Forget the coast. Fresh seafood (and not the Lake Michigan variety) is available in more places than one. Our roundup of seafood restaurants pinpoints those that bring the freshest seafood and fish to you daily, whether you’re looking for seafood with an Asian twist, decadent caviar appetizers or “just as hearty as steak” seafood entrees.
Nick's Fishmarket
File under: Hearty, healthy seafood
Located in the heart of the Loop at Clark and Monroe, this massive seafood restaurant does things the old fashioned way, with minimal fluff and maximum fuss (over the food, that is). Head to the grill for a casual streetside dining experience or settle into the main dining room if you’re looking for an elegant dinner. Appetizers are a must; the prawn cocktail and the Osetra caviar certainly stand out. Fresh fish and shellfish entrees are well represented along with house specialties like linguini provencale and New York steak. For an entree that’s healthy and hearty, try the 2 1/2-pound Maine lobster or the grill-marked grouper served over cilantro pesto cous cous with shrimp and scallops.
Philander's
File under: Lobster n’ jazz
Located in the Carleton of Oak Park, this hidden gem features live jazz music by local artists, an outdoor cafe and a light bar menu for those just passing through. Upscale without being pretentious, Philander’s seafood menu features Alaskan king crab with potatoes and vegetables, Dover sole with almandine sauce, and juicy Australian rock lobster tail. If you’re looking for light fare, concentrate on the appetizer menu’s Maryland crabcakes, macadamia-crusted nut shrimp and ahi tuna carpaccio. Soups and salads are available; try the lobster vanilla bisque along with specialty items like smoked salmon and cucumber vegetable sandwiches. If you have room left for dessert, the chocolate dipped strawberries provide a sweet finish.
Cape Cod Room
File under: Just gets better with age
Located in the Drake Hotel, a Chicago landmark for more than 80 years, the Cape Cod Room features rustic decor and red-checkered tablecloths that provide the perfect background for plates of seafood entrees that keep getting better as the decades go by. Sit back and enjoy the sounds of live Latin, jazz or blues while an informative staff serves up hearty lobster and crab along with tasty dishes like teriyaki mahi mahi with mango salsa and coconut wild rice, and baked Chilean sea bass served with sun-dried tomato goat cheese crust and lentils. “Land Lovers Favorites” range from oven-roasted chicken and filet mignon to New York sirloin and tagliatelle in garlic cream sauce with mushrooms. Reservations are strongly recommended, but not required.
Riva
File under: Lakefront dining
Don’t dismiss everything on Navy Pier as made-for-tourists establishments. Lighten up and stop by Riva for some awesome seafood and terrific lake views. The festive, nautical dining room offers a view of all the action going on in the kitchen as well as on the pier. The dinner menu ranges from grilled octopus and green lip mussels to rock shrimp penne and Riva’s Zuppa De Pesce, a mix of clams, mussels, shrimp, fresh catch and octopus in a spicy tomato sauce. The swordfish lobster and the Riva jumbo lump crab cakes are also favorites. Try to go during the week when crowds aren’t so heavy.
Davis Street Fishmarket
File under: Festive fish
This Evanston seafood oasis brings it to you fresh with so many options to choose from you won’t know what to do! Piece together a sampler platter with a variety of appetizers like catfish nuggets, the to-die-for crab wontons (sop up extra sauce with the complimentary sourdough bread), New Orleans BBQ shrimp and Baltimore crab cakes. Soups, sandwiches and po’ boys are offered as well as shellfish and Cajun and Creole dishes. Regulars love linguini shrimp Creole, freshwater pan-fried prawns with scampi butter and the blackened tuna salad.
If for some strange reason you want chicken or steak after browsing the mouth-watering seafood menu, try the tasty Louisiana chicken dish or New York strip steak with mashed potatoes. Vegetarians will get a spicy kick from the sauteed vegetables over rice with blackening spices. As for the atmosphere, there’s no need to dress to the nines here. It’s all about the food.
McCormick & Schmick's
File under: Fresh catch daily
This popular spot for shoppers, tourists and professionals offers a “fresh list” based on the just-out-of-the-water seafood available for the day. The extensive list includes selections like Massachusetts Bay scallops, Wisconsin rainbow trout, Hawaiian albacore tuna, Panama grouper and Washington manila crabs. Choose from specialty entrees like Seafood Newburg, made with sauteed lobster bay scallops and rock shrimp in puff pastry, and Oregon petrale sole pan-fried with a parmesan crust. Meat, poultry and pastas are also available.
Tin Fish
File under: Like dining under the sea
Though they recommend reservations at this two-year old restaurant, you might get lucky if you drop in on a Monday or Tuesday night. You’ll understand the reason for the crowds after entering the dining room illuminated with hypnotic blues while gigantic tin fish dangle from here and there. Choose an oversized cushy booth or a wood table to settle into and enjoy cold starters like Cuban black bean and shrimp salad or seared sesame tuna, and hot starters like steamed Canadian mussels or baked clams casino.
For an entree, get ready to choose, choose and choose some more. First select your fish from options that range from Ecuadorian Mahi Mahi and Virginia striped sea bass to yellow fin tuna and Atlantic jumbo flounder. Next choose your preparation (blackened, sauteed or cornmeal crusted, to name a few) and finally pick your side among poached leeks, asparagus, brown sugar glazed Asian greens, roasted garlic polenta and more. Steaks and chicken are also offered. With an amazingly attentive staff, this place is certainly worth the drive.
Bob Chinn's
File under: Rolling on the river
Get ready for amazing river views and fresh seafood at this LaSalle Street crabhouse. Jumbo lobsters, crab-stuffed shrimp and Louisiana-style catfish served spicy and fresh dot the menu next to Chinn’s famous crab pots and seafood platters to share. Try the sesame-crusted tuna or the crabmeat vermicelli, both house specialties. Chinn’s also offers stir-fry and noodle dishes, easily complemented by a variety of salads and starters. This popular seafood house also offers a delicious dessert menu; try the creme brulee or New York-style cheesecake. Those with kids in tow will appreciate the menu of shrimp, pizza and petite pastas.
Oceanique
File under: Beauty and romance
Elaborate, dramatic and elegant. If you want to impress a date, this is definitely the place to woo them. Flowing drapery, dazzling white tablecloths and earth-toned checked floors create a soothing atmosphere perfect for quiet conversation. The menu changes daily and features fresh and organic locally grown produce and only the freshest fish and seafood. Seasonal specials and starters include beet salad with day boat sea scallops, lightly smoked Maine salmon cucumber salad, grilled calamari and shrimp, and potato leek soup with basil, crème fraiche and lobster. Slow-baked Atlantic salmon and black sea bass are offered on the entree menu, or try the chef’s six-course tasting menu for $60. Reservations recommended.
Catch 35
File under: Asian-inspired seafood
This popular downtown restaurant deserves every accolade it has received. Catch 35 adds a little something extra to each seafood dish. Expect a little Szechwan glaze here or some sweet chili sauce there. Moderately priced entrees include stir-fried shrimp and scallops from “the wok” and seared Creole-seasoned salmon. Order up a few appetizers to sample a variety of tastes like fried calamari with grilled tofu satay or steamed Prince Edward Island mussels with lemongrass broth. Unique dishes from the “Out of the Ordinary” menu include creations like green curry of shrimp, grilled Block Island swordfish with a black peppercorn crust and light cognac avocado salsa, and grilled jumbo panama shrimp with panang curry sauce and jasmine rice.
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