We came like 5 minute before our reservation but wasn't seated until almost 8:20 and our reservation was at 8:00pm. The ambiance inside was so nice and it was busy especially on a Wednesday night. Our waiter was great but really busy during this time. We left before we could even get a menu for desserts. We got the charcoal grilled branzino which was really good and the whole lobster. The Caesar salad was good as well but wished they would cut it up instead. I got a drink which I asked waiter if it was sweeter than other one and he said yes but it was really tangy but refreshing. Because it was a graduation celebration, I really wished the experience had felt a bit more special. After finishing our main courses, we waited a long time for a dessert menu to order a sweet treat to mark the occasion. Eventually, it took so long that we just decided to leave before we could even get one. Great atmosphere and good food, but the long wait times at the door and between courses made the night feel a bit rushed at the end. read more

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RPM Seafood is definitely on the pricey side, but for a special occasion or a memorable night out, it's absolutely worth the splurge. The beautiful location right on the Chicago River, elegant atmosphere, outstanding service, and exceptional food all come together to make it a truly special dining experience. We started with the mini seafood tower, which was beautifully presented and loaded with fresh oysters, lobster, crab, shrimp, and other delicious seafood. The spicy spaghetti was packed with flavor, and the branzino was perfectly cooked with crispy skin and a delicious herb sauce. Dessert was the perfect finale--the Banana Stacked Neapolitan was incredible, with layers of crispy pastry, creamy filling, bananas, and rich caramel sauce. It was indulgent and absolutely delicious. Yes, it's expensive, and you definitely know you're paying for a premium dining experience. But when you factor in the quality of the food, presentation, service, and spectacular riverfront setting, it felt worth every penny. A wonderful choice for a celebration, date night, or simply when you want to treat yourself. read more

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We were there for a wedding rehearsal dinner and our private space and service was great. Cocktails were very average and did not come out quickly. The food itself was excellent - not really a bad dish. Left completely stuffed! Beautiful set up right on the river. Hope you get to experience a private event there some day too! read more

I'm sad to update my review to a lower rating. I used to love it here, but we came in on a Sunday and had a tough experience. We were seated at a high top table inside even though there was clearly ample seating outside (which was what we asked for). We were right next to the register and where the staff was grabbing drink orders so we were constantly bumped into. Service took forever even just to get a drink order in it took 30 minutes. Then we waited another 30 min for them to arrive. We were so frustrated with the lack of service that we stopped ordering and got the check. Otherwise food and drinks are great as always - just really disappointed in the service now. read more

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Daniel was amazing. Thank you for your service tonight. The oysters were so fresh and delicious. They were served with a yuzu lemon granita. So good The crab cake is also a MUST. 95% crab meat. Well flavored. Amazing. I also ordered hamachi, lobster fried rice, salmon, and sweet corn that has old bay on it. I rarely order salmon out, but this was really good. read more

RPM Seafood - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

RPM Seafood has one of the best locations in the city - right on the river with a huge patio. They have happy hour on weekdays until 5:30 but note that you do have to sit inside in the bar area for it. I think it's still worth it as the whole restaurant feels light and open. They have a happy hour menu with many of the same things as their regular menu but with different portion sizes but still, reallllly good deals and totally worth it! The tuna and crispy rice was some of the best I had ever had. It only comes with three servings so I got a few orders. I really like the salad + fries combo on their happy hour menu, and the shrimp ceviche was actually a pretty big portion. This is an absolute must for Chicago summer happy hours! read more

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RPM took great care of us this day! We celebrated a birthday and they were so accommodating. I loved the Steak Frites! It was very smoky and well seasoned. I loved the fries and house made sauce. I also had a lemon drop that was quite tasty as well! read more

RPM Seafood - RPM Steak Frites - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We celebrated my wife's birthday at RPM seafood in a sunny day. The view to the river is amazing, if you are lucky to have an outside table during summer. Servers were all very friendly, but restaurant was really busy, so it took a time for us to get any attention when we got to the table - nothing bad, tho. Food was extremely tasty, and very well cooked. We loved everything we had that night. Amazing experience. They also have a special birthday menu and offered a small cake to celebrate. read more

RPM Seafood - Roasted Maine Lobster, Greek Lemon Potatoes, Spanish Branzino - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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RPM Seafood was a stellar experience! I very much enjoyed the mushrooms, brown butter halibut and peanut butter pie with cappuccino. read more

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RPM Seqfood is a great spot to go to for an upscale dining experience in Chicago. Featuring a great view of the river I highly recommend taking advantage of their patio if you can. A very spacious indoor dining area as well. You will get great service while there and the food was delicious. You have many different seafood options to choose from. From cod, oysters, crab cakes, king crab, and shrimp. You can't go wrong dining here it is a special place to go to make a memorable meeting. read more

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Me and my family went to ROM Seafood for happy hour. And I have to give the place 5 stars because of the amazing service. The hosts were extremely kind and welcoming, and we were seated quickly. (But do note that you should come as early as possible for their happy hour, limited high tops and bar seats available and it gets packed at 5). There were 4 people in our party and they allowed us to sit together in a booth, and brought out a chair for us once they saw how tightly we were packed. They didn't have to do that and it was extremely kind. Additionally, the food was great! The tuna roll, char broiled oysters and burger and fries were delicious and great value. Will definitely be coming back! read more

I have been to RPM Steak and Italian, so it was time to come to Seafood. I love all the RPM restaurants, but this one is definitely my favorite! The food was some of the best I have ever had! My favorite was the octopus. I ordered the salmon and it was delicious. Our waiter was super friendly and made sure my partner was having a good time since we were celebrating his birthday. They even customized our menu which was really cool. The interior made me feel like I was at a beach and not a big city, so that was very nice. We will definitely be coming back to check out their happy hour! read more

RPM Seafood - Banana Cream Napoleon - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Excellent upscale seafood spot with a wonderful river view. We went for lunch, at which time smart casual dress was a reasonable choice. Service is top-notch and everything we tried was delicious. The sea bass was lightly fried and well presented. read more

RPM Seafood - Whole Tempura Black Bass - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm a big fan of RPM Steak and this might be my first time at RPM seafood. We came here for the restaurant week lunch menu. The portion was decent, but the taste was a bit disappointing. For starters, we both tried tuna crispy rice. The rice was not crispy at all but sticky. So sticky that many pieces got stuck on the tooth and was very unpleasant. The crispy fish taco was not crispy either. The flavor was very bland. I was expecting grilled fish with crispy fish skin, but it was fried fish fingers. I should have read the description more carefully as it is made with Halibut, so fish fingers made more sense. Grilled Branzino was amazing! The best dish on the table for sure. We were given half of a fish and the skin was crispy. Meat was more on the dryer side, but tender. We finished off with dark Chocolate Gelato, which was good - the right amount of sweetness compared to the seasonal sorbet (apple). read more

RPM Seafood - Dark Chocolate Gelato and Seasonal Sorbet - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Beautiful restaurant with a nice ambience. We came on a Saturday night and sat at the bar. I had their tropical spritz mocktails, which were tasty and pretty. Then my friend and I shared the lobster fried rice, crab cake, and brussel sprouts. We very much enjoyed the brussel sprouts. They had a smoky flavor and a good amount of char, giving them more flavor. The crab cake was my fave, had a creamy texture in the middle and crispy outer. It came with a horseradish sauce that was really tasty and not overpowering. The rice was just ok to me. The service was also just ok, nothing to write home about. The bartender was attentive, made the drinks well, but he wasn't the most friendly or welcoming. Nice place for a date or to meet up with friends. Will be returning. read more

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I sat at the bar tonight on my second visit. It's more than difficult to ever flag someone down for a drink or to take your order. That said, once I did order, food came out crazy fast. I got a side of the RPM chopped salad and the halibut. Aside from finding out after the fact that the salad had tomatoes I didn't know to hold, the food was wonderful. Great salad and fantastic fish. It's not an inexpensive dinner, but it's a tasty dinner. This gives me faith in coming back next time I'm in town. read more

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A nice dinner at RPM Seafood - I was there with my son and another college age friend - I did feel a bit of a side eye with two teenagers - but the waiter came around to make us feel welcome! The Parker bread service was delicious! 5/5 - warm herb covered! Yum! The hamachi was good - 4/5 but not amazing My halibut was 5/5! Filet 5/5 and steak frites 5/5! Cocktails were good and wine decently priced! It's a swanky vibe, but service was super attentive! read more

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Atmosphere, food, and service was great at RPM Seafood! We specifically came for happy hour on Friday, we arrived about 20 minutes before it started and were able to be seated within 15 minutes. Our server was so sweet and always checked in on us, I'd come back again! read more

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So we are here to watch the cubs and needed reservations. The place lived up to stress of getting a reservation. The food was to die for and the price was reasonable. Definitely worth the trip. read more

Had brunch there party of four restrooms are very clean. The vibe of this place reminds me of like a waterfront restaurant in Florida. It just gives this whole chill upscale vibe. The servers were very attentive and knowledgeable and friendly. I had the lunch prefix menu and it was a salad then Branzino we also ordered a side of the mac & cheese, which all of it was so so good. They also had a seasonal sorbet for the third course and that was apple cider and it was divine. I also had a dirty martini to drink, and that was delicious as well. I definitely will come back, especially when the weather warms up because they have an outside patio and you're right on the river so I know the vibes will be amazing. read more

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We had our Thanksgiving dinner at RPM Seafood, and what a perfect choice it was! Located right off the Riverwalk in downtown Chicago, the restaurant already feels special the moment you walk up -- and for a holiday like Thanksgiving, reservations are absolutely a must. As soon as we stepped inside, we were greeted warmly by the hostess. Walking to our table felt like strolling through a winter wonderland -- the place was decked out in Christmas ornaments, sparkling trimmings, and little festive knickknacks everywhere. Honestly, straight out of a Hallmark Christmas card! You'll see the lively bar first, and then discover there's a second floor for larger parties, which is super convenient. Our party of seven fit perfectly in a cozy booth with plenty of space. RPM's Thanksgiving feast was served buffet-style, and we definitely came hungry. We started with warm Parker House rolls and French butter -- simple but perfect. For appetizers, they brought shrimp cocktail, oysters, a harvest salad, and mini crab cakes... which I absolutely loved. On the entrée buffet line, they had slices of juicy turkey breast, flavorful turkey legs, tender beef tenderloin, and roasted salmon that literally melted in my mouth. For sides, they had all the classics: traditional stuffing, fluffy whipped potatoes, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, roasted broccolini, and the must-have green bean casserole. And then came my favorite part: dessert. They offered tasting-size portions so you could try everything without feeling too guilty... which I appreciated! There was pecan pie, 14k chocolate cake, lemon meringue, caramel apple pie, chocolate panna cotta -- pure decadence on every plate. Service was impeccable from start to finish. Thank you to the entire RPM staff for spending your holiday with us and making our Thanksgiving feel warm, delicious, and truly memorable. read more

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I wanted to love RPM's Rare Whiskey Event, but overall it fell short of expectations--especially for a $300+ ticket. The organization was a mess. Long lines, confusing flow, and a lot of waiting around. Buffalo Trace easily had the best selection of the night, but most of the other distilleries were pouring everyday shelf bottles you can find at any local liquor store. Nothing about that felt "rare." What really hurt the experience was the bait-and-switch. Several pours that were advertised never showed up, including Four Roses 135th Anniversary, Russell's Reserve 15 Year, and Mister Sam. For a premium-priced event, I expected the headliner bottles to actually be available. The retail shop was another disappointment. Full secondary pricing on Pappy and BTAC, and the Buffalo Trace store pick was listed at $200 for what's essentially a $45 bottle at best. That was laughable. For the price, this event just didn't deliver. Plenty of whiskey bars and events in Chicago are doing rare pours and premium tastings far better and with way less chaos. This one's an easy skip unless major changes are made next year. read more

RPM Seafood - Missing Russell's 15 which was advertised - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I personally prefer the more subdued ambiance of RPM Steak, but this is the place to go if you favor seafood. The indoor dining space at RPM Seafood tends to be a bit loud and chatter-y, especially when they are very busy. I recommend the outdoor patio if weather permits, much quieter and the atmosphere along the river is excellent on a nice evening. Seems that a lot of people come here for shellfish and drinks. I favor the fish & chips, pricey for what it is, but tastes great and compares favorably to the fried fish I enjoyed in Ireland a few years back. read more

Yes it's pricey as fuck. I could not go here other than happy hour. And happy hour even on a weekday was crazy. Service could have been better, but the food made up for it. Honestly, amazing food and portions for happy hour. The food is worth it. read more

Love the vibes here. We got to sit outside next to the river and it was beautiful. The food was good and presentation was nice. The service was friendly. read more

RPM Seafood - WHOLE TEMPURA BLACK BASS - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great River Views, But More Style Than Substance Booked a late dinner for two at RPM Seafood through OpenTable and paid the extra reservation fee to guarantee balcony seating. We arrived about 10 minutes early and were seated outside in the second row from the balcony, which was still a great spot on a beautiful evening. The river views and overall atmosphere are definitely the highlight here. The meal started well with the shrimp in olive oil, which were sweet, fresh, deshelled, and a nice opening dish. The bread was also warm, soft, and excellent when served, though it became a bit claggy once it sat for too long. Unfortunately, the rest of the meal did not fully deliver. The Maine lobster fried rice had plenty of lobster, which was appreciated, but the rice itself was served lukewarm rather than hot, and as someone with high standards for fried rice, this missed the mark. The mixed seafood grill was also disappointing. The octopus was rubbery, the presentation felt more like a kebab, and while the tableside flambé added some drama, the portion was underwhelming: three shrimp, three pieces of octopus, and two very small pieces of deshelled crab. The spiced roasted carrots with orange glaze were overpowered by Italian seasoning, with very little orange flavor coming through. The peanut butter cake was probably the best dish of the night and the one I enjoyed most. Service was friendly but extremely slow. Our server Lucas was very nice and personable, but pacing was a major issue. After finishing appetizers, the mixed seafood grill took roughly 25-30 minutes to arrive, and dessert took another 10-15 minutes after ordering. Overall, RPM Seafood has the ambiance and riverfront setting, but the food and service did not justify the price. At around $400 including tip, there are better seafood options in Chicago. I would recommend it for drinks or the view, but based on this experience, I would not rush back for dinner. read more

I was excited to try this spot out as it had decent reviews regarding the seafood; however, that was quickly dashed by the hostesses! Upon entering and walking up to the hostess stand, I was completely ignored by a brown haired guy as he was answering calls - 2 phones calls, a scroll through his phone, - and nothing - whilst his brown haired female coworker chatted with other workers. I eventually had to greet myself to them after waiting for 3 mins! After speaking with the manager, I was told the hostess stand was busy that evening due to cancellations (from the rain) and people looking for a table. Still no way to ruin someone's PAYING experience that actually showed up in the rain without a single apology from their hostesses. They definitely set the tone and it was awful! The evening from there was mediocre and I was ready to go from the moment I sat down. The service was extremely slow but the waiter I had was nice especially after finding out what happened upon my arrival. I ordered the octopus appetizer and found it to be a little too salty for my taste. For my meal, I ordered the salmon and mushrooms as the side. The salmon came cooked medium and mushrooms sautéed. This meal was very basic and there were bones left in the fish. The waiter did bring out a strawberry sorbet as a finisher and this was probably the highlight food wise. Overall, I wouldn't come back.. ever. Terrible terrible hostesses, slow service, and underwhelming food. My only thank you is to the waiter who tried to make better a ruined dinner experience. read more

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This place was gorgeous! Loved the food, service was spectacular! Highly recommend the 3 course lunch read more

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Came to RPM Seafood for a lunch sponsored by JP Morgan and had a fantastic experience. The food was served family style, and while everything was solid -- the chicken, corn, and pasta -- the standout was hands-down the miso black cod. I couldn't get enough of it. Perfectly cooked, buttery, and full of flavor. Dessert was also a highlight: the combo of strawberry sorbet and dark chocolate cake was chef's kiss -- refreshing and rich in all the right ways. To top it all off, the views are gorgeous -- right by the river with floor-to-ceiling windows. A perfect setting for a polished, upscale lunch. read more

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Wowowow this place is so lively!!! I came on a Friday for happy hour at 4:30 and it was poppin inside - super busy and energetic! Although it was busy, we were able to find seats at the bar pretty quickly. The espresso martinis were great and I loved our sushi roll too. Besides the menu, this RPM is different from the other because it's super bright, summery and has an overall fun, upbeat energy to it. I loved the atmosphere and can't wait to go back and try more menu items! read more

RPM Seafood - Coconut Shrimp Sushi Roll - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This will be the second RPM I have been to and it did not disappoint. From the service, to the views, to the food, all top notch. We randomly stumbled upon RPM Seafood because we were in the area and know they have a nice happy hour. We love a good happy hour. So we ordered the Burger with Fries and Oysters. All of it was high quality and something I would definitely order again (and recommend to anyone). Now let's talk views... spectacular. It's hard not to people watch the entire time and watching the boats go by, so awesome and an experience you can't find many places. Perfect summer time vibes too. For this amount of food, we spent around $70 for two people. Thank you RPM Seafood, we will see you soon! Personal Review: 8.9/10 read more

RPM Seafood - Summer Old Fashioned - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Our experience at RPM Seafood in Chicago was truly outstanding! I was so sad that we didn't have a reservation and that we had to sit at the bar. The Shrimp cocktails and Grilled octopus were both exceptional--rich, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The setting is just as impressive, with breathtaking city views!!! This place is a controlled chaos with full of great energy. If you are looking for a laid back relaxing dinner, this isn't your spot. Highly recommend for a special occasion or an unforgettable night out with a view! read more

RPM Seafood - Grilled Spanish Octopus - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

But for being a little slow on taking the initial cocktail order (crowded restaurant, two of the party were a little late...but we waited a little longer than we thought was appropriate), this was an OUTSTANDING meal. Think of RPM as the steakhouse of seafood restaurants. Steakhouse pricing (i.e., aggressive) ... really good food, all à la carte. Super professional, attentive service. Busy, buzzy contemporary atmosphere made the evening fun (if a little loud; probably not the place for an intimate conversation). Menu includes everything from salads and sandwiches to steaks and seafood to some sushi rolls. Our group's order: One appetizer (a clam chowder en croute) and an order of Parker house everything rolls (the latter an excellent choice at the recommendation of the OUTSTANDING gentleman server who had our table). Two orders of the halibut, one of the miso black cod, one of a scallops special, and sides of mushrooms and Brussels sprouts later, we had a very, very happy group of four. Interesting selection of wines by the glass, from the moderately priced to the "I can't believe they have this wine by the glass" with a price point to match. Great place for a celebration or, as in our case, higher end business dinner. read more

Had an amazing experience at RPM Seafood! The food was outstanding, especially the seafood selection, and the views of the Chicago River made the whole experience even better. The patio seating is definitely worth it for the atmosphere and scenery. Service was excellent, and the overall vibe felt upscale yet comfortable. Highly recommend making a reservation since the place gets pretty packed, especially during peak hours. read more

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Unfortunately, for the last two experiences with RPM seafood, my personal opinion is that the service has taken a nose-dive. Firstly, it doesn't seem possible to reach the restaurant any longer. Now, an AI-enabled service answers the phone, and when you need a human because it can't help you, the phone just rings and rings, then it hangs up on you. Front of house was unfortunately incredibly rude, but I do understand things were busy. Our table wasn't super late (they were less than 30 minutes behind schedule for reservations, nothing dramatic), but they acted like I was being a complete jerk by asking for an update, and offering to sit in the bar instead. I almost left the restaurant at the point, but decided to stick it out. Unfortunately, service didn't get better at the table. Several times, food was cleared before we had finished. At the RPM price-point, that's simply unacceptable. Not even an "are you finished" for our last fish taco, and the rest of our miso cod. I've never seen a table bussed so aggressively and silently. I was really disappointed to not finish our dishes. read more

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Make sure you make reservations! Really pretty view of the river We got the prix fix special and everyone enjoyed it. The branzino was the star of the meal. read more

This review is four years overdue, but I can't let more time pass without sharing how incredible our wedding experience was at RPM Seafood in June 2021. As a Chicago native and lifelong fan of Lettuce Entertain You, this venue exceeded every expectation. We hosted our reception in the upstairs private dining room on the left, and the setting was absolutely stunning. The balcony overlooking the Chicago River created the perfect backdrop, while the music set an upbeat yet mellow summer vibe that felt both effortless and elegant. The service was exceptional from start to finish. During the planning phase, we were sent curated menu options and invited to a tasting dinner where the staff made us feel genuinely welcomed. We sampled everything we were considering, and standout bites included the RPM chopped salad, yellowfin tuna with crispy rice, crab cakes, mini lobster rolls, and meatballs. All of these became passed canapés at our event. For the wedding itself, we had about 50 guests and chose a full open bar. The bartenders upstairs were knowledgeable, fast, and incredibly professional, keeping drinks flowing seamlessly all night. Our servers were equally impressive. Glasses never hit bottom, and my wife and I had a dedicated server who kept champagne arriving at our couple's table throughout the evening. Dinner was flawless. We offered miso-grilled bass, pasta, and steak along with several sides, and everything was served hot, promptly, and cooked to perfection. I've attended far too many "fancy" events with lukewarm, forgettable food, but this was the complete opposite. The quality, execution, and pacing were all outstanding. The wireless AV setup worked seamlessly for speeches, and being able to use the TV for a photo slideshow added a thoughtful, personal touch. The entire evening flowed beautifully with smooth transitions from start to finish. One aspect I particularly appreciated was how welcoming RPM was to our outside vendors. They didn't make us feel trapped into using only their offerings for items like flowers, cake, and other details. This flexibility allowed us to personalize our celebration while still benefiting from their exceptional service and coordination. While it wasn't inexpensive, the value was exceptional. The experience felt like being transported to a warm, relaxing beach setting right in the heart of Chicago. A testament to the professionalism: our wedding planner was later hired by Lettuce Entertain You based on the success of this event. We no longer live in Chicago, but I would absolutely choose a Lettuce venue again for any future celebration. I cannot recommend RPM Seafood highly enough. read more

We were visiting Chicago and was told that RPM was that top seafood restaurant in the city. I wanted to try so off we went. It right along the river and the restaurant and views are gorgeous. Our waiter was so gracious and attentive and was so kind to our kiddos (8 and 10). The hamachi was delicious, the clam chowder was super flavorful and puff pastry was so lovely. Skip the lobster fried rice: it was so bland and so NOT worth the price. Ribeye was cooked perfectly but the star of the show was the tempura black bass. OMG. I have been thinking about it ever since. The presentation was WOW, they put the whole fish back, the fry was so light but had the kick of the chili crunch. It was SO delicious and I did not want to share any bit of it. I would go back just to get that again!!! Do not miss it! read more

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Such a cute restaurant right by the Chicago River -- the view from our table was beautiful and made for such a nice dining experience! We started off with the cheese-baked focaccia and the everything Parker House bread. The Parker House bread ended up being my favorite -- it had a flavorful spice on top with a hint of lemon that made it stand out. We also tried a variety of appetizers: the octopus, Caesar salad, hamachi roll, tuna crispy rice, and oysters. The oysters were super fresh and definitely a highlight! For my main, I went with the steak frites and it was so good -- perfectly cooked and super satisfying. read more

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Got a shout out the service first, for one the hostess was extremely helpful on a Friday night getting me and my girl premium bar seating on the high tops so shadow to the hostesses with the most! Michael was our waiter, he was super awesome. Literally can't ask for a better waiter so if somebody's reading this, give him props and large tips. Obviously this review is for RPM seafood so it's not like I need to tell you how good it is... Just go, the view, the people watching, the service and the food is the best so yeah just go. The warm prawns were excellent, the Caesar salad was good, especially with the large single crouton over the mascarpone cheese. The sushi rolls are fire so basically get those. I think if we ordered all at once instead of spread out we would've also gotten the seafood tower which would be weird if it wasn't excellent so getting that next time. read more