Paris Club

  This past Wednesday I attended an alumni event for my college.  When I first received the invitation, I was intrigued when I saw the event would be held at the Paris Club at 59 W. Hubbard Street.  The Paris Club opened earlier this year and is a R.J. and Jerrod Melman creation.  Their father, Richard Melman, is the founder of Lettuce Entertain You.  Paris Club replaced Brasserie Jo and is suppose to be a "trendy" new Chicago spot. 
  I arrived at about 5:30pm and the restaurant was really starting to fill in with dinner patrons.  My alumni event was in a small back private room that had high tables decorated with champagne bottles turned into flower vases.  Shortly after I arrived staff began passing by with hors d'oeuvres on unique trays.  One tray looked like a painter's easel with real paint brushes.  I sampled both sweet potato fries and herbed frites.  I also indulged in mini beef burgers, crab cakes, and what they call drippings on toast, which I thought were mini grilled cheeses.  I thought all the food tasted wonderful and I especially enjoyed the crab cakes.  At one point, I made my way to the bathroom which was on the lower level.  On my way to the bathroom, I noticed a long line of people that stretched from a set of stairs that lead upstairs all the way to the front door.  I assumed there was another private party happening on the second floor.  I was also surprised to see that the bar area was fairly crowded for a Wednesday night and a majority of the dining tables were also filled. 
  Overall I had a great experience at the Paris Club.  I was only able to sample appetizers and not a full meal but from what I sampled, I thought the food was very well prepared.  Add to the tasty food, a friendly wait staff and it looks like the Paris Club should do very well with Chicagoans.

http://www.parisclubchicago.com/