Cape Cod Room

140 E Walton Pl, The Drake Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611 312-932-4615

Description: MAGNIFICENT MILE. This classically elegant restaurant is located in the Drake Hotel and has become a Chicago institution. It's definitely the place to go for old-fashioned pampering and a fresh seafood meal. Order the Dover sole, the lobster thermidor, the crab legs, or the roasted black Cod. The interior hearkens back to the shipping days of yore, with red-checkered tablecloths, exposed wood beams, weather vanes, and stuffed sailfish. Reservations recommended.
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Catch 35

35 W Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601 312-346-3500

Description: THE LOOP. If you've made up your mind to have seafood, make a beeline for this notable place, whose vast menu features lots of seafood favorites prepared in a variety of culinary styles. Choose from the likes of Chilean sea bass, stir-fried shrimp and scallops, seared Creole seasoned salmon, Bahamian fish chowder, grilled Atlantic salmon, and grilled yellow fin tuna. Steaks can also be had, and live jazz is a treat in the bar most nights. Valet parking available.
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Dragonfly Mandarin Restaurant & Lounge

832 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607 312-787-7600

Description: WEST LOOP. This after-work spot draws a trendy group of yuppies looking to sip martinis and munch on delectable Chinese appetizers (or "teasers" as the menu labels them). Start off with a signature Dragonfly Martini and a plate of crab puffs or Shanghai spring rolls.
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El Barco Mariscos

1035 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 773-486-6850

Description: WEST TOWN. A popular West Town destination, El Barco Mariscos is swarmed daily by denizens who can't get enough of the mid-scale Mexican seafood restaurant. Get here early because it tends to become packed. The menu encompasses fish, steak, and chicken dishes, and they're accompanied by limes and various hot sauces that reside on the table. Portions are huge and come with beans and rice. The alcohol flows, too, thanks to giant margaritas and bottles of Corona.
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Half Shell

676 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614 773-549-1773

Description: LAKE VIEW. While Half Shell's location and dim room spangled year-round with Christmas lights may not immediately impress, your first taste of amazingly tender, succulent snow crab legs surely will. The house-specialty crab legs, served with butter and lemon, arrive in satisfying, heaping portions. Oysters, catfish, scallops, red snapper, and perfectly fried jumbo shrimp also delight. True to the no-frills vibe, entrees are typically served in red plastic baskets with non-traditional accoutrements: white toast and a lollipop.
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Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House

1024 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611 312-640-0999

Description: GOLD COAST. Famous for serving tasty frog legs, this restaurant is owned by the same folks as Gibson's Steakhouse next door. The menu at Hugo's focuses on seafood, and fresh deliveries are made several times a day, but you can order a steak from the neighboring kitchen if you're in the mood. If you're having difficulty selecting, know that mesquite-grilled mahi mahi, pan-fried walleye pike, and whitefish all make excellent choices. A nautical theme and three separate dining areas also distinguish Hugo's.
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Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

60 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 312-379-5637

Description: RIVER NORTH. This classic dinner club-style restaurant boasts a vaulted ceiling, dark wooden furniture, and excellent lighting, making it an ideal place for a power lunch or entertaining important clients. Partner of the famous Joe's Stone Crab in Miami, this River North gem features a selection of fresh seafood and steaks. Of course, rumor has it that the stone crab claws alone are worth the trip.
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Joy Yee's Noodle Shop

2159 South China Pl, Chinatown Square Mall, Chicago, IL 60616 312-328-0001

Description: CHINATOWN. This unassuming noodle shop offers some of the best Pan-Asian eats in the area. The menu boasts a collection of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Thai items. Try Thai pad woon sen (glass noodles mixed with chicken, shrimp, and vegetables), or order their signature pork buns or chicken satay. The prices are very low, making this an extra enjoyable experience.
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Keefer's

20 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60610 312-467-9525

Description: RIVER NORTH. This lovely steakhouse welcomes diners with a gleaming interior that features large windows and great views of the river. A curved bar and highly polished light and dark woods give the dining room a sophisticated feel. The owners of Keefer's pride themselves on the high quality cuts of beef that they serve. Try the filet mignon, the New York strip au poivre, or the thick porterhouse.
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Las Tablas

2965 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 773-871-2414

Description: LAKE VIEW. This Lincoln Park churrascaria offers meat-eaters a comfortable haven in which to delve into heaping portions of grilled beef, pork, and chicken. The signature item is the juicy, char-grilled NY strip steak served with vegetables, a baked potato, and chimichurri sauce. The menu also offers a tasty selection of paella and side dishes that include vegetables like yuca and grilled plantains. Fresh seafood also finds a spot on the menu.
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Nacional 27

325 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60610 312-664-2727

Description: RIVER NORTH. National 27, whose name refers to the 27 recognized Latin American countries, offers a unique menu featuring a wide range of thrilling Latin American favorites. Indeed, from chimichurri sauce to garlic-roasted chicken Cubano, the skilled kitchen staff goes the extra mile to make sure even novices find something suited to their fancy. After hours, this hip restaurant turns into a nightclub that emanates the spicy grooves of salsa, merengue, and quebradita, making it one of the hippest destinations in town.
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Nick's Fishmarket

10275 W Higgins Rd, Rosemont, IL 60603 847-298-8200

Description: THE LOOP. Nick's has both a primary dining area and a more informal grill. The food served in both has an American-Continental sensibility and includes seafood, beef, poultry, pastas, and vegetarian dishes. Among the scrumptious options are roasted salmon fillet, lobster tail, and Dover sole ­ all perfectly prepared and expertly presented. A pianist performs at the grill most evenings.
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Oceanique

505 Main St, Evanston, IL 60202 847-864-3435

Description: EVANSTON. Fabulous seafood entrees paired with an excellent wine list cause this Evanston restaurant to be a top pick by knowledgeable locals. The long, narrow dining room is elegant with amber colored walls, a tile floor, and flowing fabric draping the ceiling. The menu changes daily, taking advantage of in-season items. Sample items include roast rack of venison with Shiraz and black currant sauce, roast sirloin of beef, and pan seared foie gras with pear chutney, gailon, and caramelized pineapple. Prix fixe wine dinners served once a month.
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Pete Miller's Seafood & Prime Steak

1557 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201 847-328-0399

Description: EVANSTON. Decorated like a '30s or '40s-era supper club, this jazzy restaurant and bar is known as much for its deliciously fresh seafood and 18-oz. marinated ribeyes as for its cozy, post-workday environs. Indeed, suits flock here after the last whistle to enjoy a favorite cigar, brew, or potent cocktail, and live jazz and billiards in the evenings only enhance the cool, speakeasy-style experience. Diners, meanwhile, are regaled by beef Wellington, Kansas City strips, and daunting porterhouses. Dinner reservations are strongly suggested.
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Riva

700 E Grand Ave, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60611 312-644-7482

Description: STREETERVILLE. Scrumptious seafood and amazing views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline can both be found at this Navy Pier favorite. Take a seat in the elegant dining room or outside on the pier if the weather is nice, and enjoy a starter of fried calamari or bacon-wrapped diver scallops. Tuna, salmon, sole, crab, and lobster are well-represented on the menu, and steaks and pastas can also be had. Dessert includes classics like crème brûlée and mango ice cream.
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Shaw's Crab House Chicago

21 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60601 312-527-2722

Description: RIVER NORTH. Shaw's offers two distinct dining options ­ the casual oyster bar and the more upscale main dining room. Polished wood paneling and globe lighting set the scene, and the menu boasts a wide variety of fish and seafood: Copper River king salmon, Pacific halibut, and charred sashimi tuna, for example. Though limited, the dessert menu offers abundant temptations, and live music is offered in the oyster bar every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
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Spring

2039 W North Ave, at N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 773-395-7100

Description: WICKER PARK. The menu at this seafood restaurant combines New American cuisine with influences from the Orient. The design does as well, as Spring features a lovely Zen garden that's perfect for romantic dining on a warm summer evening. Once a bathhouse, this restaurant still retains its original white-glazed brick. Menu standouts include grilled sea scallops, roast duck, and grilled Pacific halibut.
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Tavern on Rush

1031 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611 312-664-9600

Description: GOLD COAST. Trendy Tavern on Rush brings together all the elements of a fine steakhouse: a lively bar, plenty of leather and dark wood, and excellent beef. The main-level bar has excellent martinis and comfy couches, making it a popular gathering spot for well-dressed professionals, but it's great for pre- or post-prandial cocktails, too. The second-floor dining room sports an entertaining open kitchen and big windows with engaging views of bustling Rush Street. Start your meal with potstickers, crab and artichoke dip, or a thin-crust pizza. Steaks reign supreme, and you can get yours grilled or prepared with any number of additions, like bleu cheese, Cajun spices, roasted garlic, or brandy peppercorn sauce. Seafood and ribs are also well-prepared.
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