RB Grille

Regardless of its chain status, Rock Bottom Brewery has carved out some respect in this town, thanks to local brewmaster Pete Crowley and his arsenal of limited-edition Chicago-only beers. Crowley has made the place a beer-geek destination, but recently the owners decided to invite the wine crowd, sprucing up the eastern half of the joint and rolling out a steaks and chops menu. We’ll give them credit for lower prices than nearby steakhouse competition, but the cut corners show: Delmonico steak shows almost no beefiness and lamb chops are flat and flavorless. Crab cakes are perfectly fine, as are two-bite desserts like strawberry cheesecake, but we still left casting wistful glances toward the half of Rock Bottom that remains a pub.