III Forks Awards

III Forks Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: This Texas-based steakhouse chain outpost popped up as one of the first restaurants in the burgeoning residential neighborhood behind Aon Center, where skyscrapers line East Randolph. Sprawling green lawns, playgrounds and dog parks in this more verdant corner of the urban Loop position this classic steakhouse as a neighborhood spot as well as a place for power dinners or happy hour pit stops. There’s people-watching aplenty in the open central room, which is lined on one side with glass windows; the quieter back room offers a more intimate feel. When it's warm, check out the rooftop patio for some of the best under-stars seating.

Likes: While it's an outside chain, III Forks feels every bit Chicago with its gracious service and contemporary design.
Dislikes: None.

Food & Drinks: Skilled martini-making bartenders, an approachable wine list and a menu with something for everyone draw an eclectic crowd. The steak selection is typical, if not limited: a simple filet, strip, prime rib and bone-in rib-eye, for example. Fresh seafood options are also straightforward. Sides are an afterthought, so load up on appetizers instead. A good, shareable line-up for two or three people might be the seafood medley with shrimp cocktail, crab cakes and bacon-wrapped scallops. Oversize desserts, like the chocolate ganache cake, pack more of a theatrical punch than taste appeal.