Loved it - again! We…read morewere here last night for dinner as a party of 5 and dinner was fabulous. As we no longer live in the Chicago area and we're staying downtown, we felt we should pop back over here for lunch today so glad we did. Our server, was quite pleasant and attentive. The support staff were efficient. My wife and I shared the following: - Lobster Mac and Cheese - Seafood Salad - Parkerhouse rolls and butter - Hot tea - Iced tea See you this summer Shaw's Crab House!

(Kari's Rating 7/10)…read more TLDR: -Louder atmosphere -Good for corporate events -Price is average Came in around 7:30pm on a Friday and it was busy! We waited like 5 minutes for a table but were seated at a small two person booth/table. Our server was pretty busy but attentive and knew a lot about the menu. We ordered the wedge salad and the yellowtail sushi roll. It was spicy and had a nice touch of yuzu on top and the fish was relatively fresh. The wedge salad had plenty of dressing on it and it was pretty good. For the main we got the Chilean sea bass which was very sweet and savory. The scallops had a perfect sear and they were pretty very rich and buttery. The broccolini was steamed and fresh. He finished off dinner with the crème brûlée and the Keylime pie, both of us we had to take home because we were so full. I think overall this experience is pleasant, not something very memorable, but I'm happy I've came here!

Service, from Sarah, was wonderful! A member of our group had an allergy, and the staff were on top…read moreof it making sure she had a great experience. The food was outstanding. Best calamari I have ever had. Highly recommend the chocolate fudge pie. It was to die for! It is a very cool place. I will definitely make another stop when I'm in Chicago.

celebrated my partners birthday here 5/15/2026. As always, outstanding food, impeccable service and…read morea gentile, relaxing atmosphere. Had halibut, fillet and lobster mixed with crabmeat and other ingredients that were out of this world. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Bar Mar is a solid spot in Downtown Chicago. The interior decor and atmosphere was great for a nice…read moredinner. Most of the food was tremendous. My favorites were the crab cake, Cobb salad, and short rib. The crab cake was very soft and had a nice texture to it. It was one of the best crab cakes I've eaten. The Cobb salad was also very light and shareable. The short rib main course was very tender, and it came with crispy potatoes as well. Some of the other items such as the Philly cheesesteak and Asian tacos were just ok. They were also both very small in quantity relative to their price. The desserts were magnificent as well, especially the deconstructed key lime pie and sticky toffee pudding. Both of them were phenomenal. The service throughout my meal was excellent. My waitress gave us some nice recommendations, and the staff came by often. I would definitely recommend to visit Bar Mar, and I look forward to coming back myself when I am in Chicago.

Our second time eating at a Jose Andres restaurant in Chicago and again it was disappointing. Last…read moretime we ate at Jaleo and found it underwhelming but put it down to the fact that we had just returned from an amazing culinary trip to San Sebastian. We really admire Jose's philanthropic work and want to love his restaurants but truth be told, if you forget about the glitzy decor, the food is just average. We tried several appetizers; the Hamachi Cone, Caviar Cone, Asian Taco, Neptune's Pillows, Shrimp Cocktail and Iberico Jamon. We also shared a bottle of Cava. Everything was fine but to be frank the Shrimp Cocktail was the best thing we ate, simple and perfectly fresh. The service was pushy, when a server wants to take you order less than 3 minutes after sitting down, it feels like you're on a conveyor belt. We felt the prices were way out of line, with tip I spent almost $500 for a bottle of cava and appetizers for two people, for that, the food should have been more memorable. We spent the same amount for two off us to have the 12 course tasting menu at Atsumeru a couple of weeks ago and Bar Mar's food isn't in the same league. We will continue to financially support Jose's World Kitchen but not his restaurants.

Late night dinner and sips after the ghost gangster tour around Chicago! We picked Cindy's…read morerooftop at the Chicago Athletic Association on the 13th floor for stunning skyline views which was the perfect spot to just unwind from the busy day. Though we couldn't see much of Lake Michigan, we knew it was just right there. We enjoyed the fresh Caesar salad, creamy Rigatoni alla Vodka, and warm bread with herbed butter. , and an espresso martini and a glass of prosecco. For dessert, we ordered the baked Alaska (So good), and coffees which ended the night with perfection. Service: Cheers to Anthony for the wonderful service and great menu suggestions!

The restaurant's ambiance and views make for a special meal but I had a quite frenzied experience…read more They had booked a space next to my table/the balcony for a networking event so it was very loud the whole time. There were people walking around socializing right next to my table and towards the end of my meal, a couple was waiting for a table while basically sitting on my table's couch seat. I don't know what they were doing there as they weren't part of the networking event and the bar was on the other side of the restaurant. The front/hostesses were friendly and helpful but the main waitstaff service was lacking. That being said, the mussels and the roasted carrots I got were surprisingly good. On the pricy side, but you're paying for the views.

I hate that I loved this place so much! I live in Michigan and was determined to get a reservation…read more So when I finally got it I was elated. First the service, now the host stand can be a little flat but I think they get so busy and it's so in demand they have to be stern but all the staff was amazing. I never needed a thing. They were so nice and checked on us constantly. The food... omg the fooddddd! Healthy portions! You could definitely share if you wanted to be more waist or budget friendly lol. My favorite had to be the shrimp and the steak. The steak was cooked perfectly and the au poivre was a great accompaniment. Dessert was also amazing. Healthy portions for sure shareable. I would definitely make that drove from Michigan to come back! Perfect start to my 30th birthday!!

I visited for my birthday dinner, and overall the experience was decent. This place has been on my…read morelist for a little bit as I'm all about discovering Chicago's best steak restaurants. The ambience is dimly lit, cozy, with speakeasy-like vibes and seemingly intimate, so it would make a good date night too. Service was great, and our waiter was very attentive and offered his advice and input on food items. I opted for the Lyonnaise Salad, thick-cut bacon, truffle mac n cheese, and Steak frites. My friend had the Double Wagyu cheeseburger. Everything was relatively good, the steak frites cooked a little too done for me though. The salad, the thick-cut bacon, and the cheeseburger were delicious. I am not a fan of the truffle mac n cheese, but then again I don't really like truffle, so take that into consideration. Dessert was delicious! Apple Pie and ice cream were literally so good. While I don't think it's spectacular or anything, it's on par with other Chicago restaurants in this category, and I would visit again.

Date place this is not but they have do have good food with honest pricing. Stand outs are the…read morefries (skinny/crispy), mussels(good appetizer portion) with a heavy buttery/wine sauce. Dip that toasted bread in the sauce and your day is complete. The shrimp corn chowder is good. It has a distinctly different taste than clam chowder. I do prefer the traditional New England version. The soft shell grab is excellent. It's perfectly seasoned but for $45 I'm complaining. The smelt was ok. If it wasn't for the $45 crabs granted they told me the market price but I thought I heard $25. I would give this place 5 stars. My bad. It's just they were 4 tiny crabs. For $45!

Unfortunately was not impressed with Half Shell. Worst mahi mahi I've ever had. Flavorless and way…read moreover cooked. Weird sides with it. Oysters weren't terrific either, but good happy hour deal ($1 M-F 4-6). Cash only. Service was bad. Food took a long time, we had to ask twice for our wine, and had to flag someone over to get water and the bill. Only redeeming quality was the patio.

I had the pleasure to dine at Penumbra on a Thursday evening. We were celebrating a graduation and…read morethe staff were very welcoming when we arrived. I was visiting from out of town and was not familiar with the parking around the area. I asked one of the staff members and immediately they reassured me that the side street would raking was totally fine to park just so long as it wasn't the front of the building where you have to pay. The food started with a complementary potato soup which was flavorful and lovely. We got a round of drinks and one of our party didn't care for her drink and it was replaced no question. We had the flat iron steak, the chicken, and the salmon and each entree was wonderful. The proteins were all very tender and juicy. I was also very pleased with the salad that came first which was lightly dressed and very seasonal. We finished our dining experience with a slice of cheesecake. It was a nice cap to the end of a wonderful meal. I would recommend this restaurant for any occasion - I would love to come back and try some of the other items on their menu.

**Hidden gem!!!**…read more Penumbra is SUPER sexy and low-key elite. This is one of those spots that will make you look like a total restaurant pro if you take someone there or recommend it. The ambiance is intimate, romantic, and just feels exclusive without trying too hard. I took my girl there for her birthday and she absolutely loved it -- which is always the real test. We had the ribeye and the Rotini Bianco, and both were excellent. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful. The Rotini Bianco was rich, creamy, and done just right. Every dish felt intentional and well executed. Don't hesitate to book. If you're trying to impress or celebrate something special, this is the move.

As someone who has been to the original Wabash location and the Chinatown location, I must say that…read morethis one is -- MY FAVORITE LOCATION OF THEM ALL! I love the NOLAadjacent theme of the restaurant and the service is always great. I normally do one of the specials with the crab and shrimp, adding extra eggs because I love a good egg with my shrimp lol. I also love that their hottest is really hot! The drinks are amazing too. AND THEY OFFER WEEKDAY SPECIALS ALL THE TIME! I have to get in there and try their smash burger next, even though that's a funny menu option for a seafood spot, I'm sure it doesn't disappoint!

This place has been on my list for way too long. Decided to finally try it on Good Friday!! Was a…read morelittle nervous about parking since its in a busy area but we easily found parking right in front. They don't take reservations so it can get busy quick. You browse the menu at your table first then go up and order at the counter. For 2 people, we shared the Double Double and beignets for dessert! The big back in me didn't think it would be enough food for 2 but I was so wrong. The combo comes with shrimp, 2 snow crab, 2 corns, potatoes, and 4 pieces of their delicious cornbread! The everythang sauce was banginnnn. Warning - your mouth will taste like garlic for 2-3 days after! It was my fiance's first time having seafood boil and he loved it! To end the meal, we couldn't decide on the fried oreos or beignets but ended up getting the beignets. So good!

Supporting this local Chicago AAPI women owned restaurant! Love the seafood boil here! When you…read moreorder veggies they do not skimp with the boil. This is unique because I've actually have not ever had broccoli or green beans with my seafood boil and I would definitely have it again in a heartbeat. I'm in love with the garlic noodles and fries besides the main seafoods. They have so many different deals and promotions, high quality, friendly service! The spot is pretty roomy and can accommodate a variety of different size groups. I also enjoy they provide gloves, a bib, and a sink outside of the bathroom to wash your hands. Hooray for my crazy messiness! Cant wait to go back! Parking can be a challenge but is available in an around the neighborhood.

I made it a tradition to get seafood boil with my husband every year for Lent on a Friday. This…read moreyear, we stopped at the Crab Pad in Logan Square. I was sold after finding out its a Viet cajun seafood boil spot - plus it has really good reviews. I recommend making a reservation cause they can get busy. I like how they write your name on the reserved table - a nice touch. Also parking in the area is scarce so plan accordingly. They have a decent happy hour menu so we were able to take advantage of that! We shared the Lover's Cove for 2, then shared corn bread, garlic noodles, and the spicy cajun fries. The seafood combo only came with 1 lobster tail which is a bummer. We got the crab pad style (cajun) sauce. The sauce was fire. Compared to other seafood boils, this one wasn't as super garlicky. To end the meal, we built our own popsicles with unlimited toppings! Great way to end the meal. Flavors they had were matcha, ube, cookies n cream, birthday cake, blue raspberry, etc.

Always an amazing times at Crab King where I leave feeling like a QUEEN! lol…read more Food is always speedy and pipping hot, there's not to much to say other than it's exactly what you think it is! I always order the extra spicy and my fiancé does the mild/medium spicy. Everything is always cooked perfectly and never over done. I love that the vibes are always really casual. You can come as you are and it's definitely a good date night because of the eating and speaking experience. Service is always great too highly recommend if you haven't been yet.

This place was amazing! Our server john was attentive, kind, and super helpful. The food was…read moreexcellent. We got medium spicy and it definitely had a kick, but not too spicy. Highly recommend the pick 4 (wasn't a fan of the crawfish). Fired Oreos were great! Ambiance was cute!