse, which could only be described as bland. $8 or $2 for one Backstage Notes: This is a hidden gem for both beer aficionados and foodies. ★★★★ Highest of all areas. (Quality of Food, Location, Service, Atmosphere) ★★★½ Food remains excellent, 1 or 2 areas lacking ★★★ Food remains very good, several other areas lacking ★★½ Food is good, several other areas lacking ★★ Food is average, several other areas lacking ★ All areas need help Restaurant Website: www.gordonbiersch.com Sarah Adamson© January 6, 2011 |
