Fueling the Food Frenzy
Claim Jumper’s hearty spoils
If Americans aren’t addicted
to excess, how else can we explain the continuing popularity of
restaurants like the Cheesecake Factory, never without a gaggle of
hungry patrons fretfully pacing its entryway? The pursuit of new and
ingenious means of fueling the public’s frenzied appetite seems to be
at the heart of the newly opened Claim Jumper in Brookfield—the first
of its kind in Wisconsin.
The West Coast chain’s solid reputation as a major contender in comfort
food/casual dining precedes it. The size of its steaks and potatoes is the
stuff of legend; odes have been penned to its prodigious pies and
cakes. I ventured there on a recent Tuesday night with the noble intent
of separating fact from fiction, and came away sheepishly clutching a
doggie bag.
Nutritional benefits notwithstanding, the
advantages of the vegetarian or seafood diet manifest themselves here
in slightly more manageable portions. In spite of the fact that my
order of macadamia-nut-crusted halibut ($18.95) was enough for both
dinner and lunch the next day, it didn’t leave me with the sense of
lethargy that results from many restaurant outings. The chunky filet
with its thin coating of crumbs was slightly dry, but the flavorful
coconut sauce and papaya relish made up for it. The meal would have
been relatively light were it not for the almost gelatinous quality of
the basmati rice that accompanied it.
The avocado rolls ($10.25) were similarly light and would
make for a perfectly good main course, as would most of the appetizers.
The same could not be said for the celebrated cheesy potato cakes
appetizer ($7.95). These were heavy and oily, though tasty in an
artery-clogging sort of way, and accompanied by a large biscuit whose
best feature was the honey butter served on the side.
The
swaggering nature of the restaurant’s name is apt, considering the
breadth of ethnic cuisine it plunders in the name of casual family
dining. Its main identity however is as a purveyor of American cuisine,
as reflected in the extensive selection of steaks, ribs, burgers,
rotisseries and pot roasts, and also in the robust decor. The dining
hall features beefy walls of Douglas fir logs and rough-hewn stone,
though the delicate Tiffany lamps make for a startling contrast to the
chandelier made of antlers. Servers swarm the table in droves, sporting
shiny sheriff’s badges and offering platters of dessert.
Despite
the fact that you’ll have already eyed the desserts in the reception
area, where the shimmering bakery case is strategically sited, you may
feel your courage— and your digestive system—failing as chipper staff
members arrive at your table to ply you with thick wedges of chocolate
cake. Never fear, as most of the desserts come in less side-splitting
portions called “small bites” ($2.95- $8.95). The creme brulee, which
comes in three different flavors, is a good choice. It’s not too heavy
and offers a pleasant consistency.
However, even if you pass
on dessert, one thing’s certain: By the time you stumble back into the
waning evening light, with your spoils clutched to your chest, you’ll
feel you got your money’s and about two days’ worth of food.
Claim Jumper is located at 15 S. Moorland Road, next to Brookfield Square.
Photo by Kate Engbring
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