Perennial VirantMy son and husband took meMy son and husband took me to brunch for my birthday. Our second visit and it was every bit as enjoyable as the first time we were there. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is so pleasant. They even brought us each a glass of champagne on the house after my son told our waitress it was my birthday.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMit was an overall pleasantit was an overall pleasant experience and the food was done very well.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThe restaurant is beautiful!The restaurant is beautiful! Great location looking out onto the park and lovely outdoor seating area. I loved the food. Every dish I had was so delicious. We decided to get a bunch of appetizers b/c they all sounded amazing. I got the beets and the asparagus and my husband had the beef tartare and the hush puppies. We started with the jar snacks. so fun and yummy.
our cocktails were fantastic, fresh, and unique.
The only downside was the service was slow. Our server seemed like he had too many tables and was always showing up after long periods of time exasperated.
Despite the service, we will definitely go back and enjoy the food throughout the seasons to see what is added to the menu.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother home run mealPV recently switched up most of its menu to highlight new spring produce like spring garlic, asparagus and ramps. Wow. Just amazing flavors. I'm never disappointed with any of my food here and this meal was no exception. The hushpuppies were the star of the evening, with a great golden brown crunch and slight cornbread sweetness that fit well with the creamed corn served underneath. The spring garlic relish and tasso ham cherry vinaigrette added necessary acidity and balanced out the sweet with savory and tang. Honestly though, you just can't go wrong with anything you order here. Chevre fritters are the perfect dessert for sharing! Love the lightness and custardy inside. Service was fantastic as well.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMOne Fantastic EveningThat's what we had during our first visit to PV! The food and service were excellent. How in the world do they make the worlds most delicious preserved lemons and lighter than air ricotta???? Jar snacks are too delicious! Seriously - it is not possible for me to give anything other than - GLOWING praise!5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat BrunchThe food selection was creative and delicious. Had a wonderful time.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place for sharingWent to PV with a group of 6. Plates of appetizers were all unique and great for sharing. Each presented unique and distinct flavors and presentations. Main courses as well were diverse and creative. Staff knew the menu well and suggested great pairings of appetizers and mains in addition to wine. Intimate but happening even on an early Sunday evening.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was amazing, steak tartareFood was amazing, steak tartare and asparagus salad to start, then lamb bolognese and beef loin, all four dishes were outstanding. Good wine list and great staff who really went out of their way, especially as we had a table of nobs near us, the staff were very apologetic and attentive. One of the best meals i have had in Chicago.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMHousemade Doughnut, StickyHousemade Doughnut, Sticky Bun & lemon cake starters were perfection! The french toast was terrible, the bread was so burned, hardly edible. Biscuits and gravy, cheesy grits and seasonal (watermelon) mimosas were delicious. The bloody maria could have been spicier. Our waitress was very good with a great personality. My water glass was never empty and I drink a ton of water. A+5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMwhat a pleasant surpriseAte dinner here because we were staying at the Hotel Lincoln. Expected a "good for a hotel" restaurant, but had a delicious meal and delightful service. Have recommended Perennial Virant to friends in Chicago.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service here was brilliantThe service here was brilliant and the food was very good as well. Interesting cocktails and a very good looking menu. Best part was probably the staff though. So attentive, energetic and helpful.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderfulWe loved this place! Great food with a focus on fresh farm ingredients. We enjoyed it do much we returned the next morning for brunch.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe brunch was amazing, andThe brunch was amazing, and a great place to watch people walk around lincoln park on a beautiful chicago day!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat!Fabulous and interesting menu. Lovely anniversary evening4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMVery inventive flavor combinations.Very inventive flavor combinations....in a good way. Whitefish outstanding. My only criticism is that some of the portions were a little small at these price points. Overall great experience and would definitely go back and recommend.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMService this past Sunday wasService this past Sunday was outstanding (server with a beard). He was very friendly and attentive. Had to call him out. The food presentation was a little solitary - I had the egg skillet but it needed potatoes (in any form). Like the coffee cake touch at the beginning. I'll be back - especially in the summer. Love the patio.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptional meal and diningExceptional meal and dining experience. A favorite for Chicago for us Twin Cities foodies. Lovely casual/elegant environs, flexible menu, outstanding wait staff, and above all delicious, creative offerings. We will be back.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent granola for breakfastTheir housemade granola is amazing - it's served with honey and a plain Greek yogurt, which I love for the tang to contrast the sweetness. There's no dried fruit with the granola, but you should ask for fruit compote served alongside the pancakes :)4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMA wonderful restaurant. GreatA wonderful restaurant. Great food, wonderful ambience, noise level conducive to conversation, terrific and attentive service. What more could one ask for?4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding!Creative and unique menu choices, all executed to perfection. Interesting ingredients and flavors. The pike on the menu was extraordinary.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMIncredible food, great locationI imagine I'll be coming here at least twice a week now that I'm in the neighborhood. Just spectacular food all around. The pan-roasted fluke with roasted salsify, farro, pickled carrots and hen egg gribiche was out of this world. And definitely order the rum ice cream sundae if you like rum raisin at all!4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMFine food and atmosphere.Creative and delicious localvore food in a comfortable, conversation-friendly atmosphere. Affable help, reasonable prices for an upscale restaurant, and street parking may be available.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMI love this place....and haveI love this place....and have recommended it to lots of people. Dining there on a Sunday night was even more terrific - laid back and great service - not as crowded as other nights.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMHad a very nice brunch- foodHad a very nice brunch- food and bloody Mary's were both great4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved it!Good food, service and atmosphere! What more could you want. Will definitely make it a point to eat here on my next visit to Chicago.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went on a Tuesday evening.We went on a Tuesday evening. Everything was great. The food is unique in taste and well worth the price. We definitely plan to return and sample other menu offerings.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went early (6pm) and hadWe went early (6pm) and had a fantastic time. The food was very good and the service was excellent!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThe donut and the sticky bunThe donut and the sticky bun starters are by far the most amazing thing on the menu. I suggest getting both and sharing with your group.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMAs usual, the food was fabulous...pAs usual, the food was fabulous...pumpkin beignets, oxtail pierogies, lamb bolognese...what more could u want on a Saturday night?
Paul Virant never disappoints!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicacies and rich/different foodsGreat atmosphere, different but unique food. It was good, but not the place to go for something hearty or standard. The items are delicacies, sparing no use of butter, fat or other delicious-tasting item. This is the place to go to try new things and small plates with rich and different foods.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMLove this place!! AmazingLove this place!! Amazing set up and the details really shine. Food delish and love the locality. Want more.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat room, great serviceI went for a business dinner during Chef's Week. I really like the room, and the service was outstanding -- attentive without being intrusive. The limited menu was a little disappointing (the regular menu was not available), but a small number of selections from the regular menu were available as add-ons. Pumpkin beignets were good, but were fairly sweet and seemed more like a dessert than a starter. We supplemented the apps with a cheese plate and the sweetbreads, both of which were excellent. The trout was terriffic; baked Alaska dessert was good (I am not much of a dessert person). Very interesting wine list (nice selection of Rhone reds), and a very good beer list. My guests thought that the cocktails were great. Will return.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMAll those raves I've everAll those raves I've ever heard about a mix of textures and tastes in each mouthful came true for me for the first time ever at Perennial Virant. Chef Virant imaginatively combines fresh seasonal top-quality ingredients to tastebud precision. I can't wait to go back.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWill be back soon!Wonderful experience! Our waiter was extremely knowledgable, gave great recommendations, and was very attentive without being overbearing. The courses were perfectly timed, everything was cooked to perfection, and Chef Virant came out to chat with us for several minutes at the end. Overall an excellent time! Would highly recommend and will be coming back soon! And if you have time, check out the J. Parker rooftop bar before or after your meal - the view is breathtaking!3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat ExperienceVisited as part of Chicago Chef's week. The special menu offered varied choices that were creative, interesting and delicious. Was afraid the butterscotch cream pie would be too sweet, but it turned out to be a wonderful finish to the meal. Thoroughly enjoyable and look forward to the next time I visit.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went to dinner at PerennialWe went to dinner at Perennial Virant with another couple during Chef's Week (had no idea Chef's Week existed until this year?). We've been desperately trying to hit all the restaurants in Chicago we've yet to try with my wife 6 weeks away from delivering our first child. Food options were great. Service was very helpful and even offered my wife a specialty drink with no alcohol so she didn't have to just drink juice or soda. We didn't know exactly what to expect but left completely satisfied. Great dinner out in a while.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother Great Job by PVWe have been to PV on multiple occasions and every time the food, atmosphere, service and overall experience are fantastic.
I love the eclectic combinations the chef puts together, their presentation and the way all the flavors blend.
Last week we took a group of 11 from work to PV and again, we were treated to fabulous service. All of my colleagues raved about the food and atmosphere. I was impressed they served all of our dishes in a timely manner. All the dishes were the proper temperature. Our drink classes were never emptied (whether it was water, wine, cocktails or soda). I commend them on moving the table along but not being overly pushy (as I knew there was another group waiting for our table later in the evening).3/16/2013 12:00:00 AM