Maxwell's at the Club

Dinner: We had the Tuesday Night Lobster Tail's Dinner. We were waited on by German, (pronounced HER MON) the greatest waiter in the Tri State Area. Lobsters were cooked perfectly, Our service was light-hearted and fun. Anyone can go in this restaurant, you do not have to be an EBC member. It is never crowded. Prices are decent, food is great and the drink pours are generous.

I'd never think a fitness club could have an outstanding, uncrowded bar and restaurant. But one exists in River North - Maxwell's.

The service was phenomenal and professional in every way. The staff really care about the food and your well-being; you're not going to get a bunch of 20-somethings with attitudes taking your orders and forgetting about you here.

The entrees are not easy on the wallet at all. However, $10 gets you an amazing pizza with fresh ingredients. As in nothing frozen. That alone is worth a trip here.

This place is located inside of the swanky East Bank Health Club. I've been to East Bank throughout my life, but for some reason have only had the chance to check this place out 3 or 4 times.

For a fitness club restaurant, I don't think it gets any better. They have classy live music several, if not every evening, and it was quite an experience grooving to a cover band jamming funk and soul music all night.

Funk and soul music at exclusive East Bank?

Awesome.

I've had the calamari here, and a couple of entrees. All were good. They tasted the way they were supposed to taste, and I was particularly fond of the breading on the squid.

Drinks aren't cheap but they're not over the top.

This is also one of the few places in town (you are in a health club) where you can wear sweats or a suit and still feel comfortable. I like to be classy sometimes, and this a classy place to catch the game and run into some pretty elite people in Chicago. I have gotten some good contacts here.

However, don't come here and think you can just whoop it up with your friends. You will quickly be set straight, and possibly not invited back.

Also, the staff is very nice and attentive. Because most of the patrons are regulars as members of the club, you get a nice feeling of togetherness while you are there.

The bar area is actually somewhat small, but it doesn't feel that way because you are looking up at a 4 story ceiling with skylight that gives the feeling of eating at a resort.

The coolest thing about this place?

You don't have to be a member to go there.

A hidden gem in the Chi.