Casino Club

This is the first time I have tried to review something on Yelp! that didn't turn up immediately when I searched for it....Then I Googled "Casino Club" in Chicago to verify the name, and got no results, save for its Google Maps result, confirming I wasn't losing my mind, and a review of the Club from a 1959 Sports Illustrated article.

I started to debate whether to write this review...exactly how exclusive is this place? Would I be outing some secret society? Will I be followed home later by an unmarked black car filled with men in dark suits wearing sun glasses at night? Let's hope not....

With its location directly behind the John Hancock building, you'd think it would be well known, though our taxi driver had no idea what we were talking about. The building is low and dark gray and could easily be mistaken for the John Hancock's physical plant (or outhouse..)

Here's what I could find out about it from the SI article: The Casino, which was founded in 1914 and has a limited membership. The building was designed by Chicago Architect Walter Frazier in 1927.

I was at the Club for my Husband's work Christmas Party (a notoriously outrageous and fun event). We started with butler-passed h'ors D'oeurves, champagne and cocktails in the main room. The decor was very opulent, with emerald and gold tones throughout, giant mirrors and chandaliers. The space appeared surprisingly modern and not at all gaudy, due to its Art Deco design. Sushi was laid out on ice sculptures (but in truth, I and several others felt the sushi was all filled with tons of wasabi and too spicy! Still, beautiful to look at!)  The service was impeccable, the waiters, pristine in their emerald tuxedos (looking reminiscent employees of Oz's Emerald City, but taller). We drank champagne, rather than cocktails, which was lovely (and later we had Patron on the rocks, boo-yah!). Not sure about the cocktails, since one of our friends ordered an Old Fashioned and it looked like it had grenadine in it!

The dining room was decorated with large all-white flower arrangements and steel-gray table cloths. Dinner was:
-Scallops with ox tail
-mixed greens with avocado and grapefruit w/poppyseed dressing
-Lamb chops and au gratin potatoes
-chocolate souffle with raspberries and creme l'anglaise

The scallops and ox tail were prepared perfectly (just wish there was more ox tail!). The salad was nothing to write home about. The lamb chops were DIVINE, though the sides were very "banquety" (i.e. not warm enough and bland). The dessert was OUTSTANDING! The souffles were perfect... I can't imagine how they could produce them en mass like that and have them turn out so well! Each was dressed to order with giant fresh raspberries, raspberry sauce and creme l'anglaise. I went for all three and it was so yummy, I wanted to eat everyone's at the table!

Dinner was followed by lots of dancing and ruckus! For such a button-down place, I appreciated that they didn't seem to scoff at our antics.

All-in-all I felt very pampered and very exclusive at the Casino Club, and wish I knew the secret password to get back in!!!!