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Every so often you run across a local eatery, a restaurant, or maybe even just a simple sandwich shop that has you texting friends about how good the food is before you've even paid the bill. Located at 415 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago's River West neighborhood is just such a place called Paramount Room. At first glance the stand alone brick building surrounded by vacant storefronts and a less than pristine overpass can be a little misleading, the neon blue sign shining out front acts like a beacon in a dark and arguably dodgy Chicago alley way.

But when you walk through the doors of Paramount Room and hear the uber-hip soundtracks playing and check out the absolutely bitchin' downstairs lounge, you get it. You understand right away that you my friend have just stumbled upon an absolute diamond in the rough. Sit down and order a beer only to find out they've got some of the yummiest microbrews this side of the Chicago River on tap. Order dinner and you find out the French fries are fried in beef fat, the corned beef is cured in-house, and there's a $9 Kobe burger for which Paramount Room has become known for.

This place my friends is what I like to call the real-deal Holyfield of gastro-pubs. It's as though the creators of this gastronomic Taj-Mahal had their fingers on the pulse of all things hip, from the interior design, to the music, and most importantly the food and drink. Executive Chef Stephen Dunne is unapologetic with absolutely zero frills, order the Tempura Fried Green beans and that's exactly what you get, no silly stacks of food on plates here folks, just beautifully fried green beans piled high and served with a simple-yet-spot-on chili lime sauce.

As I sat in this downright exemplary eating establishment/watering hole, watching the cook operate in a matchbox sized open kitchen, eating my perfectly prepared Croque Madame with Beef Fat Frites, I wondered to myself Why aren't more people talking about this place?. The answer: they are. Paramount Room recently won LTH Forum's Best Neighborhood Restaurant Award, also celebrity Brew master Garrett Oliver from Brooklyn Brewery recently graced Paramount Room with his presence as he teamed with Chef Dunne for a five-course pairing along with Pastry Chef Suzy Beu. I would recommend Paramount Room to anyone looking to wow someone on a first date. One could say it's the kind of place that will make you look very in the loop.

Learn more about this author, Ronald Collins.
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