4. Restaurants

The Franklin Room

675 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL, 60654
  • (312) 445-4686
  • Store is closed

The Franklin Room Menu

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  • Mihir P.

    I am not sure what they are trying to accomplish here... This is a subterranean venue with artistic yet minimalist woody decor. Kind of looks like a speakeasy and/or craft cocktail bar. But then there is the teen-bopper top-40 music which was painfully disturbing and just didn't fit. I was going to order food but didn't want to stay any longer. The bartender was very professional and nice and they have an amazing whiskey list which I love. But the only way I could come back here would be with industrial earplugs and I am not going to do that.

    (2)

  • Laura C.

    Creative cocktails. Check. Amazing bar food - fried smelt with dehydrated cheese. Fried bologna sammie. Cedar smoked branzino. Check. Stellar service. Check. Go now.

    (5)

  • Ryan G.

    The 2nd restaurant from the minds behind Union Sushi & Barbecue Bar have really hit it off with this send up to the American Speakeasy with the same quality of food. The space is not nearly as expansive as Union, being it is literally in a basement, but it is nonetheless comforting and warm, especially helped by Tony and their great front-of-house staff. I have tried many of the menu items and they are all great: - The Chicken Drumettes are crispy without too much batter and go well with the spicy & sweet chili sauce - The Fried Lobster Tail retains all of the flavor of the shellfish while adding the crunchy breaded exterior - The Wagyu Beef Tartare with Seared Foie Gras is the most decadent and rich item on the menu and is my personal favorite - The Sliced Pork Belly is very well-cooked; the white wine, ginger and chili oil flavor combined with its thin slicing reduces the fattiness and make for a great flavor - The House-Made Truffled Burrata & Fried Tomato is extremely refreshing with the fresh basil on top and also well fried to retain the texture of the tomato inside the breading - The Shrimp Cakes are very subtly seasoned and rustic, making for something that reminds me of something I would get from home - The Shrimp Bisque is creamy without being too thick and rich while also being very flavorful - The Surf & Turf Burger is one of their signature items and is an evolution of Union's Wagyu patty and Fried Oyster Burger they had during Chicago Burger Week in the past, now with a soft-shell crab instead of the oysters. Combined with the well-made waffle fries, this will fill you up VERY quickly if you are not prepared for how rich it is... - The Duck Sausage, whether intentional or not, is a classier version of the classic Hot Doug's Duck Sausage with Sliced Fois Gras on top of the sausage, improved in my opinion by the searing of the Fois Gras. - The Duck Noodle Soup is an amazingly zesty and robust broth combined with the pappardelle noodles and duck wings make for a great meal There are many more items to try and Chef Chao and the kitchen staff are constantly experimenting and coming up with new dishes. I am not the best drinker but Peter and the rest of the bar staff have come up with an amazing drink program and collection of whiskeys from around the world that I'm sure there is something for everyone. Personally, I'll take one of their milkshakes... Great place.

    (5)

  • C.C. H.

    Great spot for late-night dinner and the whiskey of the month program is an affordable way to try new distilleries. Staff was quick with orders and water refills. Food was good - the cauliflower tots were more cauliflower tempura than tots, but still tasty, and I enjoyed my squid ink pasta although it could have used a touch more pasta water or tomatoes to keep the dish moist. My friend enjoyed his venison chops with gusto although they looked more rare than medium rare to me. Our third member had the duck sausage - the sausage had a good snappy skin and the waffle fries were adequate. Dessert is worth getting here! 3 ounces of bourbon in the bourbon caramel shake but the drink was well-blended. Caramel apple crisp was visually appealing with an interesting honeycomb component putting a twist on a classic dessert. According to our server, the ice cream is housemade and had a great creamy texture. Looking forward to returning for $1 oyster happy hour and to explore more of the whiskey selection.

    (4)

  • Kelly J.

    When I saw the menu, I knew we HAD to come here. The food, wine list, cocktails, presentation, service are all fabulous. Everything that came out was even better than the previous dish. I tried 3 different wines and they all paired perfectly with the food. Server Dan was exceptional and I highly suggest asking for his station. The vibe is nice, comfortable environment and if I had to give something that I was less than thrilled with is that it's a little loud. Kind of hard to hear conversation, but maybe that's a sign to just keep eating. I'm coming back over the weekend.

    (5)

  • Jamie S.

    My review may be a little biased because I came in during the lunch hours to take advantage of the specials (which are AMAZING). I was seated at the bar and the bartender was extremely attentive the whole time. I ordered the Parmesan Cauliflower Tots which were good, but not mind-blowing. I also had a glass of both the red and white wines that were on special ($1 each for glasses that are normally $11-$12 a piece). That was the main selling point for me. I also got a bourbon caramel milkshake to go, which may be the greatest invention ever. I was sad I didn't try their signature cocktails, but I'll definitely be back one night for those!

    (4)

  • Steph U.

    Cool little spot and they have $1 beers for lunch! I came here with friends after we found out that Tippling Hall was closed. The food was pretty good. I ordered cheeseburger lunch special. It was a little pricy for what it was, but the beers helped even that out. The beer selection is good, but they're mostly bottles, which I kind of didn't like. Overall, this was a good place, but nothing exceptional.

    (3)

  • Asma M.

    Came here for a quick work thing. They have a great drink selection (pricey but you get what you pay for). We got some appetizers - calamari and something else that I don't remember. They were eh. But they have a daily 1$ oyster special from 5-6:30p. Amazing! And I def hump oysters, but these might be among the best I have had in Chicago. I'm going back this Friday!

    (4)

  • Maria L.

    Came on a hoppin' Saturday night and enjoyed all the food & dranks at Franklin room. We had to wait a little for a table, but they have these little waiting tables nearby that you can order drinks from first. I tried the Lost N' Paradise, a tiki style rum drink, and it was one of the best cocktails I've had this year (not super sweet, really balanced and a perfect milkiness). I also had some sips of the $20 Old Fashioned, and while it was super smooth, not sure if its worth the $20 price tag. The bartenders seem really legit at the Franklin room/borderline mad scientists. We tried the cauliflower tots (super tasty & not cauliflower-like), the albacore tuna melt (not your average tuna melt), and the duck sausage (very rich but flavorful) with waffle fries. There is a good variety on the menu and everything tasted great. Also, I thought the prices were pretty good for the area. Great place for a date night or a lively night out with friends! I'd also make a reservation beforehand since the restaurant is pretty small.

    (4)

  • Kelsey K.

    I had some FANTASTIC cocktails at the Franklin Room. I loved the decor. It was a nice modern take on the tavern feel, but didn't feel generic. The food was very good. We had a bunch of small plates and some entrees to split for the table. I didn't love my entree, but I think that was more of personal taste rather than actual execution. I ordered based on the description of the entree in the menu, which didn't include 100% of the ingredients. I almost feel bad saying it because I totally want to go back and try something else. What I didn't eat, my husband gobbled up with yummy noises. The service was decent. I would say it was a little on the slow side, but since we were out with friends, it wasn't very noticeable. My favorite thing was the cauliflower tots. But seriously, the drinks. So good. I could have had 10 Whiskey Boys. I'll be back for another one.

    (4)

  • Danny Z.

    $3 seltzer water..... Other than that an impressive drink selection. Great oyster deal. But $3 for soda water....

    (3)

  • Lucy C.

    I think I'm going to make it my personal goal to convince everyone I bring here to do bottle keep. It's an amazing deal ($250-700 for your own bottle-- they put your name on it and everything!), but I can't get myself to do it because I want to try a little of everything they have #commitmentissues. If you call yourself a "whiskey person" but are always drinking crown and jack, you need to get your butt here. As for food, I'm obsessed with the cauliflower tots, beef tartare+foie gras, and the albacore tuna melt. And the $1 oysters from 5-6:30pm! If you want a good cocktail, my favorite is the 42nd ward, but let's be real. Just give me islay scotch, neat. This is definitely one of those places where you want to sit at the bar. The bartenders definitely know their whiskeys so you can trust them to make awesome recommendations for you. Also, I've never sat next to anyone unfriendly at the bar so be nice and be ready to make some new friends.

    (5)

  • Jason S.

    Heard about The Franklin Room a couple months ago so when we were walking to go somewhere else on Friday night and I saw it... we walked in. What a great first impression... you walk in and go down some stairs and are surprised to see such a cool space. Whoever designed it is a genious. I look for stuff like that when I visit a restaurant/bar and I like what I saw. Go and see for yourself. If atmosphere and ambiance are your thing, you'll understand what I'm talking about. Service from our female server taking care of the cocktail tables that night was a 10 + If she's reading this... "hope you're still living the dream". Even the busboys were great. We only went in to check it out and have a couple drinks so no food but what we saw being brought out and perused the menu... will be back to eat soon. Ordered their Old Fashion that is listed on the cocktail menu. I NEVER order specialty cocktails from menu's like this but I was in the mood for an Old Fashion and it $20 I figured it might be great in a place like this. WOW... best Old Fashion ever. Get it.. screw the price and enjoy.. trust me. The Franklin Room ... check it out soon and often. Tell your friends... if you're a serious bourbon drinker, you'll love it. Drink Menu is very impressive. If you're a fan of Jack Rose in DC (you know who you are)... I compare it to that... much much smaller though. Can't wait to go back !!

    (5)

  • Ruth C.

    Four and a half stars for a purist drinking experience. Peter and Ugna poured us into a state of euphoria upon stopping in for happy hour and lingering until our dinner reservation. Even the indie background tunes seduced me. Settling in early allowed us to pick their brains until the evening bro crowds piled in. Their recommendations for trying unexplored peaty options were spot on, and they were honest about any uncertainties. I always appreciate when what they do or don't have is made clear upfront. I strayed from the more traditional sounding cocktails, Derby Day Mule and Whiskey Boy, and ended up regretting the decision. Pours were also good for the mixed drinks, but the resulting tastes were more interesting than delicious. The caraway in the Peasant Fare was so overwhelming that you kinda craved Indian food, and the 42nd Ward was sweeter than I would've liked. The $1 oysters were a little aggressive on the house chili sauce, but the pickled cucumber dice was nice and will have to try my hand at yuzu ice at home. Honestly, I was so intrigued by their food menu, I almost cancelled our plans to just dine here: cauliflower Parmesan tots, cheddar fried smelt, pulled pork sandwich, fried chicken, squid ink pasta, lamb shank with pancetta grits, shrimp pot pie, venison chops, mushroom risotto, duck noodle soup. Will definitely be coming back every time I'm in town.

    (4)

  • Abhishek M.

    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.

    (5)

  • Chad R.

    Slammin'. I'm not much in for the normal *ish I imagine people will love about this place (like 300+ whiskeys), which isn't to say that that's not rad... But the anecdotal is more worth mentioning. These guys know what's up. Lovin' them denim smocks, lovin' the mixology beakers and containers all over the place. Lovin' it because it's used and it's rad, but it's not in your face broadcasted like they're the only ones doin' it and oh my god aren't we all eclectic and unique. Love most how they understand boundaries and seem able to read whether or not someone wants to chat. Solid drinks, solid crowd, solid staff. Not sure if the orange phone at the entrance works or not, but it's a nice li'l touch upon entering-- suggesting you'll be awhile. I was, in fact, awhile, and really, really enjoyed the Whiskey Boy. A few times. Ended up having dinner, and my man was on point with the recommendations. Like, straight up on point. There was no chit-chat, no banality-- he talked to us like people, and made solid recommendations. Where I may have gone four stars on this joint, my man's demeanor bumped it way up. Impressive, relaxed, and they all just get it. Special shouts out to my girl with the platinum blonde boy cut that was simply to die for. I half (meaning 7/8) hoped she'd be our server, but like I said-- my man held it down. Get at this joint, yo.

    (5)

  • Jennifer E.

    Went here last night for date night with the hubby and we had a great experience. Our server, Daniel (Dan), gave some great advice with food and drinks. We started with drinks and apps. He had the 42nd ward and later a whiskey boy. I had a lemonade since I'm expecting. I had the mushroom soup and he had the burrata and we both enjoyed them. For entrees I had the ribeye and he had the venison chops. My hubby praised the venison and I liked the ribeye. We ended the night with the banana split and it was lovely. I would go again especially when I can try their cocktails...at the end of the summer when this baby is out lol

    (5)

  • Jenna K.

    We love The Franklin Room! I work at an office in the area and everyone here loves having lunch at Franklin Room. There food is always amazing, service top-notch, and it's so reasonably priced for the area which we really appreciate. The best part is, during lunch time, they offer dollar glasses of wine (red or white) and a HUGE list of great beers for only a dollar! I'm in love. I wish I could stay at Franklin Room forever.

    (5)

  • Sonny P.

    The Franklin Room is brought to you by the same people that own Union Sushi on that block. You take the stairs to go downstairs and the place itself is not as large as you think. There is a bar with about 8 chairs to grab a drink and mostly are tables. We called in earlier in evening for a reservation at 8:15 and were promptly seated when we arrived. The drink list along with the whiskey list looked great and was extremely happy with my drink selections. I had a twist on a Manhattan drink and a twist on a Julet called the Derby Mule. However, the food was EXTREMELY SALTY! I would come back next time of for a drink with friends but I would not come back for dinner.

    (3)

  • Bonnie E.

    Definitely could become a regular here if you like salt. And I do. I rather expect it on a smoked fish plate, as well as in a burger that boasts a sheet of bacon. The surf-n-turf burger takes up prime real estate on the plate. It's enormous. That stated, our portion of soft shell crab was deficient compared to a comp I just spied. At $18.00, it's at the higher end of price points I've paid for a burger outside of a resort, but, even crab-sparse, it was wagyu, delicious and otherwise ample. It comes with fresh waffle fries - again high on your salt-o-meter. Cauliflower tots are the best new way I know to "get your veggies." So lightly and expertly battered but again, theme rich. Quite salty! A little surprising. Not that one needs any inspiration for the Whisky Boy to go down, but the tots certainly motivate you to the glass. Downstairs and intimately lit, I can't slap "speakeasy" on it- especially when music is cranking and there's the radiating glow of a flat screen over the bar. The interior has modern lines combined with an old school charm. As you may expect, not an abundance of natural light though the wide stairs and wrought iron railing nicely showcase what light you do have at the entrance. Service was prompt and friendly. Don't let yourself get seated at the entrance to the kitchen. Terrible feng shui there; I imagine could screw up your chi for the rest of your life. Almost had to pull out of the deal when hostess went that direction. Wonderfully inviting interior, save for those couple of tables. The food menu covers a wide range (keen on trying mushroom soup and shrimp bisque next time!) and you surely won't be disappointed by the fine and vast selection of imbibables. Cheers!

    (4)

  • Hannah C.

    Bring the whiskey lover in your life here. They will die of happiness. Make sure to have a reservation, since they get very busy fast. The Long Train to Fresno was a great tequila cocktail - spicy with a bit of sweetness. Our server was amazingly attentive and handled the more difficult whiskey elites with grace and great suggestions. I was deeply impressed by the depth of his knowledge and good humor after his third suggestion was rejected. The cheese plate was okay, although outside the delightful warm brie there was nothing I couldn't easily get in a grocery store. The waffle fries tasted a bit stale, although the seasoning was good. Overall, not a place to go for food, but the drinks and service were so great that I can't help but give it four stars.

    (4)

  • Emma K.

    I will dream about the homemade truffled burrata, and will definitely be back with my boyfriend to make him try it too. It's delicious melted homemade cheese over two fried tomatoes, with a whiskey-balsamic drizzle and pickled radish on the plate. SO good. I also ordered the Pancetta salad which was good, but didn't blow me away. To be fair, I for some reason thought I'd ordered Panzanella salad, so maybe it was just partially order disappointment on my end. The salad had yummy quail eggs which I'd never had before, and was dressed well. The Derby Day Mule was good, although I'm a mixed drink baby and it was definitely strong on the bourbon. I love that it came in the classic Mule copper mug. I'm not a whiskey fan, although our waitress was describing that they have over 300 kinds here. All of my girlfriends seemed to enjoy their meals as well, and our waitress (whose name I can't remember) was AWESOME! Loved the atmosphere overall. I definitely want to come back to try the Surf & Turf burger, and some of the other interesting sounding menu choices and cocktails. Also will be back in the area to try Union Sushi soon since it is right next door :)

    (4)

  • Tavi J.

    So the atmosphere id give a 3.5, but the food itself id have to give a 4.5. We went here on a Friday after work (I don't want to say Happy Hour since there were no specials). With no reservations we were lucky to get the last table as there was no room at the bar or anywhere else. Crowd seemed stuffy, but staff was super sweet. My friends are huge whiskey drinkers and they were very impressed with the offerings. One tried the international whiskey flight and he LOVED it and tried to educate me on the flavors. I think it was from France. My girl didn't like her whiskey selection recommended by the waiter. (Actually she said he recommended the exact opposite of what she was going for. Myself im not a huge drinker and got the Derby Day Mule cocktail. It wasn't bad but I've had better and bigger for $12. Now we all agreed the Surf and Turf burger was EXCELLENT! Soft shell crab, fried egg, tender meat...how can you go wrong?!? The waffle fries were just okay, but my friend replaced hers with the fried cauliflower and it was delicious!! I'll be back to try there larger fare items and to experiment with the cocktails.

    (4)

  • Alex G.

    I love the atmosphere of this place! I typically go here for a drink after grabbing dinner at Union Sushi. Drinks thy I have had are great! Always have good service from the bartender. Have t tried their food.

    (4)

  • Megan D.

    Nestled under the "el" The Franklin Room is quite the proper tavern in River North. Opening the large dark wood door and descending down the lit staircase immediately sets the mood for something truly unique. To your left is a wall of whisk(e)y kept behind lock and key which also draws you to investigate. The ambiance of these lit cabinets flows through the establishment. The lighting throughout sets a relaxed mood and you want to cozy up with a cocktail. I sampled the Whiskey Boy as well as ordered a manhattan. The Whiskey Boy is full of citrus and is quite smooth. The manhattan had a hint of spice, cinnamon perhaps? I also love that they are using Luxardo candied cherries. My favorite in a manhattan. Of the small plates I tried the burrata, 'shrooms & cheese and cauliflower pieces. All of them were a hit. I also had the pancetta salad with quail eggs - another delicious dish. I love the bacon vinaigrette that gave me the bacon taste without the heavy bacon. For the sandwiches and large fare we sampled the Ruben, fried chicken and 1 pound ribeye. The Ruben and ribeye were over seasoned with salt. The ribeye was a nice piece of meat but overshadowed by the saltiness. The sides OH THE SIDES! The sweet potato mash was fantastic and so was the pancetta grits. I'll take either one of these when the Polar Vortex hits again. YUM! The fried chicken was the hit of our main courses. Perfectly breaded and fried. Not too much or too little and still juicy. The house made biscuits were good - albeit a little on the dry side and would have been better with a little pat of butter. If you are in the mood for sweets the desert menu does not disappoint. We had the waffles & ice cream as well as a chocolate and BOURBON carmel shake. The waffles were the hit though. There are bits of apple and bacon (again can't go wrong with bacon) baked into the waffles and the ice cream has a hint of coconut. I would go back just for this alone. All in all no detail was over looked in crafting The Franklin Room. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Stephanie L.

    I am so torn between 2-3 stars. The space was a total bar like space that is down underground. It actually really looks like a GREAT bar. They have a million cocktails, whiskeys, beers, etc. Although I will say that my husband was really impressed with the whiskey list. And it was BUMPING on a Tuesday night. If we had been going out for drinks, my review would be much different. Alas, we were looking for a great meal...and truly this place was an epic fail in the food department. Shrooms and Cheese-string-y mushrooms that were bland, not cheesy and tasted like it had the same sweet potato gravy as another dish, but this was not in the description at all. I was expecting chunks and hunks of mushrooms with a cheesy, salty rich base...this was not what was delivered. It was slime-y string-y blandness. Surf and Turf burg-although it was a pretty decent burg...it was swimming in grease and it was just a little over the top...crab, bacon, fried egg, burger...it just took away from what it was. Also, there was literally 4 waffle fries that was served with it. Shrimp Pot Pie-two thumbs down. This had two large shrimp on the SIDE wrapped in a croissant...there was NO shrimp in the pot pie. Also, it had the same bland sweet potato gravy base...there was a flaky crust that was on top and wrapped around a small soup bowl...it wasnt like a pot pie at ALL :( WHHHHAaaaaa Tuna Melt went with the same general theme...bland and could use some salt. Overall it was pretty good...just missing salt...and of course, none at our disposal. Another pet peeve is they use paper napkins...and they only give you one...small paper napkin...meh. If you are going to do paper, dont have weird brown paper napkins that you serve at a picnic. Use the sturdy, thick paper ones. Service was good. He actually did a good job. The food was such a disappointment for me, I couldnt really see anything else. I think this place would be great for cocktails, whiskey, beer, etc. Just skip the food.

    (2)

  • Danny W.

    I reeeeeeaaaaallllly wanted to love The Franklin Room. So I did. I loved it hard and long time. Seriously, how could I not? They do a dollar oyster happy hour and a half everyday in THIS neighborhood. Between that, having over 300 whiskeys, and an almost Ocean's Eleven-esque underground type atmosphere and I was Steven Sold-erberg. Get the cauliflower tots, the amazing Albacore Tuna Melt, and sip on anything from Pappy to crappy. You'll love this place like you really know you wanted to as well.

    (5)

  • Josh M.

    My first meal after I moved to Chicago was at the Franklin Room. This city has a lot to live up to after that first go round. This place is kick-ass. I ordered the lamb shank and it was heavenly. Fall-off-the-bone delicious. Tender and juicy and just the right size. Not massive and not skimpy. Really good portions and taste. This might also be my go to spot for sipping a bourbon at the bar solo. The bartenders are all cool and quick with a recommendation and a shot or two. Great qualities in a spot like this. This appears to be great date spot too. If you look around there are a ton of couples, a few tables of business folks, some bros (dont hate on the bros, they like their bourbon), some solo bourbon drinks (heres looking at you) and small groups here and there. $1 oysters from 5-6:30!! Gonna have to make this happen soon! Mr. Franklin. So far. So good.

    (5)

  • Lindsey A.

    From the bartenders/waitstaff to the $1 oysters and whiskey list, this place is a stand-out subterranean spot for after work nosh and cocktails. We started with a 12-year Japanese whiskey and then moved onto a dozen oysters ($1 from 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.). They come prepared differently than what I'm used to - scallions adorn the little buggers and there's chili sauce and "yuka ice" (like a lemon ice) for topping. Tasty. Afterward, we moved onto a few beers and fried cauliflower, brussels sprouts and the smoked fish platter. All of it was absolutely delicious - particularly the fish platter and smears. The brussels had a strong vinegar kick to them, a bit much for my liking. My only gripe is that it is $$$$$$$. We walked out spending $57 each (without tip) for glorified appies and dranks. (Fair to say, had we not had drinks, it'd be way less, so maybe I'm being a bit unfair here....) All in all, this will be a go-to spot for after-work client/boss meetings, friend gatherings and romantic dinners. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Zach B.

    They normally have very good drinks and will do any cocktail that you ask for. However, if you ask for anything other than a specific drink during the week they will bring you another cocktail and ask you to leave afterwards while they cover your tab. Any person who wishes to have any sort of realistic cocktail/drink should expect to be denied and have their order canceled if it is in he process of being fulfilled. , Do not come here if you want a cocktail that could be exchanged for anything non-standard. -Z

    (1)

  • Atif M.

    Excellent food by their master chef. Lamb shank, cedar smoked Branzino and Venison Chops are absolutely brilliant and my personal favorite.

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    Decor - cozy and on point. Cocktails - delicious (but $20 for the FR Old Fashioned - ouch). Service - great. Food - super solid - the only miss for me were the brussels sprouts, which were a bit too lemony. Everything else was delicious.

    (4)

  • Beth C.

    I have zero complaints about The Franklin Room. We had an 8:15 reservation. They seated us right away. The décor is very cool, cozy and inviting. The menu is immediately drool worthy. And they have nice cocktails. We ordered the brussel sprouts. Amazing. Roasted with mushrooms and absolutely delish. We also got the Burrata & Panko Tomato. So good. The burratta is house made and the tomato is perfectly crispy. We also had the fried chicken served with whipped sweet potatoes and biscuits. I'm not a huge sweet potato person but they had so much butter and cream even I thought they were yummy. Great spot. I would definitely love to go back.

    (5)

  • John And Marcella B.

    I was very disappointed with this place. I actually went here for my birthday with a small group (as the space is small, but nice), as it was very close to the place we were going to afterwards. The service was nothing special and the staff did not seem to be educated on the menu items. I think we ordered six different entrees all together. Everyone agreed that their entree was "just ok". We wanted to like it as the space was cool and the drinks were great.. but the food just lacked. I would only be able to recommend this place for happy hour or drinks.

    (2)

  • Andre W.

    Sweet little basement like, speakeasy-esque kinda joint. My buddy decided this would be a good destination for lunch this past week on a nice warm day. They were able to accommodate our party of 5 with a nice booth in the back. Lots of goodies on the menu here so the decision was a little tough, but I went with the Duck Sausage. This was an awesome choice as it was very good and was devoured with the quickness. Its basically a duck sausage on a toasted bun with caramelized onions, sweet chili sauce and foie gras mousse...wish I could have had 2 of them! The dish is served with a side of waffle fries. Most of my friends got the albacore tuna melt which was is a tuna steak with tomato, cheese, pickled onion and tartar sauce on ciabatta. I had to finish half of it later as one of my friends thought it would be more like tuna salad on a bun and she only ate half. It was pretty good in my opinion. They have some really good milkshakes here...I chose the Bourbon caramel as it includes a shot of bourbon inside...delicious and worth the $8!!! I also noticed their menu carries a nice selection of bourbons and whiskeys...I think its around 300 options. They also have $1 oysters from 5 to 6:30 everyday so get your ass over here to take advantage of this great deal in addition to the other delicious items here

    (4)

  • Tracy Y.

    My mom was in town to celebrate my birthday and the Franklin Room was one of the stops for dinner. We were seated promptly for our reservation. We started with some cocktails- Derby Day Mule, Noble Conquistado and the 42nd Ward. They were all great and I was quite excited about the presentation of the 42nd Ward. For dinner we had the surf and turf burger, the fried bologna sandwich and the tuna melt. Again, everything was great. The surf and turf burger was so interesting but a bit messy. We ate until we were full so sadly we had no room for dessert. The service was fantastic! I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Justin K.

    Excellent service and food and drinks. Had the Reuben and shrimp bisque lunch and it was stellar. Beer list is huge and although cocktail list is short it's very good. Also had skate wing on a separate lunch visit and I loved it.

    (5)

  • Ray F.

    Beef Tartar was delicious , oysters were fantastic, Venison chops wow the flavors kept coming. Dan, our server, was awesome . His food and drink knowledge was unbelievable ... And truffles on frozen yogurt made in house was a great finish best of luck

    (5)

  • Nita B.

    Devon, best server .. she is mind reader... lol i ordered craft cocktail... sounded great.. but not my taste.. she returned with the perfect craft cocktail. . She is amazing and attentive a real asset to my favorite neighborhood gem!!

    (5)

  • Mary S.

    Very disappointed in the food and service. Possibly a good stop for a drink after work but avoid if you're looking for a bite to eat or an energetic atmosphere. Made reservations for 4 on a Saturday night for 830p. Got a seat near the bar no problem. Took a while for our waitress to arrive who looked like she'd just woken up for a nap and proved to be just as energetic and unresponsive throughout the entire night. Started with the cheese board and some drinks which arrived in decent time (had to ask for more bread though which took nearly 15 minutes to arrive). Ordered the Brussel sprouts (just ok) and cauliflower poppers (underwhelming the best thing ordered throughout the night). Eventually ordered dinner, although wasn't expecting much considering how disinterested our waitress was and how slow the entire evening was going. I ordered the mushroom risotto which as my husband described "I don't understand what I'm eating." There was too much going on but not enough distinguishable flavor - overall not good, avoid it. My sister-in-law was excited to try the Venison which was described on the menu as "spicy" but was so ridiculously spicy nobody at the table could even enjoy it. I'm not one to ever send back food but this would have been the first, had only the dreary waitress ever shown up after the food arrived to ask how everything was (she was probably napping/drinking in the back). My husband ordered the ribeye which he said the accompanying sweet potato mash was better than the meat itself. Very boring and upsetting place to spend that much money at. Just not good.

    (1)

  • Alessandra F.

    This place is fantastic! From the decor, the service and the food, everything was outstanding. The oysters with pickled celery on top were super fresh, the cocktails are expertly crafted and the service very professional. I was pleasantly surprised to have found such a great place.

    (5)

  • Jen D.

    One of my personal objectives for 2015 is to develop a taste for bourbon, so my "development plan" includes drinking nice bourbon cocktails on the way to eventually enjoying it straight. This is how I found myself at The Franklin Room for dinner. A friend suggested it as a great spot to have an excellent bourbon cocktail (and eventually return for tastings). We easily made a reservation via open table for a Thursday after work dinner. We were seated immediately and found the atmosphere to be perfect for friends getting together after work. It's cozy and lively - definitely good energy. We started with the cauliflower "tots" with a side of ranch instead of blue cheese. They were definitely yummy. It's basically lightly breaded/fried cauli. The brussel sprouts were m'eh. I'm a huge brussel sprout fan and the ones I make at home are 10x better. They were a bit too firm and had not developed enough flavor through seasoning and cooking. Dinner... Food was pretty good, not amazing. Two of us had the fried chicken. it was yummy, but I really loved the sweet potato mash. The gravy served with the dish was good, but really not necessary. Someone else had the fish & chips which is made with skate wing and said it was pretty good. I'll definitely be back for a more serious cocktail and to try other dishes. Great spot!

    (4)

  • Keith A.

    Franklin Room, I am definitely a fan. For starters, if there is one thing I can't get enough of, it's the bourbon bar. Well, any whisk(e)y bar to be honest, but the bourbon and rye selection here is quite excellent. While it isn't the best in the city, they've done a really good job curating a good amount of fun stuff. What's great is that the prices are fairly competitive in respect to other areas of the city. As far as the drinks go, I am definitely a fan. While the cocktail list favors the bourbon and whisky side, they also have some diversity in there with a wide range for a lot of people. The peasant fare (seriously, this tastes like rye bread) and the whiskey boy have been my two favorites on my trips here. Their food is also excellent too. The portions are done just right and in a shocker, the food and drinks go great together. It's been fun mixing up different combinations for me to try when I've been here for lunch. Simply put, the Franklin Room is very good. I've used this as a lunch spot twice and I will have to sit down longer at some point. I've enjoyed my trips here and given its proximity to my work, return trips will be happening in the not so distant future.

    (4)

  • Curtis H.

    This place has got some game. The cauliflower "tots" and Pancetta grits are spot on. I ordered the corned beef, and my friends had the burger, risotto, and fried chicken. All seemed to be up to par. The specialty cocktails are pretty nice, but the $12 price tag is a bit tedious (though sadly expected in a place like this in Chicago). Overall very impressed and definitely recommended. Reservations are a must on any busy night! We were grateful to have them on a Thursday for a party of 4 at 8:30!

    (4)

  • Howard L.

    Recently checked out this new place in River North. It has an outstanding decor and cool vibe. The place is only about two months old, very popular and reservations are recommended, even on weeknights. A great date place for sure. The drinks were great with possibly the largest whiskey selection in the City. The food is great, but not outstanding. The small plates with drinks are the way to go. The shrimp cakes were incredible. Definitely check it out.

    (4)

  • Andrew R.

    Basement cocktail bar with nice lighting and classy vibes. The high top tables were very cramped and people tried surrounding the bar although there wasn't really standing space. Reuben was simple and delicious. (Did not want the blue cheese so they accommodated by making a good homemade thousand island sauce.) I would not recommend the fish and chips. The fish was thin and therefore the fried batter was overpowering and lacked flavor. Waffle fries tasted like the frozen kind. Cocktails were great. Cucumber vodka with lime and the bourbon mule were both light and refreshing. About $12. Prices comparable with all River North establishments.

    (3)

  • Jim S.

    Cant say enough about this place. We sat at the bar and the conversation with the bar keep was great. We not only tried several whiskeys we have never had... but they were great. We learned some great history and found out about some very tasty drinks. The place is warm and comfortable. .. and the food was delicious. I was surprised to see venison on the menu... so i had to give it a go. Med-rare... and a spicy bourbon sause just made an amazing meal. Thank you to everyone at this great spot. Ill be back next time I'm in chitown.

    (5)

  • Magen R.

    I really wanted to love The Franklin Room but it just didn't happen for me when I came in for lunch today. I met a colleague there and we opted to share small plates since it was lunch and there were a lot of things we wanted to sample. I'll give you the tapas style rundown of what we ordered... *Cauliflower Parmesan Tots: This dish is basically fried cauliflower. The batter on these is light and you definitely get some meaty chunks of cauliflower but overall the tots were very under seasoned for my liking. They come with a parmesan dipping sauce that's fine but nothing special and, again, under seasoned. Wouldn't order these again. *House-Made Truffled Burrata & Panko Tomato: This was one of the two dishes I enjoyed but it did not knock my socks off. The dish comes with two panko breaded tomatoes (red not green oddly enough) topped with a burrata sauce. I've never eaten burrata as a sauce, it was good but I think I prefer it the way it's normally served. The dish was really elevated by dipping each bite in the whiskey balsamic drizzle on the plate, without the drizzle this combo was a bit bland for me. *Brussels Sprouts: This was my favorite dish and by far the most balanced of what we sampled. I've never had brussels sprouts with pesto but these were delicious. There's not a lot to say about these other than that they are a must order if you pop into The Franklin Room. *Shrimp Cakes: These were my least favorite dish and really missed the mark as far as I was concerned. Not sure if I'm just not a fan of shrimp cakes but I did not like these at all; however, the spicy mayo and mixed greens that accompanied the dish were very good. All in all my impression of The Franklin Room is that the dishes rely far too heavily on frying things and salting them and not enough on other cooking techniques and seasonings. While the ambiance and service here were great the food just did not meet my expectations for the price point. Considering the other comparable options in the area I doubt I'll be back any time soon.

    (2)

  • Bridget D.

    I really liked the atmosphere of this place, and our waiter was fantastic--he was so quick with a suggested wine for the oysters we just ordered ($1 oysters!), and he suggested it without doing that thing that many waiters do: telling you about all your different options and then ultimately saying "it's really up to you." I found the toppings for the oysters very interesting and creative, having only eaten raw oysters with little-no toppings during my years spent on the East Coast. However, despite the oysters being quite small (I thought), over 70% of our oysters had shells in them! I'm not sure who was shucking them, but I really had to chew the oysters to make sure I wasn't swallowing pieces of shell, the smallest which was the size of a dime, the largest the size of a quarter! They were so laborious to eat that I simply could not order more. My date said he was just swallowing the shells as if it were no big deal... We also ordered the pork belly, which I thought was quite fatty compared to other places in town. I'm not sure about their other food items, but if I return, I wouldn't return for the oysters or the pork belly.

    (3)

  • Beth G.

    A cozy yet hip addition to River North (opened by the Union Sushi folks) that I'm looking forward to trying again for lunch and dinner. My boyfriend and I went on a Friday night shortly after it opened to the public (we had reservations, which I would recommend). It was crowded but not unpleasantly so, and the bar area in which you can wait for a table is pretty nice, indeed. We had a wonderful waitress (Jessie), who took the time to provide excellent recommendations despite having lots of customers to serve. We started with two appetizers: the truffled burrata and the duck pate. Both were delicious, and the portions were so generous that I regretted ordering two starters. He raved about the venison chops, while I had the black rice mushroom risotto, which was probably my least favorite course of the evening. There was nothing wrong with it; it just didn't blow me away. I got a late-harvest wine for my "dessert," while the bf got the bourbon-caramel milkshake, which was absolutely incredible! The whiskey list is quite impressive, and they have a nice selection for beer and wine drinkers as well. I'm anxious to try lots of other things on the menu (entrees for dinner, sandwiches at lunch), and the pimped-out basement location makes this new spot an ideal place in which to hunker down during the long Chicago winter. Note: they take reservations for lunch as well

    (4)

  • Robert G.

    The Franklin Room nailed a tuna melt about as well as one can these days. The very, very well-decorated dining area is another reason to go. Our group of four was, well, underdressed. Web developers and blue jeans mixing with professionals in suits. Fortunately for us, the meals weren't priced for the suits. The tuna melt is served with modestly crispy waffle fries and a cup of tartar sauce, which goes better with the fries than you would expect. (Next time I'll see if they have any malt vinegar on hand.) This tartar is also spread on the tuna melt with a judicious hand, and the burger itself has two thick slices of just-cooked-past-pink tuna on them, which I very much appreciated. The ingredients, which are rather assertive, blended well together. The tartar didn't mask the tuna, and the ciabatta was thinner than your usual bun. Thank God. The interior is highly ornamented, beautifully lit and pleasant to sit in. I'm not an architecture geek, but it's like bringing a speakeasy into the 21st century. They have an ungodly amount of bourbon and whiskey in house, if that's your thing. Great place to go for lunch, and only a block away from work. Sounds good to me.

    (5)

  • Chris H.

    I went with some coworkers for some bourbon after work last night. We all loved the place. The bourbon selection is very impressive, with a wide range options from value brands to ultra-premium. The staff really knew their offerings as well. On top of that, the food was solid too. The meat boards and cheese boards had great and unique selections, and the branzino is a must order.

    (5)

  • Crystal S.

    We visited the Franklin Room on their second night of being open. Despite being half an hour late for our reservation due to awful LSD traffic, they held our reservation for us. Considering it was only their second night, the entrees were a little late coming out, but the Lobster cakes came out quickly and everything was delicious and went smoothly. I saved some sauce from the lobster cakes for my fish and it was a perfect pairing. The service was wonderful and even one of the owners came out to greet us. I'll definitely be recommending it to friends and returning!

    (5)

  • Jeffie J.

    All bars are about alcohol, and some even nod in the direction of variety and innovation. But few bars make you think about the endless possibilities of consuming alcohol. Few tempt you to quit your day job and make alcohol consumption a full-time occupation. Franklin Room is such a place. It does that with an endless list of fine spirits, mainly whiskey and rye, creative cocktails, a bottle storage program, a highly proficient bar staff and an interesting bar menu. This is delivered in underground premises that feel like a cozy wine cellar, with a lively atmosphere and a warm welcome on entering. I was seated at the bar for cocktails. I barely scratched the surface of the menu but I got a sense of the possibilities and the quality of what's on offer. A perfect Manhattan made with Evan Williams bourbon and an orange twist was smooth, refined and not sweet. Gruner Veltliner was dry and perfectly chilled. A plate of cheddar smelts that tastes just like it sounds--smelts dipped in cheddar cheese & fried--was a perfect, unordinary bar snack. That's all I consumed, so that's all I can report on, but if they would save me a spot at the crowded bar, I'll be back to try more things. Drinking for adults--if that's your thing, this is your place. Highly recommended for its atmosphere, accessibility and booze--I mean spirits, this is a classy place.

    (5)

  • Monica B.

    I was pleasantly surprised with my experience in this underground space new to River North. With an 8pm ressie on a Thursday night, we had to wait about 15 minutes. With their wide selection of whiskeys and bourbons, I opted to start with the Whiskey Boy at the bar. Wowza -- this drink is exactly what I needed after a rough week. Once seated, we opted to share a few dishes: - Dozen Oysters: soooo fresh and the fixings were a great twist on this light starter - Cedar-Smoked Branzino: loved the light marinade on this perfectly cooked fish - Venison Chops: perfectly cooked, although the sweet sauce was a bit too much for me - Mushroom Risotto: such a rich and delicious dish to end the night with. I highly recommend sharing this -- I could only eat a few bites. Overall, I love the vibe The Franklin Room has going on -- a great change of pace to the usual trendy spots in this neighborhood. Will definitely return for some bourbon and oysters.

    (4)

  • Shayna Y.

    Overall: Great spot for a date night! I'm looking forward to going back to try out food! Likes: - Fun list of unique cocktails - Lively atmosphere, but cozy enough for a date night. Gripes: - Service was SO slow!

    (3)

  • Sonya P.

    Come for drinks, not food!! Pretty awesome drink menu, really extensive. My friends and I tried the Whiskey Boy, Derby Day Mule, and the Lost 'N Time which were all excellent. Food is more on the okay side, nothing to write home about. The $1 oyster between 5-6:30pm is an awesome deal though.

    (3)

  • Alena A.

    A hidden gem. Came here few months ago and I still remember how attentive and personal the service was. Our waiter was top-notch (I wish I remembered his name). We had the cream of mushroom soup which was truly delicious and then an order of Wagyu Beef Tartare with Seared Foie Gras. The combination of the succulent tartare with a silky foie gras is mouth-watering! The portion contained 3 pieces, so you can share it. Definitely try it! Their cocktails are very original and tasty. I had the Derby Day Mule (Buffalo trace bourbon, lime, honey, angostura bitters and mint leaves). Amazing!

    (5)

  • Laura C.

    Cliche but honest beginning to my review: I really wanted to love The Franklin Room, BUT... I just couldn't. Our poor server seemed a bit flustered (the place was packed just before 6 PM on a Wednesday) and visited our table pretty sporadically. The food was generally good but nothing amazing - the cauliflower parmesan tots just tasted like breaded cauliflower; I was super disappointed because these sounded awesome. The mushroom soup, however, was bomb. Meat board was decent but one of the selections was nothing but fat. Yuck. Pancetta salad was fine but the busser took it away despite me saying "we're still working on it." ...Awkward. Waffle fries were... waffle-y and fry-y. The entire experience was just sort of... Overpriced. Personally I spent $50 (including half of a $40 bottle of wine, split with a friend) including tip and was left quite underwhelmed. Despite all of this, however, I'm giving this place four stars because it's new and very few establishments are flawless at the beginning. I love the concept, love the design, and will be back to try some whiskey in the near future.

    (4)

  • Jami J.

    When I first heard about this place I could not wait for it to open. I want to give this place 5-stars but there are a few things holding me back. But let's start at the beginning... Upon entering you are immediately greeted by a staircase leading down. The first thing to catch your eye will be the bar and a wall of whiskey. The place is cozy, much smaller than I expected. I started my dinning experience with the Jitterbug Perfume to drink. The name had me afraid it would be flowery tasting but it was not at all, it was very good. As for food, my group and I had the Cauliflower Parmesan Tots. The tots were basically breaded cauliflower but coated in a light batter similar to tempura. For my entree I had the Pulled Pork Sandwich. The sandwich is really rich and the bbq is sweet. During my first few bites I thought to myself that this was the best pulled pork I've ever had but once I had finished 1/3 of the sandwich I was already sick of it. This sandwich would be much better if they offered it under their smaller fare as a slider. Now why did I knock off 1-star you ask? It was for two reasons. 1. Both the hostesses and our waitress came off as snooty 2. All the food was really salty. Overall, I enjoyed the ambience and the food was good but next time I would try something else.

    (4)

  • Shradha A.

    It had been a while since I went to a place that was a rave review of all 5 stars from every person at the table! Took my bf for his bday and his brother visiting us from the east coast (read: high standards). We had to wait longer than expected and much beyond our reservation time for our table to open up. You also want to make sure you're not seated at the table close to the bar because folks like us - while waiting for our table - will get in your way (sorry)! The food was excellent all around! We tried many of the salads, the cauliflower was excellent, and the whiskey. We had both vegetarian and meat dishes ordered at the table and 3 different desserts. Every single dish was stellar! A special shout out to our server above all - she really cared and took the time to explain how they prepare many of their dishes to make sure what we ordered matched our expectation when the food arrives.

    (5)

  • Anthony C.

    My girlfriend and I had an excellent experience. We had a 9pm NYE reservation and, though the restaurant was packed, we got taken right to our table. We went with drinks from the cocktail menu. I ordered the Whiskey Boy and my girlfriend ordered the Derby Day Mule, both were excellent. I actually wanted to get the recipe for the Whiskey Boy but I completely forgot at the end of the night (i.e. I was a little tipsy). I ordered the Fried Chicken; though the chicken itself wasn't as tender as I would have liked, I though the total entree was outstanding. The biscuits and the sauce/gravy that come with the dish were outstanding. My Girlfriend got the risotto, which she raved about all night. After dinner we got the Bourbon Milkshake, which looks as good as all the pictures you've seen of it. I want to go back just to get another. In all, we had an outstanding experience. The ambiance of the place is great. Though it's a restaurant at its core, I'll definitely be bringing my friends back just to get drinks. The bar area was huge, and though we had no interaction with them, the bartenders seemed to be very friendly and welcoming and everyone at the bar was having a blast.

    (5)

  • melinda c.

    Came here with a friend on a Saturday night. The atmosphere feels a bit disconnected from the quality of the food - it feels like a casual basement bar (a small, dark space, not really decorated), but the food is top-notch! Mushroom risotto - great portion for 2, so creamy and packed with mushrooms in every bite. Mussels - these were fantastic! Some of the best mussels I've ever had. Swimming in a slightly spicy, addicting, fragrant miso broth, I scooped up the broth with mussel shells just so I could get more of that flavor. Must order! It also came with three large crostini to soak up the broth - so perfect and so delicious! We also got the wagyu beef with foie gras (3 pieces, generously topped with tartare and foie gras) and Branzino - both very good, but not amazing. Drinks were very tasty and refreshing. I got the Fresno, which tasted like a spicy orange Popsicle (not sure why, given the ingredients, but it did!) - my only gripe was the drink was a bit on the smaller side, but my friend's drinks was normal-sized. Overall, great place. Wish the ambiance had a bit more personality but the food and drinks were spot-on!

    (4)

  • Gore M.

    Second time here and will be back again. Friendly and informative wait staff. The $20 Old fashioned is GREAT!!!! Food was excellent, appetizers we delicious, and desserts were a must. Would like to make it for their lunch for a glass of wine or beer for $1, limit 2. Atmosphere was very laid back.

    (4)

  • Troy B.

    great cauliflower tots!!!

    (5)

  • Ben K.

    Most surprising thing from the menu was the cauliflower tots! I rarely eat cauliflowers at all but I would eat these cauliflower tots everyday. They were soo good! We also go the shrimp cakes as an appetizer. I didn't think there was anything special about them, and will not order them again in the future. For my individual dish, I got the surf & turf burger. It included a soft shell crab, bacon, cheese, and fried egg. The burger was tasty and good, but in my opinion it had too much going on with it and was very messy. Make sure to eat with lots of napkins.

    (4)

  • Maggi H.

    Pros: - Amazing Service!!! (I wish I could remember our server's name, she had short blonde hair and was just great, her food recommendations were spot on!) - Cauliflower Tots (snack): These are to die for! A must get. - Shrimp Pot Pie (entree): This is a deconstructed pot pie and is delicious! Big fat juicy shrimp wrapped in puff pastry....yum :) - the 42nd ward cocktail was a fun and tasty drink Cons (I have to nit pick here because overall it was just fantastic): - are other cocktails were overall just good, but not great - music was a little too pop for the speakeasy vibe Other: - this is a whiskey place, they have beer/wine, but really be prepared to try whiskeys or whiskey cocktails if you want to appreciate this place - arrived at 6:15 and it was quiet on a saturday night, but by 7 the place was starting to really get going and the atmosphere was lively

    (5)

  • Craig E.

    I've been to the Franklin Room several times for late night cocktails, which are always on point. On Saturday though, a group of us went for the $29 mimosa brunch. This is probably one of the best kept secrets in the city. They use a quality champagne, and I was impressed with how good their brunch food is. As usual, the service was on point as well. Impressive especially considering we had a table for 10.

    (5)

  • Alyssa M.

    Franklin room has a great whiskey and craft beer selection. The food is great too. I had the surf and turf burger and it was so flavorful and delicious. It's a juicy, messy burger but I can honestly say it's the best gourmet burger I've ever had.

    (5)

  • Brigitte W.

    Amazing food amazing staff. Can't say enough. Everything we tried was awesome including dessert. I hope this place has a long run in River North.

    (5)

  • Chantel D.

    We've been wanting to try this place out mainly to see where we could find a good old fashioned close to our new place. We were pleasantly surprised though to find a new favorite restaurant. Our server Jessica was fantastic, she gave great recommendations. The shrimp cakes were awesome- big pieces of shrimp in them. She recommended the lamb shank to my boyfriend and he loved it. My surf and turf burger was so good-- extremely defendant and they gave is a to go bag that can dual as a shopper. We can't wait to come back-- and the old fashioned was very good too!

    (5)

  • Yoonjung L.

    The drinks were awesome and the service was better than any other place I've ever been to. Would definitely come back next time I'm in town. There were definite highs in terms of the dishes, but overall not all the dishes were as great as I hoped they would be. Our top pick were the oysters and the beef tartare with Fois gras. My next favorite thing was the lobster tail. I tried the venison as well and it was okay, but just like the mussels the flavored were just a bit off. Next time I would spend more on drinks and appetizers and less on the large dishes.

    (4)

  • Johnny B.

    Cool place. DELICIOUS food and awesome cocktails. The service was friendly and helpful. It's a little dark inside.....like a cavern. Maybe that's what they're going for. I felt a little awkward bringing a client here because it was so dark!

    (4)

  • John W.

    Very nice place and they seem to really have their act together for being open for only a short time. First off, the amount of whiskey and Scotch they have is ridiculous. I didn't even know this many whiskeys existed in the world. They also have an extensive wine selection and a decent amount of beers but this is also a cocktail bar so keep that in mind. I had both the smoked fish plate and the tuna melt sandwich. The Tuna is actual pieces of tuna, not a tuna salad so it wasn't what I was expecting but it actually turned out to be better than what a tuna salad would have been. And the smoked fish is kind of a no brainer since the same owners also own Union, which is a sushi bar. The decor was also very nice with a sort of art deco, old time yet modern sort of look and I only noticed one TV which was nice to be in a place where there wasn't 59 TVs playing 6 different ESPNs at all times on every wall but if you didn't want to miss "the game" there is the one TV in case it's needed.

    (5)

  • Julia B.

    Had a great time at Franklin room last night. The ambiance, staff, spirits and food- fantastic. We had a sampling of the small plates and cocktails. Some highlights were the foie gras tartar, truffled burrata, duck liver pate. Don't forget dessert! We got the milkshake which was good and also the frozen yogurt feta cheese which was surprisingly amazing!

    (5)

  • Meredith K.

    Delicious cocktails, good food, slow service, super crowded, and loud. We came here with a reservation for 7 on a Thursday. It was shoulder to shoulder in the bar area. They have a smart set up where you can stand against the wall and have a drink. The people at the tables were using the hooks on the wall so even that space was a premium. We waited for about 40 mins for our table. During that time no one came by to take a drink order (I don't think they could make it through the crowd) and we weren't brave enough to go up to the bar. We were seated in the area sort of behind the stairs. Kind of cozy but still in action. It made serving us a little challenging. I feel for the people who work here. Our waitress was great. She had to have been super busy but when she was around she helped with deciding what to order. The drinks do come out fast and delicious as does the food. I tried the fried cauliflower which was ok. Fried anything usually is good but it was somewhat unmemorable. And the truffle burrata which was served on top of a fried tomato. It was also just ok but when you're having a bourbon drink, fried + cheese = goodness. My friend was on some sort of Atkins like diet so she got the beef tartare and removed the bread, and the fish platter. They looked great! I got to eat the fried ginger that comes with the fish and it was quite good. It was difficult to hear my friends talk. I wouldn't recommend this place for catching up, or getting to know someone. I would come back for the bourbon and the bourbon milkshakes. I think if you went with one other person and not a group it would be ok as long as you're not starving. Also they close at 11 so if you're having a few drinks starting at 8 and think you're going to want a snack 4 drinks into it - make a plan to hit someplace else.

    (3)

  • Dylan B.

    TL;DR: Franklin Room is one of the top spots I've been to in Chicago for a strong cocktail and tasty small plates. The entrees are solid and, for the most part, under $20. Get the cauliflower tots and a "Whiskey Boy". Franklin has a tavern/speakeasy vibe - relaxed, but filled with a quiet energy. The vibe is a result of the location (downstairs, under the cover of the l) and the decor (dominated by the bar and liquor cabinets). It's the perfect setting for a drink - especially bourbon, of which you can choose between a seemingly endless variety. When I went last night, they were pouring Pappy Van Winkle ($30/oz). I don't see that lasting long. I had two cocktails for the night - a "Whiskey Boy" and a "Derby Day Mule". The "Whiskey Boy" is a must order for a bourbon fan, and the "Derby Day Mule" is a shockingly large improvement on the already fantastic Moscow variety. As for food, my party of four kicked off with cauliflower tots (amazing), truffled burrata, shrimp cakes, the smoked fish plates, and a dozen oysters. Of those five, the cauliflower and shrimp cakes were huge hits; smoked fish and truffled burrata were decent (I love truffle, and burrata, and the combination sounds fantastic, but it didn't impress). The oysters were probably my biggest disappointment of the night, as they were filled with pickles and a chili sauce that drowned out the briny taste of oyster. I love oysters, and I'd much prefer to taste them in pure form. For entrees, the table ordered a shrimp pot pie, corned beef hash, and the lamb shank. All entrees were executed very well, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of them. However, and I mean it as no insult, they did not quite attain 5 star heights. I was pleased, but not bowled over. The possible standout was the lamb shank, which was complemented perfectly by grits and pesto. A great meal for a cold Chicago night. All in all, I'm excited to have Franklin Room nearby. The prices are very fair, the service was great, and the drinks strong. I'll surely be back for more bourbon and tots. Seriously, get the tots.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    I was excited to experience the newest whisky bar in Chicago. The first impression of the room was quite nice. The whisky and brown booze selection was ample. It featured some of the most sought after product around. Being a Chef and foodie, I was disappointed with the overall food and the amount of time we waited for service in general. Most every course was riddled with an overpowering addition of ginger root. Food was under seasoned and lacked flavor. I started with the Wagyu Tartare and Foie Bruschetta...The amount of garlic killed the beef and the grilled foie tasted as if it was lit on fire with lighter fluid from the amount of carbon flame ups. The surf n turf burger, featuring Wagyu beef, soft shell crab, bacon and a fried egg, was a hot mess. The burger was not seasoned and lacked in flavor. Nothing tied it together. It also took 40 minutes to get the burger, along with the other 3 entrees in the group. If you are looking for a large selection of whisky and a place to enjoy a beverage, this is the place to go. It is not a food destination.

    (2)

  • Elle P.

    "JOSH," the key person you want when you walk into The Franklin Room for cocktails. He makes this place & the experience worthwhile. We came here for after dinner drinks. While watching Josh make some cocktails, this beam of light came down from the heavens & shined on him...i knew he was the one. We were appreciating & admiring the love that he put into each cocktail. We told him our likes, dislikes and what mood we were craving....& he magically made these delicious concoctions that were not featured on the menu. It was an art & he knew how to perfect it. My husband was impressed that he knew how to make a vieux carré....& it was really good. I left the last star off bc I didn't check out my surroundings past the bar nor try the food but I recommend this place for cocktails.

    (4)

  • Joy T.

    Love this place! I was pleasantly surprised. I tried this restaurant while out of town on business, and my clients loved it too. It's the perfect blend of upscale and practical comfort food. I'd definitely come back here next time I'm in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Jerry S.

    We went to the Franklin room on Tuesday night 12/9/14 for first time ever. I met all the major players in the restaurant including chef Chao, Michael and Tony. I've never been to a start up restaurant so well thought out and well run in my life. These people have obviously done this before and it shows.The food was outstanding, the service was great, and I would recommend this restaurant to all of my friends.

    (5)

  • Alex J.

    You want whiskey? Try all 300 in one night like my friend did to celebrate his birthday, and you'll need to come back and read this review to remember how much fun you had. You want a fried bologna sandwich? Be prepared to take half home because your stomach just isn't awesome enough to hold more than 50% of this delicious sweet, spicy, and savory monstrosity. You want awesome staff? Find Peter behind the bar and thank him for helping open River North's newest, hottest trendy basement establishment, then let the quirky bartender Josh make you feel at home with some perfected alcoholic concoctions and quick, bartender Josh wit.

    (5)

  • Kreg A.

    Cauliflower Parmesan Tots are excellent. Fried Bologna Sandwich was worth the money. Excited for my next dining experience at the Franklin Room.

    (5)

  • Daniel L.

    As a scotch enthusiast, the best thing about this place is that every spirit they have has the option of coming in a 1 oz shot portion, making it a great place to try a range of different labels in one sitting. And since the shots are cheaper, it's also a good way to preview some higher end / exotic older bottlings without paying an arm and a leg. Their cocktails are also pretty creative, and I enjoyed the Whiskey Boy even though it was a little sweeter than I was expecting. My girlfriend got the 42nd Ward which she enjoyed a lot too. For the food, I had the popular Surf and Turf burger which was delicious, messy and interesting. You can debate the value of an $18 burger, but it was great and a pretty unique experience as far as burgers go. Overall I would give this place 4.5 stars if I could, and I will definitely be coming back!

    (4)

  • April S.

    Appetizers were excellent. However, for $250 for four people and only two of them liking their food we were not thrilled or impressed. I order the dear which on the menu explained it was spicy. The food was placed in a red type of sauce. The sauce was so spicy I couldn't taste the tender meat. My ears seriously hurt my brother and boyfriend tried it and couldn't eat it. My sister in law hated her food as well. Not thrilled. Drinks were good, staff was kind, and the place was nice and clean.

    (2)

  • Jason K.

    An awesome addition to the block. Great cocktails, especially the Whiskey Boy which is one of the best stirred whiskey drinks I have ever had. Food was bit hit and miss. The tartare and Venison chop were both amazing. The truffled buratta was a little plain but still a well executed dish. Service was excellent and atmosphere was nice. Overall a similar but much superior experience to Tippling Hall across the street.

    (4)

  • Renee U.

    Went here for my bachelorette party this past weekend and WOW! Everything about this place blew me away. Our server, Devin (I believe) was incredible, the whiskey selection was mind blowing and my dinner....holy crap. SO GOOD. I got the Duck Sausage and everyone at the table agreed it was one of these best things they've ever had. We also got the cheese board to start and the blue cheese was some of the best I've had. 5 stars! Will definitely be back next time I'm in Chicago, thanks for making my party even better!

    (5)

  • Tori T.

    Love this place! Went with a coworker after work last night (Monday around 6pm) & it was incredible. It wasn't too busy when we walked in, but it certainly filled up by the time we left so I would suggest a reservation if you plan on going much later than that- even on a weeknight. The rustic, speakeasy-esque décor suits the joint, with exposed brick and intricate metal panelling along the ceilings. It's not too big, which I like, but it's certainly big enough. Our server was attentive and friendly and definitely knew the menu well. Now to the mouth-watering part...we opted out of the $1 mussels but heard they were really good. Instead, we started with the steak tartare with seared foie gras and the panko tomatoes with burratta. They were both amazing! The burratta is melted over the fried tomatoes, which I was apprehensive about at first but really enjoyed. For entrées, we shared the fried chicken (heavenly, absolutely heavenly) and the mushroom risotto. The fried chicken was so lightly battered, it was almost like a tempura fry. Yum. Delicious. I will be back for that dish alone. Even though we were both stuffed after this meal, we just had to order dessert. Omgosh am I happy we did. The strawberry shortcake was perfect. Served in a small mason jar, it is topped with homemade whipped cream and it is delicious. Long story short, I will be back to the Franklin Room. Definitely try the fried chicken and the strawberry shortcake when you visit.

    (5)

  • James W.

    Great atmosphere & phenomenal service. Reuben was delicious.

    (4)

  • Sylvie B.

    Went here the first week it opened and literally everything was delicious. From the full wall of whiskey to choose from to the ambiance and music playing, everything was perfect. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We ordered the House-Made Truffled Burrata & Panko Tomato, Wagyu Beef Tartare with Seared Foie Gras, Oysters for appetizers. For dinner we got the Portobello Mushroom Sandwich and Lamb Shank and both were phenomenal. Would definately go back!

    (5)

  • Hashtag D.

    Wow. Amazing food. Amazing service. Excellent atmosphere! Cocktails are made to suit your favorite spirits -Try a Baker's Whiskey Boy, A Knob Creek bourbon smash, or a Basil Hayden's old fashioned. Apps are tasty and shareable - Mushroom Risotto, oysters, Wagyu beef oh my. We shared dinner entrees family style. The lamb shank, fried chicken, ribeye steak, and shrimp pot pie were wow!! Don't leave without trying the cauliflower Parmesan tots‼. Okay and don't leave without trying the bourbon milkshake either. An excellent spot to hang out with old friends or make new ones.

    (5)

  • Lisa S.

    Delicious! Went with a group of ten. We ordered the chef's board, the cauliflower puffs, and the cheese plate. All were very good...not sure I would pay the money for the chef's board on a date. I got the steak tartare with foie gras. Holy cow! Delicious, highly recommend it. I also got the nduja with quail egg which was good. I just loved both of my selections. I'll come back.

    (4)

  • Malika N.

    I love this place. People are really nice. Bartenders are really nice guys. I love refreshing and light cocktails so try 18th century!

    (5)

  • John K.

    Great place for a cocktail. Ken is a great bartender. He makes great drinks, but is also friendly and welcoming. Fantastic atmosphere, a true neighborhood gem.

    (4)

  • Emily M.

    I can't wait to come back. Service was great the food was better. We got: -cauliflower tots: i love cauliflower. these were amazing. sadly my boyfriend doesn't like cauliflower and i had these all to myself (not sadly?) which ended up being cauliflower overload but that's a good problem to have. I ran out of the blue cheese dipping sauce but I bet if I asked for more, they would have brought some. tasted good as leftovers too.. my one lone cauliflower tot. -truffle burrata: it was good but I wouldn't get it again. I just wasn't feeling the fried tomatoes. the burrata and basalmic reduction was great though -duck sausage: ordered this on a whim and HOLY COW. i think this might be where i fall in love with foie gras. I kind of expected it to be like hot dougs/didn't know what to expect. No it's different. Slightly sweet. everything about it is good. when my boyfriend tried it his eyes got wide lol. we also took this for leftovers and still tasted amazing the next day. i will be coming back for this. um can we also talk about how it was only $12? yeah that's awesome. -surf & turf burger: my bf ordered this and i didn't really get a good taste of it. It is very messy. looked like a standard burger he didn't rave about it but he was happy. honestly leftover it tasted not good but that's not a standard i should be holding this burger to.

    (5)

  • Alex L.

    Edited: Enjoyed the drinks and the atmosphere, but the host, who served us on Friday, Dec 12th, was beyond rude, inhospitable, and unfortunately killed the experience entirely. Our party was simply looking for a place to sit down and enjoy ourselves, and we were offered to sit at the bar. However, five minutes after sitting down, we were told that the seats were reserved... I was completely dumbfounded by the lack of proper management. To make matters worse, we inquired about an open table, but received even more rude treatment from the host when we were told that was reserved as well. How was I supposed to know a table was reserved? I'm curious what kind of training the host received to be honest. Its very unfortunate, because it is close to my work and in a convenient location. But I will not be coming here in the near future I'm afraid, because I don't enjoy being around impolite staff that don't know how to be respectful to a normal human being.

    (1)

  • Kelly K.

    The service here was still working out the kinks when we came for drinks and apps. The cauliflower tots and sprouts were hands down my favorite items on the menu! The shrimp pot pie was delicious, but ask for the prawns to have the heads removed. I can't stand it when those suckers are looking at me!

    (4)

  • Neil E.

    I can't remember the last time I had such an unpleasant eating and drinking experience. Everything aside from the eating and drinking was fine. I feel bad writing this, because our waiter was truly a kind and helpful man, exceptionally genuine and courteous. So, for at least his sake, it's my hope not that this restaurant will fail, but that it will seriously reboot its menu. The common theme: attempts at unconventional twists on familiar bar/pub staples that end up far worse than their originals at much more conventional and less "hot" restaurants. I love places that do this successfully, but this is absolutely not one of them, unless they had a one-night-only bizarro chef. The fish and chips was made with skate, which I guess is a fish people are into now - I don't know if it was the fish (from what I've read it sounds like it can be prepared well) or the way it was prepared, but it was not at all flaky, but quite chewy, had no flavor, and the whole thing was under-salted. The fried chicken was less bland, but was still pretty vapid, unevenly cooked and even seemed translucent and undercooked in places. My cocktail was not delicious or interesting. They played just out-of-date trendy jamz, which I actually mostly enjoyed. My wife's non-alcoholic beer was great. But our waiter was so nice! And obviously we're too nice and passively-aggressive Midwestern to send things back.

    (2)

  • debbie c.

    Updating to add how much I enjoy lunch here as well! Again great ambiance, outstanding, creative food and best service...

    (5)

  • K C.

    Interesting mixologists ; great whiskey; and food! Title says it all. Went there for drinks and ended up eating too. All I can say is wow! Fried chicken is heaven - buttermilk and friend in duck fat. The thoughtful sides and sauces were truly additive. And the strawberry shortcake.. bliss. I'm restricting myself from this place...dangerously delicious!

    (5)

  • Vik W.

    With an outstanding whiskey list, we enjoyed our intended visit purpose. The 1 oz pours let us explore a variety of different whiskeys, all that were served in chilled glasses (how they should be served). We tried out small plates, all of which were good. The Brie cheese in the cheese plate was creamy buttery, not crumby as typical. Crunchy cauliflowers were cooked just right, and shrimp cakes were meaty and flavorful with a nice spicy accompaniment. Food wasn't to the level of the best gastro pubs in the city (flavors, presentation, variety, etc) . When we started, we were 0/3 with their availability of our whiskey choices. But, the next five choices were all available. The service was friendly, not overbearing, and our server was knowledgeable in our pours. All in all, a welcome change of pace. If you are looking for a mellow whiskey tasting type of night, this place fits the bill nicely.

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    Finally! It has been so long since I have written a really positive review for a place, and I am happy to actually write one. The Franklin Room is a really good spot to try many whiskeys/single malt scotches/blended scotches. They, easily, have to have over 200 different whiskeys, and I will do my best to try all of them. I really like how the Franklin room offers 6 different whiskey flights so that you can try whiskeys that you otherwise may not try. Their prices are also very fair. For instance, they don't try to rip you off when it comes to the cheaper whiskeys. An ounce of Wild Turkey 101 is only $4 dollars. Now, I get it, that doesn't sound like a big deal. However, we all know that there are plenty of places in downtown Chicago that will still try to charge you $12 dollars for that same Wild Turkey 101, which, of course, is a cheaply made whiskey. Trust me, don't drink Wild Turkey, ever, in your life. The service was good. Our server was very knowledgeable regarding the different whiskeys that we tried, and she frequently checked in on us to see how we were doing. I do have to be honest, though. The food needs to get better. My ribeye steak had way too much fat on it. I agree with everyone else on here. The food here needs to get better. With that said, give this place a try. Like always, I recommend that you go during the week, not on a Friday or Saturday night, to the Franklin Room because, as most intelligent people know, places like these will get extremely crowded on the weekends. Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening after work, and get there before 7 PM. Trust me, you will like The Franklin Room.

    (5)

  • Kim S.

    Wow!! Five days in and this place was great. Jessie took great care of us in the bar & Tory as our waitress was wonderful & gave recommendations. Only opportunity for improvement was temp on the venison chops which were more medium rare than medium. Cauliflower, 'shrooms & cheese, meat board & oysters were great. Entrees & desserts wonderful along with good vibe & service. Can't wait to entertain clients here. Wish these guys much success!!

    (5)

  • allison k.

    5 stars for service/whiskey list and 4 for food/mixed drinks. Service - everyone was amazing. We showed up with a group of 3 with plans to grow and although it was 6:15 on a Sat they gave us a big table in the back. Then they extended the table availability for us as they moved some other reservations around. Dan(iel) was amazing, knowledgable, and always around when another round needed to be ordered A+ ! Whiskey (and bourbon) list is SO HUGE and the flights are a lot of fun so you can taste all different ones from around the world. Plus all of the whiskeys on the list come in a 1oz pour if you just want to try them. LOVE. Mixed drinks were hit or miss the 42nd ward was the most interesting that was also delicious. Jitterbug was a little too sweet for my taste. Food: The Chef's board was a little odd, unlike the other boards they come pre-assembled which makes it a little harder to share. Trout mouse on the chef's board was amazing though. Fried cauliflower was ok, dipping sauce was the best part of the dish. Surf and turf burger was a nice twist on a classic and a solid order though the bun gets soggy really quickly from a lot of fluid on the plate. Looking forward to coming back again :)

    (4)

  • Matt K.

    This place is amazing! Great cocktails and the food was dynamite! Their crew was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly! I will be back again soon!

    (5)

  • John Z.

    Torn. This is an important new place for food and spirit lovers. The food was excellent and could absolutely be the only draw. I am a wine drinker and their list was good. I had a very nice and reasonable Portuguese wine (stick with bottles, not the carafe). There are also 300 whiskeys and certainly any handcrafted cocktail one would like. Franklin Room is a great draw for the food alone or the spirit program alone--the combination though is great! This is a new gourmet pub fair offering. It is trendy but casual. It seems to get pretty crowded after 7pm. In our party of two we had the pance salad ( a great bacony light vinegrette with wonderful mixed greens), eggplant (wonderful -- cinnamony), and the Brussel Sprouts (grilled--slightly blackened with parmesian--fantastic). I also had a dozen of the $1 oysters (before 6:30pm) and the trimmings (hot cocktail sauce, scallions, pickled cucumber) were great. I would have to say the oysters were small. We were so full after that and could have stopped, but I had to try the surf & turf burger (soft shell crab, cheddar, fried over easy egg, and beef patty--phenomenal). I am not a burger fan and do not as a rule order them. This was superb! My partner, who is not a burger person either HAD to have half of mine and loved it too! Our waiter Ben was polite, helpful and attentive. He was invested in us having an enjoyable experience. With deserving 20% tip our tab came to about $150. I will definitely go back and want to sample more of the menu. For me, I prefer going before 6pm when it is quieter. If you enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with allot of folks--this place is hoppin after 7pm. Nice crowd. Interesting mix of baby boomers (me), Gen X, and mellenials (I thought, and I enjoy intergenerational dynamics). As of this vist, could not give Franklin Room a 4 or even a 5 due to the seating practices. I had requested a booth on open table and when I arrived was told (not rudely but not politely) a party of two could not have one. I was given options and felt comfortable where we sat, but the table was somewhat limited for sharing small plates. We got there not much after their opening and the booths sat empty for most (although not all) the time we were there. I was alright with that, however, as they sat everyone the same way, until one party of two seemed to object to their seating and was given a booth. I did ask to speak to the manager (Tony) about this and he did attentively look into the situation. It was clarified that the other party did indeed have a reservation for 4 and over 30 minutes later their guests arrived. Later on in the evening the party of 4 next to us complained their reserved booth was given away and Tony confirmed that there was an oversight, acknowledged that was the case and apologized appropriately. The above would not bother many of my friends--it is just the kind of thing that bothers me. It was my belief (and I may be mistaken) that the hosting staff were just not at the same level of training as the the other individuals who helped us that evening. For me, that's the difference between a 3, 4 or 5. So on this outing, 3 for the great food and wait service (could be a 4). If that initial seating experience and those topics in general felt more comfortable -- a definite 5. I will be back and would love to be able to expand on this review. This place is new and has a ton of potential. It seems like they may need to expand because everyone wants to be there.......and they seem to have allot of room upstairs to do so.

    (3)

  • Kockyo X.

    The service is really bad. We waited 10 minutes before we were seated even if we had a reservation. The server didnt bring us to the seat. She stood at the table and called us to walk over there. We waited for 30 minutes for our food. Foodwise it's ok.

    (2)

  • Amy W.

    I was in the area peepin on some art with a friend and we decided to try this place for lunch. Surprise, the restaurant is subterranean! The decor is superb and quite romantic while still being appropriate for a work lunch. We decided to order several appetizers as our meal - Roasted Eggplant, Brussels Sprouts, Cheddar Fried Smelt, Cauliflower Parmesan Tots, and Cedar-Smoked Branzino. This is the order in which I enjoyed them from most to least, but they were all pretty incredible. I will have to return in the evening to try their extensive drink menu (including a sake list!) and the fish & chips. Because fish & chips. Would recommend.

    (5)

  • J J.

    Seriously underwhelming food. A real surprise since the sister restaurant next door is excellent. This place is trying to be everything with the food and it fails. Not a bad place to sit for a drink. Can't say much for the bartender on the night of my visit though.

    (2)

  • Fuudcritic C.

    Was there for dinner. Great staff. Great drink program. Great food (we ordered at least 7-8 things to share)...the only thing we found that was so-so was the eggplant. The burrata was amazing, the mushroom risotto was exellent (a tad bit salty but excellent) and so was everything we ordered. A nice variety on the menu. Overall, everything was great. Would go back.

    (4)

  • Jake G.

    Been in twice since this place has opened and have loved each of my trips. This place has a great interior vibe, and is quiet enough to be conducive to conversation. Ken, the bartender, is a great guy to talk to and also makes some great drinks We asked for a fruity gin drink with mint, and he delivered on a great cocktail. I have yet to eat here, but if the food is half as good as the cocktails, it is likely a winner. While it has been crowded both times we have gone in, we haven't had to wait for a spot at the bar. I highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Laura R.

    The setting is nice and has a neat look and vibe. We went on Friday for dinner with a reservation. We were seated right away which was great because the place was packed. We had a table that was close to the bar so we really felt that we were sharing our table with people standing around. Even having some girls put their purse on my chair when I went to the bathroom. The service was good. The food was ok. I liked the cauliflower tots to start. We ordered the surf and turf burger which was pretty good but the fries were cold. The problem was the portobello burger. It comes without a bun so there is no way to pick it up and eat it like a "burger." The cheese and grease would be all over. No problem, except it is served on a plate with paper on the bottom. This meant I ended up with paper all in my food as I tried to cut the mushroom. Glad we tried it but wouldn't go back to eat. I'd stop in after work for a drink if you could get there before it gets too crowded.

    (3)

  • Gabi A.

    Completely underwhelming food experience. Oysters were mutantly large (not in a good way) with odd flavor pairings. "Steak tar tar" was more like room temp hamburger meat that had been half-cooked by flavorless (yet somehow cold?) foie gras. Squid ink pasta w/calamari was so bland that we sent it back. I will commend the wait staff and management for being quite accommodating to our feedback, but it is not a place I would return to for a meal. Whiskey? Sure.

    (1)

  • Connie Y.

    Really wished I could have given a higher review of this place, but felt that a 3-star rating was fair overall. Service was great! Our waiter was very polite and attentive. The ambiance of the place was quite nice as well and loved the music - if you enjoy a blast from the past of early 2000 music from Twista's Overnight Celebrity to Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind! Music and the crowd of people in the restaurant wasn't overwhelmingly loud either. As for the food, my friends and I all ordered what looked to be the most popular item mentioned and photographed on Yelp - the surf and turf burger with waffle fries. The fries were pretty disappointing...you would think an establishment couldn't possibly mess up fries, but if you're expecting something equal to or better than Chick-Fil-A's waffle fries, then I'll have to say it is indeed a let down. Not sure, maybe it was the quality of the spuds used? The kind of oil that they are fried in? Either way, they weren't that good texture wise. As for the burger...pretty good, but one thing that my friends and I ALL noted - SUPER salty. We think it was the over-salting of the egg. If they lay off the salt - it would have been pretty much perfect. We all also ordered our burgers "medium." All of them came out pretty pink for it to be medium which was okay by us, but for those of you who don't like that much pink in your beef - you'd better order medium well.

    (3)

  • Ben S.

    Awesome!! Dollar oysters are killin it. Great drink menu, and fantastic apps. The pate is some of the best I've had, and the burrata and beef tartar are also incredible.

    (5)

  • Steve K.

    This place is a gem. Great happy hour with $1 oysters, and they are awesome!

    (5)

  • Maura C.

    We went for a nice evening out, and being that it is new, we weren't sure what to expect. We were dressed-my man in a suit and myself in a dress. Actually, we could have gone in a nice jeans and top attire too, either or, would have worked - love that. As for the service, FANTASTIC! Fun, attentive, and knowledgeable. Food - hands down, the best Oysters I've had. We will be back just for those. Finally, dessert - I usually don't do it, but I HAD TO TRY THE WAFFLES & ICE CREAM....SO GOOD!

    (4)

  • Amy S.

    We really enjoyed our experience at The Franklin Room. The oysters were fresh and presented nicely. The meals we ordered tasted amazing and I could tell were made with high quality ingredients. The whiskey cocktails were great and the selection is wonderful. Most importantly, the bartenders and waiters were wonderful. They were fun and attentive. The atmosphere is relaxing and enjoyable. We will definitely be back!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Accepts Bitcoin : No
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Valet, Street
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Classy
    Noise Level : Average
    Music : Background
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : No
    Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : Yes
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

The Franklin Room

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