Category: Seafood

Across the street from Wrigley Field and next door to the Metro, the Raw Bar gets a lot of attention from outsiders, and its truly unique menu keeps them and the locals coming back! Whether you are a strict vegetarian, love seafood or have a desire for something completely exotic, stop by this place after a game or before a night on the town! In fact, the only thing Raw about this storefront establishment is the rawness in its unassuming and fun loving attitude.

Guests will be delighted to find so many good things to order, they usually end up finding themselves undecided! The Crab Cakes have very little "cake" to them and the fish and seafood are incredibly fresh. Steaks are perfectly grilled to perfection, and the Tapas couldn't be any more varied. Of course, those looking for the truly hard to find items will be delighted with seeing Alligator and Grilled Frogs Legs on the menu, along with their popular Blackened Ostrich steak. Other favorites include the Whole Dungeoness Crab and the Grilled Swordfish.

Since the location can sometimes be extremely hectic, it is recommended to call ahead for a reservation. Be forewarned the place can get really hopping for no apparent reason whatsoever, so those looking for seclusion and privacy on a whim may not find it. However, couples looking to obtain that can indeed do so if they request the Chef's Table. It is actually a large glass coffee table up a half flight of stairs, tucked between and a large exotic fish aquarium and the staff's pickup window and set apart; patrons are sat upon a super cozy loveseat and overstuffed pillows. Those wishing to enjoy a large variety of Tapas will especially find this spot to be the best seat in the house.

If the entertainment of the neighborhood itself just isn't enough, the Raw Bar hosts their own Jazzy performers and pianists early evenings. Side the live music with the best Appltinis in town or a nice glass of wine! Their full bar and knowledgeable bar staff know how to concoct just about any libation one could muster. A special note also needs to be made to the upbeat and cheerful wait staff who seem to have a knack for providing just the right amount of service, no matter how busy they get!

Why chop houses in Chicago carry an air of pretension is anyone's guess. After all, there isn't a thing wrong with dressing presentable and having a few table manners, but a good steak needs no formal introduction, and Kinzie's Chophouse knows that well. Located downtown by the Merchandise Mart and catering to the local businessmen and artisans by day, this chop house is moderately upscale in decor and demeanor but down to earth when it comes to its food.

Since steaks and chops are the highlights on the menu, focus is placed upon searing them to perfection and using only the choicest cuts. The wait staff are extremely knowledgeable about the different varieties and will patiently explain the differences in each. The Kinzie Cut is the most popular, a sixteen ounce flat iron steak cooked just the way you like it! Of course, those who really love their meat can shoot straight for the top and test the depths of their stomachs with the forty eight ounce whopper of a porterhouse, Chicagoans favorite cut. On the chop side of things are the well received one pounder Apple Wood Smoked Pork Chop as well as the New Zealand Lamb Chops and the Veal Chops.

Of course, those looking to cut back on the red meat will find a nice selection of seafood and pasta dishes available, their Peppercorn Halibut steak being especially noteworthy. Vegetarians will even be pleasantly surprised with some of the selections available, and since Kinzie's aims to please, many salads and entrees can be adjusted to suit their dietary needs.

Kinzie's isn't just for dinner of course, since they have a nice lunch menu that accommodates the locals well. Those who tend to eat there often may find a caricature of themselves gracing the walls! Regulars and newcomers alike will be pleasantly surprised by their award winning and extensive wine list, carrying a wide selection of domestic and imported varieties from all over and accommodating to all price ranges. Of course, no meal would be complete without at least a sampling of their fine desserts, especially the Key Lime Pie and the Chocolate Terrine.

What truly makes Kinzie's a place to check out is the overall service and vibe. The ambiance may not be the absolute classiest, but it has that true Chicago "feel" to it that no one can deny, which makes it a great place to enjoy an excellent meal without needing to take out a small loan. Yes guys, you can leave the tie at home!

Bicycle enthusiasts have a place to call home in Chicago, and it is located just a minute ride west of the Doubledoor. Handlebar's extends free plates of fries and drink specials to bike messengers on Monday nights and are hotspots for bike rider organizations like the monthly Critical Mass. While not entirely vegetarian, veggie folks also frequently patronize Handlebar's , due to their wide variety of vegan and vegetarian selections, as well as their "no farm, no fowl" menu policy. A few fish selections however are present.

For veggie novices, choosing items featuring seitan verses tofu is probably a safer bet, as that wheat meat tends to take on more of a familiar flavor than its soy based counterpart. The Barbecued Seitan sandwich is an easy choice, and the Apple Celery Slaw it’s paired with is especially unique and delicious. Add on a plate of home made Fries or their awesome Garlic Mashed Potatoes, along with a good pint for the perfect, guilt free and peddle powering meal.

While they are now serving breakfast, the menu is somewhat lacking. However, its location and the somewhat easy parking in the area allows those without bikes to make it over and possibly convert. The patio out back is a nice brunch spot in summer, too.

The overall "come as you are" vibe present really knocks the wind out of any first night jitters, making Handlebar's a great place to just hang when the bike's on the rack. The ambiance is anything short of whimsical, fusing old bike parts for the furniture. Take it all in and chill out with one of their interesting beer and wine selections or try one of the micro soda brews available. Intelligentsia coffee and a nice selection of teas are also available, which is a nice touch.

The only real issue at Handlebar's is the overall inconsistency. Sometimes the service can be outstanding, and at other times it can be a little too casual. Therefore, those who expect this place to have hired the wait staff from a pricey joint downtown are seriously out of luck. Roll with it and just chill!

Before hitting a show at the Aragon Ballroom or making it a jazzy evening at the Green Mill, be sure to check out this authentic Chinese restaurant located in the heart of Uptown. Outside of Chinatown itself, the Silver Seafood is the best place for Chinese food in the entire city, featuring some of the freshest seafood around, many times right out of the tank. It’s little wonder why locals insist upon making this their must-hit dining spot!

Don’t let its outward appearance fool you, because once you step inside, this seemingly small Chinese joint opens up as wide as the ocean itself, capable of handling all those repeat hungry customers. The lighting is a bit on the bright side and the decor isn’t exactly extravagant, but because the food is simply that good and unique, the Silver Seafood proves to be a great place to break the ice before that big night.

So, while she ain’t pretty, she sure is good, and its close proximity to the Uptown scene makes it a standout among the gritty burrito joints and Vietnamese restaurants dotting the landscape.

Dharma Garden may not be the most elegant or sophisticated Thai restaurant in Chicago, but it is the unique menu and the generous hospitality at this north side establishment that has people returning time and again. Whether you are a Thai-infused seafood connoisseur or simply a vegetarian seeking a new place to expand your palate, Dharma Garden will delight you and your date with fresh, traditional fare and leave you begging for more!

If karaoke is your thing, then crooning along with the regulars at night while enjoying a sumptuous meal can become quite an experience. Their bar features a variety of healthful drinks and compliments the array of the original specialties, and because they are designated as a BYOB, those wishing to expand their choices are able to do so.

The knowledgeable, helpful wait staff will tone down the spiciness of their many selections if asked, so it is a good idea to ask about the heat in advance, even on otherwise unassuming dishes. Since the owner is staunch on health, no MSG can be found at this Asian restaurant, nor are fish sauce, refined sugar or other processed ingredients. The mock duck and jasmine rice are by far some of the best in the city, the spring rolls are light and flavorful, and the surprisingly large and inventive dessert menu demands your attention!

Overall, Dharma Garden is a fun, quaint place to experiment without going overkill on the pocket book, and it is guaranteed to have newcomers from all walks of life to stop by again and again.