Seafood recs?

Girlfriend is wanting to have seafood - crab legs, lobster, etc - for her birthday dinner this Sunday, but I don't really know of places that serve these type of things besides Red Lobster or Joe's Crab Shack.

We live in Chesterton, IN, and would be willing to head up into Chi-town if it meant indulging in some good seafood. My mom had heard that Shaw's Crab House is supposed to be really good, even if a little pricey.


Thanks for any help you can provide!

CalvinC wrote:Girlfriend is wanting to have seafood - crab legs, lobster, etc - for her birthday dinner this Sunday, but I don't really know of places that serve these type of things besides Red Lobster or Joe's Crab Shack.

We live in Chesterton, IN, and would be willing to head up into Chi-town if it meant indulging in some good seafood. My mom had heard that Shaw's Crab House is supposed to be really good, even if a little pricey.


Thanks for any help you can provide!

I've always been a big fan of Shaw's. It's part of LEYE empire, and it's not going to shock you with innovation, but I think the prices are fair (if somewhat on the high side -- certainly compared to Red Lobster). If you're coming from Indiana, you can jump right off/on LSD, which also makes it convenient.

Don't worry much about trying to compare to Red Lobster - if it came down to that I'd rather go to a fish market and cook dinner.

It wouldn't necessarily have to be a "seafood" place - if they have good crab/lobster/seafood type entrees I'd love to hear of these too. Places with good drink/martini menus would be a plus - it's her 21st birthday

Was doing some Googling and came across Catch 35 - ?

Like Mr. hammond, I too have always been a fan of Shaw's. I have been going there since they opened but have only eaten in the Resturant side a couple of times. My wife and I much prefer the Blue Crab Lounge / Oyster Bar side. I firmly believe that you and your girlfriend will love this place.

You can get a tour as well as see the menus here.

http://www.shawscrabhouse.com/chicago/menu.shtml

Oh, and one other thing about Shaw's: I've never been disappointed by the fish or seafood; always fresh, in a way perhaps made possible by the tremendous sourcing power and expertise of Melman's operation.

Thanks for the help - much appreciated!

Depending on how early I can get out of work that day, we're hoping to do dinner, then head up to the Metro to see a Tortoise concert. What are some places (within walking distance) around the Metro that'd be nice for dessert and some drinks? If we can only go to Chi for dinner, any places around Shaw's that'd be great to stop in after dinner?


Thanks again, take care!

Dear husband and I have been trying to think of a place like Shaws to go to that IS NOT SHAWS. See, we go to Shaws way too often and we're kind of stuck in a rut. We just love it: classy but not fussy place, pristine fish, seasonal preparations. The fish selections are given a composed treatment of a little side and sauce that is always delicious. And the crab and lobster are prepared perfectly. There isn't a place we can think of it that you can really compare it to, especially in terms of fish selection. If you can think of one, please tell me because I love simple seafood, but I could use some variety.

Not too far from Metro (short drive) is the seafood-focused Scylla

Also check out :
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=8899

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=11864

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p= ... 34c1915191

tonirogerspark wrote:Dear husband and I have been trying to think of a place like Shaws to go to that IS NOT SHAWS. See, we go to Shaws way too often and we're kind of stuck in a rut. We just love it: classy but not fussy place, pristine fish, seasonal preparations. The fish selections are given a composed treatment of a little side and sauce that is always delicious. And the crab and lobster are prepared perfectly. There isn't a place we can think of it that you can really compare it to, especially in terms of fish selection. If you can think of one, please tell me because I love simple seafood, but I could use some variety.

I think Shaw's is one of the three best seafood restaurants in the greater downtown area. The other two are Hugo's and Fulton's on the River, and I recommend both of them as alternatives. McCormick and Schmick's can be as good, too, but it's not quite as consistent.

In the northern suburbs, I recommend Mitchell's Fish Market in Glenview as another alternative; I think it's in the same ballpark as Shaw's and Hugo's.

I don't think of Scylla as a seafood restaurant any more, since they redid their menu. It's a good place where you can get good seafood, but to me a seafood restaurant is a place where well over half the menu choices consist of fish/seafood, and Scylla no longer qualifies.

nsxtasy wrote:

tonirogerspark wrote:Dear husband and I have been trying to think of a place like Shaws to go to that IS NOT SHAWS. See, we go to Shaws way too often and we're kind of stuck in a rut. We just love it: classy but not fussy place, pristine fish, seasonal preparations. The fish selections are given a composed treatment of a little side and sauce that is always delicious. And the crab and lobster are prepared perfectly. There isn't a place we can think of it that you can really compare it to, especially in terms of fish selection. If you can think of one, please tell me because I love simple seafood, but I could use some variety.

I think Shaw's is one of the three best seafood restaurants in the greater downtown area. The other two are Hugo's and Fulton's on the River, and I recommend both of them as alternatives. McCormick and Schmick's can be as good, too, but it's not quite as consistent.


I don't think of Scylla as a seafood restaurant any more, since they redid their menu. It's a good place where you can get good seafood, but to me a seafood restaurant is a place where well over half the menu choices consist of fish/seafood, and Scylla no longer qualifies.

Scylla is clearly not the same concept as the "big box" seafood places mentioned above (Shaw's, McCormick's, etc). It is definitely reaching for a higher level (not that anything is ever wrong with simply prepared fresh fish, of course). But one look at Scylla's menu indicates that it definitely is still focused on seafood: http://www.scyllarestaurant.com/first.html

I agree about McCormick and Schmick's. Quite expensive for what you get; food tends to be overcooked, in my experience.

Another option is one of the great Greek restaurants on Halsted. Most have extensive seafood offerings and are very reasonably priced.

A little higher end would be Joe's Stone Crab downtown. In addition to excellent food, they do very nice cocktails.

Let us know where you go and how you liked it.

I was going to add a mention of Oceanique, a very good French-influenced seafood restaurant, but they're not open Sundays.

For the record:
Oceanique
505 Main St., Evanston
(847) 864-3435

Note the coupon offered on their website.

CalvinC wrote:Girlfriend is wanting to have seafood - crab legs, lobster, etc - for her birthday dinner this Sunday, but I don't really know of places that serve these type of things besides Red Lobster or Joe's Crab Shack.

Calvin,

When we, meaning my wife, gets a hankering for lobster it's Morton's* or the Palm for us. Perfectly fresh, still kicking lobster steamed at Morton's, broiled** at the Palm. Bonus points for the great steakhouse has browns, onion rings and prime steaks.

Morton's


Crab legs require a trip to the suburbs as Bob Chinn's has, in my opinion, best King Crab legs in town. Occasionally even fresh, never frozen.

Not saying I don't like Shaw's or Joe's, which I do, but these are my preferences.

Enjoy,
Gary

*The original only, 1050 N State
**I love the Palm's preparation, lightly steam, split in half, pour 1/2-cup heavy cream in each shell, then a spin in the 800-degree high intensity broiler

If I were a youngster again, trying to do something special for the girlfriend's birthday, it would have to be the Half Shell. Crab, shrimp and everything else is fresh and wonderful and the atmosphere is a lot more fun than any of the other places mentioned. One word of caution....cash only no credit cards, and it ain't necessarily cheap.

676 W Diversey Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 549-1773

No one's commented on Catch 35, which the OP had noted after googling. Catch 35 is a fine seafood place but it's very very businesslike. Politicos like it for lunch -- it focuses mostly on an Asian bent on seafood and all the fish, etc., is always very fresh but I don't like it very much to eat in. It always feels cold to me.

I'm a big fan of Joe's Stone Crab -- for a treat I'll take myself there for a nice long lunch every once in awhile. I love their sauces and salads and their fried asparagus is just delicious.

Shaw's has a more "casual" side called the Oyster Bar which, I think, is supposed to be a sort East Coast-ish "crab shacky" thing. But it's really just a nice casual spot for high end seafood. And Shaw's does have good seafood -- although not exactly innovative, as someone else noted. But then, neither is Joe's. I'd go to Oceanique or Scylla for that.

But for a 21st birthday, for a lot of Frank Sinatra in the background and a fine cocktail or two -- Joe's or Shaw's will do you proud. But it won't be cheap.

Catch 35 is very corporate in atmosphere, but I've always been satisfied with their fish (primarily the Chilean sea bass).

One caveat, tho, I had their lobster once, but it was very tough, and I haven't ordered it since. It might have been a bad night, but my impression was that it wasn't one of the things they do well. Expensive, too:

http://www.catch35.com/chicago-03-dinner.html

"If we can only go to Chi for dinner, any places around Shaw's that'd be great to stop in after dinner? "

Have the Creme Brulee at Shaws and go two doors west to Andy's for Jazz.

Hope you're not driving back to Indiana after a 21st Birthday celebration. There's a Courtyard right across the street.

nr706 wrote:I was going to add a mention of Oceanique, a very good French-influenced seafood restaurant, but they're not open Sundays.

For the record:
Oceanique
505 Main St., Evanston
(847) 864-3435

Note the coupon offered on their website.

I think of Oceanique as being a different kind of place from Shaw's, Hugo's, etc, because the menu is far more creative. The latter feature simpler preparations.

And I mean no disrespect towards Oceanique by pointing this out. I think Oceanique is the very best seafood restaurant in the Chicago area, and one of our very best restaurants, period. They do a wonderful job with everything - everything from the main item, to the sauces, to the soups, to the heavenly desserts. I've been there numerous times and I've never had even a single dish that wasn't outstanding.

I second the chorus for Shaw's. My wife and I eat there a few times a year, sometimes in the casual oyster bar side, sometimes on the restaurant side. The food is always great and the service is wonderful.

Not too far at all from Shaw's is the new location of Pop's for Champagne. I haven't been, but I loved the Lakeview location in my youth. The new place looks like a nice balance of hipness and authenticity (which, in its day, was what the Lakeview location was, too). Also, it's seems to be located in the very historic Tree Studios building. Good drinks, good food, good music. Definitely a great place if you and your wife like sparkling wine.

Pops for Champagne
601 N. State St.
312-266-7677
http://www.popsforchampagne.com/
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/dini ... 7650.venue

I hope you and your wife have a great night out, whatever you do.

nsxtasy wrote:And I mean no disrespect towards Oceanique by pointing this out. I think Oceanique is the very best seafood restaurant in the Chicago area, and one of our very best restaurants, period.

This is an area where you and I have vastly different opinions. I'd call Oceanique competent, but little more. And for someone coming in from Indiana, it's really off the beaten path.

For some crabs and lobster I echo the recs for Shaws, Fultons on the River, and Joes Stone Crab.

stevez wrote:This is an area where you and I have vastly different opinions.

How many times have you been there? Maybe you were only there once, and had an uncharacteristically bad experience? Did you have a complete dinner, with starters, dessert etc? I've eaten there perhaps a dozen times or more, and it has consistently been outstanding, without exception.

Don't hate me all for saying this. I know this is a special occasion and you want to wow her, and I love all the places mentioned in here. BUT, I am going to recommend Tin Fish in Tinley Park. Their seafood is flown in fresh. You can get pretty much whatever you want there AND it's right off I-80 on Harlem Avenue, (very easy for you to get to).
http://www.tinfishrestaurant.com/test/w ... /index.php

nsxtasy wrote:

stevez wrote:This is an area where you and I have vastly different opinions.

How many times have you been there? Maybe you were only there once, and had an uncharacteristically bad experience? Did you have a complete dinner, with starters, dessert etc? I've eaten there perhaps a dozen times or more, and it has consistently been outstanding, without exception.

Steve stated his opinion and you yours.

I think a more appropriate response to Steve, rather than questioning the basis of his opinion, would be to say, "yes, it appears we do". After all, this is a website where we share opinions.

Best,
Michael

Catch 35 isn't very good. The menu reads like a relic from 1993 and the fish is neither particularly fresh nor well-cooked. I may write a full report later, but I'd avoid it.

nsxtasy wrote:

stevez wrote:This is an area where you and I have vastly different opinions.

How many times have you been there? Maybe you were only there once, and had an uncharacteristically bad experience? Did you have a complete dinner, with starters, dessert etc? I've eaten there perhaps a dozen times or more, and it has consistently been outstanding, without exception.

I'm gald you enjoyed yourself.

Calvin,
So how went the celebration?

stevez wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:

stevez wrote:This is an area where you and I have vastly different opinions.

How many times have you been there? Maybe you were only there once, and had an uncharacteristically bad experience? Did you have a complete dinner, with starters, dessert etc? I've eaten there perhaps a dozen times or more, and it has consistently been outstanding, without exception.

I'm gald you enjoyed yourself.

I've enjoyed Oceanique the couple of times I've dined there.

Truth is almost every good contemporary restaurant does two or three fish dishes. When I think seafood its oysters, crab and fresh fish prepared simply with very little if any saucing.

EvanstonFoodGuy wrote:Truth is almost every good contemporary restaurant does two or three fish dishes.

Of course, that's true. However, only a relatively small number of contemporary restaurants (including Oceanique) specialize in seafood to the extent that well over half the entrees are seafood-based.

EvanstonFoodGuy wrote:When I think seafood its oysters, crab and fresh fish prepared simply with very little if any saucing.

As previously noted, that description is more applicable to Shaw's, Hugo's, Tin Fish, and Fulton's, than to Oceanique. So, depending on what you're looking for, ...

For folks coming from Indiana, I'd reiterate the above recommendation of Tin Fish in Tinley Park. It's right off I-80, so it's closer and a lot more convenient than dealing with downtown Chicago. It gets crowded, though, so make a reservation if you can.

And for those in the western suburbs looking for a nice seafood restaurant, I've enjoyed consistently excellent food at Parker's Ocean Grill in Downers Grove. (Again, not so convenient to folks coming from Indiana, but worthwhile for folks close by.)

nsxtasy wrote:

EvanstonFoodGuy wrote:Truth is almost every good contemporary restaurant does two or three fish dishes.

Of course, that's true. However, only a relatively small number of contemporary restaurants (including Oceanique) specialize in seafood to the extent that well over half the entrees are seafood-based.

EvanstonFoodGuy wrote:When I think seafood its oysters, crab and fresh fish prepared simply with very little if any saucing.

As previously noted, that description is more applicable to Shaw's, Hugo's, Tin Fish, and Fulton's, than to Oceanique. So, depending on what you're looking for, ...

For folks coming from Indiana, I'd reiterate the above recommendation of Tin Fish in Tinley Park. It's right off I-80, so it's closer and a lot more convenient than dealing with downtown Chicago. It gets crowded, though, so make a reservation if you can.

And for those in the western suburbs looking for a nice seafood restaurant, I've enjoyed consistently excellent food at Parker's Ocean Grill in Downers Grove. (Again, not so convenient to folks coming from Indiana, but worthwhile for folks close by.)

I agree with you on Oceanique... it is a small place that has put the effort into creating very good upscale seafood.