How many times have you been out on a date with your girlfriend, wife, one-night-stand-to-be, or left hand... at a fancy, overpriced, guaranteed to over-promise and under-deliver steakhouse, when you find yourself staring down at the flickering light of the candle on the table thinking to yourself, “If only there was some way I could finally combine my love of bacon, mood lighting and candle-eating...”?

First off, you probably have some weird disorder that would pretty much rule out that your dinner companion was any of the first three mentioned above, and second, you’re just the target demographic that David Burke’s Primehouse in Chicago is looking for with its Bacon Fat Candles.

The concept of using animal fat in candles is certainly not groundbreaking. I’m pretty sure the ancient Egyptians cornered that market sometime back when dirt was a novelty. But the idea to create an animal fat candle that doubles as a condiment just might be... and we have Chef Rick Gresh to thank for it. The plan seems to be to have the little 2-inch flaming fat candles in all of their pyro-porcinic beauty gracing the tables of the restaurant, and when the food comes out the diners can simply pour their candles over whatever butter-fried bounty lies before them. Finally, someone has addressed the need of tableside rendered fat distribution.

I love candles and bacon fat as much as the next guy, but this may be a bit out there even for me. Have you seen what happens to bacon fat when it hits an open flame? I personally don’t like the idea of a second-degree burn with my porterhouse, but that’s just me. What about just bringing out some bacon fat in one of those little server deals like they use for lobster butter? What about just passing up the side order of bacon fat once in awhile? Well, it’s clear to me that the bacon fat candle might not be for everyone, but that shouldn’t stop you if it’s your thing.

Besides, we all know how frustrating it can be to want the smell of bacon in your house when you don’t feel like actually having to cook it. You can order your very own by calling (312) 660-6000. Oh yeah, and if pig’s not your thing, they have a beef fat version, too.

$5/each + S/H
www.davidburkesprimehouse.com
[Via Gothamist]