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It's been over two years since we moved away, so I haven't kept current on good seafood options for dinner. We'll be staying in River North, so would like something walkable/short cab away. We'll be there on a Friday during Lent so I need to plan ahead; I've got a backup reservation at Shaw's, just in case nothing more exciting comes to mind. We used to love Spring, but looks like that's not around anymore. There will be 5 of us, My inlaws (60's), my wife and I (40), and our 4yo son.

Thanks!

GT Fish and Oyster?

This is what I was going to suggest as well.

Your backup plan is good too - you can't go wrong with Shaw's.

How about C-House?

Seafood for lunch at GNR'S Big & Little's.

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Ava-"If you get down and out, just get in the kitchen and bake a cake."- Jean Strickland

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I'll second Big & Little's for lunch, just avoid the rush around 12 - 12:30 pm. You can't go wrong with Shaw's.

Couple of other options to consider if you're in River North & want to be able to walk - Catch 35 (Wacker & Dearborn), the (relatively) new branch of Nick's Fishmarket at the Merchandise Mart (again avoid the Noon rush, but its really relaxed after about 12:30 pm), & Sushi Naniwa on Wells.

I agree with both these posts.

Here are a few tips about GT Fish. The menu is "small plates" (smallish portions, smallish prices) so you can have as much or as little as you like, in whatever order you like. It's one of those places that's both casual and elegant at the same time, if you know what I mean. It's also very popular, and often fills up with reservations in advance, so you'll want to make a reservation as soon as you know you want to go there. They're on Opentable.com so you can check availability easily.

Shaw's is still very good as well. In addition to lunch and dinner, they do a great Sunday brunch buffet. It's not cheap ($48) but it's all-you-can-eat, with seafood specialties like crab cakes, hot and cold shrimp, etc, as well as a carving station, great desserts (I still think their creme brulee is the best in the city, and they do a kick-ass chocolate pot de creme), and of course the usual breakfast specialties like benedicts and thick-cut caramelized bacon. They too can fill up, so reservations are recommended.

I ate at Catch 35 during Restaurant Week last year and was disappointed, so I would stick to these two instead.

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"we must all understand that we're not all going to agree on everything, so let's just accept it -- hell, let's cherish it -- and move on." - ronnie_suburban

Shaw's is always a solid choice. As far as the newcomers I'd go Fish Bar over GT.

Lakeview isn't exactly "near downtown". As noted above:

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"we must all understand that we're not all going to agree on everything, so let's just accept it -- hell, let's cherish it -- and move on." - ronnie_suburban

Well it's all subjective really. I can make it from the Merchandise Mart to Fish Bar via the el in about 15 minutes. I would say the biggest challenge with Fish Bar would be accommodating a party of five. They tend to do better with parties of 4 or less.

All that being said, I am a huge fan of Fish Bar. I think they're operating at a really high level right now. A little less refined than GT, but I would say just as good.

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-Josh

An amuse bouche at breakfast is called a Bloody Mary - Scott Manlin