riddlemay wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:

riddlemay wrote:(A message sent to the management through Open Table a couple of weeks ago has produced no response.)

Although restaurants should respond to inquiries through all available channels, you might have a better chance of getting a faster response by contacting the restaurant directly, such as by filling out the form on their website by clicking on "CONTACT US". Just a suggestion...

Will try that, and will post here regarding any response. Thanks.

Following up on your good idea, nsxtasy, I sent a message last Friday to the link you provided. However, I've received no response as of today--not even a "thank you for your inquiry, we'll get back to you"--which I find a bit odd, even though I can't say the matter is uppermost in my thoughts.

FWIW, here's the verbatim text of the message I sent: "Question. On a visit to Shaw's Chicago shortly after the New Year, in which I was looking forward to having a large lobster from your tank, I was surprised to find this was no longer possible. (Only smaller lobsters, 1 and 1.5 pounds, were available.) When at Shaw's Oyster Bar for lunch earlier this week, I glanced at the dinner menu, and saw this was still the situation. Does this reflect a change in policy at Shaw's? Was there insufficient demand for the large, market-price-per-pound lobsters? I didn't have them every time I was at Shaw's, but looked forward to them on special occasions--they defined Shaw's for me. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks."

New update. Received an email reply from Shaw's on Wednesday that the smaller (1.5 lb.) lobsters are not necessarily the new norm--that they do have lobsters as big as 4 lbs. "occasionally," depending on availability. And suggesting a call ahead, preferably on a weekday, to the seafood buyer, to see what's possible.

The reply was very nice and stated that the reason for the delay was an issue with the system that caused a backlog.

nsxtasy wrote:

Ralph Wiggum wrote:Ahh. I can't vouch for the Schaumburg branch's brunch. I've only been to the the Hubbard location.

I'm sure it's virtually identical to the one in Chicago; in fact, if you look up menus on their website, it shows the Chicago menu for the Sunday brunch in Schaumburg.

Not any more, according to their website.

Shaw's on Hubbard in River North still has the same elaborate brunch as always, including luxury items on the carving station, like beef tenderloin and steamed king crab legs. The price has risen steadily over the years and is now $55. They also now serve brunch on Saturdays as well as Sundays.

Until very recently, Schaumburg was serving the same brunch at the same price as in Chicago. On November 20, the Schaumburg location lowered the price to $39, and eliminated some of the luxury items like the beef tenderloin and the steamed king crab legs, and the carving station has ham instead. They will add Saturday brunch service starting on December 24.

Chicago brunch menu
Schaumburg brunch menu

Prices and menus typically differ on holidays (Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc).

Brunch this New Year's day with the kids was great!

A couple of notes about Shaw's brunch.

The price has gone up to $65 per person for their all-you-can-eat buffet brunch every Saturday and Sunday. They charge a bit more on holidays (regardless of whether they're on weekdays or weekends).

nsxtasy wrote:Until very recently, Schaumburg was serving the same brunch at the same price as in Chicago. On November 20, the Schaumburg location lowered the price to $39, and eliminated some of the luxury items like the beef tenderloin and the steamed king crab legs, and the carving station has ham instead. They will add Saturday brunch service starting on December 24.

As of this past May, they have brought back the luxury items at the Schaumburg location, so the food and the price ($65) is now the same as in River North.

Very pleased with carryout from Shaw's today! For a limited time, they are offering a popup revival of Vong's Thai Kitchen, in addition to standard Shaw's items. We loved the Vong's meal for two for $55 (a la carte items also available), and a Thai-jito cocktail kit, with Basic vodka, lemongrass syrup, mint, and limes. We ate most of that for lunch, and ordered soft shell crabs and seared tuna off the main Shaw's menu for dinner. Shaw's is also offering "Opening the Cellar Wine Sale", with many offerings at retail prices or below, including three different 2016 Kosta Browne pinot noir's.