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disappointment at Tin Fish... serving rare Halibut? ick

disappointment at Tin Fish... serving rare Halibut? ick
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  • disappointment at Tin Fish... serving rare Halibut? ick

    Post #1 - May 8th, 2006, 10:08 am
    Post #1 - May 8th, 2006, 10:08 am Post #1 - May 8th, 2006, 10:08 am
    ate at Tin Fish in Tinley Park last week... (apparently there is a location in Oakbrook as well..).

    It was pretty disappointing.

    Its somewhat of a nice place, but the menu is a little cheesey, in that their specialty is they have a number of fishes cooked various ways served with various sauces... the menu present this in a TGIF's style '1. pick your fish 2. choose your preperation 3. choose your whatevers' ...

    The special that night was grilled Halibut served on a bed of mashed potatoes and some other what nots.... My SO ordered this... I ordered Swordfish. After finishing appetizers, we waited over 20 minutes for our food. The server came by twice and said it was "coming right up" ... (The table next to us literally ordered after we had our appetizers and had finished their entrees before we even had ours).

    Eventually the food came... My swordfish came and was excellent. The halibut, however, was not so much. It was completely rare inside, which might be good for some types of fish, but this was just nasty and stringy... We asked the server if this was normal, she said yes its supposed to be served rare, and offered to "throw it in the oven" for a few more minutes if we wanted. We turned down her offer (having waited 20 minutes after our apps were finished, we were just hoping for an eventual exit), but then as more of it was eaten, the innards of the fish were not only rare, but actually cold and completely stringy inside. I'm not sure if this was a kitchen mishap (someone forgot to make it, and threw it on at last minute), or what?

    Is it at all normal to serve halibut rare? I'm all for medium rare in fish, but rare just seems like an odd match for halibut. I assume in some instances (at a really really nice restaurant with really fresh top grade fish) it might be OK, but in this case it wasn't either and nor does it seem like the the type of entree you might serve this way..

    we ordered desserts, one of which was OK and the other tasted freezer burned. we didn't say anything.

    When the check came, they had comped our deserts (which totaled $8 ), yet the $30 entree was still on the ticket .. we asked for the manager, and he basically said "thanks for letting us know" but didn't offer to do anything-and he was a jerk too
  • Post #2 - May 8th, 2006, 10:27 am
    Post #2 - May 8th, 2006, 10:27 am Post #2 - May 8th, 2006, 10:27 am
    Halibut can be served and eaten raw as hirame, but since this wasn't a Japanese restaurant I think your dish was improperly made and served. Oftentimes the hirame eaten raw consists of the meat bordering the "fin," and I don't think a "halibut filet" should ever be served rare (as a tuna steak/loin is often done). Your description of "cold and stringy" left a lot to be desired.
  • Post #3 - May 8th, 2006, 11:46 am
    Post #3 - May 8th, 2006, 11:46 am Post #3 - May 8th, 2006, 11:46 am
    Sounds like it was undercooked. I've never heard of halibut being served medium rare or rare (outside of hirame). Under the circumstances, it sounds like it wasn't appropriate to send it back, but I can tell you that my SO would have freaked out at the sight of undercooked halibut. From what I've read about the Tin Fish restaurants, I don't have a huge desire to give them a try.
  • Post #4 - May 8th, 2006, 11:48 am
    Post #4 - May 8th, 2006, 11:48 am Post #4 - May 8th, 2006, 11:48 am
    Tin Fishes will probably be sprouting up all over the area. In addition to the ones mentioned, there is also one on Skokie Blvd. near Old Orchard. I have been reluctant to try one, since it is nothing more than a fish version of Outback Steakhouse. ddaane's report does not make me want to go at all.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #5 - May 8th, 2006, 12:36 pm
    Post #5 - May 8th, 2006, 12:36 pm Post #5 - May 8th, 2006, 12:36 pm
    OK...totally confused as to which restaurant is being discussed here. Is the name of the place "Tin Fish"? The restaurant which opened in Skokie is indeed "Bonefish Grill". Are they one in the same????
  • Post #6 - May 8th, 2006, 12:43 pm
    Post #6 - May 8th, 2006, 12:43 pm Post #6 - May 8th, 2006, 12:43 pm
    LuvstoEat wrote:OK...totally confused as to which restaurant is being discussed here. Is the name of the place "Tin Fish"? The restaurant which opened in Skokie is indeed "Bonefish Grill". Are they one in the same????


    yes, Tin Fish.

    AFAIK Bonefish is not in any way affiliated with Tin Fish.
  • Post #7 - May 8th, 2006, 2:18 pm
    Post #7 - May 8th, 2006, 2:18 pm Post #7 - May 8th, 2006, 2:18 pm
    LuvstoEat wrote:OK...totally confused as to which restaurant is being discussed here. Is the name of the place "Tin Fish"? The restaurant which opened in Skokie is indeed "Bonefish Grill". Are they one in the same????


    My bad. I was talking about Bonefish Grill. I guess that makes me a Bone Head :oops:
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #8 - May 8th, 2006, 4:45 pm
    Post #8 - May 8th, 2006, 4:45 pm Post #8 - May 8th, 2006, 4:45 pm
    I used to work in Elmhurst and their was a dearth of great lunch eating options, except Nathan's Noodles (685 N. York Rd) has my favorite Panang Curry in Chicagoland, and Perry's Pizza Joynt in Northlake (39 W. North Ave) serves a thin crust sausage and pepperoni that rivals Pat's, surpasses Candlelite, and maybe one of the best in Chicagoland as well.

    That being said, one place I used to hit was the Oakbrook Tin Fish at 17W. 512 22ND which is affiliated with the Tinley Park location. While the fare isn't innovative ala Alinea or Moto or any of the New American fare we have in the city proper, they were always consistent in terms of their freshness and preparation. In fact if you were looking for a good plate of oysters or a nice plate of sauteed scallops in that neighborhood, I'd point you that way. My guess is the Tinley cook made a mistake and underprepared your halibut.

    Also, a friend of mine who is an accounting manager for one of the biq Chicago liquor distributors in town does audits all the time and regualrly goes out on the daily liquor deliveries, and said of all the suburban restaurants he had been to, the Tin Fish kitchen was one of the only places that consistently worked clean, and the fish was always on ice and well taken care of. He said that was no small feat in his experience.
    MJN "AKA" Michael Nagrant
    http://www.michaelnagrant.com
  • Post #9 - May 10th, 2006, 12:28 pm
    Post #9 - May 10th, 2006, 12:28 pm Post #9 - May 10th, 2006, 12:28 pm
    Tin Fish is an independently owned restaurant with only two locations, Oakbrook Terrace and Tinley Park.

    I haven't had halibut there, but I have had lightly cooked halibut at a number of other restaurants. It's more likely to be cooked that way automatically at high-end places. As with other fish, doneness is a matter of personal preference.

    I don't think "cold inside" can be correct, though. dddane, my guess is that something went wrong with your order -- which is why you were kept waiting -- and then they hurried to get a replacement done and didn't quite cook it through.

    I'd give them another chance, since you did like your swordfish. I had a very good meal at the Oakbrook Terrace location. The menu offers a mix-and-match selection of fresh fish, cooking preparations and accompaniments, which add up 188 combinations. You can follow the chef's suggestions or pick your own. When the latter works, it makes you feel very smart.

    On our last visit, Himself took the chef's recommendation and had the greens and hollandaise with pepper-grilled yellowfin, which was perfectly medium rare -- as he had specified -- and very good. I went my own way with scallops. Instead of sauteed with poached leeks and asparagus lemon butter sauce, as suggested, I had them crusted in cornmeal with sauteed tomatoes, peppers, onions and andouille sausage in pale ale gravy. It was delicious and made me feel brilliant.

    Tin Fish
    18201 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park, 708/532-0200
    17W512 22nd St., Oakbrook Terrace, 630/279-0808
    www.tf-tinfish.com
  • Post #10 - May 10th, 2006, 2:24 pm
    Post #10 - May 10th, 2006, 2:24 pm Post #10 - May 10th, 2006, 2:24 pm
    We really like Tin Fish and have been going there since they first opened. It's one of the better restaurants in the south suburbs, and we consider it to be a "special occasion" place for our family. I have yet to get a piece of fish cooked incorrectly there. I usually opt for the seared tuna and request it rare -- it's always done perfectly.

    There are only two locations for Tin Fish. It is also my understanding that Curt Wierbicki, one of the owners, used to be affiliated with Shaw's. We have only dined at the Tinley location as it is closest to our house.

    They usually have a nice selection of east and west coast oysters. Everything is very fresh and service is attentive.

    I can only guess you caught them on an off moment.

    Suzy
    " There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life."
    - Frank Zappa
  • Post #11 - May 11th, 2006, 4:24 pm
    Post #11 - May 11th, 2006, 4:24 pm Post #11 - May 11th, 2006, 4:24 pm
    LAZ wrote:I'd give them another chance, since you did like your swordfish.


    the restaurant industry is a service industry just as much as a food industry. if they screwed something up, they could have fixed it. or at least not charged us. they did neither. there are too many restaurants in the Chicagoland area to support establishments with such poor management.
  • Post #12 - May 5th, 2007, 8:59 pm
    Post #12 - May 5th, 2007, 8:59 pm Post #12 - May 5th, 2007, 8:59 pm
    We got a pleasant surprise tonight -- both kids had plans that included dinner. So after dropping the younger one off at a party at the Orland Lifetime Fitness, we went to Costco and stopped at Tin Fish for a grown up dinner before going home to unload the car.

    Both my husband and I opted for the seared tuna, served with asian greens in a some kind of sauce. We started with a dozen east coast oysters. Dinner was perfect -- the oysters were fresh and delicious and the tuna was cooked perfectly. We both left happy and satisfied with our dinner. Our waiter told us that the soft shelled crabs will be on the menu starting next week and that Copper River salmon will be available on May 18.

    The Tinley restaurant offers cooking classes once a month on Monday evenings. I plan to attend the May class, which highlights salmon, on May 21st. Cost is $35 and I'll report back after the class.

    Suzy
    " There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life."
    - Frank Zappa
  • Post #13 - April 25th, 2008, 8:25 pm
    Post #13 - April 25th, 2008, 8:25 pm Post #13 - April 25th, 2008, 8:25 pm
    Happened to be driving by the Tin Fish location in Oak Brook tonight and it looks like they are shuttered tight.

    Didn't actually try the door knob though... :)
    "Very good... but not my favorite." ~ Johnny Depp as Roux the Gypsy in Chocolat
  • Post #14 - April 26th, 2008, 6:58 am
    Post #14 - April 26th, 2008, 6:58 am Post #14 - April 26th, 2008, 6:58 am
    Tinfish has GREAT buffalo shrimp. If you happen to be in the Tinley area between 4 and 6 weekdays, appetizers are 1/2 price. That coupled with a nice selection of good draft beers is reason alone to stop in. Sadly, last time I was there, the owner told me that they were closing the Oak Brook location as they could not compete with the 300 seat places nearby!
  • Post #15 - April 26th, 2008, 9:13 pm
    Post #15 - April 26th, 2008, 9:13 pm Post #15 - April 26th, 2008, 9:13 pm
    Drove by Tinfish in Oakbrook today and can confirm that it is gone. There is a "for lease" sign in the front door.
  • Post #16 - April 29th, 2008, 12:33 pm
    Post #16 - April 29th, 2008, 12:33 pm Post #16 - April 29th, 2008, 12:33 pm
    CubsFanFoodie wrote:Drove by Tinfish in Oakbrook today and can confirm that it is gone. There is a "for lease" sign in the front door.

    That's too bad. It was a good place. I've eaten there (it's actually considered Oakbrook Terrace, I believe) as well as at the Tinley Park location, and I've enjoyed everything I've had.

    There were several problems with that Oakbrook Terrace location, though. One was visibility; even though it was on 22nd Street, a main commercial thoroughfare, you would never notice the place driving past. It was set back from the street, I think in a strip mall - I forget whether there were other stores alongside - and I don't think there was a huge sign. What's worse is that for some reason the address would not map properly on the most popular mapping websites, and I seem to recall that they didn't have good directions or a map on their own website. All stupid stuff, though, and I would have hoped that good seafood at fair prices would have enabled them to thrive.
  • Post #17 - October 1st, 2010, 8:46 am
    Post #17 - October 1st, 2010, 8:46 am Post #17 - October 1st, 2010, 8:46 am
    Yesterday was my oldest daughter's birthday and she requested Tin Fish for her birthday dinner. Now that her younger sister is a vegetarian, I was concerned that there would not be much for her to choose from. We were very pleased with our dinners. The husband and I had one of the specials, a panko-crusted walleye served on a bed of fresh spinach, garlic and grape tomatoes. The birthday girl had the seared yellowfin tuna, her best friend had the halibut, and my youngest had part of one of the specials -- a farfalle with cream sauce. The menu stated that it came with shrimp and lobster. We inquired as to whether the sauce contained fish or fish broth and when our waitress confirmed that the fish was added after the sauce was prepared, we asked for the pasta with just vegetables. It was really delicious.

    We started with an order of fried calamari. Tin Fish's version was really good, and we will order it again in the future. We were also excited to find a special appetizer of a hen of the woods mushroom in a sherry cream sauce. I've never had this before, and all of us really liked it.

    Apparently, they now have entertainment on Thursday evenings in the lounge area. I don't know who was playing, but they were very good. It's difficult to hear in the restaurant even without live music, but we all had a really nice time and look forward to going back again soon.

    Suzy
    " There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life."
    - Frank Zappa
  • Post #18 - October 5th, 2010, 8:30 pm
    Post #18 - October 5th, 2010, 8:30 pm Post #18 - October 5th, 2010, 8:30 pm
    Thanks for the update, Suzy. It's been a while since I was at Tin Fish, but I liked it quite a bit, and I'm glad to know they're still doing well.
  • Post #19 - August 21st, 2020, 1:04 pm
    Post #19 - August 21st, 2020, 1:04 pm Post #19 - August 21st, 2020, 1:04 pm
    After nearly 18 years, Tin Fish restaurant closed permanently by coronavirus

    https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavi ... story.html
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard

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