Penumbra
3309 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago
(773) 772-2343
Recent Reviews
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Incredible dinner, incredible/kind/wonderful service, beautiful dining room, this is the perfect spot for any occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus, Shrimp and Steak
Exquisite, Elegant, Escape are 3 words that come to mind when I think of a way to describe Penumbra. It’s deliciously beautiful, the semi private seating for our special occasion and every taste of food was made of love and intention. The chosen spices omg the chef is aaaaasmazing! I already can’t wait to go back. The music was perfect I felt like I was in beautiful Ecuador, the ambience truly takes you to another space. Well done! Plenty street parking
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crab Cakes, Soup, Potato Poblano Soup, Salad, Charcuterie Board, Creole Jalapeño Shrimp, New York Steak, Shrimp and Steak
Fantastic! I would not have known this place even existed except that AI suggested it. Unassuming, not pretentious, very much a family-owned business vibe, and one of the best steaks me and my partner have ever had! The atmosphere is quirky but charming - absolutely perfect place for a date night. I wouldn't call many places a hidden gem, but Penumbra is exactly that.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beautiful staff with delicious offerings
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was great, but beware possible tip scam!
We almost paid a 40% tip due to a “system glitch”. I didn’t see any mandatory gratuity added when we received our initial bill, but when we asked to split the check, “20%” of the full AFTER TAX bill was somehow added to both splits, which would have resulted in (more than) 40% gratuity.
We manually crossed out the tip and added the proper amount, and all was well.. but almost missed it. I honestly am not sure how this even happens, and am willing to give everyone involved here the benefit of the doubt, but this needs to be rectified ASAP.
Even if it’s a “system glitch”, your servers at a minimum must explain this to the patrons upon delivering the bill and explain how to tip the appropriate amount… that didn’t happen, and when we brought it to our server’s attention they basically said “oh, that’s just a glitch with our computer that we can’t fix, don’t worry about it” (!)
This really put a damper on what was otherwise a great dinner.. please fix this! (And add prices to your menu while you’re at it. Listing “Market price” for every steak is not helpful, especially when those prices are not posted anywhere)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Complementary Soup
This is a fun little steakhouse. Chill, romantic atmosphere, Latin music, nice curated wine list and cocktails, delicious seafood and steaks. Very reasonably priced. Highly recommended for a non-pretentious but delicious night out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallops, Potato Poblano Soup, Lobster and Steak, Creole Jalapeño Shrimp
Love this place, romantic, great food and service it never disappoints.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was enticed to go to Penumbra by the online reviews. A big mistake. The food was mediocre and service was terrible. We started with a $25 charcuterie board that looked like t came form the local Jewel: low-quality, run of the mill cheese (Wisconsin smoked gouda, cheap brie, goat cheese with cranberries--all the things you would see at Jewel cheese case) and low-quality cold cuts (more Jewel salami and two small slices of prosciutto--it was not even Boar's Head quality). The steaks (ribeye, NY Strip and flatiron) were all $42 and you get what you pay for--another Jewel quality product. The Flat Iron steak was really tough. The service was terrible--a waiter who had no clue about wine or steak or anything really. The only saving grace is that there is an interesting, well-priced wine list and the owner (I assume the older woman who oversees the place) knows the wine (server is clueless). So many better choices in the area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
A hidden gem!!! I’ve been several times and the food here is always incredible: last time I had the shadow shrimp (super delicious with buttery spices), the chicken dinner (juicy with an amazing sauce and sides included), and the chocolate lava cake (exactly what you’d expect but better, ooey gooey chocolate delight). The atmosphere is intimate with sheer curtains and dim lighting—perfect for a date or dinner with a small group. I’ve taken parents here a few times and it was perfect. The service is always impeccable. Friendly staff, great vibe and food. A++
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Owner is a really nice lady, food is always really good and the place is amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Owner is a really nice lady, food is always really good and the place is amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a wonderful, romantic date night. Alex, our server was detailed and efficient :) the cherry on top was the delicious food!! From the amouse bouche, to the timing, temperature and flavor of everything, we were impressed. As a chef, sometimes I find it hard to enjoy seated service experiences, but this places takes the cake. Everything was excellent. So happy to have stumbled upon a hidden gem in our neighborhood ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Poblano Soup, Rotini Bianco with Shrimp, Truffle Lava
I wish this place was more popular. The food is really good and the service is always perfect. It's quiet and intimate and perfect for date night and you won't go broke eating good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crab Cakes, Complementary Soup, Potato Poblano Soup, Jalepeno Shri, Shadow Shrimp Appetizer, Shadow Shrimp Entree, Crab Cake Appetizer
What a surprise walking into the dining area. So romantic ! Service was impeccable. Food was creative and delicious. Can't recommend highly enough. Dark and cozy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Poblano Soup
I invited my Sorority sister for dinner to lift her spirits and a dining experience second to none. Mission accomplished! The ambience, fine cuisine, refreshing cocktails and the most attentive and knowledgeable host Alex , was everything I promised it would be. She, like the 15+ other people I’ve invited to Penumbra, have now embraced it as one of their top 5 dining experience. Ms. Rita always welcomes me and my guest and makes us feel like family/friends/special guest all rolled up into one. ? Don’t take my word for it. I dare you to try Penumbra and experience what I know to be true first hand. Chao!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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