MetroKlub Successfully Opens as Downtown Chicago's Only Full-Service Glatt Kosher Restaurant

Chicago, IL (August 2007) - There are 270,000 Jews living in metropolitan Chicago, 110 synagogues, eight Jewish community centers, and until now, no kosher restaurants in downtown Chicago. That changed with the July opening of MetroKlub (733 W. Madison St.; telephone 312-602-2104), now downtown Chicago's only full-service glatt kosher restaurant. Located in the Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro Hotel, MetroKlub has quickly become a popular mid-day dining choice, filling the void for downtown Chicago area businessmen and women who adhere to the standards of glatt kosher. Since its opening, the restaurant has been packed at lunch on Mondays through Thursdays and our takeout and delivery business is booming, says Avi Scheer, general manager of the restaurant and manager of the hotel's kosher catering department.

MetroKlub offers a variety of gourmet options, each of which is certified kosher by Midwest Kosher. Rabbi Mordechai Tarkieltaub, Midwest Kosher's rabbinical administrator, visits the restaurant daily. Upholding kosher laws requires meeting a variety of standards, including verifying the source of all kosher meats and poultry, confirming that all ingredients are kosher certified and non-dairy, validating that all greens are insect-free, and ensuring all utensils, china and silver are exclusively dedicated to kosher use. Being a glatt kosher restaurant, all of the beef at MetroKlub comes from animals with adhesion-free or smooth lungs. Although the rabbi makes daily visits to verify these standards, Scheer checks each food item to see that it does in fact meet all of the strictest guidelines.

Although MetroKlub is popular among men and women who work downtown and keep kosher, it is not uncommon to see non-Jews joining them for lunch in order to accommodate the kosher needs of a business associate or friend. MetroKlub is already acknowledging the high demand for kosher dining, and proving to be a successful addition to the downtown restaurant arena. "I'm completely ecstatic with the restaurant's immediate success," declared Scheer. "We've only just opened and have been booked solid. I've even seen some of the same customers come in a few times per week." Aside from the packed dining room, MetroKlub's take-out and delivery options have also been successful, creating a busy schedule for the restaurant's single delivery employee who services the downtown area.

The restaurant's menu was developed by executive chef Chris Turano, along with the Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro's kosher chef de cuisine, D.B. Fink. Turano brings an extensive culinary background to the kosher venue, pulling double-duty as the executive chef of Dine, the neighboring restaurant. Although his previous culinary experience had not included kosher cooking, working with MetroKlub has expanded his knowledge, and Turano now happily dubs himself as the 'kosher iron chef.'

When asked why a glatt kosher restaurant? Scheer was quick to respond: "The hotel originally built a fully operational kosher kitchen for the hotel's kosher catering functions because we knew kosher catering for small meetings and social events downtown was important and underserved. MetroKlub was a natural progression."

About the menu
Starters include such items as Tomato Basil Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil ($6) and Grilled Vegetable Salad with fresh herbs and spring greens with grilled summer vegetables and fresh tomatoes ($11).

Sandwich selections range from the Grilled Chicken Sandwich with tomato, baby arugula and caramelized onions on a baguette ($12), a Turkey Club with honey mustard, toasted on whole grain bread ($9) and a Balsamic Vegetable Wrap with marinated portabella mushrooms and grilled seasonal vegetables in a spinach tortilla wrap ($8).

Able to please a variety of tastes, the lunch entrees include Grilled Skirt Steak Frites served with herb tossed french fries ($18), Seared Atlantic Salmon or Grilled Chicken Breast with caramelized leeks, wild mushrooms, green beans, Yukon potatoes, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil ($16) and Spicy Rigatoni Pasta served with chili flakes, garlic, fresh tomatoes, arugula and basil ($12).

A finishing touch can be made to a tasty lunch break with dessert choices of Homemade Sorbet, seasonally made ($4) or Turtle "Cheesecake" with graham cracker crust, chocolate, pecans and a caramel sauce ($4).

Located in an intimate private dining room with seating for 33 guests, MetroKlub is upscale, but maintains a comfortable and trendy feel. Green mohair chairs and crisp tablecloths complement the contemporary décor. In addition to its kosher menu, part of the immediate popularity may also be the restaurant's standard of getting customers in and out within 45 minutes, knowing that many patrons are on a one-hour work lunch break.

MetroKlub is open Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. happily serving lunchtime crowds. Reservations are strongly recommended, although take-out, delivery and catering options are also available. For more information about MetroKlub or to make a reservation, please call (312) 602-2104.

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