Room21
Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: (312) 328-1198
- Price:
- $$$$
- Directions:
- Bus: 1 to 21st & Michigan
- Best of Citysearch:
- Trendy Scene 2007
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 5:30pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-11pm
Message from Room21
Room 21 - An American Bistro
- Contemporary Cuisine
- Former Capone Brewery
- European Garden Patio
Paid advertisement by Room21.
Editorial Review for Room21 – by Alice Van Housen
The Scene
Jerry Kleiner transformed a former Al Capone brewery in his signature fashionista-fantasia style: Gonzo damask patterns on the walls, French fabric chairs, a jumbo zebra-framed bar mirror and bordello-on-Venus drum lighting in fuchsia and chartreuse. French doors open onto a lovingly landscaped garden oasis.
The Food
Light-handed New American updates tweak straightforward steakhouse fare. Pricey prime steaks pair with sauce choices, notably a light, tart balsamic jus. Crisp arancini-style crab risotto cakes swell with succulent crabmeat, sauteed corn and arborio rice, their plate drizzled with Old Bay aioli. A little cast iron pot of creamy wild mushrooms is topped with a melted Laura Chenel goat cheese. Hunky, moist roasted halibut beds down on sweet corn puree with crisp bits of snap peas. Sides include a keg-shaped whole fried potato skin stuffed with mashed potatoes. Red velvet cake is dullsville, but deep-fried chocolate "beignets" with chocolate and peanut butter sauces are great fun.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Fun FactThis building was raided by Eliot Ness ("The Untouchables") on June 13, 1930, supposedly capturing 200,000 gallons of booze.
The ExtrasAsk for a visit to Capone's claustrophobic escape passage, unearthed during construction, that led onto 21st St. (the door was marked Room 21).
What to DrinkNumerous premium champagnes by the glass are a highlight of the broad, moderately-priced wine list.
Where to SitFor intimacy, request the small, cozy back dining room.
User Reviews for Room21
10/17/2007 Posted by clshafchi
Don't sit in the courtyard if you actually want to have food. Mid August was our first time to this restraunt, I think the decor reminds one of "Bozo's Big Top", bring your peanuts and popcorn, because you will need it. We were seated in the outdoor courtyard, which I have to say was tastefully decorated and elegant. We were approached by a waiter and offered some water. We ordered a Pellegrino and 2 glasses of wine. Our waiter returned and we placed our appetizer, salad and entree order. We waited for our appetizer....about 20-30 minutes went by, no sign of food, waiter, water guy....nothing. We waited about 10 more minutes to find any employee to enquire about our order, as we were starving. No one in sight after 40 minutes. So we actually went to host stand to request our tab, paid for our bottled water , wine, and left. Any experienced waiter should have come to our table to let us know the kitchen was running behind, etc. Bad, bad, bad service, limited menu. We wound up going to Cuartro next door and had a wonderful meal. Good Luck room 21 because with all of the competition coming your way in the South Loop you will need it!
Pros: Nice courtyard
Cons: Bad service, limited menu, bad service!
06/22/2007 Posted by angi1021
I must say, a dissapointment. Jerry Kleiner needs to find a new decorator, or some new ispiration. The "velvet curtain-zeebra print-obnoxious-color scheme" motif is played out at ALL of his restaurants, and Room21 is no exception. It's dated and corny. The food was ok, (my halibut was cooked perfectly), but the menu was limiting and bland, also, the one great bottle of wine we wanted was out of stock. There was an abundance of two things at this restaurant: lonely cougars chatting up the bartenders, (depressing), and fruit flies circling our table, (gross). While the ladie's room was nice, two of the three toilets were overflowing and nasty. The outdoor area looked great and we would've loved to take our wine outside, but they had it closed because, as our waiter stated, "it was going to rain buckets that night." Clear skies suggested otherwise, but he may have had a radar map hidden in his apron we didn't know about. Had my boyfriend and I not been in a great mood, this place could've been a real kick in the pants. I was looking forward to a trip back in time to the Capone era, but felt like I was in Marche'.
Pros: Nice waiter, valet
Cons: Decor, lame menu
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