Zagat Names Oceanique Best Seafood Restaurant in Chicago

When surveyors from the Zagat guide set out to rate the best seafood spots in Chicago, a restaurant outside the city limits topped them all: Evanston's own .

In its ranking released in May, the guide notes Oceanique's “superb new fusion and old-school dishes" combining French and Asian cuisine, as well as its wine list, service and "magnifique" setting. Zagat has ranked Oceanique the No. 1 seafood restaurant in Chicago since 1993, four years after it opened at 505 Main St. in Evanston.

Oceanique chef de cuisine and owner Mark Grosz trained at the world renowned Le Francais in Wheeling, then continued his studies in France and Hong Kong, according to the restaurant's website. He opened Oceanique in 1989 with his wife as general manager and son as wine director.

Coming in just behind Oceanique in the Zagat guide's ranking of Chicago seafood restaurants is Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, followed by Catch 35, both located in Chicago.

For the full list, visit the Zagat guide website.