Each time I walk past the large inviting windows of Paramount Grill, located downtown at 12 SW 1st Ave., I always have to fight the urge to go inside. You know those places that just look like they serve good food? The ones that look like people dine with their pinkies in the air, but enjoy every single bite of the masterpiece of a plate in front of them? That's Paramount (minus the pretentious customers).
The light green walls, wood floors and white accents bring a refined feel to the spacious restaurant. A little bit country, a little bit classic, the owner's hit it spot on when they created the perfect slogan, "all of the elements of great food."
The second we walked inside I felt serene. After being seated in a nook next to the large front windows, I began salivating over the menu. Our waiter was extremely gracious and brought us Cheddar and Dill Muffins with a White Bean Butter to snack on while we made our decision. (Even the bread basket had a nice finesse.)
I know it's not proper etiquette to crack open my muffin and slather it with butter, but that's exactly what I did. The spread was delicious and broke up the almost cornbread like consistency of the muffins.
The light green walls, wood floors and white accents bring a refined feel to the spacious restaurant. A little bit country, a little bit classic, the owner's hit it spot on when they created the perfect slogan, "all of the elements of great food."
The second we walked inside I felt serene. After being seated in a nook next to the large front windows, I began salivating over the menu. Our waiter was extremely gracious and brought us Cheddar and Dill Muffins with a White Bean Butter to snack on while we made our decision. (Even the bread basket had a nice finesse.)
I know it's not proper etiquette to crack open my muffin and slather it with butter, but that's exactly what I did. The spread was delicious and broke up the almost cornbread like consistency of the muffins.
When our waiter described the mix-and-match quality of the Toasted Panna Rustica appetizer we were sold. With roasted garlic and sweet red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, olives, warmed chevré and extra virgin olive oil on the side, the number of topping combinations is only limited by your imagination.
I could eat this dish every single day for the rest of my life and never get bored with the variety of rich flavors. Seriously. This dish is divine. All of the ingredients tasted so fresh and robust I could have sworn they picked the tomatoes and peppers that afternoon.
The roasted garlic was sweet and perfect. I popped them in my mouth with just a dollop of goat cheese. The hint of rosemary in the olive oil really brought everything together, and I loved the texture of the slightly salty olives and crisp bread.
I could eat this dish every single day for the rest of my life and never get bored with the variety of rich flavors. Seriously. This dish is divine. All of the ingredients tasted so fresh and robust I could have sworn they picked the tomatoes and peppers that afternoon.
The roasted garlic was sweet and perfect. I popped them in my mouth with just a dollop of goat cheese. The hint of rosemary in the olive oil really brought everything together, and I loved the texture of the slightly salty olives and crisp bread.
The baked free range chicken stuffed with crab, sundried tomato and arrugula, roasted potatoes and roasted red pepper-pommery mustard sauce certainly didn't disappoint.
While a piece of the stuffed chicken was delicious by itself, I enjoyed adding in a bite of potato for another texture and great charred flavor. Overall, this dish was the definition of refined. The crab was delicate and added a nice subtle flavor to my palette.
The creaminess of the sauce went well with the tender chicken, tomato and arrugula. All I needed was another cheddar and dill muffin to sop up the extra.
After taking a peek at Paramount's brunch menu, I can't wait to come back and try the blackened salmon filet served over fried green tomatoes, sliced avocado and herbed potatoes with roasted red pepper aioli. My mouth is watering just thinking about it...
While a piece of the stuffed chicken was delicious by itself, I enjoyed adding in a bite of potato for another texture and great charred flavor. Overall, this dish was the definition of refined. The crab was delicate and added a nice subtle flavor to my palette.
The creaminess of the sauce went well with the tender chicken, tomato and arrugula. All I needed was another cheddar and dill muffin to sop up the extra.
After taking a peek at Paramount's brunch menu, I can't wait to come back and try the blackened salmon filet served over fried green tomatoes, sliced avocado and herbed potatoes with roasted red pepper aioli. My mouth is watering just thinking about it...