Restaurants that cause our mouths to water when discussed, but that are sadly no longer open.
A change of pace this week. Instead of an economically-focused piece, the subject this time will be restaurants. In particular, restaurants that have closed but that are very much missed. Up front, the list is going to be a mix. Some restaurants high end, some in between, and some of the fast food or dive variety. The only commonality to them is that they were all a joy to dine in before closing. 10. Chasen’s (Los Angeles, CA) – Though its address was West Hollywood, Chasen’s gave off a Beverly Hills vibe that included it being on Beverly Boulevard. The high-end restaurant famously had booths on the left and right side of a seemingly narrow room, and the legend was that the side you were seated on signaled your status or lack thereof as a celebrity, businessman, or politician (the Reagans were known to darken the restaurant’s doors). Very excellent French fries and red meat dishes, plus chili that regulars couldn’t get enough of. 9. The Post House (New York, NY) – On 63 rd Street between Park and Madison, the Post House lived up to its location. Located inside the Lowell Hotel, this was the best of all the New York steak places. Misguided contrarians will say Peter Lugar’s, or Sparks, or Strip House, and while all good none could combine food quality with atmosphere in the way that the Post House did. Blackstone BX co-founder Pete Peterson was a regular, so were all manner of other major business players, plus Billy Joel could occasionally be spotted at the bar. 8. Demon Dogs (Chicago, IL) – Located under the Fullerton “L” in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago, Chicago’s best hot dogs were Demon Dogs. Nearby Wiener’s Circle didn’t hold a candle despite what Oprah supposedly once said. Demon Dogs was owned by former Notre Dame (don’t hold it against him) football player Peter Schivarelli, and being inside the restaurant made patrons feel like they were very much in Chicago. Indeed, Schivarelli was close to the band with the same name as the city, and its music was always playing at pretty high volume. The hot dogs came with French fries that yours truly thought merely edible, and not nearly as good as those at another Chicago institution, Portillo’s. Supposedly Demon Dogs closed when DePaul University made Schivarelli an offer he couldn’t refuse for the space.
