There are two restaurants I like to take vegetarians to, because there are typically several items on the menu that they can choose from. One is
North Pond, which offers its exquisite setting in the middle of Lincoln Park in addition to its contemporary menu from James Beard-nominated Chef Bruce Sherman. The other is
Lula in Logan Square, with its offbeat hip vibe. Both emphasize local and seasonal ingredients.
Oceanique, in Evanston, is one of our very best upscale restaurants emphasizing seafood (along with the previously-mentioned Spring and L2O).
Of course, there are always the usual mid-priced seafood restaurants:
Hugo's,
Shaw's,
Catch 35, and
Fulton's on the River. If the western suburbs are convenient to you, I also recommend
Parker's Ocean Grill in Downers Grove.