Trying to please everyone- let's talk about downtown seafood

4 of my foodie friends and I dine out together every month. This month everyone thought seafood was a good idea. It sounded like we'd head over to Half Shell until one person voiced concerns over the restaurant appearing dumpy and unclean. This person had eaten outside once and then saw some pics on the internet of the inside. She went so far as to decide to opt out of this month's dinner. I've eaten there before a couple times and the fabulous crab at good prices has always gotten me past the more dated and possibly less prestine surroundings.

We decided to pick another place rather than leave this friend behind. Nevertheless, onto Plan B.

This same friend suggested the Cape Cod Room at the Drake. I was okay with this until I saw the prices. I haven't heard or seen too much about this place (yes, I read the blurbs on this forum), and I just don't want to have another pricey meal that ends with me thinking that I could take or leave the food, and the restaurant cleaned out my wallet!

Other suggestions were Spring and Scylla. Scylla seems the more reasonably priced, and they both seem to have good reputations.

I'm willing to do Cape Cod, Spring, or Scylla as long as I am not underwhelmed by the food while being overwhelmed by the bill. I'm particularly clueless about Cape Cod. Where to go?

I think everyone should go to the Cape Cod Room sometime-- I used to go there from my dot com job at lunch, just because it was so improbable that that was where someone from a place like that would go-- but figure you're paying for the preserved in amber atmosphere, more than the food.

So yeah, Scylla. You said all the reasons why above. Although I did just read that they're becoming less of a seafood place, but still, I can't imagine that means none and it's all steaks suddenly.

Time for some new friends. I've met people like this, and it's not worth the bother to convince them to expand their horizons.

So, to answer your question Scylla or Spring are both excellent. Tell your friend that they can eat at the Cape Cod Room and you can meet at Coq D'Or later for a drink.

kithat wrote:It sounded like we'd head over to Half Shell until one person voiced concerns over the restaurant appearing dumpy and unclean. This person had eaten outside once and then saw some pics on the internet of the inside. She went so far as to decide to opt out of this month's dinner.

Kithat,

She saw pictures on the Internet and opted out? Anyhooo, one person's dumpy is another persons atmospheric, meaning I've been going to the half-shell for 20-years and quite like the place for crab legs and fries. I only wish they would offer plain melted butter as an option instead of only garlic butter.

As additional data point, my wife, who is a lot more sensitive to ambiance than me, absolutely loves the Half Shell.

This is not to say the Cap Cod Room would not make for a lovely lunch, in fact next time my aunt, who is the embodiment of Emily Post, comes to town that is where I'm going to take her. Thanks for the reminder.

Spring and Scylla are both nice places for seafood, with Spring having a more upscale feel than the slightly more casual Scylla.

An out of the box suggestion might be a Chinatown restaurant for your seafood lunch. Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Clam w/black bean sauce, dry stir fried crab with ginger and onion, stir fried whole lobster, shrimp toast, mixed seafood with crisp rice or flour noodle and finish with a whole steamed fish. 'Little' Three Happiness does all of these dishes quite well.

Enjoy,
Gary

'Little' Three Happiness
209 W Cermak Rd
Chicago, IL 60616
312-842-1964