Mitchell’s Fish Market-Glenview, Ill.

Mitchell’s Fish Market is perched in “The Glen,” a vibrant 1,000-acre business/residential/entertainment development formerly occupied by the Glenview Naval Air Station. The seafood restaurant and bar possess a charming atmosphere at reasonable prices for an upscale restaurant. The appetizers, main courses and dessert provided a wonderful dining experience for my wife and me, as well as for her parents, who were celebrating their 36th wedding anniversary during our visit. 

We started our evening with drinks and an appetizer of Pan Roasted Wild Blue Mussels, smothered with a white wine, garlic and tomato sauce. The portion size was ideal for four people, and the mussels bellowed with a meaty, flavorful texture. The mussels were a nice start in meeting our hearty appetites head-on.

Onto the next course: While the salads were priced individually, my wife and I split a house salad, and my in-laws a Caesar’s salad, at the suggestion of our waiter. Let’s just say that there wasn’t much salad to speak of. If you really like salads, you’ll want to order them individually to be satisfied during this part of your meal. Don’t get me wrong. Our house salad was very tasty. It featured a mixture of carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, dates, and pine nuts in poppy seed vinaigrette. The Caesar’s salad was equally delicious.

For dinner, my wife ordered steamed Shang Hai Sea Scallops – Mitchell’s signature Asian-style dish – with ginger and scallions, served with sticky rice and spinach, and a rice wine soy sauce. I, too, ordered scallops, but enjoyed succulent grilled crustaceans instead – with sticky rice in lieu of the scallion mashed potatoes (you may be asking yourself, “Why would he turn down the mashed potatoes?,” but keep reading.) and a potpourri of vegetables. My in-laws ordered the Alaskan Halibut and Shrimp and Scallop Americana, respectively. The latter meal featured George’s Bank sea scallops, jumbo shrimp, spinach and mushrooms layered with a shellfish butter sauce over sea salt potatoes. The meals were quite satisfying, and we took portions home with us, feeling quite full at this point.

While I failed to inform the maitre d’ and waiter about our celebration at the outset, they, nonetheless, came to my rescue later in our meal. After a brief interval, our waiter delivered a “piece,” and I use that term loosely, of something called Sharkfin Pie, which measured up to its namesake. This was no piece of pie, but what appeared to be the pie itself, although in a wedge shape – almost an equilateral triangle of four inches, I reckoned. It proceeded to persuade everyone at the table that they weren’t full after all. This concoction of butter fudge ice cream, honey roasted peanuts, fudge and peanut butter in an Oreo cookie crust made us forget about our diets – at least for the evening. The complimentary dessert was a fitting conclusion to our dining experience and the anniversary.

Mitchell’s Fish Market, located on Navy Boulevard in Glenview, comes highly recommended. It accepts major credit cards, and reservations are recommended. Another special feature is the market within the restaurant. Fresh fish and shell fish are available daily for purchase.

--Reviewed by Philip Anast

Comments

[Donna Gaidamak]

I've heard good things about Mitchell's already and your review made my mouth water (even though it's only 10:30 a.m.!) The mussels sound delicious. My husband and I are celebrating our 19th anniversary -- maybe we'll try this place! - Donna