Bonefish Grill

I know that the LTH’ers prefer the ‘gems’, the hard-to-find places. But when just a darn good meal is served at a reasonable price, it requires comment.

Bonefish Grill, the one in Northbrook, chain owned by the Outback people. Relatively small menu, but about nine types of fish, with a choice of one of four sauces (lemon butter, warm mango, lime-tomato garlic, pan-Asian) & one of six side dishes.

The ahi tuna sashimi appetizer, full order for about $15, easily was enough for the four of us to nibble over cocktails (nice-sized Absolut/tonic tall btw) and I’m thinking next time this might be my meal. Shredded lettuce with maybe 16-20 small slices of seared tuna with black peppercorns draped over, with a light dressing, obligatory wasabi and soy, and a drizzle of what appeared to be that hot Korean fire-red sauce on the side. Seemingly incongruous, but a nice touch that was a good mix with the tuna.

My wife’s grouper piccata was browned perfectly, and the quality of my Atlantic salmon in pan-Asian sauce approached the best Japanese salmon teriyakis in Chicagoland. I tried the au gratin potato side and also the garlic mashed potatoes, which were perfunctory at best. I liked that fact that the meals came out hot, and by a different server, which tells me that whenever a dish is ready, it’s out there, which is a good rule of thumb that is lost on many dining establishments.

We all shared a Bananas Foster with our coffee for dessert, which was very good but no match for the decadent version at Commander’s Palace in Vegas.

I hope as this chain expands, it maintains its quality control. Our dining partners have eaten at the Bonefish Grill in Grand Rapids, MI, and they said it was virtually identical to the Northbrook store.

Bonefish is wildly, immensely popular in Tampa, home of the Outback Group and all things Outback. I think I have mentioned before, they do maintain high standards for fish and produce generally (very good tomatoes for a chain, for example). Bonefish remains very much a chain, albeit a quality one. My problem with it is that it has become the no-thinking-required default among family and friends in FL.

Nice to hear it traveled better than the nasty Shells chain that was a big hit with fresh local seafood like 20 years ago but is something much different and much worse now (if it still exists).

I've been to Bonefish once, in Indianapolis (well, Avon) on the recommendation of a friend of mine. I thought it was a very good meal for a chain. I'm not a big seafood fan other than chrimp, crabcakes, and the occasional grilled halibut, so I wouldn't go often. But it's a place that I would visit on a business trip to a smaller city.

JeffB---

You're absolutely right, it still is a chain. But I'm forever looking for consistently decent restaurants to which I can bring my 80-something parents, and Bonefish appears to fit that bill. Good portions, fairly high quality food, fair-sized drinks (mucho important!), fast service and plenty of lighting. I mean, cringe when I walk into a place with my folks, see the 'mood' lighting, and can maybe count to ten before I hear, "HOW can you see the MENU in here?! It's too DARK!"

Amen, the Bonefish on Skokie Blvd. near Old Orchard is the new fave of my 80-year old in-laws, and while it's no Davis Street it's far, far better than their other frequent restaurant choices including What's Cooking and IHOP. My father in law always orders the Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer as a meal (small fried shrimp coated in an addictive mustard/mayonnaise sauce).
>>Brent

JeffB wrote:
Nice to hear it traveled better than the nasty Shells chain that was a big hit with fresh local seafood like 20 years ago but is something much different and much worse now (if it still exists).

I believe Shells has been non-existent for about 5 years now. I've been a few times in Kissimmee before then, but haven't seen it or been since.

Amen, the Bonefish on Skokie Blvd. near Old Orchard is the new fave of my 80-year old in-laws,

On my visit last night--my first time--the majority of diners clearly had a few decades on me and my sister, but, after our meal, I will also count Bonefish as a solid dinner option in the Skokie area.

The menu and environment overall immediately brought to mind Wildfire (the Glenview location), which I tried once to great disappointment. I think Bonefish, though with a slightly different focus than Wildfire, is the superior establishment. Last night, I had the fontina chops with whipped garlic potatoes. The chops were a little thick for me but otherwise prepared well, particularly the balance of fontina and mushroom sauce. I could stick my fork in my potatoes and have it free-stand, which is one of my criteria for good potatoes--Wildfire's potatoes would barely be able to hold up a toothpick.

My mom and sister were both very satisfied with what they ordered. Mom had the corn chowder with crab followed by the sirloin with the steamed vegetable medley, none of which I can really comment on since she wouldn't share anything (she was that happy). My sister had the chicken portabella pasta. It was a bit heavy on the tomatoes, big chunks which masked the flavors of the chicken and portabella, but was otherwise satisfying.

Overall, I think Bonefish is also a better deal than Wildfire--dishes at Bonefish seemed to cost $2-3 less than their counterparts at Wildfire. While the service at Bonefish could stand some improvement, I'll go back to try the crab cakes and a fish entree.

We dined with a group at the Bonefish in Schaumburg, and I actually found it to be pretty mediocre, and certainly not nearly as good as Wildfire. In addition, the service seemed awfully amateur-ish (not that there's great always service at Wildfire, but it's head and shoulders above what we experienced at Bonefish).

Perhaps I mis-ordered at Bonefish, thinking that it was more of a seafood-oriented chain. But, candidly, I cannot imagine that their steaks are even remotely comparable to Wildfire's horseradish-crusted filet, etc. I thought the food at Bonefish was comparable to something you'd receive at a wedding reception.

Bonefish is primarily a seafood chain. I think it's pretty good (food and service). Maybe not quite as good as the best seafood places around (e.g. Oceanique, Shaw's, Mitchell's, Parker's), but still pretty good. I'm just disappointed that they opened the Skokie location right across the street from Don's Fishmarket, another pretty good seafood restaurant that has been there for many years (single location, not a chain).

Of course, there's nothing that says you can't go to Bonefish Grill and all order meat entrees (as happy_stomach did), just as you can go to Wildfire, which is known as primarily a steakhouse, and order seafood. (Actually, most steakhouses have lobster and other seafood dishes, and many do pretty well at those.)

Ron A. wrote:Perhaps I mis-ordered at Bonefish, thinking that it was more of a seafood-oriented chain. But, candidly, I cannot imagine that their steaks are even remotely comparable to Wildfire's horseradish-crusted filet, etc.

Is anyone else amused at this comparison of mediocrity?

stevez wrote:Is anyone else amused at this comparison of mediocrity?

I think both places are pretty good at what they do. You are welcome to think otherwise. Have you actually eaten at Bonefish Grill and Wildfire?

nsxtasy wrote:

stevez wrote:Is anyone else amused at this comparison of mediocrity?

I think both places are pretty good at what they do. You are welcome to think otherwise. Have you actually eaten at Bonefish Grill and Wildfire?

Wildfire = Yes
Bonefish = No

I found Wildfire to be adequate for the masses, but mediocre. There are far better places to get a steak.

I'd just like to chime in that I welcome reviews of all types of restaurants here, even those that aren't cutting edge or tiny ethnic establishments. We love those types, and drive all over the city to try them when intrepid LTHers let us know about them -- but I also like to hear about the other sorts of places that might fit the bill for other occasions. Bonefish Grill is pretty close to me, and I have wondered about it, and am now glad to read opinions concerning the place. Frankly, it does sound like a good choice when my in-laws are visiting, and finding restaurants that can make them happy (non-ethnic; "fancy" but not haute cuisine; not too far away and no parking fees to induce complaints, etc.) can be a chore. Anyway, I'd just want to make sure that no one is discouraged from posting about anyplace they think worthy of comment, whether it's a chain or a undiscovered hole-in-the-wall. Someone can make good use of the information.

My colleagues frequently land at Wildfire when we are entertaining clients -- the River North branch is walking distance from the office -- and I've never had a mediocre meal there. In fact, we've generally had good and very good food experiences.

That is independent of whether there are better places to get a steak, but I don't think "mediocre" is the right word, based on four or five meals there.

germuska wrote:My colleagues frequently land at Wildfire when we are entertaining clients -- the River North branch is walking distance from the office -- and I've never had a mediocre meal there. In fact, we've generally had good and very good food experiences.

That is independent of whether there are better places to get a steak, but I don't think "mediocre" is the right word, based on four or five meals there.

It sounds like you've been there far more times than me. I've been twice. I'll bow to your evaluation. Still, A place like that would never be my first choice for dining unless, like in your situation, there are extenuating circumstances; like dining with parents or unadventurous clients.

The debate regarding Wildfire seems to come up from time to time. Just a theory, but I think that the place might get a bad rap, at least in part, because it's a LEYE restaurant(?) Personally, I really enjoy Wildfire. Although there certainly are better steakhouses in town, in my experience they have good food (including salads and sides) and serve a nice steak -- the horseradish-crusted filet, in particular.