Devon Seafood Grill ( 39 E. Chicago Ave.; www.devonseafood.com ) is one of those restaurants with a certain upscale feel but, thankfully, a laid-back personality.
Devon has a spacious bar area when you walk into the place. However, a roomy dining room awaits downstairscomplete with semi-private areas off to the side, which my friend and I decided to use.
Besides those smaller rooms, Devon has one other rare property: a menu that constantly changes. While the changes may happen so quickly the restaurant occasionally can't keep up ( I had at least one item on my menu that wasn't on my friend's, and the lobster spaghetti I had eyed online wasn't on the printed menu ), the alterations have a way of keeping things freshespecially in terms of the quality of the seafood.
Things started promisingly with my drink: a Caribbean Hard Lemonade that was incredibly refreshing and tasty. Despite the bitter cold outside, the drink immediately made me think of summer.
My friend and I then ordered the roasted duck flatbread and the crab cakes, which had been renowned near and far. Our engaging server, David, also sang its praiseseven after I warned him that, being from the Chesapeake Bay area, I'm a bit of a crab-cake snob. Unfortunately, I do have to say that these items were hit-and-miss, with the cakes being the miss. My guest and I both agreed that the cakes ( which had remoulade and mango tartar sauce ) were solid, although they were missing somethingnamely, more crab meat; however, we also concurred that the flatbread was incredible.
Everything else was a hit, and that included the lobster mac 'n' cheese, which is probably one of the best versions I've tried in Chicago. The sushi ( tempura shrimp and spicy tuna ) were savory, and the grilled salmon panzanella tastefully balances a juicy salmon with spinach, goat cheese, balsamic onions, tomatoes, basil oil and balsamic vinaigrette.
By the way, definitely make room for dessert: The carrot cake is undeniably sinful while the cookie box ( filled with lemon-ricotta, chocolate and other cookie flavors ) is cute and tasty.
The 1710 N. Wells St. location of Delightful Pastries ( www.delightfulpastries.com ) recently held a media event showcasing some new breakfast optionsand, based on what the restaurant has to offer, people should run ( not walk ) to try these items.
Chef Robert Hawryszczuk, reflecting his time in Poland and South Africa, has whipped up several tasty ( and reasonably priced ) items such as Bacon Yum ( two eggs scrambled with ham, two strips of bacon and a slice of extra thick cut Gypsy bacon ) and British Mob Movie ( pan-fried potato, tomato braised beans with mixed vegetables, sunny-side-up eggs, extra-thick-cut bacon and blood sausage ). Those with a sweet tooth will undoubtedly gravitate toward the sumptuous carrot-cake pancakes.
Delightful Pastries is also at 5927 W. Lawrence Ave. and 131 N. Clinton St. ( Chicago French Market ), providing at least two other places where people can try these tasty additions. Note: The eatery is also accepting orders for the Paczki day ( March 4 )even offering alcohol-filled versions of the desserts.