Fairbanks Steakhouse

There were some pluses.  The tables have adequate space around them. The view was nice before the sun set. And the service was pretty good. However the prices were very high. I don't eat in high end steak houses.  Once or twice a year when I get that urge I go to Tom's in maybe Melrose Park. So I can't judge the fairness of their steak prices.
But they charge $10 for a glass of mediocre wine. And this is a place out in the boondocks - not downtown Chicago or New York. My wife reported that her fillet was good. And she liked the side of sweet potatoes - and as others report, large serving.
My pasta dish, Tuscan Nicole Penne also had a large serving, but was disappointing. There was a lot of pasta, some chicken and very little sauce. I don't recall having such a dry pasta dish.
Like some other reviewers, I was going to an event at the Paramount Theatre. I have a tip if you do this.  Do not park with the valet parkers. When the event is over you could have a very long wait for your car. Go to the self parking garage.  For us non-gamblers they charge only $4 for parking. (Gamblers are free parking.) Also try to park on the lowest level possible so you can get out faster.

Overlooked prime rib?  Check.   Incredibly slow service?  Check.  This was a terrible experience.   It probably started when the server poured the last sip of my wife's wine into her fresh glass.   Worst $175 dinner in my life.  I can find nothing positive to say as I type this.  It was that bad.

First of all, I have to say hats off to Aurora.  The downtown area has really come along way from what it was just 5 - 10 years ago.  I totally feel safe and the city's efforts to beautify the downtown really paid off.  I came in  from downtown Chicago for a night at the Paramount and had dinner at Fairbanks before the show.  The food was good, large portions (too much actually) and the staff was extremely professional and friendly.  The restaurant itself was very clean and nicely decorated.