Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

SAVOR Lure Fishbar
by Andrew Davis
2021-10-20

This article shared 1904 times since Wed Oct 20, 2021
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


Recently, I had a biscuit sandwich in the Gold Coast. The item was very good—but I'm not sure it was worth the $11 price tag.

This was the same feeling my dining companion and I had after dining at Lure Fishbar, which recently opened at 616 N. Rush St., and which is also part of the 21c Museum Hotel. (Lure has other locations in New York City and Miami.)

Executive Chef John Comerford has some very nice dishes, with one being among the best I've had this year. And I know the location is a pricey one, and that the country is dealing with supply and employee shortages—so I'm willing to make some accommodations.

The vibe is certainly elegant (and dark)—although some might find the dance music coming through the speakers (such as The Gap Band's "Outstanding") clashes a bit with the ambiance. Maybe Lure could install a dance floor so patrons could work up an appetite (or work off the crab claws they've eaten).

For sure, Lure has a wonderful variety of items—especially (and unsurprisingly) regarding seafood. There are oysters from both coasts (dressed and unadorned) and sushi as well as several items listed as "Jewels of the Sea"; they include everything from littleneck clams to chilled whole lobster. Additionally, there are combination shellfish plates you can order, although they might set you back a little; for example, the "Shellfish"—a whole lobster with a pound of king crab and one pound of shrimp—is $175.

My friend and I started with a most delectable appetizer: deviled eggs topped with crispy oysters and pickled chili. The tuna tataki—which had the fish dressed with ponzu, oranges, crispy shallots and cilantro—delightfully provoked our taste buds; the lobster mac 'n cheese was solidly prepared (although it fell short of the last similar dish I had in Virginia Beach, at Catch 31); and the crispy sushi rice is definitely recommended.

However, the menu stated that those three eggs were $16, the tataki was $23 and the mac 'n cheese was $32—and those were the appetizers.

The entrees were … again, solid. My friend really liked her lobster roll and my (not-so-large) burger, with bacon-and-onion jam, was quite good. However, there was one dish that definitely elevated the evening: the sea-urchin bucatini with blue crab. It might come in at $41, but it would be worth your while (and money) to order this, as Comerford masterfully combined various textures and tastes to make an unforgettable dish. (Note: I did want to try the bone-in pork chop instead of the burger, but Lure was out of chops that evening. Oh, well…)

Other entrees that looked particularly inviting included branzino St. Tropez, grilled whole daurade (also known as sea bream), crispy Asian snapper and pan-seared heirloom chicken. Vegetarians and vegans have a few options, such as butter lettuce salad with cucumber, grapefruit, avocado and green goddess dressing.

The desserts were delicious and even decadent. The gluten-free brownie with vanilla ice cream was an exercise in indulgence—although I was surprised to see a more basic dish on the menu with so many other elevated items. And the matcha-coconut panna cotta was perfectly made; it was light and more fitting for this sleek spot. (Interestingly, Comerford was one pastry sous chef at The James—which was also at 616 N. Rush St.)

So, despite my cost-related statements about Lure, I do recommend it for the food and service. (Our server, Matthew, was amazing with us and the surrounding patrons.) You might want to wait until a special occasion to visit, though.

Lure's website is www.lurefishbar.com/location/chicago/ .

—COVID protocols at Lure: Patrons have to wear masks throughout the restaurant and adjoining hotel any time they're away from their tables; staffers are always masked. Bottles of hand sanitizer are on Lure's tables.

Note: This visit was arranged.


This article shared 1904 times since Wed Oct 20, 2021
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

SAVOR Gemini Grill opens, 'Rick Bayless Day' and more 2024-03-17
- —And I quote: I'm not crazy about reality, but it's still the only place to get a decent meal."—Groucho Marx —Pop life: Don't forget my other Substack: "Pop-Eds: My takes on pop culture." Thank you so ...


Gay News

SAVOR REVIEW La Grande Boucherie 2024-03-14
- Just a few months ago, The Group NYC—a hospitality consortium based in you-know-where—opened the Italian restaurant Olio e Piu in Chicago's River North neighborhood. You can read my review of ...


Gay News

SAVOR James Beard contest, a new Publican opens and a PAWS event 2024-02-25
- Contest: You have a chance to be in on all the action during the chef-studded James Beard Award weekend of June 8 in Chicago. Among other things, the grand prize winner will get a three-stay in ...


Gay News

SAVOR Green City Market; Sofitel's 'Un-Tea' time 2024-02-24
- For those who wonder about the lack of a farmers' market in Chicago during the winter months, I point you toward Green City Market (GCM) Avondale, taking place on Saturdays at 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through March ...


Gay News

SAVOR A new Sushi By Bou, a seafood boil class and James Beard scholarships 2024-02-18
- Pop life: Don't forget my other Substack: "Pop-Eds: My takes on pop culture." Thank you so much to the people who've already subscribed. The latest entry (Feb. 17) features Beyonce, Zendaya and my Oscar predictions. Subscribe ...


Gay News

SAVOR At Willies 'n Waffles, sexuality is on the menu 2024-02-12
- Having written about Chicago's culinary scene for at least 15 years, this writer has covered all sorts of spots—from Michelin-starred upscale establishments to those so-called "holes in the wall" that can serve some of the best ...


Gay News

SAVOR 'The Bear,' new pizza lounge, Chicago Black Restaurant Week 2024-02-11
- "Bear" necessities: The third season of the Chicago-set series The Bear will debut in June, per Variety. FX chairman John Landgraf made the announcement during the network's presentation at the Television Critics Association's winter 2024 press ...


Gay News

SAVOR Taylor's Tacos' Chef Taylor Mason on being part of the Vegas event 'Pepsi Dig In' 2024-02-08
- On Feb. 8-10 (Super Bowl weekend), Taylor's Tacos Chef Taylor Mason and wife/co-owner Maya Mason will be showcasing two exclusive dishes at the Pepsi Dig In: Brunch with the Best takeover at Delano Las Vegas, giving ...


Gay News

SAVOR Jean Banchet Awards, new Black-owned spots and free pizza 2024-02-04
- Congrats!: The winners of the Jean Banchet Awards—which honor Chicago cuisine—were recently announced at Venue Six10. Longtime Chicago Tribune critic Phil Vettel was (justifiably) honored with the Culinary Excellence of ...


Gay News

SAVOR Chocolatier Uzma Sharif on being part of World of Chocolate 2024-02-03
- AIDS Foundation Chicago will hold its annual World of Chocolate event on Friday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. at Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Blvd. Attendees will embark on a global tour of chocolate—but there will ...


Gay News

SAVOR Valentine's/Galentine's Day offerings for 2024 2024-02-01
- Love is in the air—until it isn't. While some couples will be getting ready to celebrate their closeness (and all that other mushy stuff) on Valentine's Day, others will get together to celebrate Galentine's Day (celebrating ...


Gay News

New Survey: Unstable housing most cited reason for food insecurity among LGBTQ+ youth 2024-01-30
--From a Williams Institute press release - A new report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that 85% of LGBTQ+ youth programs surveyed said unstable housing was the main reason LGBTQ+ youth had inadequate access to food. The programs ...


Gay News

SAVOR Going 'Underground,' change at Skylark and Mango Pickle closing 2024-01-29
- Pop(-up) life: Chef Mariya Moore-Russell—who guided the local spot Kikko to a Michelin star, becoming the first Black woman to helm a kitchen with one of the food world's highest honors—is returning to Chicago to lead ...


Gay News

SAVOR REVIEW Prosecco; LGBTQ+-owned Marina's Bistro 2024-01-26
- The last time I visited the Italian restaurant Prosecco (710 N. Wells St.; https://proseccochicago.com/), it looked quite different. Way back in 2017, the restaurant definitely had more of an old-school Italian feel (a la Gene & ...


Gay News

SAVOR TriBecca's hiccup, CRW deals, Beam Suntory dinner and more 2024-01-21
- The Avondale spot TriBecca's Sandwich Shop had to temporarily close because of flooding caused by a burst water pipe. However, it ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.