Feb. 05--Named after how a New Englander would pronounce it, Oyster Bah in Lincoln Park features all sorts of delicious sea creatures culled from the U.S. coasts and Canada -- fish, crab, clams, oysters and more -- on its menu, but one dish stands out as particularly memorable. The Alaskan red king crab bites ($27.95, worth the splurge) arrive in a sharing bowl perched on a plate of ice to keep them chilly, with sides of tangy mustard mayo and cocktail sauce. Dip one juicy crab piece into both sauces and then take a bite; the combination of flavors is transcendent.
As chef Pete Balodimas notes, hot crab is traditionally served with sides of butter and lemon, but chilled crab also benefits from a touch of creaminess. The mustard mayo offers that while also providing acidity to balance the dish, he says. As for the classic cocktail sauce, it's all in the horseradish, a wonderful complement to the sweetness of the crab. And think: This is just your first course. 1962 N. Halsted St., 773-248-3000, www.oysterbah.com.
