Destination Morton's

 

Morton's Steakhouse is now celebrating its 26th year of extraordinarily high standards. In that time, Morton's has created 64 award-winning steakhouses from Singapore to San Juan with choice destinations in between. What impresses Ingram's and it other restaurant patrons the most about Morton's is the exceptional quality of the steaks and the consistency of the dining experience. No matter where, no matter when, Morton's is always a great choice.

The original Morton's opened in a discreet, below-level State Street location in Chicago in 1978. Frank Sinatra was booked to entertain on that stormy opening night and contemplated canceling his engagement. Proprietors Arnie Morton and Klaus Fritsch encouraged Sinatra to perform. In return, they promised that his recordings would forever be showcased in the restaurant. That promise has been honored ever since.

It makes sense to showcase the Morton's dining experience in Ingram's Power Book as the words ‘power' and ‘Morton's' go together like steak and potatoes. Often we will informally drop by Morton's at Crown Center on a Monday or Wednesday evening and enjoy a martini and complimentary filet mignon sandwich. Every few months, however, we'll dedicate an evening to dine at Morton's--one of our favorite area restaurants-- and enjoy some of the best corn-fed beef in this highly competitive beef-oriented town.

On a recent visit, Maitre d'/general manager Karl Gajda and chef Kurt Kinsley rolled out the red carpet. Though we've seen the entree cart presentation many times, the waiter's description of the entrees has become a highlight of the Morton's dining experience. On this evening the feisty four pound live Maine lobster crawled off the cart and danced on to our table, an unusual floorshow by any standards.

We shared a couple of appetizers--the broiled sea scallops wrapped in bacon and served with apricot chutney and the colossal shrimp Alexander in beurre blanc sauce. For a steak-house Morton's has an exceptional variety of appetizers. Several of our favorites are the Bluepoint oysters on the half shell, smoked Pacific salmon, jumbo lump crab cake and crabmeat cocktail, lobster bisque, and the wild mushrooms we often order and enjoy with our steak. The vegetables and potatoes side dishes are also abundant and delicious.

While Morton's offers a terrific selection of entrees including veal and double rib lamb chops, chicken Christopher and a variety of seafood, I am of the "when in Rome" philosophy and tend to gravitate toward the corn-fed black angus aged beef. My wife enjoyed the mouth-watering bone-in, double cut prime rib. I, on the other hand, savored the always-favorite New York Strip. Selecting a steak at Morton's is frankly not that easy.

With options including the tender filet mignon served with Bearnaise sauce, the incredibly thick and tasty ribeye (or my favorite the Cajun ribeye) or the man-sized Porterhouse (or the double Porterhouse for two carved tableside), even the most confident decision-makers will be challenged to choose their steak.

One of the virtues of Morton's is its extraordinary wine list, made affordable through the restaurant's worldwide buying power. Morton's has literally purchased the entire stock of Beringer 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon and offers this world-class wine for $60 a bottle--about half of its regular price. By the glass, bottle or triple magnum, the wine steward will guide even the novice to a great wine selection. We capped-off the meal with a liqueur and shared the decadent Godiva chocolate cake with raspberry sauce.

Morton's is one of those restaurants that despite how much of your meal you finish, you'll inevitably leave stuffed with a doggy bag of scrumptuous leftovers much too good and big even for an imaginary dog.

While Morton's is not inexpensive, it offers great value and a classy dining experience in a well-appointed executive environment, equally conducive to a power dinner or a romantic tete-a-tete. What is more, Morton's private dining rooms make a perfect choice to entertain an entourage.

For business or for pleasure, you'll find Morton's--whether in Kansas City or in any city--to be a treat for all your senses.