I had the pleasure to dine at Penumbra on a Thursday evening. We were celebrating a graduation and the staff were very welcoming when we arrived. I was visiting from out of town and was not familiar with the parking around the area. I asked one of the staff members and immediately they reassured me that the side street would raking was totally fine to park just so long as it wasn't the front of the building where you have to pay. The food started with a complementary potato soup which was flavorful and lovely. We got a round of drinks and one of our party didn't care for her drink and it was replaced no question. We had the flat iron steak, the chicken, and the salmon and each entree was wonderful. The proteins were all very tender and juicy. I was also very pleased with the salad that came first which was lightly dressed and very seasonal. We finished our dining experience with a slice of cheesecake. It was a nice cap to the end of a wonderful meal. I would recommend this restaurant for any occasion - I would love to come back and try some of the other items on their menu. read more

Penumbra - Flat Iron Steak, Salmon, and Chicken entrees - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

**Hidden gem!!!** Penumbra is SUPER sexy and low-key elite. This is one of those spots that will make you look like a total restaurant pro if you take someone there or recommend it. The ambiance is intimate, romantic, and just feels exclusive without trying too hard. I took my girl there for her birthday and she absolutely loved it -- which is always the real test. We had the ribeye and the Rotini Bianco, and both were excellent. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful. The Rotini Bianco was rich, creamy, and done just right. Every dish felt intentional and well executed. Don't hesitate to book. If you're trying to impress or celebrate something special, this is the move. read more

Such a nice vibe. The front is an open wine bar area. The main dining room is in the back. They layout is nice, tables are spaced nicely. There are also some tables along the wall with long/sheer curtains, for a more private experience. The food was tasty. We started with the shadow shrimp, which was nicely spiced. The salmon was good, the sauce delicious. The strip steak was nicely done as well: The lava cake for dessert was rich, and the ice cream a nice complement. The have a wide selection of wine by the glass, and the cocktails looked substantial. Worth a try if you are in Logan Square . read more

First off, it was a pleasant surprise to see they had a bar/lounge room in the front and the dining area is in the back room which is very intimate and romantic. The waiter was very attentive and we were served quickly. They serve you a complimentary cream of potato and poblano soup, yum! We had the half order of charcuterie and it was quite a bit for just the two of us and it was very tasty! I ordered the chicken which came with potatoes and a house salad and it was outstanding! I decided to save half of my dinner so I could have room for dessert and I had their creamy dreamy flan! We will definitely be back!! read more

See all

This establishment is amazing. The husbae and I decided on Penumbra for our Sunday date night, and let me tell you, we were not disappointed. From, the service, to the food, to the ambiance, everything was near perfect. Our reservation was at 6pm but we arrived about 10 minutes early. We were greeted and seated immediately. We were seated in one of their semi-private tables surrounded by sheer curtains. Alex was our server, he greeted us right away, and started us with waters. Alex gave us time to look over the menu before taking our drink orders. We did let him know it was our first time dining at Penumbra and would like anything recommendations he had to offer. He provided his recommendations, which were the jalapeño shrimp, the ribeye, and the salmon. My husband went with the surf and turf (ribeye and lobster), and I went with the salmon. Before our meal they serve you a complimentary sipping soup (potato rosemary bisque). We also ordered drinks. He had a mojito and I had a caipirinha. It took a little time for our meal but not more than 10-15 minutes. Everything was prepared as we ordered it, hot, and delicious. If you're in Chicago and looking for a good meal, nice romantic ambiance, and good food, you will not be disappointed with Penumbra. read more

See all

Small intimate restaurant perfect for date night they bring out a cilantro jalapeño based soup that is extremely fresh. I truly have no complaints about the food or the service and highly Recommend visiting. read more

See all

I had my birthday dinner at this place and it was great all around. The food was outstanding- get the lobster! Highly recommended! read more

Penumbra - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I went here for my Anniversary and the food was fantastic. The decor was very romantic and the service was also great. I loved that they had hooks nearby for your things. read more

Penumbra - Steak and Salmon - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I booked a reservation at Penumbra for a Thursday dinner for my partner and I as a special date night. I made a reservation online and we were sat immediately when we arrived on time. Based on other reviews I had read, I expected the restaurant to be busy, but we were the only customers in the entire restaurant for the whole time we were there. We were sat in one of the "private" tables that are very cozy and romantic. We were offered a complementary appetizer soup that was delicious. We started with the bocaditos to share. This was such a vibrant bite and we thoroughly enjoyed. It was a big portion size and we didn't feel "stuffed" for dinner. I ordered the hanger steak and my partner ordered the surf and turf with the ribeye and the Creole jalapeño shrimp. After placing our order, at some point the server came back, they let me know they were out of hanger steak so I ordered the New York strip. Service was friendly but slow. The food was absolutely worth the price and well cooked, with good flavors. The steaks came with a side of potatoes and a salad, and the portions were adequate to the price. Both of our steaks were cooked perfect. I imagine Penumbra is a very busy special night spot like anniversaries, valentines, etc. and the cozy tables with the flowy curtains are such a fun date night vibe. Great steakhouse option for sure. read more

See all

Came here on May 12, 2024 for date night. This place has been voted the "Most Romantic restaurant in the country" so we wanted to see what this place is all about. We made reservations a month in advance and requested a cabana. We got there and the host takes us to their private dining area and sat us in the first cabana. Many reviewers have stated this as a private cabana but I would say this is definitely semi-private. The curtains have to stay partially open as we were told was a rule of the restaurant after asking if they could be completely closed. We had a family of four sitting at a table directly across from us - we could see them and they could see us. But at least, for privacy you have the space curtained off for yourself. We had a friendly waitress and were pleasantly surprised by being served a potato poblano soup on the house. It had a great flavor and we enjoyed it. Next we ordered the Scallops D and the Creole Jalapeno Shrimp for appetizers. Both were good and we enjoyed them. Next came our meals which was the lobster and steak entree along with the Pork tenderloin entree. The portions are huge and the food had a good flavor. There is ambiance here as the dining room is dimly lit and there are strings of lights decorated throughout also. No outside views from the dining area. They prefer cash and let that be known. For a fine dining establishment, I feel there is a way you can relay that discreetly without taking anything away from the experience as it can turn patrons off. Okay, you can throw tomatoes at me for this next comment. Although we enjoyed ourselves and the food, hubby and I agreed that we don't feel this is the most romantic restaurant in the city, much less the country. We have been to many a fancy and upscale restaurant in and out of town. For us, the most romantic restaurant we have been to is right here in the heart of Chicago and that is Gibsons Italia - they have the gorgeous skyline views, romantic seating, waitstaff in classy suit jackets and food that's to die for. We wouldn't steer you wrong. Thank you Penumbra for the experience. read more

See all

Great spot, food fire, drinks on point, vibe unmatched, definitely going back again soon

I came here to celebrate my anniversary. We were greeted with a rich potato soup complimentary from the staff. The whole place felt very intimate for a date and was actually ranked the "most romantic restaurant" for some time. The curtains were a nice touch but it was pretty loud and you can overhear other nearby table conversations. Now to the actual dishes, the appetizers were a bit small in portion size Crab cakes: crispy and fragrant Scallops: perfectly cooked and seasoned Ribeye: for the price 42$ pretty worth it and cooked medium rare exact Shadow shrimp: a tad bit salty but still a great option, and very fresh Salmon was a bit disappointing due to my partner finding a couple bones still in it. Though our waiter quickly replaced it and did not charge us for that. To finish it off, we received a hearty message written with our flan. read more

See all

We came gere for our anniversary and let me say .....the staff was amazing! Jose our server made sure we had the best experience ever, definitely going to be in our book as a night to remember! The food was amazing and perfect! And the vibe was just romantic, definitely what we were looking for! read more

See all

Came here for dinner with a group of friends. Very pricey menu and at the time was budgeting so I didn't want to splurge so I got some of their apps. They filled me up and were pretty tasty! The restaurant is dark and nicely decorated and would recommend for a date night out. read more

Penumbra - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Penumbra has been my spot since the day it opened. Tucked away just enough that you might miss it -- and that's part of the magic. From the outside, you see the cocktail lounge, which already sets the mood, but the real charm reveals itself once you walk through those doors into the dining area. The mother-and-son duo behind this place have created something rare -- warm, welcoming, and consistent every single time. In all the years I've been coming here (and I go every year for my birthday), I've never had a bad meal, bad service, or bad vibe. Not once. The space strikes the perfect balance -- romantic enough for a date night, yet still comfortable to bring friends or family. The lighting, music, and energy make it feel like an escape from the city without ever leaving it. The food? Always exceptional. Their Poblano puréed soup is my absolute favorite -- I tell them every time I need a bucket of it to go. Every dish is crafted with care and flavor that stays with you. And the cocktails? Always on point -- balanced, creative, and worth savoring. I've kept Penumbra quiet for years because it's felt like mine. But some places deserve to be celebrated -- and this one stands the test of time. I hope it's around for many years to come. read more

Food is AMAZING!! Ambience is on point with the mood for any occasion. Service is great! Waitress is always very professional. Coming back 100 times more definitely! read more

Penumbra - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Sorry in advanced for the VERY long review. For me this is an example of a solid steak house choice that teeters between ratings. Our entrees were cooked near perfect. Flavors were on point and the wine paired well. Dinner started with what I believe the server called a potato soup. They were served in small bowls/cups and we really weren't sure if we were supposed to drink from it or if they just forgot to bring spoons. In any case we drank straight from the container. As for entrees, my friend and I both ordered NY strips medium rare while her cousin ordered the chicken. For the steaks, the menu online says it comes with a chimichurri but I could have sworn the in person menu when we visited said garlic herb sauce, or something along the lines of that (but is that technically what a chimichurri is anyways? I'm not 100 sure). Anyways, the sauce was very good and if they called it a chimichurri or garlic herb sauce, it wouldn't have mattered because it was good either way. Back to the steaks, they were cooked perfectly to order (medium rare), were flavorful with a nice char and were perfectly tender, so you know they are using high quality ingredients. Here's both a positive and a negative on that. They forgot to bring us our steak knives initially so we were stuck using our regular like butter knives, but to my surprise, they still cut fairly well. This is a testament to how tender those steaks were. When our server came to check on us and realized he forgot the steak knives he apologized and came over with some immediately. This is something I'd normally ding a place for, especially because this was the 2nd thing we weren't brought, but they were very busy that night and I believe he was the only server that I saw during our time there. As for ambiance, this place just oozes romantic date night spot, borderline too much actually. It is very dimly lit and if you want an intimate spot then this would be perfect for you and your date/significant other. They have numerous small tables for 2 that are semi separated by transparent curtains. Aside from that they still have bigger tables good for 4 people, not sure if they had even larger tables it was pretty dark and I wasn't trying to stare. At the end of the meal when they brought out the check, they had also surprised us with a small dessert to share. We hadn't stated that we were there for a special occasion and to my knowledge they didn't have a promo, nor was it a holiday or anything like that to the best of my knowledge. This was a very pleasant surprise and a very nice gesture. My reasoning for the rating. When I first began writing the review I was planning on a 4/5. As I said for me, this place teeters between ratings. On principle, things like forgetting steak knives, not being checked on frequently enough, etc would constitute basically an automatic -1, but for a busy night with just 1 server who in fact checked up on us still fairly frequently, I gave them a pass. The food, while not absolutely phenomenal, was still very VERY good. This was the best NY strip that I've had at least in recent memory. So credit where credit is due. After writing this review I have basically convinced myself to give them a 5/5. It teeters, like it's so borderline for me that a place like this is subject to change were I to ponder it some more. I'm fairly reasonable so nothing which may have been a negative for me was enough to sway me from giving anything lower than a 4/5. read more

See all

I would give them a 3.8 rather than 4 stars. The decor is different - we sat in a gauzy curtained off like "room," so it felt a little more private. The hostess which I assume is the owner was lovely and greeted us with her gentle and warm smile. The food was very flavorful! I ordered a surf and turf and my husband ordered a ribeye. Everything tasted great. My lobster was honestly one of the best I've had. Where I ding them on is in the quality of the steaks. Both my husband's ribeye and mine were almost pure gristle and fat. Truly almost inedible. The seasoning and the sauce they put on the steaks made it a bit better but didn't hide the low quality of the beef. At the end of the meal, our waiter got sidetracked with a much larger party and dropped us. We would have had dessert but he took too long to get back to us so we decided to head elsewhere. One last thing to note is that they add an automatic 20% gratuity to the bill. We would have preferred the option of choosing our tip amount as we didn't really feel that the attention and time our waiter gave us was worth the $40 that was tacked on, without our choice, to our bill. I'm glad the neighborhood has a place like this - as far as the quality of the beef, maybe they had an off night. read more

First impressions gave a strange vibe to this place. The front half of the restaurant was completely empty and then the hostess came to seat us at the back half of the restaurant where it is all bustling. We got a slightly light dinner, sharing some crab cakes, surf and turf with NY strip steak and shadow shrimp, creole jalapeño shrimp, and bocaditos. The food here is fairly solid for the price. We were started with potato soup that's really creamy and a bit on the heavier side for the amuse bouche. Crab cakes were satisfying, though I wished there were more crab meat and less filling. But that is not to say it is not delicious. I guess you get what you paid for. The NY strip steak is fairly flavorful and tender. The shadow shrimp has a good seasoning and I'd recommend it over the creole jalapeño shrimp since the creole jalapeño shrimp just has the flavor but not the spiciness associated to jalapeños. I love the house salad that came with this dish. Bocaditos is something you should not sleep on. It is one of the better quesadilla type of dish I have tried, though just a bit on the heavier side. Service is good as water refills were consistent and the server checks up on us and clears plates accordingly. Even though kitchen was closed for 15 minutes, the server apologized for not letting us know and reopened the kitchen to cook some more food when we got a last call extra few dishes for some of us that were not full. Overall, this is a solid seafood/steak restaurant with fair prices, though it can be quite a journey by transit since it is a bit further out of the city. read more

See all

I really liked the space overall. There's a nice size bar area by the entry. So, if one does have to wait. It doesn't feel overcrowded like in some smaller restaurants. We were then taken towards the back for the main dining area. It's spacious and the tables aren't scrunched in together, but rather spaced out enough for privacy. We were lucky enough to get one of those 2 seaters with the drapes surrounding the table which really adds to the ambiance and again gives one a nice sense of privacy. This was the day after St. Valentine's, so it added to the occasion. We stayed in the 14th. The wait staff was amazing. They were busy but we never felt like we were forgotten. We were well taken care of. I thought the food and drinks were reasonable, given the quality. The charcuterie 1/2 board we ordered was pretty filling for an appetizer. The meats and cheeses were delicious. My GF had the chicken, which she loved and I had the shrimp surf and turf. Which I really liked. The flan and the rum raisin ice cream were out of this world. One thing I need to remember is bring cash the next time, as it helps the restaurant avoid dealing with credit card fees. Overall it was a great night out without having to go downtown. read more

If you're like me, and you're traveling to a new place for your girlfriends birthday AND your anniversary, finding a place to suit the occasion is a tall order. However - Penumbra did the job better than I could hoped for. The ambiance was perfect for a private occasion as most of the tables have sheen curtains around them. There were few people in there on a Friday night, which allowed for intimate conversation. It was dark and quite romantic. The service was top notch. Our server, Jose, was such a ball of joy and left us in need of nothing. The drinks came out fast, the recommendations were excellent, and the timing was flawless. The food is ultimately why we were there, and this was the best part. We had a charcuterie board, scallops, and then split a ribeye/lobster tail. All of it was delicious. The scallops were perfectly cooked. The chimichuri sauce on the steak was wonderful and the lobster was very meaty. Lastly, the drinks were pretty good outside of the one glass of French wine we had. It tasted bland and watered down. The cocktails were very tasty on the other hand. Cannot recommend more for an intimate night out. read more

See all

I loved everything. The seating area is in a back room that is all curtains and low warm lighting, very discreet and pillowy, rom-kitsch. They bring out little soup amuses right away. Very positive service, food delicious -- Definitely the shadow shrimp. Rated the most romantic restaurant in the US by Yelp, I was charmed! I went with my boyfriend and my dad for a good steak, my dad told me how much he loved me, maybe 17 times! I think he's was charmed too. read more

See all

I loved the atmosphere here. It's cozy and intimate and perfect for a date night. Our waitress was helpful and very knowledgeable about the menu. And the food was delicious! read more

Based on a recommendation through Yelp, my wife and I came in for dinner a couple weeks ago to check out the space. I enjoyed the semi-see-through curtain "booths" that added a level of intrigue to the space. (What we both did not love--the music. The overarching soundtrack for the space felt like I was at a shopping mall in a foreign country.) Our server, Jose, was great and full of energy. The best thing we tried was a warm soup brought out as an amuse-bouche dish before our apps arrived. Just the right level of spicy, and while I don't remember the flavor profile specifically, my wife and I both agreed that it was the highlight of the show. The shrimp appetizer was solid, and the steak was OK. The presentation for all the dishes was superb, though. I would not return for the cocktails; the prices were fine, but the concoctions weren't very interesting. When I moved to prosecco, the sparkling was flat so Jose and the team quickly replaced the glass. A nice touch, but a sign that the staff at the bar wasn't as attuned to the items in the fridge (and it was a slow night, so it's possible that this was just lost in the shuffle because not many customers were taking down prosecco that week!). Chicago has so many great options, so I'm not sure we will be back since this is not in our immediate neighborhood. That said, those who live nearby looking for a romantic getaway hidden in plain sight will enjoy many of the things Penumbra has to offer! read more

My family and I came here for dinner and it was amazing! We made a reservation, which was easy to do because they had a good amount of availability. We were seated right away and got our drinks and appetizer in a reasonable amount of time. Our food took a little longer to come out but it was well worth the wait. The food was fresh and seasoned well-- everything was delicious! Our waiter was friendly and entertaining but still very professional. The restaurant was clean with a relaxing, intimate vibe. My family of 4 spent $363 (including taxes and tip) but worth every dollar! This would be a great spot for a family dinner or a date. read more

I've been wanting to go here for a while, and finally snagged a reservation for 7:30... that I extended to 8 by their good grace. I love the dark intimate curtain seating although I wish they were a little darker. The service was really attentive! The crab cakes as our starters were decent, I wish they came in 3. We ordered 2 salmon plates, but unfortunately they were out of asparagus. I think the salmon and the mashed potatoes complimented each other perfectly. Very savory!! read more

See all

What a hidden gem. My boyfriend and I came here for dinner. The ambience is super sexy and the staff, all of whom are family, were so inviting and welcoming. We shared a bunch of apps so we could try more things. We had the scallops, shadow shrimp, the quesadillas, and the pork chops. Everything was delicious. We sat in a semi private table separated from the rest of the place by curtains. It was a very nice evening. Quiet, romantic and relaxing. We will be back. Thank you!! read more

They did everything right! Food was amazing and staff were kind. Would recommend. Only drawback was lighting was a bit dim.

Amazing food! My favorite place to eat when I come home to Chicago. Highly recommended

I took my husband for his birthday dinner to Penumbra and we enjoyed our time there. It's an ideal spot if you're aiming for an intimate romantic dinner. Tables for larger groups are in the center of the restaurant. Semiprivate booths for couples are off to the side separated by sheer curtains. The inside is dimly lit and soft music highlighting the theme of amore is what you're going to get. The food is amazing. We loved our appetizers of Shadow Shrimp and Crab cakes. Our steaks, although thin cut, were cooked to perfection with tasty flavor. Presentation was good too. For me it's about the little things and I noticed their mashed potatoes (which by the way are delicious) were heart shaped. Big aww! Our server was kind and attentive. We didn't feel rushed and had a good experience here. This restaurant is off the main drag on Fullerton avenue in Logan Square so you'll have to resort to metered street side parking. As for cost, excluding tax and tip, the average steak dish is around $42 with most appetizers hovering around $18. Drinks were in the $16+ range. It's stated upfront when seated that cash payment is preferred. There was a small sign near our table mentioning this. Some reviewers were turned off by the blunt request and I get it might not be an ideal way to approach it. On the flipside I also get that restaurants are trying to survive. Does it offend me much? Not really but to each their own. We arrived on a Saturday night around prime dinner time and found a spot pretty quickly. For elevated dining with a loved one, I highly recommend it. Not sure if they take walk-ins but make a reservation to secure a table. read more

See all

Like the other reviewers, I had my doubts when entering this restaurant. I was confused when I walked into what seemed like a bar with a few coffee table seating arrangements. Upon confirming our reservation, the hostess walked us back into a dimly lit back room with dining tables and draped sheer curtains. We were seated by the speaker and the music was a bit too loud. The menu is pretty straightforward with a few appetizers, steak, seafood and vegetarian options. The pricing is standard for a Brazilian steakhouse, with entrees ranging around $40-50s. I ordered the surf and turf with lobster and ribeye, which was served with potatoes and salad. I didn't appreciate how everything was served on a single plate as the salad was mixed with the sauce from the lobster and steak juices. Although perfectly medium rare and well seasoned, I was a bit disappointed by how thin the ribeye steak was. Otherwise, the food was good including the sides. It was an interesting experience. read more

Penumbra - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came in for a nice celebration dinner, and I wasn't let down. The interior is quite interesting and doesn't quite fit the vibe of a nice Brazilian steakhouse. Service was quick and thorough, though because of the music, we could not hear hardly anything, our waiter said. Prices for this establishment I think are a bit high for this place given the lack of flavor that I had expected to be present. I ordered the flat iron steak and lobster combo meal. The steak was nicely cooked, but the lobster needed a bit more seasoning. Together, they complimented each other well, though. The salad had apple slices and another fruit, so it was quite refreshing compared to the hearty entree. Overall, it was a great experience, with a few areas I would have liked to be a bit better. I do think the price was a little higher than it should have been for the offering, but I wouldn't mind returning to try something else another time. read more

Penumbra - Surf and Turf Dinner (Flat Iron Steak and Lobster) Choice of salad - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great food and excellent service. Plenty of gluten free options. Waiter provided great recommendations:

Good food, great service and overall nice people. It's a little more expensive that most places in the same category but the drinks are strong and the hospitality is unmatched. It's not super busy during weekdays so the place feels a little empty or intimate depending on how you look at it. I had a great time however so thank you Penumbra. read more

We absolutely love this restaurant. It's the most romantic restaurant, beautiful lighting, artful decor, and the staff is outstanding.

Service was great, food was even greater! Definitely give it a try! Great date/celebration vibe

This is definitely a hidden gem. I was surprised that for a Friday it was not packed. Don't sleep on this place. It's the perfect romantic date or birthday place. We had the surf and turf, and salmon. The ribeye was cooked to perfection. They start you with poblano corn soup, it was sooo good we had to ask for more The cocktails were also good. I'm very picky when it comes to an old fashioned. It was a nice balanced taste. This place is Worth every penny. read more

Best place for surf and turf. My husband and I can't get enough of this place. We have been celebrating birthdays and anniversaries here for many years! Food is delicious read more

This is a hidden gem. You can't miss with them. The ambiance, the asparagus and the attention they gave were everything! read more

Penumbra - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here for dinner on a Saturday evening because I heard such amazing things. It was a group event of 5 of us and they were super accommodating. This ambiance when you first enter gives lounge vibes where you'd come for a drink or a cute meet and greet. As you're led to the back, there's a totally 180 flip; dim lighting and sultry music, light whispers. Definitely the vibe of a date, wedding anniversary or business deal lol We ordered the Scallops, Shadow shrimp and Bocaditos for starters. All were definitely delectable and seasoned. Grilled/ cooked to perfection. We were also given a complimentary potato soup which wasn't on the menu but definitely needs to be. I swear you could cure a soul in a day with a soup like that. Next, we ordered the chicken breast dish, the salmon dish and an order of the rotini bianco vegetarian. We had already spent money on the drinks lol so we decided to do tapas with the food as well which was perfect since the dishes were pretty big. Enough to fill you up for sure. Our sever was absolutely incredible - knowledgeable, efficient, quick service and generous asl. I loved his energy and attitude. He definitely elevated the experience. I am definitely inclined to return for another amazing experience. read more

See all