Shaw's Crab House | Chicago's ultimate happy hour just got a major upgrade! Sip on a savory $10 Mignonette Martini or a crisp $7 Wine of the Month. Treat yourself to $15 mini lobster rolls on pillowy, buttery brioche. Turn up the heat with crispy buffalo shrimp tossed in signature blue cheese. Live large with the $57 Happy Hour Tower loaded with fresh oysters and lobster tails! Shaw's Crab House | 21 E Hubbard, Chicago | Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 4-6pm read more

(Kari's Rating 8/10) Came for an early dinner as we were seated by 5:30. I actually love coming to eat early because the servers are a little more attentive since they just started their shift and the service is a little faster as there are less tables. Let me tell you, though, whatever we came it was quite busy with graduations and family dinners-which I didn't mind at all! What ate a relatively large meal as I had eaten a smaller lunch. We started off with the wedge salad and a yellowtail sushi roll. The wedge salad was pretty average, but the dressing was really delicious. The yellowtail was also pretty good and the jalapeño topping gave an extra kick last minute. For the entrées, we ordered the scallops as well as the pan seared Chilean Seabass. The scallops are buttery, rich, and had a perfect crispy crust. The Seabass was flaky and light-overall a very good combination of flavors. We got a side of the broccolini and then the crème brûlée and a piece of Keylime pie to go. Overall a very filling and delicious meal-I was pleasantly surprised with the scallops and how light the sea bass was. read more

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This crab house offers lunch, which is convenient, but the overall experience was just so-so across the board. The decor felt pretty average--nothing memorable or inviting. Service was mediocre, not bad but definitely not attentive either. Food followed the same pattern. The lobster rolls came on cold, toasted bread, which didn't quite work. French fries were fine, nothing special. The clam chowder leaned too milky and lacked depth. The salad was probably the most balanced item, but still nothing standout. Overall, it's an okay option if you're nearby and need a quick meal, but not somewhere I'd go out of my way to visit again. read more

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The food was fresh and delicious! We had the seafood tower. Plenty for 3 of us. The rolls are heavenly. I had a great espresso martini. We had the crème brûlée and strawberry rhubarb dessert, both fantastic. The service was excellent. Very attentive waiters. Loved our evening at Shaws Crab House! read more

Shaw's Crab House - Rolls! - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you're looking for a great place to eat for any occasion, this is the place to go. Everything we ate at Shaw's was fresh and delicious . The restaurant has a great old school ambience. A very classic and upscale look to it. The service here was top notch and matched the quality of the food. Our cups were constantly filled with water and they were very attentive. We will definitely be coming back here. read more

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Great happy hour deals on oysters and drinks. Sat in the oyster bar section of the restaurant and enjoyed the atmosphere, great quality food with a casual vibe. Service could be better, not rude but not friendly. read more

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I came here early on a Sat and sat at the bar. I started with a lobster bisque which was horrible. Salty and made like none I have ever had. My entree was Alaskan king crab legs. Best I have had in ages. For dessert I had chocolate cake which was so delectable. Paired it all with a CA cab. Bartender was very busy but I got good service. Will come back as I want to try the lobster mac and cheese. read more

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I've been here three times with groups; tonight, I came by myself and sat at the bar. I started with the tuna tartare, which I've had before, and then had the scallops, which I haven't. Both were fantastic. Service at the bar was about as prompt as bar service can be, knowing the bartender also takes your food order. I'll definitely come back. It's not cheap, but then again, quality seafood rarely is. read more

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We are here for business, this restaurant was one of our favorite, but tonight we were very disappointed. The bread was dry, hard and cold. The oysters were so disappointed ( it's still very fresh, but it's not what we had!) The main course ( I had blue crab stuff walleye ) was disappointed. Did they change the owner? read more

We went here for a quick dinner and sat in the more casual room where the oyster bar is. We had calamari that was delicious and ordered the seafood gumbo and lobster bisque soups. The seafood gumbo was delicious though the rice was a bit chewy/overcooked. The lobster bisque was interesting - theirs is very heavy on a brown butter flavor which I like but have never tasted in lobster bisque before. Not sure if I loved that combo but something to be aware of. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Lobster Bisque - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The seafood at Shaw's was spectacular! We were able to make an advance reservation for a large group. They had a decent wine selection, an oyster bar, and a tank of live lobsters. I tried the salmon sashimi, calamari, and had the seared scallops that were fresh. I could not decide on a dessert, so I went with the Shaw's Dessert Sampler that included four mini desserts and shared it with a friend. Everyone else in my party of eight enjoyed their entrees, drinks, and desserts. I would definitely go back to Shaw's again! They also hold Happy Hour in the oyster bar from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. read more

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Have I really never written a review for Shaw's Crab House?! Okay well then today's the day! I have been here several times, both for 'individual' dining as well as for larger group events (private rooms). The food has always been excellent and the service has mostly been fantastic (one or two 'one off' incidents but overall still a high average). We were just here last week for a team dinner and our server was amazing-friendly, attentive, and gave us great recommendations. While they do make a great steak, their specialty is seafood, so if that's up your alley, don't sleep on it. I've had great oysters, sea bass, and scallops here (and probably more I can't remember). We joke that this has become a bit of a department staple, but there's good reason for it. It is on the pricier side, but for good seafood and great service, that's the price you'll pay. read more

Amazing find! A true, classic, old school restaurant experience. You can tell the staff care about you and want to provide the best service. Love the decor and sinus commitment to good ingredients. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Oysters Rockefeller - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Loved it - again! We were 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! read more

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New to town and it's just me and my Husband so I want to check out Shaw's. I know it's a Chicago legend spot. Made our dinner reservation for Thanksgiving dinner. My mother in law said to just valet and take cash. I always try to tip in cash. Valet was amazing, nice crew and they were friendly and efficient. It's old school vibes indeed and we loved that! We felt like we were in a movie lol Our waiter, Antonio was awesome! Top notch service!!! We got a Caesar Salad, lobster Mac and cheese, swordfish and surf and turf. Everything was TOP NOTCH DELICIOUS! WOW! We enjoyed every morsel of it. The meats tasted healthy and fresh! Melt in your mouth lobster and swordfish. Seasoned to perfection. Steak was incredible. Excellent sear! We got key lime pie to go because we were stuffed! A couple of hours we ate it and it was delicious! read more

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Was craving some seafood, and was able to snag some reservations at the oyster bar at Shaw's. My friend and I arrived a little early, but were seated pretty quickly anyway. The vibe in the oyster bar is casual, diner-y and pretty loud. But overall good vibes. I ordered the lobster bisque and the lump crab cake. The lobster bisque was creamy and deliciously savory. It went exceptionally well with the table sourdough as well. I practically wiped the bowl clean with that bread wow. Only complaint there is that it was quite pricey, and there wasn't any actual lobster. At least that I could see. The lump crab cake was ginormous. A lot bigger than I expected. Definitely worth the money here given how much crab meat I got. It did start to get heavy towards the end, so it would've been nice for some more acidity either in the sauce or the crab cake itself. Overall, pretty good food. The soup and the sheer amount of crab in the crab cake was definitely the star for me. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Lump Crab Cake - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My Husband and I had a great lunch yesterday at Shaws crab house in the oyster bar. Our server, Luis it was very pleasant and helpful. When we started to order oysters, he let us know that happy hour would be starting soon so they would be half price. The bloody Mary's were very tasty and the lunch special with three courses is a great deal. Old school, New England ambience makes you feel like you're on the East Coast. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Happy hour menu. - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I absolutely love Shaws! Even the steak is OUTSTANDING at this seafood restaurant. Alaskan Halibut THE BEST! The Chilean Sea Bass is delicious. The fried calamari and shrimp delectable! Eat eat eat! Great vibe and superb service. read more

I read an article that interviewed lots of the actors from "The Bear", asking about some of their Chicago favorite restaurants. Shaw's was mentioned several times. Wow! We come to Chicago every summer, and this restaurant is a highlight. If you love seafood, do not miss this establishment. It covers every base! Ask for Sara or Manny. Their service never disappoints! Thank you Shaw's read more

We had reservations at 8pm on a Thursday night for a party of four. We were seated right away The tables were very close together and the ambiance was buzzing. It looks like a vintage steak house and the servers all wear fancy vests. We like that! However, the table was so cramped with dishes, drinks, and food that it made it hard to relax and enjoy the meal like we should have. Our server, Franky, took excellent care of us. He was professional and friendly. When we returned the Halibut dish for being way overcooked, he brought us a new one that was perfectly cooked and stayed at the table to make sure it was to our liking. After explaining that "we never send back food, but we had to for the price ($50)", he said we should always say something to the kitchen. They would rather remake the dish then the customer be disappointed. Other than that little hiccup, the food and drinks were excellent. My dirty martini with mignonette tincture was SO good. We had the Tuna Tartare, Yellowtail Yuzu sushi roll, and Lump Crab Cake for appetizers - YUM! The steak on the Clubroom Combo was cooked perfectly, as were the shrimp and scallops. And I thought the Sea Bass was the best dish of the night. Our generous side of sauteed spinach was garlicky goodness and fed all four of us. And because the Halibut didn't come out correctly, Franky brought us a complimentary dessert sampler. It was also delicious. Next time we are in Chicago, Shaw's will be on the dining list for sure. I wish we had a place like this is Cincinnati. read more

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Fresh seafood & great clam chowder, but the haddock fell a little flat I stopped into Shaw's Crab House for lunch, and while it did smell a little extra fishy inside (hey, it's a seafood spot after all ), the food definitely made up for it! I started with the mini lobster rolls and wow, they were so fresh and buttery, I could've eaten a dozen! For my next course, I had the clam chowder, and honestly, it was one of the best I've ever had. Creamy, flavorful, and comforting, even without the oyster crackers they forgot to bring. It was so good I actually ordered one to go (call it my "big back" moment, haha). For my main, I tried the breaded haddock. It was decent but could've used a little more flavor, the spinach on the side wasn't really my thing either. I even asked for some sauce to give it a boost, but it was still just okay. Overall, Shaw's has great potential and I'd definitely give it another shot, maybe try something different next time. The service was solid, and those lobster rolls + chowder alone are worth coming back for! read more

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We came in and sat at the bar on a Saturday night around 6pm. There were plenty of open seats at that time but things seemed to fill up quickly after that at the bar and in general throughout the restaurant. We ordered the oyster shooters, because why not?! They were good but I wasn't impressed. Next we ordered our cocktails I chose Embers of Autumn which was very good!! The mezcal definitely gave it a smoky taste which I thought brought out the rest of the flavors too!! My boyfriend had a Negroni. We then decided to go with the oyster sampler - a dozen oysters, 2 of each variety ( Island Creek, Hammersley Inlet, Love Shuck, Flapjack Point, Black Magic, and Big Cove ) My boyfriend thought they were all fantastic, I had favorites..and those were Island Creek, Love Shuck, Black Magic and Big Cove. I think my number 1 favorite was the Love Shuck oysters. Unfortunately, I was so excited to eat the oyster sampler that I never got a picture of it with the oysters organized clockwise starting with the Island Creek at 1 O'Clock and following the order that they are listed on in the menu. The bar staff were super friendly as well as everyone else we encountered during our visit. read more

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I love everything about this place. I've been here many times and never had anything but a wonderful experience. The ambience, the food, the service, the music! I'm in Madison WI and this is worth a special trip. read more

We needed to spend our Lettuce Entertain You holiday bonus cards, and we were meeting friends for a concert in the loop Sunday afternoon. Shaws was one of the few Lettuce places that was open before 4 and not serving brunch. Extra points for a real lunch and not brunch. The space is classic Lettuce, extremely effective in creating the vibe but stopping just short of going over the top. The formal dining room seems like a spot to be wearing your ivy league tie colors. Old money seafood dinner kind of place. Which also means big money menu. Bring a credit card with a healthy balance. At 12:30 the dining room was nearly empty, but it was a brutally cold day so that could have been a factor. Cocktails took forever to arrive. They came after the appetizers. But they were good. The anniversary old fashioned was overpriced and tasted very much like the cheaper, regular old fashioned. Espresso martini and manhattan were well received. Shrimp cocktail appetizer was fantastic, if a bit smaller than the price point warrants. The grilled calamari was the star of the meal. Never had better grilled calamari anywhere. Excellent swordfish with a great steaky texture. Scallops special was also fantastic. Lobster roll, perfectly done. The lobster roll, for the size and quality, was probably the only great value on the menu. For a space that was not remotely busy, service was less than attentive. We ordered no desserts. Still landed just south of $500 for four of us. I know food prices have jumped in the last few years, and we have to expect to pay more for great dinners out. I don't think I've ever whined about prices on Yelp before. But I think Shaw's pricing is a little excessive. Especially, given that it's not some kind of mom and pop establishment, trying to get by. Lettuce is making enough to be continuously expanding. Here's where we apply the bonus points for not giving us another overrated and mediocre brunch. More bonus points for truly excellent seafood preparation. It would have been a 2/5 or 3/5 without these factored in. Four stars, but not sure were coming back anytime soon. read more

It's our favorite seafood restaurant because of the fantastic service and great food. Of the 4 of us, 3 of us ordered the Walleye. Perfectly done with a horseradish crust. To start we ordered perfectly shucked oysters and the lobster crispy rice. I always have to have a cup of the chowder. For sides it was the lobster Mac and cheese and the coleslaw. Franky was a great server! read more

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We came here with a group of people from the ace convention hardware show. Someone had picked out this restaurant and it did not disappoint. Pedro was our server and he was super attentive and gave opinions on what foods were good to get. He was professional and personable. I started off with a glass of Moscato wine. We ordered appetizers, lobster, tacos, and calamari. I also got a cup of the lobster bisque that was very delicious. I decided to get the crabcakes and a side of au gratin potatoes. I ended the meal with an espresso martini and crème brûlée. It was a great ending to an amazing meal. It definitely gives off like a 1940s five. It's kind of dark and elegant. When I come back to Chicago, I will definitely be putting this on my list. read more

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An absolutely incredible night dining in this one of a kind establishment. Our server was kind, engaging and helped us make the best selections. We started off with the shrimp cocktail. Perfectly prepared. We then shared a couple of roles that our server helped us pick out and a chopped salad that the kitchen split for us. We also shared the combo, shrimp, scallop, and fillet. It was absolutely perfect in preparation and size. Everything was tremendous. The dining room is layered in decades of Chicago dining history. We simply can't wait to return. Thank you for a very memorable night. read more

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Visited on a Saturday afternoon. It's a staple for us--we never miss a chance to eat here when visiting the city. We sat in the Oyster Bar side and started with fresh oysters and a round of drinks. Our waiter, Valdemar, was phenomenal as always; it's incredible that he's been a fixture here for 30 years! For the main course, we ordered the lobster roll, clam chowder, lobster bisque, and the Dungeness crab. Everything was top-tier. read more

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I love this place! My wife and I were kicking around town on Sunday April 13th 2025. It was midafternoon and we were getting hungry. She suggested we go to Shaw's, and I'm so glad she did! It was approximately 2:30 and they had a nice crowd. We snagged two seats at the bar. This place has a wonderful vibe from a bygone era. You feel like the Brat Pack could walk in any moment. My wife ordered the Three Course Lunch for $38. She had 3 raw oysters, a petite filet with fries, and creme brûlée. I ordered a bowl of Gumbo. Everything was great and very reasonably priced. Service was very good. Shaw's Crab House is a Chicago Institution that you must try at least once in your lifetime! read more

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We think of Shaw's as our dependable steady friend, who we can always rely on for a good clam chowder and some seafood pasta. Many times when we don't know where to go, we will roll up to the Oyster Bar portion of the restaurant, sit at the bar, and enjoy a great lunch or dinner. We have been to the more formal restaurant part, the bar portion of the restaurant, and the Oyster bar. Of these, we prefer the Oyster bar for its retro vibe and fast service. 9 times out of 10, the food is excellent. However, the last time we went on a Saturday night for dinner, we were disappointed. The clam chowder was lukewarm, like they had left it out or neglected to heat it through. The seafood pasta was lacking in flavor. Perhaps it was an "off" night but we are hoping this is not the beginning of a downward trend. read more

We held a private event here with a fixed menu. The service was superb, the private room was quiet and intimate but not cramped. As always an amazing experience at shaws. read more

Shaw's Crab House - The Grand Seafood Tower - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The presentation of everything was good. Service was extreme slow but I recognize that as being a norm these days. I would just caution not to go there hungry. It took a while for bread to even be delivered. The ambience screams "we have been here for a while and we know what we are doing". The first thing I noticed was the Lunch Club plaque behind the host stand. Which apparently you get once you spend a certain dollar amount. I did korixe that yhe everyone appeared to be dressed Business casual on a Friday evening. I was more impressed with that. My table ordered the Seafood Pasta and the Sample Platter. The seafood pasta was good but we had to ask for a tad more saice to help it go down. The sample platter is not worth the price but overall I enjoyed it. The biggest con was the crab cake was filled with shells. It was both disgusting for me and embarrassing for the chef. It was a major turnoff for me and I was ins to finish my overpriced platter. read more

Shaw's Crab House doesn't sit back and live on it's iconic status. They continue to strive to be the best and they are successful in doing so. I was here many times in the late 80's as I worked above the restaurant. I had many family meals here so going back was a real walk down memory lane. This visit, we went BIG and had the full king crab prepared for us table side. We ate and ate and ate but couldn't finish it so we ended up sharing with our neighbors. I absolutely love this restaurant. read more

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Happy Hour. Oyster Bar. Just Do It. Whenever I visit Chicago, Shaw's is always at the top of the list. I visited in March for Saint Patrick's Day and was lucky--no pun intended--that Mauricio was bartending. He is a rockstar behind the bar as well as his peers. A must have is their Bloody Mary with a beer back. The atmosphere is warm and convivial and Sydney, one of the managers there, was a phenomenal host. I can't wait to return in the fall when I head to Soldier Field. Go Pats! read more

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Old school oyster house. Decided to pop in for happy hour. Enjoyed half dozen oysters, shrimp ceviche, and some mini lobster rolls and a beer. Hits the spot read more

Shaw's Crab House - Shrimp ceviche - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This classic spot still has it! The vintage feel is very evident as you walk in. From floor to ceiling I felt lost in time. It is the perfect backdrop for a fine meal. Our server was very nice. He was helpful and pleasant. Unfortunately at some point service became spotty where we needed to search for him. It did not change our experience too much. We still enjoyed our evening. Our food was incredible. We loved everything. The seafood options are endless and everything was prepared perfectly. Valet and street parking is available. read more

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Perfect for a saturDATE lunch . There was a lot going on in the city so coming into a nice cool temperature restaurant was the best idea . I haven't been here for a while so I was hoping to remember how great it was and Forsure everything we had was amazing . Lobster bisque with carrot and zucchini I was skeptical but so savory sweet delicious. Oysters are always just so fresh and delicious . Cesar salad was so fresh crunchy and the anchovies on top was a great touch . Shrimp cocktail was juicy and delicious . Shared a seafood platter but definitely could have one each. Love that Star of the meal dessert dreaming of the freshest blueberry peach cobbler with ice cream . The drink I had was also delicious it was a stronger spritzer . Shoutout to Rachel for being attentive and having great recommendations . And knowing we always need more sauce . Can't wait to come back for the sushi . read more

YUM! We were promptly greeted with warm bread and waters - our waters never went unfilled! Our waitress Sara was extremely attentive and gave great recommendations. We started with the shrimp cocktail and it was delectable. Then had lobster bisque and tried the oyster sampler which allowed us to try the east and west coast oysters. Then we split the lobster between two of us and brussel sprouts. Overall incredible experience and food and will be back when we're back in Chicago! read more

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This was my favorite spot to eat at during my 5-day trip to Chicago, that I came here twice. It wasn't on any big lists, nor did anyone recommend to me during my first visit to Chicago-- I stumbled into it because it was near my hotel and it was a very happy accident. Their Shaw's hot sauce is fantastic- in chowder, on oysters, with fries, anything. The first time we came here, we sat at the 360° bar and it was a bustling Saturday. The vibes feel like a truly authentic seafood bar, or raw bar and the cocktails are beautifully handcrafted. I really enjoyed a glass of the Giuliana Prosecco and my partner loved his Old Fashioned! I loved the cup of clam chowder I got- it was packed with clams and just perfectly hearty. My partner's lobster bisque was solid. We agreed that the clam chowder was the way to go. You can get either in a cup or bowl. We also ordered a dozen oysters, which they swap out or rotate daily! On the day we went, we had two oysters each from: Island Creek (Duxbury Harbor, MA), North Bay (Case Inlet, WA), Barstool Cocktail, Pickering Pass (Puget Sound, WA), Standish Shore (MA), and Arcadia Point (WA). We LOVED the ones from Pickering Pass. The mignonette was so wonderfully classic (on this day). The second day, we were seated outside of the main dining area, closer to the other bar near the lobby of the building. The bread was so delicious - we actually learned that they also change their complimentary bread, daily! My partner got fish & chips on this second visit AND a bowl of jambalaya that he really liked. The fish was fried very well and the jambalaya was extremely flavorful. We also got half a dozen oysters and the mignonette came in the form of ice this day, like a granita. Delicious. On our second visit, I enjoyed the seafood fettuccine that came with a small lobster tail, mussels, and shrimp. I would definitely recommend this dish. The pasta was cooked well and the sauce was perfect. The service here is wonderful. From the hosts to the bartenders, to waiters and everyone in the kitchen- such a gem of a spot. read more

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Don't sleep on Shaw's, they are a good option in the downtown Chicago restaurant scene. We came for lunch and it wasn't busy, but stull enjoyed the upscale ambiance of the place. Everything was delicious and service was top notch. read more

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