added by Stacy Johnson 
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Style:
Seafood
Head Chef:Giuseppe Tentori
Description: Boka Group's newest addition by Executive Chef Giuseppe Tentori.
BOKA RESTAURANT GROUP was founded by Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm in 2003 and includes some of Chicago's most popular restaurants including Boka, Landmark Grill, Perennial Virant with Executive Chef Paul Virant, GT Fish and Oyster with Executive Chef Giuseppe Tentori, and Stephanie Izard's Restaurant, Girl & The Goat. Each of their restaurants is crafted individually and conceptually unique.
www.bokagrp.com
Boka Group restaurants include:
Girl & The Goat
GT Fish and Oyster
Perennial Virant
Landmark Grill
Boka
Hours: Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 4:00pm - 11:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 4:00pm - 12:00am
Recommend this restaurant or make it a favorite to add a review.
Recommend this restaurant or make it a favorite to add a review.
January 31, 2013
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
Hard to go wrong with anything but poke, chowder, oysters, and lobster rolls are all highly recommended
January 4, 2013
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.
An exception to the no-sharing over a biz lunch is the excellent Baja Shrimp Brushetta. I recommend getting this for the table first and then everyone getting their own entrees from there. Also pre-entree: if your guest is into Oysters, obviously get a selection to start.
November 7, 2012
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. :)
Oyster Shooters and the Cioppino
September 18, 2012
“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.
Oysters, lobster mac and cheese, po'boy,
September 6, 2012
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.
Alaskan halibut, clam chowder, salted caramel tart
May 21, 2012
I had been wanting to dine at GT for quite some time after hearing nothing but rave reviews, and I am very pleased to report that I was not disappointed one bit! The entire wait staff was very helpful and I found the menu to be very easy to navigate. We had oysters to start, then moved to the shrimp brushetta which was a very flavorful and a perfect 2 bites. Delicious. We then moved on to the gnocchi which again had a flavor that was very distinct but not overpowering. And THEN we had the kimchi po boy. There are no words. I could eat one of those every day for the rest of my life it was just so good! Our last dish was the Lobster Roll. Not memorable. The dessert? Amazing. It was a salted caramel tart, and after the first bite, my friend and I were looking at each other in disbelief. Worth every bite! I will be visiting this wonderful space again soon.
Kimchi Po Boy Shrimp Bruschetta Gnocchi Oysters
April 17, 2012
I have been to GT's at least a dozen times, I love the food and the atmosphere. It is one of my favorite places to go with people to share food...The last time I went they had just changed a couple of the dishes..the gnocchi is always one of my favorite things on the menu and the new dish has some nice heat to it which makes it even more unique. Giuseppe has roots in french fine dining but his Italian heritage comes out when he makes pasta...I dream of the day he does an Italian restaurant and so does the personal trainer I will have to hire because of all the carbs I will start eating. I love the Lobster Roll but a little known secret is that on certain nights they will do a Connecticut Style Lobster Roll that is so delicious.
Mussels, Gnocchi, Lobster Roll, Lobster Mac and Cheese
March 22, 2012
My first time to GT was already set up to be the perfect storm of perfection. I was with a great friend, I was excited to try GT, and it was perfect patio weather (my first patio night of the year)! We of course sat outside, although the interior of GT is absolutely gorgeous, and I will go back and enjoy that atmosphere soon, and immediately ordered champagne to celebrate the night; we were celebrating nothing in particular, but it just felt right. We started out with oysters, you can't go to a place with "oyster" in the name and not partake in them! We ordered three different kinds from the menu, a sweet, small oyster, a medium, plump oyster, and a meaty, briny oyster. All of them were fresh and delicious. We then went with the Baja shrimp bruschetta and the sunfish ceviche, both my favorite of the evening. They were literally amazing, and unique. For our mains we decided on the lobster roll, which was brimming with sweet lobster, and the PEI mussels, which came as a huge portion with grilled bread and tomatoes with basil. We pondered dessert but decided we just didn't have room for it, all the more reason to go back soon!
Everything was truly amazing. The service was fabulous, the atmosphere gorgeous, and the food impeccable!
Everything...
March 21, 2012
For the last five years, I've made it my mission to find the best seafood in Chicago.. And it hasn't been easy.
Chicago has so many great restaurants, but being an avid seafood lover, it's been challenging to find that perfect seafood go-to establishment. Until, THANK GOODNESS, GT Fish and Oyster opened their doors. I could honestly end my review here and simply say it's the best seafood in Chicago and have you feast yourself, but I'll give you a better taste than that.
You won't find better oysters. The shelled favorites are plump, non-watery and are easily a meal of their own. Having tried each oyster offer, I can attest that they are all great, but I personally love the east-coast oysters- They're to die for. And the sauces that accompany them, are zesty with a hint of heat which unite perfectly for our shelled favorites.
I was shocked to see 'sliders' as an option, but the oyster po' boys have forever changed my life. I literally crave these little fried delights. They are crunchy, no overly-fried, have the best flavor and are the perfect size for a tasting. I say order one, so you can try them, but you will easily order four and be asking for more. They're amazing.
Mussels are my all-time favorite seafood dish and the Pei Mussels are very high on my list of favorites. The sauce they are paired with is a little thicker than a broth, but not so thick that you feel like you're eating chunky Italian sauce. And the portion size is HUGE. You could definitely eat these as a main course meal, but I recommend splitting them so you can sample the other menu options.
For the round up, the lobster roll is the perfect 'Maine' dish for lunch, it's not super rich but is chucked full of flavor. The clam chowder is unlike any you've ever had, loaded with seafood and the cream broth isn't as heavy as you may expect.
Between the food, great staff, sexy atmosphere, sensational drinks and surprisingly lower price point, I expect you'll be a monthly visitor as I.
Cheers!
Any of the oysters, Clam Chowder, Oyster Po’Boy Slider, Lobster Roll, Pei Mussels
March 19, 2012
Chef Giuseppe Tentori, from GT Fish & Oyster, gave us a behind the scenes tour behind his oyster bar – where they shuck away like madmen. Giuseppe’s favorite one to slurp is the Naked Cowboy – wild and fresh from Long Island Sound.
From Kusshi and Kumamoto from the West Coast and Beau Soleil and Naked Cowboys from the East Coast – GT Fish & Oyster has you covered. The selection varies, as they are all so fresh and served ice cold. And they are all delicious.
Their signature mignonette and cocktail sauces are delightful, but really unnecessary because the freshness and flavors of the oysters really stand out on their own.
They even make Fried Oyster Po’Boy Sliders with kimchi and peanuts. Giuseppe also recommended “The Waitlist” with Grey Goose, St. Germain, Grapefruit, Lime and Peychaud’s Bitters.
And the good news is after 10 pm at GT Fish & Oyster – all the oysters are half off!
Naked Cowboy, Beau Soleil, Kusshi, Kumamoto, Fried Oyster Po'Boy Sliders, The Waitlist
July 1, 2011
Just a heads up, you will want to book a reservation to GT Fish & Oyster well in advance! Even trying to book a week in advance for a Monday or Tuesday night isn't possible so plan ahead!
The space is quite different from Tizi and it is very open. They have a small patio outside that is great if you can get a table.
The dishes are small plates to share and we ordered the oysters, poke, clam chowder, lobster roll, peekytoe crab, croquettes, and the lobster mac and cheese. All were good but the biggest hit at the table was the clam chowder.
They also offered a great drink menu and the bill at the end of the dinner was actually less than I would have expected!
Clam chowder, tuna poke, oysters, lobster roll, peekytoe crab
June 14, 2011
Just opened in the old Tizi Meloul spot, GT has proven itself as the new hot spot contender for summer. Its simply rustic yet chic interiors provide the perfect backdrop for the true star of the show, the food. Seafood based, the chef has created a wide variety for every taste. I started with fresh east coast oysters, which in all honesty is pretty difficult to go wrong with. Second course was the special of the night and my fave by far, fried zuchinni blossoms filled with goat cheese....INSERT DROOL... Perfect texture and the flavor was delectable. Last stop was the fish tacos which were not quite as spanish as you'd think. They were topped with a crunchy peppers that gave it the extra kick needed. All in all, I highly recommend it for good food and a lively crowd.
fish tacos, oysters
May 23, 2011
I recently had the pleasure of dining at GT Fish & Oyster. It was a birthday celebration for a party of 10 and I made reservations the day before GT opened, so we were lucky enough to get one of the King’s Tables. The decibel level of the restaurant was somewhat uncomfortable – especially with a large party! I could only converse with the two people on either side of me and even then I’m sure my headache at the end of the evening was due to all the yelling I had to do to be heard. I personally like being in loud energetic atmospheres, so it didn’t bother me too much. Just be prepared, this is not a quiet intimate restaurant.
Our server was friendly and informative, although I cannot tell you how tired I am of having to be educated about how a “small plates” menu works. I think by this point pretty much everyone has experienced small plates and if not, it’s not really that hard of a concept to get.
My husband and I ordered the baja shrimp bruschetta, foie gras & shrimp terrine, brandade croquettes, black gnocchi, lobster mac & cheese with Engligh peas. The foie gras fell flat and for lack of better words, was not a pretty dish. I had seen pictures of this dish online prior to dining and thought that even though it didn’t look very good, it surely had to taste good… It actually had very little flavor all together, and the apricot chutney, while tasty and interesting, could not save the dish. Definitely one to skip. The bruschetta was delicious and texturally outstanding. The creamy avocado and grapefruit combo was a unique burst of flavor. This is also a rather “safe” dish, I think everyone in my party ordered it. The croquettes were exceptional; the fennel orange salad on the side was the perfect complement! I could have eaten 10 more! I thought the black gnocchi in carrot lobster broth with prawns and fiddlehead ferns was the absolute star of the menu. It was mouthwatering! The broth, while light, had such depth. I think I ended up spooning it up after everything else was gone. This is one of those dishes that you can’t stop thinking about – everything worked together so perfectly. The lobster mac was – lobster mac. Good enough, but a little too pedestrian for a place like this, especially after eating the gnocchi. The English peas were a nice touch.
Others at the table had the tuna poke, sunfish ceviche, crab cake, oysters, grilled mahi tacos and fish and chips. I thought the crab cake was slightly dry and fairly mediocre. My friend raved about the tacos all night long. My other friend said the ceviche had a little too much lime. The steak fries with the fish & chips were these immense and lovely potato wedges that were the perfect combination of crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
We skipped dessert in lieu of a birthday cake we brought ourselves. I was disappointed in how quickly, and with no fanfare, the cake was brought out and how even more quickly it was whisked away. This was a birthday celebration for two members of my party and they brought out the cake, my husband had stepped away so he missed the entire presentation. I thought servers are supposed to pay attention to that kind of thing – they wouldn’t bring an entrée out if a member of the party weren’t seated, why was this any different? I also thought the $3pp cake cutting fee was probably a dollar too much.
At the end of the night I think most people in my party thought the food was definitely excellent but a little too small and a little too much money. For about 4-5 plates per couple plus drinks, every couple ended up paying $165. Although I agreed with the table’s perception of the cost, I did have a lovely time and thought the food was delicious and the atmosphere exciting. My husband and I are definitely anxious to go back… with a smaller party, of course.
baja shrimp bruschetta, brandade croquettes, black gnocchi
April 30, 2011
The Boka Boys have done it again. Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz know what we want to eat a year before we do. We didn't even know there was a void in our lives until GT Fish & Oyster came along, and now we are lamenting the fact that it didn't open ages ago. We could have been eating the most amazing oysters, sunfish ceviche, and tuna poke this whole time. Giuseppe Tentori strikes again, with an eye on fresh, fresh, fresh.
oysters, sunfish ceviche, tuna poke
April 12, 2011
I was at the soft opening and then back again during opening week. I currently have resos for 3 more nights in the next 2 months to take friends. That's how highly I think of this new hot spot.
Giuseppe always does an amzing job with his food, but this menu is something special. I have tried everything except three menu items. My recommendations are as follows (though you can't really go wrong): house smoked salmon, lobster roll, oysters, crab agnolotti, black gnocchi.
For those of you who remember the Tizi Melloul space, it is a complete 180. It is airy and bright with a real upscale seaside feel. Talkiong with Chef Tentori, there will soon be an outdoor seating area to look forward to this summer!
house smoked salmon, lobster roll, oysters, crab agnolotti, black gnocchi
April 9, 2011
Disclamier - I consider the folks behind this restaurant as my friends..
Went last night for the first time... ordered oysters, fluke, sun fish, trout, and stuffed calamari...
The place was packed, too packed and it was very loud but there was very good energy and everyone seemed to be having good time. I really enjoyed the experience and they have done a fabulous job with the decor (though, if they are as popular as I think they will be, they will have to do something about noise dampening, the beautiful tile floors and hard wood planks just bounce noise off the painted-wood paneled walls. The decor is nautical, but very tasteful.
All of Guiseppe's food is beautiful and many of the Asian and other influences that find their way into his compositions are excellent and deftly handled. I think the service and the kitchen probably needs to find their groove, but nothing was was problematic, and not usual for a restaurant opened for just one week. A couple dishes could have benefited from a bit more acid (I am an acid freak), but everything was well executed, seasoned and presented. I will definitely go back, and most likely frequently when they open for lunch. I particularly liked the Sunfish Ceviche and the Fluke with Uni as well as the selection of Oysters
Cortes Island and Wellfleet Oysters, Sunfish Ceviche, Fluke with Uni, Trout with Vaudovan Lentils
April 7, 2011
We ordered quite a lot off the menu this past week. And there are some items they need to tweak. I was very much looking forward to the Lobster Pot Pie and had the image from their website embedded in my head. Presentation alone I was disappointment that it didn't look anywhere close to the pot pie pictured on the website. There wasn't really anything memorable about it. I still want the pot pie that's pictured on their website!!!
Lobster roll was heaven sent and really saved the meal. Some other highlights were the Fluke; Smoked white fish spread w/taro chips; fish and chips.
Don't bother with the Tuna Poke. It's been done everywhere and flavors fall flat here. It was horrible, I rather same room for lobster roll. I found the pork belly to be a bit dry.
Oysters condiments outshined the oysters itself! If only i can package their oyster condiments and take it with me to Balsan/Publican to slurp with their far superior selection of oysters.
Desserts, the deconstructed key lime pie hit the spot at the end of this long meal. The Cheesecake panna cotta was light yet comforting.
Lobster roll; fish and chips
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