Paramount Room: User Reviews

Tried on Valentine's Day
By moe from chicago, February 15, 2008

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The wife and I went for Valentines Day and they had a prix fixe with wine or beer pairings. We went for it with the wine pairings. Started with good mussles and an amazing carpacio. Entrees were a decent salmon and pork chop. The guiness float and chocolate cake were just OK. We also got complementary porsecco as an appertif. Cool space, decent service, interesting menu. Would defiantely go back.

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hidden gem
By jreber from West Town, January 28, 2008

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I was walking by and decided to grab a quick drink with my girlfriend. I was surprised at the fantastic selection of Belgium beers on tap, and delighted by the complimentary temura green beans. I returned for dinner at the bar and was once again very pleased. Particulaly, I enjoyed the Duck Confit with duck sausage & krout. Friendly knowledgeable staff & attentive service. I will be back for sure.

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Dont expect 'restaurant' conveniences
By Ladies Who Lunch from downtown, January 18, 2008

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This is a BAR that serves food, not a restaurant. While the food is tasty, it is nothing exceptional and there is no room on the table for more than your drink and the bread 'basket'. Nice employees, very casual in its service. High marks to the busboy for clearing and keeping water glasses topped-up. The front bar is 'cool' and cool - too chilly in winter months. I would not be returning because I can find quality bar food for less with more elbow room.

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Diamond in the Rough
By Setty from W. Town, November 18, 2007

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After reading the feedback on here an the Reader, I was hesitant to even go. We were led from the bar downstairs to the 'upper deck,' a section for 8 people only. The entire space was very chill, but I would request the upper deck so you don't have to sit on the bench-style seating downstairs, w/o a back on your chair. We ordered some different Belgian Ales -- all good. We had the steak tartare, which was prepared just right. We also had the Scottish Egg - you gotta try this hard-boiled egg wrapped in Italian sausage, w/a side of asparagus. Our last appitizer was the friend green beans -- excellent, with a spicy chile sauce and lime to boot. Between apps and dinner, we orderd the grilled foccacia, which was ok. The four of us split the Berkshire Pork shank -- um, this thing was Flintstones style and delicious. The meat falls right off the bone. We also had the Kobe Beef burger - It was good, but I would recommend ordering a step up from what you normally do. The medium rare was a bit bloody, but we are not ones to send it back unless it is just horribly wrong. Lastly, the Fish and Chips were excellent and the fries had that vinegar touch too. I am not into this dish, but was pleasantly surprised. For dessert we had the Turtle which was very small, but ok. The black&tan float, prepared by the pastry chef daily was beyond excellent. We wanted a second helping, but they had run out due to its immense popularity! This place has a lot of potential, and is a great space for a party, housing different levels, a dj booth and a great layout. Request Jacque as your server - she was swamped, but extremely attentive, especially needing to navigate flights of stairs.

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Don't waste your time
By heatherr from West Loop, November 10, 2007

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With so many restaurants in Chicago, this is a total waste of anyone's time. A group of 5 of us went there on a Thursday evening. The place wasn't overly crowded. Therefore, you would think that you would receive attentive service. The service that we received was beyond horrible. We got water right away (thanks to the busboy). She didn't take our drink order until we had been sitting there for about 10 minutes. With that said, she forgot to bring one of the beers. We had a couple of appetizers (fried and fried green beans) which were good... once we got them. The waitress didn't bother taking our main course order until we were almost finished with our appetizers. When our food finally came, everyone got their order except 1. That came out after another 15 minutes (the waitress didn't even take that meal off our bill). Don't even think about asking for another round of drinks because we didn't even get to order those until we asked another server for our waitress.
I could go on and on. Overall, the service ruined everything. She never apologized for late food, the forgotton food, the forgotton drinks, etc. She just didn't seem to care. She wasn't that busy because she found the time to eat her dinner behind the bar as we watched on with our stomachs growling and our drink order going warm at the end of the bar.
The food is not worth the price but I wouldn't have even minded that had the service been good.
What a dissapointment.

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Awful!!!...Except the beer
By laagirl from River North, October 26, 2007

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When you first walk into a small new place and the chef/owner ignores you, not a great start. Gets even better with the 'full of himself' jerk is behind the bar and I dared ask him if there were any specials and he sarcastically turned to the (busy) bartender to ask "Are there any specials?" and walked away. Now to be able to pull of the nastiness at a restaurant, the food must be so spectacular that you are will ing to deal with it. Not the case here. Despite the fact that the beer selection is outstanding...I will never return to this place and mourn the demise of 4 taste. One more thing....awful lighting. In a word..the place was awful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Great time at Paramount
By NicolePark from West Loop, September 24, 2007

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I was so impressed with the service we received on Saturday with Elena (not sure about the spelling). She provided excellent service (i.e. food came out quick/drinks orders were always filled) and was able to give our party of 16, separate checks! I enjoyed my steak sandwich, loved the fries w/ the garlic sauce, and thought the beer selection was decent. The Chocolate Turtle dessert wasn't impressive but everything else was. Street parking is available so there's no need for valet service ... you don't have to walk far. Space on the main floor is kinda tight but you'll still have a great time! I'll be going back.

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Cool space.
By MunchBetterNOw from andersonville, September 18, 2007

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I think this place is cool. It's a little too crowded inside; we had trouble finding a place to sit, but that was fine. The burgers are definitely above average and the beer selection is very good.

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At Paramount Room, a great...
By Karrie from Chicago, IL, September 6, 2007

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At Paramount Room, a great gastropub & night spot, we enjoyed Delirium Tremens muscles & a cone of hand cut frites w/garlic aioli. From Volo's spicy flavors to the tasty tartare at Paramount Room, Chef Stephen Dunne is Steak Tartare King. Lighter fare included heirloom tomato salad & lemon zest asparagus w/Parmesan. Our favorite was a Germanic duck confit w/cabbage & veal sausage, a smaller version of the Chicago Brauhaus duck & red cabbage. At the soft opening, dessert was unavailable so we opted for oysters on the 1/2 shell w/horseradish & cocktail sauce. We started w/bubbly, vino & Unibroue's Ephemere Apple beer. A creative cocktail list, we tried a cucumber infused vodka soda w/ginger & a sage infused Bombay Sapphire w/blackberry, mint & Prosecco. Looking forward to going back to for a beer-battered pickle, fish & chips & renting the space below the main dining area for a party.

It all starts with the...
By Rebecca Sayre from Nantucket, MA, September 5, 2007

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It all starts with the steak tartar. It's traditional. It's FRENCH. It's awesome.

As for the bar, the atmosphere is casual yet chique. Think jeans and vintage rock n' roll t-shirts, maybe heels, perhaps motorcycle boots. I'll put it to you this way: holding a Fred Flintstone-size pork shank never felt so sexy. Incidentally the Green Ginger martini made with cucumber-infused Level is plenty of sexy for those of you who don't dig on the beef.

The Farmstead blue cheese dressing makes the $7 Wedge Salad totally worth it.

Not hungry? A side of the stellar creamed spinach will not only fill you it will satiate on the creamy and savory levels. Have I mentioned the kitchen staff? Yumm. We will be back.