Advice for a nice dinner out sans the kids

A friend of mine would like to treat her husband to dinner out next Friday for his birthday. I recommended a few places that I love such as Nightwood and Perennial, but wanted to cast a wider net to get more ideas.

Looking for a place that:
- takes reservations
- upscale but not necessarily white tablecloth
- an emphasis on seafood, or strong seafood dishes
- trying to avoid large touristy places or the steakhouse experience

Thanks!

I've heard really great things about GT Fish and Oyster. I personally haven't gone but I talked to a friend in the restaurant industry who said it was her favorite new place in town -- she spent like 5 hours there eating and drinking herself into oblivion.

I think it's higher end but definitely more casual that white tablecloth.

I also like sitting on the right side at Shaw's -- the oyster bar side. It's not as stuffy and it's the same menu.


GT Fish & Oyster
531 N. Wells St., 312-929-3501

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll pass along the info! GT Fish and Oyster has been on my list to try as well. My husband and I just went to Shaw's last week, and weren't too happy with the experience, but it may have been due to our seating location. Might have to give the other side of the room a try.

Blackbird might be a good choice, hipper, not necessarily the most intimate. Fish and seafood are not the centerpiece of the menu, but they are available. See menu link here:

http://blackbirdrestaurant.com/menus/2-dinner-menu

I always think Takashi has great seafood, and they take reservations, plus hit the atmosphere note.

Catch 35 has always been one of my favorite seafood places -

Although it's not a seafood restaurant per se, we had a fantastic mostly seafood meal at Province this weekend. All of the fish was really well prepared. Even the oysters stood up to The Publican, Balsan, and anywhere else I've had good oysters in Chicago.

Province
161 North Jefferson Street
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 669-9900

Does she have an area in mind? Search Katsu here. Its a board favorite..sushi/seafood heavy. Not touristy, not a steakhouse.