Shellfish Soirees in the Summer

Shellfish Soirees:

In the heat of summer, there are few things as quintessential and refreshing as pristine shellfish. Notably lobster and oysters, two evergreen ingredients that are particularly apropos during summer dining rituals. Recognizing shellfish's proclivity for hot-weather feasting, Shaw's Crab House and Tavern on Rush are both celebrating appropriately with respective festivals of lobster and oysters. Get your appetites (and your bibs) ready. 

(Get ready to pig out on lobster at Shaw's Crab House)

It's that time once again. Lobster Fest 2014. It's the Lollapalooza of shellfish, celebrated at Shaw's Crab House in Chicago and Schaumburg throughout the month of July. The fest serves to showcase Maine lobster in all its bounteous glory, featured as specials all month long. Come for the three-course family-style lobster dinner for $38 per person or the New England lobster boil entree, both on deck for dinner only. The former contains a miscellany of clam chowder, one-pound whole lobster, corn on the cob, Red Bliss potatoes, cole dlaw, and key lime pie for dessert. For an extra $16, guests can supplement their meal with an extra one-pound lobster. Because gilding the lily has never tasted better. For the New England lobster boil, the one-person entree includes one-pound whole Maine lobster, Red Bliss potatoes, cole slaw, corn on the cob, and a slice of key lime pie for $32 per person. But that's not all! Shaw's in Schaumburg is accentuating its Saturday night Grand Crab Buffet with the added bonus of lobster for July. Expect steamed and chilled lobster, lobster pasta, lobster bisque, lobster maki, and more.  

Once you've got your fill of lobster, head over to Tavern on Rush next month for their Festival of Oysters on August 5. In honor of National Oyster Day, the restaurant is serving up a smorgasbord of shellfish specials, including $1 oysters, $2 stone oven baked oysters, and $10 fried oyster baskets. To drink, Tavern on Rush will be featuing $3 bottles of Guinness and $5 glasses of Costamolino Vermentino, which should wash down all that nautical goodness quite well.