I was there yesterday and noticed that they reconfigured the seating so they could add some more tables. It's pretty tight seating in there now.

The word is out. Went here for lunch today and the food was as good as ever but it was the most crowded I've ever seen. They also added extra tables recently, it seems. We arrived at 11:30 and the place was packed. When we were leaving around 12:15 there were a good 8 people waiting for tables.

I agree that the word is out. Was here around 5ish today and everything was spectacular-- food and service. Tried the whole branzini for the first time-- loved it. Flavorful but pretty mild, prepared simply-- just great-tasting fish. Still cannot get over how fresh and yummy that Greek salad is, and how big the small size is! Love this place.

Visited recently and agree that the place is jammed packed. Great food as always. They are in need of a bigger restaurant space. I have uploaded a copy of their current menu.

BTW, there was a mention upthread of their closing daily at 5 pm, but I think this has changed... I called last night before I went there and again today to confirm and they said they're open until 7 pm.

Edit: Ah, I now see their hours on the menu posted above.

Susan June wrote:They are in need of a bigger restaurant space.

Mentioned up thread, BFM will be expanding their seating area.

Has anyone tried the lobster roll?

Yes. It was a bit of a disappointment. My only reference to Lobster Rolls is photos and descriptions I've seen at Roadfood.com. Regardless of whether they were served hot, with the simple adornment of melted butter, or cold, in more of a lobster salad type preparation, the versions shown there are served in traditional split top buns and loaded with lobster meat.

BFM's version is served warm with melted butter, but it is served on a pretzel roll (can anybody please explain to me the ridiculous popularity of these highly overrated rolls) containing an underwhelming amount of lobster meat. Other than my first experience at BFM (a disappointing fried catfish sandwich; mealy texture, tasted past its prime), the Lobster Roll was one of the only failures I can point to at Boston Fish market.

Buddy

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:Yes. It was a bit of a disappointment. My only reference to Lobster Rolls is photos and descriptions I've seen at Roadfood.com. Regardless of whether they were served hot, with the simple adornment of melted butter, or cold, in more of a lobster salad type preparation, the versions shown there are served in traditional split top buns and loaded with lobster meat.

BFM's version is served warm with melted butter, but it is served on a pretzel roll (can anybody please explain to me the ridiculous popularity of these highly overrated rolls) containing an underwhelming amount of lobster meat. Other than my first experience at BFM (a disappointing fried catfish sandwich; mealy texture, tasted past its prime), the Lobster Roll was one of the only failures I can point to at Boston Fish market.

Buddy

Couldn't agree with you more Buddy...on both the pretzel roll's ridiculous popularity and the BFM Lobster Roll as a disappointment. Considering the huge portions of other dishes the underwhelming lobster meat (not kidding, both times I tried, maybe about 2 ounces) is a conundrum.

T Comp wrote:

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:Yes. It was a bit of a disappointment. My only reference to Lobster Rolls is photos and descriptions I've seen at Roadfood.com. Regardless of whether they were served hot, with the simple adornment of melted butter, or cold, in more of a lobster salad type preparation, the versions shown there are served in traditional split top buns and loaded with lobster meat.

BFM's version is served warm with melted butter, but it is served on a pretzel roll (can anybody please explain to me the ridiculous popularity of these highly overrated rolls) containing an underwhelming amount of lobster meat. Other than my first experience at BFM (a disappointing fried catfish sandwich; mealy texture, tasted past its prime), the Lobster Roll was one of the only failures I can point to at Boston Fish market.

Buddy

Couldn't agree with you more Buddy...on both the pretzel roll's ridiculous popularity and the BFM Lobster Roll as a disappointment. Considering the huge portions of other dishes the underwhelming lobster meat (not kidding, both times I tried, maybe about 2 ounces) is a conundrum.

I really like pretzel rolls with a ham sandwich. But it would be an awful choice for lobster.

...and I am assuming that the pretzel roll being a bad choice for a lobster roll is the fact that because of the textural toughness--much like a bagel or bialy--eaten in sandwich form the good stuff comes squishing out the side. Not good.

BFM could probably alleviate the situation by toasting the pretzel roll and serving the sandwich openface, which is what I do at home with tuna fish on a toasted NYBB onion bialy. THAT'S where tactile senses get a real workout. And, of course, BFM could probably stick a couple more oz. of pure lobster in the sandwich too. OR...get some of those East Coast half-split hot dog buns shipped in.

jnm123 wrote:...and I am assuming that the pretzel roll being a bad choice for a lobster roll is the fact that because of the textural toughness--much like a bagel or bialy--eaten in sandwich form the good stuff comes squishing out the side. Not good.

BFM could probably alleviate the situation by toasting the pretzel roll and serving the sandwich openface, which is what I do at home with tuna fish on a toasted NYBB onion bialy. THAT'S where tactile senses get a real workout. And, of course, BFM could probably stick a couple more oz. of pure lobster in the sandwich too. OR...get some of those East Coast half-split hot dog buns shipped in.

Quite right on the texture issue. Also, the dark nature of the crust would overpower the delicacy of the lobster meat.

I've been out of town on assignment for a while, so it's taken me longer than I would have liked to post these pictures. On May 8, Sweet Willie, tarte tatin and I presented Boston Fish Market with their GNR Award and had a hell of a nice lunch.



In full disclosure, Louie just brought some stuff out for us and refused to take our money for lunch, so we left a substantial tip to ease our guilt. We started off with what is, for my money, the best Greek salad being served in Chicago.

Boston Fish Market Greek Salad


The salad was followed up with some fried bluegill. I've never encountered bluegill being served in a restaurant before, having only had them fresh out of a lake. I had no idea there was a commercial bluegill fishery.

Boston Fish Market Fried Bluegill


These little fishies, like all of the other fired items at Boston Fish Market, were fried perfectly and were every bit as good as the fried lake perch I sometimes order. As long as they have these in stock, I'll probably be ordering them on every visit.

The bluegill was followed up with a huge platter of grilled sea bass and octopus.

Boston Fish Market Octo-bass


This was a massive plate of food. Both items were spectacular and there were lots of leftovers to take home at the end of the meal. Congratulations again to Boston Fish Market on their GNR Award and thanks to Louie for being such a hospitable host.

stevez wrote:
The salad was followed up with some fried bluegill. I've never encountered bluegill being served in a restaurant before, having only had them fresh out of a lake. I had no idea there was a commercial bluegill fishery.

Boston Fish Market Fried Bluegill


These little fishies, like all of the other fired items at Boston Fish Market, were fried perfectly and were every bit as good as the fried lake perch I sometimes order. As long as they have these in stock, I'll probably be ordering them on every visit.

a basket of fried bluegill like that is gonna get me into this place one of these days.

jimswside wrote:
a basket of fried bluegill like that is gonna get me into this place one of these days.

I can't believe a fried fish fiend like yourself hasn't been there yet. Let me know when you want to go and I'll meet you there. Always looking for en excuse to got to Boston Fish.

stevez wrote:

jimswside wrote:
a basket of fried bluegill like that is gonna get me into this place one of these days.

I can't believe a fried fish fiend like yourself hasn't been there yet. Let me know when you want to go and I'll meet you there. Always looking for en excuse to got to Boston Fish.

Might take you up on that - . Been watching the posts on this thread with envy..

jimswside wrote:

stevez wrote:

jimswside wrote:
a basket of fried bluegill like that is gonna get me into this place one of these days.

I can't believe a fried fish fiend like yourself hasn't been there yet. Let me know when you want to go and I'll meet you there. Always looking for en excuse to got to Boston Fish.

Might take you up on that - . Been watching the posts on this thread with envy..

I'll join you guys, as well, since I had to drop out of the lunch upthread.

fropones wrote:I'll join you guys, as well, since I had to drop out of the lunch upthread.

I'll fourth this

Thanks stevez for posting the pics. It was clear that Louis was very pleased and proud to receive the GNR.

I saw Louis at the NRA show and the people who stopped by in the short time I was there all said great things. The Mariano's buyer confirmed he sourced fish from BFH.

I tried to go to BFM last night at around 7 to see if they still had blue gill or if they started serving soft shell crabs but it was packed and I think they were probably trying to close. So instead I drove by and envied everyone there, I think I need to go tonight.

I went for the first time last night around 5pm and can't imagine why I waited this long considering I live 15 minutes away. It took about 30 minutes between the time I walked in the door and the time I left with my to go order, but it was so worth it. I got the soft shell crab dinner. A total steal at $25. I got 4 fairly large perfectly sauteed crabs with rice pilaf, roasted potatoes and califlower. Absolutely delicous. The place was packed. All picnic tables outside were filled with people enjoying gloriously prepared seafood and BYOB beer, wine, etc. My son ordered a pound of calarmari and it too was spectacular. For being hidden off on a side street in an industrial park, you'd think it would be a seafood lovers' secret. NO!!! This place was jam packed and rightfully so. I'll be back. And soon!!!

<edit> Oh yeah, the GNR was proudly displayed on the wall right behind the cash register.

Went with a friend today for lunch, not too crowded 11am Saturday, but built up while we were there. I love love love the perch, reminds me of Smith Bros in Port Washington, Wis when I was a kid. Only thing missing has been the cheap squishy buns they used at Smith Bros, simple fried perch sandwich on a wonder bread type bun with tarter sauce.

Today at BFM I BYO white squishy buns, little tarter sauce BFM's perfect fried perch and the clock turned back decades. It was a wonderful culinary memory and delicious in its own right.

Boston Fish Market Perch w/BYO squishy white buns

Maybe if enough people bring their own bread, they'll get the message and stop using those danged pretzel rolls (my only consistent complaint about anything at BFM).

Buddy

Hey, I had to be an Evanstonian today, which for an Oak Parker is pretty daring, but man I love this place. Still, in all the talk has anyone mentioned another feature?

Well, every time I about get to its little corner, I see to my right, on Lee, Malincho Euro Market & Deli, that's struck my fancy. I finally managed to make it in today. Turns out it it's Bulgarian, with a small but interesting (can I say curated*?) array of goods from the home country. A lot of packaged meats that I skipped because they only came whole. In the fridge case, however, were some interesting looking pies and Bulgarian bureks and related. If you know this cuisine, you'd also know there was a lot of fetas to try. Warmly accented service.

Perhaps many people are not drawn to Bulgarian deli's, but given there's very good reason to be in this neighborhood, Malincho's worth a visit.

Malincho Euro Market and Deli
1475 Lee
Des Plaines
www.malincho.com
847.298.3333

*Is there a word more trendy these days than "curate(d)"

Once did a blind tasting of numerous fetas. Bulgarian came out #1 and 2 (@ least to our palates).

I finally got a chance to get to this place for lunch yesterday. Everything was excellent. I didn't realize the portion sizes on everything, so we ended up over-ordering.

I had the fried seafood platter and the plate barely fit on the table. All the fish was perfectly breaded and cooked. What was really cool were the smelts, which were excellent and seemed to go on forever. It took two containers to fit the leftovers, and that doesn't count the fries we left.

My first experience here led me to a few insights for my future trips here:

1. Saturday lunch - arrive at around 1:00 to 1:30. We arrived at 12:45 and the place was jammed. By 1:15 or so, it was half empty and tables were plentiful.

2. Order in stages - there were five of us, so we each ordered an entrée and we had two large Greek salads (one would have been enough). The salads came out and then 5 minutes later came the entrees. This isn't a restaurant where they pace your meal. So order the salad first and then go back up and order the entrees.

3. Order for the table - The portions are pretty large, with some platters being enough for four people.

4. Bring your own wine glasses - They have no glassware for bringing your own, so tote that along with you unless you don't mind drinking your wine out of plastic tumblers.

5. Never step off the rugs - The floor of the place seemed to be like ice. I don't know if it's water from the ice in the coolers or if there's grease from the frying that settles on to it. Either way, twice when I made the mistake of stepping off the rug I almost wiped out. It's a hazard that they should deal with, because someone's going to get hurt.

I'll definitely be back. The seafood couldn't have been better.

Whispers that Louie has not confirmed that looks like they will be moving meal service over to what is now the Silver Stallion Restaurant which is one block north.
http://www.journal-topics.com/news/arti ... b2370.html

Louie actually did confirm that to me. He hopes for an opening in 90 days. I'm a little skeptical of that timeline, but if anyone could pull it off, Louie can.

T Comp wrote:Whispers that Louie has not confirmed that looks like they will be moving meal service over to what is now the Silver Stallion Restaurant which is one block north.
http://www.journal-topics.com/news/arti ... b2370.html

oh this would be soooo good. There have been far too many times where I've wanted to purchase some item(s) from the refrigerated case to make at home, only to pull up the restaurant and see a line way out the door.

I would very much welcome separation of the market from the restaurant!!

The way that Louie described it to me, both the market and the restaurant will be moving to the new location. There's much more room there for both operations to coexist. He's planning on turning the present location into offuces and a training center for his wholesale operation.