Shaw's Crab House, Chicago

We have been enjoying Shaws for years, both locations. 45 minutes after eating at Shaws this past Saturday, my wife became violently ill with food poisoning. The trip to the emergency room cost over $1500. Stomach pumps and a 3 day stay in the hospital are not my idea of a good restaurant. To say it was a disaster is and understatement.

The main dining room is more formal and "heavier" than the Oyster Bar. Similarly, the food and service reflected the dark-wood and low light atmosphere.Appetizers--six oyster samples, crab fingers and mixed grill sampler--were very good, especially the sampler. The crab fingers were a nice complement to a glass of white wine. Mac and Cheese was a good side. Softshell crabs (choice of two or three crabs) were high quality and properly prepared.

July 4: Really enjoyed the food .. raw oysters, oysters Rockefeller, and crab cakes are killer starters. We enjoyed the Signature (filet and crab legs) and Surf & Surf (lobster tail and crab legs) for our main courses. To make it glutinouss, choose the au gratin potatoes as a side ... bring your Lisinprol ;). Service was overwhelemed, but we were treated fairly. Very enjoyable.

BEST Seafood Restaurant in the city, period.

Impeccable service, scrumptious seafood. The Walleye was wonderful. No better place in Chitown for oysters.

The crab was excellent, however the sides were somewhat rich: mashed potato with cheese, spinach with cream. Good selection of wines available by the glass.The overall atmosphere was friendly without being especially stylish.

Better for lunch sometimes, but still a classic.

I wish they would get my orders right. Plain vegetables, no oil. The crab comes out ok, but it can't make up for soggy side dishes. It wants to be like it's big brother in Chicago, but it's on junior varsity. The key is preperation, keep practicing and you'll succeed some day.

We always eat in the bar; love the hustle/bustle and the opportunity to chat with the bartenders/waiters. Fantastic selection of oysters always presented perfectly and widest selection of seafood imagainable with a plethora of choices of accompanying wines by the glass or the bottle.

Some of the best fish I've ever tasted - it seems they jump out of their sea school and onto the grill or into the pan. Go for the yearly summer lobster special, but don't wear good clothes you do't want to drip on. I adore the more casual area with the raw bar. Great for families.