The Chicago Food Whores have been anticipating this meal since we received an invitation from Devon’s PR department to come to the restaurant to try their “Low Tides” menu at the discounted price of $25!  We immediately jumped on the opportunity and tweeted, emailed, facebook-ed and texted all our friends, acquaintances and readers so they too, could get on this deal.

For all your Indian food lovers in Chi-town, Devon Seafood is not up on Devon Avenue, but rather downtown at Chicago & State.  And unlike the neighborhood to the North with the same written name (pronouced de-Vaughan), this chique and trendy seafood haven is pronounced “Dev-in”.

Most people in our party arrived promptly at 7:30 for our reservation and we stood at the upstairs bar (next to the railing that leads to the bottom level) and found ourselves in a rather uncomfortable spot.  Unfortunately, we really didn’t have much choice as the bar was way too big for the space;  the perimeter of the bar only had about 2.5ft of space for anyone to move around.  We were continuously leaning, bending, twisting – trying to get out of the way of restaurant patrons passing through to use the restroom, the busboys scurrying past with bins full of stuff, and staff trying to get through with heavy trays of porcelain wear perched on their shoulder.

Alas, we were finally seated when our table was ready and found ourselves downstairs in one of their private dining rooms – HOW PRETTY!!!  We had ten guests and yes, it was a little crowded in there but it worked out just fine.

We were NOT an easy crowd but our server, besides being HOT was very professional, organized and fun!

It’s not a Chicago Food Whore outing if you only order what they restaurant is offering for the tasting.  We HAD to try other items as well!  After much discussion with the crew, we decided to add the Tuna Tartare (as recommended by our server); Maryland Crabcakes, and most of us ordered a tasting of their fresh shucked oysters.

Everything was delicious!  Including all the wine pairings!  We all agreed it was a restaurant we should come back to.  Especially when the “real” low tide menu comes out after the new year.  It truly is a GREAT deal when the normal menu entrees begin at about $25.  Scroll down for some stomach teasing pictures & our comments.

Onto the degustation…..

First Course:

Everyone commented about how the scallops were perfectly seared and tender.  Slightly crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The carrot butter was rich but light and the citrus dressing on the salad was a wonderful balance out the butter.

Second Course:

I personally loved the asparagus and find that the smaller, thinner asparagus is much better than the big ones I have seen at other restaurants.  Big asparagus tend to be tougher and less sweet.  The spinach was fresh and the candied walnuts complemented the light vinaigrette.  The flavors of the gorganzola stood out as it was served at the perfect temperature.  Cheese, when served cold – loses taste – at Devon, the cheese was just over room temperature.

Third Course:

My least favorite course (though tasty) was the entree.  The grouper was fresh but was overcooked and a little tough.  However, the potato wrapping was unique and flavorful.  Look at the beautiful presentation!  The sauce was amazing, like a puttanesca sauce with fresh baby tomatoes, peppers, capers, olives and crispy chorizo (I love the combination of rustic flavors like olives, tomatoes and capers!)  The mussels on my plate were perfect but two people did complain that their mussels were undercooked and a little fishy.

4th & Final Course:

Yum!  I love sweet and salty!  Like my husband said as he took his first bite, “This is like a GIANT Reese’ Peanut Butter Cup!”.  And he was right! It had a graham cracker crust filled with butterscotch, topped with a chocolate ganache then sprinkled with sea salt.