It takes a lot more than hanging with the cool kids to score an invite to Carmichael's Big Shoulders Club. But if you're brave enough to order and devour the "Big Shoulders" 40-ounce porterhouse in one sitting, you're not only in, but the restaurant engraves a plaque with your name, denoting your official club member status.

If your stomach isn't up to Big Shoulders-speed, worry not. Carmichael's steak- and seafood-heavy menu includes plenty of other options. Steaks come with your choice of complementary crust, including peppercorn, herb butter or blue cheese, and range in cuts from filet mignon to the 24-ounce Dave's Porterhouse. Seafood lovers will savor the baked planked salmon, oysters, calamari and BBQ shrimp served over Tabasco fried onions. Vegetarians or diners craving lighter options may feast on salads of tomatoes and asparagus, Caesar or a basic blue cheese, white wine-dressed bed of greens. Consider saving room for the equally heavy desserts like the thick Lava Cake, a surprisingly smooth Crème Brulee and apple pie.

Providing a refreshing retreat from its high-end "new cuisine"-serving neighbors, Carmichael's keeps up appearances with fashionable shots of old Chicago along the walls. Sports fans are free to knock back a few at the well-stocked bar before catching the free shuttle to the United Center.

Average cost: $31+

Centerstage Reviewer: Justin Sondak