08/25/08

Best Seafood in the West Burbs

by sjackson

I love...love... LOVE this place! The decor is warm and relaxing the music is nice. The service is great, everyone is friendly and accommodating. Now the Food, is SPECTACULAR. You must try the mini steak sandwiches, they are seasoned perfectly not too much and not to little and the steak is very tender. The Calamari is fried just right with a wonderful marinara sauce that has a little hint of spice, but a subtle sweetness to make you smile. You have got to try the truffle Mac and Cheese, you will never view Mac & Cheese the same, this is a wonderful side dish that compliments the Sea Bass and Salmon perfectly. And you must not forget dessert, I had the Lemon Moraine Pie, which is an inspired recipe from the Chef's Grandmother, the dessert is wonderful. I will definitely be back again and again!

• Pros: Great Food, Great Service, Nice Atmosphere
• Cons: None

02/10/08

Never again.

by eatinwell

Had reservations for 7:30 and wasn't seated until 8. Took the waiter almost 20 minutes to take our order, had to ask twice for more rolls and didn't really see him but once until it was time to pay. Took 30 minutes to get our food. Appetizers were okay but sea bass was undercooked. Food was a terrible value. $27 for a single piece of fish with 3 tomatoes! $18 for fish and chips. Come on. Also, I realize that the place was busy but seeing trains of staff running through the restaurant in single file line is not very professional. Be sure to watch your plate, the staff will take it away without asking.

• Pros: Ambience
• Cons: Poor value, unprofessional and untrained staff, don't come hungry

01/24/08

Lettuce's Oak Brook seafooder is a mall feeding frenzy with the illusion of an upscale supper club.

by Contributor

The Scene
Suburban diners and shoppers swarm this linear, masculine enterprise devoid of themey shore stuff--but also of real character. It's all neutrals and wood, mirrors and cushy booths, urban-chic bathrooms and strategic lighting. Harried servers and bad pacing spoil the fine-dining mood.

The Food
The massive menu's something-for-everyone mentality showcases many dishes repeated from Northbrook Court's Di Pescara. Gumbo has good base but few chewables--just a few grains of rice. Though perfectly seared, a hunky crabcake gets most of its flavor from too-skimpy mustard sauce. Miso-glazed Alaskan black cod is winsomely clean and light, but parchment-roasted grouper is bland bordering on boring. Steaks are prime, though temperature can be an issue. Cheese and bacon potatoes exhibit little of either; decadently rich truffled mac & cheese is underseasoned. Fun desserts include intriguing grown-up ice cream options like chewy macaroon with coconut sorbet and chocolate.

Hits
Decor and prices promise upscale supper-club dining.

Misses
Low flavor factor, high prices and service missteps deliver an expensive suburban chain dining experience.