The Promontory Reviews

There were five of us, we all ordered different items from the menu for a Thanksgiving get-together. We were as excited about getting together and sharing our stories as everyone else, apparently. The food was uniformly good, the service excellent, but the noise level required us nearly to shout to be heard at our table. It wasn't just the acoustics of the place, the piped-in music was turned up to compete with the dozens of conversations. I enjoyed the menu, the Kentucky Burgoo is a favorite of mine, reminds me of the days I ate rabbit and pheasant brought home by father's and older brother's hunting trips. Menu is a mix of traditional and regional fare. Fix the noise level so I can return and actually hear what my friends are saying.

My eldest has recently moved to Hyde Park, and has taken every visitor to this interesting restaurant. It has a small but worthwhile menu, with a decent but not extensive wine list. The staff is friendly & helpful and we enjoyed our visit. However, it is an floor plan with high ceilings and little sound damping- thus loud & a problem.

Went here for drinks, the drink came in a plastic cup and was pretty small, didn't taste like it had much alcohol in it. The restaurant and outdoor space was beautiful and a nice place to hang out on a summer day or evening.

Excellent food at The Promontory! We had a great dinner and came back on the weekend for brunch. The menu items are fun and tasty and the price point is spot on for the quality of food and service.

For food: five stars. But pretty noisy. Lots of tapas to start, small but delicious. We had, among other things, a ravioli with celery root puree and poached carmelized chestnuts; for my mail dish, I ordered ahi tuna, and was it unusual: the accompanying "sauce" was beef stew. Amazingly it was delicious and worked quite well together with the heavily charred ahi. Also, the dishes were not huge, but the prices were extremely reasonable.

We sat out on the patio for Friday night drinks (no dinner). The cocktails were interesting, the service very good, and the brussel sprout appetizer was raved about.

Excellent food, Awesome drinks and fantastic vibe! Casual yet eclectic dining spot. Try the Shrimp with Grits, Chicken sandwich, Banana Bread, Beignets along with the Anejo Sazerac or Jamaican Old Fashioned.

Does not get better than this on this side of town. Food, service and drink selection is excellent. They understand the business and the clientele. Service is excellent or did I already say that. The live music lineup for the next month was impressive and definitely represents a south side Chicago vibe. I really like this place.

Seated outside, my party of 2 highly enjoyed our meal at The Promontory! We ordered delicious starters of 'Mozarella di Bufala' and roasted Brussels sprouts. Quickly after, we recieved our delicious burger and risotto. The asparagus risotto I had ordered, was utterly perfect! Best risotto I have ever had! Would certainly take the trip to Hyde Park from downtown, just to have the risotto again! Besides the wonderful food, the staff was extremely kind and helpful! HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

We were taken here by our Chicago host for a late lunch after arriving from our flight from the UK. It is an interesting space; they serve a few good beers, and some tasty small dishes in the afternoon in between their main lunch and dinner menus. It seemed very pricey to me, but then it's two years since our last US trip.

An unusual menu full of interesting and tasteful dishes with some unexpected, but satisfying, combinations. Good beer and wine selections at reasonable prices. Friendly, attentive service.

Ate here for dinner with a large group of my family. The service was great and the food was really good. They have a wonderful drink menu with tons of different options and even have home-made root beer. The food was delicious, very nice atmosphere in the restaurant as well.

My first time attending and I was not disappointed. Wanted to hear some horn like Louie and it was provided. Easy parking next door at a lot for only $9 for the night. Very attentive waitress and excellent drinks. Music by Marquis Hill and his band was unbelievable. Had excellent seats up front and met him and the band afterwards. Night I'll never forget. Next time I'll try the food, didn't realize the restaurant was separate dining.

We came here for dinner one night to this restaurant, recommended by our hotel. It was so nice. The menu was imaginative, the servers friendly and helpful, and the ambiance was lovely. We ate outside on a chilly night and sat next to an open fire--perfect! We will return!

We stopped in for Sunday brunch (served until 3:00 p.m.) and were treated to a wonderful experience. The menu has a limited number of items, and all are interesting, with several vegetarian items. Each of us had something different, and each was amazing. No basic eggs and toast, but an excellent array of items that make it worth the trek to Hyde Park on a Sunday. I'm a big fan of Mili's for breakfast when I go to Chicago, but for Sunday brunch, I will come back here.

I have mulled over trying to do this culinary experience justice. Not sure it is possible. The setting tucked away in Hyde Park. The decor inviting with plants, open kitchen and even outdoor seating had it not been 40 degrees. We started with specialty drinks! Special can not do them justice. Combinations of sweet, tart, and I can only describe the “monkey business “ as smooth in a glass. A rum lover, the resemblance to an old fashioned can not be overlooked. The oyster appetizer, by far best I have ever eaten. The baked bread crumb, tomato, onion was just the right amount of special to highlight the flavor. Dinners we had the strip steak, scallops, ribs. From presentation to taste, everything was perfect. Each bite left you wanting another! A true culinary experience. Dessert? We didn’t think it was possible but we looked and decided everything else had been so incredible it would be wrong not to partake. Wow! The warm apple pie served with ice cream and beignets were served warm. The chocolate cake had something atop it would could not even describe but only savor. We were already planning our return trip before the check came! A true culinary experience!!

We had a great dinner during an unusually warm October weekend while visiting our son at UChicago. Great service, comfortable setting and a fun, innovative menu. Chickpea fries were notably fun and delicious, as were the spices churros. Will definitely return on future visits to Hyde Park.

The promontory has inside and outside seating. The lighting inside was interesting-mason jars are the glass of the fixtures. We were there for brunch on a Sunday arriving at 10 am and didn't have to wait long for a table. The eggs are very good. The quiche are large individual servings with a flaky homemade crust. The beignets are the best. I'd go there again just for the beignets. Service was professional and prompt.

We went to hang out with some friends that chose this place. I understand The Promontory is also a music venue, but we were on the restaurant side. They didn’t have much of a menu. My husband ordered a burger and it was $15. As you can see, there was nothing special about it. The drinks were good. It was a cozy atmosphere to gather a group of people with no problem finding space.

There are many new upscale restaurants in Hyde Park. We rate The Promontory as the best. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. The staff is knowledgeable and interact well wait patrons- ones feels like the staff care. A delightful retreat.

Visited the Promontory for first wedding anniversary. The restaurant decor is very well done, love the feel of the place. The food is delicious, mussels and scallops to start were beautifully cooked. Steak and pork shank were great. The s'mores soufflé was not completely cooked but we ate it anyway as it still tasted good! Our server was easy to talk to without being overbearing. The Argentinian Malbec was a great wine. My only issue was the set up of tables for couples. They are far too close to each other. Tables for four and up are set out nicely in the middle of the restaurant, and the tables for two are lined up with barely a person's width between them. This proves difficult for the waiters as well as for my wife to get up and go to the restroom. Overall the restaurant is serving great food at a reasonable price but would be great to get a little more space. Good to see a place like this in Hyde park.

We had a great brunch here. Solid food (with good vegetarian options) and cocktails, good service, nice outdoor seating area. Welcome addition to Hyde Park.

The menu has ONE appetizer and ONE entree that is gluten free. It’s better than the steak and salad option at worse places, but more is expected of a place that appears to be wanting to attract foodies or even diners who want a choice.

Went here with work colleagues during a conference. Just a short walk away from the Hyatt Place. Nicely busy but not packed mid-week for dinner. A bit hipster, but what farm-to-table isn't? A bit limited in number of menu choices, but we all tried to mix it up and order different items; everything was delicious. The mushroom cavatelli was especially good, and the side dishes (collard greens, roasted brussel sprouts, and grilled asparagus) were tasty complements to the entrees. Nice outdoor seating, plus live entertainment in an upstairs area.

My cousin took me here for her birthday. We had the roasted brussels sprouts and another vegetable appetizer. Even though both were good choices, the brussels sprouts were great! I ordered baked fish and my cousin ordered chicken. The fish was not seasoned at all. I ordered another roasted brussels sprouts. My cousin shared her chicken with me. The chicken tasted like it was smoked. It was delicious and flavorful. Our waitress was great. She checked with us and made sure I had something good to eat. We went to this restaurant in the evening. The lighting is very scarce . I was told they have entertainment there also. I am looking forward to returning for the brussels sprouts, the chicken and hopefully a nice band.

Okay, we weren't able to do the jazz part, though it appears to be a regular feature upstairs at the Promontory. We just stopped in for a drink before a theater engagement near the University of Chicago, but had such a nice time and such good service, plus enjoyed the appetizers we ordered with our drinks, that we decided to stay on for dinner. It was a good decision. The place does get crowded and noisy as the after work crowd shows up, but the food came quickly and was well prepared. We were sorry we couldn't stay for the jazz later in the evening.

Everything was delicious. I had the celery root and cauliflower dish for appetizer which was my fav. For entree I had a roasted chicken dish with sauce, vegetables and special cornbread. Very flavorful and filling. For dessert, forgot the name but it sure was delicious. You can check their website for the restaurant week menu. I would definitely come back.

A group of six of us went for a celebratory lunch to Promontory. It was a Tuesday at noon and when we entered were one of three tables (another three tables came in as we were waiting/eating). As we were looking over the menu, we thought the prices were a bit high but not unexpected, except for a starter squash soup priced at $15 (burger entrée priced the same). Two people ordered burgers, one fried chicken sandwich, two the shrimp and grits, and one lamb hash. We all asked to do the Power Lunch special where we could add a soft drink and beignets for a dollar to a Lunch entrée. We also ordered a mezza plate and one person ordered the starter salad. The starters were both good, with the green hummus a standout. The issue came with a delay in the entrees. They brought out the burger and the sandwich, but didn't say anything about the others. After 50 minutes, finally said there had been a miscommunication with the chef and the grits would be out soon (no mention of the hash). We finally got our shrimp and grits after about an hour. They were fine but nothing special, especially for $21. Finally, they brought the hash but we sent it back because one of the eggs was still raw. When it was finally cooked, the person did enjoy it. We were still waiting on the beignets and actually had to flag down the waiter to bring them to go given the long wait. We also asked for the check, which they brought the wrong one. Overall, the staff was acting as if we were inconveniencing them for being there, were not communicative, nor very accurate (delivered food to wrong people plus check issue). Even if service had been perfect, not sure the food is worth the price but with that level, rather have eaten at the Starbucks across the street for better value and service. Given the amount of staff there and the few number of customers, these errors should not have occurred.

Great vibe, if it wasnt so hot we would have eaten outside. They also have a small concert space upstairs so you can eat and then enjoy a show We were there for lunch. I had a savory omlette with crunchy fried potatoes off the brunch menu. Delish! My friend had a fried chicken thigh sandwich. All quite tasty. Stop by if you are in the area

The Promonory is one of the nicer dining options in Hyde park and it is well worth stopping by. The happy hour specials are fantastic ($6 dinks) as are the full priced cocktails. The food is superb and the wine list is unparalleled in the area. The menu and the drink options change frequently (which can be annoying if you want to go back and eat something that you’ve enjoyed again!) yet I have yet to find a truly dissapointing plate.

Hyde Park is beginning to get some more interesting restaurants. With my son recovering from surgery, I took my daughter-inlaw out to dinner for her birthday. We started with an amuse bouche of pine nut salad with cheese, which I liked, but my daughter-in- law was put off that it came on a plastic spoon. We shared an escabeche appetizer. I had a coq au vin, while my daughter-in-law had a lamb plate. We finished the dinner with a banana pudding. None of the dishes were standard treatment. The coq au vin was more deconstructed, with roasted white beets, a mushroom duxelle, carrot, bacon, and nicely done chicken thigh meat, with a wine reduction. The lamb came with sweet breads, loin, sausage, and a forcemeat, again with a nice sauce. The banana "pudding" was a plate of caramelized banana, flan, and ice cream. The food was good, not necessarily outstanding, but good (the dessert was probably outstanding). The thing that stood out the most was the presentation. All were extremely attractive and creative. The place is large inside, with a smaller section of patio seating. The noise level is a bit loud, but not head ache producing. Service was casual, but very attentive. Appetizer, a beer, cocktail, two entrees, and a split dessert came to a little over $100 including tip. It was well worth it.

Have stopped in a few times in the past, apps, drinks, off hours, etc. Great room, odd, small-ish menu, but always a great staff and everything good. Had a break in the calendar recently and decided to try the Tuesday Tasting menu. Absolutely one of the finest meals I have eaten anywhere. 5 courses, and they were all substantial, paired perfectly with interesting (out of the ordinary) wines. each one expertly presented by the sommelier or, as we were seated overlooking the kitchen, one of the chefs. All in, the meal was not more than we would have spent for a nice dinner anywhere in town, with wine, but this was exceptional dining, with great wine, fun atmosphere, and engaging staff. Well done!

Food was excellent! Service was a little slow for a business lunch. Love the hearth-cooking and I'd highly recommend the bacon. $1 adder for coffee & beignets was a great deal!

I am a University of Chicago student and this place is a lifesaver. I love this place, and come weekly for brunch. Brunch is fantastic: The point breakfast is a great value, and the drinks are creative. The papas bravas are to die for, and the eggs sardou is a really innovative dish. Dinner is also fantastic, though it is a bit pricier than the rest of Hyde Park. Then again, Promontory is a downtown restaurant in HP, which I am completely willing to pay a bit extra for if the alternative is driving downtown. The short ribs and chicken are must-trys for dinner, as is the s'mores dessert. The atmosphere is industrial but simultaneously inviting, and the smell of the hearth fills the entire restaurant.

My first visit was good because of friends. The menu is light on choices but decent. I felt it was pricey! The room was loud and wait staff dress attire left me cold. In fact one person who brought the food to the table was so nonchalant I thought he just walked in off the street! Be prepared for small portions even on main courses. I had a gift card and that made it palatable because of the menu selection in the food minimized portions! I will give it another shot! Went upstairs for the David Sanborn Concert and that was superb! Made up for any food disappointments!

I've been here twice and felt the food was tasty and affordable. The Point Breakfast is the best value, plus you get a baby beermosa! I think the service needs to be a tad better, our waitress left the restaurant to say hi to a friend on the street. Little odd. Better service and the rating goes to 4.

On my birthday,my son treated my husband and me. I had been upstairs a few times ,to see &hear a few "sets",and I checked out The Handmade Arts fair,which is worth visiting. Downstairs, the food is delicious,the service is good,and the ambience was "cool and sophisticated". I think this place is just what young people need.

I had heard about this place for quite awhile and finally the stars aligned (actually on the night of a full moon) and we made the reservation. Overall, this was a very satisfying experience. Sometimes it's the food that makes the difference. Sometimes it's the service. And, sometimes it's the atmosphere. At Promontory, it's all three! First things first: the food: flavors; presentation; portion size, all great. The menu is so simple yet interesting and takes a few minutes to absorb. What makes it so great is all the "stuff" that's added to the base ingredient. For example, have you ever seen charmoula ketchup added to chickpea fries? Or blueberry jam and bacon added to chicken liver mousse toast? Strange but it works. Second: the service: If there is any way to "score" Jillian as your server, you will have hit the jackpot. She was delightful, knowledgeable on every part of the menus (food, wine, and cocktails), efficient, and just all around pleasant without pretension. She really made the meal special. The host and hostess as well as the wait staff were also as professional and friendly as could be. Whoever is in charge of hiring/ training, has done an exceptional job. Everyone SMILES! Third: the atmosphere: The dining room has subdued lighting and is wide open. The huge, square, bar is off to the side by the entrance. There is a large wall with potted plants that takes up most of the wall opposite the exposed kitchen. In fact, there are seats at a long table, similar to a sushi bar, that gives diners there, basically a chef's table as you are only feet away from the grill and prep counters. The art on the walls is interesting. A blend of music is also interesting. They don't do a Pandora playlist. Rather a style is played and smoothly morphs into another genre. If you don't like what's playing, be patient as the music style shifts. We had a great experience and were so glad we finally made it here. There are other fine restaurants in Hyde Park that we have been to on numerous occasions but this is one of the best and we certainly will return. I can't wait to try the Kentucky Barbeque stew with pork belly, lamb, veal, lima bean, and cornbread!

Yes, it is a conversation-challenged place and it is crowded but the food easily overcomes these issues. We began with a complimentary octopus appetizer was deliciously seasoned. For the main course, we had the salmon (excellent but a very small portion), the lobster agnolotti which was superb, strip steak (again too small a portion), and a vegno (OK). The breads were outstanding as were the cocktails (we recommend the Purple Rain). Our dessert was s'more and a beigne which was ok.

We parked to get our favorite vermouth at Binny's, but the restaurant was across the street and the menu changed our minds--we could pick up the vermouth after we ate. First, the drinks at P are great--and the service--delightful! Then the roasted feta and olives--we could have finished off another order, but the squash salsify salad followed up exactly right. Then we had the lobster gnocchi--DO NOT MISS THIS--the clam/pork po' boy? I had a hard time tasting the clam because of the spice but it still satisfied. And then the baked Alaska? Nothing ordinary about it and the bourbon jelly on the side?--they could serve a bowl of that and i\I'd be fine! Binny's was closed by the time we left the restaurant, but we were very happy on our drive north.

This is a city restaurant, imbued with some of Chicago's nite-life glamour, and the waitresses are skilled at being personal but not too personal. The atmosphere is flattering and sparkly and the food is ok - there's nothing wrong with it: it'll do (especially if you're not the person paying). There's an eccentrically small choice when it comes to the red wine, though, and after waiting rather a long time for the bottle I chose, I was told that there wasn't any left. I hesitated: it really was a small list. Then the meet'n'greet original waitiress re-emerged, holding one bottle in triumph: she'd tracked it to some obscure back corner. So: a touch of wackiness to humanise the glitzy medium-budget chic.

Hyde Park’s rather limited dining scene has greatly expanded in the last couple of years. The Promontory (presumably named after our beloved Lakefront park) is a welcome addition. In trying to find a word to characterize it, I guess I’d call it “hip,” or at least it felt that way to this couple celebrating an advanced birthday. Careful thought seems to have gone into everything including the renovation of the former Border’s bookstore. Floor-to-ceiling windows give it an airy feeling (though there’s not much of a view). The high ceiling displays all the ductwork and plumbing. Space is defined by a central bar, an open kitchen with counter seating, and a large dining room with varied seating options. As others have said, it’s all hard surfaces so there’s nothing to absorb the sound which, along with too-loud music, makes conversation difficult. Management really should do something to mitigate the noise. It’s both upscale and informal; most of the wait staff were wearing jeans but the service was excellent, knowledgeable and just the right degree of attentiveness. Our waitress – a University of Chicago graduate student – was delightful. The menu is inventive. I was struck in reading previous comments how I didn’t recognize a number dishes commenters had tried, or even saw some of our choices in the online menu. Many didn’t seem to be on the menu the evening we were there suggesting it’s constantly changing. The wine list seems thoughtful, with a reasonable selection of choices by the glass though, averaging in the $12-$13 range, a bit pricey for the neighborhood. As first timers, we elected a “tasting” selection of a white, rose, and full-bodied red, which went well with our diverse food choices. We don’t do cocktails but, again, a lot of thought seems to have gone into their creation. We looked left and right at our neighbors who seemed to be savoring them. The menu is divided into “snacks,” small plates which includes various salads, and about a dozen entrees. Our two salads were creative and delicious. My companion tried the evening’s salmon special, a small fillet accompanied by a crab cake, both of which she said were delicious. I had the spring chicken, four tiny leg-thigh or breast combinations, beautifully seasoned as tasty over spinach. Quite yummy. Entrée portions seemed smallish, but with the generous salads, we certainly did not leave hungry. There’s a small but attractive dessert menu. We don’t usually do dessert but, since it was my birthday, split the S’more Soufflé. Obviously made just for us, fresh and delicious. The upstairs is an exciting performance venue. We didn’t check it out since there was no event that night but the list of upcoming performers suggests we’ll be returning, for the food, the vibe, and music. A terrific addition to Hyde Park’s dining scene for us neighborhood folks, and worth a trip from those who rarely venture south of the Loop. Just turn down the noise level. Check out the website: http://promontorychicago.com/

We had dinner with family and thoroughly enjoyed the creativity of the menu offerings. We tried two small plates options, grilled tofu and mussels. The tofu by its nature is bland, but the combination of flavors was a delight of balance and contrast. The mussels were small but full of flavor and tender. Our three entrees included a duck stew, grilled chicken, and a lamb burger. Again, all were creatively prepared and included and unexpected ingredients. For example, the duck stew had roasted lima beans, hominy, and green beans. It wasn't planned, but we shared samples among us as we were all intrigued by the flavors and textures. Our only concern was the noise level. Promontory is a busy location with a youthful crowd, and live music upstairs. With both indoor and outdoor seating we chose indoors as it was less busy, but even though we were in a "quiet" corner, conversation across the table was a chore.

Lovely spot and an idillic viewing place by the lake, Wedding Chapel available, great views and quiet strolling by the lake.

I stopped in on a whim, in need of a cocktail and was not disappointed. The cocktail I chose was fabulous and I would have loved to have stuck around for another. The bartenders were attentive and pleasant. I did not eat, but the person next to me got food and it looked and smelled divine.

The food itself was tasty for the most part, though overly deconstructed. The servings were meager (I have a small appetite but left hungry), and the service was terrible. Service was very slow, and our waitperson ignored a serious special need and failed to bring one of our desserts. Cheesecake had sticky, goo-like consistency. I would not go back there. Understaffed and noisy.

I have been in and out of Hyde Park for 30 years and this is one of the best restaurants to come to the area in that time. Great atmosphere. Roasted feta appetizer and short ribs outstanding. Love the lamb burger as well. Great drink menu.

The pimento cheese bread was excellent. The Kentucky burgoo was very good also. This is a great location in Hyde Park with a great lively atmosphere and interesting twists on the dishes offered. At the time we went, I had a fruit salad that had a nice presentation and great flavor. Would like to try other dishes at this restaurant and maybe check out a musical performance.

I went to this restaurant because my daughter said it was one of the more upscale restaurants in Hyde Park. First of all the wine list was extremely limited. When the dinner arrived I was very surprised, the portions were unbelievably small. I ordered the scallops, there were two scallops on the plate with a few sprigs of greens and worst of all the scallops were gritty! The salmon ordered by my daughter was 2 1/2 inches long sitting on top of bits and pieces of decorative greens. The bill was over $100.00. The server was very polite and professional but the cuisine is quite questionable.

I attended this event this past Sunday the 26th and I must say this spot is a hidden jewel. The reason I say this is because its connected to Akira so passing by you will see the store. The restaurant is on the 1st floor and the event we attended was on the 2nd floor, it was very spacious with a bar in the center of the room, and the drinks were amazing definitely not weak or water down. Lol. They also had a cool spacious outdoor patio with a bar as well. The crowd was very mature and sexy and it made the atmosphere that much more chilled. We will return.

Recommended to us by South Chicago natives, we were impressed by the menu options and outstanding service. I believe our server was named Alicia and the restaurant played some funky, really fun music. We sat outside on the patio and enjoyed taking in the scenery until we were attacked by bees and moved inside. The bartender and hostess were down to earth and very friendly. I am sad we missed Booker T. Jones performance the night earlier - had I known, we would have gotten tickets in advance! My husband enjoyed his beef sandwich so much, and I ordered some delicious French toast. Just phenomenal!

This relatively new addition to an otherwise dismal eating scenery in Hyde Park offers a warm ambience, often with live music, and an especially creative cuisine, where you can expect to find the unexpected. Tagliolini with calamari an a hot Calabrian sauce, or a watermelon salad with figs, goat cheese, or mussels... The "small plates" are particularly enjoyable, and so are the many cocktails offered (try their "Paloma": an exquisitely dry, enticing cocktail). Wine list is good but could (and should) definitely be improved. Service is attentive, helpful.

Have visited Promontory multiple times, but always in the summer and we always sat outside. Since it was a chilly October evening we were inside and although the food was good (though becoming a little over-priced in my opinion) the noise level made dinner conversation impossible! The “background” music was so loud that diners at the adjacent tables were shouting at each other, which raised the overall volume even further. The app on my phone measured the noise level at 105 decibels (approximately the level of a table saw, and well within the hearing loss range!) I doubt anything will change as a result of this review, but Promontory is no longer on my “go to” list!

We all enjoyed our dinners. The catfish was delicious as were the scallops. The salad portion was very generous, but the scallops were not. Glad we had a reservation - made easily on their website - because we were there on a busy Friday night and waited an additional 10-15 minutes.

Love love love the breakfast, wasn't crazy about dinner. Great lively atmosphere. Very affordable. Have bar with variety

Comfortable, casual, eatery with great cuisine, and excellent cocktails. Friendly and efficient service impressed.

We came in during Saturday, the place was busy but they were able to accommodate us. We had an order of egg sardue and lamb hash which were pretty good.

This place is just lovely for a foodie hipster. During nicer weather, I am certain it is even better with all the outdoor seating and fire pits available. My favorite thing we ordered was the au gratin potatoes and the Promontory Palmer. Somehow they made both sides of the au gratin potatoes crispy. I have already ordered the plum iced tea and rubarb bitters to try to replicate the Palmer at home. Super delicious! Our portion sizes were as expected and the prices were reasonable. When you go, you will want to try everything like we did! Our only complaint was the music was a little too loud forcing people to talk louder, making it way too noisy! Our attentive and helpful server more than made up for it. I highly recommend checking this place out as soon as you can. We thoroughly enjoyed The Promontory and exploring the up and coming neighborhood it is in in Hyde Park.

I've had several excellent lunches there. A bit expensive, but their burger is worth the price, and if you get a fried egg, they always ask easy/medium/hard and actually follow through on the service. The drinks are creative and always superb. I've had dinner here twice and been very happy with my food, although it is expensive. They host music and dance nights upstairs. This is an excellent time in a great atmosphere. My friends and I had a ball at salsa lessons.

We saw Funkadesi in this venue. Perfect space for this interactive music troupe. The drummers came to the balcony to lead us all into the concert venue. This is an intimate space and can be very loud (bring earplugs if you are sensitive). Loved this space and will return.

This was a business meeting. The restaurant is okay as far as décor. The food was awful. I ordered the chicken wings which arrived at my table cold. My guest ordered from the bar and I ordered a soda which I could not understand why sprite would be so flat and void of taste. When I asked the server this question the reply was "I'm not sure if its a real coke product". I would never refer nor visit again.

My husband and I had dinner here on a Sunday night. The place looks great inside, however as soon as we entered we realized it was very loud and it wasn't even very busy. All the hard finishes and high ceiling make it loud. It could benefit from some sound absorbing material. Our waiter was soft spoken and I could barley hear him. (And I have excellent hearing). All the dishes we ordered were incredibly salty. I prefer to taste the food and not just salt. We had the smoked feta appetizer. I've had plenty of various fetas and they were never as salty as this was. My husband had the mushroom risotto band I the scallops. Like I mentioned previously, both tasted good and the presentation was excellent. But, I would have preferred they lay off the salt as it overwhelmed the dishes. I doubt I would eat there again. I could see going for drinks and entertainmemt.

This as our first time at The Promontory and we went to see Kermitt Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers. The music venue is large, plenty of seating, dimly lit but not dark. Around the bar area is plenty of seating as well as along the wall. There were also a few couches and lounge chairs for more intimate or social seating. Drinks were delicious, reasonably priced and it didn't take long to be acknowledged by the bartender. As for attire, there was a mix of casual-dressy for a Saturday night of live music. The crowd was very diverse crowd in ethnicity and age (30+ for this event). Parking is always a concern for me but there is a parking lot next to The Promontory which would cost you about $10 for 4-6 hours. There is also the expected street parking which was $2.00/hr and if you're willing to walk a few blocks you might be able to luck up on a free parking spot. Other things to note: bathroom is very clean with multiple stalls; there is a LONG flight of stairs to get to the music venue so be mindful if you have difficulty with stairs. There is an elevator (which the musicians used) but I'm sure if you asked one of the hosts at the main entrance, they would provide you with a more accessible way to the music venue upstairs.

Casual restaurant with a DJ playing vinyl funky records. They had the BEST fried chicken sandwich I've ever had! Would go back just for that!

Is the food great? Yes, it is (except for the salad, which was o.k.). The service was good as well, although the aforementioned salad was forgotten and we had to ask for it). However, a person CANNOT have a conversation without shouting or repeating them selves over and over. The architect should be forced to eat his/her meals here for a week to see what a mess they created. Probably best for solo diners. Do check out the music upstairs- nice venue for post-meal entertainment.

Stopped by for lunch and enjoyed a very nice nitro stout and a good meal. The service was - stop and start - and I felt more like a customer than a friend. Maybe my fault for trying to find Cheers, but it wasn't great.

We've been to the Promontory in Hyde Park several times and have enjoyed the excellent food and drink. This evening we had their tasting menu ($75 for 5 courses and wine pairings). We were totally blown away by the inventiveness of the chef and the quality of the meal...the wine pairings were expertly done with difficult to find wines. My wife and I have dined at many Michelin rated restaurants of all star classes, and tonight's meal is right up there. What a gem to have in Chcago!

Friends of ours took us here for dinner. The menu is really varied and there are some great choices. Same with the cocktail offerings—special drinks that they have come up with. The ones we had were all tasty and the meals were great. I had a mushroom stroganoff that was excellent. Even their cheeseburger is really good. You can’t go wrong here.

The Promontory is an important music venue (upstairs) in the Hyde Park neighborhood, and a big upscale yuppie bar-and restaurant downstairs. This place is managed to downtown standards -- center bar, interesting menu with lots of fresh ingredients and very tasty results, perky service, too many hard surfaces and thus the all-too-typically high ambient noise level, outdoor seating area (quieter). While the customer base may look like the United Nations of Hyde Park, the atmosphere is too sleek to call this a genuine Hyde Park experience, for the visitor. But the residents love it!

WOW! Very relaxed atmosphere,but get there early (or make reservations). The food is incredible and if you're a vegetarian there are a few good options. Portions are quite small, even when ordering the larger sizes, but to me that was a good thing. But when ordering seafood it can seem sparse. First visit was some delicious catfish (and just the right amount form me). The next night (yes two nights in a row) i had the mushroom stroganoff. That was so delicious it almost made me cry. AND there's a LONG list of HOT drinks; try hot buttered rum..just get one! YUMMY! Staff is very accommodating, but not particularly attentive. Not an issue if you know it's that way.

We searched for restaurants in Hyde Park and were luck to find The Promontory for an early lunch on a Saturday. Great architecture, a house D.J.and great food. Couples, families and students.

We located this restaurant on Mothers Day, which as very busy. We were able to get in after a short wait. we ate outside which was very nice. They had some fireplaces on the patio to help keep cool air away in the evening. The menu was so delightful and varied we had hard time deciding what to order. We had the Green Circle Farms chicken which included cornbread, greens, gnocchi, heirloom carrots, and barbecue aioli. They have excellent chefs and finish the meat off on open fire which gives it great taste. We came back for lunch another day when we had the slagel farms double beef burger which was part of a lunch special that included french fries, beignets (new orleans sweet dessert type small donuts) and drink for 16 dollars (great deal and excellent food). Their food is organic and they have a farm to table philosophy. This place is a must. They also have a music establishment upstairs where they have great live music. This is just a fantastic, happening place. Get there !

met a friend for dinner last night at this "hip" restaurant and had a very interesting experience. the two hostesses who greeted me at the door were very charming and gracious and belong at another venue the waitress highly recommended shrimp hush puppies for a starter which we ordered and while we did receive the fried dough balls, the shrimp were so incredibly small i thought it was a joke on ordering the salmon with the crab cake i requested that it be in olive oil rather than butter, the waitress with a condescending eye asked if it was a dietary restriction to which i replied that i prefer olive oil. she went to check with the chef, who refused to make a change to the dish, fine i'll have the chicken she replied that the chicken was in butter and he wouldn't change that either nice she offered me a salad, i said fine so, i received a small side salad with wrinkled, over ripe tomatoes for my entree summary: a) the chef is ignorant or just plain rude b) they have limited culinary skills as evidenced by the carnival style fried dough balls c) most of the food is preprepared and hence not able to modify the simplest of ingredients your choice.

The french toast was a refined spin on a classic, the quiche a hit, the prawns dish successful, and good sides like bacon and cheese grits, generous juices and bottomless coffees appreciated. Both the indoor and outdoor spaces are modern and woody. Service was brisk but could have been warmer. Portions were right-sized. Restrooms were spotless. Will definitely return.

The food was very good but desserts are great. Most of the food is cooked over a wood hearth grill so most of the food has a smoky grilled flavor.

Went Sun 1/27/19. Server ‘Don’ was wonderful but that was where ‘wonder’ ended. Food was not good at all. Vegetables were bitter, foie gras sauce was used frequently to pair with other foods where the flavors did not compliment each other...at all. Quality of ribeye was mediocre, at best. Sauce on spinach was too chunky like it was prepared in a rush from something frozen. I will compliment the wing appetizer and the salmon was well prepared, however, the sauce on the salmon did not enhance the flavor it actually took away from its natural flavor. The chocolate mousse dessert tasted awful as well. I have recently dined at Gibsons Italia on Canal and once you’ve had that quality of steak, it’s hard to eat a sub-par one. Also, desserts at Grand Luxe are a lot more appetizing and beautiful in appearance. I think the challenge is attracting superior chefs out of the downtown, West Loop and near North areas to bring their unmatched skills to a smaller community on the Southside. The concept of ‘Promontory’ is excellent and their location is great, but I think their owners need to fork over the $$$ for top Chicago chefs. Just my opinion.

San Francisco Bay Area couple went to dinner at The Promontory with our daughter who is a grad student at UChicago. Mostly younger crowd. A limited but good menu. An active bar scene with music a little too loud for us parents. Excellent chickpea fries. Very good, hand-made burger. Good service. Certainly a must if you're in Hyde Park.

I was at Promontory two nights in a row for some house music events. Both nights were great! Great space. Enough room for everyone to dance. Bartenders was excellent.

Had brunch here this past Sunday. It was crowded and noisy. Service was slow but the food was fiarly well-prepared and plentiful. We had the pastrami sandwich with eggs substituted for the bread, the chicken thigh sandwich, and a lamb burger. The drinks were disappointing: the Bloody Mary was on the bland side and the Anti-Cruda tasted like watered-down bloody mary mix with some bitters. We'll stick with the wine and beer next time.

Pleasant ambiance with outdoor seating in good weather. Good drinks. Acceptable food. Have never tried it other than for brunch for which it is one of the better options in Hyde Park.

The roasted feta and the s'mores soufflé are our favorites! The place itself, its ambiance, is amazing, very cozy with the candles and the smell of the hearth. We always have a great time there !

This venue is nestled right in the heart of Hype Park (Chicago's Southside). I had the luxury of taking in a musical concert/live show. While it's in the mist of a community it has an upscale and tranquil vibe. The ambience of the space and level of professionalism was exceptional. This is definitely a place visit, treat yourself to an experience including great (live) music and even a little bit of dinner (in another part of the building). Nice spot for a night out. I was undoubtably pleased with my experience.

We went for dinner after having heard from family in Chicago that the restaurant was good. It is friendly and lively. However, maybe because we ordered vegetarian "big plates," we found the food strange and unappetizing. Stay away from the over-complicated vegetarian "sandwich." The pea risotto has an odd texture. Others in our party seemed satisfied with the meat dishes they ordered.

Great atmosphere must needed ungraded brunch restaurant on the south side. Remind me of the restaurants you would find on the north side.

This restaurant, located in the heart of Hyde Park, has a lovely menu and wine list along with a nice atmosphere, indoor/outdoor dining, and a comfortable bar to hang with friends or dine solo.

I visited for the first time and I'm impressed! Gabe & staff rock! The cool music, service & vibes were comfortable & welcoming. I highly recommend the Kale Salad w/ grilled chicken. And, the Passionfruit Mojito was fantastic. I look forward to next time!

We kept going back to The Promontory during our week's stay in Hyde Park as we enjoyed the hand crafted cocktails, the simple garden green salad and the creative entrees. Nice variety of options for GF and vegetarian.

The Promontory represents the new "up and coming" Hyde Park. It is divided into two primary sections, the restaurant and the concert hall (upstairs). The restaurant is beautifully set up, with an open dining area flanked by an open kitchen and a very large bar area. The decor is rich (solid woods) and trendy. With dim lighting and a lively atmosphere it is definitely a nice setting to dine in. That's where the compliments end. The food is only mediocre, the portions are tiny, and the prices are outrageous. Service is nothing spectacular. The bar is a great place to sit and people watch, and it has some interesting house drinks, but again, the prices are too high for Hyde Park. The Concert Hall is well designed, wonderful for an intimate concert setting. The acoustics are good, the stage is visible from the entire hall, and the bar is well positioned in the rear so it is not a distraction to the stage area. When there is a concert, parking can be difficult in the area.

My friend tells me that the Promontory is a new restaurant in the Hyde Park area. It is a delightful addition to the neighborhood. This is a fun place for an interesting dining experience not just a chow down. We both had a roasted beet salad. My main was called Kentucky burgoo and was a kind of mildly spicy stew with a rabbit leg, venison sausage and pork collar - definitely out of the ordinary & memorable. It is a lively place also dedicated to jazz with a congenial bar in the center. I only wish the noise level were not as high. What's wrong with a quiet dining room, hushed where conversation is more important than texting? I'm showing my age! Put thee Promontory on your list. I hope to return.

We had a table of 6 and enjoyed drinks,appetizers, and entrees. Service was truly good, food was great and we all left stuffed! kind of a happy place where friends meet and families are welcome.

I enjoy off the beaten track restaurants. The Promontory is all of that and then some. The dishes all have unique names which is kind of fun. Unfortunately the food left something to be desired considering the prices. Excellent Service and a crazy location. You have to look for them as they are off the beaten path.

Ventured out to a local farm to table restaurant while staying in Hyde Park on a rainy night and found The Promontory. Probably one of the most delicious lemon drop martinis I have had...selected the roasted beet salad with blood orange vinaigrette, which was simple and splendid, followed by the Green Circle Farms Chicken, which was moist and melt in the mouth. I thoroughly recommend The Promontory if you find yourself in the Hyde Park area. They also have live jazz upstairs.

We have enjoyed this restaurant in the past, so chose it for a large group celebrating a wedding the day before. We were not disappointed. The staff had prepared our reserved table when we arrived a few minutes early. The hostess greeted us and assured us that waiters were at the ready and fluent in both languages spoken by our guests. Much of what the menu includes was eaten by our party along with a variety of wine, cocktails, and beers. Everyone was happy with both the service and their selections. Success!

The decor is so beautiful and the private room is big enough for a party but small enough to stay intimate. Date night or milestone this place will not disappoint.

"Bi-level, industrial-chic eatery and bar. (owners)" Casual ambiance. Every employee is there to serve you. Fun reasonably priced drinks. Out-of the-ordinary dishes a real treat plus standard fare. I think they plan to serve outdoors later in the season compared to other establishments. Maybe they'll let me eat seared feta and a hot rum as the leaves rustle and snow flies? I'll be back. PS: Check out their regular live performances.

Having lived in Hyde Park for several years I'm so happy to have The Promontory in our neighborhood! It's the kind of place you can take out of town friends for a nice meal and cocktails, without having to head downtown. Much needed in Hyde Park, it's high end food along with good cocktails. Service at the bar can be patchy, but if you have time and $ then it's well worth a visit. Their patio is pup friendly too.

Wonderful drinks (our favorite is the Rest & Stone!), great appetizers (I have never tasted anything as good as the Hearth Roasted Nuts with a soy caramel glaze and mint). We didn't have dinner (next time!) but the food and the specials sound remarkable. My wife and the couple we were with were trying to figure out what other places of which Promontory reminded us. They said "London" an we said "Napa Valley". In particular a place called the Rutherford Grill. The smells from Promontory's hearth were amazing, the music was noticable but not overpowering, the drinks were unique and memorable, and the food was delicious. This is our new Hyde Park hangout, and it's only 5 blocks from our house!

We came for the music upstairs but loved the service and food downstairs! Inspired: the Efeste Big Papa Atmosphere: busy Chicago venue Service: Morganne was excellent! Food: very good - esp. the Risotto Transportation: easy Uber ride from the Loop Discovered: from music loving friends Return: yes!

Wery nice inside, the food was amazing I would definitely return We tried a couple of drinks and they were well made and unique.

Based on my recent dinner I have to substantially upgrage my previous (rather negative) review of The Promontory. The chicken liver mousse & the Brussell sprouts starters, the pork tenderloin main, and the rich dessert were all very tasty. The service was friendly, attentive and timely. The loud music and background noise level makes conversation a challenge, but the dining experience itself was overall quite positive this time.

Four of us ate at The Promontory as it was recommended in Re-Porter. The appetizers were uniformly good - the roasted feta excellent. There's a good selection of cocktails but none to suit tastes for the salty-spicy. Tried the beer which was unprepossessing. The entrees were good - try the Ahi which is really delicious, the lamb is plentiful and seemed very good. We skipped dessert though the selection did look good. It was one of the noisiest places we've eaten at making conversation pretty difficult. Probably we wouldn't go back.

A big barn of a place with not a lot of atmosphere and very subdued lighting, we could barely see the table, never mind the food! I had hush puppies to start, quite nice, and a lamb burger that tasted of spices rather than lamb. My wife had a nice mezze plate followed by chicken that was very undercooked, when she pointed this out to the server, she was told "that's how its cut" ?? I wouldn't go back

Only went for brunch, but it was very good, and made me want to come back for dinner next time I am in Hyde Park. Kind of a "hipster, upscale, informal" place with a very creative menu.

We went with four people to celebrate my wife’s 50 Birthday. We chose the right spot. Interesting lay out, food was great. Our server Don was very good. We especially enjoyed the Lamb Shank with Pickled Egg Plant (fantastic) and Chicken Rouladen. As app I can recommend the Mushrooms and Spaetzle.

This is a great restaurant tucked into the beautiful Hyde Park area of Chicago. Which as indoor and outdoor seat, along with a rooftop area where live music events occur. This particular visit was for a birthday party. We had semi-private seating and a server to ourselves. They supplied a personalized menu, as well as name plates for the birthday girl. The food was VERY good, I highly advise the beignets, French toast, and the chickpea fries. Service was good, water was filled in a timely manner. The only issue is the service bar was very slow (which is the only reason I didn't give this place and excellent), I kind of felt bad for my waiter, since it looked as if he was the one that. wasn't attentive. Overall, I really enjoyed this place, great drinks, ambiance, décor, and excellent food.

We ate here one night while celebrating a nephew's birthday. My wife and I shared a lamb burger and mezzo consisting of olives ,cheese and peppers. Another relative had the ribs. All of the food was different and very tasty in a hip relaxing atmosphere.Definitely a nice addition to Hyde Park.