GT Fish and Oyster

The energy in the place is great and the bar area is a fun place to eat. If you like seafood - this is a MUST to try in Chicago

I'll start the New Year off with a review of a personal after work favorite that, for the right client, can double as a very cool biz lunch choice. I see that GT Fish And Oyster has been reviewed quite frequently already by other Mafia members, a clear sign that this place is awesome... so I'll just add my two cents as it relates to the lunch experience. Unlike a date or a group dinner outing, sharing dishes at a biz lunch is awkward and I recommend against it. Those who know GT's dinner style understand that small dishes and sharing are part of that experience. Thankfully, GT seems to understand the biz lunch issue and offers very satisfying stand alone choices such as the Lobster Roll and Fish Tacos. GT is an outstanding selection when you truly know your client already, and want to please the hip guest who will enjoy a diversion away from the center Loop and common lunch dishes.

I liked it. Don't get me wrong. But it was not nearly as good as everyone told me it was going to be. But, yes, it was good! The oyster shooters were great. Terrific even. I plan to go back just for the shooters and a spiked lemonade or two. The Cioppino was good, not great, but good. The brother was perfectly seasoned and the portion size was large. The fish tacos were mediocre. Flavors were unique, portion size was small, but nothing out of this world. But, as I mentioned, it was good. :)

“He was a bold man that first ate an oyster.” Jonathan Swift Amen. It’s the first thing I noticed when I entered GT Fish & Oyster. It consumes an entire wall. White luxurious booths and black chairs play off the image. There’s large tables, a bar and cozy tables for two. We were seated at a table near the window which allowed for a good view of the entire dining room. Our server, Oscar, was absolutely amazing. I couldn’t decide what to drink so he recommended a few wines and bubblies. I went with a sparkling Rose, and it paired perfectly with everything we tried. Before we looked at the menu, I ordered two of every oyster. There were three from the east coast and three from the west coast. They ranged from salty, creamy and sweet. A dozen oysters came to our table served with a homemade cocktail sauce. The sauce was to die for. We made our way around the plate, and I particularly liked the French Kiss. Maybe it was just the name that made it taste so good. Either way, all the oysters were fresh and delicious. They were a perfect introduction to the rest of our dinner. Oscar recommended a few dishes for us to try, and I had a hard time narrowing down the choices. Everything sounded great. We ordered everything together, but they did a great job at timing the foods out. They brought out delicate flavors first. Our dinner had a great progression. We only tried one dish from the cold menu. He recommended the Tuna Poke which was served over sliced cucumbers with a mange sauce. The flavors were great. It was a little sweet for my preference, but it was good! Next came the Oyster Po’Boy Sliders. Wow. It’s served with kimchi and peanuts. One slider per person was not enough. In fact, it was a tease. I wanted a jumbo sized bun with oysters galore; it was that good. I voted against ordering another one because we had ordered more food. The GT “Mac and Cheese” came next. The macaroni was covered in rich, creamy cheese. There were giant pieces of lobster and English peas. Each bite was delightful. Can we like the bowl clean? I have no shame in this guilty pleasure. What happened next was pure gluttony. The Lobster Roll was brought to our table and devoured. I don’t think I took a single breath between bites. Fresh lobster salad was generously scooped inside a buttered and toasted bun. Crispy Vidalia onions and pickled vegetables accompanied the sandwich. GT Fish & Oyster is yum certified. Each dish was executed with perfection. The floor to ceiling windows compliment the modern yet luxurious decor. What stands out to me the most was the service. Not only was Oscar informative, but he guided us through a culinary experience. He laughed at our obnoxious jokes and helped set the overall tone.

Seriously, what didn't we try... it's a small plate concept, so don't judge us too harshly! We started off with oysters (the Deer Creek ones were my favorite) and clam chowder. The chowder was the perfect consistency, not too thick, not too runny, with giant chunks of clam meat and finished off with some zesty hot sauce on top. Fantastic! Shrimp bruschetta = good flavor/texture combo, but not my favorite. Alaskan halibut with squid ink couscous and roasted fennel was lick-the-plate worthy with perfectly cooked fish and briny (not fishy) black pearls of couscous. Lobster roll was very tasty: buttery toasted bun with cold, lightly dressed, GIANT hunks of lobster meat. GT Mac n Cheese was super rich with extremely fresh green peas that added a nice bright note to the dish. We threw in an order of cauliflower to make us feel better after all the cream and butter -- and that was delicious too! After all of that, why not end with a bang and order the salted caramel tart, right? We did, and it was awesome. Go, order it. You won't be disappointed.