Great vibe, with shelves full of whiskey all around, nice lighting, and a chill soundtrack. The whiskey flights are interesting, and there is an extensive list of well-made cocktails. Wines by the glass are limited, but are stored at the right temperatures. We grazed on small plates and liked everything we had. The smoked fish board included three kinds of fish, but the standout was the trout pate, which can also be ordered separately. Cauliflower "tots" were actually cauliflower florets tempura fried. They were nice and light. The accompanying blue cheese dip was very mild; horseradish would have worked even better. The highlight of the meal was the mussels (which I forgot to photograph). They were served in a spicy miso broth that was great for dipping the accompanying toast. Best mussels I've had anywhere! We split a Smokehouse burger, which was good, but the "bacon" was a delicious chunk of smoked pork belly that was far too thick to eat in the burger. Service was friendly and knowledgable, with real enthusiasm for the whiskey list. read more

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Overall, this restaurant was excellent. I came here last night with my husband and sister. All three of us agreed this place was deserving of 5 stars. We started the evening with cocktails. I had the Lost in Paradise, which featured rum, coconut milk, and a lime garnish with something aflame on top for aroma. It was delicious and tasted similar to a pina colada. My husband had the Franklin Room Old Fashioned, which was their featured cocktail, and it was smooth and strong. We had the cauliflower parmesan tots with house-made bleu cheese to start. It was mouthwateringly good and a perfect appetizer. We decided to share multiple small plates as a group for the evening. The first dish to come out was the house-made truffled burrata and fried tomato, and it was so savory. Then, the Wagyu beef tartare came out, and it's presented as a spread with quail egg on top, foie gras butter, and sliced baguettes to the side. This was truly delicious. The third dish to come out was the mushroom risotto with BBQ eel, and it was fantastic and my personal favorite of the night. The last dish was the fried lobster tail with spicy aioli sauce, which was also terrific. For dessert, we shared the caramel apple crisp, which featured homemade vanilla ice cream, toasted honey comb, shortbread with apple pie filling, and caramel on top. Dare I say, this dish was to die for? It was excellent. The ambiance was warm and cozy, and the service was attentive and friendly. The restaurant became very busy very quickly, so I recommend making a reservation, as we did. The total bill rounded at $45 per person and absolutely worth every penny. We recommend this restaurant, and I'm sure we'll come back. read more

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I am absolutely a fan of this place. The cocktails could be a tad better but not bad. Really enjoyed the Whisky flight option though. The food is amazing! A burst of flavors in every bite that pair so well together. The space is small but I love the decor, definitely speak easy vibes. Service was perfection. I really struggled with picking a plate out of all the amazing options, which tells me, I'll be back. read more

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This speakeasy styled bar in bar is hopping. Granted, it is not that large, but I came here with my significant other around 9 PM or so on a Friday evening, and there was still a wait to get in. We did manage to get a standing room spot to start out with as we dived through the menu looking at all of the cocktail options and of course the extensive list of whiskey. By the time we finished looking over the spectacular drink list, a table opened up for us which worked out well. I ordered their version of the Vieux Carre, which is basically the kitchen sink of drinks. Pretty much throw any kind of alcohol into it and it sticks. The drink was potent and was the only beverage I needed that evening. They definitely don't skimp out here. We were ordered some cheese curds to split and enjoy. They were very crispy on the outside and gooey and cheesy on the inside. They were a little too salty for my liking, but otherwise, it paired with the drink very well. Their food menu looked really good and I wish I was hungrier as I would have ordered more food. Oh well. It was great. Overall, I'd definitely come back to the Franklin Room again. It has a great vibe, great variety of drinks, and good eats. Service was good too. read more

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Come for the cocktails, stay for the food! This is a great spot whether you're looking for a good time on a date or if you're hanging out with a big group! We live nearby and they have always been very honest when we've called about wait time and very accommodating of our giant group of Warriors fans who flew in for our wedding and took over their bar area for a night. As for cocktails, some of our favorites are the Long Train to Fresno (if you like a tequila cocktail with a kick!), The Aviation (gin with creme de violette), and the Royal Mai Tai, but we love experimenting and trying new cocktails! As for food, get the cheese curds!! They always come out right away and lightly fried and always steaming hot. They serve them with a chipotle aioli which adds the perfect kick to the curds. As for entrees, both the Surf & Turf and spicy bourbon burger are great and made with wagyu beef patties on pretzel buns. My personal go-to is the Truffle mushroom pappardelle, which is loaded with creamy truffle sauce and loads of different kinds of mushrooms-- right up my alley! Shout out to the great wait staff for always keeping our drinks flowing and bringing us our food piping hot! read more

We had an amazing time. We're going to dinner at torchio but stopped here before. Music is great. Vibe, on par. Peter was our bartender. Incredible. My bf asked what type of whiskey was in the old fashioned and he stopped and took the time to talk about it. Gave him a sample of just the whiskey and explained it. I ahead questions and he went above and beyond to explain how each drinks hits. Will be returning. Drinks are great. read more

The Franklin Room - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is quite the hidden gem. When I first saw their menu, I thought hmmmm, not too many options for me -- especially since I don't eat beef or pork, mainly fish and chicken. I also love vegetarian dishes mostly. Their menu is packed with flavor! Met up here for some incredible cocktails with my fraternity brothers and ordered the sea bass, roasted carrots and the kale and roots salad. Wow!!! As they say, "party in your mouth," those three dishes rank in the top 10% of what I've eaten this year!!! I'll definitely be back here and I HIGHLY recommend trusting the menu, you'll find that it is so worth it. I mentioned how good their cocktails are, but that's an understatement. read more

Every time we have dinner here. We always so enjoy from drink to entree. Especially I love the sea bass so good

The Franklin Room is your posh uncle's favorite place to get abundantly sloshed, in between stops at Cartier and your older sister's baby shower he showed up late to. It's got a muted yet lit feel -- a little showy and self aware like an Instagram eyebrow, and much like an Instagram eyebrow, it doesn't come cheap. So, to start the tale of the night, I got a whiskey connoisseur ticket for me and fellow drinker/eater. We divided each drink up with each course. The drinks were: Glenrothes Bourbon Barrel Reserve, Single Malt Scotch: I'm no rah rah whiskey fan, but this one had notes of coconut and vanilla that escaped like grace notes on a piano score. Now I'm getting poetic and that's probably because I'm thinking about this drink. Balblair '99 Single Malt Scotch: So I don't know if I've ever mentioned that I'm no rah rah whiskey fan....but boy....this one stung me like a Hungarian Horntail, and Harry Potter wouldn't stand a chance with this drink either (I don't suppose). It sunk its barbs into my tongue, and I felt like it had a weird, gross taste. Ballechin 11Yr Manzanilla, Single Cask Scotch: I like my eyes smoky....and my whiskies smoky. I learned that when I drank the Manzanilla. More like God-damn-zilla. Lamb shank: Could have notched it up with flavor but I pressed the ignore button as soon as I felt how tender it was. It practically oozed its way past my fork and into my belly faster than you can say "lambo-ghini". Cauliflower tots: Avril Lavigne would probably say "what the hell...all this place has been is good but now whoa what the hell" because this one was a little disappointing. The bleu cheese tasted more like ranch than anything else -- I don't know why. The table next to me got the bourbon battered cheese curds and I felt #ragrets looking at it. Short rib: This was truly the star of the show. Spices were on point, as well as the veggies and the potato mash at the bottom. Bobby Flay would have chanted along to the rhythm of mouths chewing (no talking, only sounds of eating) in an exquisite, harmonious symphony. Could John Cage pick this one up? I docked one star because the lamb shank and tots could have been better -- and the $ spent was comparable to that of a Michelin restaurant. I guess I could have ordered less food...but really, who would do that. read more

The Franklin Room - Unique whiskey experience and gr8 food - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Finally back open after a long closure, with a revamped menu and the same kickass bartenders, The Franklin Room continues to be one of, if not my favorite, bars in the city. The new Ricotta Raviolis are delicious, and the Chicken Roulade is phenomenal. Took a piece of chocolate cake to go and by god one of the best desserts I've ever had. It is a welcome sight having this crew back in the city. Will not disappoint. read more

Great steak. Had both choices, whiskey selection is out of this world. Bartenders super knowledgeable. Great bar seats as well as table dining experience read more

Book of Booze + 1 page of Static Food Menu. Mishmash of expensive ingredients = Nothingness. What a waste! A BUT establishment. :-D PRICING -- easy $60 pp plus tip for 3-Course meal + 1 Cocktail, No Brown Bag. COCKTAILS are well-balanced, nicely priced, 2 oz of primary booze, BUT it's the standard these days. Literal interpretation of FOIE GRAS MOUSSE is $1.70 per teensy weensy black baguette slice. Eat immediately before it deflates. Excellent dish for foie beginners that packs flavor without being overwhelmed. CHICKEN DRUMETTES are really good for $2.30 a piece. BUT, for $1-$1.50 a piece, you can go around the corner as Hooters Chicken grew. WAGYU BURGERS are excellent value as they are competitively priced, but better quality ingredients. BUT, Wagyu is exquisite by itself that is best enjoyed in simplicity. Strong and too much truffle aioli (I can't believe I'm complaining about it, as I should be happy BUT...) in SURF & TURF it's an unnecessary ingredient. SOFT SHELL CRAB shrank in half compared to its initial promo photos! NEW ZEALAND LAMB SHANK only serves 1, no brown bag. BLAND, but pouring salt is appropriate for the Sinatra vibe as it was common at that time. BUT, well-seasoned cooking and salting after is NOT the same. Disgusting bananas in BANANA SPLIT. Outsourced cheap tasting ice cream is beautifully plated with interesting combinations. You pay for presentation. $7 BOURBON SHAKE was really good, BUT you can make this at home. Or, get a $3 Potbelly Shake and pour your own bourbon...it's only $5. VENUE is relaxingly nice & romantic. A contrast to the stressful menu. At least the booze calms you down and balances everything out. Your Company and Staff May upset your equilibrium. read more

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Okay. Let's get to the Surf & Turf burger everyone's raving about here on Yelptown. Our grouped passed. While it looked all sloppy good and stuff, especially if you're fresh off an all-night bender, it seemed a bit much for lunch. Unless you had time for a shower and change of clothes. Give Franklin's a go. read more

Chicago in the summer is glorious!!!!! But it's short: so like Ferris once said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." So in that vein.... don't miss this basement like speak-easy that touts a formidable whiskey menu, with bar-bistro offerings (I will not use that shitty "gastro-pub" moniker) that hold up to the better restaurants around town!! Behold: On the whiskey menu was my beloved Noah's Mill which comes as an ounce pour or as shown: a 1/4 bottle which I shared (kind of) with my colleague. Drinking bourbon in this establishment seemed fitting as the ambience gives off an old fashioned whiskey hall feel with exposed ceilings and a loud acoustic design. While that may take away from a romantic feel, it's certainly kitschy and entirely unpretentious. Apps consisted of the mussels which were steeped in a bourbon based sauce with roasted grape tomatoes, greens and dusted with cheese. Also contained in this savory sauce was a generous portion of roasted garlic which served almost as the dessert for this dish when spread on the accompanying toast points. The burrata was another standout as it was served with yellow tomato slices, dressed arugula and toast points. The truffle seasoning paired so well with the creamy filling of the cheese and the acidity ofbthe tomato and greens. Other apps were just as strong and they included the fried cauliflower, cheese curds and popovers (which I did not try as per my no bread jihad) My main was simply....... decadent: a wagyu beef Patti topped with cheese, soft shell crab and a truffle aioli. My goodness. Sounded like madness in a surf and turf kinda way but oh was it a flavor blast of savory goodness! This one might be etched on my palate for some time to come! Other mains were enjoyed by my crowd like the Scottish salmon and squid ink pasta etc. and though I'm not a dessert fan, their key lime pie, bourbon milk shake and pecan pie were all scratch made and a welcome pairing with the round of Hungarian dessert wine that we splurged on! Great job, great surroundings, great food, great service! All in all..... well done Franklin and thank you!!!! Robbo, Parker, CO read more

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Did some research ahead of time and the menu looked really appetizing. Had my eye on several items. The wings and curds for appetizers. Couldn't decide between the Buffalo chicky sandwich or one of the burgers. Was really looking forward to the meal When I got to the restaurant, it turned out Jimi was looking up the menu for the Franklin Tap. Classic mixup. But let Jimi tell ya. That Franklin Tap sounds good. Might go there some time 5 stars read more

My review is for cocktails only. We went last night (Sat) after dinner around 10:30p. Fortunately, we were able to secure a table for 4 since dinner service was over. Although, they are in a lower level, it didn't feel claustrophobic or as if the walls were closing in. The decor is chic and somewhat classical with a wall of fine spirits and another of books and collectibles. It was pretty busy as expected of any newer River North digs. We didn't try any food but will certainly be back to try a lot of different things. For cocktails our table got the sole Cucumber Vodka cocktail, as well as 2 of the Bourbon drinks. I got The 42nd ward and it was a very light and airy whisky sour without the sourness. I put up pic of the drink and menu for ingredients. read more

The Franklin Room - The 42nd Ward - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food is okay. Chicken was dry. Staff is mildly attentive, but drinks still run dry. Sides are served as an app. Kind of a bummer

Had a planned night out in River North and made reservations via OpenTable a couple nights before. Got there a couple minutes early and we were seated shortly after. The inside of the place is pretty cool, it's kind of like a basement, but it doesn't feel dingy or anything, it's nicely decorated and feels a little like a speakeasy kind of thing. It's also not very big, but I liked that because it wasn't super super loud in there and I could hear myself talk, although some of the seating is close quarters. I would describe the Franklin Room as a whiskey/cocktail bar. They have a HUGE drink menu that features a ton of obscure/small batch/expensive whiskeys that a connoisseur would surely appreciate. They also have food, mostly sandwiches at around  $15 but also some entree items at $25-30. We opted for 2 cocktails, the Vieux Carre and the Blood & Sand. Both expertly mixed and tasted fantastic. The Vieux Carre was potent and I liked it a lot. We kept it simple and got 2 sandwiches and a dessert for dinner. We had the FR burger and the Cod sandwich. They were both very good! Pricey at about $15 each, this was definitely a very very good burger that was simple in a good way. Super rich, cheesy and cooked to perfect medium, it also came with fries which were delicious as well. I paid the  $3 up charge for truffle fries, which I could taste a difference between the regular fries, but I'm not sure was worth $3. The food was all very good here! The pumpkin frozen yogurt was delicious too. Large shareable portion  for $7, nice way to end the meal. Our server Dan was quiet but nice. Our dinner was super straightforward and he did a good job. Overall a really cool spot for cocktails and whiskey, the sandwiches were also very good. It is pretty pricey, but there are many much more expensive options nearby that make the Franklin Room a good choice. Also worth noting they have a ton of happy hour specials that make it a pretty good bargain if you make it in during those times. Cool spot! read more

The Franklin Room - FR burger, cod sandwich - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A cool, classy place with great drinks, food and ambiance. Was meeting a coworker here on his rec (good call, Alex!) and arrived a tad early so I plopped down at the bar and ordered a Whiskey Boy cocktail, which was only $5 during happy hour. After migrating to a booth to catch up with work bud, we ordered some $1 oysters and cauliflower tots. Slurpy good on the oysters. Tots did not disappoint either. Even tasted a tad healthy. For my main I ordered the duck sausage and, oh man, it was seriously savory and delicious. The secret might be the foie gras mousse. The Franklin Room is great. Go here for great cocktails, an extensive whiskey collection, top-notch gastro eats and one helluva killer happy hour. read more

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I was excited to try this speakeasy since they are affiliated with Union Sushi around the corner. Their food and service did not disappoint. They were able to accommodate our party of ten comfortably on a Friday night and sat us down even though two of us were running late. If you like whiskey then this is definitely a place for you. The house old fashioned was so smooth and tasty. Even my wife who doesn't like whiskey enjoyed it. I wanted to try all the food on their menu, but I ended up with this mushroom pasta. It was so simple, yet so delicious. It's all about the hand made noodles. I can't wait to come back to try everything else on the menu! read more

The Franklin Room - Truffle Mushroom Pasta // handmade pappardelle, black truffle, parmesan - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Was visiting from out of town and wanted a nice dinner speakeasy vibe and this was perfect! Along with the aesthetic we enjoyed the music selection and the food was spectacular!! We drank the mussel broth it was so delicious. Our server was quite pleasant as well. It was the perfect dinner date. Absolutely recommend. read more

$5 Whiskey Boys! $5 Sparking Wine! $1 Oysters! In case you didn't guess it, that's what their happy hour consisted of. What's a whiskey boy, you ask? I sure did. Well, it's somewhere between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned that the Franklin Room bottles up in these mini-glass flasks (which they let you keep, by the way). Amazing. We ended up ordering a short rib poutine to share and the Surf & Turf burger. The poutine, man oh man! If you dont' order anything else, order that! The surf & turf burger was good but the soft shell crab was a little under for me... All in all, a great date spot. read more

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The food was good, but man they sure rush you through. Went with a business group and we would have stayed longer to enjoy the company, have more cocktails, etc., but were completely rushed out. Knowing what I know now, I would recommend delaying your order until you are ready for it.. it comes QUICK! However, I would go back and recommend the restaurant overall, just be aware of the fact they want to turn the tables over and rush you out. read more

Two words: dollar oysters. That is what got me to the Franklin Room the first time and what keeps me coming back for more. I am an oyster fiend and the happy hour deal of one dollar oysters is fantastic. The oysters are fresh and dressed well. You can easily devour 2 dozen quickly. I am sad to say that the cheese board and charcuterie board are no longer on the menu (I'm a bit late to this change, happened about 6 months ago). I distinctly recall that I tried nduja for the first time here. But despite the heartbreaking news of the change in menu, we were able to rally and tried some other items off the menu: cheese curds, fries with black truffle solo, house salad, and NZ lamb shank. The lamb shank was particularly good - tender and it fell off the bone. Service here is great, attentive and friendly. The vibe is also cool, with a speak-easy-esq look to the restaurant. Overall, I enjoy the Franklin Room and will keep coming back, especially for the oyster happy hour. read more

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The Franklin Room has been on my list forever and was so pumped to finally give it a try. It has a total New York speakeasy vibe, as you enter then immediately head down stairs to a beautiful, dimly lit dining area. The food was AMAZING. I had a tough time deciding since pretty much everything on the menu sounded great. I ended up picking the Braised Short Rib French Dip. Not even exaggerating when I say this was the best French Dip I have ever had. The short rib was perfect and not fatty/grisly at all (which unfortunately sometimes happens w French dips) covered with cheese, caramelized onions, and horseradish sauce on a perfectly soft Tuscan roll. The au juice was SO flavorful and made it even better. I got a side salad as my side with the sandwich and it was pretty good too. Everyone was loving their food choices. I did try a bite of my friend's Truffle Mushroom Pasta and wow that was fantastic as well!! The reason I am giving 4 and not 5 is sadly due to the subpar service we received. Our service was inattentive and when she was at our table seemed very uninterested (almost annoyed?) which was a bummer since we didn't have any crazy requests etc. The place has a swanky vibe and I was just expecting more from the service. I am excited to go back and try some of their other items! read more

The Franklin Room - Braised Short Rib French Dip w/ Side Salad - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Happy hour is amazing! $1 wine and beer and 3$ cocktails/martinis Must try the cheese curds. One of my favs in the city. And the Rueben Sandwich is to die for! Great for lunch and dinner. The atmosphere is so vintage chic. read more

I've been here twice and tonight's visit was even better than the last time. The mood is quiet and relaxed. The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly (tip: Meghann was awesome!). The selection of whiskey is amazing and the food is wonderful. If you're looking for a place to relax with friendly folks, visit the Franklin Room. You won't be disappointed. read more

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This is, without doubt, the best restaurant I have ever been to in Chicago (a few business trips through the past few years). I came on a Tuesday night, and the service was sincerely some of the best I have ever had. Their $1 oyster and $5 whiskey boy happy hour is unreal on its face, and the taste of both are completely out of hand too. The oysters are completely done up, and the whiskey boy was basically the best old fashion I've had in my life. And the lamb shank was fantastic. All in all, if you live in Chicago, or just passing through like me, you owe it to yourself to check this place out. You will not be disappointed. read more

The Franklin Room - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This review is for the whisky drinks. THE F-ing BEST OLD FASHIONED EVER!!! They have the franklin room old fashioned--it's just amazing. It has Angels envy rye, vanilla bark and cherry bitters, and other unique stuff--but amounts to the BEST. Plus I tried their whiskey boy drink and Ima hit that again next time. read more

The Franklin Room - Franklin room old fashioned - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We stopped in for some late night snacks and decided to get a wine flight. The flights listed on the menu were not super interesting to me but after exposing to the server what I liked he had the bartender customize a flight for me. I loved it! I can't wait to return and try more. read more

Food was outstanding. If you like whiskey of any kind, this is a great place. Amazing selection of all kinds of bourbon, rye, scotch, etc. The miso salmon was great, I would order it again. The kale salad, yes kale, was fantastic. I normally do not eat kale, but the sesame dressing on this salad was really well done. Service here is great. I would go back for sure. Everything was really well executed. The restaurant is small but really welcoming and very comfortable. It is down a flight of stairs that has all sorts of whiskey's stored in glass cases. Really impressive if you are a whiskey fan. read more

Went in yesterday at 1:45, door was locked but people were eating inside and the hours said they are open until 2:00. I rang the doorbell and the hostess opened the door and looked at us with a scowl "yes?" she said, then who I assume is the Manager says with a smirk "we close at 2:00", I replied "but it's 1:45", he again tersely responds with the same smirk "we lock the door at 1:45". No, "I'm sorry, the kitchen is closed" or "please come back again". Just pure bad customer service. The food isn't THAT good that I'll be back. I used to work in restaurants and understand what they were doing. It was probably slow so they sent home some waitstaff early and were getting ready for dinner service. But man, these front line people clearly either hated working there or are not fit for their jobs. read more

The Franklin Room is definately a place to which I will return. The speakeasy vibe is not as strong as Untitled, or even a spot like The Cherry Circle Room, but it's comfortable down there and they do have some tasty offerings. I'll start by saying I'm a huge fan of single malt scotch and oysters (not necessarily together). The $1 oyster happy hour is one of my favorite in the city. There are plenty of them, but the Franklin Room is easy to park or access by train... unlike some other alluring after work establishments. The happy hour goes from 5 - 6:30pm the oysters are delish! The single malt selection is solid. I prefer the smokier scotchs and they sling my favorites; such as Balvenie Doublewood, Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Coal Ila.That's for the day to day drinking. They also offer an interesting take on the Whiskey Keep. FR isn't the only speakeasy to stowe away a private selection of hooch. Untitled has a similer concept with their whiskey vaults. FR offers $300 - $800 bottles of privately selected whiskies. They'll let you taste a 1 oz pour for a rather rediculous price... but you're flying blind about the flavor unless you happen to have already tried the rather obscure list of reserves. The good news is access to a bottles in your keep is assignable to friends, clients... anyone who you choose to experience a tasty twist on the speakeasy theme. I'm tempted to purchase a bottle myself... The food was good, though not overly memorable. The ambiance, oysters and drinks are the reason to stop by. I hear the disabled entrance (they do have one) is off the alley behind the bar and provides access to an elevator that opens to the back of the place. If I did have a super expensive bottle of scotch waiting for me in a swanky whiskey keep and could access the place off a nondescript alleyway and a secret elevator... I might consider the experience worthy of a Chicago speakeasy title. read more

The Franklin Room - $1 oysters on the half shell alongside the very tasty wrongfully accused. - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great inexpensive restaurant. It was a big hit with our party of 6. Great service too. We would definitely come back. read more

Amazing whiskey and bourbon selection. Helpful and informative bartenders. Try the flights! I tried the small batch flight and bartender/mixologist Peter took the time to explain the story behind each of the bourbons poured, which was super cool. While mixing their signature drink, an old-fashioned, he explained to some other guests what he was mixing in and even had them smell a bit of the cherry vanilla bark. Very cool & hip place and interior. Highly recommended! read more

The Franklin Room - Small batch bourbon tasting - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Now what exactly is there not to like about this place? Incredible selection of whiskeys, ranging from bourbon, Scotches, Irish whiskys, single malts, Japanese whiskey, and blended whiskeys. The bar itself is beautiful. Dimly lit, which just adds to the beauty of sipping on drams. What's special about this place is that not only do they focus on booze, but they also have incredible food. I started off with a simple order of truffle fries. DELICIOUS. Cooked to absolute perfection. Topped with a generous, but not overwhelmed amount of freshly grated parmesan. For my entree, I ordered the squid ink pasta. Holy (insert string of expletives here.) Pasta itself was cooked PERFECTLY. Mixed together with the best pesto I've ever tasted: so flavorful, seasoned just right, and not at all greasy. Topped with plump, juicy shrimp that were also of course, seasoned perfectly. The crab meat was so. Goddamn. Fresh. I can't. So flavorful. I might cry just thinking about it. Full disclosure: I seriously cannot remember the last time I enjoyed a meal so much, in case you couldn't tell. Wtf are you waiting for? GO THERE. Also, make sure you try their deep dish cookie. My eyes were rolling to the back of my head. read more

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Quick update now that I've indulged in their delicious food a couple times... Oysters on the half shell: Delicious! And only $1 each from 5-6:30 pm everyday. My husband and I enjoyed 12 and it was the perfect amount along with our other small plates. Wagyu Beef Tartare ($18): Such a great shareable plate! The beef tartar was SO good and combined with the Foie gras butter, quail egg, and capers this was a match made in heaven. Sliced Pork Belly ($10): Very flavorful! The pork belly itself was juicy with white wine, ginger, and chili oil with micro greens on top. Crab Dip ($12): I could have eaten this whole thing with a spoon! Blue crab, mascarpone, fontinella, shallots, and toasted baguettes for dipping. Duck Sausage ($14): Literally still drooling over this. My husband and I split the sandwich and I ate mine without the bun. The duck sausage is served with caramelized onions, foie gras mousse, and sweet chili sauce and boy is it juicy. Just heavenly I tell ya! Cauliflower Tots: The sandwiches are served with waffle fries, but they do have a few healthier options to choose from, one being the cauliflower tots. They were really good! I was actually surprised at how good they were. It comes with blue cheese, but we opted for ranch instead since my husband isn't a fan. Seared Tuna Salad ($19): A great lunch option since it's light and healthy. The salad includes Albacore tuna, boston lettuce, tomato, fennel, and pickled red onion with sweet-miso vinaigrette. I got my order delivered when at the office, and while I did enjoy the salad I'd say $19 is pretty steep for this dish. read more

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Made a reservation here based on the good reviews about the quality food and whisky selection! The Franklin Room delivers! I'd recommend a reservation as the restaurant itself isn't too large - part of the cozy, speakeasy vibe - enhanced by the flight of stairs you descend to get to the restaurant. Display cases of whisky with warm yellow lighting line two whole walls, adding more ambience to the place. The bar does have TVs, but it didn't really kill the vibe at all. The service was great - our waiter got us going right away with happy hour cocktails and he was very helpful with the food selection. The cocktails were excellent (Long Train to Fresno, 18th Century) and the $8 price tag was wonderful as well. My fickle whisky aficionado of a boyfriend actually got a Scotch, claiming the American whisky selection wasn't overly impressive (whatever you say, love). I'm sure the selection is more than sufficient for most whisky drinkers, based on the number of bottles I saw and the online club I read about. Happy hour oysters were enjoyed as well - I loved the citrus ice served on the side. Note that they are garnished unless you specify for them to be naked. The wagyu steak tartare was phenomenal and extra toast points were served without an additional charge. The beet salad had a hefty amount of beets which we enjoyed but I would've loved 1 more fried goat cheese ball (you only get 3)! Entrees were the spicy bourbon burger and the NY strip steak. I did not find the burger to be spicy and my tolerance is rather low. The spicy bourbon miso has stronger notes of bourbon if anything. My only complaint would be that the bacon was almost too thick and fatty. The truffle fries are a must. The steak-loving boyfriend loved his strip and said he was pleasantly surprised with how good it was. I truly enjoyed the atmosphere and the service at The Franklin Room. The food was executed extremely well. The options may seem somewhat limited, but I'm sure that's deliberate to ensure that they all are stellar. read more

I came here for drinks last week with a friend. It was busy during happy hour, though the specials weren't all that special. I did enjoy the $5 cava, but didn't like that they only had standing tables open at 6 pm. I need to come back and try the food. I'd suggest making reservations for a table if you'd like to sit down and enjoy your drink. It's not a huge place, but it does have a lot of character. read more

The Franklin Room - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Our first visit to The Franklin Room (we'll be back soon) was amazing. The west coast oysters were sweet and tender and made me happy that my husband doesn't eat oysters. All mine! For the main course, we ordered ricotta ravioli and the bone-in ribeye. The ravioli was tender, and the sauce was absolutely delicious. With the truffles and the mushroom cream sauce that was both sweet and savory, it was probably the best vegetarian meal I've ever had. My husband's ribeye was perfectly rare and flavorful. We had chocolate crunch cake for dessert, which was creamy and a delightful balance between sweet and bitter chocolate. Everything was delicious! read more