Oyster Bah Review - Lincoln Park - Chicago - The Infatuation
"It may have taken you a minute to realize that “Bah” is the phonetic spelling of the New England pronunciation of “bar,” but what do you expect from the Midwest trying to do East Coast seafood? Oyster Bah is the casual seafood shack alternative to the more formal Shaw’s Crab House, and as the name would indicate, the place feels like a Chicago copy of a New England seafood shack. Your experience kind of goes like this: You walk in and feel like you’re in coastal New England, thanks to the fish and fishing pictures on the wall. The vibe is comfortable and charming, where we imagine Ivy League kids like to hang out when they’re not inventing Facebook. As for the food? You order a few oysters, and they’re delicious. So far, you’re thriving. By the time the rest of your meal rolls in, you’ve had a few drinks, probably wine or a light beer, and after a few drinks, nothing tastes bad. But you’re definitely regretting your decision to share plates, and you’re starting to get anxious there won't be enough food. Then the check comes. It’s only now, in retrospect, that you realize Oyster Bah can be hit or miss. Yes, you had fun and were relaxed. Yes, dishes like the red snapper and New England stuffies are great. But not everything else was as good, and that was even more noticeable once the prices added up. There are certainly far worse things than having a fun, casual evening and paying a little too much for it, especially when excellent oysters are involved. So use Oyster Bah for a first date or a casual group dinner — when the people are more important than the food." - Caitlin Doermer
