Edition: Hot Town: Summer in the City
Dining: Surf & Turf Twists
Author: Theresa Page
Think that surf and turf is limited to steak with a side of steamed lobster and drawn butter? Think again. We searched the city for creative land and sea pairings and came up with these luxe alternatives to the classic combo.
Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House This bustling Gold Coast seafood house is a sibling (and neighbor) to the always-jumping Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse, so you can order up the same top-notch prime steaks you'd get next door. The menu also features frog legs, lobster, crab legs and a daily changing lineup of fresh fish selections, plus mainstays like planked Lake Superior whitefish. The nautical-inspired eatery offers multiple dining rooms and more casual bar area, plus there's great people watching from the sidewalk café. Surf n' Turf: Try the steak and cake combo, a filet mignon with a crab cake and hot pink mayonnaise - the meaty crab cake is one of the best in Chicago, and the slightly spicy mayo is the perfect sidekick.
Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse & Bar This River North Italian steakhouse, which is named after the revered Chicago Cubs sportscaster, has enough baseball memorabilia to make sports fans giddy. It also has a history; the restaurant is located in a Henry Ives Cobb designed landmark building. There's even a mob connection - Al Capone's henchman Frank Nitti used to live in the building back in the day. In addition to the sporty stuff, the classy dining room features dark woods, exposed brick and white linen-topped tables. The menu features steaks and chops, plus Italian favorites such as veal Marsala and linguine with clams. Surf n' Turf: Get it Harry's way: order the special a la carte surf and turf Vesuvio-style. An Australian rock lobster tail is sautéed in olive oil with quartered potatoes, fresh garlic and seasonings, deglazed with white wine, then baked and topped with sweet green peas; pair it with a prime NY strip or a dry-aged bone-in rib-eye.
Tavern At The Park This spacious two-story eatery features flagstone, leather and mahogany, plus large windows overlooking the Millennium Monument (Peristyle) in Wrigley Square at Millennium Park. Seating includes well-spaced tables and oversized booths, plus there's a sound-absorbing ceiling in place to keep the decibels down. The American menu offers comfort foods such as chicken pot pie, plus entrees like slow-roasted prime rib and lighter fare like a chopped steak cheeseburger. Surf n' Turf: The ordering's easy here; the filet mignon comes crusted with a half-inch layer of Maine lobster mixed with red onions, sherry, Panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, chives, shallots and butter.
Shaw's Crab House: The menu changes frequently at this popular River North spot to feature the freshest seafood, but live lobster, lobster tails, freshly shucked oysters, sushi and crab always make the list. In case the name didn't give it away - crab is a specialty; best bets include Alaskan Red King crab legs and Pacific Dungeness crab. The clubby 1940s-inspired space offers two seating options; there's an upscale dining room and a more casual oyster bar. Surf n' Turf: The Club Room combination features two from the sea; a prime filet mignon is paired with griddled sea scallops and shrimp with garlic butter sauce and side of Shaw's signature herby shrimp-spiked rice.
Cape Cod Room The historic Drake Hotel's venerable seafood spot, which opened in 1933, received a well-deserved facelift earlier this year to celebrate the restaurant's 75th anniversary. In addition to the spruced-up nautical-themed interior, the Drake also upgraded the menu but kept the classic dishes intact, including Marilyn Monroe's favorite--the lobster Thermidor. We recommend starting with the sherry-garnished red snapper-laced Bookbinder soup--it's been a top-seller for decades. Surf n' Turf: Order the grilled Chilean sea bass with beurre blanc and a filet mignon with béarnaise with a side of seasonal veggies for a change of pace.
