4. Restaurants

Fountainhead

1970 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL, 60613
  • (773) 697-8204
  • Store is closed

Fountainhead Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Laura T.

    I've been told I have to update this. I gave them another chance. The only thing they were out of was the bacon, the fried chicken is great, and the service was outstanding. However, I still think it's ridiculous that they have a Tolkien quote one their website - "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." But a bacon cheeseburger costs $18.

    (3)

  • Brendan B.

    Came to Chicago to visit some old friends, and my friend who works in the area recommended this place and I'm really glad we went! We sat at the bar and got caught up while having yummy food and good drinks. The bartender Ambrosia was awesome, one of the best bartenders ever! Next time I come to Chicago I'll definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Marie B.

    Fantastic beer menu. Everyone is right about the beer menu! Fantastic, absolute best in the neighborhood! The decor is great, wood everywhere, I just love it. Menu is good, stick with the burger.

    (3)

  • Jeffrey K.

    The food is good but the draft beer on tap is better. It becomes loud and crazy in the evening so go in the early afternoon when you can enjoy sweet desolation and nurse your hangover properly.

    (3)

  • Jess R.

    Came here with friends last night. We sat on the roof at a high top table, which was great. Everyone enjoyed their drinks, the group had several kinds of beer. However, service was not good. Our waitress was missing often and forgot to bring us our check, after waiting 20 minutes we had to ask her again. As for the food, one friend got the turkey sandwich and another the brisket and both enjoyed it. I ordered the vegetable stir-fry with tofu and it left much to be desired. The sauce was too oily and salty, and the "seasonal vegetables" included one piece of broccoli, and a few peppers and onions. It tasted worse than something you'd get at TGI Fridays. Definitely a place just for drinks.

    (3)

  • Grace P.

    Huge beer selection. There's something for everybody! Must try Belly Fire Wings with ranch yogurt and parsnip guac. Gouda mac & cheese w/bacon is a little over-seasoned for me, but if you like rich, cheesy goodness you can't go wrong.

    (5)

  • Lee L.

    Fountainhead has a huge beer list and an even bigger Whiskey list. The woodwork is absolutely beautiful both downstairs and on their amazing patio upstairs. It's homey, and the beer is amazing. They constantly rotate through many different styles and breweries, and they are definitely on a good little beer tour route with the Half Acre Taproom and Bad Apple. They also updated their menu, and Cletus pared it down to a nicer, simpler menu. I'm happy to say that Fountainhead has become a bit more homey and casual since their original opening, and it's starting to more resemble the attitude of the Bar on Buena (their older brother bar).

    (4)

  • Jon K.

    Great beer and whiskey selection! Unfortunately, the food is sub-par for the high prices. The best offering they had, the monkey bread was removed from the menu awhile ago to my dismay. I have continued to try different appetizers and entrees, but they are usually bland or salty.

    (3)

  • Suzan W.

    Awesome bar service and beer selection. Nothing impressive about the food, but not terrible. As for the hostess and the waitress service, if I was the owner, I would fire every one of them and start over. Rude, inexperienced, and immature. Please, hire some people that won't argue with you when you are 100% right, spend less time texting or chatting to other staff than paying attention to your table, and how about getting a waitress that smiles once in a while.

    (2)

  • Mahsa T.

    Food was disappointing, I had a very dry tasteless sandwich and unfortunately picked a beer I didn't like, which ruined my entire meal. But that's my fault, they had a huge beer selection, I should've made a better decision, maybe it was because our waitress rushed me to make a decision. And then she disappeared and didn't come back much to check on us. The rooftop is very nice though on a warm summer night, totally feels like you're sheltered away from the noise of the street and city.

    (2)

  • Mark C.

    I'm with some of the others on this one: the drinks are pretty good, the whiskey selection is quite nice, the atmosphere is spot on, but the food is somewhat overpriced and only ok. The rooftop is particularly nice in the summer, although even the main dining area and bar are comfortable. I think I'd give the place 4 stars rather than 3 if it weren't for the 'parsnip guacamole' (and I'm tempted to give it 2 just for that). If I read 'chips and guac' on a menu, I'm expecting something that's mainly avacado. Even labelled as parsnip guac, I was expecting that parsnip was only a component, not that it would replace the main event. If you want some grainy, limey, vaguely carroty tasting goop to dip your greasy corn chips in, order the guac. Otherwise I'd recommend just sticking to drinks.

    (3)

  • Chris S.

    Good food, nice rooftop

    (3)

  • Ricardo G.

    If I could give this dump no stars I would! Fucken dump sucks! I don't mind expensive drinks or expensive food, friends and I ordered food. Chicken tacos, shit was microwaved and the shredded chicken had bones in it. My girlfriend ordered a turkey sandwich and it took about an hour. This fucken dump is horrible!

    (1)

  • Emina D.

    I really wanted to like this place. The rooftop, the ambiance, the location - all of it screamed fun. Fun we had until our food arrived. Who messes up the fries? These people do! Too salty, so saggy luke-warm mess. Burger was too salty as well, and the meat quality was just awful. How do you have 7 items on the menu, and mess up 3 of them? (I was here with another two people, all of whom ordered a different entree.) So, come here to drink. Eat anywhere else beforehand! You're welcome for the tip I didn't get on time. Blech!

    (2)

  • Oliver R.

    Been here many times over the last 10 months as that was when I moved into the neighborhood. Food here just isn't good enough. It's edible, but that is about as far as I will go. They need a much better chef to compete with other places. As a pub they do much better. Good beer selection and a really good beer garden. The beer garden is on the roof and features a retractable awning for showers. I think they use it for shade as well but summer seems a long time ago. The bar staff can be a bit hit or miss. Some are very attentive, others seem to excel at chatting. I'm not the sort to ask a bunch of questions about the beer selection as I prefer to just try whatever sounds interesting. Wait staff at the table have always been pretty decent.

    (3)

  • Johnny R.

    Short: Wanted to like it but my overall feeling was I probably wouldn't eat there again unless there was a menu revamp. I have to be honest, between us 4 adults we couldn't find a single entree that we would say was memorable. The dinner menu section of their website is down and I'll edit this review to list out the 4-5 things we ordered with specific thoughts. I think even if looking at this place strictly as a neighborhood gastropub, I think it's still below where I think it can be and I don't think it measures up when you stop and think about all the great places in Chicago on the North side. I found the service a little wanting, but maybe our guy had too many tables, he was a nice guy. I hate to write reviews like this. :(

    (2)

  • Steph B.

    I've been coming to Fountainhead since it opened a few years ago. Service has always been bad, food has always been overpriced and sub par. Last few visits have really soured me. When it first opened, their beer selection was vast and reasonably priced. Whoever manages their beer menu now (it's switched a handful of times) basically just picks all brown ales or harvest ales or IPAs that I can buy in the beer cooler at Jewel. What happened to keeping locals on tap? No Half Acre or any of the other TONS of local breweries on tap? When you do find something that intrigues you on the menu, pick a back up because they're always out of your first choice. Be sure to check the price. A run of the mill beer found at any grocery store will run you about $8 for 12oz. Go on their rooftop for even more underwhelming options. The food was never their strong point and this continues. Bland, expensive and unimaginative. A turkey sandwich on foccacia with fries for $13? Blah. The rooftop is a beautiful space, but the menu is bad and extremely overpriced. Their servers also don't mind pocketing the cash if you pay combo cash/credit and then putting the entire amount on the card. Their servers also don't mind bringing you and opened can of beer you didn't ask for when your first choice was sold out. Yeah, I guess I'll drink it since it's already opened. Bottom line, this place will continue to be packed because it's "cool' to go here. Every once in a while, you'll have a decent experience, but for the most part it's really underwhelming and at times, down right infuriating to visit. Do yourself a favor and go down the street to Bad Apple or Hop Leaf.

    (2)

  • Mary T.

    It's unusual that I don't research a place before going; seriously, I didn't even know the exact location until I was all, but heading out the door. All I had to hear were the magic phrases "drinks" and "rooftop" and I was sold. I arrived to Fountainhead just as our rooftop table became available. The upstairs is great - lots of dark wood from the floors, to the tables with a nice bar and an assortment of regular and high top tables. Our server was a doll, very knowledgeable of the lengthy booze list and generally helpful throughout the night. It's worth noting that the menu upstairs varies greatly from the downstairs menu. The menu is a small, but well chosen single page of food, followed by 4-5 pages of beers, cocktails, wines and spirits. I assume the difference in the food menu is due to the small rooftop kitchen. We ordered a smattering of things off the menu and everyone in our group seemed to enjoy their food. I went with the pesto panini on quinoa bread and was quite pleased with the selection. My only misstep was slight, choosing the multi-grain salad side over the caraway slaw. It wasn't bad, but the slaw was so good; fortunately, I was able to trade someone for it. When the rooftop closed, we headed downstairs to continue our merriment, which was an entirely different experience. Where upstairs seemed cozy, attentive and jovial; downstairs seemed to be lacking in ambiance. Maybe it was the odd lack of music (if it was there, it was quite low and couldn't be heard over the din). Maybe it was the lack of a server; we went to the bar for all of our drinks - not a terrible inconvenience, just odd. It's a shame summer is on its way out the door; that rooftop is a great space to drink the night away under the stars. Just a short walk from the Montrose brown line, it's easy to access too.

    (4)

  • Megan A.

    My experience at fountainhead started off weak and ended well. We called ahead to ask about the wait because my friends and I were going to a show. The hostess said it was a very short wait and she said the same thing when we arrived. 2 hours later we were seated. I don't mind waiting that long on a Saturday night, but the hostess should set realistic expectations especially for those who have somewhere to be. During that 2 hours I enjoyed an oatmeal stout and the bar tender was very friendly and gave great service. Finally seated and starving we ordered fried pickles and I ordered the fountainhead burger with Gouda and mushrooms. Both phenomenal. The burger has a kick of flavor and goes perfect with the pretzel bun. The ketchup was a little bitter for my likings so I got some garlic mayo instead. We even got to chat with the chef who couldn't have been cooler. I just wish the meal wasn't rushed because of the time crunch. Overall: great food and friendly staff. I would give 4/5 stars if the hostess and I didn't have differing views of what a very short wait is.

    (2)

  • Sara M.

    I did not eat here and only had one drink. But that drink was 20 year Pappy van Winkle neat. So basically a place with friendly staff that actually serves this golden ambrosia has me as a fan.

    (4)

  • Rachel S.

    I have a love/hate relationship with this place. Pros: -The rooftop deck is spacious, tasteful, and has plenty of shade -Wide selection of beers for even the snobbiest beer lovers -Conveniently located near the brown line in a safe + cute neighborhood Cons: -Bar tenders have the personality of a wet blanket. Here's a list of words that do not describe them: helpful, friendly, warm, engaging, talkative, fun. -Don't be surprised if you order obscure beers and they're 0 for 3 on your choices -If you're on the deck expect to hear this line at least once "oh sorry we don't serve that up here." -The deck closes about 2-3 hours earlier than the bar down stairs depending on what day of the week you come If I had my own patio or deck, I'd be drinking there instead.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth F.

    Fountainhead, I love you! My, what an impressive drink list you have! (All the better to get your drink on, my dear.) My, what an inventive, ever-changing menu you have! (All the better to fill your tummy, my dear.) My, what attentive & knowledgeable staff you have! (All the better to serve you, my dear.) My first visit to Fountainhead could not have been better. I visited to enjoy a few pints of Pumking Ale fresh on tap through... wait for it... hollowed-out pumpkins. Quite a tasty way to celebrate Halloween, I must say! After a few rounds, I decided to ask my friendly waiter for a menu. He informed me that the kitchen was closing in 10 minutes, but they would be happy to fix me a plate. I asked for the black bean burger, to go, all fixings on the side. When I finally arrived home, I dove into my HUGE black bean burger with fresh everything, right down to the red coleslaw & cute little cup of homemade aioli. Very much looking forward to returning to Fountainhead. These guys are making a great effort to be anything but "normal"; their food , drinks & atmosphere are anything BUT your usual bar.

    (5)

  • Jen M.

    This place bums me out. I want to love it so bad. It's so close to my house- it's a great space- the staff is awesome- the beers are good- but the food is so mediocre it's become a last resort when we want to go out to eat. They've had issues with the menu since the opened, so I was super excited when they started touting this Cleatus guy as their culinary savior. Has the food gotten better? Sorta, kinda, not really. The menu is more interesting than it used to be, but it's really obvious this guy was a caterer because everything I've had since the new menu dropped has made me think: bridal shower food. I had a turkey sandwich that was so loaded with mayonnaise it was oozing out the sides with every bite. A peach brisket sandwich was dry and under seasoned. The panzanella had promise but was drowning in dressing and the bread pieces were comically large. Also, why is there old bay on my fries? I thought that went on the chips? Bottom line: go for the drinks, find dinner somewhere else.

    (2)

  • Andre W.

    My buddies have been talking about this place for quite sometime now and I always have other plans when they go. We had plans to go for some duck nachos at another place which happened to be closed....so of course someone mentioned Fountainhead. I found good/free street parking a little south on Damen. As I was walking up, I noticed there was a little rooftop action going on here. I walked and and the bar area was empty which was fine with me because I wanted to be on a roof anyway. Walked upsatirs to the very warm rooftop and got good seating for four. Looked at the menu and saw some good beer selections. I saw a nice German beer which was $5. It was very smooth, light and tasty. I also ordered the short rib panini which was very good...the short rib was maaad tender. Our server was cool and had jokes when we would order things...can't repeat the jokes here...lol All in all, this is a solid joint that gets the damn thang did! Good spot for hanging out drinking with friends

    (4)

  • Stephanie L.

    Love this BAR!~ Such nice people in here. We ended up here on accident because we were on our way to Lincoln Square and it was sleeting....we decided to come in for a drink or two or ten. We ended up sitting next to the manager and before you knew it we were five deep and had some shots of jame-o.... But, its a super cute bar, chillax style. They supposedly have great food. We cant attest to this, however, the manager offered to let us try some. We declined because we were STUFFED from dinner and I am still holding on to a small child on my ass and thighs from all of my holiday eating...haha. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area...shit, I would even make a trek up there from downtown. Its not far off the brown line. Go check it out. They have several beers on tap and in the bottle. Supposedly known for scotch too, however, I was smart enough to stay away from that. HAHA.

    (4)

  • Lauren W.

    Giving my recent visit 2 stars because they used to be a better place... or I'd give them 1. I started going to Fountainhead last fall, and usually had a great experience! My last two trip there, however, have been awful. A few weeks ago I had to ask the hostess IF we had a server, since no one had brought us water/drinks and we were even ready to order. Then, tonight, we had the worst waitress and burgers the shape and consistency of hockey pucks. I've had the Fountainhead Burger several times previously, and it's usually excellent. Tonight three of us had one and they were ALL overcooked (we ordered two medium, one medium rare-- but all were med-well or well) and tasted too peppery and burned on the outside. Even the bun was charred. Our server, Paulina, was terse, unhelpful, and kept walking away before we could ask questions about specials or order more drinks-- then seemed annoyed when we all only had one round. It's too bad that their menu seems to have gotten less imaginative, too. And is it just me, or have their prices gone up? Not just food, but their beer list has gotten really pricey, too.

    (2)

  • Lauren P.

    This is a pretty solid gastropub. The craft beer selection is extensive and the food is great. We had the ginger sesame soy wings to start, which were delicious. Fountainhead smokes it's pork in-house, so the Cuban sandwich had tons of flavor. My SO had the fried chicken/mashed, which I didn't try, but there were no leftovers, so I assume it was as equally delicious. Service was also timely despite it being hectic inside due to USA-Portugal (still can't get over Portugal's last second goal) match. Our server was very helpful with the beer selections. Overall, I was very pleased with Fountainhead and will definitely return -maybe next time I will check out the roof deck upstairs.

    (4)

  • Adrian G.

    Had a long wait before anyone even spoke to use. They said there was a wait and when I asked how long it would be, approximately, the hostess said, "whenever the next table is available." Obviously.

    (3)

  • Amy V.

    I just paid my second visit to Fountainhead. First was in fall 2012; no wait for a table, and the menu was outstanding. Went again last night with a group of four, excited to try the gorgeous rooftop deck. It was one of the first warm days of the year, so we expected it to be busy, but still no table after a two-hour wait, from 7 to 9 p.m., on a Tuesday? We couldn't understand why the wait staff wouldn't push two of the many two-top tables together to seat us. There are two separate wait lists for inside and the rooftop deck, so we couldn't ask to simply have the first available table in either location. Finally, the rooftop hostess told us that a table was available inside; when we went inside, that hostess told us there wasn't. A manager sat us in a private dining area behind the bar. Overall, our food was fine (and our server was terrific), but the menu seems to have changed into more traditional bar fare, and I just wasn't too excited about the options. Vindaloo mussels were tasty, and the frites are great, but my mushroom quinoa risotto was drowning in butter. I don't think I'll be returning--very disappointed.

    (2)

  • Linda T.

    Cool place for beers. Food was meh. Black bean patty was dry, but decent tasting. Slaw was dry and had little flavors. Jerk chicken sandwich was dry. Sweet potato chips were dry, but I liked it vs greasy chips. Ham brie sandwich was probably the best tasting of the entrees.

    (2)

  • Aminda S.

    My favorite neighborhood bar - hands down. First of all, they have a truly awesome roofdeck with ample seating. At nearly 7PM on a Wednesday we were easily seated with most of the remaining tables open until after 7:30PM. I'm a beer gal - specifically IPA. If you've read my reviews you know this and you're like "okay we get it already ya beer snob." Fountainhead has an ever-changing, and more importantly, never-ending list of beers to choose from much to my delight. I even tried a ginger peach cider on a whim and it was delicious. Lots of options for even the pickiest drinker. I love the interior of the restaurant as well. Has a cozy feel to it that will be much appreciated once winter is upon us. I can already imagine myself snuggled into a booth with an oatmeal stout in hand. I couldn't go with five stars because I haven't been overly satisfied with their food menu. Their charcuterie plate could be a little more substantial - increase meat quantity and add some sort of spread. The ceviche of the day - scallop - was indeed delicious, but again seemed on the small side. Lots of chips went unused. Pork tacos were fairly forgettable, aside from the jicama which was a nice touch. But overall, I've had nothing but great experiences at Fountainhead. Having a friendly neighborhood bar ljust three blocks from me makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

    (4)

  • Heather D.

    Need a place to chill after work and put back some brews? This is the place. The atmosphere is warm, cozy, and just the right lighting to wind down after a long day. The bartenders are really nice, and the bonus is you can sample a draft before buying a glass. Their craft beer selection is amazing! I also tried the grilled cheese (HIGHLY RECOMMEND!) and sampled some of my coworkers fried pickles (ALSO RECOMMEND!!) I definitely plan to be back either for an after work drink or a place to chill. If you plan to sit down and dine though, there was a wait list around 730pm when we got there. So be prepared to drop a name and hang out at the bar until then.

    (5)

  • Christina K.

    If you count alcohol as a food group, then a Fountainhead Bloody Mary is a serving of all your food groups in one beautiful glass. It comes with a FULL PICKLE, salami, cheese, olives, and more pickle. They offer 2 varieties: 1 with vodka and 1 with Aquavit. Given my rebellious and adventurous streak, I ordered the aquavit. The vodka one is definitely spicier and thick--almost like a spiked gazpacho. The aquavit one is thinner and sweeter. Both are awesome. The vodka Bloody Mary might actually be a meal in a glass. The food is quality. The drinks definitely stole the show. But the fries also shone. Very crispy with the skins on. Yum. I also recommend the Mac and cheese with chili. I poached a few bites of the boyfriend's serving, and enjoyed them immensely. The service is wonderful. They were delayed in bringing out my drink and comped it for us, which I really appreciate. In addition, our waitress was friendly and more than willing to describe the specials and explain the menu and drink options.

    (4)

  • Carrie M.

    Love me a Gastropub. We were in Chicago for a wedding, and as usual, we turn to Beer Advocate for a restaurant recommendation that can satisfy the needs of a beer snob (my husband). We stayed in the loop, and ventured up for a visit to Fountainhead. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED!! We ordered the mushroom pie and muscles to start...delicious. The mushroom pie was piping hot and full of flavor. The muscles were fresh and cooked to perfection. For main courses, we both ordered the blackbean patty with chimichurri aioli dressing. Theses were to die for. We loved the flavor and consistency. Perfectly prepared. Perfectly presented. Decor, five stars. Service, five stars. Food, five stars. And of course, beer selection, nothing compares to this list, five stars.

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    We had a great time at fountainhead thanks to the delicious beer and our server Jon! He gave us samples of tons of beers and couldn't have been more friendly. What a great place to come for a Sunday afternoon beer...or four.

    (4)

  • Alicia M.

    Hire more servers! My husband and I have probably been here 10 times (see previosu brunch review). When we sit at the bar we get exceptional service but whenever we get a table it's SLOOOOOW. Last night finally prompted me to Yelp. Last night, I ordered a drink which I got and as my drink was being brought my husband was informed that they were out of the beer he ordered. You'd think at that point the waitress would RUSH to get the replacement beer. No, it was at least 15 minutes. Before I even got MY drink we waited 10 minutes or more. I was almost finished with my drink by the time my husband's beer came. At that point, he said "don't open that beer. We'll take our check." We didn't tip for the first time in our lives because the waitress didn't even seem to care. She smiled and was like "sorry about the wait guys!" That's it. We're not coming back. A good beer selection doesn't make it okay to have slow service.

    (3)

  • Dave J.

    My first experience with Fountainhead was outstanding. I attended a five-course prix fixe dinner with Scotch pairings and was thoroughly impressed with the food, drink, and atmosphere. Anxious to return, I came for brunch only to find out that they had recently hired a new chef. While nothing was horribly amiss, the food was lackluster and I learned a valuable lesson that a Bloody Mary should never be made with Aquavit. Returning to partake of some tasty beers and enjoy their stellar roof deck on a beautiful summer night, I was once again disappointed. Actually, disappointed is an understatement. Not only were the hostesses and wait staff were inept, the food was laughably bad. I have never tasted such bland food in my life. I am not exaggerating when I say that the most flavorful things we ate were the pickle spear and the pretzel bun. If it weren't for the prices, I'd have been thoroughly amused by just how terrible it was. I will be back to drink, but most definitely not to eat. Shame on you, Cleetus Heetus. ...but serious props to the downstairs bar staff. Those guys are at the top of their game.

    (2)

  • Sandi P.

    We finally had a chance to return here for dinner. It was lively on a typically snowy Saturday night but we tried a couple of their beer selections while waiting for a table. I was most impressed that 2 pages of their extensive drinks menu are devoted to cider, including Aspalls, one of my favorite English ciders. Always happy when bar service is efficient, as it was I this case. We only had to wait about half an hour for a table - a cozy spot in the back room. We ordered the pub cheese again as a starter - love the fresh pretzel bread. All 5 of us all tried different entrees and everyone was happy with their selection. I like that the prices are reasonable and the menu selection is quite varied. They had a number of specials, as well as the standard menu to choose from. The special soup of the day was a rich, satisfying onion soup - yummy. I ordered the turkey. my choice was the turkey burger - which was a very juicy, generously portioned rendition accompanied by fries (those were slightly disappointing being a bit overly crispy). Others in my group had the brisket served with polenta and kale; pulled pork sandwich, turkey samba and cochinita. Service was excellent from both the waitress and the busboys - we never had to wait for anything. Will definitely be back here for dinner again.

    (4)

  • Carolyn L.

    I came here on the 4th of July with some friends to check out the rooftop. We even managed to catch some fireworks up there! Any bar that stocks Suntory Yamazaki 12 year whiskey is A-OK in my book. Their beer selection is out of this world too! Great pickled seasonal vegetables so be sure to try those. I'd love to go back and try more of their food selection. It's worth the wait if you're trying to get up to the roof!

    (4)

  • Lita B.

    The presentation is awesome but the taste was just average. I was expecting more. The atmosphere and environment may cause me to go back but not the brunch menu.

    (2)

  • Mandy S.

    I live really close to this place and it's one of my neighborhood favorites. It has a great atmosphere, especially in the winter when they light the fireplace (!). Very cozy. In the summer it has a great rooftop. It does get crowded on the weekends...and during the week, too, actually. What can I say, this place is often hoppin'. This is the kind of place you can go and tell your server you're in the mood for a (fill in the blank: sour, hoppy, light, fruity, etc.) beer and they'll bring you exactly what you had in mind. I can also get my favorite Canadian whiskey (40 Creek) and soda for $5.00, so I'll be going back again and again. I took away one star because I'm not a huge fan of the food. I like it for snacks--good monkey bread, kettle corn, and desserts--but for meals it's just a little meh. But go for the drinks. You won't regret it.

    (4)

  • Shaun S.

    Met two other couples here last weekend to celebrate a birthday. After reviewing the small but diverse menu online, we were all pretty excited to try the Fountainhead. My wife and I arrived first and received a nice welcome, we headed to the bar and talked to a very good and knowledgeable bartender who found us both good beers to consume. It was when we were seated that the experience started to list to one side like a bad carnival cruise. Our waitress either had too many tables or could tell we were all suburbanites and didn't care. Service was slow, and she needed to understand the menu better. When we finally got our orders in along with a few starters, they finally arrived just before the food. Another thought, just because the menu is switching over in a few days, doesn't mean we should suffer from a further lack of choices. Probably the most disappointing part of the experience. The food itself was good, just not going to be on my list of places to rush back to visit.

    (3)

  • Diana J.

    I hadn't heard much of this place, but a friend who lives nearby recommended it for our dinner meet-up. We got there at 5:30pm on a Saturday; it was pretty busy and it only got busier as the night progressed. I ordered the Amish chicken entree which came with roasted corn and poblano chiles. It was well cooked and the corn really added a nice smokiness to everything. Also at the table were oysters and the monkfish dish. I didn't have the stomach to try either, but they were deemed delicious. Their beer and whiskey selection is impressive at something like 7 pages for the whiskey alone!!! We sat near the fireplace which was warm and cozy on a miserable winter night, and the space is big enough to be equal parts restaurant and bar hangout spot. We felt the pressure of the place being packed (with the servers coming over every 60 seconds to hover and leave) and headed to Lincoln Ave for a spot to have a drink and hang out. The Fountainhead is worth a visit...but if you're not there by 6pm you'll have quite a wait.

    (4)

  • Erica Z.

    Everything really is better with bacon. Bacon monkey bread, if you are a bacon fan, please mover this to the top of your must try lists!!! Stopped here when we were out on a beer run, (running from bar to bar trying different beers). I am more of a wine drinker, but all of the bartenders were very nice, helpful when it came to selecting the beer I was going to have. I'm a fan, not convient for me to go to just to stop in, but if I was in the area, I would go back, for monkey bread and beer!

    (4)

  • Alex M.

    If you like scotch, there's nowhere else to go in the city. Location is a bit out of the way but the food and the dictionary-sized scotch menu is worth the trip.

    (5)

  • Cassandra L.

    Every time I've been here with friends it's been great! They have so many drinks and delicious appetizers. I don't get a chance to visit too frequently, so the menu has always been a little different each time, but I've always enjoyed whichever vegetarian entree I've tried, and of course I love the wide variety of beer options! It's a pretty big place so even though it's usually packed on the weekend nights we've come, we've never had to wait toooo long to be seated. The atmosphere is pretty loud and dimly-lit, but feels welcoming. I'm glad our friends brought us here! You should definitely check it out if you're nearby!

    (4)

  • Brett F.

    Good Gracious Gastropub! What a fully enjoyable Summertime experience. Hip, casual and bustling to the hilt, it's the place to be, yo! I do have the smallest wish that Fountainhead could magically procure some type of outdoor space... fabulous craft brews, pulled duck confit AND the great outdoors? Now wouldn't that just be a grouping made for greatness?! Until they can wave that all-powerful magic wand, however, I'm more than happy with the brand of indoor chillax cool that pours from the walls, the wooden booths and, of course, the multitude of beer taps. Imbibe on truly divine lagers like the smoky Schlenkerla Helles, amazing ales - how 'bout a fruity Avery Karma for ya? - and my favorite, the fresh lemon and vanilla scented Ayinger Bräu-Weisse. Brewlicious! Fountainhead fortunately spares no effort in the Bourbon and Whiskey department, either. With an extensive list at the ready, you may opt to try your hand at the Japanese Suntory Yamazaki Single Malt 18yr or stick with more familiar guys like Johnnie, Glen and Monsieur Macallan. Mmmm, love them boys! Food was tasty, though menu options are a bit slim. Only 3 entrée selections? F'realz? This is where another recently opened Gastroendeavor, Longman & Eagle, creeps (er, jumps) way ahead in my estimation. Selection is key! Did really enjoy the Half Wit Mussel app though, the beer was punchy and easy to distinguish, while the addition of a spicy andouille was a fabulous and mouthwatering touch! The "Moo" plate was also lovingly devoured by my crew and included a phenomenal smoked mac 'n cheese, a totally tangy ale cheddar spread and the pièce de résistance - gorgonzola bacon monkey bread. Holy Shite! Get this. Demolish it. Be ecstatic. No reservations at Fountainhead mean long lines and waits exist in your future unless you plan accordingly and get on the early train. It's my recommendation you do, hey, it's 5:00 somewhere.

    (4)

  • Erik H.

    Came for my birthday, and had a fantastic time. I was tired of the typical Wrigleyville crowd, and Fountainhead did not disappoint. With a beer list that was 6+ pages long, and a scotch list that was of similar size, it was definitely my kind of bar. The bar itself is a little dimmer as far as lighting, but light enough that you can still read the menu. One of my favorite things is there was music in the background, but it was actually background music. I could still hold conversations with those around me. As a scotch lover, I was in heaven. The server was very knowledgeable and helped those in the party who weren't as familiar with scotch or craft beer. He definitively helped make the evening. I cannot wait for their roof top to open up. Big fan of fountainhead and will absolutely be back.

    (5)

  • Chuck D.

    Our friends wanted to stop by here after a day full of 70 mm film watching at the Music Box. I was tired and probably would have much preferred to go home - but they insisted that this place was great and that we would love it. Ok, fine - so we went. And I'm glad we did! Fantastic atmosphere, fantastic beer & whiskey menu, and fantastic food. In a word... it was great [betcha thought I was going to say fantastic... well, it was that too]. I guess during the summer you can go up on their roof as well... we will have to come back to do that now that the warm weather is coming back into town. If I liked it as much as I did at 1 AM when I was tired and had a long drive ahead of me, I am so excited to go back when I am ready to drink and hang out! Don't pass this place up!

    (4)

  • Aaron C.

    Let me ask you a question. Do you like either really good beer or really good whiskey? Yes and yes? Ok..go here then. You will find a huge selection of the finest spirits including a long list of bourbon and scotch. You will also find great food (eat the fries, eat them!). You may have a wait to get on the roof top, especially on a nice Summer night..but the wait will be worth it. There is a serious lack of patios and rooftops in this area, and hence you may not be able to experience this, but the downstairs is very nice as well. I like to hang out in the barrel room and sip on some good bourbon. The barrel room is basically a private room away from the bar chaos in the front. I see many reviews about the service. On a Friday or Saturday night the bar gets busy. People flock because of the great beer selection, but you might have to just relax and go with the flow.

    (4)

  • Enrico B.

    I haven't tried the food here yet.. But I hear its worth a try.. I came here with one thing on my mind.. Craft beers... And boy did they have a good selection. I was happy with that, very happy actually. But why only 3 stars? Well, I still have to try the food. If the food is good, you may get another star!! But what kinda bothered me was when I went. It was a BEAUTIFUL night out. Clear skies, and 75-80 degrees. The rooftop was closed!! I asked when it was going to open.. They said, tomorrow. Would it hurt to open the rooftop 1 day ahead of schedule considering how nice it was that night? I guess it would. I would definitely come back here again. I still have to try the food and the beer selection is awesome!!

    (3)

  • Kevin F.

    The food was not so good but the beer selection was pretty solid. I ordered the Pickled Things and Fried Pickles as apps. The flavor profile for the Pickled Things was all vinegar; everything tasted the same - green strawberries, asparagus, brussel sprouts, etc. - all the same. Boring. The Fried Pickles were a total FAIL. Huge chunks of dill pickle that I had to cut with a knife and fork to eat. The beer batter didn't adhere to the pickle so I had chunks of hot pickle on my plate and piles of beer batter that had sloughed off. Maybe if they went to pickle chips it would work out better. For my entree I ordered the Chicken Fried Chicken. It was flavorless. A breast isn't the most flavorful piece of chicken anyway but the batter was flat without any seasoning or flavor. Slaw was also flavorless. And the gruyere mashed potatoes also had zero flavor and were disappointingly "un-cheesy." I asked for some salt and pepper which helped but should have asked for some hot sauce to impart some interest to the meal. I don't think it was me because my Lagunitas IPA was delicious. And my wife had the grilled pork loin which I tried and had some flavor to it. I'll give Fountainhead another shot and maybe try their burger or Cuban sandwich next time.

    (2)

  • Rex H.

    The cheese plate is WONDERFUL. I get it every time I come and I have never been let down. Beer selection is AMAZING and the service is warm and friendly :)

    (5)

  • Maryana S.

    Simple delicious meals! The atmosphere is simple yet very pleasant. Service was quick and the food & drinks came in on time. Definitely will be coming back, had the salmon A+

    (5)

  • D B.

    I am giving this rating for service. The staff here are frequently rude and innattentive with a cooler-than-thou attitude and for whatever reason that doesn't bother the management. Here is only one story (I work nearby and have been here multiple times). They had Three Floyds Alpha Clause on tap and I asked for one. I was told that the keg had to be changed which I patiently waited for. When the beer started flowing the bartender was filling a pint glass and it kept foaming. No biggy, happens. This went on a while. Finally she let the foam settle on this no-longer-carbonated pint and kind of rudely told me that this beer was served as a 10 or 12 oz glass not a pint. To which I said "OK" even though it would have been nice to know this up front. She promptly took the pint glass and sloshed the flat beer into the smaller glass and handed it to me. I was stunned into silence as she walked away. I will never set foot in this place again and recommend that you don't either.

    (1)

  • Alexandra C.

    Drink wise, this place is great. There's a great beer selection and anyone, even people who aren't super into beer, will find something they like. Food wise, meh. I've eaten here multiple times and it is always hit or miss. If they were more consistent food wise, I would probably come here more often but right now it is more a grab drinks place in my book.

    (4)

  • Mitzi B.

    Tried to eat at Fountainhead last night. Unfortunately, we barely got in the door. We told the hostess we were a party of two. We asked how long the wait was and she told me how many people were waiting before us. I asked what was the wait she was quoting and her response was, "I'm not quoting a time. We don't know how long people will stay. Sorry." Being a former restaurant person, I was put out. Restaurant 101: train your hostess how to read the dining room to quote a wait. If she had been trained properly, she would have quoted us a wait and invited us to have a drink at the bar. She didn't; we left. We walked down the street to Troquet, where we were greeted at the door, quoted a wait, offered to have a drink at the bar and then we were seated. So simple, so easy. Fountainhead has been open for a couple of years but still making rookie mistakes.

    (1)

  • Bill H.

    Great roof top, service was good, the food was just ok. It is a limited menu on the rooftop so we did not have a very big selection. Lots of vegan & vegetarian food....not for me

    (3)

  • Robert M.

    I had a tough time with this review because Fountainhead has so much damn potential and I don't typically come on Yelp to bitch and moan about places, rather to extoll the virtues of places that I really like so other people notice them and really like them too. And I've tried really hard to give Fountainhead the chance to be part of that group, and the problem I have is that when they're on...THEY'RE ON. The first night I went here, the place was packed and I was with a group of six. The hostess was super friendly and funny and we had a conversation about our mutual last name and Scottish history. The wait wasn't terribly long and the service was incredible. Super attentive without being all up in our business. I left happy and willing to go back in a heartbeat. It's been pretty much a downward slope since then. I've typically gone on off nights and the service has been either OK or downright not good. The times I've gotten food, it's been alright. Their frites are actually legitimately awesome, but everything else is ehhhh. The real problem is the service...which is at times just confusing. The times I've gone and sat at the bar, the bartenders have been super involved...just in other things that aren't serving. The one time the bartender was attentive, he wasn't that great...when I suggest to my girlfriend that she should try a beer, that does not her order make. So when you bring her the beer I suggest without asking her what she wants, it makes me kind of turn my head. And last night, the place was pretty full. The one server working was doing her best, but there were other employees there not really doing much...and the server working really only became interested in our table when the check was brought out...which was odd. I'll probably be back because it's convenient and a pretty cool place. I just wish the service was a little better, or at least consistent.

    (3)

  • Emily H.

    Filthy food-encrusted windowsills. Screaming unattended children. Cold and obscenely salty food. Dirty silverware. Brunch was a disaster. I gave the Fountainhead two tries and all I can compliment them on is the coffee. The interior is pretty, and the napkins weren't too bad either.

    (2)

  • Lindsay W.

    Met a friend here for lunch on a Saturday, and was thoroughly underwhelmed and unimpressed. Every time we had a question about the menu, they did not have the answer and had to go check with the kitchen. This happened about 3-4 times. They were out of two things we ordered. My friend ordered a bloody marry when we ordered the meal, and we had to inquire about it twice before getting it (once we finished eating - a bit late). I had the veggie burger which was incredibly dry. My friend ordered a soup that came with toast, which wasn't brought out with the meal. When we asked about it, we didn't get it (again) until after we finished eating the meal. There were only a few other people in the restaurant when we were there, so it's not like they were busy. While the staff was very nice, they didn't seem to get much right. Unimpressive food and terrible service - I have no intention of coming back here.

    (2)

  • Joel G.

    So this place is tough to rate. Heard great things, was pumped to hit the place. The bar itself is a very cool scene. Interesting people, cool decor, not to loud but enough noise that you know you are out. The beer list is incredible, drank several beers on tap I have not seen anywhere else. Nitro pup so you can get Scottish ales and others which was great. Saw the upper roof top patio and it looks outstanding. Now this is where is goes from 5 to 3 stars real quick. The food although interesting sounding on the menu failed to deliver. Chili fries lacked much chili and I thought they were just nacho fries or something until my wife told me. I could live without much chili but they just were not very good. Fish taco's.... to be direct... sucked. I'm a huge fish taco fan so when I see one that's cod (not tillapia) and not fried I'm good to go. The tortilla was either not cooked or just not good, barely any fish, just not a quality fish taco.... disappointing. I figured oh well other stuff will make up for the taco's as it's hit or miss being in the midwest. My friends burger was ordered medium rare and came out well done. Positive note, his wife's mac and cheese was good, I unfortunately didn't try it so can't judge. My wife had the sausages which were solid. We ordered a Monkey bread for the table which was enjoyable. If you hit the place and want food the sausage plate and the Monkey bread are the way to go. Both solid but not incredible. I came for the beer, was hoping for better on the food, not sure if I will return or not, that patio looks pretty inviting and with a great beer list it would be a regular for me. Beer lists at many venues have improved dramatically so I feel as though you need to get the food right or it's just not worth the second attempt. If I wasn't a distance away I think I would still go but considering the distance I'm probably................Audi 5000! Beer, venue, patio 5 Food 2 Average 3

    (3)

  • Caroline M.

    I'm torn btwn 3/4 stars. Came here after Rib Fest for a light dinner. Since it was 95 degrees out we weren't really feeling heavy food. We got some tasty beers and lots of ice water. I went with the duck confit pasta, which they consider a small plate. It was very generous and definitely could be split as a side for 2-3 people. It was pretty good--watch out for bones :( I know ducks have little thigh bones, but yeesh that could have been a problematic situation. My vegetarian dining companion loved the veggie burger. I got to try the homemade chips, which were pretty darn good. I really loved the water guy. He knew we were parched and kept our glasses filled to the brim. I hate to compare this to other places, but I'm going to do it. The Bad Apple is a touch better all around.

    (3)

  • Katie S.

    Always a good rotating draft selection. Food downstairs is good. Tried the Cubano sandwich last time and that was not my favorite. Seemed out of place on the menu. Service is solid. Love the rooftop. Only wish they served a few more options up on the roof or took some group reservations even if just during the week or something.

    (4)

  • Sarah Z.

    The best way to experience this restaurant is in the summer on the rooftop deck. It's lovely up there and the selection of beer is strong along with nice appetizer options. Sadly, I can't be as enthusiastic about the downstairs area. I went twice over this past winter. The second time has me writing off the downstairs restaurant completely. We come in for lunch and the place is freezing. I mean really freezing. So cold that we and the other patrons were forced to sit and eat in our winter parkas. I asked repeatedly about the heat and they kept telling me it was set for 70. If that's the case, then why is everyone in parkas. We ordered several of the small plates/entrees and were surprised that the portions were minuscule for the price and also cold, stone cold. We sent everything back to get warmed, it was then warmer, but immediately got cold in the freezing restaurant air. Most of the time we couldn't even get a server to come by and check on drinks or our food. I've eaten in the restaurant three times and the service has always been bad. So, I advise you to skip the downstairs restaurant, but enjoy the rooftop bar, where even the service is better.

    (2)

  • Matilda E.

    The only reason i'm not giving fountainhead a 5 is because of the shitty death-metal music they play on the roof top. The food was good, the craft beer list was under-whelming, the cocktail list was a little better, and the service was fine.. Maybe a little slow. The music made me leave after the 1st beer, if there was something mellower playing to match the relaxing rooftop atmosphere i would have stayed longer. Sorry if this review sounds bitchy, i have a headache from this biker gang crap.

    (4)

  • Amanda C.

    Loaded spicy bloody Mary's! Very large beer selection, great casual atmosphere, and pretty funky trendy music!

    (4)

  • Richie D.

    Now this is what I call a gastropub!! And in our very own Ravenswood! Unlike O'Schaunessy, FHd has unique food items to choose from with fun names. Take, for instance, the Duck Duck Mac or the Beyond Grilled Cheese. The Bacon N Eggs chive egg salad was good but not outstanding, however, the frites are perfectly fried with each and every fry being crispy. The two accompanying dipping sauces change nightly and last nights one made of curry was delicious. Picture it: The interior is dark and fames decor similar to a medieval castle. I gotta say that the gas lamps at the entrance are inviting and neat. Yet, do know that it still maintains the pub feel with a loud atmosphere and plenty of whiskies (over 100), microbrews, and wines to choose from. The bar itself is carved of dark stained walnut wood that has a deceiving opening to the opposing side which at a first glance looks like a mirror. I personally can't wait for the second floor outdoor patio to open. I'm sure you'll see me there again soon.

    (4)

  • ILAN B.

    Excellent service, delicious food, deep beer selection. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Cozy set up. I'll definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Greg L.

    Sometimes you want to have a nice cocktail or beer and enjoy a summer day. The rooftop deck here is my favorite place in this neighborhood to do just that. In the winter, the dining room is warm and inviting. The appetizers are interesting, I like the cheese plate. Inside, the bar feels classy (but casual) as opposed to more dive bar locations nearby. The service is nice. The deck can fill up on nice days, so be patient. UPDATE: I was inside with friends on a rainy afternoon enjoying a beer and playing euchre. We had some light appetizers (pickled things were very good) and also met Chef Cletus. He is a visionary. Cletus was able to make great beer recommendations based on our taste preferences and appetizer selection. Inside has a larger selection of food options than the deck, and the options are quite enticing.

    (4)

  • Steven L.

    Fountainhead, we need you to remember that you are part of the city of a tremendous amount of fantastic restaurants and courteous wait staff, you represent neither. Your food is at best okay and your staff is simply rude. This may be the reason you're dead on a Saturday for lunch. Get over yourself and get your act together.

    (2)

  • Laura C.

    Rooftop drinking season is in full effect, despite the rain and fluctuating temps of this summer. On a cool night, we stopped by Fountainhead to check out the views, brews, and the new chef, Cleetus Friedman's menu. The roof is definitely the place to be on a clear night, with it's welcoming fireplace, and they even provide capes for the chilly nights. As a sucker for marketing, I went with the "crowd favorite" on the menu for a Lost Abbey Red Barn Ale, that our server also mentioned was on the menu because of her attachment to it. I was disappointed with how wheaty it was, almost a hefeweizen, for which I have no love. My friend ordered the ever popular Zombie Dust, only to have it run out when he requested his second beer. From the roof menu, we tried the quinoa risotto, which was super heavy on the pepper. Minus that, and it would have been delicious. Great date atmosphere, with the glow of the moon as a summery replacement for the dimly lit corner booth in the back.

    (4)

  • Jenn K.

    We came to Fountainhead on a Thursday night around 7:30PM. There were 7 of us. The place is a bit small, so we had to wait quite a while for a table. The host was really great in keeping us updated, and was sure to seat us as soon there was space. Food was pretty delicious - I had the burger. I think the star of the show is definitely their beer list. The service was really great, too. Definitely will come back!

    (4)

  • Andrea N.

    I went a few weeks and loved the ambiance and our server was outstanding. She was wonderful at making beer suggestions and the beverage list was impressive. I was there for dinner and found the menu...ok. Nothing stellar the food I had tasted was ok. I would go again to hang out and have few drinks, but not for dinner. Way to many better options within a mile for great food and beer.

    (3)

  • Avery M.

    My mind was blown by their selection of draft beers from all over the world. My new personal favorite is Hitachino from Ibaraki, Japan. Warm inviting ambience & very friendly informative staff!

    (5)

  • Kevin C.

    Taking a stroll back through my old neighborhood this is the place to stop by. A friend and I wanted to grab a few good beers after Ribfest and Fountainhead was on our minds. As we sat down my friend said to me, 'Oh remember this is a great place but they have shitty service?'. Well damn they proved us wrong and felt the need to re-up my review. With around 240 for beers to choose from you really have to look closely at the menu. I am too ADD for that. So I appreciated being able to chat with our server about what I wanted. He hit the mark, grabbed a few samples, and narrowed it down to exactly what I wanted. I like counting on the knowledge of the server to make informed decisions. Good service, good drinks, so its all good in my book.

    (5)

  • C. E.

    My husband, two kids and I came here because we were exploring the neighborhood and it started to rain. Not really kid friendly- as I would've expected, since it is a dimly lit bar. A number of other families came in after us, though. No high chairs- only booster seats. We ordered the Sunday supper of fried chicken, bleu cheese mashed potatoes, and corn bread- with a side of monkey bread. The food was pretty good. Enough for all of us and leftovers for lunch the next day. Service was decent. Menu was very limited and kind of pricey. No kids menu. Mostly burgers and bar food. Which is fine, just not my favorite. Would I go back? Yes- for a date night with my husband, or for a casual outing with (adult-aged) friends.

    (3)

  • Michael G.

    This place is great--from the food, to the drink, to the service. I am regular (whenever I am in Chicago). Cleetus is one of the most inventive chef's in the city. The staff is very knowledgable about the entire menu--and the beer and spirit menu is extensive. Also--they are very amenable if you ask for a reco and it's not to your liking. I really can't say enough about this place. It's a neighborhood joint, that is now becoming as know for it's food as it is for its drink. Bravo, Fountainhead. I am a fan.

    (5)

  • Meghan D.

    Snooze.

    (3)

  • Jacquelyn S.

    OMG, I am so glad that I do not live closer. I could not burn off these calories if I ran from Streeterville up to this place. But it is soooo tasty. Burgers, beer, high-calorie fried everything. Not really a kid place but we were early enough that they made do as well. They actually enjoyed the antics at the bar since the bartender was putting on a show for some young girls. This is now on my list of "far-north" pubs to meet clients and friends. I like to keep that list of places I know will have good food and drinks at all times. Fountainhead makes the cut easily.

    (4)

  • Katie K.

    I thought the food was decent and the beer list was great. But, the service was subpar, maybe it was because it was a Friday night and busy, but the service was basically terrible. The food was so-so, I had a burger that was overcooked. Maybe, I ordered the wrong thing. But, they do have a good selection of beer. Also, it didn't seem like they had their act together, we had to wait for an hour or so for a table, but saw empty ones constantly and not empty for a minute or two, but empty for 20 minutes. Etc. Maybe they take reservations, or something.

    (3)

  • Restaurant Vigilant E.

    Fountainhead is one of those places you really WANT to love, a beautiful facility smothered with great class and unique features - on the surface, it has everything going for it, but somehow fails to deliver. The interior is awesome! Very tastefully done - traditional, yet up to date in a style all it's own. It has one of the best selections of Whisk(e)y I have ever seen, with a bar staff who really knows their stuff. The beer selection is very extensive, with a great amount of imports, but also a huge selection of microbrews. Beveragewise, it has something for everyone. The bar staff is quite knowledgable and reasonably friendly, but their is an auro of cockiness that whafts off of them - they are VERY knowledgable, and they know it. They just opened a rooftop area which serves food (small menu exclusive to the rooftop) and has a good bar area. An absolutely beautiful addition to a beautiful bar. The menu is trendy - artisinal, hip...or, more accurately, pretencious. I have been to FH at least 5 times in the past few years since it opened, and the fact that they seem oblivious to their shortcomings makes me want to cry. Saturday I had a "house smoked duck breast pannini on ciabatta"...the duck was so smokey, it was like licking a charred stum of a tree burned by a forest fire. The brie and arugula on it - awesome, but I just could NOT get over that overpowering smokey flavor...6 hours later, I still had the taste in my mouth. Another supporting detractor were the walnuts and pine nuts in the sandwhich...ugh!?!?! What!!!??? No! I wish they had spent as much time and attention in seasoning the potato salad which tasted like....nothing. Look, the food is edible, but falls way short of expectations - but I could probably ignore that. What makes me want to flee this place at full sprint are: the floor staff and the patrons. Unlike their bar staff counterparts, the floor staff know zero - about anything. I am convinced most of them burned down an eigth in their bong 15 minutes before I walk in, and generally, they look as though they just rolled out of bed. They are slow, ineffcient, have zero knowledge, have poor customer service, are unattentive and unaccomodating. Most seem as though they are either in college, or graduated last week and have not an ounce of intelligence to show for it. The patrons: They are very nice people I am sure, but the scene is too "see and be seen" the sort of place those ladies who put on make-up before their jog with the stroller hang out. Colorful, trendy scarfs abound on the women, and newspaper boy caps don the heads of at least 25% of the men. It just feels very superficial - very yuppyish and pretencious. For it's amazing specialty bar selection, roof top lounge (complete with fireplace), great location and beautiful interior - I give this place an "average"...it really should get a "poor"....there is another spot one block away that executes the way Fountainhead should execute...

    (2)

  • Duncan S.

    The bar is decent enough with a wide range of beer selections. Some of the beers are a little pricey and not quite living up to price and description. Bar service is just OK and more functional than personal.

    (3)

  • R. P.

    Servers are rude and don't know about the menu.

    (1)

  • Jim D.

    If I could go 4.5 stars I would probably do that as I just did not totally love the sterile vibe of this place. The staff was cool and they were playing some hip music, but the look of the place is kind of like a upscale hotel lounge, not a pub or the typical type of place I would hang. That said, the food was great. I was in a group of five there on Sunday for brunch. We were introduced to the manager when we were struggling on beer selections and we liked the cut of his jib so we asked for food recommendations too. He suggested two apps (Beignets and Grits and Scallops) which we all loved and then a few main courses (Croque Madame, Pulled Pork Benedict, Phil's Hangover.) I had a rather spicy bloody mary (which was fine for me, but too spicy for at least one person at our table - "sure, I'll finish it for you.") and followed it up with 3 different draft beers, all of which were great. The person who found the bloody too spicy was given a free Beer-Mosa which was fresh OJ and a 7oz import wheat beer in a can. It was actually really, really good. Everything we had was great. Food was not super quick to come out, but it was certainly not a long wait. I would visit again in a second.

    (5)

  • Gina F.

    The only problem with Fountainhead is that I haven't spent enough time there this summer! They have good food, good cocktails, and an even better beer selection. I'm really happy they stock Zombie Dust and my beer of the summer, the Radler. The main restaurant is nice and the garden is amazing. I recommend the cheese plate--yum. They have attentive bartenders and friendly servers. Everyone on staff is always great ...except for the guy who hangs out at the bottom of the stairs. He is a pretty sullen fellow. Say hello and he doesn't even respond. Try not to be so joyless, man.

    (4)

  • Sandra T.

    I love this place, love. They have every single choice of spirits you could possibly want. The help is just awesome, friendly, helpful, patient. I had fries and they were great, even at the end of the night or should I say early morning. I will go back and try other items from the menu.

    (5)

  • Jessa P.

    I really like the atmosphere in Fountainhead. It is very intimate, and semi-romantic. I wouldn't mind coming here for a date. It's a good space for groups. And I've heard: especially fitting for bourbon and whiskey connoisseurs. I am not a bourbon or whiskey connoisseur, all I can comment on their selection is that it is quite a large one... I had a sip of my beau's old fashioned once, and whew---he did enjoy it! The food is what I am most interested in. Their menu is not large. My favorite snack is definitely their frites. What makes a cone of fries so good? The dipping sauces that come with it, I believe I had one with truffle, and another with curry. The dipping sauces are unique and creamy. And the fries are cooked and seasoned perfectly. The Crab Polenta- small plate I must say is a true favorite for many of my friends. At $10 you get a bowl of this heavenly, 'high-end version of a KFC bowl (without the potatoes). But please do not mistake this for some cheapo bowl dish. Layered perfectly are: Crab, corn, crunchy roasted pecans, and mascarpone--delicious. I also like their fish and chips- serving is small, but at $10, pretty reasonably priced and impressive in taste and texture. Good for no meat Fridays for Lenten season. Overall, it is a good experience. I would definitely recommend you check out their food menu, whilst exploring their large selection of fine bourbons, whiskey, and beer.

    (4)

  • Dhruv P.

    Its been months and the much promised signature cocktails hasn't been listed let alone developed. The menu, version 1.0, still promises that they are developing cocktails in Version 2.0. Went the other night. It wasn't too packed but our waiter felt that he could ignore us and try to make us feel stupid for asking such simple questions. Do you have that exclusive Fountainhead cocktail that started with Argyle..." and had brandied cherries? No, its not a Manhattan. No, we aren't making it up. No, we aren't on acid. Yes, we had it on at least 3 different occasion over the course of the summer. Yea, well, you think we are idiots, well give us a few minutes to get back to you on what we want (and subtract a few % on your tip too). We walk to the bar. Talk with the bartender and find out the details. And yes, the cocktail was Argyle Elixir. Yes, it was part of their signature cocktail list they were developing but dropped the whole list because they took too long to make. At least he was nice and gave some good suggestions about bourbon. Now, I know this place is all about Whiskey and Drafts. But guess what, if it is trying to aim for the discerning taste (arguably, I don't know if they even know what they want to be), come out with at least a couple of signature drinks with whiskey to highlight your seriousness. VH, Whistler, IFS have all done this. Yes, it takes time. And don't push wine. You don't seem to want to take time to make cocktails, but you think that you will have time to explain the nuances of wines to your customers? If you want to be known as a bar that focuses on the taste experience, then time is a luxury you well can afford. If you want to be a bar that just serves alcohol as fast as possible, then so be it, but why highlight large selection of whiskeys at all?

    (3)

  • Alan F.

    One of Chicago's best craft beer selections: 23 drafts and about 150 bottles (and a few cans), including a few items I don't remember encountering elsewhere in Chicago. An attractive, airy room, with large windows looking out on the Damen Avenue side. Their rooftop garden is presently closed for the winter. I haven't personally tried the food, but the menu appears to have gastropub ambitions. Also features a large selection of Scotch, Bourbon, and other whiskies. Disappointingly, not open until 4 PM on weekdays (but does have a Noon opening on Saturdays, and a 10:00 AM opening for Sunday brunch). Open until 2 AM, 3AM on Saturday night. Oh, yeah--the bartender denies that the name was intended as a reference to Ayn Rand. I imagine he gets that question a lot. Convenient to public transportation, two short blocks from the Montrose station on the Brown Line, and at the intersection of the the 78-Montrose and 50-Damen bus lines. The latter is a particular boon to pub crawlers, coming within a block or so of Piece, the Map Room, Hopleaf, and Hamburger Mary's.

    (4)

  • Susan L.

    Fountainhead is transforming itself into my new favorite place. It is a great place to wile away an evening, or to hit up before a show at Martyrs. I can't wait for the garden rooftop to open! Amazing local and small-brewery beer selection. (and many ciders, too!) Huge whiskey & bourbon offerings. And the kryptonite? A the one and only Cleetus Friedman in the kitchen whipping up some truly delicious food. Try: -the chicken wings -the bean burger -the regular burger -the pickles! -the salsa -the mac & cheese Skip: NOTHING---order more food--you won't regret it!

    (5)

  • Rafael C.

    I now have a couple of visits under my belt for this place and can appreciate how nice of an establishment Fountainhead is. The experience in the main area is very nice and hip whilst the rooftop quicks it up a notch with a nice laid back and cool vibe. They have plenty of drink choices to handle most tastes but I did find the food choices a bit limiting for the rooftop area. They have a much smaller kitchen area than the main floor so its limiting in that aspect. However, the limited options are tasty nonetheless. I definitely say it is worth checking out the rooftop when the weather is nice and you just might find another good option for hanging in style whenever you in this hood.

    (4)

  • Nicholas K.

    The food was pretty good, although my dish was served at nearly room temperature rather than hot. I had the disco stew. We liked the pickles appetizers. Beer selection was very interesting and the waitstaff recommendations were spot on. The loud heavy metal music made for an extremely unpleasant dining experience and does not seem to fit with the atmosphere of the restaurant, which otherwise is rather nice. I don't mind music, but the way too loud music here really ruined the dining experience. I'd like to come back, as conversing with friends over a few pints and a good meal really makes a good afternoon or evening for me, but I doubt I'll come back if it remains so loud.

    (2)

  • Allie T.

    I love this place. Even more I LOVE the roof deck. The food is amazing (expensive but amazing) and they have a killer drink list. Plus the staff is great.

    (5)

  • Andryea N.

    If I could, I would give Fountainhead 2.5 stars... it's definitely somewhere between Meh and A-Ok. What's wrong with this place? Mostly the food... on the rooftop deck. Why they can't offer the same great food you can get downstairs puzzles me, I mean, come on! Despite really liking the al fresco ambiance on the roof the food is really pretty disappointing. The menu sounds good but the food is pretty bland, uninteresting and expensive for what you really get. On my first visit we ordered the ceviche (mostly all tiny scallops) served in a small ramekin with fried plantains. It's more like, have some ceviche with your chips rather than the other way around! Don't bother. On my second visit to the roof my partner ordered the Pork Tacos and I ordered the Shrimp Noodle Salad. Again, disappointing! When our meals came the noodles in my salad were hard and undercooked. I sent it back which took FOREVER! When it finally did arrive is was mostly a huge bowl of overdressed noodles with possibly 6 medium sized shrimp, some random red pepper strips and grilled zucchini (?)... definitely meh. The only savings grace was that management came over to our table, apologized for the mishap and took both of our entrees off our tab. They did the right thing and for that I am grateful but it's their loss because I will not go back up to the roof to eat which is too bad because I am always on the lookout for a warm weather patio that's not situated between parked cars, traffic and pedestrians. Go for the beer, wine, drinks and ambiance of the deck... not the food (at least on the roof). Also, another curiosity, during my last visit I noticed they serve A LOT of families. I was multiple tables inside and out filled with at least two or more children at each. Maybe it was the time of day (5pm Saturday evening) but that's just too weird... kids in a bar type atmosphere? Hmmmm. At any rate, I've grown more and more dissatisfied with each subsequent visit there.

    (2)

  • Suzanne P.

    OMG. Over this place. I came here on Friday night hoping to sit and drink on their new outdoor patio. My sister was in town, and I wanted to show her a great Chicago gastro-pub. I had invited lots of my friends to join us, and I am fully aware of the fact that it was a Friday night with a large party. We showed up about 45 minutes before my friends were arriving, anticipating that we would be waiting for a while. I approached the hostess and inquired about getting a large table on the roof deck. She sighed heavily, and blatantly rolled her eyes at me, as if I had just ruined her night. Um, I've been a hostess before at a much larger, much busier restaurant in DC, and if we rolled our eyes at a customer, we would most likely be released for the evening and told not to come back. She told me that it would be a while, and that the roof was not open. I told her that was fine. She kept rolling her eyes and didn't even take my name down. We left, went elsewhere, and spent a ton of money drinking all night. Whoever manages this place should have a serious talk with this hostess. Her eye rolling cost hundreds of dollars in our business. And I won't be back. And believe me, I filled my friends in on her rudeness. I don't feel the need to attempt the roof deck again. There are plenty of places in this neighborhood that don't give you a bad attitude and have outdoor seating.

    (1)

  • Erika G.

    Went back for the food - one more star, duly noted. A good friend had a baby and turned 40. That means burgers and pink champagne! Giant beer lists are somewhat lost on me, but if you like that kind of thing, they have a GIANT beer list that would make any member of the beer fraternity happy. Four of us descended on the joint on a busy Friday night. Two were early, so a bottle of pink champ was popped out on the bar while we waited for our other two. They have a really delicious Spanish Gran Serao Cava Rose for $19 a bottle that is perfect. Dish on that for awhile. Appetizers - all we wanted were the fantastic pomme frites (fries!) with garlic aioli. Now, this is where FH one-ups Hopleaf just a bit (strike me dead!). Not only do they have a delish garlic aioli, but several other . . . aiolis as well. Oh hell, I'm just gonna call 'em "sauces" 'cos they are not technically aiolis. What they technically are is . . . irresistible. One had bacon in it, if I'm not mistaken. One was a wasabi mayo and one had tons of dill. When we ran out of fries to dip, we were all tempted to lick the little dishes clean! Because we know our manners, though, we refrained. But, Mon Dieu!! We all had burgers. By the time we ate, we were five, and she got a burger too. The two veggies got the Black Bean burger, and this was the best looking vegetarian burger I've ever seen. It looked positively . . . meaty! The bite I snuck confirmed what I suspected . . . delicious. The other burgers were . . . sublime. Pretzel buns - which I am always a big fan of - and perfectly medium rare done. Juicy without being sloppy. Substantial without being vulgar in size. Nicely presented. The sides - sweet potato chips and the fries - salty and great. They do fries really well here. Our server seemed inattentive. However, I'm not going to fault him for this, when I noticed that he seemed to be taking care of ALL the tables with only one other guy. So, realizing that, he did a good job with our table . . . who were sometimes too busy with girltalk to oh, look at menus and decide what we wanted! I don't quite see myself being a regular at this place 'cos it's a bit far away, though it is only a short walk from the Montrose Brown Line. But, I definitely will be back.

    (4)

  • Micheal S.

    #NAME?

    (2)

  • Dan G.

    So this place has some great drinks. Tasty beers always on tap, a great bottle list, and whiskey you have always wanted to try. As a bar it is good. Though the bar area is tiny. I would drink here on an off night. Now the food. A different story. Overpriced bar food that is passed of as being "gourmet" or "gastropub-esque". This is not the case. There are 1000s of better bar food places in the city. Just disappointing. They seems to have a idea of what kind of food they want but it just isn't executed whether it is the prep, the quality of food, or just lack of knowledge, something is missing in the meal department. I'd give this place a 2.5 if I could but I have to round it down because of the disappointing meals. So if you come for drinks you happy if it's food ye are after, you may wanna set sail else where.

    (2)

  • Jenny K.

    Surely this spot is better in milder months, when the rooftop is open. Also probably on a weeknight. But on a recent Friday night and it was crowded and loud as all get-out. They don't take reservations for parties fewer than 6. A fireplace in the corner is a mood enhancer, but the hubbub overshadowed it. The "guac" is good but don't get it if you're expecting actual guacamole. The winter root vegetable & tofu entree is tasty and extremely dense - no appetizer needed.

    (3)

  • Kat W.

    Being a big fan of BOB, and living a block away I really really wanted to like Fountainhead. Yes the drink menu is great - but that's about the only thing I like about the place. The food is OK, the service is OK, but it's just too pretentious for my liking. And the clientele is way too hip for this neighborhood. So while people pay way too much for food and beer, I'll be at one of the other bars in the neighborhood.

    (3)

  • Santiago A.

    I could go on and on about how great their food and beer and whiskey menu is... but it would probably be nothing that you haven't already heard about this place. Let's face it, Fountainhead is great! If you like food and drinks, then you need to check this place out (why haven't you already??). If you have already been here, then isn't it time you visited again? You'll be glad you did. Really, I'll leave you with this one thing: Monkey bread. If you frequent Fountainhead, then you probably know what I'm talking about and whole-heartedly agree - amazing bread! Gorgonzola-bacon pull apart bread with a side of sausage gravy. Delicious way to start the undoubtedly enjoyable meal you will have here. Excellent, excellent place!

    (5)

  • Vanessa R.

    We headed here on a Wednesday night w/ a party of 3 for dinner and it was packed! Apparently this place is busy regardless of the day of the week (every time I've passed by it's full). Fortunately we were able to get one of the last large tables available and avoided a wait. Tip: call ahead & make a reservation for dinner. Atmosphere: What a great pub. Loved the atmosphere - from the high ceilings, exposed brick, lots of mahogany, candles to even a fireplace; definitely inviting. I had my eye on the comfy looking booths but I guess we'll have to get there earlier next time. One small gripe: there are cooling vents everywhere that blow directly on you and it made it feel really cold. Definitely was wishing we were sitting by the fireplace towards the end of the meal! Drinks: With almost 200 different bottles and another 20+ beers on tap, this place gives Hopleaf a run for its money. Don't like beer? Don't worry; they have lots of wine, whisky, tequila and even mead (if you want to feel like a Viking). Food: We passed on ordering an appetizer and instead ordered some bacon nuts, a mixed assortment of nuts w/ bacon brittle... not impressed. The nuts were a little too smoky for my taste as was the brittle. For dinner, I ordered the Sambal Chicken sandwich and it was fantastic! Spicy marinated organic chicken breast topped with pineapple & red onion chutney to give it a nice kick of flavor. All sandwiches come with your choice of fries, red slaw or sweet potato chips. I opted for the frites and they were excellent as well - thin, crispy and just the right amount of salt. This place is perfect for you beer aficionados out there; a bonus too is that they have a good selection of food for a gastro pub (usually I'm not a fan of the "artisanal" food). Can't wait to return & hit up the new rooftop garden this summer (as I'm sure half the neighborhood is)!

    (4)

  • B C.

    This is a 3-star establishment with a big chance of going up to 4 stars next time. Our servers (two of them helping us out tag team style) were always nearby and eager to help out. The beer list is extensive and loaded with unusual, rare options. The setup of the restaurant feels like a wood paneled library turned bar with a decent number of tvs - good for watching a game while also carrying on a conversation. The bad part, and the reason for the 3 star review, was the food. I got the chicken sandwich. It was burnt black and crispy, topped with a cold jelly marmalade type of sauce. It was gross, and I normally have a high tolerance for sub-par bar food. I'm pretty sure I could have made something better at home myself. The other people at my table had much more luck with their orders. They all got burgers, which were big and well-prepared. I get the impression I had bad luck with my order, and I should give Fountainhead another shot with a different menu item. All the other elements of this restaurant were worthy of a 4 star, or possibly even a 5 star rating.

    (3)

  • Thomas I.

    Ordered the black bean burger. Not good. Those sweet potato chips. Not good. Beer reccomendation. Not good. Dont come, not worth going 2.

    (2)

  • Beth R.

    Stellar. Fountainhead lived up to the expectations my Favorite had planted with his report from an earlier visit. For eaters: The veggie burger is everything good about a homemade veggie burger. They list black beans first, but they do not dominate the other ingredients, including wheatberry, sweet corn and rolled oats. The patty is dense but crumbly, and very substantial. I could taste the health, but in a good way. Could it pack more flavor, or perhaps a custom spread on top? Possibly, but on all other counts, a great burger. The sweet potato chips are the best I've had. They are huge, crunchy, not-too-thin, and have just enough salt. There was no greasiness. None. For eaters of dessert: The bread pudding with chocolate and nuts is so good you might go cross-eyed. For drinkers: The drink menu contains pages upon pages of beer listings, each with a description of type as well as specific notes about individual selections. There were several holidays brews offered as well. If you want to learn more about beer, I suggest you smuggle this menu out and study it at home. There were also many listings for liquors and non-beer options including (paging Melanie S.) Scrumpy's Cider. For drinkers of tea: The tea is Julius Meinl. Props for a quality choice. For your senses of sight, sound, and touch: The atmosphere on this late afternoon in December was cozy, dark and warm. My Favorite found the tall boy chairs uncomfortable after awhile, and truth be told, the booths look much cozier. The music was an 80s mix that was heavy on the Bowie. Sweet. The ladies' room had pretty wooden, almost Craftsman-like stalls, like what I'd want in my home if it were to have pubic restrooms. I also have it on good authority that the Dalmore Scotch stag in the men's room has had a red beer bottle cap affixed to his nose for the holiday season. I love this.

    (4)

  • Chris R.

    The beer list was exceptional and very well-organized. We decided to get a couple appetizers-the pickled things and the pint of fries. The pickled things were very good. It included not only pickles, but also jicama, mushrooms, and brussel sprouts. The fries were average and for the price you do not get very many. The horseradish aioli that accompanies the fries is exceptional! However, the homemade ketchup does not have enough substance and just seems like bottled ketchup with water. Lastly, the service was horrible! The restaurant had many six tables filled and it took at least 10 minutes to receive our beers. The waitress rarely checked in on us, and did not make any suggestions on what to try off the menu.

    (2)

  • Hagene L.

    The beer selection and atmosphere of this place are great. Definitely a place to go to catch up with friends. But I thought the food was just okay. I thought some of the food I tasted was good, and some foods could have been better, especially for the price.

    (3)

  • Anthony Z.

    The place looks great. Really transports you and makes you feel like you are in London. The beer selection is solid, but not something you would have a hard time finding elsewhere. The food....well, I would rather not think about it. Salted nuts were burnt. Cheese and crackers consisted of a foamy ball of cheese mixed with ale served slightly warm with homemade crackers. Cheese consistency was not appealing and had an icky mouthfeel. Pulled pork sandwich was literally half globules of fat. Jerk chicken sandwich was the best of the bunch, but was just okay. Won't return. For a similar vibe, Longman and Eagle is preferable.

    (1)

  • David R.

    It is such a rare, transportive pleasure to walk for the first time through the doors of a place which seems to have been architected from the longings of one's own subconscious and breathed into existence by a benevolent publican-god for one's own specific comfort and enjoyment. If I were asked to describe my ideal bar-restaurant, my dream would hardly stray from the exquisite manifestation of Fountainhead. Perhaps it's because I first experienced it in late-afternoon twilight on a rainy November, but this seems like the ideal spot in which to spend hour upon wintry hour. Dim light from cast-iron fixtures; heavy drapes on the windows; merlot-colored wall paint; tasteful, judiciously deployed beer, wine, and spirits advertisements and signage both vintage and contemporary; a handsome bar where the bottles are kept for display as much as for storage and use; and square foot upon copious square foot of dark wood furniture and trim. So much for first impressions. Does she stack up to a prolonged visit? Well, to begin with, any beer enthusiast can eagerly sink his teeth into their draft menu. It's almost de rigeur to find a place with twelve or fifteen respected local and regional microbreweries: that's a good beer list. Fountainhead far exceeds that benchmark. I've never heard of many of the brands; the constantly evolving menu is chock-full of specialty brewings, seasonal selections, and glorious experiments. (And a few local and regional favorites too.) This is the kind of list on which you might find an obscure old friend or through which you might discover a new one. And if drinking excellent beer and soaking up the ambiance aren't enough (although often they will be), you can eat from their surprisingly sophisticated food menu. Beet salad and bread pudding? Another sign that Fountainhead was designed with me in mind. The beet salad tasted fine but suffered from an engineering deficiency: the main component being frisee, all the smaller and heavier bits such as the beet cubes and yummy hazelnuts fell immediately to the bottom of the bowl ne'er to be seen again until I had eaten a large portion of nearly plain frisee. But hard work was rewarded when I was able to get an ingredient-balanced bite onto my fork. On another visit I ate the tantalizing Swine Swoon sandwich: beer-braised pork shoulder on sourdough with aged cheddar, mustard, and pickle chunks. I asked for easy on the cheese, and the resulting proportions of my sandwich were perfect. I was very surprised at the quality of the pork: this is a nine-dollar sandwich that could easily cost thirteen and tastes like a million. Glorious. And how about that bread pudding? Well, for one thing they use porter-soaked rye and sourdough--brilliant. For another, it contains caramel AND chocolate, which is cheating in my book. So I can't rate them compared to most other bread puddings, but I can tell you that I struggled to resist the urges to lick the bowl and to kiss the baker responsible. I haven't even scratched the surface. The bacon and gorgonzola monkey bread is in my future. As is the macaroni and cheese. And the scallops. And the frites. Oh, and the burger. If the pork sandwich is any indication, future meals (and there will be many) will be a delight. The only thing holding them back from a pristine five-star review is the painfully slow and disinterestedly stone-faced service. At a place whose aesthetic makes me feel this warm and happy, I would like their staff to complement that experience. I had the same waitress both times, so hopefully in the future other servers will do better. I certainly plan to be back again. And again and again and again.

    (4)

  • Keith A.

    I've driven by here and have been around here so often it's almost become a joke for me that I haven't been here. So, what was my reasoning this time, the half acre big hugs release. Eh, we all need excuses for one thing or another, right? So, even with my somewhat lame excuse for finally coming here, I finally did go here. And I liked it a lot. It was a sunday morning around 11:30 and there was a pretty relaxed and laid back crowd in there already. I naturally wanted some beer, so beer it was. I liked their draft list a lot that I didn't even bother looking at their bottle list. I did notice some bottles in a fridge and was liking what I saw in there as well. But, it was all about beer from a tap for moi. The draft list may not have been massive (I think it was about 10-15 deep), but everything looked good to try. That wasn't happening, so I settled on a porter from a michigan producer that I wasn't familiar with. I also need to talk about the food. While my friend and I just ordered the beignets and I ordered the grits, what we had was quite good. We were in for a long day of beer drinking, so a lot of heavy food wasn't going to happen early for us. But, the beignets were really really good. I don't have much to compare them to, but last long they did not. The grits were excellent as well. I'm not a grits nit, but I did enjoy every bit of them. I loved the general feel here. It was relaxed and made you want to drink (shocker, right). The service was also excellent as well. They let us do our thing and it was never hard to get ahold of them either.

    (4)

  • Tom T.

    Love the balcony area! There's a separate bar up there which is ingenious; it eliminates the need to go back to the main floor to get your drinks. I recommend the seasonal beers; they always have a great and tasty selection.

    (3)

  • Josh S.

    They've added a totally bad ass beer garden! G r e a t summer spot. This place is one menu refresh away from perfection. I wish the food had more flavor and less fussiness (disregard what I said earlier about the food). That said, the rooftop beer garden menu is good.

    (4)

  • Jackie O.

    With a drink list from here to Sunday and weekly pairing events - I really want to like this place. Recently, I stopped in here on a Thursday. It was about a 5-minute wait for a two-top table. Our busser greeted us with waters as soon as we were sat, and after one round of waters, our waitress was nowhere to be seen. With minds made up about drinks, and dinner - we figured as a precaution we should order an appetizer. If the kitchen was half as slow as the rest of the service - my stomach would be predominately old-fashioned. That spells bad news for everyone! While our waitress was polite, our drinks came at different times. My boyfriends soda only was refilled by the busser when he had time. My drink was emptier longer than I'd like. Our appetizer came out one minute before the food (two thumbs up for the monkey bread!). It was so disappointing, because everything was so delicious. Maybe I'll try again when it is slower?

    (3)

  • August B.

    It took me a coup of grand at the Bar on Buena to figure these guys out. first off if you like to drink, head to the roof. Second off if you like to drink don't read the menu... ask. Third...I'm not going to tell you what that means. I will tell you this place has made my troika of Chicago bars. The cheese....(I'm dreaming now)

    (5)

  • Rita W.

    Do yourself and all bread lovers a favor and make sure you get the monkey bread. My BF had told me how awesome this monkey bread was but I was a little hesitant about it since I do not like bacon or gorgonzola cheese and both of them items are in the monkey bread. The monkey bread came out very warm and soft and a little gooey, which are my most favorite things about freshly baked bread. It was warm and just cheesy enough not to be overpowering, and I actually liked the smokiness of the bacon in the bread. The sausage gravy had big chunks of sausage and I pretty much enjoyed the gravy not only on my bread, but I also ate it by itself...I know kinda gross but it was that good! For our entrees, I ordered the swine (pork belly) sandwich. This sandwich was packed full of pork and had chunks of pickle in it. I wish the chunks of pickles could have been smaller as it was hard to eat since the pickles kept sliding out of the sandwich when I would pick it up, but I really enjoyed the pickles flavor with the pork. My BF got the mac and cheese with duck confit. It was less like mac and cheese and more like pasta with duck confit and sun dried tomatoes but it was still prett y good. Fountain head has an awesome beer and whiskey selection. Their beer and whiskey menu is the same thickness of a large textbook! We each both got two beers (two beers we each had never had) and were pleased with both of our selections. We left Fountain head with very very full but happy stomachs.

    (4)

  • Beth A.

    with how much i luv bobs (aka bar on buena) i cant believe its taken me this long to make my way to fountainhead the beer and menu selection run aplenty thou i find it odd that there is a completely separate menu if u choose to sit and order on their beautifully decorated but poorly designed patio (see awkward benches with roughage whackin ya in the head) everyone who greeted us was very pleasant and its so cute that they brew suntea :) food orders came out rather slowly considering there were about 5 groups of ppl in the place...portabello panini was delish but next time id skip the multigrain salad...way too vinegar-y for my taste (psst if i were fountainhead id serve it with a balsamic reduction) all in all a fine lil spot that im sure ill head back to shortly

    (4)

  • Stephenie L.

    Last night we hosted a surprise party for my boss at Fountainhead and the staff at Fountainhead were amazing. Our group ended up being larger than we had expected and the staff was nice and accommodating as we took over some more space. Our server was an absolute rockstar and was able to keep our bills all separate. I had already been to Fountainhead and knew that the food and beer would be a hit but I was blown away by the service.

    (5)

  • Kristina K.

    Didn't try the food only had drinks on the roof top which I must say was definitely a place I would go back to again very soon! The rood top was awesome!

    (4)

  • Carol K.

    Fountainhead is defined as "the source". Well if beer and whiskey are what you are looking for along with great, unexpected food, then this is certainly, "the source". I stopped in spontaneously on a Sunday night hoping to grab a burger and a beer. Unfortunately I was out of luck on the burger as the kitchen was closing in 20 minutes so the best they could do was something off of their appetizer menu. The best they could do? I thought I was giving up something until my order of mussels with andouille sausage and garlic came fragrantly over to my seat in a cute little pot with crusty bread and a cone of seasoned fries with two different sauces. The best they could do? Well let me tell you- it was really good and if this is the size of a "starter" my suggestion to you is to split it with someone as I was unable to finish it. The regular menu has some unexpected offerings as well such as duck confit, hangar steak, mac and cheese and a range of sandwiches and burgers. The other funny moment came when I ordered my beer. I know this is a place for craft beers and whiskeys (27 beers on tap should have been my clue along with 8 Rye whiskeys) so when I absentmindedly ordered a Miller Lite- the bartender nicely steered me toward something he "wanted me to try". He picked a lovely Pilsner and I was redeemed! The interior is contemporary, if a little stark. Dark woods, booths and tables make for a place that will be perfect to linger awhile during the cooler months. Street parking on this stretch of Montrose was fairly easy. And the total bill for those wonderful mussels and beer was only around $20 so the price is right as well. Next time you find yourself hankering for a little gastropub action and want a range of whiskeys to make your day right- check out Fountainhead. If you go on a weekend night- word has it you may have to wait awhile. But let me tell you- it's worth it.

    (4)

  • Jess L.

    ** 3.5 stars ** I came here at about 1am on a Saturday night. The crowd was already starting to thin out -- something I appreciated -- but also, it was still hard to get someone's attention. After getting our own menus, we ordered some drinks with our elusive waitress. We also asked if we could bring in our own food since the kitchen was closed. At first confused, she quickly conceded. (Major points there!) Definitely an awesome beer selection, but I imagine a big portion of the clientele is here for the great whisky selection. (The menu includes a lot of descriptions and rankings.) The crowd is late 20's and mostly 30's -- a bit older than I expected (maybe because of the neighborhood?). Definitely a souped up gastropub vibe. Glad I could check it out. Next time, I hope to taste the food.

    (3)

  • Scott W.

    What more can i say that hasn't already been said? These guys have it down. The beer selection (i.e. Lagunitas Waldo Special!!), the food, the space and the staff are all outstanding. Our table of 12 had a truly enjoyable time. I look forward to coming back to Fountainhead.

    (5)

  • Andrea B.

    As Ricky Ricardo would say: "Fountainhead, you've got some 'splaining to do!!" But seriously, what gives? I took my friend here for brunch again because I had such an awesome experience the first time around. It was slightly busier this time, but the menu was still the same, and the wait staff "seemed" to be getting stuff done. This was all before we waited by the front door at least 5 minutes in order to be seated as there was clearly a sign that said "please wait to be seated." Duh, we can read. We can wait. But it's almost unforgivable when no one said hi, no one greeted us, and no one bothered to escort us to a table, even though it was painfully clear that everyone saw us. Even the waiter who came right up to a table near us to refill water glasses just walked on by once he was done. My friend then proceeded to grab two menus and we sat ourselves down. We were given water and our drinks but then waited AGAIN before our food orders were taken.I really wanted the french toast, but...::gasp:: they were all out. The waitress then proceeded to tell me how good they were. Why would I care if I can't have any? Now i'm just disappointed and my friend's first impression of fountainhead is going completely downhill. I ordered the hash instead, which is what my boyfriend had last time so i wasn't that thrilled to have to eat more of it this time around (why i just didn't order something else is beyond me, but I can't change that). And then...we waited forever for food to arrive. Our waitress didn't check on us. It was getting late and we had a long agenda of things to do later in the day, so it was a matter of looking at the kitchen every 5 minutes to see if our food was up. When the food did arrive, my egg was overcooked, but since we had no time for me to whine and send it back, I ate what I could of it. Yes, I know i sound like I am complaining too much, but it makes no sense that one minute I can have a completely amazing experience and the next I never want to come back. Now all I really want to only ever go there to get a few drinks and then leave. Although even that might be too hard for the staff to follow through on.

    (2)

  • Eric S.

    Miserably bad service. I have stopped in here 4-5 times over 4-5 years and every visit is the same. Takes forever for a waiter to come around and take your order. When your order comes out it is wrong. No amount of re-working the menu or beer list will ever make up for the incompetence of the wait staff.

    (1)

  • Robert S.

    Menu (perhaps even kitchen staff) has changed and not for the better. Fried pickles are always a plus, but everything else has taken a significant drop off. The burgers are dry and they along with the fries are quite salty. They are also fairly expensive, but the toppings and other accoutrements are lacking. The veggie burger, in addition to being sahara dry, tastes primarily of burned oats and the bun is too much. Avoid the coleslaw. Presentation and preparation have really suffered, it is such a shame. The atmosphere is still excellent, but the food is now a pass and I sadly suggest you go elsewhere for dinner. Still a great place for drinks though!

    (3)

  • Jessica G.

    I'm not going to give this place a 5 automatically because our friend, Nick, works there. I will, however, give it 4 based on the experience that we had, which was a very good one. It's a very cozy space and while it was apparently not too crowded last night and the sound level was pretty good, I can imagine it might get a smidge loud so don't think you're going to get normal restaurant level quiet. The beverage list is impressive. I don't really drink very much but I will tell you that there are some extremely knowledgeable people in this establishment who really know their stuff when it comes down to it and you will get a great recommendation. As for the food, we tried several different plates - the menu apparently changes on a regular basis but the items we had were quite tasty. I was glad for and of our food not to be overly salty and my only real complaint is that some of the items were a bit inconsistent - i.e. the duck confit pasta could have used some additional cheese sauce but the pasta was cooked perfectly and the sort of lentil and (I think) sweet potato hash that came with the chicken had a kind of odd texture, though it was pretty tasty. The cheese plate and charcuterie plate were made of win and the monkey bread was phenomenal. My favorite thing was the wee andouille pie, which has a great flavor and a bit of a kick to it. Overall, very comfortable and cozy atmosphere and very good food that just needs a little refinement. Very good service, too, which I think we would have gotten even if we weren't friends with someone who works there. Somewhere I will want to go back to!

    (4)

  • Andrea L.

    Great selection of beer and wine. Every time I've been there, the food has been delicious. I am constantly referring people to this place. My favorite dish is there salmon with lemon butter seasoning, capers, quinoa, and asparagus. It's amazing!!!! Highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Howard C.

    I don't know what is happening with this place but the food used to be so much better. It was 2 of us, we were seated on the smaller bar tables with the high chairs. We had the Meat and Cheese plate, Mussels and Crab cake burger. The beer selection is alway great, had a smooth stout...the Meat and Cheese plate arrived and it was the best thing of the evening, but we could not enjoy it because 5 mins later the rest of our food came. Being asian I am used to suffering in silence, but my partner was more vocal and asked the waitress to remove it so we could enjoy our appetizer, before she did, I took a peek of the mussels, it was in a coved pot which I opened, 2 pieces of bread was on top of it and it smelled delicious, could not wait to try it. This incident left a bad taste on our mouth and ruined the flow for everything else, when they brought our food it appeared that it was sitting somewhere and the waitress said the kitchen warmed it up....thanks...how about making it fresh??? I love mussels and have eaten a lot them through the years and I can honestly say that these where the worst mussels I have ever had, why....most were over cooked and under seasoned and where was the bread? Crab cake burger nothing special. We should have done grub hub.

    (2)

  • Patrick S.

    UPDATE- Moved back to the hood to find Fountainhead is now... Meh. Sure they have an amazing (and expansive) beer and whiskey offerings. But it is nothing that Bad Apple down the street can't provide, with more charm and sass. They also don't have a full bar so if you are looking for orange juice and Malibu like my trashy hungover friend Rich... BEWARE! The kitchen and the quality of service is REALLY what is slipping here and could be detrimental to this place in the long run. Especially with so many other places nearby offering the same thing. The kitchen was slow, food portions & quality were inferior to my previous experiences. A once playful and informative staff has become mechanical and uninterested. Also, when they opened there was talk of rooftop seating. Where is the rooftop seating!!! And none for you.

    (2)

  • Ken L.

    Love the outdoor seating on the upper patio roofdeck. Love the natural ambiance it provides in an urban setting. The wait staff was exceptional for our large group. Of course, then there is the beer selection of which there is no close comparison in the area. They simply have more than enough options to please even the pickiest of palates. Again, sitting out on this roof deck on a beautiful summer evening with your pals is hard to beat. I give three stars simply because the food menu is different on the roof deck. If you want to eat a hardy meal and enjoy their great food, you must sit inside on the main level. The food menu offered on the patio roofdeck is limited and just doesn't seem to fit the mood. Sheep cheese, olives and paninis are more "inside" fancier fare and less casual. Although, the Pork Tacos do keep the options grounded. I've been here once before in the winter and the atmosphere is warm and inviting on the inside. Their burger is worth the revisit for sure.

    (3)

  • Jaime M.

    Our server, Joseph was great. No complaints on service. This place looked cool and I had always wanted to visit so I decided to give it a try. I ordered a sandwich with fries and the first thing I noticed was, how can ketchup have no flavor? Was that home-made ketchup that was completely unseasoned and kind of runny? On to the chicken wings (I ordered their "hot" version), no flavor once again! No spice, no kick, definitely not "hot"...mmmm, two strikes. The turkey on focaccia sandwich I had...bland. That's it, not fair Fountainhead. Is it that hard to put some flavor in your food? Seems that people go there mostly for the rooftop patio, and maybe to drink?

    (2)

  • Charlee K.

    Is everyone else on crack or is Fountainhead's chef paying for good reviews. Beer, liquor and wine menu is OUTSTANDING!! However, the FOOD SUCKS at the bar, FOOD SUCKS at a table and the FOOD IS SO BAD on the rooftop last summer, I sent it back. Go there for drinks and walk to FORK or BAD APPLE for food.

    (2)

  • Allen B.

    There are a lot of mixed reviews about this place, but from my two visitations, my experiences have been good. However, I've only gone there to have a drink.....or seven. They have an extensive beer collection, that in which has intrigued me about this place. During busy hours I can understand that it would be a little difficult to catch the bartender's attention, but during the off hours, they're pretty much all yours. Great decor and feel, both I consider a major plus. Nothing like enjoying a drink in a joint that resembles a gastropub that you would see in England. Because those pubs are more genuine with a hint of history behind them. I gave Fountainhead "3 stars." I feel that they need to work out some kinks in their customer service. Afterall, in this industry aren't we, the customers, considered the "make or break" situations?

    (3)

  • Roseann M.

    Back to Fountainhead on a cold winter's night, with a much more congenial companion, and I am a happy girl. We had a couple drinks, dinner, and a very nice time. Foundtainhead feels very warm and cozy on aforesaid cold night. We sat at a table, far away from the door, to preserve what little body heat we had when we got off the icy street. The beer menu is pretty intimidating. I went with a Roge American Amber Ale. Very good, and $5.00. My friend had a glass of red grenache wine, which he liked. We had a very professional waitress named Kristin, who was efficient, prompt, and friendly. Two visits, two good servers - either the manager is hiring excellent people, or they have a training program that weeds out the losers. I had the smoky mac and cheeese without the added duck confit, and my friend had the burger. His burger was cooked exactly as he asked. He didn't leave a crumb. The mac and cheese was good, but nothing memorable. It tasted like they used a smoked cheedar, and that was good. The macaroni was cooked perfectly. Nothing wrong with it, just nothing remarkable. I certainly ate the whole thing. Comfort food is wonderful on a cold, cold night. But I'll probably try something else the next time I come. Fountainhead - at least on a week night - is a friendly, inviting, welcoming brew pub with good bar food. It's a very good fit for Ravenswood because it's priced well, has a wide variety of alcoholic selections (I like that too!), and is unpretentious. I'll go again, gladly. This could easily become my place in the neighborhood where I can rely on the quality, competitive costs, and selection.

    (4)

  • Colleen C.

    Who knew Bar on Buena and Fountainhead were siblings!? Well, they are. Same owners, same great beer lineup...but Fountainhead definitely has a leg up on the food offerings. Old Lincoln Ave: sausages, mustard, pickled cabbage, rye bread. Quite tasty, quite German...and quite well-priced at around $14.95. A nice little split between my friend and I, plenty of food for an appetizer, almost...too much! OHHHHH, the beer! Well, I didn't have any. I know, total fail...right? Well, makr my words I'll be back for a few good brews. This day in particular, some cava was calling my name. And lo and behold, there's a pretty decent bottle for...$19. Yep, for the bottle. Served super chilled, and super bubbly. Mmmmmmm. Well done, and props on the offering. Our service was most excellent...she kindly kept checking back on us until we caved on the Old Lincoln Ave plate (a wise decision), and was dutiful and friendly from start to finish. The ambience is dark and refined. Sleek, yet...comfortable. Shiny and new, and certainly a beautiful new addition to this great neighborhood. It replaced an ugly old eye sore, but left the historic building facade in tact, three cheers for marrying the old with the new and injecting some brewwwwww-ha-ha into this corner. Things I'll return for; BEER, the rooftop beer garden (is it real?), the back room. FIlls up quickly (we snagged a seat by getting there at 5pm), so be prepared/patient, or put your name in and pop up to the bar or walk around the charming 'hood. Transport: *Brown Line Montrose *50 Damen, 78 Montrose, Lincoln bus routes Street parking (meters and NON-permit) fairly easy BOB's little bro, Fountainhead, might just give 'em a run for their money. However, as with all siblings I think harmony can be achieved. Different talents, great beer.

    (4)

  • Teri G.

    I've been here a few times, last night was the first time I had dinner here. I think their beer menu has improved a bit, lots of variety and beers from breweries you know but haven't necessarily had. The beer menu is like 6+ pages, and range from 4-18% ABV. I had The Bruery Autumn Maple and a Lagunitas Wet Dog, good stuff. We shared some appetizers, the crab/corn/polenta dish, monkey bread, and fries. The crab small plate was excellent and accomodated someone's gluten free needs at the table. Fries were tasty, served with malty aioli. For dinner I had the black bean burger. It had good consistency and spice. I like the variety of toppings available, I had gouda and avocado. Others at the table seemed to enjoy their food, the broccoli harvest dish also looked good. Service was consistent, no complaints. They seemed to be timely with my drinks which is a good thing. The decor is dark, everything is wooden, like you should be hanging out with monks drinking.

    (4)

  • Jon P.

    Four starts overall.....Five stars for a beautiful rooftop deck. A great place to go on a Friday night, even if its cold as it is partially enclosed with heaters. 3 stars for the food...wasn't extremely impressed. Come here on a nice night, skip the restaurant and head upstairs.

    (4)

  • Alexa H.

    I can't complain about the beer. Great selection, plus we were there for the debut of some delicious new Half Acre brews. I wish there were a few cheap options--or you could do what I did and stick to one beer. Atmosphere is fine and it is close to me. The waiter was great once we had settled into our table, but getting seated was a mess. He was not happy about our large party and that did not make me feel great. But he was very kind & attentive when he knew he was stuck with us. The 2 stars is really for the food. I wish someone would give the guys in the back a salt shaker. Everyone at my table wanted a salt fix--for the burgers, the black bean burgers and the shepherd's pie. I think the pork sandwich and the sausages were the only meals salty enough. The fries were also tiny and not too crunchy and in need of salt. I spent my day anticipating a burger & fries and while Fountainhead's dish curbed the craving, it did not excite me at all.

    (2)

  • Katie P.

    I almost didn't go to Fountainhead last night after reading so many bad reviews, but I'm so glad that I gave it a try anyway! It was 8pm on a Saturday and fairly packed, but I was still very pleased with the service. Split the fries and a crème brulée with a friend - both very nice. I had the chicken wings, which is probably an odd choice for a gastro pub, but that's what I wanted. They were excellent - and even better - there were so many! Excellent value. My friend had the mac and cheese, and was very happy with her entree. Three more of our friends showed up after we'd already finished our meals, and the staff didn't skip a beat to serve them promptly. I'll definitely be back. I should probably give five stars, but this is my first review, so I'm trying not to go overboard.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    The food was decent, but Fountainhead's main attraction is the rooftop patio! It's gorgeous up there. It's an urban oasis with a full bar, high top tables, regular tables with bench seating, flower pots and an outdoor fireplace. It was the perfect spot to spend a warm summer evening and it had great neighborhood vibe. No douchebags in sight! I also enjoyed my ginger peach cider straight from the tap. They have a huge selection of beer!

    (4)

  • Eliza B.

    Nice rooftop seating, but the stairs are steep. Descending them was treacherous. I would suggest bringing your own grappling hooks and rope. Not impressed by the food. The mac and cheese was over peppered. The burger was very thick and dense and had the oddest flavor. It was kind of gamey. The fries were fine. Nothing special. They were sprinkled in Old Bay, which can be overpowering. They were also out of many of their menu items (both food and beer). Our server was very nice and I imagine this would be a good place for a few drinks outside, but not too many because you have to get down those stairs. In the end, there was nothing here to bring us back again.

    (2)

  • Lizz M.

    Yes yes yes! Okay, I was a little skeptical on a place named after an Ayn Rand novel, but I kept hearing good things about this place. I finally decided to go here with a friend tonight and I'm glad we went! I am on a quest for frites as good as I've had in San Francisco--sadly these weren't it (too thin), but they were still delicious! My friend got the cheese soup, which wasn't anything to write home about, but still pretty good. For drinks, I got a rum and diet, and this is where they got their star taken away. I LOVE RUM. LOVE IT. But this tasted like licorice, what the what, guys? Will avoid next time. Give me my Captain any day, because blech. Going back to the nice things. I got the burger with smoked gouda and the red slaw. When it came out I was like "holy shit, I'm dumb, this is going to have beets in it, isn't it?" about the slaw. I still don't know if it did have beets because it was pretty damn tasty beets or not. The burger was nice and tasty, the bun was not a typical pretzel bun, but still good. My friend got the mac and cheese and I do admit I wanted to switch with him halfway through--not because the burger was bad, but he let me try the mac and cheese and it was so good! Would go back again, but I think they could add a little onto their main dishes section, options are a little limited.

    (4)

  • Jelena Z.

    Cartwheels! This is what I started doing when I learned of a new gastropub opening on the north side! Okay, so I never learned how to turn a cartwheel, but I'd certainly be irritating my neighbors with some well-deserved thuds if I could. But I digress. And, let's get this out of the way: I love my Hopleaf, but it's not super accessible to me and a weekend visit certainly guarantees a long wait. Also, I was in the mood for something shiny and new. Enter Fountainhead! And what a handsome little pub it is: Dark, cozy and classy. It was a bit louder in here than expected, but we were still able to snag a table (less than 20 minutes later) in a more secluded area along the windows. Once we were sat, I was able to fully take in the thoughtful beer menu. I tried the Allagash Odyssey (very smooth) as well as a favorite standby -- the Tripel Karmeliet (both available on draft). As for food, I wasn't hungry but my friend ordered the pork belly sandwich only to find out they were out. Boo! Probably a viable endorsement. However, she did end up enjoying her Jerk Coffee Chicken sandwich immensely. And of course gastrobub darling, the mussels, piqued my interest. The smoked mac 'n' cheese also sounded appealing as the plate is served with monkey bread (um, YUM) -- looks like I already have a meal planned for my sophomore visit! There's also a strong whisky menu... Fountainhead will definitely wow the man in your life. Easy street parking, too. This tavern may just be my new go-to spot! Oh, and I was just thinking about how much Fountainhead reminds me of Bar on Buena and then minutes after, read that it's brought to you by the same team. Well THAT explains a lot ;)

    (4)

  • Johnny Lee H.

    This review is specifically about the rooftop garden, which is new this summer. I was really interested in visiting this place when I heard the news so once they did open the rooftop, I got in asap. Been there twice so far and I gotta say, I'm disappointed. The food is of course, as good as what's available in the rest of the establishment downstairs. This is more about the atmosphere. One thing I enjoy about rooftops or outdoor booze spots is the ability to watch the world outside as I gradually get tanked. Well, Fountainhead rooftop is covered with wooden fencing which blocks out the street below. I guess they don't want anyone drinking themselves into suicide off their roof? Who knows. I think they should lower the height of the fence or find another way to secure that doesn't block out the outside world - which, btw, is the point of having an outdoor beer garden in the first place. If you can't find more visible security measures then just do away with it completely. A jumper or two per year isn't that bad, right? Totally worth the view, anyways. Please consider.

    (3)

  • Tara G.

    If I could do half-stars, I might give this place a 3.5...I decided to lean on the generous side, though, because I LOVE beer and the beer selection is truly wonderful. The ambience is really up my alley as well--lots of hardwood, a sweet outdoor patio upstairs. The staff has worked really well to get people seated every time I've been there as well, even when it's been super busy. My boyfriend and I have been there at least four times now, and we've always been treated really well. Once we were seated on the patio and a server asked if we would mind moving to a different table so that she could push ours together with a couple of others to make room for a big party, and we were given a free round of drinks for the inconvenience (which we didn't even view as an inconvenience--we're pretty chill). The only slight downsides for me, all things considered, involve the food. I'm also a huge foodie, and in my opinion the food at Fountainhead is overrated and overpriced. Don't get me wrong, it's great quality for bar food, but the descriptions on the menu make everything sound way better than it actually is. I've heard the bacon-gorgonzola monkey bread is to die for, but unfortunately I'm a vegetarian. The two times I've eaten there I've gotten the veggie burger (nice texture and heartiness, but a little bland, and the aioli they served it with had a really strange fishy flavor) and a red curry with tofu (tasty, but way expensive for a small portion, and I live right by the Argyle El strip, where I can find massive quantities of delicious curries for stupid cheap). Also beware that upstairs and downstairs have completely different food and drink menus, so if you're looking at a downstairs menu while waiting to get seated on the patio, just keep in mind that you won't be able to get the same food, and they have fewer draft beer selections available. Overall though, great place that I'm always happy to stop by for a drink.

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    Still wondering if the food is as good as it looks! We visited Fountainhead for a Saturday evening out with friends. No reservations are accepted so the place was packed when we arrived. Didn't expect to be seated quickly. Didn't even expect to be seated in less than an hour. Did expect that when the hostess told us the wait was an hour and there were only 3 groups ahead of us that we would get to be seated sometime that evening. After two plus hours and being told repeatedly that we were only two slots away, we figured we had been bumped for a group more connected than us so we bailed and went to Celtic Crown instead. We did experience a stellar selection of brews and feel the place would be a terrific choice if we got there at 4pm and could wait 6 hours before eating.

    (1)

  • Michael N.

    Lovely place. Had a couple of unusual stouts there that were out of this world. Had the SKA Autumnal Mole Stout and also the New Holland El Mole Ocho. These are stouts that included chiles in their making. Not overpowering to drink. Hint of pepper on the nose, tastes like a good stout going down, and then just a nice hint of pepper after the finish. The New Holland was a little different and more pronounced but not unpleasant at all. Packs an 8% ABV punch (thus the name "Ocho"). A large party had come in just after us, and service was a touch slow but not inattentive My date and I split the monkey bread, which is made with Gorgonzola and bacon with a side of sausage gravy for dunking. It doesn't get much better. It was fantastic. The steamed mussels were equally good. The broth at the bottom included corn and chorizo. We ordered some extra bread to sop up that yumminess. We had some coffee to go with the dessert special of the day which was a bread pudding, except this is the only place where they fell short. The bread pudding was extremely dry and sorta crunchy on top. It was a large rectangle with a crusty top and its consistency was like a scone. It was so dry, that we poured some of our coffee cream over it, and it sorta just rolled off, not really able to penetrate the outer crust. Not what we expected. Not much of a complaint, really. Not bread pudding snobs. I really can't wait to go back.

    (4)

  • Mary M.

    This is my type of place - not fratty, not snobbish, not expensive, not wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am. In other words, a gastropub. Damn good food and damn good beers. The atmosphere is great (what's this about a secret rooftop patio??) - booths, multipaned windows, floor-length drapes, ceilings not too high, lighting sorta dim. I have a feeling the Fountainhead would be an absolute dream to come to around Christmas. Thinking about booking a section for my boyfriend's December birthday already ... Anyway. It's lovely, wallet-friendly, friendly-friendly, and homey. Check it out!!

    (5)

  • JP P.

    The two schmucks who reviewed Fountainhead on 4/28 must've raced home to write their Yelp reviews hours -- HOURS -- after Fountainhead first opened. Yeah, dudes, 'cause it was only open 2.5 hours by the time you drank, dined and left, I'm sure there were "kinks to iron out." I was also there on opening night. For one: You were dining and drinking with what they called an "Alpha version 0.9" of the menu -- right off the bat, they admit it's a work in progress. I think the neighborhood was just so psyched for this place to open, the kitchen was ready, and so they did. There were no bottled beers yet -- just draughts (and two brews served via beer engine). It is ~$5-$8 for a great draught beer selection (a menu that includes some really unique brews from well-respected indie and regional brewers -- there were a couple of beers from New Holland and Dogfish Head I'd never seen before). Seems fair to me. Seems comparable to the Hopleaf and The Long Room, two other great beer bars in the area. They've also got a few lambics and ciders on draught -- so there's something for everyone. They also have a great whiskey list -- they have High West Whiskey, my favorite whiskey, so thumbs up to that. Food: I just had the frites. Agreed, there's something left to be desired there, but I bet that if you were to return in a few weeks, you'd find a different fry. Just a hunch. The fries are served with two dipping sauces: a kind-of tartar sauce and a curry aioli. I was told that the dipping sauces change daily. Neat. My pal had the skirt steak w/ avocado butter and grilled asparagus and potato ($13). She said she enjoyed it quite a bit. We both split the creme brulee -- it was amazing: dark chocolate with cayenne and an ornament of bacon-brittle. BRING IT ON! Anyway, give this place a shot -- give it a few weeks (or months) to get its groove. The neighborhood needs it. Hopefully Fountainhead will earn its way up to 5 stars -- I can't wait to give it another shot when the rooftop patio opens!

    (4)

  • Adele n.

    This place is way above average. At first I didn't think I'd like it -- basic, boring pub. But every time I come here, I'm impressed by how nice the setting is, how many good, weird beers they have, and most of all, how great the food is. That black bean burger is heavenly! They also have red beers, which are a special, cool, different treat. Also, the rooftop is beautiful!

    (4)

  • Jason G.

    We made a return visit to Fountainhead for a meal and I was very impressed. The menu is limited but they focus on a few things and they are all very good. The server was good to suggest alternate beers similar to the ones they were out of, and also gave us samples of ones we were interested in before committing to buying a whole glass. The 3G signal inside is atrocious, but that's not their fault.

    (4)

  • Kaitlyn P.

    It's easy to get overwhelmed when you walk into this place and get handed the tome that passes for the beer menu. Thank God that the staff here are as knowledgeable as they are, then! Our waitress did a great job of figuring out what we were looking for and recommending a beer to match our tastes. We needed no help in deciding to order up the monkey bread, though, and were not disappointed as we pulled the gooey dough apart and washed it down with the recommended pints. A great place for beer-philes and beer neophytes alike. I still have yet to figure out what the "beer engine" is, but what's a good bar without a little mystery?

    (4)

  • Carol D.

    This is my favorite bar. If you are a craft beer lover in Chicago and you haven't been here, you are missing out. They have an ever-rotating draft list and bottles of all kinds. I love going here because you can get something new and different every time. What really sets this place apart is the extremely knowledgable staff - my boyfriend and I love trying different types of beer and we also love recommendations. You can tell your server or bartender what you like or what you have in mind and they are happy to recommend or let you sample a few to find your perfect beer. I was surprised to hear that some people had trouble with the service here, although I can see how some of the reviewers may have found the staff a little snobbish (don't try to order a Miller Lite here), but I guess I'm sort of one of them. If you are way in to beer, you can have great conversations with the staff. The two servers who are almost always there on the weekends (whose names I know I've asked for but I don't remember because it was usually after 5+ heavy beers) are awesome and always provide the best service we get anywhere. The inside of the bar is beautifully decorated in an upper-scale pub style, the atmosphere is casual and age-appropriate for me at age 30. You won't find 21 year olds falling over here. Music is good and not too loud - a good place to have conversations with friends. The rooftop, oh the rooftop! I almost don't want to talk about because it might be the best kept summertime secret in Chicago. The first time we tried to sit up there (right after it opened) we had to wait about 45 minutes for a party of 2, but the next time we came with a party of 9 and were seated up there within 15. They are very strict with the capacity up there, which is great because it creates a nice relaxed vibe since people aren't piled on top of one another. They have a different beer list and menu on the rooftop as well. The food is good, upper-scale pub fare (get the ham sandwich - you won't be sorry), but we go there more for the beer than the food. We don't usually have to wait long (if at all) for a table and they'll let you have a table even if you're just drinking, because your tab will probably be just as much (craft beers ain't cheap!). Fountainhead isn't for everyone - if you would rather pound Miller Lites all night and have a raging party there are better and cheaper places for you to do that. But, if you like to enjoy delicious beers and good food in a nice atmosphere with friends, this is a great place.

    (5)

  • Jimmy W.

    To sum it up quickly...... Cheese and Crackers Appetizer + Ola Dubh 12 (beer aged in 12y/o Highland Park Scotch Whiskey barrels!) = FANTASTIC Cheesecake w/ Raspberry Sauce + J.W. Lees Harvest (beer aged in Lagavulin Scotch Whiskey barrels!) = IS THIS HEAVEN? This is by far my favorite place to go to sit with a buddy and enjoy excellent beer!!

    (5)

  • Scott H.

    You changed what had instantly become my favorite mussels so you lose a star. And the thin frites were much better than the fatties you serve now. Quit changing what works! But I still come primarily for the beer!

    (4)

  • Scott W.

    It was ok. I don't like beer snobs. Especially places like this where you're told what types of beers to drink, even when they are horrid. Just because they're a micro brew doesn't make them good. Fine, I'll order pop.

    (4)

  • Natalie S.

    Before I even get to this review, I beg you... stay "Jerk Coffee Chicken" with a straight face. That's right... say it a few more times til you catch on... Yes, there's Jerk Coffee Chicken on the menu. I'll spare you the jokes made at the dishes expense. Moving on... I, like the other reviewers, was pleased to hear that there was a new gastropub in the area. When my friend suggested it for dinner the other night, I jumped at the chance to check it out. I love the atmosphere. Loud but not to loud. Dark but not too dark. The menu... well, there were some hits and some misses. We had a table full of starters for the 8 of us. My personal favorite was the monkey bread. Kinda wishing I had a whole monkey bread to myself. The shrimp diablo wasn't bad. However, the frites were COLD (sad) and the cheese and crackers was just really average. That cheese spread could have come out of a bucket and I wouldn't have known any differently. I went for the burger. They had me at "pretzel bun". However, it was definitely not the best burger I've ever had. I did it up with some bacon and Gouda cheese but couldn't taste anything but MEAT. So much meat. Slightly overdone meat, at that. Pretzel bun was a little stale. Altogether, not terrible, but not sure I'd order it again. I didn't get to do much besides sample my Dude's libations but the list was very impressive. I'm looking forward to ordering some on my own... post baby. It's in our 'hood. It's close. It was good enough. We'll be back... and I'm hoping trip #2 is much more successful.

    (3)

  • Shakeia T.

    Extensive beer and whiskey list. PLUS. The mac and cheese and burgers were delish! Service was great! We were, however, seated at a table near the bar and the kitchen and a group of people just came and stood there to take shots blocking the way for the staff and constantly bumping me. Not the staff's fault, though! I had been waiting to try this place with a friend, but I ended up in the neighborhood hanging out with a friend and we sauntered on in. We walked in around 7pm on a Saturday night and it was pretty empty at first, but it filled up [PACKED!] within the hour!

    (3)

  • Michael H.

    This review is based solely on the Beer/Liquor--I didn't eat any of the food. Big place-lots of space-"keg room" on other side of bar was kinda cool! Beer Menu is Great--Descriptions of the different types of brews, etc..Also have ridiculous amounts of Scotch/Whiskey--Liquor menu is literally 15 pages long... I would say 25 drafts and 150 different bottles in beerland!! Place was kinda slow-Staff was cool--very knowledgeable bartender..Ask for Patrick!! gtfjd

    (4)

  • Jay S.

    Visited here last Thursday with my newly pregnant wife. Good news is that the drink menu offered good non-alcoholic options which was great. The beer and whiskey menu was extensive as well. Long story short if you're looking for a night out for local drinks, this isn't a bad spot. We ordered food to share and I have a serious allergy to all nuts. Made this clear to the waiter when ordering my wife's roasted chicken. Food comes back - "hello nuts"...lol. A roasted chicken is going to take another 20 min or so to get ready again, by that time our other food would be cold so we stuck with it and just ate individually. We ordered a couple of starters as well(monekybread and mussels). Overall, every dish we ordered tasted very bland and we just didn't like the food at all. We were hungry as heck, so chow down was on, but just didn't enjoy it. What saved stars for this place is the following: -Owner or manager came out and offered apologies for the allergy issue. He comped our meal and gave us dessert. This kind of service warrants a saving grace. -I imagine the outdoor patio area upstairs has to be great in the spring and summer. Who cares about food when you've got good beer and patio seating. Otherwise this is just another one of the trillion gastropubs this city is overwhelmed with. Nothing great about the food. Probably wouldn't go back any time soon.

    (2)

  • Mike C.

    Since we live nearby we keep trying FH hoping the food improves but alas it does not. They can't figure out hamburger temps and this has been an issue for the past year. The gf and I ordered medium and got well done. The manager who has seen us there numerous times since they opened did see it and comped our meal so that was great. Much kudos to him for doing that and showing exceptional customer service. So we go back and try again, knowing they tend to overcook we both ordered medium-rare, nope still came out well done. It wasn't even worth complaining about anymore knowing it's really just our fault for hoping they stepped up their cook crew and ability to cook to temp. I'd love to experience FH more often and would probably frequent there at least 3-4/month will most likely only be once every 2 months just for the beer. That's pretty disappointing.

    (2)

  • Sarah M.

    Dude and I decided to leave our comfy little Andersonville haunts and head over to Fountainhead. He loves scotch and beer so I figured I'd look impressive taking him somewhere that had a great selection of both. Get there and the hostess asks if we want to sit on the rooftop or inside. Although it was 1912349234 degrees outside, I wanted rooftop. She let us know that the rooftop has a different menu (she said b/c they don't have open flame upstairs, but um... can't they just carry the food from the kitchen inside to upstairs?), so we decided to just stay inside. LOVED our server. He answered all our questions we had regarding the beer selections, and even brought my guy a few samples so he could best decide what he wanted. Very attentive and was apologetic when one of the food items we ordered was out (boooo I wanted to try that zucchini and goat cheese tart!). Fairly small menu, but great selection. Both the vegetarian (me) and the meat eater (him) were happy with our meals for the most part. Dessert selection was good as well. We were going to go get a couple drinks upstairs at the rooftop following our meal, but we decided to save that for another time. We'd go back, so I'd call it a successful night.

    (4)

  • Amanda C.

    Whoa! So much hate/indifference for the Fountainhead! We love this place. We've come here - a lot of times - and the food is really good, if a little overpriced, and the beer list is great. We've always had totally adequate service (they're not falling all over you - but who wants that anyway?) The Fountainhead is chill enough for a relaxing dinner out, but nice enough to bring out-of-towners and moms. This has become our go-to spot when we want a "nice" dinner (fancier than Gio's, less fancy than...leaving Ravenswood). I love the Bad Apple too, but this place is closer and usually has a much shorter wait - plus the ambience is a bit nicer - the interior of the Fountainhead is so relaxing and cozy in the winter. Still waiting on that rooftop - I called earlier in the week and they said they were aiming for early June. (Yes, I realize they were originally aiming for, like, August 2010 - but I'm an optimist.)

    (4)

  • Daniel B.

    BETTER WATCH OUT AYN RAND, CAUSE THERE'S A NEW FOUNTAINHEAD IN TOWN. We came here for Sunday brunch and it was quite the deal. We ate up on the rooftop so I was able to bronze while i eat. I didn't know I got a tanning session with my meal! I ordered the hummus as an app and HOLY SMOKES, the smoky flavor was just right. I scarfed it down as fast as I could and waited in anticipation my main course. The turkey club packed quite the wallop and left no room for imagination regarding the perfect sandwich. I'm pretty sure my taste buds retired after the meal because they knew it could get no better. I think the owner of this bar is an alien because the beer selection here is OUT OF THIS WORLD! What are you waiting for, come gallop your way to fountainhead. FIVE STARS!!!

    (5)

  • Laura S.

    Fountainhead, your menu wins you the Laura S. "Foods and Beverages I want to put in my mouth hole and/or throat hole" award. This is a privilege AND an honor. You're welcome. I will make you a plaque to put on your wall if you are interested. You know you want one. Really any place with a Mac and Cheese related item (Duck Confit Pasta) on the menu gets this. Uuuh, yes please. Monkey bread is awesome too. Your beer menu brings sweet never ending tears of joy to my eyes. I just want to roll around on the floor with said menu while whispering words of undying love and affection for the glorious fermented beverages you have graced my life with (then drink my way through it). That would probably get me a few strange looks, maybe even asked out on a date...but worst of all: KICKED OUT...so I shall refrain from such an action. I promise to always behave when I am there and keep my urges in check, yo. Music has always been pretty good, I have yet to want to gouge my ear out with a fork or any blunt object within a 10 ft. radius while drinking/dining in this fine establishment. This is a good thing. Service has always been top notch. I've never had a bad experience here...except one time but that was because my ex was being a total dicknose. Certainly not your fault that he sucks. A whole lot. Seriously, favorite bar in the neighborhood by miles. I don't know how to quit you. I'd marry you if I could. If I can't marry you then I'd civil union the sh*t out of you.

    (5)

  • Evan F.

    I love this bar for the beer, I hate this bar for the service. Tonight, me and a few friends headed there to catch up and have a few. My friends were a little tipsy and apparently under tipped the waitress. The waitress actually came to the table and said "THANKS FOR A LESS THAN TEN PERCENT TIP." Look, it sucks that they left her a bad tip, but I work in the industry and that's how it works. And to approach the table and make my friends (who aren't from the city) feel like that is completely unacceptable. Needless to say, I am not headed back again, even though I live a block away. I've been ignored there before and forgotten about, but never has a waitress had the balls to defy what I pay the bar. Way to go Fountainhead, teach your staff some manners.

    (1)

  • Alisa D.

    A good neighborhood place with a great roof top bar. They also make one of my favorite drinks called "The Arlington", bourbon, fresh grapefruit juice and maple syrup. They have also added some veggie and vegan options.

    (4)

  • Aaron K.

    Fountainhead has really stepped up their game since the beginning of 2013. Their beer and whiskey selection continues to outshine most any other pub in the city but what really makes the difference is having Cleetus Friedman taking over the helm in the kitchen. The food is now on par with the drinks making this a great choice for dinner not too far from home. In the summer the rooftop here is among the best open-air casual options on the north side...or in the city for that matter. So glad to see this place continue to improve.

    (4)

  • Melinda B.

    I really like this place. The food is great, the beer selection is amazing and the atmosphere is my kind of atmosphere. I especially love the rooftop beer garden. Service is good and pretty reliable.

    (4)

  • brian f.

    Rooftop was great time, staff was all nice and helpful. beers cold and fresh. food was good for sharing too. great set up on roof, music and flexible seating (we had a group). hummas was the best EVER.

    (5)

  • Alli W.

    I need to say this - the Ham and Brie sandwich was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had in my life! My mouth waters just thinking of it. Fountainhead is all around a great establishment. I can't wait to try out the rooftop when it gets warmer around here. I wish they had a few more non-small plate dinner options, but that's about my only complaint. Great beer selection, great service and everything I have tried there is delicious.

    (5)

  • Laura S.

    Not even a disastrous first date could ruin a trip to Fountainhead. He sure tried, believe me, but he lost. We seated ourselves at a high-top near the back, and were immediately put at ease by the cozy, inviting atmosphere. Drink-wise, there's something for every taste and budget, and the binder is a welcome companion when you want to explore the lesser known options. I was slightly put off when I ordered *three* different beers that were all sold out (the waitress didn't know what was available, and kept scurrying off to check with the bar), but what I did try took me to my happy place. I've only tried the snacky food items, like the fries and monkey bread (EAT THIS!), but I will certainly be back for more. And next time, I'll be accompanied by a guy who doesn't whine about $7 beers.

    (4)

  • Bex F.

    Yeeaaahhhhh..... Now that we've moved to what feels like Minnesota, we're much closer to Fountainhead and have returned twice recently. I'm not interested in going back. And here's why: The service. And the prices. We sat at the bar, the bartender served us beverages and knew we were going to order food. He wandered off, we were ready, but he was so busy talking to a group of his buddies at the end of the bar who weren't even drinking, he never came back. We asked the bar back if we could order some food, so he went down to the bartender who shooed him off, told him to deal with it. All the while the owner is there. Sitting next to me. We had burgers, which were fine, but not $10 then + toppings fine. The fries were great. The bartender only came back after his buddies left and to give us the check. Our tip reflected his lack of service -- we were hoping to tip the bar back directly instead since he did all the work even though one could easily tell he really didn't want to. More recently we went again but sat at a table as the place was busier. Our server seemed like he had just finished smoking a big fat joint in the back room. The beverage I had had prior was no longer available, which is fine, but as a cider drinker, the list is pretty minimal and I must say, pretty lame comparatively. The food flew out of the kitchen far too fast, the portion of mac and cheese is now half the size and there was a hair in it. They took it off the tab, but still $12 for half the former portion size is pretty steep. And it wasn't as good anymore either. $10 for a smallish bottle of French cider whose flavor didn't match the description on the menu at all and smelled like cow poopies. Ya know, it's great and neat that they carry so many types of beers and whiskey and such, but the beverage menu is so huge and so overwhelming to flip through. The staff gets tired of waiting while you flip, get impatient like it's our fault and decide to move on. I understand places have off nights and I do cut a lot of slack, but we're up to three strikes in my book. It's too bad too.

    (2)

  • Noël S.

    Really great food, drinks, and service. What more could you ask for? My friend was in 7th heaven with their whiskey list-- almost as much as I was with the crab cake sandwich. It can get a bit crowded, especially on weekends around dinnertime, so get there early or prepare to have a bit of a wait at the bar.

    (5)

  • Lora Z.

    I had been here once before, last winter and enjoyed the food then. This time we sat on the roof. It was very comfortable, HUGE beer selection, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Even later when it started getting crowded, our server made sure we had everything we needed. We had a group of 9 people and we had plenty of room. A great place to spend a warm summer evening.

    (4)

  • Angela S.

    The beer selection here is definitely a good one. The food is good, but it could be better. There's been a couple times that the menu depicts something a bit different than what's served. I think it's worth mentioning when there's something like pico or peppers or mustard in the preparation. Just saying.

    (3)

  • Megan G.

    Typically I think Yelp reviews skew high, but for once, I think the average Fountainhead rating is a little low. A fellow Ravenswood dweller and I had been meaning to meet at either Fountainhead or Wolcott's for dinner for ages to see for ourselves just how bad the new, much besmirched by Yelp neighborhood restaurants really were. As Wolcott's average rating keeps drifting ever lower, we figured we'd be safer at Fountainhead. There were lots of seats available at 7 pm on a Wednesday and the space is really cute and cozy. We did get off to a rough start with relatively inattentive service, but that was okay because the beer tome is huge and requires some time to get through. The rough start continued when the server informed me by draft selection was out - as were 8 of the other drafts. She offered me a taste of an alternative beer by Half Acre, but I ultimately decided to go to with a bottled Unibroue. By and large, the beer prices seem very, very reasonable - overall definitely a few dollars cheaper than Hopleaf. My friend and I ordered the frites to start. Fountainhead's frites are good, but I have to give the definite edge to the frites at Hopleaf. Hopleaf's frites are thinner and crispier and their aioli is was better than Fountainhead's. For dinner I got the black bean and quinoa burger (topped with sauteed mushrooms and cheddar) and my friend got the duck confit mac and cheese. I snagged a bit of his when it got to the table - it was good, but not as mindblowing as I'd have expected for a $15 bowl of mac and cheese. My veggie burger, however, was probably one of the best I've ever had. The patty was delicious and not too mushy and the pretzel bun on which it was served was to die for. Totally worth the $11. Though I've drawn comparisons to Hopleaf, I'd actually say the Andersonville restaurant Fountainhead most resembles is Lady Gregory, another newcomer and of the two, Fountainhead is far, far better. So go on and give it a shot - this place is nowhere as bad as the reviews might lead you to believe.

    (4)

  • Andrew S.

    I really want to love this place. It's literally 30 seconds from my front door. Every time I go here my experience is drastically different depending on who's working. Some are the bartenders are super nice dudes and some are really pretentious snobs. Here are some examples of my experiences: Went in, had a great meal and several amazing beers. Awesome bartender. Finished up with some really excellent bourbon. Took my dad in for some beers and dinner. I ordered a Helles lager. My dad asked for a Heineken and the the bartender made him feel like an jerk for asking. I had a chicken sandwich, he had a steak. Both sucked. Some friends and I stopped in for drinks and had a great time. Our server was awesome and we had some great appetizers. This experience almost made me never go back. It was superbowl Sunday. It was 9:45pm. My friend and I walked over there to have some of their outstanding draft beer. We sat down at the bar and ordered the draft beers we wanted. The lazy snarly bartender explained that he had turned the taps off (there's no off switch on tappers by the way) and we could only get liquor or bottled beer. We politely said that's cool and headed for the door. On our way out the bartender said, "This isn't a sports bar." What a Dbag! If I hadn't been in such a good mood there would've been quite a scene. After boycotting that place for a couple months, I decided not to let one crappy bartender ruin the whole bar for me. I went in solo and had a couple tasty beers and had a great conversation with the bartender. I shall continue to give this place business. Just hoping for some consistent behavior from the staff.

    (2)

  • Kathryn M.

    I kept hearing about this place and was never really sure where it was located. We'll, I've located it and deemed it a hidden gem! One night we decided to skip our regular dinner spots and try something new. We waited long enough to get a unique brew at the bar and were seated shortly thereafter. We started with the bacon candied nuts (yummy but not as amazing as I expected), and a delightful sausage platter. We then shared the mac & cheese and the pork sandwich. Both were delicious and comforting on a chilly, rainy night. We enjoyed a few more beers during our meal and skipped dessert. The meal was delish and fairly priced. The atmosphere as homey and welcoming as an Irish pub. Love it - a great place for the chilly months ahead!

    (5)

  • Eric B.

    If Longman & Eagle had a brother obsessed with half assed economic philosophy, he might be named The Fountainhead. Now, in all fairness, whether the owners are devout Randians is currently unknown, and at any rate certainly cannot be divined from the decor or the menu. Indeed, because of their love for good food and drink, we can be certain they are not nihilists. "Say what you will about the tenets of Objectivism, at least its an ethos!". No, it is more than likely that the proprietors of Fountainhead worship at the feet of degustatory hedonism. Like its traveler in arms Longman & Eagle, the Fountainhead has a vast selection of bourbons and ryes, excellent small batch American beer, a well curated list of food friendly wines, and an adventurous menu. The roast duck breast is yet another example of fantastic game cuisine in Chicago - seared to medium rare perfection with a berry reduction. My friends had the pork sandwich, fish tacos, and seared scallops and were similarly pleased. With the vast whiskey list, well selected wine list, and rich flavors on the menu, all at affordable prices, we will definitely be worshiping at the Fountainhead again soon.

    (5)

  • Kearby K.

    I feel like this place is not carrying its weight. The drinks were reasonably priced and selections were good. Decorations, Bathrooms were nice Lights were TOO bright and there are 1000's of them. Black window coverings made it feel like you were in a box and trapped. Music made you want to kill yourself and you could barely hear it. Waitress was nice when she was around but never got us a new drink. We paid with cash and a credit card and she just took the cash and charged it all on a credit card. People do not tip 40%! NO HAND OUTS! Roark says try another bar.

    (2)

  • Noelle H.

    I'm impressed by the ever-evolving beer list, the excellent selection of bourbons, and while the food menu isn't necessarily vast, it has solidly nice choices and they're usually done well. But I have to give this place three stars because service really is weak. The servers and bartenders are definitely friendly, don't get me wrong. But it usually takes at least five to seven minutes for an initial greeting (and I've waited as long as ten), and because they change their kegs so often, there are usually two or three beers on the draft list that are actually gone (which is totally okay). Needless to say, it's frustrating when you've made a beer choice and you're waiting for a server, only to learn that the beer you've chosen is 86'ed (that's restaurant speak for GONE, BABY GONE!!!) I've learned to order a new beer the moment my server returns to the table, even if my current drink is 75% full, because I know it will be a long while before I have another chance to order. Suggestion: post a board near the door, or in clear sight, listening your unavailable drafts. And either hire more help, or give your servers smaller sections. I work in the restaurant/bar industry, so I'm more understanding than others when it comes to slow service. I can only imagine how frustrated others might be. I will keep returning for the selections, the convenience (I live across the street), and the beautiful interior. I'm also eager to drink on the rooftop patio opening soon.

    (3)

  • Phil X.

    Fountainhead, you got me good. How many others have you fooled? Shame on you. You call yourself a gastropub? Your food left much to be desired. I came here with a group of five. The place has a nice setup & a great drink selection...but...the food left much to be desired. Our waitress was barely around. I ordered the "Pulled Duck mac n cheese"...barely any duck, wayyy too much sun dried tomato. My girlfriend ordered one of their burgers. I sampled it and found it lacking in flavor. I would recommend coming here for drinks. Fountainhead has a great atmosphere. They have lots of quality craft beer. They even have Mead! (A delicious honey wine that's been enjoyed for centuries) As for food, when I return I will give this place another chance.

    (3)

  • Lopa P.

    Come here if you like trying new beers - they have extensive bottled selection with rotating drafts. And it seems like they have a great whiskey selection, too. The food is a tad pricey... it's good, but there's always a little something missing or a little too much something. But the fries- those are awesome! And I've never had any issues with the service. Then again, I've really only been there during slower times (5-7pm). Love coming here for a beer or two after work!

    (4)

  • Kyle M.

    Overall, I like this place. Cool atmosphere, great crowd and a menu with more substance than your neighborhood bar. My one bone to pick with the place is that I had to go through 5! different beers before I got one they actually had. If you are going to promote your impressive and extensive beer and wine list...at least have a majority of them in stock. The food was great. We split the Amish Chicken and a burger. Our server seemed like he was a bit clustered, but he was fine. Bring a jacket though, this place is freeeeeezing. I will definitely go back though for another try.

    (3)

  • Andrew J.

    I can sum up my review of Fountainhead in three words: What a shame. I've been here four times in its first three months, and instead of getting better, it continues to disappoint. As impressive as the drink selection is, it's a bit of an illusion, because a significant number of drafts are not available from visit to visit. (I have YET to get my first choice.) The servers never inform you which are unavailable on tap for the day, and I've learned to have a second, third, and fourth choice ready to order. The selection is big enough that this isn't a huge problem, but still... We originally went on Fountainhead's opening weekend and were blown away by the awesome beer and spirits selection, as well as the intriguing food menu. I had the Swine Swoon sandwich, which was incredible. Went back a week later, bringing friends along to whom we'd bragged about the place. The Swine Swoon had different (read: BAD) cheese, and another sandwich we ordered was of an absurd portion for its $10 price (seriously, it was the size of a small child's fist). When we meekly and curiously asked our waitress about our concerns, she seemed a bit embarrassed and brought the manager, who was extremely defensive, a bit rude and off-putting, and essentially said, "What do you want me to do?" His awful attitude along with our awkward seating in the back section partitioned behind the bar made for a not-so-great experience. And boy did we feel like chumps glowing about the place to our underwhelmed friends. Third visit, a month later, we came mostly for drinks and a few appetizers, and although the place was relatively vacant, service was at a snail's pace, and the two orders of frites were stone cold when they finally got to our table. We were willing to have a third round (or even more had we stayed longer!), but the server seemed to be hiding out of sight and not at all interested in checking back in with us. This weekend the place was packed, but severely under-staffed. It took over 15 minutes after ordering our beers to get them, and it took over 40 minutes before we could even place our food order. After placing that order, the server came back to tell me the sandwich I ordered was out, so I grudgingly went with a medium burger. The burger came out prepared well done, and much too dry. It also came on grilled sourdough, although the menu promises a pretzel roll. I asked the server about that (when he eventually made it back to our table), and he seemed embarrassed to say that the kitchen had run out of pretzel rolls. I believe we've figured out this place's main problem: a troubled, inconsistent kitchen (is the chef some amateur?); and some short-sighted, lackadaisical management. I want so badly to like this place--it has a great decor/vibe and so much potential. I keep giving it a try and keep getting disappointed--we're running into "shame on me" territory. Will I return? Probably. For drinks. And certainly NOT as a destination, but as a second-choice option. I definitely won't be back in the next several months...hopefully more time will get things ironed out, but I won't be holding my breath...

    (2)

  • Bill M.

    After my friends and I watched the Iowa, er Chicago Cubs lose meekly to the Cincinnati Reds on a warm Sunday afternoon, we decided that we wanted to drown our sorrows with some good beers that were not available at Wrigley Field. Traveling with a carful of foodies (who are also drinkies - is that a term?), they shortlisted Fountainhead as one of our post-game dining choices. Located at the corner of Montrose and Damen, Fountainhead is somewhat nondescript on the outside, but its pubby interior shows a bit of character with barrels, a Brussels poster, and specials scrawled on a chalkboard column. Probably since it was relatively early on a Sunday (about 5PM), we actually found a parking spot nearby and our group of five were seated immediately. The voluminous drink menu of this gastropub is full of amazingly good choices, while the food menu is compact as a two-sided card. Our foodie/drinkie table had no complaints about any of the food, drink, or level of service. We each ordered a food item along with two drinks. I ordered mac and cheese with duck confit and sun-dried tomatoes, and was surprised at the considerable size of this bowl of pasta. Other selections included gourmet sausages, mussels, and monkey bread. While we ate up all the food, the drink was what had us waxing poetically. My own enjoyment of Duvel Green and Lindeman's Framboise (both served on tap here) was thoroughly enhanced by my friends' running commentary of beer, liquor, gastropubs, etc. I felt like I was on a mellow and enjoyable food and drink tour!

    (5)

  • Eric W.

    I want to to give Fountainhead 5 stars. I really really do. Let me give you some context. I went there on a Friday night around 8pm. There was a good crowd and the hostess said it'd be about 30 minutes to get a table. No problem, we just slid up to the bar and ordered a round. After only about 15 minutes we were seated. This is when things become a little "eh". They literally have a 5 or 6 page booklet for their beer selection. Amazing! However, their food menu leaves a little to be desired. While all of the food is good, its not much to choose from. I'm not sure what I expected, but was a little underwhelmed. I ended up picking a pork shoulder sandwich topped with cheese on sourdough. Kind of tasted like a chunky pulled pork sandwich on toasted bread. Like I said... tasty, but still kind of "eh" with a side of *shoulder shrug*. My brother got a pork chop which looked amazing. I'd get that next time. Also, the waitress was kind of slow. It was busy, but I kind of felt ignored at the same time. Now, onto the beer. HOLY - SHIT. The beer menu totally makes up for any deficiencies that this place may have. If you want to go have something you've never had before, Fountainhead is great. A word to the wise though, don't come here if your beer of choice is bud light. I'm almost positive they don't have it, which is just fine by me. Also, you might want to bring someone along who is knowledgeable about and loves beer. They can help you navigate the encyclopedia of a menu and choose one you'd like.

    (4)

  • Richard H.

    I stopped in on a Monday night for a drink. The place was low-key but not dead. The beer selection is inspiring, with an uncommon assortment on tap. The bartender mentioned that the menu is seasonal and the beers change more frequently than that. I gave the menu a look over and it made me wish that I hadn't already eaten. The menu is not crowded with choices, but had many desirable options. An absurd/random observation: their restroom smelled wonderful. I'm believe it was from the wood work? I'm really looking forward to future visits and am hopeful that the patio will be great.

    (4)

  • Marko V.

    They let my sister, a self-admitted beer retard, try about 9 different brews before she finally found one she liked. And those 9 beers only made up about 3% of the choices at Fountainhead. Almost 200 bottles on hand, with around 20 more on tap, including Tripel Karmeliet, which the beer retard finally settled on with an assist from our very helpful and sweet waitress. The food was alright. I got the Swine Swoon, a pulled pork shoulder sanny. Ladies order the Chicken sandwich and burger. Neither looked that great. But the fries were absolutely EXCELLENT. No doubt about that. Next time I come here it'll be for appies, fries, and beer. Solid place, nothing too special for the price though (I had two beers and a sanny and it was over 30 bucks, but I suppose most of that was beer.)

    (3)

  • Mary B.

    Me and my boyfriend have been wanting to try this place for a while since we heard the bloody marys were one of the best in the city. We went on a Saturday around noon and thought they might have brunch but later found out it is only on Sundays. No big deal, since the lunch menu looked awesome. We got 2 bloody marys - and they definitely were one of the best ive had in the city. Spicy for sure. We split the burger and mac and cheese and they were both SO good. We will definitely be back, for dinner and for brunch on Sunday. This place has great beers, food and bloodys.

    (5)

  • Christina R.

    My husband and I live in the area and really wanted to make Fountainhead our "neighborhood place". Unfortunately, the last couple of times we've been here, it's been very disappointing. We went last weekend for dinner and were told the wait for a table on the roof would be 90 minutes. Not unexpected considering it was a Friday night at 7pm. We decided to eat inside and were able to sit down right away. However, it took our server 15 minutes to come over and even take our drink orders. She was apologetic but still. We ended up ordering drinks and food at the same time since we weren't sure when she'd be back. She was very friendly and nice, even offered to have the hostess put our names on the list for the roof, but we didn't see a whole lot of her. It did seem like she had an insane number of tables so that could be part of the issue. We finally got our food and it was alright but we've both had better. Our server came back after we'd almost finished eating to see if we needed anything else but that was the first we'd seen of her since initially ordering. Against better judgment, she talked us into dessert and I'm glad she did. We got a berry cobbler and it was by far the best thing either one of us had all night. Not sure if we'll be back to the Fountainhead any time soon. Both the food and service seemed to be a lot better when they first opened. Now the food is just so-so and the service is not good.

    (2)

  • Johnny V.

    Better late than never! I've had the opportunity to hit up several special event nights at Fountainhead and they've always been spot on across the board. Very polite and attentive front of the house staff, well crafted dishes coming out of the kitchen, delightful pairings on beer or spirits with each dish. I started following them on FB to keep in the loop when new event dinners are announced, if you'd like to treat yourself to a great evening of gastrogrub with solid pairings, take advantage of the Fountainhead. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Angie M.

    Guess what, single Yelpers? I found your new first date spot. It's Fountainhead. The perfect mix of gastro pub chic, upscale bites, stylish people and swoon worthy atmosphere make Fountainhead a phenomenal date spot in the Ravenswood/Northcenter neighborhood. First off, the drink list is nothing short than right up my alley: Heavy on the craft beers and my greatest love, whiskey. Admittedly I'm a bit of a beer neophyte. I love it. I drink it. But I certainly don't pretend to know a lot about it, so I appreciated the descriptions of the 27 draft beers on the menu. And possibly the best part? They give you the ABV percentage so you know just how tanked you're going to get on that fruity yet lethal Dogfish Head Black & Blue boasting a whopping 10& ABV. While they were out of my requested Cantillon Kriek brewed with black cherries, they did have a substitute that was made with white grapes so I gave it a go. Eh. Not my favorite (SUPER sour) but definitely not the bar's fault. Also important to note is that the beers are all served in different sized glasses. Mine was woefully small (insert sad face) so you certainly run the risk of getting a wee little beverage while your friends get a huge stein. May be best to ask about the glass size if you're worried about how much beer is getting poured into your glass. Whiskey lovers rejoice... Fountainhead totally has you covered. I was ready to try something different than my standard issue Jack and Jameson and our server gladly recommended an Irish whiskey called Finians. On first sip it was a nice, smooth whiskey taste but it had almost a minty aftertaste that was heavenly. No problem slugging down a few of those bad boys, thankyouverymuch! Where Fountainhead needs a bit of work is the menu. Rumor has it the brain trust at Fountainhead is still working on nailing down exactly how they want the menu to look, so it's not finalized yet. Let me make a suggestion: Your appetizers, greens and sandwiches are great. We oohed and ahhed over our spicy Shrimp Diablo, the plentiful, garlicky mussels, seared duck on crispy wontons and the divine Crispy salad chock-full of walnuts, apple and goat cheese served over mixed greens and a light cranberry apple vinaigrette. The shared plates all seemed interesting, but we went with the Moo to get our hands on smoked mac & cheese, india pale ale tavern cheese, gorgonzola & bacon monkey bread and it was nothing short of delicious. That monkey bread, man... its drool inducing. Seriously. Just order some, you'll thank me later. The missing element, though, is the entrée selection. Right now there are just three choices: Mac and cheese, duck and hangar steak. Where's a fish selection (you ARE a gastropub), chicken or even a pasta? Some variety would be nice. The only other slight point of contention was the service. Not from our waitress, because she was great, but from the busboys who seemed VERY eager to clear our dishes that weren't even empty. Yes, buddy, I'm still munching on the baguette with the Shrimp Diablo. Please don't pull it out from under me! I like to linger a bit and enjoy my food on a Saturday night, not have my plate whipped away when I'm not even done eating. Seems like a bit of a training issue that could easily be amended. And the damage for all our beer, whiskey and food indulgence? Just over $100 (not including tip) for 4 diners who had multiple drinks and shared all the food you read about above plus a sandwich. NOT BAD. Gastropubs are getting a good name with Fountainhead. I hope they nail down their menu and adjust their service issues to position themselves as a real force to be reckoned with in the beer game!

    (4)

  • Robyn T.

    I liked this place a lot, and what's not to like? There is a BOOK (I kid you not) of beers. Seriously, you could just spend your time sitting at the bar sifting through the large selection of brews and be entertained by the locations, styles and names of all the beers. On top of that there is an actual hostess to welcome you and help find you a seat. Love that! The food is pretty darn tasty to boot. I was a fan of the bacon nuts (perfect for sharing and there is just a hint of smokiness making these little buggers pretty addictive) and the monkey bread (ooey gooey goodness I wish I'd thought to get one all to myself). I opted for the macaroni and cheese which was so rich after a few bites I decided I had to take it home. The portion could have feed 4 people. Though it was good it was not the best macaroni and cheese I've ever had (that honor goes to The Southern). As other Yelpers have said, the service is not the best. My group had to practically tackle our server to place additional beer orders and she didn't seem to care. If you're looking for a leisurely night of drinking and eating, and you'd like to be in view of a cozy fireplace, this is your kind of gastropub.

    (4)

  • Christie A.

    Just went here this afternoon with my husband for a Saturday afternoon Beer and Nibbles and I must say it was fantastic! Our bartender was knowledgeable and friendly and the beer and food were delicious. Although it's in a a neighborhood I wouldn't usually end up in, it's super easy access to the Brownline Montrose stop. Highly recommend! this is what we had: FOOD-- Mussels in a garlic white wine & beer broth, and frites (fries: plus it came with two delicious sauces.. oh yum!!!) BEER: ***Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout ***Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale ***New Belgium Lips of Faith Dunkel Weiss go there!!!

    (4)

  • Mike B.

    I met some friends here for drinks & appetizers a few weeks back, and I wasn't especially impressed. The beer selection was solid (but a bit pricey), as was their selection of whiskey/whisky. The bartender was friendly, attentive, knew his beer, and gave me a sample of one of the beers. We got a table, and the waiter was a bit odd in his methods. He seemed to just sort of linger over your table waiting for you to go to him. The appetizers were underwhelming. The Bacon & Gorgonzola monkey bread wasn't nearly as delicious as it sounded, the frites were disappointing, and the bacon nuts seemed to be a whole lot of nuts and not much bacon. Someone there had a burger, and the verdict was that it was decent but not spectacular. The sausage plate had some nice items. With so many great tavern & burger places around, the Fountainhead won't be high on my list of places to return to.

    (2)

  • Mike B.

    I love having beer in my food... Might be my new favorite stop to go to in Chi. I've gone out of my way to come here for a good brew and fantastic food. I had their Lil Sumpin muscles and have only been let down to everyone else's, they were awesome and I don't toss out the word awesome very often...I'll do it again.. This place is awesome! the bartender / beer buyer does a great job with putting in such a great line up of American craft brews and shares the knowledge of the beer he's serving. Great staff all around actually. Well done mr. fountainhead I'll be seeing you again shortly. oh and thanks for saving me some 120min.. that stuff was intense.. so was the 75min ..never knew it existed

    (5)

  • Hollywood G.

    Checked out Fountainhead this week - I had heard really good things. Was impressed by the enormity of the drinks menu, and our server's knowledge of the drinks. So much on the menu looked great. We tried: monkey bread w bacon brittle (oddly served with chips), summer salad of watermelon/feta/cucumber/ radish (was swimming in dressing), scallops on bacon risotto (a lil bland) & bread pudding (hard like a toasty crouton). Nothing was terrible, it was all just a little off / someone missed the mark. We didn't send anything back or verbalize our dissatisfaction, we probably should have. All the mediocrity aside, I would definitely give them another chance as they are close to my neighborhood.

    (2)

  • Zach T.

    Again, Yelp nails it with 3.5 stars... I wish I could give another half star. The Beer list is great, the 2 beers I had were great. Atmosphere was good. A Nice dark bar. Service was a bit too-cool-for-school at the bar. I ordered a burger. Medium with cheddar. My Benchmark. When it came out looking like cheesy charcoal, I immediately requested mayo. That and the cheese saved it as it was WAY overcooked. It was tasty otherwise. I would have told the bartender if he'd asked... I'll definitely be back for drinks. I want to try those bacon nuts. Yeah, I said it.

    (3)

  • Jon P.

    Met up here for a date last week. I'm never up in the Ravenswood area, so she chose the place. Fountainhead has that typical higher-end pub/restaurant feel. After being seated at a booth, I looked at the drink menu while I waited. Great beer selection. There was a lot on tap and a great bottle selection. The first beer I ordered was from their special holiday selection and was surprisingly strong, which was probably a bad idea. I think I got a little more drunk than I should have for a first date. Whoops... When she arrived, we ordered some food--a shrimp appetizer and the mac an cheese with duck. The shrimp came fast and was a bit different than I was expecting. Four relatively large shrimp came floating in a spicy broth in a large bowl. It was good, but my date choked on the spiciness, so get ready for spicy if you order it! In the middle of eating the appetizer, the waitress came back to let me know that they were out of duck, so I had to settle for just normal mac and cheese. Kinda disappointing... I went to order a second beer only to be told that they didn't have it. The waitress then went through the beer selection and pointed out which ones they didn't have. Not sure if this is normal here, but it would have been nice if someone would have at least told us at the start of dinner. The mac and cheese eventually came out and it was very good... for mac and cheese. It was cheap at least though, so I didn't feel ripped off. I grabbed a third beer, talked a bit more and left. Overall, I would go back... it I was ever up here more often. Unfortunately, I'm not, so I can't imagine I'll ever end up here again. Too bad. Oh, and since I'm on an ellipses kick in this review and need to end every paragraph in one, here you go...

    (4)

  • Katie H.

    I was super excited when this bar&grill opened in my neighborhood, because we need more places within walking distance that aren't Thai (seriously Damen Ave. - can you possibly have more Thai places?!), not that I don't love Thai. Anyway. Fountainhead has great ambience, especially in the fall/winter (blazing fireplace, huge dark-wood booths and cozy tables). The beer list is excellent and extensive, and the bartenders will give you plenty of tastings until you find your perfect match. And the first time I went for dinner, the food (gorgonzola-topped burger and a salad) was delicious and cooked to perfection. But, the past 2 times, my "medium" burger was definitely well-done, and I'm SO not a fan of the charred meat sandwich. I'll keep giving Fountainhead food a chance because I like hanging out here for a beer. But I have to say, the hostess at the door could be nicer. Yes, I know it's got to be chilly standing there exposed to the snowy Chicago winter, but come on, you're in Ravenswood... slap a smile on that face!

    (3)

  • Jillian D.

    Sexy! (yes, i used initial caps!) i finally made it in to scope this place out this past weekend and already i cannot wait to return. it was late on a lazy saturday, and with a chill in the air that felt decidedly more like the coming of fall then the passing of spring, my friends and i decided a little gastro warm-up was in order. i'm a bit of a nerd for logos and such, and this place has a winner of a logo! and then the aesthetics absolutely love the gas lamps on either side of the door. and the warm woods throughout the interior are gorgeous. we sat on the other side of the bar - yeah, there's a whole other room back there! it's intimate and cozy and provides a unique view of the bar area. the menu offers happy refuge for whiskey and wine lovers alike (and the beer list is not too shabby). but two pages devoted to the brown? sweet!! then there's the food...this is not your average pub grub. my boyfriend sampled the pork belly sandwich. holy yum. next time we return, we've got our sites on the duck confit macaroni and cheese. (it's not for the faint of heart...or dieters...that much is certain). i hear they plan on opening the roof deck if summer ever gets here! a roof deck bar...in north center!!! i cannot wait!!!

    (4)

  • Megan K.

    I have been here both with a friend and then on a first date. Both times pretty good experiences. The drink menu is killer. I am a bourbon lover so having new ones to try is exciting to me. I also tried some of the scotches and enjoyed them. The beer menu is pretty decent and growing I hear. Though it's no Hopleaf, I would definitely order a beer here (as my date ordered a few). As far as the food, it is pretty good. My major complaint is that there is not nearly enough vegetarian options. The mac-n-cheese is good enough to bring me back, but were there more options I would be coming here more often. The frites were not as good as I hoped...maybe I will try them again (*revised, I just tried them yesterday and they were great.) I cannot wait to try the rooftop patio, which I will be doing for my 30th birthday! Thanks, Fountainhead, for having another great place to come to near my neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Colleen A.

    My beau and I went to this place tonight, we were very excited to be able to walk to a great neighborhood restaurant. The location is about all I can say about this place that was positive. Our server was really inattentive and borderline rude. When we didn't order alcohol he seemed to take offense and gave a sarcastic "thanks so much" when we ordered water and soda. He seemed irritated that he had explained the pages of alcohol choices with no results (although we certainly didn't ask him to). Sorry- sometimes you just want a coke! It was downhill from there. The food: I got a burger (it's an incredibly small menu), all of the "extras" are a dollar. It came with fries that were straight from a frozen bag and were cold by the time they got to me. The burger was dryyyyy, and they forgot to bring condiments. Seeing as how our server never really checked in on us, I had to wait quite a few minutes to get any mustard. When he did bring it, he kind of slid it onto the table as he walking by--it was really obvious he didn't want to ask how we were doing. My b/f got the mac and cheese. It was a little soupy and lacked any real flavor (could've done it home with better cheese). The place is nice, but it still smells like wood stain, I think they rushed the opening and you can get a constant whiff of wood finisher which is really not appetizing. They don't have any windows that open, which is too bad on a nice summer night. Overall, we're going to stick with The Bad Apple or any other place in Lincoln Square/ North Center. This place will probably make it, especially when the roof deck opens, but I don't think we'll ever go back.

    (1)

  • Jennifer W.

    Went to Fountainhead for dinner tonight with a couple of friends. We walked inside and were warmly greeted, then seated at a table directly in front of a fireplace (which wasn't on, thankfully, because it's not that cold yet). Anyway, the decor does seem to be a little sparse but I liked it anyway--another Yelper described it as sort of like an English pub, and I can see that. The Fountainhead drink menu is pretty extensive, and describes the various categories of beers, wines, etc. available. I chose the Original Sin Pear Cider, while one friend had a glass of the malbec wine. We settled on the shrimp diablo appetizer, which came with four jumbo shrimp and some little crostinis in a garlicky, spicy sauce that was delicious. We didn't even order our entrees until after we had eaten the appetizer. I must say that the Fountainhead menu contains many tempting choices, and it was really hard to decide. I finally chose the smokey mac & cheese with pulled duck confit and sun-dried tomatoes, while my friends chose the hanger steak with black bean and corn saute & chimichurri and one of the specials, a poblano pepper stuffed with BBQ pork and mashed potatoes. The food was great! I loved the mac & cheese and the pieces of duck complemented the flavors in the sauce perfectly. The steak, which my friend ordered medium rare, was nice and flavorful, and the stuffed pepper was pretty darn good too (though the pork could have used a little more sauce, in my opinion). One nice thing: the servings seemed large for the prices, and I had a lot of mac & cheese left over. The desserts sounded pretty good, but by then, we were just too full to even think of eating another bite. I would recommend the Fountainhead to anyone looking for a good, hearty dinner in the Logan Square area. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that they don't allow kids after 8:00 p.m., according to a sign posted at the hostess station. (I don't have kids, so I don't know if this is a big deal--just thought I'd mention it.)

    (4)

  • John W.

    On the beer selection alone I would give them 5 stars but that isn't all there is to it you know. For one, this is not the place you hang out if you are trying to lose weight with all the high alcohol beers, fatty foods and the fries with the garlic mayo. I am glad I rode my bike instead of drove because at least I could get back some of those calories. The other thing this place doesn't have going for it is that it's very nice inside but not the type of place you really want to be in during a nice sunny Summer day. It will be great in the winter but I did hear they may put in a roof top deck which could really help with the Summer thing. I had a burger, should have had the mac and cheese I think. It was a little dry but not terrible. The fries are really good and the garlic alio dip was awesome. There wasn't a lot of variety on the menu and If i remember correctly there were just a lot of things like Duck and what not which again, not something you really want to eat in the middle of the Summer....But not even as big of a variety as The Hop Leaf. It's a great spot though and I think the neighborhood needed a place like this and I think once they work out the menu a little more and the weather catches up to them this will become a neighborhood favorite for a lot of people.

    (3)

  • Tom T.

    Sure, plenty of places have huge beer selections in the city...but how many of them have the equivalent of a beer sommelier to recommend new things you'll love? Words cannot begin to describe the mouthboner I got when touring the beers here. On the 7th day god didn't rest he brewed beer dammit and the creators of Fountainhead are descendants of angels. Thank you, angels of brewing! I have to deny the coveted 5th star because the food is hit or miss and even the hit doesn't really stick with you. I'd say they should just take that pork chop right off the menu. Who am I kidding; skip the food and just drink your dinner!

    (4)

  • matty z.

    Me likey. My fellow and I went here for a delightful Friday evening and absolutely loved it. The selection of beer is astoundingly wonderful, and the cask options seemed fantastic-- though when we visited, the cask beer was unfortunately out. :-( Regardless, the beers we selected were excellent. The same goes for the mussels served over pommes frites-- absolutely delicious. I need to return for dinner, but from what I've so far tasted, I'm very impressed.

    (5)

  • Cynthia C.

    Perhaps I went on an off night (Mondays are usually when the exec chef takes a break, no?) but this place was overrated and not tasty. I ordered the Jerk Coffee and my friend got The Burger. Neither one of us liked our burnt, well-done (not medium as requested) sandwiches. For the price they charge, I expect my burger to be done properly. The only redeeming factor for this place is the expansive drink menu - for anyone who likes exploring different tastes, this might be a good place to go. But not for the food.

    (2)

  • Scott B.

    I finally made it to Fountainhead on a late Saturday afternoon. When I entered, I was surprised at how nice this place was. The proprietor(s) definitely sunk some bucks into this place, and this part of Ravenswood desperately needs a nice bar like Fountainhead. It was smaller than I thought, and it was pretty full even at 3:00 on a Saturday. Wifey & I sat at the bar, and geez, what a phenomenal beer selection! There is probably 5-6 pages of craft beers on their menu. The Fountainhead folks take a lot of pride in their beer. The Bartenders. Superb! Excellent, knowledgeable Bartenders that took the time to explain, in detail, any questions one might have concerning their amazing beer selection. If you're unsure, they'll gladly give you a free taste. If you don't want beer, how about whiskey? Yep, they have a damn good selection of this stuff too. Single malt. Oh yeah, they have a fine selection of this as well. The food menu, surprisingly, was kinda' limited. Wifey & I shared the 'Swine Swoon", which is a shoulder pork sandwich on sourdough bread. It was good (not great), and had decent flavor without being drowned in sauce. The fries however were cold, and tasted like Burger King. I'd definitely try something else next time I go. Excellent service, mind boggling beer selection, and decent pricing will bring me back to Fountainhead.

    (4)

  • josie w.

    Wow! This place was busy early on a Friday Night- but it was cool standing by the bar and the hostess did get us a table after 45 minutes or so...awesome beer selection yes...but actually wish they had MGD! Famous last words: "I probably should have eaten something before I started drinking..."

    (5)

  • Eric H.

    I've been to Fountainhead a few times since it opened, but when I went there for a third time a few months ago, I had an awful experience with the service of the establishment after waiting over an hour and a half for seating after being told 30 mins. When I brought the issue to the manager on duty at the time his comment to me was "Did you see a an empty seat when you walked in that could hold you?" What was that all about? I can believe a manager said that. Needless to say I walked out right then and there and I have never been back. I have worked in the restaurant industry before and it has always been my view that it is up to the establishment to set the patron's exceptions whether they can accommodate their needs or not. It's not my duty as a customer to determine the seating arrangements for 6 people. I for one will never go back. Based on prior experience: Beer selection - 4 stars Food - 2 1/2 Stars Customer service - -3 stars

    (1)

  • Nick M.

    Just go. Amazing drinks, great food and EXCELLENT service. Super knowledgeable, super friendly, and super no B.S. Dont bother with any of the negatives these other Folks are talking about. If you know how to be a grown up and go out, you'll fall in love with place. Only time I've seen service problems is when drunks can't handle Professional Bartenders telling them to head home. I started with Bar on Buena and I'm gonna keep on keeping on with Fountainhead.

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    Best Beer in Chicago, Love this place. Beer is the number one reason I would return. Whiskey number 2.

    (5)

  • Coco D.

    Boo hiss to Fountainhead - I wish I'd read the other reviews before going. I was excited to try this place since its down the street from my job and we have pretty slim pickings up here for good bars. I was terribly dissapointed. Two of us from a party of 7 arrived at 5:45 pm to get a table - there were 3 tables occupied. We had to wait more than 10 minutes while they decided where to seat us, they wouldn't push two tables together in the main dining area. So we were sequestered to the back room where they were hanging theings on the wall with power tools and told our server wasn't on yet. The decor is what I can only compare to a strip mall pub, trying to be something it clearly isn't. The food was ok but lackluster - not something I'd go here for specifically. Enormous beer list that I didn't know anything on because a.) I just don't care that much about beer and 2.) I'm not a beer guru, snob, whatever and I just wanted something cold, light and delicious. I asked what they had in a bottle and was told to look in the coolers behind the bar - impossible! I'm 5'4" and couldn't see over the bar or around the guys sitting at the bar. What? The server made a recommendation for me - I got it and it was ok but not what I wanted. I don't need the attitude - I wasn't being ugly. This isn't a place to waste your time, if you like the owners - go to Bar on Buena, the food and service are supremely better. I can only imagine what an unholy SH--Storm this place will be once the roof bar opens. No thanks.

    (1)

  • Allie K.

    Food was alright...I have been been several times and it has begun to decline. Also the service is AWFUL!!!! It took a group of four of us 2.5 hours to have brunch! Ridiculous! Server was so slow with everything from taking 20 minutes for drink orders to waiting for our entrees for over 40. I will not be going again!

    (2)

  • Brit M.

    I came here on a Saturday afternoon. It wasn't packed and my boyfriend and I were in the mood for a fight. This sucks, because this place could of been enjoyable if he and I didn't want to kill each other. They have a great whiskey list - which made him happy. They have a great beer list - which made me happy. The fight began over me wanting to order a beer with high alcohol content. I did it any ways and it was DELICIOUS! Food wise, it was decent. I ordered the black bean patty (I am not a veggie head - it just looked good on the menu) and he ordered the risotto. My side was the red slaw, and honestly, it had the taste of body odor. It was as if someone was collecting arm pit juices and marinated the cabbage in it. At this point, I was stabbing at it and although my boy and I were shooting hate waves to each other, he flagged the server down and she substituted with sweet potato chips. YUM! My sandwich was pretty good and actually inspired me to look for a similar recipe. The risotto was... risotto? I don't ever order risotto, and I don't see why people are crazy picky about it. The environment was airy, and I would like to come back when we don't want to kill each other. I also noticed Northside hipsters are much more at ease and better to people watch. The service was outstanding by the way - not once did our server cringe or seem bothered by our hostility.

    (4)

  • Anon D.

    I was here about a week ago. I would give it four stars, since for bar food, it's pretty good, though certainly nothing to write home about. They have little twists on typical bar food that work pretty well, but places like that are a dime a dozen these days. Anyways, the reason I'm reviewing the place in the first place, and the reason I took off two stars is that the service is absolutely terrible. The server I had was beyond indifferent. We had to tell her our order twice, and she seemed annoyed at us for her own forgetfulness. And the hostess was extremely rude when we walked in. If you live close by, I imagine it's a great place to have a few drinks and a burger, but it's not worth a trip.

    (2)

  • Rachel E.

    Um.... the fries are good...? Sorry. I really wanted to like Fountain head. But it's not great. To be fair, we did go at an off time (Tuesday around 6:30). Maybe they're more on their game during peak hours? Expect subpar, slow service and slightly below average food, taste- and temperature-wise. Except the fries. The fries are good.

    (2)

  • Mark M.

    Fountainhead is awesome! Nicely decorated, dimly lit, comfortable ambience. This place has an incredibly impressive beer selection. They are constantly switching their draft beers. Every time I go in there are different beers on tap, while keeping a few constants. If I remember right there are usually a good 20 beers on tap. They have close to 200 beers to choose from in all including some of my favorites from Quebec and Belgium. My girlfriend doesn't like beer so she got a cider, and according to her it was the best cider she's ever tried (Original Sin). They also serve liquor and cocktails of course. Their burgers are fantastic! They come on a toasted pretzel bun and for the first time in my life I tried my burger with chevre (goat cheese). It was delicious. The mussels are also pretty good as are their fries, which always come with some really interesting dipping sauces. Fountainhead's a great neighborhood pub to grab a beer and catch up with close friends. Check it out!

    (5)

  • S. P.

    This is a nice place for people living in Lincoln Square/North Center. The atmosphere is good. They have a great beer and wine menu. I had the Ham and Brie and it was very good. I would not recommend the wine cheese appetizer, it was extremely bland and poorly presented. There is also a nice rooftop deck that is open in the warm months.

    (4)

  • Matt M.

    Being in Fountainhead reminded me a lot of being in an English pub in London only with a lot better food. (Aside: All the jokes you've heard about horrible English food are true. How can any culture that managed to rule most of the world not conquer blandness?) My first trip to any pub includes a beer and either a hamburger or fish and chips. Fountainhead didn't disappoint in either category. They had a total of 26 draft beers to choose from. More on the beer later. For now, let's focus on their burger which ranked slightly better than the overrated Jury burger but a small cry from a Bad Apple burger. (If you're reading this and you've never been to Bad Apple, stop reading right now and go - my prose may be fantastic, but the Bad Apple burgers are better). In other words, Fountainhead serves a very delicious burger. My only complaint on the food was the fries and the ketchup. The fries were good but seemed a little too McDonaldy to me. I prefer thick cut fries in my pubs. And then there's the ketchup issue. One thing that always irritates me is when a restaurant is so arrogant about their food that they believe it can't possibly be improved upon by the introduction of condiments. A half pound burger and fries served with a tablespoon of ketchup? Fries with no option for additional salt? Are they serious? Do they not know that my blood pressure is dangerously low and that extra salt on the table is a matter of life and death to me? Before I continue, let me make one thing very clear: I thought the service was fantastic! The waitress was super friendly, prompt, polite, and knowledgeable. Not haughty or condescending in any way - even when I asked for more ketchup. She was great. I just get annoyed by a condiment deficient table setting. Now on to the beer. I was taking a short break from work so I only had one beer. I opted for the hand pumped, cask conditioned, 8% alcohol Dragon's Breath. Trust me when I say this was not an easy choice. Their selection of draft beers is truly impressive. In addition, Scotch drinkers should rejoice. There must be at least 75 Scotch whiskey on the menu. In other words, for those of us that enjoy our libations, this place is a real treat. Their was one thing that really annoyed me. They cheated me out of $3. "How," you may be asking, "could anyone cheat someone as sophisticated and wily as yourself out of $3?" By changing the price of my beer while I was eating! Yes, that's right, when I looked at the menu the price of the Dragon's Breath was $5. When my check came, it was $8. "Perhaps," thought I, "I misread the menu." So I got up, grabbed a copy of the menu, and the price had literally been changed, while I ate, from $5 to $8 by someone yielding a black pen and low moral principles. I mentioned this to the server and she very politely apologized and told me that, being a brand new restaurant, they have some wrinkles to iron out and I was caught beneath the mercilessness of the hot, steal iron. All-in-all, I really enjoyed my experience at Fountainhead and I'd recommend that people go. So why only 3 stars? Because there are some rough edges, store bought fries, and, most important to a cheap skate like me, it was way too expensive. My burger and one beer cost me $19 ($22.50 with tip). In my opinion, despite the deliciousness of the food, the great selection of beer, and the wonderful service, that is a little outrageous.

    (3)

  • Casey M.

    Finally made it out to Fountainhead after a couple weeks of anticipation. I really wanted to try this place and on one snowy evening I braved the weather and made it out. And I was in for a great surprise. Fountainhead has a great beer list, it is a leather-bound book, and an extensive whiskey list too. I had the Weihenstephaner Vitus, a nice German wheat-bock beer and my dinner partner had the Triple Karmeliet. To start our night we tried the Cheese Plate, three delicious cheeses, dried fruit, pistachios, but a little skimpy on the bread, and the Bacon Nuts, the nuts themselves we good, but the sugary clumpy bacon brittle I could have passed on. For our main course I had the savory Swine Swoon, a delicious and tender slow roasted pork sandwich, and the Red Slaw on the side. My partner had the Mac & Cheese, which was giant bowl of macaroni tossed in a decedent beer infused cheese sauce. We both loved our meal and afterward we continued to peruse the beer list to see what others we could try. So many choices, I want to try them all. The overall experience at Fountainhead was very enjoyable one at that and I will be back to explore the menu and all those great beers. I am glad to have a gastopub so close to my place.

    (4)

  • Nicolas H.

    The draft beer list is awesome and unique. Probably the first reason to frequent this place. However, the food was good as well. To start the mussels were pretty good, great broth. We also had the monkey bread which when dipped in the mussel broth was a lot better than without. The bread was just a little too dense for my taste. The bacon nuts were different and actually did enjoy the bacon brittle, just could've used a little more. For my meal I had the Swine Swoon which pretty much accurately described how I felt during and after. I'm a sucker for pork and the combo of the tender pork shoulder with the aged cheddar was perfect. Looking forward to coming back to trying some more menu items and tasty drinks (they make a great manhattan as well)...

    (4)

  • Sid V.

    Great beer list, decent service, good food. Dark wood decor is suitable for its mission, if perhaps a little too dark. The menu is somewhat eclectic and limited, but other than the duck everything has been quite good. The duck disappointed with its turkey like flavor and flaccid skin-should have been crispy. Really hoping they get the overdue roof deck open soon, someone needs to give these people a crash course in whose palms need greasing or something. Overall, I appreciate how seriously they take their food and booze and am very happy to have this place in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Reema S.

    Went here on a Sunday afternoon for brunch. The food was great and our server was very friendly. I've been wanting to try this place out for dinner/drinks but I haven't gotten a chance to yet but after my brunch experience, I would go back for dinner. The beer list looks great and extensive.

    (4)

  • joi p.

    Great beer, knowledgeable staff, amazing, albeit diet defeating, food. DUH, winning!

    (5)

  • Ania T.

    My sister brought me here and I'm a fan for life! The bartender Mike was awesome, wasn't bothered by my request for a lemon for my water or the fact I have never had a beer other than some bottled coronas or blue moon haha He let me sample a couple beers and we found me a true match : ) I'm definitely coming back!

    (5)

  • Steven B.

    Honestly? This places needs to be bought out by someone that actually cares about running a restaurant. End of story. The first time we went here (opening week) it was FANTASTIC. Beer selection: huge. Food: delicious. Service: quality. We, living in the neighborhood, were excited to have a new place and brought a few friends a couple weeks later, having bragged about how awesome it was. That's when the fun began. Some of the items (the Swine Soon specifically) they'd already tinkered with, downgrading the crazy tasty "aged cheddar" to something boring and normal. When we asked the server (same one we had during our fantastic first visit) instead of taking matters into her own hands, she grabbed a manager, which probably wasn't a good idea. In a word, the guy was HOSTILE. Not good. The friends we went with will never go back... why would they? I've since been back one more time and honestly... it's just getting worse. Beer selection is getting more dodgy, service was horrible (40 min after we sat did the server even take our order), and the burger was way over-cooked. So much potential... if only the place was better managed by folks that cared about their customers. When the flow of new "first timers" ends (why would they go back?) and the place eventually closes, please... someone who knows how to run a dining room and kitchen, please step in and take over.

    (2)

  • Steve D.

    I'm a fan of this place. A ridiculously long and diverse beer menu that's a treat to pore over before ordering. Moreover it's constantly changing and they always have at least one offering on cask, which I absolutely love. I've been there more than once when the bartender or waiter has offered a tasting of a certain brew (without me asking) so I can contrast it with what I'm drinking. Food has been excellent for me - Over the last few months I've had the cheese plate, mussels, burgers, onion soup, and 'swine swoon' and they've all been pretty tasty, especially the muscles. The prices I think are fair for what you get, though I haven't splurged on the entrees, which are significantly more expensive than the sandwiches. This is more a 4.5 star place for me. I can't give it a full five just yet (sometimes service can be a touch slow or spotty) but this is a very welcome addition to the neighborhood and I'm eager to see how this place develops.

    (4)

  • David K.

    Good beer options. Okay food- maybe expand the menu a bit? Shitty service, especially for a Sunday afternoon when the place is half-empty. Next time I'll walk 2 blocks further west and hit Bowman's (great food and always served with a smile...)

    (2)

  • Jessica F.

    meh. Beer selection: amazing. though, they're trying to make a statement by binding it in a f-ing book. all three of my beers were perfect...but both times my glasses were HOT out of the dishwasher and were still wet. kills the taste of a cold beer. but if you want someone special, they probably have it...but it might be in a warm glass. the food: less than meh. the price DOES NOT fit the bill. for a $20 i want to NOT taste the grill it was cooked on. and i want a little marinade...or rub...or salt. pulled pork shoulder was cooked perfectly...but no sauce, and a little pickle on top....meh. next time i go it will be at someone else's request. and we'll head early to avoid a wait...and just order beer - in the bottle.

    (2)

  • Ali H.

    I have such mixed feelings about the fountainhead! It's right near my house and we were all very excited when it opened. My first few trips over the summer proved very enjoyable. I spent most of the summer eagerly awaiting the completion of their roof deck and cocktail menu (still being promised on the front page of their menu). Happy times spent here included delicious cocktails (not on the menu but there was a limited number of signature drinks that they would recommend/offer if you asked), tasty whiskey, yummy frites with creative aiolis, and a generally nice ambiance although I could do without the TVs. I went back a few nights ago after a month or two hiatus for no specific cause. Things had taken a turn for the worse! When we got there, our friend had been waiting for 15 min at a table. No one had stopped to ask him if he wanted a drink, and he'd had to ask the bartender for a glass of water. When we got there, I asked the waiter for the cocktail that I had had so often over the summer. He was definitely tripping on something, but that is not an excuse for his overall rudeness and our feeling of being in trouble every time he came to look at the table. Anyway, this was the gist of our conversation: me: I had a cocktail here this summer that had this and this and this in it...do you know what it's called? him: we don't have cocktails. me: oh, well I had it on several occasions, are you sure... him: was it a manhattan? me: no, it was a signature cocktail. him: we don't have signature cocktails. We don't make cocktails. me: umm...ok...I'll need a minute to look at the menu At which point he left and I went to the bar and found out from the bartender that I'm not actually crazy and that this cocktail did exist but they just aren't making it anymore. In fact, they are phasing out their cocktail menu entirely. This is sad. But, I had a glass of whiskey anyway and it was delicious. My friend ordered sweet potato chips and they were cold and had some controversial seasonings on them; he sent them back and got the trusty frites. Anyway, I felt like the server was mad at me after seeing me at the bar talking to the bartender and we all had a general sense of being in trouble every time he came over. I'm sure he never smiled the entire night. Sigh. I probably won't be back here for a while.

    (3)

  • Edgar D.

    Dropped by here yesterday for my big bro's birthday and had a good time and would definitely come back. The wait staff was a little too relaxed with the patrons but that's okay. Tried the burger and have to admit that it was pretty good. I especially like that they included a side of mustard on the dish (my favorite condiment.) As everyone else has mentioned the beer selection is pretty extensive. Like that they pretty much describe everything you need to know about each drink. Really handy for folks who want to try different beers but don't want their wallet's to do the process of elimination of finding one to settle on.

    (4)

  • Robin H.

    I think for a nice beer and whiskey selection this is the place. Only complaint about the drinkies was that the beer engine ran out and produced maybe a 2 ounce glass of beer and we were charged full price because the guy asked if my hubs wanted it! Really, full beer price for a shot glass worth of beer. Bleech. We probably shouldn't have tried to go here for dinner. Not a great selection, even for a pub that serves a little food. My husband really likes his burger and fries, but I found myself with very little options to eat. Also, this place is not for large groups. We went with a group of 7 and it was about 2 hours before we got seated. Think this might be a quick drink, date night stop.

    (2)

  • natalie v.

    I gave Fountainhead a 3-star review the first time I went because they were a little disorganized. However, it was within a few weeks of opening its doors to the public. I figured they just needed to work out some of their kinks. I was right. This time I went and again had the bacon and egg appetizer. Still amazing. The burger was cooked perfectly this time. And my friend that went with me had the Swine Swoon. Ohhhh. Emmmm. Geeeee! The Swine Swoon. It is rich with its pork shoulder and cheddar cheese on sourdough. I dare you to try to finish it. I love the burger but will be ordering the Swine Swoon next time I go. This time I tried different sides. The fries were good last time, so I decided to give the cole slaw and sweet potato chips a try. I'm not even sure I can rank them because they were all good. It just depends on what you have a preference for that day. The cole slaw is Carolina-style which, I learned, is red cabbage and made with vinegar, not mayo. It had just the right amount of tanginess. The sweet potato chips were light and crispy and just a little sweet (duh, they're sweet potatoes!). I'm very excited to return many, many more times to Fountainhead. My next review of them will hopefully be when their rooftop patio opens. I can't wait!

    (4)

  • Lauren M.

    My husband and I took a break from the Ravenswood Art Walk on Saturday to have lunch here - what a great spot! The prices are reasonable too - I had a glass of delicious cava for $5!! My husband had an Oktoberfest beer, which he really enjoyed ($6). We ordered the bacon and Brie sandwich on brioche to share. There were slices of apple in the sandwich too. On the side were home made sweet potato chips with just the right amount of cinnamon - delicious!!! We also shared the bean salad, which was very summery, light and tasty - a perfect compliment to our indulgent sandwich. I'd definitely go back to this place and would like to enjoy the roof top bar in summer. Its a nice space with traditional finishes and very friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Steve R.

    Amazing beer selection. Tried the mead and loved the locally brewed Metropolitan beer! Great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • carolyn h.

    I went here for a week night dinner with my boyfriend. We have wanted to try this place for a while and finally got around to doing it. I went in starving. I'm not a big beer girl, I prefer my wine. I think If I was a beer girl I would be impressed with the beer menu. For food, I ended up ordering the burger and I just wasn't impressed. It just seemed dry and uneventful. my Boyfriend had the pork sandwich and I tried it and i wasn't dying for another bite or anything. I left being full, but not excited to come back. It was just blah.

    (3)

  • Marc M.

    One of my favorite neighborhood joints! Stellar beer list, and the food is top notch. The music is not blasting, you can actually talk with your friends and not shout. The staff really knows the menu and beer. We go often.

    (4)

  • Bobby K.

    To be fair, this place is still very new and if it figures itself out, I guarantee I'll up my rating to a 5. I love living just a few blocks a way. It's reputation for beer precedes itself. Their menu is insanely detailed, with a huge page of draft options, followed by pages of bottles that are all sorted by variety. It can be overwhelming but I'll take too much whelm over not enough any day. Everything I've had on the menu has been great so far. They're clearly putting time and effort into each of the creations, and if the options are seasonal, that's totally cool and I respect that. But if this is what they're sticking with, I'm going to run out of new things to try real quick. Nothing is signature enough yet to be in demand. The atmosphere is a little closed off from the world. I have no idea what the decision behind this was, but it seems odd to not have any openable windows onto Damen or Montrose. With such a heavy wood door, it's somewhat uninviting. I'm sure it'll be nice and cozy in the Winter but even in Chicago that's only half the year. Right now, I think they're trying a little too hard to be Hopleaf (you're not going to top their mussels Fountainhead; just give up). I have faith though. Everyone I've taken here has been very impressed with some aspect of it. Keep up the good work, Fountainhead!

    (4)

  • Kristen W.

    Very nice to see a brew pub in this location- definitely needed, nice decor (nothing super creative but still nice), and the logo reminds me of Ayn Rand which is always a good thing, And beer. The beer list is good. Tons of brews on tap -- I would have expected more summer-ish/weiss bier on tap but I guess the bottle selection makes up for it. It's still no hop-leaf. Prices are okay though. The food- menu was small and expected for a beer pub. They serve a lot of duck which kind of grosses me out but that's my deal. I ordered the egg salad sandwich, knowing in the back of my mind that no egg salad sandwich can ever hold up to a great beer. I think a fried egg sandwich makes more sense in this environment. Food was delivered,cold egg salad on warm pretzel roll, kind of odd but adequate. The red cabbage slaw was great. My date's burger was really great. Major kudos on that. Nothing bad to say about the food- prices were great here too. Kind of odd to have bar fare served on fancy-ish plates, but whatever. The service- sucked. The waiter was really nice- when we had his attention, which is when we were first seated and he was all excited to give us the menus. After that we had to ask someone to find him for everything else we needed. NOTHING pisses me off more than to sit with an empty glass waiting for another beer. For this reason alone I may not come back. I'm not sure he even thanked us when he gave us the check, it was like he was too busy hiding in the back to serve us. The restaurant was not busy, there were many open tables. Where was he?? We could have easily tried a few more beers (and upped the tab) but since the waiter blew us off he blew the night. And his tip. Oh and the restrooms were out of toilet paper, and the latch on one stall is broken. Someone needs to start paying attention to detail!

    (2)

  • Chris S.

    This place is great. I have no idea what everyone on here is crying about, because holy crap was my experience amazing. We were there on a Saturday afternoon and there was no wait. The wait staff was awesome, the drink menu was huge and impressive and the food was top notch. I had the burger and I can honestly say with a straight face, that it was on par, if not BETTER than Kuma's. No lie, because I love Kuma's burgers. The meat was tasty, juicy and perfectly seasoned with a slightly blackened crust. Also, it comes on a pretzel bun. My friend had the Swine Swoon and he gave me a bight of his sandwich. FANTASTIC. My wife had the black bean burger and she raved about it. A+ for having Three Floyd's Richard the Bruce on tap. Infinitely better than from the bottle. Will visit again... and again... and again... and... you get what I'm saying.

    (5)

  • Bobby S.

    Overall: only go for drinks, food blows, service mediocre, Can think of dozens of better places to eat. Pros: Beer and other booze selection rocks. Cons: Everything else. Ate their twice. First time was so good I can't even remember what I had (sarcasm). Second time was tonight as I was preparing to leave Chicago for good. Thought after a long day of watching movers I would get some good beer and pub food. Thought wrong. Monkey bread was good but the gravy was horrible. Lumps of flour and they must have ran out of salt. Cheese tart thing was actually prett decent but runny and still needed salt. Wife's mushroom sheppard's pie had two pieces of mushroom, parsnip mash was thin and turned everything into a soggy mess, and again, they forgot the salt. Broke a cardinal rule of eating out and ordered chicken because it sounded decent. Jamaican jerk chicken sandwich was overcooked, no flavor, and again no salt. This was topped by a completely burned bun that had to be replaced. If the management is reading any of this, you guys seriously need to find some better cooks.

    (3)

  • Andrew C.

    After frequent visits, it is readily apparent that there has been a rapid decline in service at Fountainhead. The most recent example... last night a buddy and I came in around 6:45p. The red-headed 'hostess' could barely be bothered to look up from her crossword puzzle (on two separate occasions). The bar was pretty full, but the rest of the place was pretty much empty minus 3 separate parties of 2 sitting in the booths along the windows. I asked for a table for 2 and requested either one of the additional 2 open booths. The hostess refused to allow us to sit there even though there was absolutely no wait and the rest of the tables in the entire restaurant were empty (literally... no exaggeration). I asked why we couldn't be seated in one of the open booths and the hostess said they were keeping them open for larger parties. I asked what larger parties she was referring to and that policy was odd because the other 3 booths were filled with parties of 2. She shrugged and said they were seated earlier (meaning they would also be leaving soon). I put my almost full drink down I ordered from the bar (very nice bartender by the way... hence the one star) and we walked out. The hostess couldn't have cared less that she had an empty restaurant, no wait and just let two paying customers walk out the door. Incredible. I guess that explains why the bar was full and the restaurant area was empty. PS. I want to let Fountainhead in on a little industry secret... if you are mostly empty, you actually WANT to seat people in the windows so it actually looks like your place doesn't suck to passers-by (even if it does). Best of luck staying in business... and on the crossword puzzles.

    (1)

  • Conall W.

    I have to say, the bad reviews on here astonish me. Right off the bat, I think it's important to note that while they have really great items on their menu, I think it mainly augments their outstanding drink selection. I see it more as an 'incredible bar with a great food selection' rather than a 'great restaurant.' Take a look at their menu and decide for yourself. What they do serve is fantastic, but I personally think it's about the beer and the scotch here, plus the fact that they have great stuff to eat or nibble on, and an outstanding environment. I've been here on many different occasions, with many different people, and usually I don't want to leave. I've been here in great moods to keep the good times rollin, and somber moods to cheer up. They only carry craft beers(from all over the U.S. and the world), because they don't participate in the alcohol monopolies that are Anheuser Busch and Miller. But if that's the kind of beer you want--something light and simple--they have something for you. They have really complex beers, really simple beers, and everything in between. I love asking the bartenders about the different beers and scotches. They have a lot of great things to say. They also have one large flat screen TV, BUT only turn it on if there's a game, or an important event. Otherwise they don't believe in LEAVING TV's ON TO DISTRACT PEOPLE FROM THEIR CONVERSATIONS. I like that because usually I go to bars with people that I like to talk to and converse with, and not look over their shoulders at a flashing screen every few moments. I haven't sat down for a proper dinner yet, but I have nibbled on a number of things, and I think the food is fantastic. I've had the mussels(A), monkey bread(B-), pork sandwich(A), and the frites(A) are great. All-in-all, I love it here.

    (5)

  • Tammy N.

    Wandered in here the other day after Zumba and was completely impressed by their beer/liquor menu. As for the food menu was a little disappointed. After careful consideration we decided to stay and ended up splitting the black bean burger and the Crispy salad. The burger was tasty but a touch dry, and I do mean a touch..... The Crispy Salad (atleast I think that was what it was called...apples & walnuts) was out of this world and the dipping sauces for the frites: yum! Will definitely be back to sample the beer!

    (4)

  • Vince M.

    So my real rating would be for 3.5 stars. For a bar, this place gets 5 stars...mostly due to their amazing beer and whiskey selection, and the best organized and informative beer menu I have ever read at a bar. Even if you don't know jack about beer, you can pick something you would most likely enjoy by reading their menu. They do a great job at keeping their current draft/bottle lists available and updated online. The bartenders are not just hotties pouring drinks...like Sheffield's and Hop Leaf, they do know their stuff. The drop-off comes from the just decent food, less than impressive wait service, and way too small bar. I think this place would have done better as MORE bar and LESS restaurant. They seem to have trouble trying to do both, and for such a small seating capacity, they should not be constantly be behind in serving people. Maybe they just need more help, but I'll hold off on being a full fledged fan until I can: a) get a beer easier at the bar; b) get better service while dining.

    (3)

  • Katie C.

    This may come off as Yelp blasphemy, but sometimes I think a 5-star rating system is just not a large enough scale on which to accurately rate...::gasp!:: I know. Nearly 200 reviews and it took me this long? It had to be said eventually... Fountainhead is one of those places that doesn't offer you a superior nor horrendous experience. There are many facets on which to judge: the newness (word?) of the place, the server, the food, the drink, the ambiance, the cleanliness. And sometimes, I really think the five-star system isn't enough to combine those factors. For instance, there are HUGE discrepancies in quality between Fountainhead and other places I've rated 3 stars. For instance, the drink list? Holy F*$^in' crap. This place is a beer and whisky haven. I love the organization of their list, although it is INCREDIBLY hard to read for those that are too prideful (or too young) to whip out their handy reading glasses. So that, right there, would be better described as 7.5 out of 10, rather than 3 out of 5. Catch my drift, o Yelpiverse? As for food, the choices are limited and if you were hoping to catch a salad with chicken on it, you be dead wrong. Only steak is offered as an add-on. As the "newness" of the restaurant wears off, I'm sure they'll eventually offer something for all those crazy health freaks who want to drink their beer and salad it up, too. The mac 'n cheese was good with a distinct smoky flavor (you can thank the rauchbier for that) but not as piping hot as I would have liked it to come out. Again, maybe that would be a 6.5 out of 10...see where I'm going with this? What I will say is this: the drink list is to die for, and there is no way that I won't come back to imbibe, considering there is just NOTHING like Fountainhead in the Ravenswood area. Food? Keep working, you'll catch on. Ambiance? Like the wood, dislike the shouting you have to do to stay on topic with your table members. Super props to the staff for keeping the bathrooms classy and clean. And our service? Nice but a little too sparse. Not my style. If I had a scale out of 10 with half points, I'd give you, Fountainhead, a....drumroll, please...6.5 or 7. And for you math geeks out there, my half-point system rating is a better ratio than 3/5...obvi.

    (3)

  • Dulce P.

    My visit was completely spontaneous. It was a great date spot. We had a few micro brew beers, the name I completely forgot, I just remember there was a devil on the can. However the appetizers were okay. The service was good and friendly. I will definitely revisit. I love trying new beers.

    (3)

  • Stephanie S.

    I've been meaning to post a review, but things just got away from me. I'm giving Fountainhead 1 star only beacuse of the beer selection. I suggest if you're hungry, eat someplace else and then stop in here for a nightcap. It's been so long since I made my final visit there, I forgot what I ordered. I won't go into deatils, but what I do remember is that it didn't sit well with me afterwards. As I said, the beer selection is awsome, but after 3 visits, 2 with mediocre meals and one that was just awful, I won't be back. There are way too many beer places, that serve much better food than this.

    (1)

  • Alexander F.

    Great atmosphere on the rooftop deck. The food was solid. The service was terrible though. I would come here to day drink again, but not to dine. Honestly this is purely atmosphere. Service &'dining experience has been g-d awful.

    (2)

  • J K.

    The beer selection and whiskey choices not only spectacular but the prices were actually reasonably priced! Of course that shouldn't be the only thing that makes a place. OK let's start over with this review for a second... The service was decent. The server was friendly but forgot a few little things on our order and slow to ask for more drinks or refills. The atmosphere is nice but not quite a place to go if you're looking for a 20-something (maybe even 30-something) bar. It's got an older crowd feel without being too sophisticated. The food was ranging from decent to pretty good. The variety is nice, we started with the bacon nuts. Great snacking food with our beer while waiting for our order. We stuck primarily with the sandwiches for our meals. The pork was all right, a little dry but decent flavor. My friend really liked his black bean burger, better than the regular burger. I was a little disappointed in the frites, I thought they could've tasted a little less bland and generic. Next time I'm going with the red slaw. We shared a vanilla bean cheesecake which was pretty good. Light but lacking a little bit on the actual "vanilla" part. Presentation was also neat as well. The beer list changes constantly so I was happy I could be adventurous. I tried the La Trappe beer which was, in my opinion, well priced and tasted great, although generally I prefer heartier beers. It's the first time having Trappist beer so it was not a bad first experience. The whiskey list (especially scotch) was really nice. A few of my favorites popped up on the list and thensome. Must come back again.

    (4)

  • Scott P.

    My favorite Latvian and I hosted a couple of younger relatives/pals for dinner last night. It was a first visit to Fountainhead for all of us, and we all agreed that we will return. The selection of beer, wine, fine scotches and other bevvies was extensive and of first-rate quality for a wide range of tastes and budgets. We had quite the mix of beer, wine and single malts between us, and everyone was more than pleased. As we cruise into the fall season, I personally tend toward comfort foods. Fountainhead's menu seemed to address the great majority of my seasonal cravings: perfectly grilled pork chop, steamy pot of mussels with andouille, roast duck, pulled pork, smokey mac 'n cheese...you get the picture. The atmosphere was similarly cozy with four of us very comfortable in a roomy booth, and our friendly server was more than adept at judging our table's needs and pace. We really had a nice time. Thanks, Fountainhead. We'll be back.

    (4)

  • Christine L.

    I love this place! Great service, delicious and interesting food, extensive beer and whiskey list and fun music. This place is my go-to. I have been here countless times and I've never had a bad experience. I will be spending the majority of my summer nights on that rooftop.

    (5)

  • Greer C.

    I was so excited to check out Fountainhead after looking at their menu. I knew exactly what I was going to get: gorganzola bacon monkey bread and the spiced nuts. Both sounded amazing. I was definitely let down, the monkey bread was bland, definitely needed salt and and I couldn't taste any gorganzola and I only got random flakes of bacon. Bummer. The spiced nuts were just OK, the bacon brittle was tasty, but it was SO chewy I felt like my jaws were stuck together and again not enough salt. The service was fine, the decor was good and there was a lively atmosphere.

    (2)

  • jess e.

    Everytime someone mentions Fountainhead everyone can agree that what they are serving isn't the problem, the problem is who's serving it. And the more I think about it the less I want to go. Nearish closing time, my boyfriend and I are the only paying customers in the place, everyone else is hanging out at the end of the bar gossiping with the staff (or they are the staff just gossiping with each other) we just want to pay our bill and go home. Why won't you look at us? Even when we yell out to you to get your attention you don't care. Have we become invisible? If so then maybe we should just slip out the door without paying the bill. Halloween, beer in pumpkins, fantastic! These are the beers in the pumpkins, I am getting one, fantastic! Waitress comes with the beers, fantastic! "You know we have this beer and another beer in pumpkins tonight if you want to try that next" ......this one didn't come from a pumpkin? "no" ....oh. She was nice and took that one away and gave me the pumpkin one, but I ordered it because I knew it was in the pumpkin, the whole reason we were there, pumpkins. Not only did she not talk about them when we sat down (why wouldn't she push the pumpkins?) When I ordered I assumed it was coming from the pumpkin (there was nothing on the menu to indicate it could be tap or pumpkin tap), but if that's not what was happening why not mention that while I'm putting in my order? Then my soup came, as I was eating it I swear the menu said there was supposed to be more then just soup. Finally flagged down the waitress who told me it was just soup, and when I insisted she said she would check since it was a new item but she's pretty sure it was just soup. A while later I get word that yes there is something else and it's an apple mix that was supposed to go in the soup, but it finally arrived when I was almost finished with my soup. So is this a kitchen fault? Should it have been caught by the waitress? Should Fountainhead spend longer training staff when they put new dishes on the menu? Every time it's something like this.

    (2)

  • Wayne W.

    The beer selection was excellent, they didn't have a lot of the stuff on the menu, but had lots of other great selections. Tried a new Firestone IPA and allagash four. Both were good, but the allagash was superb. The food was a bit complicated, the pork belly salad was really good with watermelon and lime vinegrette. The main course was a bit strange and disappointing. We had the BBQ salamon and jerk chicken sandwich. The fish was perfect but it came on a bed of pickled peaches and something resembling uncooked lentils. The two flavors just didn't mix well. The same with the jerk chicken it had a peach mango chutney that just didn't go with the dry spice of the chicken. Separately the components of bothe dishes were good, they just didn't go together. I'd have to go there again for the beer alone, but definitely give the the food another chance and see what else they can come up with.

    (3)

  • Gabrielle B.

    I love this place! I've been here twice: once for drinks and once to eat. When we ate we ordered a beer and whiskey pairing-amazing! I never liked whiskey but after this experience I love it. The interior has a great, relaxed vibe and there is an incredible selection of alcohol. The range of food was not the most impressive and I ordered a chicken dish that was good but didn't knock my socks off. Hands down though one of my favorite places to go for a casual drink!

    (4)

  • Suzanne B.

    Great beer selection. Nice area. Tasty appetizers. A more mature take on a bar.

    (4)

  • Eric X.

    [ Visited August, 2010 ] Fountainhead is in my neighborhood, and I appreciate what they're doing and appreciate them as an anchor restaurant east of Lincoln Avenue. The beer selection is quite amazing; I'd be surprised if you could read through the menu in under ten minutes. Don't like beer? Try some of the bourbon selections or ciders. If I rated Fountainhead on their drink menu, they'd get five stars without a doubt. The food is something else. Visiting on a Saturday evening, we found the server was very kind and pleasant. She explained the menu and took the time to help pick a drink. That's where the fun ends. Waiting 30 minutes for a salad was outrageous. Our server explained that the kitchen was missing a chef that night and that the wait times would be rather long. She really should have told us that before ordering. After 60 minutes of waiting, our food came. I had the jerk chicken and my partner the fish taco special. The jerk chicken comes on a potato bun with a single slice of pineapple on top. A side of fries accompanied my meal...and I'm glad, because the ketchup I had with the fries was the most tasteful piece of food on my plate. The jerk chicken was obliterated by the obnoxiously-large, dry bun. When I did find the meat in the bun, the only thing "jerk "about it was the chef who forgot to add any flavor to the meat. I've had Oscar Meyer balogna on Wonder Bread with a side of Miracle Whip that was more interesting. My partner enjoyed the fish tacos, but agreed that my meal was boring and tasteless. After nearly 75 minutes of waiting around to eat, and then being disappointed by the food, our server comp'ed us our food entirely. At least she knew her customers weren't happy about the situation that night. We would have stayed for dessert, but I didn't want to wait another 30 minutes for them to slice a piece of cake off in the kitchen. Fountainhead: you really need to fix your situation or close your doors if you can't handle the volume of customers on a specific night. How about improving the food selection too? Try being less "gourmet" and more "tasty".

    (2)

  • Carrie L.

    Went here on a Tuesday night to try and avoid the normal heavy dinner crowd on other nights. The beer selection was fantastic and fantastically priced. We ordered the mussels, a must do!! Unfortunately, our entrees were not as great. We ordered the salmon, which was cooked perfect, but the dish itself was dry and blad. So dissapointing after a fantastic appetizer. We'll go back again, but only for those mussels and drinks!

    (3)

  • Laura B.

    I really really wanted to love Fountainhead. It has the large beer selection for the boyfriend and interesting bar food for me. However the service was so terrible none of this mattered. We came here mid afternoon on a Saturday, there were about 4 other tables and a person or two at the bar. At first our server, can't remember her name, seemed attentive. Boy was I mistaken. After placing our drink order we waited seventeen agonizing minutes before the drinks arrived. Yes I started to time it. During these seventeen minutes we got to watch the bartender talk on the phone, try different beers with our server and eat food. Mind you this is at a bar in full view of the dining room. Having been in the service industry for 7 plus years I would have jumped behind the bar myself and gotten my customers their drinks. But hey what do I know? When the drinks finally do arrive we are hurried thru the rest of our meal without so much of a I'm sorry for the delay etc. If the food was amazing I would go back for a second chance. It's not. In fact there are plenty of other places doing the gastropub thing and doing it a whole lot better.

    (2)

  • chad a.

    Each server is essentially a well oiled sommelier of brew. Margot and I rarely order a beer on our own, leaving the choice up to the server based on our food selection. We have yet to be disappointed with the complex flavor pairing. Fountain Head does not disappoint in the proper restroom door to paper towel dispenser to trashcan proximity. Their ability to keep a somewhat sober eye on details with a grand end product is amazing. Their grub is always a win: DANDY- mac and cheese with duck confit GEM - bacon cheddar cheeseburger with a fried egg SWELL - Monkey bread with a side of sausage gravy GRAND - Service North Center is quickly positioning itself as the basket in which all that is good and holy is kept.

    (4)

  • Jennifer G.

    The only reason I'm giving this 3 stars rather than 2 is for the beer. They have an extensive and impressively-organized beer list. The server let me taste a beer and when I didn't like it, he made another suggestion and I loved it! I appreciate their knowledge of and interest in beer, and for that alone I would consider going back. The food was completely forgettable. The black bean burger was bland and the slaw was soggy. My friend's food was blah too. If they pumped up the food, this could be a great place. Just go and be geeky about beer, but pass on the food.

    (3)

  • Pamela P.

    Ever heard the expression "like sardines in a can"? Saturday evening, this place was filled to the brim. It was loud, boisterous and crowded. We managed to snag a tiny tall table next to the wall. The service was terribly slow but I surmise it may have had something to do with sheer amount of peeps there. The beer list is nauseatingly long, complex and probably better than a romp in the sheets for beer enthusiasts. I stuck to the wine list and that was lacking. I ordered a glass of champagne, which they of course didn't have--too bad it took 10 minutes to tell me that. They offered prosecco instead---I agreed but boy was it awful. Flat, overly sweet and just tasted like three day old 7-up. We were asked to order our drinks and food at once. My other half had the risotto and he said it was good. By the looks of it though, it was only a half portion size--i.e., tiny. I had the black bean burger. It was good but dry. The bun it was nestled on was stale--total turn-off. This is probably a better "grab a fancy beer" type of place than a Saturday night dinner spot. The people were a motley crew of tattooed hipsters and some tree-huggers. Of course, I stuck out like a sore thumb--what else is new!

    (3)

  • ashley g.

    If it wasn't for the enlightening and charming company of 5 friends that I was with, this place would get zero stars. We came on a super busy night, but the hostess, bartenders and management made every attempt to ensure that we were in no way made comfortable or serviced. I'm sure their food is great - but unfortunately, after waiting for 2.5 hours for a table, with no assistance from the floor management, and after seeing a few parties of the same size walk in after us and get seated, we left without ever tasting it. The beer on tap was great! However, I will opt to try one of the other hundred+ bars in the city of chicago that pour the same stuff, but with customer appreciation and a smile. Never going back here. Worst bar experience I have ever had. Sad. Perhaps because we were not wearing skinny jeans?

    (1)

  • Carrie M.

    As one who has returned to vegetarianism as of January 2 of this year, I am back to looking at how places handle veggies like me. This place has an amazing vegetarian-friendly mac and cheese that is lovely ... twirly pasta tossed in a smoked beer sauce ... truly heaven. Very yummy. Going to try the brie / fruit compote next time I am there. Though there is not a lot for a veggie to choose from, it seems what is offered is NOT an afterthought. Nice to go out and not be forced to order salad or a veggie burger ... always appreciated. My meat-eating partner opted for the hanger steak and loved it. Looked great! The Frites are amazing as well ... the garlic and the citrus dipping sauces compliment one another nicely. The beer selection is amazing. The Irish Oyster beer was great said my meat-eating companion. Just a great place with a chill-out atmosphere and a genuine and fun bartender who was patient, knowledgeable and very personable. A great place to go on a Saturday afternoon!

    (5)

  • Aville Mom B.

    Two stars only based on the food up on the deck. Everything else was fantastic. Beautiful rooftop, wonderful staff and service, friendly crowd. Really everything was fantastic except...the food. It just completely missed the mark. I think they are going for a Gene's rooftop vibe, but it just didn't come together. Roast beef was so salty it was inedible. Coleslaw is inedible due to waaay to much fennel, and I love fennel. Pork tacos...just pork in a corn tortilla. Even the bread was stale. But again, feel bad giving a bad review because the staff (hostess, bouncer, servers) were on point. Hopefully they will work out the food upstairs by next summer!

    (2)

  • Tara P.

    Great meal here! I live much closer to Bar on Buena, which has good beer but the food is mediocre at best. Fountainhead hits the mark on both food and beer. The beer menu offers an extensive, exciting selection of beers. As for food, we had burgers - both the meat and veggie versions. Both were outstanding and almost too large to bite. Even the side of slaw I ordered was a tasty but light take on what can be a boring, mayo-heavy side dish. Service and atmosphere were great. I can't wait to go back! My only complaint is the name. I wouldn't go at all if it were a reference to the novel (it isn't) but still...I don't like being reminded of Ayn Rand's "philosophy."

    (4)

  • Tyler M.

    After reading other reviews of Fountainhead I was expecting to be thoroughly impressed, and as a result ended up leaving slightly disappointed. The atmosphere on the roof top was incredible, but the menu leaved much to be desired. While they offered a large variety of beers, only a small number of those were on draft. I ordered the pork tacos that turned out to be delicious, but quite small (was only given 3 small tacos with no sides). Perhaps the menu and portions in the main bar are more substantial, but then the seating host should have asked if we were there for a meal or for light snacks and drinks before directing us upstairs. For dessert I order the cake balls to split with my friends and was again left expecting more. The cakes came out cold and hard as though they had not fully defrosted, when I had been expecting something a little more fresh. I'm sure I'll go back (with different expectations) to give it a second try since I have a lot of friends in the neighborhood, but otherwise I'd be inclined to try other places.

    (3)

  • Miriam C.

    love it! and the beer selection!

    (5)

  • Rosers M.

    What a strange name for a bar...drinking alcohol seems distinctly un-Howard Roark-ian, especially expensive fancy-schmancy cocktails and beers at that...Ayn Rand would be ashamed. She would also be ashamed of the Fountainhead for having over 20 beers on tap (including a several tasty Belgiums), a cool looking interior, and a strangely clean bathroom. Ms Rand would be aghast that despite the bright sunlight of a Saturday afternoon, a bar with ample space and seating is so packed of unproductive slackers that there's a mini-line to get in. But then again, I'm an unproductive slacker that likes beer that you have to drink with your pinky out, so I love the Fountainhead... +5 stars for awesomeness, -1 star for making Ayn Rand turn in her grave (and no, I don't into buy the Ayn Rand sightings...another right-wing media hoax).

    (4)

  • Shannon K.

    The Jerk Coffee sandwich (chicken, grilled pineapple and avocado butter) is just amazing. How could those 3 ingredients be SO GOOD together? The menu mentions that it's spicy but not to me. It's just flavorful. I've come here 4 or 5 times and get that sandwich every time. I've also found assorted appetizers to be tasty but not knock your socks off. They have a salad with watermelon that is a refreshing option for summer. And if you want beer suggestions, the staff is always helpful. Me? I'll stick with a glass of Zin and the Jerk Coffee and be perfectly happy.

    (4)

  • Laila C.

    Met up with two friends for an early sunday night dinner date. The huge drink list and laid back atmosphere would have been awesome.... Unfortunately I've decided to cut back the unnecessary drinking in order to avoid both unnecessary calorie consumption and the gym so the awesome beer menu was more like a huge tease than a plus. The burgers looked delicious and massive and I wish I would've ordered that. Instead I got the swoon swine which many yelpers loved but I thought was a bit bland and the pickle pieces inside the sandwich were just odd. However the fries were DELICIOUS! Crispy outside and mushy salty on the inside. Get it with the sauces, only $1 extra and totally worth it. Tried a bite of my friend's Mac and cheese and was underwhelmed. Although she loved it, I love things that are bad for me in large quantities, so there was not nearly enough gooey cheesy goodness for me. The three of us also split the monkey bread which they loved but since I don't like breads I was disappointed. Although the flavor was really good I though the bacon and gorgonzola would be spread on top of the bread but actually it was all baked inside. I definitely want to go back and give the place another try. I'll drink massive amounts of good beer, get the burger and the mussels and probably love it, so stay tuned!

    (3)

  • XO K.

    Fountainhead has pretty good food, but my wife ordered a Cosmopolitan and they brought this sour, not good at all cocktail in which there was apparently no triple sec or cointreau and the bartender used lemon juice, not lime. Cosmo is something I thought every bartender knew how to make. The best thing about fountainhead was that they offer the 23 yr. Pappy Van Winkle bourbon. Sure, it's $23 a glass, but well worth it, since it goes for $230 per bottle and is not easy to find. I think we would go back, but we are not in any hurry to do so.

    (3)

  • Stacey P.

    I entered fountain head with low expectations, mostly because I felt like taking a nap instead of eating... BUT, I wanted to see my lovely friends, and that I did. We ordered a TON of food, I think because we were celebrating one of my friends landing an awesome job... but really, we don't need an excuse to order a ton of food. Since I was mostly out of it, I won't remember proper menu item names so you'll have to guess what I'm talking about. We ordered the bread salad, Moo (i remember that one!), Shrimp (something about prawns maybe?), and a hamburger. I did not eat the hamburger because the thought of large amounts of beef made my stomach churn. Per the other ladies, it was GOoooOOOD. The bread salad was nothing special. It was bread and tomatoes with dressing and parts of duck. Yes, it was like random duck parts thrown in the salad. I liked it but mostly because my body was yearning for some sort of fresh produce and I found that in the tomatoes. The Moo-- which is mac and cheese with monkey bread, sweet potato chips, and some kind of dip... was alright. The mac and cheese was not impressive, I wasn't a fan of the dip very much, but mi amigas liked it. The monkey bread was delicious, it had bacon in it! Do I need to say anymore? The shrimp was good not great. It was supposed to be spicy and have some flavor to it, but I think it didn't absorb the flavor much so it just tasted like plain shrimp...but good shrimp.. Nice, juicy, big shrimp. I had some fries and a pickle from the burger. They were also yummy. I definitely like the interior of this place, it's really open and comfortable. Also, I remember liking the bathroom but I can't tell you why now. It could have been because I really had to pee and I'm remembering the good feeling I had as the pressure was being taken off my bladder.... or the bathroom may have been cool, honestly, I don't remember. OH- and my 2 friends got libations, one got a really dark beer, I think she called it like a something stout (I know nothing about beers).. I want to say it had something to do with horns. My other friend got a cider which I tried and it was good! Yeah, don't look to me for beer reviews. I know nothing.

    (3)

  • Steve G.

    The Fountainhead's food has improved since it first opened, which is natural for a new place. I've had multiple very good meals there in the last week, including a delicious braised pork shoulder sandwich and a beet tart. The beer menu is still top notch and is still the star. They have fun theme nights, such as the recent "It Might Get Dark" night with 20+ dark beer drafts, including a rare keg of Surly Four, and heavy metal. Oh, keep an eye on the change one bartender gives...he's shorted me accidentally a couple times. I think he's just kind of busy and thinking a mile a minute.

    (4)

  • John R.

    This place should be a solid 5 stars. It just seems that the staff has a little too much attitude. We got there early one afternoon (about a half-hour after opening) and it really felt like we were imposing on the bartender. The place is beautiful, great selelction, and I would bet that the staff all knows their stuff. I'd go back again to try it out and, hopefully, change my rating.

    (3)

  • Chris J.

    I really enjoyed my visit to Fountainhead. I came late on a Saturday so while it was hoppin, we only waited a few minutes with one group ahead of us. The beer and whiskey selection is pretty out of this world! Definite Hopleaf competition...I especially enjoyed trying a cask beer. And I would highly recommend this place to soomeone who doesn't know their beers because their menu is laid out with the different styles with a description for each, and below the descriptions are the beers they have of that style. Way more user-friendly than the overwhelming list at Hopleaf. The atmosphere is definitely pretty cool although the area in front of the bar seems a little oddly open. Good for people standing around drinking but I feel like they could probably arrange it a little better with a few more tables. Food-wise, they were out of the jerk chicken which was a disappointment. Furthermore, they were also doing a grouper instead of the salmon, which proved to be not very interesting and oversalted. My friend had the mac and cheese which came in a huge bowl. It was quite good although not as hot as it should have been. I'll be back with a bigger group next time to see how they handle that compared to Hopleaf. It's hard to not draw comparisons due to their similar atmospheres and selections. I'd still say Hopleaf is tops in my book but if Fountainhead can kick up the food quality a notch, I think they'll probably be an even match.

    (4)

  • Eduardo M.

    Don't know when this place opened up, but I've been here once now. It's a nice looking place on the inside. Very chill, very relaxed. Great place for an after work get-together. This is another "great whiskey" place in my mind, as they have a few pages dedicated to the different kinds they have in stock. The food on the menu was great, although the portions seemed a bit small, for some, and large for others. Kinda upscale pub food (one of the guys was slightly upset there were no chicken wings, but hey, you can't please everyone). I'll probably go here again, it's close to the brown line, so it's a good spot to stay and drink and still make it home safe.

    (4)

  • Jake V.

    We came in to check out this place a mere 4 days after they opened and I have to say that they did a pretty good job considering. I enjoy their beer and mussels but, really, those two things are hard to screw up. I'm interested to see how this place grows and what it becomes.

    (4)

  • Monica K.

    Fountainhead is pretty busy every time we go in there, but we're always able to get a table! Service is usually really friendly and pretty prompt. Unfortunately, I never like the beer(s) I try when I go! For example, this past weekend I tried the Jolly Pumpkin. The description made it sound so good so I was super excited. BUT, when I brought the cup to my mouth to take a drink, I got a whiff of dried pee/B.O. I couldn't even really taste the beer because it smelled so funky. Ew.

    (3)

  • Lindsey A.

    North Center/Ravenswood has witnessed a few clutch openings in the past few years - Sola, Browntrout and now Fountainhead. In an area that's speckled with neighborhood haunts (Globe, Horseshoe, Wild Goose) - it's nice to see an upper-scale establishment put its roots down. Beer list is awesome. Whiskey list is huge. Nice selection of reds and whites. Can't say anything for the menu as we didn't grab any grub. My two issues with Fountainhead are problems that will work themselves out (hopefully) after its first month of service... 1. Why are you short staffed on opening weekend? We went on Friday at 6:30pm and were lucky to grab a table in the 'back room' (which is a somewhat odd area, if you ask me - the window to the bar would be a great idea if people weren't sitting in front of it). We were told there wouldn't be waitstaff until 8pm in the back..... but why? Be overstaffed if anything. 2. The computer system. Granted, it is opening week - but get it working or put a "cash only" sign on the front door. It seemed everyone had issues retrieving their bar tab (I ended up with a free beer because they couldn't find my one-beer tab) and whenever a server had problems, two other servers would rush over and try to help - leaving people at the bar, waiting... waiting...... waiting. That said, I love the dark wood - as generic as some people say it is, it's rich and comforting. I love the beer selection. And I will be back after they're polished as well as in July to sit on their rooftop patio (though their website - which is lacking menus and anything of significance - says will open in June??)

    (3)

  • John W.

    Between the name and the logo and something called "The Beer Engine", I thought this place would be a little more...steampunk-ish. In reality, the interrior is almost criminally nondescript (maybe that's why they keep it so dark). Even still, I really enjoyed this bar. You've got your usual 'beer-bar' encyclopedia of beers, broken down into genres and subgenres, a few quick but helpful thoughts on each one. The draft list is manageable and reasonable priced. The bottles are all over the price, with even a variety of mead listed. Our server was one of the most knowledgeable I've had, and friendly as hell on top of it. The only food we had was the monkey-bread, and it was a giant win. Gooey and savory with a side of sweet-potato chips, we were glad we got that over the somewhat boring looking frites at the table next to us. I don't have any concrete reason to recommend this over the myriad of places offering the same thing, but I am anyway. I really enjoyed myself.

    (4)

  • Brett K.

    More than respectable Whiskey and Beer program. Try the Four Roses Barrel its a great value and nice and hot while finishing sweet. Great for Sunday day drinking.

    (5)

  • Melissa T.

    Yes, the service is slow, but the food is quite good and the beer selection is amazing. We went on a Friday night around 7:30 so we had to wait (they said 45 minutes but it wasn't that long), but there was plenty of room at the bar so the four of us had a drink while we waited. I had the chicken sandwich with the frites (they're just fries though), and it was quite good. At first they brought me the wrong sandwhich -- the pulled pork, I think. So I had to send it back. It took about 10 minutes to bring the right order, but then it was on the house so can't complain about that! Overall, good food, great beer, slow service.

    (4)

  • Laurence K.

    So its a Thursday and I'm out for dinner somewhere. I was going to try Long man and Eagle But when I searched Gastropub Fountain head popped up. So what the Hay IL give it a try . Only 4 weeks old and it was quit busy. I started off with a Metropolitan I-Beam (Chicago, IL) ... 5.3% which was quit good . I started with an app which was really a entree, Hey I was hungry! It was the .Moo , smoked mac & cheese, india pale ale tavern cheese, gorgonzola & bacon monkey bread with sweet potato chips ... 12 Outstanding! Next I had the Hanger Steak porter marinated filet with lyonais potatoes, grilled asparagus, & avocado chive butter... 13 Another winner! with dinner I had the Dogfish Head Midas Touch (Milton, DE) ... 9..0%. This is def a Must try place! you wont be disappointed. and Las but not least. Bread Pudding porter soaked rye & sourdough w/ india pale ale caramel sauce ... 7 It Was really good Oh ya they have over 150 whiskey's! YUM

    (4)

  • Francis A.

    I want to love this place, but during my first experience: 1. The service was slow and inattentive. 2. The food took forever. But, I'll go back because it was insanely busy, so I'm assuming that the service isn't always that bad. The atmosphere was awesome and they had a great variety of beers/cocktails. I'll be back, but not any time soon.

    (3)

  • Joe W.

    This place does it right! The service is great and selection is awesome! Every time I go in I am immediately in my comfort zone. The music is good and if your into craft brew or whiskey these guys can provide quite the experience. I only wish they'd revamp the menu.

    (5)

  • Clare P.

    Went here last night with a large group and the staff was very accommodating, especially the hostess. The bartender was also very friendly and helpful. Food was pretty good too, had the veggie burger. Can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Dave K.

    I like their selection of beers in bottles, their selection of drafts seem to cater to darker beers, at least it seemed that way last thursday. the food is not super great, but not super bad either...What I like the most about fountainhead is that it's a decent place to drink and eat, and it's no farther than a block and a half from where I live.

    (3)

  • Michael H.

    So this is Buena Bar's big brother now. Sure felt like it in every way. The one exception is that there is no outdoor dining (yet). I'm told that a rooftop dining area is in the works. About the menu - we ordered three apps: the frites (french fries with ranch sauce); Mediterranean bruschetta and cheese/crackers. All three were extremely salty to the point that I wish the old pharmacy that Fountainhead now occupies was around for a blood pressure monitor. I did not order an entree. Our server was very slow, but attentive. Beer selection is excellent as was their whiskey/wine menu. I would return to get hammered on random Dutch beers.

    (3)

  • Esther A.

    Fountainhead is right in my neighborhood, and as a huge fan of craft beers, I've already been there a handful of time since they opened six weeks ago. It's been interesting to see how they've coped with their instantaneous, huge success--I suspect from the tenor of the reviews below that it's a very mixed blessing in this day and age to be so popular so fast. Things I love at Fountainhead: Oh, the beers. The beers. Such good and interesting things on tap! And now that they've got their bottle list together, there's even *more* awesome beer to drink! I've also had good experiences with the service, particularly on non-weekend nights--friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, and happy to sample out tastings of any beer you might like to try. I've enjoyed the duck mac and cheese, the Moo platter, and the incredibly decadent and well done desserts (the chocolate crème brûlée with a spicy caramel topping is a particular standout). The menu is still in the testing phase (says so right on the front cover!) and the kitchen is still finding its rhythm, but on the whole, I'm excited to have a restaurant like this one in the neighborhood, providing thoughtful, ambitious beer and food. Fountainhead *is* good, and it's just going to keep getting better as they continue to refine their menu and service. I, for one, can't wait to see how they develop.

    (4)

  • Maria D.

    Luckily for Fountainhead (and all of you cheerful Charlies out there) I didn't write a review after my extremely disappointing first visit a couple of weeks ago. I walked in on a Friday night and felt like I was at The Rail; honestly, I'd had no idea until that very moment that so many tools live in my pretty little 'hood. Loud, crowded, indifferent service; Fountainhead really pulled out all the stops. However. After giving it another try last night I'm pleased to report that stars are called for. I walked in with a friend at 8:30 or so on a Thursday and was seated right away in the weird little back area along the wall. We ordered a lovely, reasonably-priced bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and some frites; both were brought out quickly and found to be satisfactory. I also had the Simple Salad and found it a little too simple, to be honest, but that isn't their fault; it's not like I didn't know what the ingredients were. It was still a little loud for my taste but the crowd was definitely less Lincoln-Parky; maybe that's a weekend thing. I will definitely go back again for beer, more food and to check out the rooftop bar when it's opened.

    (3)

  • Evan W.

    I attended a party at Fountainhead and was so impressed with the attention we received from the staff. They were constantly around, but not hovering or ever in our way. We mostly ate the appetizers, but I found them really amazing. Fountainhead certainly put their own taste in the dishes, such as the duck, duck mac, and the melding of flavors and textures kicked everything up a notch. The atmosphere is jovial and comfortable. My only complaint would be the acoustics. It can be a bit hard to hear the people you are with because of the way the din bounces off the walls.

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    I'd been meaning to check this place out since it opened and finally got a chance last night. My rating reflects how I think the place will be once they get the kinks worked out. By their own admission on the menu this is the ".9 Alpha" release. So I'm cutting them some slack but I do have to start with the kinks. First of all when I got there I was getting a table for two. The host only had one menu and said he'd get another, but never did. Then it took 20 minutes to finally get acknowledged by a waiter, after flagging down the host to point that out. Now, in their defense, once they realized the mistake the waitress was attentive and we got decent service for how busy it was. My suspicion is that they'd made a mistake in assigning tables because three other tables in my section were in the same boat. Now of course that brings us to the food and drinks. The beer menu is phenomenal, and has a few items on it that I love that I have trouble finding. They had Allagash Curieux, my current favorite, but alas they'd run out, so I settled for a Triple Karmeleit (I love when that's "settling"). I also tried a trappiste white beer that I'd never had before and it was quite tasty. The bourbon selection is great. They actually have the pappy van winkle 20 year, which I've never seen on a menu before. Interestingly they list prices for shots, drinks, or neat/rocks/manhattan for each bourbon. On the really good bourbons they don't even let you order it in a mixed drink listing the price as N/A. For food, my friend had the beyond grilled cheese and I had the duck duck mac. The duck duck mac was phenomenal with a great smokey undertone. You need to try it. The beyond grilled cheese was a bit sub par though. The sandwich was rather small and the bread basically had the consistence of dry toast. A little bigger slices of bread and a bit of butter before grilling would have made this pretty good. Overall feel of the place is, about what you'd expect. It's casual and a bit on the noisy side but I didn't feel like I was yelling the whole time. There's the "barrel" room which is a bit more secluded alcove behind the bar area. It's a bit quieter in there though it does feel a little like drinking beer in a cave :). In the end, overall it was a good experience once they got over the hump of the delay in noticing us at first. My belief is that once they've got an experienced crew this will definitely be a four star offering. I'll update this later if I discover otherwise down the road. A couple last random notes: 1) Their rooftop is not open yet, but with good beer like that and a rooftop deck it should be a great place to hang out when the weather's nice. I suspect I will be spending way too much time there in the future. 2) Somebody else said they had no TV's in their review. They do now, and were showing the Blackhawks game. I only saw the one, so it's not a primary feature of the place by any stretch. UPDATE: This has become one of my favorite restaurants. The food is tasty, and I especially love the venison spaetzle. The beer list is amazing, and they are generous with letting you try the beers. The only down side is that too damn many of you like this place and so now it's crowded and noisy. DAMN YOU! :) Can't wait til their rooftop opens up!

    (5)

  • Vic C.

    Great beer selection and a solid whiskey selection. Location is perfect- right off of the Montrose Brown Line stop and because it's in Lincoln Square, it lacks the pretentious attitude which usually comes with bars/restaurants of this quality

    (5)

  • Rohan D.

    I should know better than to ignore Lakshmi's reviews, and I don't know why a socialist like me would imagine that a place named after an overrated Ayn Rand novel would suit my tastes. However, the fact that the place was packed, is just further proof that there is no invisible hand of the marketplace providing self-regulation, as there is no reason for a place like this to stay in business. Visually, the ambiance is inviting, lots of wood, well designed, nicely decorated, excellent pub feeling. That's for the eyes, for ears, it's way too loud. We were shouting out our conversation in a booth, and we had quite a bit of miscommunication with our waitress. She also tried to pretend knowledge of whiskey and beer that she just didn't have, her sense of geography was embarrassingly inadequate, but the bar does serve a nice selection of both, if you already know what you're looking for. The fact that they have four different Suntory whiskeys is why the place doesn't get only one star. The food is forgettable bar fare at fine dining prices, the appetizers were good and it was downhill from there. My "swine swoon," was the most overpriced ham and cheese sandwich I've ever had, I actually prefer the ham and cheese sandwich at Subway (the bread is better). Pick yourself up by your bootstraps and avoid this place, unless you're one of those real life rags to riches stories who has enough money to waste.

    (2)

  • Katie B.

    Amazing beer menu... longer than most books I read ;) The food is okay, I have yet to find something that I really love. The scallops with bacon risotto was a bit unbalanced. The servers are great at pairing beers with the food, though. The bread pudding is phenomenal!

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    I don't know how to rank this place. It either is really terrific or it makes everyone I know sick. It's tough to tell. Three friends, including Rachel E (whose review is right below me) went and all felt ill afterward. My group was two and while I felt poorly, Meg L did not. Meg L and I shared everything, so we didn't have anything different, except I had the Porterhouse Oyster Stout (brewed with oysters), although I'm not someone who has any issues with oysters. Disregarding any possible sickness for now, the food was terrific. We shared the mussels, which were in a wonderful Belgian Wit Beer broth and the Old Lincoln Ave sausage plate. The sausage (and accompanying mustard) were terrific, and the cabbage was outstanding. The cheese spread was dull, but certainly not bad. I've been told that the fries cone is outstanding, although we didn't have it. The service was slow and mediocre, but they did help us move from a drafty cold table to a wonderful space by a fireplace. The draft beer list is one of the best. For all it's potential and proximity to my house, I'll definitely go back. If I feel ill again, though, or hear of more stories, we may have to call the inspectors. For now, I'll assume it was a bizarre coincidence.

    (3)

  • Bruce S.

    I really, really wanted to love this place. We took the family, me, the wife and the 12 and 14 year old still at home down for an early meal. We've come to like the gastropub feel where you can get good food, and some unusual beer for me - everyones happy. We managed to park right out front, so we thought this was a good sign for the evening. Walking in you see a very well decorated pub. My wife commented how good it looked. We were immediately seated, again because we dropped in early enough, later it was very crowded. Next, I perused the fantastic beer list, both draft and bottles. If you're a beer geek, and just dropping in for a beer, fantastic beer selection. If your thing is whiskey, again, well thought out large, if not enormous selection, especially scotch. Then we started to order food. We had the cheese plate, which was excellent, and I had the Kale and Pear salad, which was good. Next, we ordered two burgers, the duck pasta, and the pulled pork sandwich. This is where it all fell apart. One burger was supposed to be medium well (I know) but it didn't come that way, it came burnt black on the outside and completely brown on the inside. The other burger, medium, was closer to medium well, and came out several minutes after everything else. I mention that because the other three dinners were cold, so I suspect something got lost in the kitchen. Things may have tasted better if they were hot, so perhaps this isn't indicative. I will also say that it took some time to get food in general. While our server was nice, she appeared overwhelmed and busy, and seemed to disappear at times. Anyway, because I like beer and whiskey, I was hoping that the food would excite the troops so they would indulge me in going back as the tap list rotates. As it stands now, there are places that are consistently good with great tap lists, so I'm not sure we'll be back. In summary, beer and scotch: 5 stars, food: 2 stars, service: 3 stars, overall: 3 stars.

    (3)

  • Borracho G.

    Fountainhead is a great looking place with an extensive list of crafted beers and whiskeys. Our server was very nice and very knowledgeable about the entire list and the history behind the options. I can appreciate bars that want you to try and explore new tastes and methods within the beer world but at some point too many choices become a hinder. There were so many that I started to feel overwhelmed and ended up choosing something that I had drunk before somewhere else. The specialty beers are not all that cheap and you don't want to make a bad choice and regret a $9 decision. One good thing is that you can ask for a beer taste to see if you like it, but at some point if you keep asking too much you feel like you're trying drink for free. I guess who cares, taste them all and let them tell you when to stop and make a choice. This place is also not just about the beer, they have some unique liquor choices and is said to be producing their own infused vodkas. Can't wait. As for the food, there wasn't too many options although everything did taste great but nothing I would consider outstanding. Mac and cheese with pulled duck was probably the best choice. The one thing you must get as a quick starter when ordering beer, is the bacon nuts. Sweet and salty mixed nuts with candied bacon brittle, yup that goes good with a hearty brew. I think anyone who goes will be content and please with this place and Im sure I will try it again sometime but I have to say if they food was slightly better and had a few more options, I would make this a prime choice and raise it a star level.

    (3)

  • Jaime P.

    From what I can gather the negative reviews here seem to be - our particular waiter/bartender sucked, or I went on a very busy night and was rushed. I don't think it's fair to judge a place by how they perform when they are slammed - you are definitely going to get the worst service possible at that time. No one performs their best when everything is going haywire. That goes for the kitchen and the waitstaff. That said - I went at 10:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, and still my order was a tad screwed up. I ordered french fries, and my date ordered sweet potato chips. He got the fries, I got the chips. No big deal, we just switched 'em ourselves at the table. I really didn't care when I discovered the burger was cooked perfectly. I try to order medium rare everywhere I go, and I mostly don't get it, but boy howdy was this one done perfect. Well-seasoned, bacon crispy, a really respectable burger. Waitress was friendly enough. Drink list impressive. I will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Thea G.

    I was taking my boyfriend and some friends out for his birthday and we had been to Fountainhead before and enjoyed it. As always it did not disappoint. The selection of beers and scotch are amazing. Everything from the apps to the original main dishes to dessert is fresh and goes beyond our expectations. The manager accommodated us and made a great impression on my guests. You can't always explain what it is that makes an experience special - whether it's the attentiveness of the waitstaff, the atmosphere that is cultivated by the management, or the delectible morsels that are created by an award-winning chef, but Fountainhead has it all, to make every evening there special.

    (5)

  • Carine M.

    Big fan. I'm never in this neighborhood, but this is definitely the place to get good beer if you are. The place was comfortable, and we had a booth with 6 people and we didn't feel smushed. Our server was great, laid back, knew about beer, and liked that iI liked sour beer. I like when people like what I like. All on all solid place. Didn't try food though.

    (4)

  • Ron T.

    ZERO STARS. I dont know what other people see in this place. My experience with this place was unimpressive. The staff were to busy chitt chating and laughing to even serve us. It took over a half hour to even get someones attention. When our food came it was cold and tasted like it had been in the frig a couple of weeks. When I complained about it I got attitude like how dare I say the food sucked. I would stay far from this place.

    (1)

  • Cecilia T.

    This was my first time at Fountainhead, and I would say this place is GREAT (4-5 Stars) for beer! If you're looking for a laid back pub with a sizeable variety of draft beers and huge selection of bottled beers. For those of you that are dark beer lovers like me, you MUST get the Porterhouse Oyster Stout on tap if available. This is my new favorite drinky drinky, up there with Guinness. (smooth but more strongly flavored than Guinness) In terms of food, it's 3 stars: I thought it was decent but outside of the burgers, the food wasn't hugely memorable - just fun to have small plate varieties that were not just the usual bar foods - the previous yelper review (Stacey P) basically said my thoughts on the food, as we went there together =). They should probably hire more attentive waiters/waitresses there - I had to flag down our waitress a couple of times though the place was mostly empty since we went during the week.

    (3)

  • julie s.

    So excited that this place is in Ravenswood. This area needs a fantastic bar sooooo badly and now they have it. First off- the food is like everything my husband would want on his death-row buffet. I think it's fab too but it really is all that he would want for his last meal. We have been there twice and I think he has tried almost everything at this point (luckily the prices are reasonable!) He is the "foody" in the relationship and he would give it 10 stars if he could. I am the "drinky" and this place rocks for that. I really have my work cut out for me because there are sooooooooo many things I want to try. But I am embracing the challenge and I look forward to it. Lovely beers, the wine list is stellar (I love a bar that serves a nice wine in a big round bell wineglass), and the whiskey is really gonna be a lot of fun. I have barely scratched the surface. Good job Fountianhead for coming to my area that desperately needed you. You would be a gem anywhere and I am glad we get you!

    (5)

  • Danny C.

    My favorite bar in the neighborhood. The food menu is small but the essentials are there as well as more interesting fare, with quality ranging from good to great. The beer and spirits is where it's at and they have a long list of both. These people truly are connoisseurs without being pretentious. And if it all seems overwhelming just ask them for tasting samples. Finally, the decor is equally impressive without pretension; lots of wood with dim lighting and a fireplace to boot.

    (5)

  • Jez E.

    Fountainhead now not only has gluten-free food offerings, but they are delicious. Just wish they would offer Two Brothers Prairie Path, a great g-f beer that doesn't taste g-f, since they already sell other Two Brothers products. Please consider - thanks!

    (4)

  • Benjamin H.

    I'll be frank in saying that this may be one of the best new bars to have opened up on the Northwest side in years. Some buddies and myself had the opportunity to assemble our motley crew of beer geeks and misfits alike to see what all the goddamn hype was about. First off, this is basically a European cafe styled bar. Think German or Belgian cafe-styled pubs....dark lightening, wood..etc. Consequently, the beer, wine and spirit list reflect this accordingly. I noticed is that the beer list is very much food-centric...chosen specifically for it's drinkability, milder flavor profiles so that they compliment the food. Nonetheless, I'd like to see just a few more ass kickin', fuller bodied American craft brews...the list seemingly lacked any barleywines and only had one stout on tap and it was a dry stout (my personal least favorite style)...but when there are two beer engine options, I probably shouldn't bitch. Wine list is only somewhat intriguing but the whiskey list is just plain sick. The frites that we had were some of the best goddman frites i've laid my eyes on in this fair city. Extremely crisp outside and a just-barely soft inside....they were magical. The service was totally solid and considering they have been open just a few days, but it did take a while to get rounds of beers, but that's just to be expected for a new joint. Overall, this is probably gonna become one of my favorite new haunts. Perhaps now I don't have to make a trek all the way over to the maproom to get a dank-ass brew. Keep it alive Fountainhead!

    (4)

  • Bari L.

    My usual food companion and I went for brunch. We shared the Beignets which were delicious and not something I would eat as my main meal. If you are there with a large group it would be good to order they are huge and they give you a good number of them. I had the Hash which I finished but there was definitely way more andouille then pork belly and I was surprised that it only came with one egg. Because of the all the andouille sausage there wasn't really much flavor since the sausage dominated the dish. My foodie companion had the French Toast which of course I tried and just wasn't at all that impressed with. With all the other brunch places in the city I think I'll keep checking out the other spots. Overall it wasn't a bad experience our waitress was very helpful and attentive I just wasn't all that impressed for the price.

    (3)

  • Hoyne L.

    The service killed the experience for me. I was with a small group, in a not packed place. We still needed to flag the server down every time we needed beer and water refills. Food presentation was "meh". A brick of salmon with chopped fennel book ends that somebody sprinkled a little apple vin. on...I probably wouldn't have complained about that if the server was a little more attentive... at least a little more. Beer selection is great, but who the heck wants to come here to drink if you have to wait until your server wants to make eye contact with you. geeesh. Ya know that feeling of trying to get a drink at a crowded 4am bar? This shouldn't happen at 7pm at a not so crowded bar/pub, during a weeknight.. Maybe I'll be back, but not soon.

    (2)

  • Chelsie L.

    This is one of me and boyfriend's favorite spots. Fountainhead has a great atmosphere: dark wood everywhere, usually busy with a young crowd, huge drink list, and interesting food choices. I am a huge fan of gastropubs so I love this place. The menu is always changing so you are sure to find something new to try. I'm not a big fan of beer (I stick to cider) but they have a HUGE selection that my boyfriend loves. This place is great for dates or groups and is usually busy every night of the week!

    (5)

  • Luis C.

    This place was a miss for me. The layout was nice, but seemed overcrowded and loud. Good beer menu though.

    (3)

  • Beebe G.

    try the charcuterie and deviled eggs with your beer. my husband enjoyed his stone moot and i my blanched de bruxelles draft while we noshed on our apps. i'd like to come back with my girlfriend and sit on the rooftop some day.

    (3)

  • Katie T.

    Stay away from the shrimp diablo... you will excrete things you've never imagined for about 2.5 days.

    (2)

  • Courtney C.

    Go here to drink, not to eat. Their beer selection almost rivals that of the Map Room, almost. But they have a crazy selection of whiskey, as well, and when you mix high-alcohol beers with shots of whiskey, fun things can happen. Unfortunately, my boyfriend and I went here for dinner, not for a night of crazy drunkenness. His pork shoulder sandwich was mediocre, and my scallops were inedible. Upside, our waitress was really, really nice. I think she realized the food was terrible. My scallops were overcooked, served dry, with no sauce, on a bed of overly-sticky risotto. I love, love, love scallops so I was willing to overlook the desert-dryness of the meal, and asked the waitress for some melted butter. She said of course but came back several minutes later with a stick of butter, not melted. She then explained they don't have a microwave so can't melt the butter. Really? How did my scallops get overcooked? Most likely on some type of cooking appliance, such as an oven with top burners and a grill. If you put butter in a pan over a burner, it will melt. I've done it before. I explained to her why I wanted melted butter: to have something to make the scallops less dry. She was very apologetic and immediately took the scallops away and took them off the bill without me even asking. I had high hopes for this place, and was so disappointed. I didn't bother ordering anything else but another beer while my boyfriend finished his meal. At least the beer was tasty.

    (2)

  • Kendrah R.

    I had a great experience the first time I went here on 4th of July when the place was empty. But when I returned a second time, it was soooo loud that we could not stay. The acoustics suck - it was physically painful. A note to the owners - you might want to try adding carpeting to the underside of your tables it helps absorb the sound. (They do this at Publican.) If you can get past the noise, they have a great selection of Belgian beers. The greens in my salad were so fresh, dressing light, my burger had an avocado butter that was a great flavor and surprisingly not too heavy. I usually avoid restaurant bread pudding because it is never as good as homemade, but I tried theirs and it was really fantastic. If the noise level changes and I could ever enjoy a meal there again, I'd change my 3-stars to 4-stars.

    (3)

  • Lakshmi R.

    Your standard 'nice' pub. My veggie burger was very good. The ambiance was casual and easygoing. I'd have to make two suggestions though. First: their tables-for-two are way too small if you and your friend plan to order a drink and a plate of food. Second: they may want to remind their staff not to get TOO stoned while at work. Our server was so out of it that he forgot my order *as I was saying it*. Now that's one I haven't seen before.

    (2)

  • Kristen H.

    I only came here for drinks between a wedding ceremony & the reception, but I'll be back to try out the grub - maybe a few times to try brunch & dinner. The beer list was extensive and the atmosphere is modern yet not overly done. The service was friendly and prompt. Till next time...

    (4)

  • Philip B.

    Came here last Thursday evening with the gf, in the mood for some pub grub and quality beers. We got there a second late for the last table, but opted for the bar instead of waiting 20-25 minutes. Which was fine, the bartenders were attentive the entire time. We ordered the moo, bruschetta, and after some debate the mussels as I'd felt I was hungry for something other than bread/cheese. I'd say the moo was the best plate, the beer cheese was great (though a notch below The Bristol's IMO). I wasn't a fan of the bruschetta mostly bc I don't enjoy olives, as it had some olive type spread. The mussels were good, not great. I prefer it with a tomatoey broth instead. They did let me sample a couple of beers for free before making my decision, which I appreciate. As mentioned in other reviews there's plenty of drink choices. Overall I enjoyed it but wasn't wowed, but if I was in the neighborhood I would try it again.

    (3)

  • Diane S.

    I've been to Fountainhead a few times since it opened, and never really felt compelled to write a review one way or the other, even when I was furious that they took the delicious Moo Platter off the menu. But, my last experience was one for the books. To begin, the hostess told us she was the only waitress on the floor, and so it might be a bit of a wait. Okay, no problem, at least she warned us. (I should mention this was a Saturday evening--what kind of staffing error results in only one server on a Saturday pm??) Then some other waitress finally appeared and took our order. Well, whatever. I figured she must have just showed up to help out. That is, until right after our order when she up and got her coat and left. Uh...? I walked up to the bar b/c I was concerned that our order wasn't placed. The bartender explained that her shift was over and we'd be transitioned to the other waitress. Remember, the one that was the only one on the floor? I really still can't believe our waitress (the one who took our order) couldn't be bothered to tell us this. Oh, our order was "sort of" placed--the dinner was put in, but not the appetizer. We got that fixed. I then asked the bartender if they were getting any additional help, and he said another server would be in shortly. I don't know what became of that, the original waitress we talked to waited on us anyway. We got a free appetizer to make up for our waitress forgetting to put it in, but no one seemed to get the bigger issue of being short staffed on a Saturday and the WAITRESS WHO JUST TOOK OUR ORDER WALKING OUT THE DOOR WITHOUT A WORD ABOUT IT. I won't be back. (my food was fine, although the steak was overcooked--which seems to be par for the course in most Chicago restaurants)

    (2)

  • Lois A.

    The swine swoon is an excellent sandwich. The pickles....yum. The monkey bread is ok but it's not amazing like the monkey bread at the Bristol. The beer selection is incredible. The only thing I really disliked about this place was the sevice. It was friendly but it was insanely slow. On a recent visit there were not that that many people here and there were two girls working and a bartender so I couldn't figure out why it took a freakishly long time just to get our drinks that we ordered right off. It was a full 30 minutes after our drinks finally came before our sandwiches arrived. Once we finished eating it was awhile before anyone noticed. Things like that bug me.

    (3)

  • Meredith T.

    I met someone here for a couple drinks and can really only speak to the beer selection and service. Beer selection gets very high marks...five stars even. Most of what was listed from their long (but not overwhelmingly long) list of draft beers was unique and something you don't find at just any bar on the street. It reminded me of Hopleaf, or even Map Room (although I don't think anyone can beat Map Room in this area). The service on the other hand gets one star. Our waiter was friendly enough...but he was hardly ever there! We probably sat at our table for a good 20 minutes before anyone asked us if we wanted a drink or food. After I was done with the first beer, it took about 10 minutes or more before he asked us if we wanted another round. And to add to my annoyance, he had walked by me at least 5 times - checking out my empty glass and making full on eye contact with me. So - I give this place three stars. The good and the bad cancel each other out and therefore, I say this place is just ok.

    (3)

  • Kimberly B.

    The food is generally good, the beers are generally good and there is a good selection. Sometimes it is a bit overpriced for what you get, sometimes there are other issues, but it's basically a good place. Not our go-to for anything, but okay. Definitely the best dinner option in a two or three block radius.

    (4)

  • LadyBird X.

    Boo! Why does every other restaurant fancy itself a 'gastropub'?! The food sounds delicious in theory but always disappoints. I honestly would prefer they just do a really well done fish & chips rather than a third-rate version of gastropub food. Obviously, the beer selection is great. Swing by any day of the week and you'll probably wait for a table because this place inexplicably gets packed. Nice decor inside, but poor service & poor food.

    (2)

  • Michelle S.

    this place is just the best. i don't often eat full meals here, but i'm in for beers and a cheese plate at least once a month... amazing draft selection (usually very IPA-heavy!) that rotates all the time. the staff is usually very attentive and super friendly. also, ROOFTOP YES PLEASE I CAN'T WAIT

    (5)

  • Holly M.

    Just amazing food, amazing beers. How could you go wrong with a restaurant that has, like, a seven-paged beer menu? I recently had the macaroni and cheese with duck. Strange concept, absolutely astounding taste. Fountainhead, you complete me.

    (5)

  • Jason T.

    Very good beer selection and decent food.

    (4)

  • D W.

    Nice atmosphere. Good beer list. But a bit loud, and wait people had somewhat of an attitude. The food I ordered, chicken sandwich, was overcooked, and tasted like a shoe.

    (3)

  • Mike W.

    Great beer selection craft and import, knowledgeable staff great food. Ask for Phil, he's a Chicago craft beer legend and will not guide you wrong.

    (5)

  • Peter B.

    Fountainhead just makes me regret not going to Hopleaf.

    (2)

  • James V.

    I really wish I could give this place a better review. But I was pretty unimpressed. I came here with my boyfriend one night on a whim. We drive by it all the time and have been intrigued by it's appearance. Much to my chagrin, there were many gigantic flat screen tv's lined up over the bar. It's a personal thing, but I don't like to be surrounded by sports while I'm eating. The wine and beer menu was pretty good, and the monkey bread was pretty tasty. I had ordered beet gnocchi and it was just...there. No real flavor to speak of. It was a rather pricey dish so I was pretty let down. The server was really nice though, and the atmosphere aside from the flat screens was really nice and romantic.

    (3)

  • H H.

    ***THIRD and probably final UPDATE-July 2011**** The waitstaff is really bad. Bartenders good. Waitresses/Waiters BAD. I am amending this a THIRD time and dropping down to two stars. Even knowing the waitstaff is hit or miss, a group of 8 of my friends came on a Sunday night. It's generally fairly low key on Sunday evenings here. The waiter we had was rather tepid. We eventually had to wave him down to give him our food order. In the meantime, he was doing a shot with the table next to us. The food came and several things people had asked for were incorrect. Someone had asked for a piece of cheese and although it showed up on the bill, it never showed up on the table. Another of the party had a sandwich and the bun was "grilled" and completely black and charred and she had to ask for another bun. We paid -half the bill was split on credit cards (we wrote out how much and which card for him) and the rest was cash and being over all a good group of people, we still tipped well. We get up and leave and were standing outside saying our goodbyes and the waiter comes OUTSIDE and stops us, bill in hand saying the total wasn't enough. Startled, we all gathered and looked at the totals, he said the credit cards were correct, but that we needed more cash. We look at the amounts, someone told him the total of cash we left, he looks at it in his hand and recounts it and realizes we were correct with what we left. He had miscounted the cash and thought we had shorted him. However, HAD we shorted him the money he thought we did, it would have been on tip, NOT on the bill. So basically, he came outside to find us and tell us we didn't give him 20% (remember, this was a table of 8 eating and drinking, so the bill was large.) He hadn't earned 20% and he certainly didn't after that move. This left an extremely bad taste in all of our mouths and it's pushing me closer and closer to not going back here at all. There are too many great bars in that area to keep putting up with behavior like that. ****second update...waitstaff is improving. Have had male waiters the last two times, and they have been great.****** I really want to adore and love this place. The food is okay, not outstanding, but certainly better than some other bars in the area. The beer is wonderful. Wonderful and 4-5 stars worthy. However, I have had MULTIPLE bad experiences with the waitstaff. The sort where you have to sit there and turn around and watch for them and then wave to try to get them to: take your order, get a refill, get the check, take your bill. And the sort that overrides the rest of the experience. On one visit, the waitress walked away as one of our party was telling her they'd like the same. We had no idea if she even heard us until she came back 15 minutes later with the drinks, and apparently, she did hear, she just didn't acknowledge us. I am a customer that is always courteous to waitstaff and says thank you whenever why water is refilled. I always tip 20%. I understand times get stressful and hectic. On another trip to Fountainhead, our waitress stood at a table NEXT to ours talking to the guys at the table for well over 10 minutes. It wasn't until we made a loud noise that she suddenly came over to give us the bill. Our beer glasses were empty, our plates were clean and at that point, we had decided not to order another round as we had been waiting so long. It is so frustrating as this is a great bar for the neighborhood and I would be there a lot more often, but I'm developing such negative feelings about Fountainhead. Food, fairly good Beer, Fantastic Atmosphere, Comfortable, Dark, but relaxing ONLY one TV, which I find to be a big plus Waitstaff, super crappy Please, owners...address this. Please, look at the other reviews on here, it is an issue. **** I upped a star as I think the owners addressed this. The last few visits the waitstaff was much better.**** THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

    (2)

  • Chris G.

    Holy Amish Chicken Batman! And, obviously, Mark, Chris, Phil, Mike and Caroline are the best :)

    (5)

  • Kathy R.

    I've been back a few times....really like this place. Brunch was fantastic, great menu with a few options you won't find anywhere else. Plus a great beer selection to boot.

    (4)

  • Scott H.

    Great selection! Horrible customer service! I live 1/2 block away so thought this would be my favorite place to chill and have a beer with friends, not so. I ordered a beer I thought I would like but it was not my taste, I finished it and the bartender came and asked if I wanted another to which I replied yes but a different one and that I didn't like that one. He looked at me with a "fuck you" attitude and said "well, we don't serve bad beers here" and walked away. I looked at my friend and asked if I heard correctly and he said that he couldn't believe it either. It was a Tuesday night at about 10 and there were only about 10 or 15 people in the place. We walked out and I will never step foot in a place that completely forgets who is paying to keep the lights on!

    (1)

  • Kara E.

    The black bean patty at Fountainhead is awesome. You can certainly tell their patty is handmade and not a frozen Morningstar burger. The patty is really thick, with lots black beans, corn, and tasty quinoa. Foutainhead also has a huge drink list, I had to defer to the waitress for a recommendation. I hope to return to this place to try out the other menu items and another beer.

    (4)

  • Mark B.

    Really great food and selection of beers! I've been here several times and can't wait to try out their beer garden in the summer!

    (5)

  • Elisabeth D.

    BAD! We got there, and it looked busy. Good sign. went to the bar while we waited for a table, it took us 25 minutes to get a drink, the bar was full but the bartenders were working like slugs! We sat, got a server who seemed bored to be there. She didn't come back for a LONG time to get us new drinks. The Charciuterie was grainy and lacked in taste and appearance. Not a good experience.

    (2)

  • Tom S.

    I like Fountainhead, but it's not quite ready for prime time. It does have a lot of potential. I was impressed with the beer list. I guess I'm a bit of a beer snob and saw some cool brews I'd never tried. We ordered beers and some fries... strangely, the fries came quickly (maybe 5 or 6 minutes) but we waited 10 minutes or more for the beers! Yes, it was a Saturday night and busy, but I don't know that I've ever gotten my food served before my booze. The fries were just ok. The beer was delicious. In the bathroom, they had some handy reading material above the urinal that informed us that the full menu will be coming soon. I'm going to come back to try it. I just hope they have the kinks worked out in a month or two.

    (3)

  • Zac K.

    If I didn't eat here again, I would be A-OK with that. I wanted to like it- cute atmosphere and space- however, oddly, quiet- took forever to be acknowledged at my table- now granted, I was solo waiting for someone so I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt here, but on a Friday evening, come on- a man needs his drink- great beer selections and I'm not a beer person at all - food was tragic- dirty mussels that tasted gritty- GROSS! I wanted to like them too, because they were prepared pretty awesome! Hopefully they appeal to ppl - I just don't think I'm the right audience :)

    (2)

  • Meghan B.

    this place is sooooo yummy and has an AWESOME rooftop. beware, however, the menus between the rooftop and the downstairs are different. great beer list and delicious food. yay gastropubs!

    (4)

  • Christian V.

    Let's just say bacon seems to be a major theme at this place, and I ain't mad at that. We had the Bacon Roasted Nuts to start. I followed that with Cheese Soup. Then we enjoyed burgers on pretzel buns. They also had really decent Bloody Marys. I think the glass was rimmed with a bacon infused salt. Yum and yum. As an added bonus, the music was right on. We heard everything from Simple Minds, Echo and the Bunnymen, to TV on the Radio. I will be back here for sure, and not just to try all of the 100+ beers.

    (4)

  • Mick M.

    great beer list and beautiful patio. dissappointing food menu on the patio though. almost consideted going back downstairs to get some good food.

    (4)

  • Dina F.

    Love the food! I've been here about three times and haven't had a dish I didn't like. The beer selection is wonderful and wide. The atmosphere is very laid back and typical of a pub. I can't wait to try the brunch.

    (5)

  • Mick C.

    The good beer selection & decent food would have earned 4 stars, BUT the service was awful. Basically, the service was slow and our server was rude. Hence, 2 stars. I live just around the corner & don't plan to go back.

    (2)

  • John N.

    Back in the early 90's, it seemed like anyone who ever hung drywall over summer vacation and had a few bucks became a general contractor, and started throwing up McMasions which were eagerly snapped up by buyers too intoxicated by the idea of 6000 square feet, a three-car garage and a 20-ft. vaulted ceiling in the foyer to stop and consider that all they were really getting was a cookie-cutter tract house shoddily constructed with the cheapest, shittiest materials, just oversized and tarted up with a some fancy cornices and columns. The American economy was well on the way to being destroyed before it was generally accepted that these thing were total crap. That said, Fountainhead (and so many recent ventures launched in the same spirit) is the gastronomic equivalent of a McMansion. A lot of pretentious flash, designed to look and feel like an instant classic, and above all else, harvest cash from suckers too uncultured to realize what they are getting. Their website says they're "taking a high-end artisanal approach to food in a casual, comfortable setting. When possible we're supporting local purveyors to create a blend of flavors with global influences [i.e., integrity when it's convenient]." Gosh, which of the hoard of new local gastropub does *not* boast of exactly the same thing? And while the boast may occasionally be true with some of them, I think it's a safe bet that when a place calls itself "high-end," the ambience is going to be toxic, and the food not all that much better. I tried Fountainhead. The atmosphere is post-bro, but still a little douchey. Food's mostly OK. Some of it is a cut above average bar food (the Moo appetizer --smoked mac & cheese, something called "India Pale Ale tavern cheese," Gorgonzola & bacon "monkey bread" with sweet potato chips --is actually fun), some of it strives but fails (hanger steak). As of this writing, the rooftop patio will soon be opening, and promising to destroy a formerly tranquil oasis of a neighborhood populated by people who could have, but consciously chose not to live in Lincoln Park. Now Lincoln Park is being forced on us. I'm not saying don't open new restaurants in the neighborhood; I'm saying open new restaurants which are respectful of and consistent with the character of the neighborhood. Glenn's Diner, just down the street, managed to do just that. They nailed it, and have been packed for the last four years. Perhaps Fountainhead will reconsider what it's trying to do, drop the pretense, and deliver on its promise (great location, cool structure). Otherwise, it definitely won't be around in four years. Win-win either way I guess. This review may seem snobby, and that's fine. But I'm compelled to action nevertheless. Too many remained silent when McMansions first began to sprout, and we all know how that story ended: mass foreclosures, suburban ghost towns, and the destruction of the American Dream itself. Don't let a similar thing happen with these uppity ostentatious wannabe gastropubs all trying to imitate the Hop Leaf. You wanna end up living in a post-apocalyptic Road Warrior world, or scavenging for expired canned food like in The Road? No? Then call out this bad new trend before things get out of hand.

    (2)

  • John S.

    Just go here for the beer selection. The food is mediocre and over priced. Service was pretty slow too. Great beer though!

    (2)

  • Doug M.

    I wanted to like this place, I really did. And, if I limited myself to drinking alone, I still would. But I had to try the food. The food is unspectacular in almost every way and in some cases was just downright bad. Why do so many first time bar owners think that putting "gastropub" in their description will make people look past the fact that the food is uninspired, poorly executed dreck? We got one of only a few appetizers on the menu, the "pleased to meat you". It consisted of some ok pate and rillettes served with one inch (literally) of pre-sliced baguette! Because it was pre-sliced, it was also quite stale. When we asked for more bread the waitress actually brought us another inch of baguette. After a few more similar requests, we finally ended up with a total of four inches of baguette - one inch at a time! Luckily, the additional bread units came with plates so we didn't have to ask for any. I still find it hard to believe that it took twenty minutes to get twenty cents worth of bread with an appetizer. The "Beyond Grilled Cheese" was far from it. If it even lived up to merely a grilled cheese, it would have been ok but it was really a small piece of slightly melted brie with some fruit compote on some way-too-hard white bread with another piece of toasted-to-the-breaking-point white bread on top of it. Mind you, none of the components were actually melted enough to bind any of them together. If this is "beyond" grilled cheese - I fear for the future. From my experience, a place that can't make grilled cheese has some very serious problems. The other dishes were average. Nothing too bad, but certainly nothing very good. I came away from this place feeling like the owners were new to food service and had grossly underestimated the amount of thought and effort required to serve a good meal. Maybe it will change in the future but I kind of doubt it. The wait staff was nice but kind of clueless about waiting tables. We actually had to ask them to remove the empty appetizer tray before somebody took it away - this was after we finished dinner! But, in general, the wait staff is not the Fountainhead's problem. The Fountainhead's problems come from much higher than that. In Ayn Rand's meritocratic world, this restaurant would have closed the day it opened. The bar could have stayed open longer. Perhaps the owners should have stuck to what they were good at rather than choosing to go through the motions of being a restaurant too. The key to enjoying the Fountainhead is that, if you are going to eat, make sure you have a few beers first - it would make the Fountainhead's barely mediocre food seem much better. If it were not for the excellent selection of beer and whisky, I would have only given Fountainhead one star.

    (2)

  • Annie R.

    I think I like beer more than food. I like the drinks here; therefore I like the food. Mussels are great. Never have to wait for a table, fun crowd.

    (4)

  • Madelyn H.

    what lacks in the food at fountainhead, is made up for by the extensive beer list and atmosphere. really a great little spot in this neighborhood. super cozy with a fireplace and dark wood. perfect for the winter. we tried the crispy salad with spiced walnuts and apples. it just wasn't super flavorful. same with the hot pink risotto and the black bean patty. all were underseasoned. i was excited about the bread pudding but it too was not your typical custardy moist bread pudding - kind of mediocre. i would definitely go back though because there were several other things on the menu that i wanted to try.

    (4)

  • Hilary M.

    briefly: good beer selection. mediocre and overly ambitious food. went on a friday night w/ 4 friends. waited for over an hour. couldn't wait at the bar b/c it was at capacity. this wasn't a big deal, as we'd kinda expected a wait. i'm not a beer expert, but my friends kinda are and they seemed satisfied w/ the beer options. what i was most interested in was the FOOD, which was fairly disappointing. here's the run down: - i had the goat cheese croquettes w/ honey lemon sauce to start, which were terrible. undercooked and therefore doughy w/ too little cheese; sauce wasn't really a sauce as much as a bunch of honey w/ a little lemon mixed in... syrupy sweet and not at all a compliment to the croquettes. - a friend and i did splitsies on two sandwiches: egg salad and black bean burger. both were very messy, with flavors that were just okay. ingredients were fresh and neither sandwich was too heavy, but nothing popped. the frites were mediocre. - another friend just ordered frites and they came w/ two aiolis of the day: lemon caper and bloody mary. neither was great... both names hinted at ambitious flavor but didn't deliver. i will go back just for beers. maybe i'd try another appetizer, but i don't think i'd bother w/ a full meal again. the menu sounds great, but the chef isn't pulling it off.

    (2)

  • Kennen M.

    As this is now the bar closest to my house, I was excited that it was going to be my new favorite hangout! My excitement died after my few experiences there. When at the exterior of the building, there isn't much of a welcome sign, open sign and the windows are darkly tinted so there is the uneasy feeling if they are even open. When walking in, you are not greeted by anyone and the tables seem all filled and the only resort is the bar. The bar staff act if they could give two shiets about serving you anything. One shouldn't have to wait more than a few minutes to get acknowledged and even more minutes to get asked what I would like to drink. The other time a female friend and I came in here from a rainstorm, all wet and wanting an evening beer. Standing at the half empty bar for ten minutes without any service is unacceptable. Sure, we were soaked, may not have looked top of our game but we still were appropriately dressed and had money in our pockets. We left and went to the Wild Goose where we were served right away. Yes, Fountainhead has a large selection of beer and bourbon; however they aren't the only game in town. I am dumbfounded to why this place is so busy other than it is the hip place to go at the moment. These lemmings should be taught that there is nothing hip about poor service. I will order my IPA without the attitude somewhere else from now on!

    (2)

  • M P.

    4 amazing reasons to go here: Mike, Mark, Caroline, and Angel. The staff here truly make the place. On top of the wonderful people, the beer selection is huge!! The rooftop is lovely and during the winter there's a cute little fireplace to hang out by. Highly recommended!!

    (5)

  • Sarah N.

    We went there for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The service wasn't spectacular but the atmosphere was nice and rustic feeling - cozy in a large room, if that's possible. The menu itself is small but what we had was delicious! I had the pork sandwich and hubs had the chicken sandwich. YUM! And some excellent beers, of course.

    (4)

  • Patricia R.

    I have been to fountainhead twice and have been underwhelmed and just downright aggravated by the staff. The first time, my husband and I tried to sit at a "sacred" booth, but we were told that the booths were reserved for big parties. The initial server was ready to sit us wherever we wanted, but the manager abruptly made it perfectly clear that we could not take one of the precious booths. It's 6pm midweek!!! And then no one sat in those booths the whole time we were there. Class Act. This place is not as necessary to the 'hood as the staff thinks it is. It's a dime a dozen joint. The food is not very creative or have fun flavors at all. Bruschetta should not be build your own! My husband and I both got sandwiches that sounded unique and interesting, but neither had any flavor. Sure, the beer list is more extensive than Miller Lite, but with a staff that treats people like crap (Hey, ya just opened) I don't feel the need to go back.

    (1)

  • Kerry S.

    Ok, something kinda weird happened. I'm still gonna keep going here, solely because of the beer. But, I went on Mother's Day with my folks. At my house we were watching the Celtics/Cavs game (we're huge Celtics fans) but decided to forgo the fourth quarter in favor of an early dinner. When we got to Fountainhead, the restaurant was maybe half full and their lone TV that hangs over the bar once again was on CNN. My husband and I noted the first time that the music was inaudible and we thought it was weird they just had one TV, and why was CNN on? So when I sat down with my parents, I thought it couldn't hurt to ask if the Cavaliers game could be turned on. (I even said Cavaliers thinking, midwest team, LeBron, playoffs...all selling points.) Our server was super nice, said no problem. Then we saw them dinking around with the remote, and then they just gave up and turned the TV off. She came over and explained the TV was only for Chicago sports, and if no teams were playing they want the TV off. "We don't want it to become a destination spot." What? No one was watching CNN, why not just appease the customer? It wasn't a huge deal for us, I DVR'd the game, but why turn the TV off? It was kinda like taking your ball home from the playground because you don't want to share. I think they should lighten up on their "rules" or just take the TV down. Why have one TV? It's stupid. Hopleaf doesn't have a TV, people still go. I think Fountainhead is working through a little bit of an identity crisis. Am I a bar? Am I a restaurant? Who knows, had they obliged our simple request, we may have stayed for another round of celebratory manhattans, which incidentally are terrific, and we coulda cheered our team on to their eventual win.

    (3)

  • Susana D.

    Indeed, an impressive lineup of beers, but the frites don't even come close to Hopleaf's, or Huey's fries. Or even Le Sabre's fries across the street. The "aiolis" with the frites showed more cleverness than skill. The place was crowded (a good thing) on a Thursday but very noisy, and the 80's college rock seemed generic. The menu was mildly interesting, but both Dining Companion and I agreed we wished we'd have gone for the burger on a pretzel roll rather than the chicken sandwich and the sodden summer salad.

    (2)

  • Fred W.

    I like this place. It's a little pricey. Not quite up to the level of Hop Leaf for a "gastropub", but pretty good. Had a couple of stellar Manhattans and their beer list is extensive with many good choices. Food is OK. Service seems better/friendlier than the Hop Leaf, to continue that comparison.

    (4)

  • N. S.

    I have been there several times now, and I think they have a few kinks to work out. They have a good beer, wine and spirits selection. It's varied, well-priced, and ever-changing. The service is decent. The location and interior are great. On the culinary side though, they've got a lot of work to do. Everything on the menu SOUNDS amazing, yet continues to disappoint. Details below - but for now, I'm going to wait until their rooftop opens and see if by then they've realized their full potential. Burgers: My friends have had these and pronounced them "pretty good." And they do look good. Fries: The first few times, they were these big, delicious, crispy things. This past week though, they've been pretty much just like Burger King fries: a dusting of cornstarch to give them crunch, but otherwise they taste like anything of a freezer truck. Swine Swoon: The pork was perfectly cooked, but not very flavorful. The toppings were scant, so they didn't add much and the "sourdough" seemed to be of the Wonder bread variety. Beyond Grilled Cheese: Sounds amazing. Even though the name is "beyond," it suggests that the sandwich will be cooked (grilled/griddled/pressed, something) but it was really just brie and fruit spread on the same supermarket sourdough. Smoky macaroni: Pasta cooked nicely. More greasy than cheesy. Not a hint of "smoke" that I could taste, though. Sweet Potato Chips: Okay, but nothing special. Moo Platter: I'm not sure what to say about this. Stoner's Delight? Bacon in canned biscuit dough? The previously mentioned macaroni and sweet potatoes. And then this lump of salty beyond belief tavern cheese? What is one supposed to do with that? Put it on the chips or the already cheese/bacony bread? Maybe If I'd smoked a bong first, I would have enjoyed that one more.

    (2)

  • J S.

    The scotch tasting events have been a blast. Thanks to a great team! When we were waiting for our table, Lindsey the hostess was so nice to chat with. The hostess can really set a mood. Thanks again FH!

    (5)

  • Activator S.

    Great beer and liquor selection and awesome brunch! If you're looking for a place to go to with a group of friends and have great food and drinks then this is the place. I highly recommend Fountainhead.

    (5)

  • Becky S.

    I like fountainhead. It gives you a warm and vibrant feel. It's darker with a vintage look and is full of people every time I've been. They have a massive beer selection and some good wines too but the real reason I come back... The crispy salad! It has walnuts, goat cheese, apples and some kind of vinegarette and it is sooo good! I also had a creme brulee which had a lot of critic notes but was very good as well. My man had the hanger steak with some kind of bean succotash that he really liked too. My only issue with Fountainhead is that it always seems really really hot. Other than that, it's a great place.

    (4)

  • E M.

    Oh my gosh, what are these poor reviews about? This place is better than the HOPLEAF! There, I said it. It DEFINITELY IS better than the Hopleaf. And no, it isn't named after Ayn Rand's novel. I know, weird. Went with some beer snobs who were moving to VA. Tried the Surly Mild. Amazing. Sweet. Tried the Crispy Salad. Fresh, not drenched in dressing, yet not too normal bag-of-salad at the same time. Duck stuff, also crispy and kinda scrumptious. WAY CHEAPER THAN HOPLEAF. All the beers we tried were great, and we tried a lot. What they have on draft is surprising and cheap. The server knew exactly what she had and even identified the beer my friends described having had at the preview night weeks earlier. It was no longer on the menu, but she knew what they were talking about in 10 seconds. That gives a big clue into the personality of the people who work at Fountainhead. Love it. Loved the set up of the inside where the bar's the feature once you walk in. Lots of room for neighbors to congregate and SOFT PADS ON THE CHAIRS!!! YES!!! You know, the area looks desolate around the Montrose stop, but it's not. There are a lot of cool people around here who have appreciated Glenn's and Margie's, the Lill Street Art Center, Beans and Bagels and Le Sabre forEVER. These places-with-personality have been staples and reflective of the neighborhood for a long time, and I hope Fountainhead is, too.

    (4)

  • kara m.

    Amazing beer menu. There's something for everyone here on the extensive beer menu. We split the mussels and frites...both were delicious (esp. the garlic aioli). We can't wait to visit this place more often this summer!

    (5)

  • Stephanie F.

    Everything about Fountainhead looks great. The corner where it lives, great. Seating in booths and old-fashioned cabaret tables is invitingly great. The outstanding Bourbon and Whiskey list, great. The wonderfully presented and defined beer list, great. The food? Not so much. Of course, it looks great. The way it reads on the menu is great (except for the typo in the word 'chutney.' Their version read 'chutetny'). But when tasted, the dipping sauce served with the Croquettes was loaded with too much thyme and honey. The "assortment" of dipping sauces to be served with the "frites" was a mere two little dishes of something white that was never described to us. We thought a garlic mayonnaise and a blue cheese? The frites themselves were just a notch up from fast food joint crunchy and nondescript. Fountainhead's redeeming quality last night lie in their burger. It tasted like a real, shaped at the counter, grilled by your dad type of burger. Cooked to the perfect temperature and served with the juiciest of tomatoes and tangiest of pickles. Was it the best burger in Chicago or does it deserve to be on a must-have list? Not at all - but the pleasure was found in its charming innocence. My recommendation is to go for drinks and skip on the food.

    (3)

  • Kevin K.

    Beer aged in whiskey barrels?! Why was I not informed of this? I really need to get out more. Anyway, it's brilliant. The wifey and I came here on a Saturday night at around 8:00 and only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. (As this is Yelp, I'm operating under the assumption that spouses must be referred to as either "hubby" or "wifey" with or without the article "the" in front). At the bar my wife had a Crispin Cider on draft that she liked it a lot. I had a sip and you definitely get that whiskey barrel thing going on. Once seated I ordered the Allagash Curieux. The server returned shortly thereafter only to tell me they ran out, but she gave me what they had left, about half a glass, on the house. Great job turning a negative into a positive. My next drink was the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, a beer I knew nothing about and ordered for the 13% APV. Yup, that's how I roll. First of all, it was beautiful to look at. It was dark as sin and had a perfect espresso-like crema. At first sip, you get that great velvety texture of a good stout, and the richness and full body are immediately apparent. Then the taste. Good God that taste. It tasted like black licorice extract, if there is such a horrible thing, mixed with that bottle of Wild Turkey that's been collecting dust in your parents' liquor cabinet for twenty years. I mean I know it's not a chugging beer, but I could barely sip the stuff, and this is from someone who likes drinking bourbon and scotch neat. I don't hold this abomination against the fine folks of Fountainhead or Goose Island. I'm sure some people probably love it. I'm just not one of those people. The food was very good. The Monkey Bread with gorgonzola and bacon served with a side of sausage gravy was amazing. The gravy was extremely black peppery, but in a good way. My wife had the mussels appetizer for an entree and they were very good. I had the Swine Swoon which was a pork shoulder sandwich with aged cheddar and pickle slices. It was good not great. The pork was tasty but a little dry. Also, it was supposed to have some kind of mustard, but if it was on there, I couldn't taste it. It needed something to kick it up a notch like a dijon or a hot sauce. Overall though, really, really good. The service was great from host to bartender to server. Let's give it four stars.

    (4)

  • carrie h.

    Overrated. I was excited for a place like this to come to my neighborhood, but when I went, I was so disappointed. The beer list is fantastic. Food is mediocre at best. Four of us went for dinner, and had the duck mac n cheese, a burger, an entree with pork belly and something else...nobody thought their food was any more than okay. The staff clearly doesn't understand the neighborhood...trying to hard to be hip translates as a bit juvenile. I will return once the rooftop deck opens...for drinks, not dinner. Hoping that by the time the deck is ready that the owners figure out how to staff the place for people who aren't there for a scene.

    (2)

  • Jon B.

    The beer selection is wide and deep, and the menu's helpful descriptions of the various styles had me geeking out. The hangar steak is a bargain at $14, and the peppery chocolate creme brûlée with bacon brittle was wonderfully discomfiting. I never meet anybody interesting at the bar, though, unlike Revolution, but at least you can talk here w/o screaming.

    (4)

  • Samantha L.

    Went here with the boyfriend on a sunny Saturday around lunchtime. All the nice window seats were taken so we opted to sit at the bar. At first the bartender threw us a couple of beer menus and walked away, to which I said to my boyfriend "what a bitch." He agreed which means that she did act inappropriatly because he would have put me in line if I was in the wrong (or if I was the one being bitchy!). I politely asked for food menus, and she seemed to turn that bitchy frown upside down because from then on out she was great. I don't know if she heard my comment, or maybe she just isn't automatically friendly, but the rest of the service was great minus my immediate impression. Moving on - the beer menu is super extensive. I will also mention that most of the draft beers are no more than $7, and a lot of them are %9! I have to admit that I was a bit hungover and wasn't in the mood to drink all all, so I will be back to booze it up at a later date. I was there to eat. I ordered the mussels and my boyfriend had the jerk chicken sandwich. Both were great. The mussels were especially good. And the prices were great. I love that you can order fries with the mussles, and they put them in the pot! to soak up all the juices and garlic! It was great! I might not order that as an entree again though because it was quite decadent and I had a bit of a stomachache later, but in hindsight it was worth it! I think that the atmosphere, beer selection and prices make this a great place. And the food is really good! It is higher end better tasting food for the same price as a bar that serves throw up on a plate [*COUGH* (Pitchfork on Irving) *COUGH* ] for the same price! That is all.

    (4)

  • Stacy M.

    I moved like a 10 minutes walk from this place in May and I can't believe I just stopped in here for the first time Thursday. I had a dinner date down the street and we came in here for a drink afterwards. Huge selection of beer! I had no idea what to get so I asked the bartender for a suggestion and he gave me one that tasted exactly like what I was hoping for. My date ordered a Matilda and thought it was really cool they actually had the Matilda glass for the beer. Actually I noticed they had a lot of different glass types so I'm guessing that's their thing? The atmosphere is dark but in a cozy way, in fact they had a fire going in a fireplace so def a nice intimate spot for conversation with a date or friends. I have a feeling we'll both be back soon!

    (4)

  • Simone C.

    I really wanted to like Fountainhead. We were escorted into the warm and cozy dining room by a very nice hostess, we passed three lovely tables in the window. We landed in the back room. We were seated at a tiny, makeshift table in the back, by the kitchen and the waiter station. Suddenly I just didn't feel welcome at all and it was freezing! Other people have said this, but it bears repeating. The waiter was awful. He just dumped the menus on the table; with no offer to explain the pages and pages of beers. I must be old because the type was unreadable in the dark room. I ordered a cider. It arrived warm and drippy. The Gorgonzola and bacon monkey bread was a brackish, doughy blob. We ordered the duck. It arrived cold in the center, but done on the outside. The plate was a bloody mess. The waiter snottily informed me that "duck is supposed to be rare." Yes, but cold is not rare and usually it is scored so it cooks through. It was the first time I have ever sent something back. So why even 1 star? I have to give the restaurant kudos for not allowing minors after 8. I do miss bars being for adults only and am glad to see someone taking a stand.

    (1)

  • j d.

    GOOD: Fountainhead is a very nice looking, well-appointed bar. They seem to have a nice selection of higher end beers and liquors, and the atmosphere is very nice. They have done a beautiful job of building out the interior with dark woods, and the interior isn't nearly as dark as it appears from the outside. BAD: For the type of food they are attempting to create, the price-to-quality is very poor. Rather than accomplishing nice bar food, they are failing at delivering upscale bistro food. For example, the pate was extremely over-seasoned, to the point of drowning out any other flavors of the constituent ingredients. The frites, as they describe them, were far from actual pommes frites--what they charge $9 for is basically Sysco fries that come from a frozen package. However, I heard from some friends that these were not the usual frites they served, so maybe they had made a cost saving move. The result was very disappointing. Overall, I would say that they have an amateur chef; they need to either invest more into developing their menu and the execution of their food, or charge less per plate and make the type of bar food they can competently accomplish.

    (2)

  • nancy b.

    tough call....i really really like the extensive beer and whiskey list, the promise of an outdoor patio (when oh when is it opening!) and the general feel of the place. i was a bit underwhelmed by the food menu and the dish i ordered in particular. it took me about 15 minutes to make a choice, and usually that's because i am battling on deciding on one entree. in this case though, nothing was jumping off the page. i went with the ostrich tacos. i've never had ostrich but expected it to be similar to duck as the waiter suggested. it was quite tough and the taco shells were rather bizarre; they were soft on the inside with a chewy rim. i will definitely go back there, but i hope to see some new items on the menu!

    (3)

  • Thongsy S.

    I was very excited to see that a new bar opened up in my neighborhood. Unfortunately, I never got to try this place and probably won't. I called in to request a reservation since I was expecting such a large group of people for a birthday party (20+). The person who answered the call said that they typically don't take reservations but that he'll discuss it with one of the other managers and will return my call. Two weeks later and still no word!!! For such a new place to have bad (or lack thereof) service really discourages me from even checking the place out! If you didn't have the capacity or didn't want to take the reservation, at least have the decency to call back when you say you would!! Fortunately, I was able to secure a reservation rather quickly at The Bad Apple...kudos to them!

    (1)

  • kevin c.

    This place has a good beer menu. It is varied and extensive. The food seems a bit limited however. The staff can be inconsistent. Being out of some beers is alright, but explain so at the beginning or keep a list of them for the day. Overall, an ok place with an excellent beer list.

    (3)

  • Carri C.

    Beer list is extensive. Food is ok-they should have more choices and the prices are a little high. Seating on the roof deck is tough to get to the point of I am sick of trying. Service is mediocre.

    (3)

  • Valerie B.

    This is billed as a gastropub and is a fairly large operation at the corner of Montrose and Damen. My how this neighborhood has gentrified! The immediate area has quite a few restaurants and upscale stores. However it's surprising to see that the city isn't squeezing every last penny from parking as street parking is FREE. It is also possible to find a spot too! We went as a group of six. The decor is the ubiquitous pub look, lots of wood and brass. The seating consists of booths around the perimeter of the room and tables in the middle. The booths are not diner comfy booths but more utilitarian pub seating and are sort of skimpy for six people. However it suited our purpose as we do not get together all that often so were busy in conversation. I imagine someone who was looking for a comfortable restaurant wouldn't find this met the bill, but perhaps sitting at a table is better. There is an enormous drinks menu with the emphasis on beer. The server told us we could sample a couple of beers if we wished to make our selection (a nice touch). I am assuming you can only sample beers on tap. The food menu is divided into small plates, big plates, sandwiches, snacks etc. We chose big plates and shared other big plates as starters. The majority of people on a Saturday night were ordering sandwiches and they looked good. I started with the broccoli and quinoa and I have to say the grain part was very good. It was very tasty without any overtones of sack cloth and ashes health food. The broccoli was nice and crisp - not overcooked. I then had the Amish half chicken. The chicken was a small chicken so was not an excessive amount of food as half chickens usually are. It was spiced with a hot pepper and I am still working out how they did it because there was no evidence of a rub on the skin. Anyway, there was a nice sense of heat. Both the leg and the breast were nice and moist, not so easy for a restaurant to do. The bed of roasted corn was really good. Those of tried the duck confit pasta loved it. Others in our party chose the roasted salmon. The menu claimed the salmon was glazed with barbecue sauce but everyone was scraping off an excess. They all were in agreement that the barbecue sauce was overkill. We also felt the desserts were a weak point and not worth the calories. Ours tasted as if it came from the nearest supermarket. Service is not so hot. Refilling of water glasses, return on the waiter etc. is not exactly stellar. There was a huge gap between our appetizers and entree. This didn't bother us as we were busy in conversation and appreciated no pressure to turn the table. However, if you are hungry and in hopes of getting your food before you become faint, this may not be the best place for you. To be fair, it was Saturday night and the place was packed.

    (3)

  • Lauren G.

    So far I have only had great experiences at Fountainhead. Great drink selection, good food and a nice atmosphere. The last time I was there I had a server named Allison who not only remembered me from the time before but recommended drinks that she thought I would like off of what I had been drinking previously and I loved it.

    (5)

  • Ami H.

    Have been to Fountainhead a few times now and it has safely secured my favorite spot to drink. There beer menu is so extensive and complete that it is almost impossible not to find something that you will love. They also have a lot of obscure beers that I haven't seen any place else. The whiskey/scotch list is also a sight to be seen (and sampled). The new menu ranks each selection by smokiness, sweetness, price, etc. So helpful if you want to try something new. All I've been talking about so far is the alcohol but the food menu is nothing to overlook. They have a great selection of appetizers, sandwiches and full entrees depending on the meal. All of the plates are unique in a familiar way, just different enough so that you can't get it any place else but not so out there you don't recognize what you're eating.

    (5)

  • Jim G.

    Excellent beer and scotch selection in a warm and mellow atmosphere. Try the monkey bread.

    (4)

  • Whitney R.

    Fountainhead has great food with a few vegetarian options, but if bad service can ruin a meal for you I wouldn't go here for dinner. It's too bad because between the quality food and great beer list i could eat here weekly. I keep trying to go back and hope I can get a beer within 5 or even 10 minutes of being seated but it always seems to take 15 to 20 minutes if I'm even that lucky. Work on your service and Fountainhead could be deserving of five stars!

    (3)

  • Jenny Z.

    Love Love Love this place! The dark wood, fireplace and comfy booths. I really want to move to Ravenswood so this could be my local. I came here to meet with a friend and really wish I hadn't eat dinner already so I could have tried the many impressive gastropub menu items (lots of meatless options too). My extremely hipster waiter was helpful and knowledgeable of all the beer selections. I am going back next week.....

    (5)

  • Martin F.

    I had dinner here tonight, after a friend recommended it. I love my beer and hearty food, so my expectations were high. They were exceeded. I started off with the Käsekrainer, which was subtle and juicy. Not at all heavy, which is an easy trap to fall into. Next, I had the split pea Spätzle - oh my god. I grew up in Augsburg, Germany, the home of Spätzle, so I was apprehensive. Many American chefs make this staple of Swabian food too heavy and dense - not the case here. This was light, fluffy, the mushrooms were perfectly sautéed. It's a great variation on a German standard. My dinner companion had the duck confit pasta - she loved it. All the while, we sampled the vast beer menu, with the help of one of their very knowledgeable bartenders. He said he was still learning - after four months there. That should give you an idea of the depth of the menu! We finished the meal with a 21 year old bourbon - the Fountainhead Elijah Craig. It was cheaper than the 20 year old one from the same still. Soft, almost buttery, with vanilla on the finish. Overall, I would say that the chef understands how to cook for people who like beer and refined spirits. I'm in town through Monday and I am coming back.

    (5)

  • Yohsuke K.

    This place is growing on me. I really like the beer and whiskey selection here. And the food is good too. Let's get down to it. When you get in, the dim lighting and the wooden decor everywhere made me feel very cozy. The front host staff have been friendly every visit and for the most part had little to no difficulty seating for three to four people on weeknights. When you get your menus, you'll get a long, one page menu made out of thick card stock, while the other is literally a book, hehehe. The food menu is on the small menu, which is divided up into small plates, entrees, sandwiches, and the like. I've had the bacon nuts, the monkey bread, the mussels, and a couple of their sandwiches. All those were pretty good, however the monkey bread was a bit lacking in quantity for its price tag. The black bean burger they have can be a bit crumbly, but the thing is huge! I'm not one for veggie burgers, but this one, made with black beans, oats, and quinoa works for me. But it's nigh impossible to fit into your mouth because it's so tall. The mussels were probably the best thing I've had here so far. The spicy bits of sausage along with garlic and fennel work so well with the mussels. Now for the other menu, the drinks. As any gastropub should, there is an extensive list of beer, whisk(e)y, and spirits to be found. Unlike most places however, the prices are pretty decent! Yamazaki 18 yr. for $11 is pretty good saying that when I do find it, it inches close to or above $20. Their draft selection is very good, and they have a massive selection of bottled beers. Lots of love for the BPAs here, which is my preference for beer. They even offer a carafe of spring water when you ask for Scotch neat too. Also found a Scotch I don't see often, An Cnoc. And a bunch of others I can't put my finger on. Overall, their selection is pretty extensive and affordable to the point where I can just sit and chat away just for drinks. The service overall is pretty good. They give recommendations on their favorite food and drinks, and also come just often enough where they don't bother you too much, but not to the point where they've forgotten about your table. Also, I had dessert there, which was this vanilla bean cheesecake. Delicious! Very smooth texture, with small flecks of vanilla. Subtle flavor of vanilla was just right for this cheesecake. Looking forward to trying more of their cakes because they commission someone specifically just for their restaurant. So, yeah, I'll be back, and often. I'll see ya'll there with me.

    (4)

  • Heather K.

    Fountainhead is a great addition to Ravenswood. The owners did a great job reading the market because a Gastropub is exactly want this neighborhood needed. The beer list is amazing - they were one of the few Chicago pubs to receive DogFish Head's Bitches Brew! The draft list is always rotating with new and exciting beers. I'm not much for whiskey but those that are seem equally excited by the options. As for the food, they still have some kinks to work out. Everything is good but nothing is GREAT. My partner and I have tried just about everything at this point and the highlights are the Pork sandwich, the crispy salad, mac and cheese, and the egg salad. Last night we did a PreFix NYE Beer pairing dinner - which Phil Kuhl (certified Cicerone) did a wonderful job. Happy New Years, Fountainhead!

    (4)

  • Zaven K.

    A good place for a drink...good luck getting in. Food was disappointing to me, and the service was so-so, which made me wonder why it was full of people. Beer and whiskey selection is quite good, and I should say my companions ate burgers and would not shut up about them. I did not try a bite of their burgers, but tried the Frites...they were almost indistinguishable from McDonalds fries...not nesscesarily a bad thing, but at these prices, Ill grab a Super Size large fry at Mickey-D's and save $4. I ordered "Pleased to Meat You" and was underwhelmed. Got a single slice of pork pate, a bit larger than a playing card. A tureen full of rillets, about a full cup. then, apple compote which tasted more like cranberrys or raisins, and grainy mustard...all meant to be spread on bread or crackers...the bread I was given was the last 2 inches of a baguette, cut in 5 slices. If you can explain to me how Im supposed to spread all those rillets on that little bread, after eating the underhwealming pate, Ill pay for your next meal there. I asked for extra bread, and the waiter brought me 3 more slices of the same size as above. Stupid. Admittedly I may have ordered the wrong thing, but its sad to say that this dish was a clunker. I may give them another chance at some point. The Crowd seems to be the spot where Wrigleyville people go to meet Lincoln Square people: a combination of snooty women out on the prowl and meathead facepainter douchebags needing to be in the newest Gastropub. UPDATE: I have since returned to Fountainhead and they have make some adjustments to their menu and things are way better. Turns out my first experience there was during their opening weeks, before they worked out the kinks. Food is excellent and booze is good too.

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    Went to this place on Sunday night after reading reviews about so many amazing new gastropubs opening up. I was skeptical about how fantastical this place really would be, and I wish I hadn't been. The beer: extensive list....extensive meaning an actual binder of beers/whiskeys/scotch available. Just crazy. The food: The menu is small, but the food is amazing. Had a burger with sweet potato chips. The chips were perfect. They also had some sort of slight cinnamon taste to them which, oddly enough, made them taste even more spectacular. My date had a cheeseburger with fries that he seemed to think was wonderful. The bar itself is very beautiful to look at and the waiters/bartenders very knowledgeable and attentive. The bartender we had, I think his name was Mark (?) was great and honestly, very easy on the eyes :) The dreaded hipster vibe I thought we would encounter really never presented itself which was nice. The major thing that struck me out of the whole experience was the eclectic but perfect playlist overhead that seemed to mirror my own. I can't wait to go back. Definitely worth the trip west.

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    Pretty standard "gastropub". Good food, insane beer selection, and comfortable ambiance. Table service left a bit to be desired, otherwise no complaints.

    (3)

  • Amanda P.

    I wish I could review the drinks/food separate. Great drink menu but the food is very very meh. I hate leaving three starts for such a great drink menu but I suppose that's what the review box is for! Very cute and warm atmosphere, can't wait to see it in the summer.

    (3)

  • Kristin B.

    Husband and I came with friends tonight -- beer selection was ok (out of a few drafts I would have liked to try, but whatever), but food portions were SO TINY! Husband got the cobb salad and it had very few pieces of chicken/cheese and was so covered in dressing it was hard to eat. I had the falafel and while it was all fairly tasty, just not nearly enough food! We stopped by Blaze pizza in Evanston on our way home for a pizza because we were still starving -- too much $$ for not enough food (making for a very expensive dinner overall). Go somewhere that will leave you with a full tummy

    (2)

  • Andy M.

    I hate to write a two star review of this place because it has the potential to be a great little Pub. I'm writing this based on my second visit to Fountainhead. The first time was pretty good, but then again, we had the place to ourselves. Our second visit was on a Saturday night. We snagged a table in the nick of time. The people after us waited a good half hour. The joint was hopping, but I have been to places that have handled much bigger crowds with ease. The food was decent, but the service was downright horrible. In a nutshell, our experience went like this. I didn't see our server for a good 20 minutes after we were seated. The hostess took pity on us and finally brought us some water. When our server finally showed up, we ordered drinks, 10 minutes later our drinks arrived. It took her another 20 minutes to return to take our order and another 40 minutes for our food to arrive. The hostess claimed that there was a private party that was keeping our server busy. Newsflash to the good people at Fountainhead. It's a Saturday night, it's going to be busy. For the love of God, schedule more staff. To make matters worse (and slower) our server had to come back twice to tell my wife that they were out of the Micro-Brew she ordered. As for the food, I give it three and a half stars. The burger I had on my first visit was pretty darn good. The Swine Swoon I ordered on my latest visit was a grease bomb from hell, but I enjoyed it. The Duck chicharonnes appetizer is amazing. It's fried duck skin with a smokey bacon flavor to it. The bottom line on Fountainhead: As far as Bar food goes, they are a step above most establishments and they have a great Bourbon selection, but the quality of service was horrible. Based on my latest experience, I doubt if I will ever go back. I'm not ripping on our server. She honestly looked like she was working her ass off. But the person who does the scheduling should be demoted to dish washer. I have walked out of very few places due to bad service, but I was five minutes away from paying for our drinks and hitting the road. Fountainhead has the potential to be so much more than what they showed us on Saturday, but until they get their shit together, it's scratched off my list of places I would recommend to others.

    (2)

  • Chris S.

    The bar itself, and the beer and booze lists are big and beautiful. Then it goes downhill. The service was weak, distracted and not too knowledgeable about the menu. The food goes down as some of the worst food I've had all year. It's like they tried to get on the whole gastropub thing, but then stopped trying halfway through. The bacon nuts sound like they should be good beer food, but it's pretty much just nuts with maple candy of some sort, and no discernablle bacon. Also got the duck chicharones, which were just about as bad as could be - fried, solid, room temp grease. I only ate two bites figuring something was wrong, but was told that's how they are supposed to be. The mussels were pretty good, but overall, I was pretty unimpressed with my visit, and can't see going back to eat. For drinks on the other hand, I've no problem there.

    (2)

  • L M.

    This is my go to spot for a Saturday night burger and beer. I'm here once or twice a month. The food can be hit or miss and I tend to stick with the burger or the non-meat quinoa burger. A word on the burger - I find it's often overcooked. I enjoy the regular fries and my partner usually gets the sweet potato chips. So if you want medium well, order medium. I learned that the hard way. I often split a salad and then get an entree. The beer selection is overwhelming. I usually try to go for something on draft. I've had Sunday brunch a few times. They have fun brunch drinks and some interesting food choices. I've had something on the healthier side - a frittata with egg white and asparagus. And I've had the not so healthy - Phil's Hangover. Let's just say it has tater tots, eggs, bacon. And that's not even it. The staff is always friendly. We're there enough we sort of have "our waitress" who always remembers us and stops by to say hi even if she's not working our table.

    (4)

  • Armani B.

    DO NOT EAT THE BLACK BEAN PATTY!!! WASTE OF MONEY! The patty itself was like a paste, flavorless, and to even make it a decent burger you have to pay to add toppings which in my opinion is kind of ridiculous considering the patty itself is so excruciatingly plain. This is obviously a place meant to cater to the already drunk palette. Impressive overpriced beer menu, unimpressive overpriced food menu.

    (2)

  • Carolynne M.

    We were here twice. The first time was fast because Andy said something about not feeling well, so we had our mostly untouched food wrapped up to go. That time we had the place almost to ourselves. I ordered the Swine Swoon, which was delicious, but the sweet potato chips that came with it had too heavy of a spice applied (I couldnt really put my finger on it, was it cinnamon? Nutmeg? Too much whatever it was). Second time we came the place was packed to capacity. We lucked out in getting the last table available, but then just sat there with only menus to stare at for 15 minutes. Finally the hostess came by with water and claimed our waitress was backed up "due to a party". Except we never saw any evidence of a party anywhere in the place. I tried to order a beer, and the first one was not available. Same with the second choice. I finally gave up and ordered a Sierra Nevada, which was fine but honestly, I can get that anywhere. I came to a gastropub for a unique beer to try! This was pretty irritating to say the least. Service was WAY too slow for a Saturday night. I ordered appetizers for dinner because I felt those would come out faster than an entree. I had the cheese soup to start, which was a small cup of basically potato soup with a mild cheese flavour. Good but not what I was expecting at all. Then I ordered the shrimp diablo. The shrimp were oddly mushy and the bread pieces that came with it had mostly absorbed the sauce so they were mushy too. The sauce was pretty spicy which I was happy to see. Careful though, if you are someone that cant handle the heat. The thing that may redeem Fountainhead for me though and may make me try it one more time is the Duck chicharonnes. Quite possibly the most evil-y decadent thing I have eaten in a while. Tastes like the most awesome bacon ever. Our serving wasnt salted, and salt definitely adds a whole other dimension of flavour, so if you get these, add a bit. I really want to like this place. It has a great, cozy interior, and looks like a ton of fun on the weekends. Of course the chicharonnes help too. But the service issue and the running out of supplies issue are major things that really need to be addressed and quick!

    (3)

  • Dan L.

    WHO RUNS THIS PLACE? burned out lightbulbs in the hallway to the ladies room- making it perfectly dark for my pregnant wife to stumble through, non-functioning paper towel dispenser in the mens room, soap dispenser hanging by a thread from the wall above the slopped up sink, short staffed, no hostess and mediocre, over-priced pub fare served out of a slow kitchen. frites? seriously? you're calling those FRITES? the monkey bread was anything but gooey and ooey- it was nasty and was sent back with one bite taken. the beer list IS exceptional but i'd prefer it on one sheet rather than spread over 20 pages in a three ring binder. does the three ring binder justify charging 15% more than the going rate for whatever the beer happens to be? how about actually using the proper serving vessel? standard stouts (even if they're not guinness but happen to be from ireland) are served in pint glasses and german helles beers are served in krugs or .5L steins, not a 12oz footed pilsner glass. if you're going to pride yourself on being an uber-cool gastropub, get the basics correct and stop overcharging and under-pouring. i will say our waitress was very nice and was working her tail off. big ups to her. would i go back? who is john galt?

    (2)

  • Scott H.

    Thursday night I came here and got oysters on the half shell(one of my favs) and they were not super pricey but the presentation and taste was awesome. Bartenders and super friendly and make really good dry vodka martinis. Love the upstairs and they sometimes make this hot cider drink that gets you drunk and taste like hot apple cider, TASTY!

    (5)

  • Lesley A.

    I don't do alcohol - or so I thought - until my friend introduced me to the Fountainhead. I swear the Fountainhead is a Belgian knockoff because I cannot wait to bring my Belgian analytical chemist crush here for a romantic date without him frou frou-ing the frites here. Imagine a dark wood ambiance, fireplace in the corner, latticed windows, melted candles on the mantle, and the friendliest waitstaff ever. And then imagine a HUGE selection of alcohols that I don't really know much about because I generally do not drink: specialty beers, stouts, ciders, even...MEAD (honey wine!) I came with two friends and I had a vanilla cinnamon mead for $5 that was so delicious and strong. My friend had a dark stout with hints of espresso that was surprisingly delicious. My other friend had a light beer with hints of fruitiness that reminded me of how I do enjoy lambics, which they also have here. Seriously, their alcohol selection is a hard bound volume! To top it off: apple and brie bread pudding for dessert. Think about it, apple...and brie...a savory sweet and devilish concoction of... (I'm drooling here). Lastly, there was a mistake with my order where the waitress thought I ordered the vanilla cinnamon cider instead of the mead. She let me keep the cider too! So nice! Warning though, since this is a popular spot, it can get crowded on a weekend afternoon. It also looks like you can get dinner.

    (4)

  • Kristy N.

    This review is based on beer list and ambiance only. Located right on the corner of Montrose and Damen, it's a great place to meet for drinks or a date. The lighting is kept low and the whole place kind of glows inside. The beer list is massive and decently priced. Our sever was very knowledgable but I must say that the pours were a bit light. If I'm paying $7 for a beer, I don't want a fourth of it to be foam. The food looked really good and I'd be happy to stop back in for dinner and to work myself further thru their extensive drink menu.

    (4)

  • Jillian V.

    Fountainhead definitely has some great things going for it but I probably wont be back The Good: Looks super cute inside with a nice, little fireplace. Beer and whiskey selection is amazing. The monkey bread and french fries were delicious. The Bad: Not very friendly or attentive service. We ordered a hamburger "medium rare" and the mussels. When the food arrived, we realized our table was too small to fit two entrees, two beers and two waters on! Seriously, this table is comically tiny and even after placing our beverages on a nearby empty (also tiny) table, eating was still uncomfortable and awkward. Instead of medium rare, we received a charred hockey puck of a hamburger. That was annoying enough but even the flavor was bland and the texture was dry and....mealy, I guess. Getting a sub-par burger is one of life's most tragic occurrences. The mussels were OK but nothing I'll recommend to others. If beer and whiskey is you're priority, Fountainhead is fantastic. If you want great food, you should probably go elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Virginia T.

    I showed a (decidedly not beer-drinking) friend from high school around the Northside on Sunday. We ended up at the Fountainhead for a late lunch so I could show him GOOD beer. The decor is nice, the place is beautiful. They regularly have beers on cask. The draft list is pretty good and the bottled list is extensive. I tried the Bear Republic Apex Imperial IPA. It was...amazing. My friend didn't care of the aggressive bitter/hoppiness though so I went with a much more "friendly" 5Rabbit 5 Lizard wheat so he could share. The bartender was great and recommended the Mort Subite Kriek for my friend, and he LOVED it! He drank a whole 8oz! Lambic wins! He ordered the burger and frites and I got the black bean quinoa burger with frites and they were both delicious. My burger and beer was $14 before tax & tip. Not horrible. Interesting specials and awesome beer list.

    (4)

  • Bridget S.

    I decided I needed to have a break for lunch on the day of my wedding with my bridal party, being that the ceremony was at 1pm and the reception started at 6pm. I called the manager about a week before my wedding and discussed what I wanted to do for the bridal party. He was INCREDIBLY excited for me, and a joy to work with. We walked in and he and the staff greeted us warmly. They even sent over a free drink for the groom and I. The food was delicious, well priced, and came out quickly. Plus we got to enjoy some college football. I highly recommend the Fountainhead for your everyday lunching needs as well as your wedding day lunch needs:)

    (5)

  • Jamie H.

    I went to this place recently for the first time w/ a group of friends and it was great! The decor was cool, the service was great, the drinks were amazing (I had white wine but they have an extensive beer & spirits list!) but the FOOD was the real prize: our table ordered the Money Bread (gorgonzola & bacon are baked into this pull apart bread w/ a side of sausage gravy) as an app & it was so tasty! Then I had a small plate of the Duck Confit Pasta: which essentially is a small bowl of really fancy mac & cheese w/ roasted duck, peas, aged white cheddar sauce, topped w/ rosemary breadcrumbs! IT'S SO GOOD! I'll will return, OH YES, I will return!

    (5)

  • Jackie G.

    Great selection of beer and scotch. Food is great - wish there was a little more variety - but it's served my needs the few times I've gone (noticeably always with guys who will appreciate the drink list and atmosphere) I was once made fun of for getting the mac and cheese with duck confit, childish seeming to the guys who got the steaks, but it was so good. In fact, one of said guys ordered it the next time we went there. The burger is very good with fries. They intrigued me, but beer nuts left me missing some excitement. They were just kind of like salty slightly different tasting warm nuts. One time I sat at the window nook in the back of the bar, and the bartender was honest when we asked for an opinion about a special beer to order (we ended up with a squash beer that I liked even though it was, as he said, not incredibly differentiated from other beers). The place has always been crowded for the later night meals I've gone here. The time I went for drinks the hostess made us move from a table that was "reserved" but never taken in the time we were there. That was annoying. Overall the place is nice for solid beer and food. I just wish there was a great food assortment like the drink selection.

    (4)

  • Andy C.

    If I could give this place 2 1/2 stars I would. I feel some ambiguity on this place. The food is pretty good, mussels are excellent, beer selection is one of the best around... but the attitude just has to go! I've been there 3 times when we made to wait 15 minutes or so when there was no less than 5 empty tables. They might as well just put a red velvet rope in there. I didn't realize a Gastropub could be so "uptown" and bourgeois... Christ there are enough places with employee apathy and indifference.... it's clear the beer master and chefs are well trained...but not a lot of effort went into the bartenders, waitresses and hostesses. It doesn't matter how good the food/drink are, if you don't feel welcome or the place does't feel homey....what's the point

    (2)

  • Jane S.

    I've been here a few times; twice for brunch, a few times for drinks and snacks. Some times I've spent a lot of money; others times it's been just a few beers. Each time I've sat on the roof deck, which to me is the main draw of the place. The beer selection is good, the food is all right although not as good as the prices suggest. The hosting staff has always been welcoming, the wait staff friendly if pretty slow. But after my experience last night, I'm a little put off the place. I met a friend at 10 p.m. for a few drinks. Between us we had three beers--by no means the server's most high-paying table, but we weren't crashing the dinner hour or anything. Anyway, as the time came to close the deck--about 11:30--the server did last call, but I'd just ordered a beer, so she brought the check immediately. No problem. But my friend and I didn't pay immediately, figuring we had a few minutes to finish our beers and get our cards out. About five minutes later, the server, who had been pretty friendly before, came to see if we'd put our cards in the bill. We hadn't. According to my friend, she made a big show of looking at her watch after she passed our table. The deck was still full of other people with full beers and unpaid tabs--it's not like we were the sole holdouts or being purposely combative. We really just figured we had a few minutes and would pay when we were closer to leaving/done with our beers. A few minutes passed again--it was 11:40ish at this point, maybe 11:45,and the server came by to check our bill. Seeing no cards, she said, with what my mother would call a "tone," "Yeah, I'm gonna need you to settle up." It was openly rude and not at all in line with our offense. I have no problem being told a place is closing and that I'll need to pay. Fifteen minutes to closing is completely reasonable for that. But there are about five other ways to say that that don't make your customers feel like a huge nuisance. "Hey sorry, we're closing, would you mind settling up?" It contains most of the same words, but it doesn't come off nearly the same. I'm sure the server was anxious to leave and I don't blame her for it on a beautiful Saturday night. But it doesn't take any more effort to ask me to pay politely. Anyway. It's not really representative of the experiences I've had at Fountainhead, but it soured an otherwise nice night. In a town full of friendly beer joints and gastropubs, why would I spend my time (and money--even if it's not that much) at the one that made me feel unwelcome? I'll think twice about it in the future.

    (2)

  • Kirsten K.

    Always great service, good food and one the best beer menus in the neighborhood! I recommend ordering the frites with special dipping sauces. The sauces are always different and always delicious! Can't wait for the rooftop to open back up this spring!

    (5)

  • Sara B.

    Awesome roof top, nice gluten free beer choices, excellent burgers!

    (5)

  • Todger ..

    It took me awhile to form an opinion about this place. Great room, great looks, super selction of craft ales and beers. Gives the glass a proper squirt-rinse before beginning a pour (always good when you are ordering a $10+ draft). I had a good time here, in the final analysis, but really I'm not sure that I'll be back., here is why: You can't really depend on getting a table in any reasonable amount of time. This annoying trend in Chicago of "We're a bar, not a restaurant" (even though we want to be in the Foodie press about our menu) really means that if you just want to sit all night with your table and nurse a few beers, they are fine with that. But if you are with a party that wants to eat and can't get a table, they are fine with that too. I know this seems non-sensical - because it is. Not all patrons come from the surrounding neighborhood, some have actually driven and parked to find out that they are going to have a few beers (but no food due to no table) for dinner if they hang around at Fountainhead. OK so moving on - I was with a party the last time lucky enough to sit and order. The menu, while a little sparse, is ok. We ordered the Monkey bread and Bacon nuts for appetizers - both of which can be skipped next time. I had the hangar steak, it was fine. I was full, satisfied. Nothing else to add. Read into that what you like.

    (3)

  • Renee P.

    Goodbye Hopeleaf, Hello Fountainhead. OMG, so yummy. Great beers. Even better mussels. I can not wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Caroline M.

    Fountainhead is easily my favorite bar in the neighborhood! The tables and booths here are sleek, shiny, and new(ish). In the evening the lighting is always very dim (ohh-la-la). The beer list here is nothing short of a sacred text. So many optimum choices. It can be overwhelming but I am always so excited to try something new. Food is solid. I once orderd the duck mac and cheese and really enjoyed the smokeyness and creaminess of the cheese but there were barely a few duck shreds in the dish. Next time, I'll just go with the regular mac and cheese. Bonus points: They always seem to have something fun going on here, like Beer and Cheese Academy or battle of the chefs, where I ordered a flight of 3 very different risotto dishes and got to vote for the best one. The winner of the competition gets their dish featured full time on the menu!

    (4)

  • Brendan M.

    When I moved to the area last May this place was a the show! The menu was robust and they took great care to delivery a terrific gastro-pub experience. Not so much anymore. The beer selection is still top-notch but the food has slipped significantly even as they pared down the menu. Recently, the mac-n-cheese came out more oily than cheesy and the portion size on the scallops is sub-par. It is now a place I head for a good beer and an appetizer, then go looking for dinner elsewhere. Too bad as I really like this place and they had it right at the beginning.

    (3)

  • Conly D.

    Want a Coors Light? How about a MGD? Well, go somewhere else. This place has an incredible selection of micro-brews and imports. In fact, I was overwhelmed with the selection. What was supposed to be a couple beers and a light dinner turned into a lot of beers and a large dinner! The food here is equally as good as the beer. While the menu is not that big, they put a lot into the quality. I highly recommend the Beer cheese soup, I can put into words how good it was.

    (5)

  • Melissa S.

    I'm so extremely dissatisfied with my recent trip to Fountainhead. Four of us saw their advertised special Gluten-Free event, in which Fountainhead was highlighting their special GF menu, featuring some special GF items, and inviting people who do not eat gluten to come and enjoy eating out, an activity that can be very difficult since gluten is everywhere. The good part was the really nice selection of GF beers and cider. And the server was nice enough. Everything else was not great. We told the hostess we were here for the GF event, and she sat us with 4 regular menus and 1 gluten-free menu. We said, nicely, you can take these back, and please give us all just the GF menu, as we will only be eating gluten-free. My friend repeated this to the server when she came, that we're "very excited" for the GF event and that there will be no one at our table eating gluten tonight, just to make it very clear. Then the mussels, which we ordered off of the GF specials menu, came out with a big ole gluten-y roll. We repeated to the server that we do not want anything with gluten at our table tonight, as none of us can eat the stuff. The mussels tasted good enough, nothing spectacular. All four of us ordered burgers, cooked medium, with gluten-free buns and various sides and toppings. The busser delivered the burgers to our table (after a really long wait) and zipped away before we could say anything to us. The rolls looked like their normal pretzel roll, not any GF roll we've ever seen. We all sat there nervously for a minute, and when the server came around, we asked if these were really gluten-free. She check with the kitchen, and sure enough, we had been served gluten for the second time that night. That pretty scary, because there would have been some serious reactions at our table if we had trusted Fountainhead and eaten the food they delivered to their table. The server said she would have the kitchen re-fire the burgers right away (we had already waited 40 minutes for the first wrong burgers). At least 20 minutes later, when our food came back (on the correct buns), we noticed the burgers were not medium but well-done. We were so hungry at this point that we decided to just shut up and eat the over-cooked meat, but then the taste was just so horrible. There was nothing but char and carbon filling my mouth. I scraped away the ketchup and cheese, and sure enough, the burger was seriously burnt. Very, very black and hard on the outside. It was the same all around the table. I have no idea how the person in the kitchen could possibly have put this hockey puck on a plate. The server apologized and took the plates away and asked if we wanted to try something else, but at this point we simply did not trust the food coming out of the kitchen. The burgers were taken off the check and we got a discount off the top of the cost. Unfortunately that wasn't enough to make up for the fact that I left hungry and unsatisfied. I probably wouldn't be so upset if they did not have gluten-free items and we were making a bunch of special requests. But this was a "Gluten-Free Feature Night!" Their very own event page states, "Eating out can be tough when you are trying to eat gluten free." Yes, especially if you try to eat dinner at Fountainhead. The one thing people with celiac or gluten intolerance want then they eat out is to not feel anxiety that the food on their plate will make them violently ill. My advice to Fountainhead: train your staff. Do not have the bussers deliver the food if they are not going to look at the tickets. Have better quality control in the kitchen. And if you can't do gluten-free correctly, just don't do it at all.

    (1)

  • Angelique B.

    If you're a beer or scotch aficionado, this might be your place. Great beer and scotch list; however the food is mediocre at best. The portions are small (for the appetizers and starters) and the service is just barely so-so. Every time I've dined here, I have been underwhelmed. Last night, I went with two other people and we shared the monkey bread which was the size of a small muffin and the pate which came w/2 slices of pate, 2 cornichons and 6 of the thinnest slices of baguette so thin the bread came apart...there were three of us and seriously, they couldn't spare an extra cornichon?! The waiter brought more bread and cornichons over when we asked but you shouldn't have to ask and the pate shouldn't fall between the holes in the bread. After my second visit, I maintain this place is kind of a pain especially when there are so many outstanding options in the Lincoln Square/North Center.

    (2)

  • Katherine R.

    Cool gastropub on Damen and Montrose St. for fingerfoods like monkey bread and drinks like gourmet beers. This place is stylish and keen. It just opened not to long ago and although very tip worthy the menu items prices will add up. Dishes we ordered were mac and cheese, and a big ol slab of steak by a friend of a friend. I had the french onion soup. Another time me and the boy sat along side the island bar for dark non-alcoholic beers and frites with two tangy and sweet dipping sauces.

    (5)

  • Gaurang S.

    Yes, I know slamming a gastropub in Chicago is blasphemy. They're the 'in' thing right? You're supposed to shut up and lay down the cash for their ridiculously priced beer and small portions of food, after which you pretty much need to go to a burger shop anyways? All fine, provided the food and craft beer is stellar. Which it is at a lot of places (Bristol, Purple Pig etc). Not here. First of all, how can you not have my first three beer choices? And why do you need to go back to your brewery and come back 5 minutes later each time to tell me you're out? It was literally 20 minutes before I could even get a beer order in. And ok, maybe I'm already a bit cranky at this point, so I'm going to complain a bit more. Shouldn't you ask me for my ID when I place my beer order? Not after you've placed my drink on my coaster, and then as I'm about to lift my mug up, put out a floating hand halfway between you and my mug and ask for my ID? I genuinely thought it was a joke and laughed, but you were serious. The food was fine. Just not enough to bring me back. I realize that I sound like a spoiled diva, but really for the prices these places charge, I should be allowed to.

    (2)

  • Bruce M.

    It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that the mussel recipe has changed. I understand the idea of having seasonal menu changes, but the mussels and Frites on the winter menu were standout and really made me crave Fountainhead. The beer list is still great, but extensive beer lists are becoming more and more popular. It was great to see the added vestibule too. Why would you ruin a good thing? I literally befriended a hippie in the Trader Joe's beer aisle, that I convinced Fountainhead had some of the best mussels ever. I hope he made it there for the winter menu. Give me back my mussels and I'll give you back your stars!

    (2)

  • Andrea G.

    Went on a Sunday night around 9:00 after seeing a play. We were starving and needed a drink! And I had been wanting to stop buy and see what this place was all about. We walked in, and there was no host, which is fine, but there was no suggestion that we should "seat ourselves" no greeting, nothing. So we sat at a table. It was mildly crowded, but there were open tables. One server dropped off menus, and another greeted us. The first server, not so friendly, the server who actually helped us all night was awesome. After looking through the menu a large group of people walked in. They started to filter into the table next to ours, but obviously there was not going to be enough room for all of them. The first server (who dropped off our menus) came by and said, " there is a large party sitting next to you, so it might get crowded". Hahahahahha. Instead of asking us if we minded moving, it was just a weird situation. So we volunteered to move for fear that we would get sat on. We ordered and the food came out quickly. Duck Duck mack, and the pork sandwich (which tasted like a Cuban). It was good... especially for the prices. The server did check back a few times. It was extremely cold in the place, and QUITE loud. I would go back if I was in the area, but it wouldn't be a destination. I would like to check out the rooftop when it opens and isn't raining!

    (3)

  • Tiffany I.

    Amazing beer selection! I have been to this place plenty of times already, and will keep coming back. Once the rooftop opens, this place is going to be killer.

    (5)

  • Michelle L.

    Bruschetta was delicious - great asparagus flavor. Creamy chive egg salad was excellent. The pretzel bread made it just fantastic. The black bean burger, unfortunately, was bad. O'Shaughnessy's pub has a much, much better one. But the pretzel bread, aged cheddar, fresh tomato and lettuce were at least fresh and good. Great beer list, though we just drank water. Waitress was perfect - came around to check on us but didn't hover or disappear. Will definitely be back. Plan to eat frites and mac and cheese - and egg salad!

    (4)

  • Jon D.

    Nice atmosphere, great on a cold winter day. Fantastic beer list, including casks. I wanted to like the food more than I did, the menu was creative, but didn't fully deliver. Prices are reasonable, and nice time for a good evening.

    (3)

  • Natalie T.

    I had a basic salad, which was giant and delicious with spring mix tossed in citrusy dressing as well as the cheese soup. It was spicy and had nice chunks of potato in it. My better half had the black bean burger, which seemed home made and was good other than being pretty dry--it almost had a overcooked falafel quality. Service was a bit strange--there was at least 3 people working our table, but they were busy. We'll be back on a slower night.

    (3)

  • Scott S.

    Opening night at Fountainhead! I had the mac n' cheese and the wife had a portabello sandwich. Both delicious. Fries came with a curry mayo and what I think was a dill tahini sauce. It reminded me of London. The drink menu is one of the best in town with two hand-pulled beers and a scotch selection that gives Duke of Perth a run for its money. There's still a few snags to work out, such as the ordering system that didn't give our request to the kitchen on the first go, the prices in the printed menu that don't match what's in the computer and the credit card system that went offline. My wife also says it's a little too dark to see the "W" on the door of the women's room. Overall it's like a new shirt you just put on with the creases still in it: you can see where it's going and it will be great once they iron out the kinks. Three stars.

    (3)

  • Ryan R.

    If you don't like beer or aren't a scotch drinker than don't go here. I love the stupid people that complain about the place because they didn't like their beer. Now that we have them out of the way we can continue. If you're looking for a unique spot in Ravenswood this is your place. The beer and scotch menu are incredibly extensive and their prices are incredibly reasonable. If you're looking for a typical pub to go watch a game and drink cheap miller lite, this is NOT your place. Yes their menu is limited but we were very happy with the shrimp diablo and mussels-- really garlicky on both. The duck mac n cheese is awesome. They said roof deck will open in August- so call it 2011! I'll def be back

    (4)

  • Ophelia P.

    Went here for a Mother's Day brunch and almost had the place to ourselves. Ambiance was great, nice decorum, relaxing but intriguing. Was able to read the menu online prior to arrival a plus for someone like me who is picky. Lots of great items to choose from, very broad selection for the range of offerings. Also wonderful service! Food was brought to table by either the chefs themselves or some other wonderful servers! We also had ordered appetizers.. these fried donut thingys and all I'm gonna say is mmmmmmmm. Impressive alcoholic menu and even a section for none beer drinkers (which is me sometimes) that includes mead and non-alcoholic drinks. A plus if your on a first date say and you don't know if your company will be as intrigued by the pages long beer list as you are. Really I can't complain, we took our time to get going and weren't harassed or pushed or overcrowded. You'd swear your stepping out of place and walking into Lincoln Park. not onto Montrose Ave. Kudos :)

    (4)

  • Justin W.

    Still not sure what to make of this place, it's not quite a pub, not quite a restaurant, and not quite a brewpub. I mean I would not watch a game here, nor would I go specifically to eat. I guess that's where it falls flat. I would not go out of my way to eat here, and I have no interest in watching a game here. There's really no specific reason to go as the food's not really outstanding in any way. The seating an lay out even restrict a group outing. I could see where it would be a girl on a dates dream spot. A bar where you can drink and your date can't mentally check out watching a game.

    (3)

  • Jen T.

    It's New Years day.... Frankly, we went here because it was open (after trying to go to Bad Apple which was closed). We've been curious about their beer list although we've heard so-so things about their food. The atmosphere- Nice, dark wood, spacious booths. An overall nicely designed space. The beer list- Pretty darn impressive. I'm not a huge drinker but even I was excited to read the descriptions and try a few things. I like Stouts and they had a bunch. My husband tried a number of things ("Hair of the dog," right?!) My friend had a delicious seasonal Cider. It tasted like Christmas in a bottle. The hot chocolate was DELICIOUS! The food- It was okay. The Monkey bread was really good but took a long time to come out. I ordered the Swine Swoon and I liked it but didn't love it. My husband had a buger and he liked it. Our friend had the black bean burger and really didn't care for it, although he's a picky eater. The service- Just fine. It was kind of slow which was fine for us given that we were hungover but on an ordinary day, I'd like more attention. Would I go back? Yup, but more for the drinks than the food. I wish they offered beer flights so that a novice beer drinker like myself could try a bunch without banking on a full glass/bottle.

    (4)

  • Daniel P.

    Great beers. Come on guys get the bottle list done so we can enjoy them too. Didn't eat, but menu looks great. Excited about coming back for the Duck Duck Mac and Cheese! They did a great job on this place, looks great!

    (5)

  • David M.

    Great beer and whiskey choices. Monkey bread - 10/10 Pork shoulder sandwich 9/10 Service could have been better but they get a mulligan as it was St Patricks Day weekend and waitress did explain they were slammed

    (4)

  • Steve Z.

    the lyonais potatoes (served with the hanger steak) was the best potato dish i've ever had. the spicy chocolate creme brulee w/ bacon brittle wasn't too shabby, either. the service is inconsistent.

    (4)

  • Craig T.

    Not a gastropub. They try to be, but just don't quite make it. The mussels have improved (they actually had some salt this time!), but everything else was just bland. Good beer/whiskey selection though...

    (3)

  • Eric M.

    As a big fan of Bar on Buena, I really wanted to like this place, but I just found it to be ok. The one large plus is that the bar is well stocked (unless you're a wine drinker). The beer selection, both draught and bottle, is excellent and the whiskey/bourbon list is even more impressive. The problem is that a busy place with just two bartenders makes it difficult to get a drink if you're just at the bar and takes awhile if you're eating. Our server was nice but she was so busy I think she spoke with us just a couple of times. The food was good, not great. The baked potato sauce for the fries is outstanding. The savory monkey bread not so much. If I'm in the area and it's a weeknight I'll happily stop by; it's too busy otherwise.

    (3)

  • Rachel Y.

    Okay why have I not discovered this place before? Really nice bar setting, great drink list, really impressive service and the food was amazing! I can't comment on the beer but their wine list was very impressive for a pub setting and they make very very good martinis (and they were so nice to include extra olives). My friend ordered the hanger steak and they actually cooked it medium rare and it was absolutely fantastic. I got the macaroni and cheese with shredded duck and sun-dried tomatoes. And yes, it was just as good as it sounds. Only downside is no outdoor seating but that won't stop me from going back. Also it wasn't too crowded or loud which was a nice plus - very comfortable. I'm used to going to Hopleaf and the crowds can get to me sometimes so I think this may be my back-up.

    (5)

  • Deborah B.

    My man and I went to Fountainhead just three days after they had opened, on their first Friday. We were there around 7 or so and had ordered our first round of beers from the many fantastic selections on tap.My second drink was from the wine list a GREAT Zinfandel offered by the glass. For starters we chose the Stammtisch Sausage plate and the Bruschetta. Both were great-but the bruschetta was a bit saltier than I prefer-I suppose it is because of the olives they include-hence the "Meditteranean Bruschetta" . Was good but really reminded me of a tapenade more than bruschetta. BOB has an olive tapenade that is amazing-so maybe FHD should just stick with a straight up tomato bruschetta. Second course-I was not very hungry so I ordered the Shrimp appetizer as my entree and my companion the Hangar Steak. I hate to say this but both the shrimp and steak were served to us nearly cold. Steak ironically also was way overcooked and resembled charcoal. Shrimp I am sure was amazing if served hot. So why the four stars??? Obviously, I realize this place has JUST opened and this as mentioned earlier being their first weekend of dinner service, I am sure will improve over time. That being said, if I ordered these items at an established restaurant I would not be so lenient. Also-our waitress was very nice and accommodating. Then there is the amazing draft, cask, whiskey and scotch selections. Finally-the ambience and decor were amazing, as well as the beautiful bathrooms. Yes I always check out the bathrooms especially of a new resto-for cleanliness amenties, decor etc. We will definately be back to try the food again-and if all else fails there is a new place for us to go and get drunk in the neighborhood this summer.

    (4)

  • Little G.

    Service was a little lacking. Our waitress announced that the kitchen was understaffed, so the food may arrive slowly (on a Sat night). The great beer selection made up for it.

    (3)

  • Katie C.

    Love this place. It really has something for everybody and every friend I have brought here has been thouroughly impressed. Very extensive beer list with many different tastes and brewing styles.Also the quality of the food and ingredients is astonishing for the mid-range price point. The cheese and cracker appetizer is much more decadent than you would expect with rich soft cheese in the middle and thick peppered crackers. I had the black bean burger with quinoa and sweet potato chips. The black bean was innovative and hearty also it was served on a pretzel bun. The sweet potato chips, as my boyfriend put it , tasted like doughnuts. On past occassions I have tried the bread pudding which is amazing and mac and cheese both really good. The environment is cozy but casual. I highly reccomend this place to anyone.

    (5)

  • Dennis Y.

    I'll come back for beers, whisky and maybe, dessert. On a wednesday it took forever to get under-seasoned, copycat gastropub food. Execution is not this place's strength. The swine sandwich was uncut, the sourdough was not toasty or grilled, the pork was just texture, with very little flavor. Belly-same. Just tasted like pork. Upon reading the menu, one expects something that doesn't resemble what arrives an hour later, and upon seeing the food on the plate, one expects it to taste unlike what it does. Nice idea. Great beer selection. I'll definitely come back for brews, but will not plan on eating here. This place is trying, but doesn't quite reach for what it aims. Oh, and there are dates galore, so much so that I kept waiting for the whistle to go over to talk to the lady at the next table. Hmmmm

    (3)

  • Jennifer S.

    They are still working out some kinks after only being open a couple of days.....but we enjoyed the beer and the food. Looking forward to going back again.

    (4)

  • Jenny R.

    Good food. Excellent beer selection. Horrible service! Bartenders were rude and the waiter seemed to care less about serving us. We barely saw him and had to keep flagging someone down to find him to order drinks. He was definitely uninterested waiting on us. We planned to stay all night, but left immediately after we ate to go somewhere else with better service.

    (3)

  • Levi M.

    Atmosphere is very dark but not quite brooding. The beer selection is five-star and I'm pretty picky about beer. Prices are great for the beer and decent for the food. I ordered the Beyond Grilled Cheese which had really good flavor but the bread was way too crispy. To the point where it hurts your mouth. Still good though. Service was good considering how busy it got later in the evening. The one thing I can't figure out is the barrel room. We went there to find a table for five, but I just felt like I was hanging out in a coat closet or something. Access to the bar from back there was nice but just felt very strange and a bit awkward. Overall, if you like unique and tasty beers and whiskeys (such as served at Bar on Buena) you will enjoy this place.

    (4)

  • Anna R.

    I've been to Fountainhead a couple times and while I've had beer there, I'm just reviewing the food - the appetizer frites are good - with tasty dipping sauces. I ordered the Braised Beef Burger and it was so delicious, seasoned well, and tender. It's always been crowded there so that's a good sign! The waitress was nice, but since the food took longer than usual to come out, she took off our appetizer from the bill.

    (4)

  • Alicia E.

    I think I've just found a 'regular' place for my friends and I to visit. Great beer selection on tap (that apparently changes), over 120 different bottle beers, very fresh food with a twist, and an off the chart whiskey selection. PLUS (and this is a big plus) it's reasonably priced. I really hope it stays that way. I had the Spicy Salad with arugula, shaved parmesan, kalamata olives, radishes, and a cherry vinaigrette. Ummm yummm. My boyfriend had the Swine Swoon, which he swooned over. I had to try it and it was well cooked and flavored. I'm going back and splurging on the Crème Brulee w/ dark chocolate spicy pepper infused and bacon crumble. I mean, come on - spicy dark chocolate + creme brulee + bacon...that just has to be sampled.

    (4)

  • Joe H.

    We ate at Fountainhead last night around 7. We were warmly greeted and seated by the host who took a few extra seconds to explain some exceptions on the menu and discuss the establishment's recent opening. So far, so good. I went, safely, with an Ayinger draft and she had a Green Abbot Ale. I decided on the Jerk Coffee chicken sandwich and she had the pork shoulder sandwich. Our meals arrived quickly, which was very nice, though our waitress arrived too quickly after that, inquiring as to the flavor of the food, when one glance would have told her that neither of us had yet gotten that far (pet-peeve of mine). The flavor of both sandwiches was "fine" but not really as savory as I would have expected from the menu descriptions. The chicken was fairly dry, though I've come to expect that from restaurant chicken. We decided to split the bread pudding for dessert, and I chose a Buffalo Trace bourbon on the rocks and she had a glass of red. Both pours were reasonably priced AND generous, much to our delight. The bread pudding, while having good flavor, was far too dry. We desperately tried to sop up the meager caramel sauce with our bites as to moisten them. All-in-all, though we were underwhelmed by our meals, we are anxious to try other items and are convinced that with some tweaking, even our somewhat lackluster choices can be improved. The service was roundly good, and 4 drinks, 2 entrees and a dessert only totaled $50. Not bad. Bit of constructive criticism re: the menu: While not an expert on fonts and layout design, I found the menu difficult to read. The subsections of offerings were not presented in a larger, bolder or underlined font. The organization seemed a bit discombobulated, with entrees at the top of a page, and sandwiches below, with not demarcation between them.

    (4)

  • Jamie W.

    Loved it! The Mac-n-cheese, Mussels and Diablo Shrimp are awesome!

    (5)

  • shell h.

    I ordered the mussels with frites to find out that they put the frites (fries) in the actual sauce with the mussels.. mmm mashed potatoes with mussels. The waitress played it off that it was an actual belgium custom, weird I've had mussels all over and on the east coast and never did they drench frites in the actual sauce.

    (2)

  • Matt S.

    We went to Fountainhead's new roof deck this past weekend; and I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed. I've been to Fountainhead on numerous occasions, the food is great and the beer list is substantial. The roof deck; however, has a different menu?? We ordered the Red Chicken Curry and some kind of pork rib sandwich. Their first attempt at our order was a failure; they brought out Red Tofo Curry and a portabella mushroom sandwich. We notified out waitress, she apologized and said she'd have our correct orders right out to us. 45 to 50 minutes later we received our order... The Red Chicken Curry was pretty good; the rib sandwich was bad. The meat was too tough, the bread was rock hard and resulted in me cutting up the roof of my mouth, and the coleslaw tasted like water and lettuce. On the flip side our waitress was great, she did comp the food portion of our bill. We'll most likely go back to the roof deck; it's a great space, and the beer is as good as it is down on the first floor; we just won't be ordering any food.

    (2)

  • Dan S.

    I love this place. Killer beer and booze selection, great food, nice people. Really just what we needed in the area.

    (5)

  • Ronald A.

    Just returned from dinner at this place. Was really looking forward to hitting this spot. Immediate seating on a Friday evening, nice. Waiting 10 minutes for any type of recognition, not too bad. The waitress, apathetic, the only word I could use to describe her. No Absolute vodka, no Belvedere vodka, no margaritas, no Miller lite beer, not so good. The food, well left quite a bit to be desired. Beverages were served, food came out, no check back from the waitress until she cleaned off the table. As a second thought we were asked if we needed anything else. Overall, poor service, food not so good except for the fries or also called frites. Will not be back! I should have checked these reviews first. Too many other restaurants around that have much more to offer, like nice people who know how to treat guests.......

    (1)

  • BonnieNClyde z.

    Great selection of whiskey & beer, reasonably priced, far away from the downtown crowds. Would definitely go back if ever in Chicago again!

    (4)

  • tony f.

    I've been here a few times now. If you're a beer drinker (which I'm not) then this place is for you. The food is okay, i've had the steak (excellent) chicken (decent) black bean burger (meh). Its kind of loud but the ambiance is cool, it has a very irish or english pub vibe. its kind of pricey as far as pubs go though, so if you're looking for a place for cheap drinks and eats - this is not it. but if you're looking for a place that's a little classier than most pubs then you've found it here.

    (3)

  • N P.

    Delicious and great choice of beers. Good alternative in case Hopleaf is too busy.

    (5)

  • Scott W.

    I was stoked about the possibility of a bar opening up right across the street from my house, so when Fountainhead opened, I just about (insert bodily function here)-ed. The beer list is incredible, and it seems to change regularly. The place has been packed almost every time that I've gone in, so that has to say something... The menu is small (for now, supposedly), but if you order the right item, your life will change dramatically. Two words: "Jerk Coffee." Order this and you will have only one reason to live, and that will be to return to Fountainhead and consume the Jerk Coffee sandwich again. Get it. Seriously. As I said earlier, their beer menu is incredible, and if you only drink Miller Lite, you will have to try something new for once - they don' t have it (in case you're wondering, I think that's a good thing). They have quite an extensive list of scotch, bourbon, and whiskies, but I have refrained because I would hate to vomit my Jerk Coffee sandwich back up. Moral of this story: go there, order the Jerk Coffee, and then keep going back over and over again.

    (5)

  • Andrew V.

    I had an interesting flight of three beers (loaded with flavor!), all of which were interesting and compelling for a hot day. I also had a cheese pairing that was well matched. (Perhaps the final, strongest flavored pair was a little less than perfect in pairing.) All-in-all, a very good experience for the palate. Service was good.

    (4)

  • Mopsie B.

    A friend lives in the neighborhood and we decided to spend the cold, snowy night enjoying the warmth and friendliness of this pub. First of all, the beer selection is dizzying. You name it, they have it. To appropriate the slogan of another favorite watering hole, there is "no crap on tap..." or in bottles, for that matter! There was lambic, hoppy Belgians, chocolate stouts and even a delicious pear cider from NY. The service was warm and not overly hovering. The place got more crowded as the night wore on and some people stayed a long time (present company included!). My one complaint is that everything is really high fat fare with a high emphasis on bacon/pancetta. Also, when I asked about bread to go with my salad, our server told us that there wasn't any. But when I got my shrimp diablo, there was bread with it! There was also bread with my friend's mussels. So...why did she have to lie?? I think they should have bread available, even if they have to charge extra for it. The sweet potato crisps were addictively good but $2 for a tiny bowl of them is kind of a lot, especially when you don't have any other salty snacks for bread available. Overall, I would definitely go back but wish they would make a few improvements to the food experience. I don't think there is much to be improved upon with the beverage selection or ambience.

    (4)

  • Suzy Q.

    Cozy interior and impressive drink selection. A neighbor warned that the service there is spotty, but I decided to give the place a try. Unfortunately the service was very poor. Went there for dinner on a weekend night and was greeted by a grumpy waiter. The food took a long time to arrive and was lukewarm when served. The coffee was served cold and was terrible. The waiter never asked whether we needed anything or how we enjoyed our food. No offer of dessert. The entrees were average. I had high hopes but probably will not go back.

    (2)

  • David W.

    I really like this bar; the beer selection is amazing and the staff is knowledgeable and nice. One thing I like in particular: if I've never had a beer they'll give me a small amount to sample it. This means I'm never going to spend $6 on a beer that I end up hating. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it's a bit pricier than I like (but understandable given the rarity of the beers), and I've never eaten there so I can't comment about the food. I also wish they had more international beers rather than American beers which are trying to imitate international styles

    (4)

  • Charles P.

    Hey not bad!! Three Stars...good beer / affordable wine and tasty eats! Try the mussels.

    (3)

  • Birds N.

    Loved! First off the last star is not given because the two person table not for two its for one. Please give people a bigger table for their water, beers and plates of food that are so large! The food well the food is FANTASTIC!!!! Mac and Cheese with peas and duck confit was perfection, the burger and fries were beautiful. You will be stuffed after eating there! Its for sure a great food place. The waiter was wonderful and explained many beers to my husband who is a beer person. Although $45 to me seems silly for a beer but what beer people want beer people get. Will go back again and again!

    (4)

  • Andres T.

    Fantastic beer selection and beer events regularly!! Food menu could use some changes / more variety. Rooftop is stellar! "why only 3 stars?", you ask. No matter how many times we go in there, (years), no matter how many times we talk with the manager(s) (frequently), they always seem to ignore us. In fact, it's like they have never seen us before. This goes for the entire staff as well. (one exception, however, a young lady bartender, who always has a smile and a "hello, how have you been?" for us) The staff here is in dire need of customer service education. I have seen the 'beer guys' at other beer events around the city and they come across as arrogant and not to be bothered. A little goes a long way fellas. Once the 'hype' of this place dies down, people will see your true colors, and no rooftop deck will fool 'em. You want good beers and no pretentiousness, go to Local Option!! (in fact, there are plenty of places that serve a good variety of beer with at least some recognition of your previous visits.

    (3)

  • Melissa R.

    Loved it! Sat at the bar and had awesome service from a knowledgeable bartender. Ate wonderful mussels with pork belly, as well as a sinful mac n cheese with duck. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Michael M.

    I am a fan of the beer selection. However, my friends said the burger was not as good as Five Guys. And the Scallops--3 on large plate with a tiny bit of rice (where was the bacon?) underneath. The tiny snap peas were nice. Next time they should have use a smaller plate!!

    (4)

  • Laura M.

    Awesome (and huge) beer selection. The food was pretty good, too. We ordered the monkey bread appetizer (bread with gorgonzola and bacon). I was a little disappointed that the bacon and cheese weren't really distributed throughout the bread, just at the bottom. But my entree, the duck mac and cheese, was awesome. I'll definitely be going back to try more.

    (4)

  • DL L.

    Went in for the first time last weekend. I was referred to this place from a friend of mine that recommended great burgers and beer. I just moved back from San Diego and had some friends in town so we headed to the Fountainhead for dinner on a Friday night. My friend is a " beer connasieur" so I heard they had a wide selection of craft beers. Very impressive and extensive list of beers so my friend was excited. The ambiance was great for a Friday night. We got there at the right time because a little while later, the crowds started pouring in. Loved the way the place looks with a fireplace, brick walls and a great bar. We had the burgers and a black bean burger. My burger was on par. I asked for it medium and that's what I get. Delicious burger on a pretzel bin. Yum! And the fries were great too. I will definitely be visiting the Fountainhead more often now that I am back in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Gina M.

    We live in the River North area and went specifically for their beer selection, which is good. Felt like eating by the time we got there, so told the host we were there for dinner. Sits us at a tiny table shoved up against the wall in the back room, with a round top the size of a half dollar. Seriously....it was comical that they were actually going to attempt to serve plates of hot food on it! Fine size for clubbing and just drinking,though, but seriously? Our 2 glasses of water dwarfed it even more. When we politely asked if we could have a larger table, the host said, "no" because they have to save the slightly larger tables for parties of 3 or more. When we asked to talk to a manager, he shows up with a pretentious, arrogant little attitude of, "Well, if you don't like it, you can leave." Granted he didn't say it in that manner, but it appears they are all about the profit....the profit.....the profit....and couldn't care less about good ol' customer service and repeat business. Somewhat sad, though, and considering the neighborhood, the manager's pretentious attitude was not only out of place, but downright silly.

    (2)

  • Margaret Q.

    You can always count on the Fountainhead for a great time. Get there early, because it does get crowded! The beer list is one of the best in the city, and the knowledgable bartenders are friendly and helpful. My husband and I recently went to their Wild Ale night, and with so many choices on the beer menu, I felt a bit overwhelmed. But the bartender/beer guy had some stellar recommendations, and I went home very happy (maybe a little too happy for a work night!) I've noticed that the food menu keeps getting better-- we had the mac-and-cheese and salami salad at a recent visit-- both were really good and paired nicely with the beers. Mussels are always a good bet too. They almost always have food specials that pair well with whatever is on tap that evening. (Also kudos on the creative events.) Overall, Fountainhead is a comfortable, neighborhood place with an amazing beer list, and a food menu that works well with the star of the show (the beer!)

    (5)

  • Allison J.

    All in all, I was pretty darn satisfied with my Fountainhead experience. I ordered the Beyond Grilled Cheese (melted brie and fruit compote) which was... good. But nothing incredible. Certainly not something I would scream and shout about. I know this is a weird thing to say, but I was really distracted by the bread-to-filling ratio. Too much bread (this feeling intensified with every bite as I managed to scrape the roof of my mouth over and over again... those clever toasty baguettes). So yeah, nothing spectacular. I would, however, kill a man for the Burger and I would probably kick a puppy for the Mac & Cheese. But the real winner was the Lindeman's Framboise. Holy crap, it was like this delightful little puckery kiss from a cherub, sooo refreshing on a summer's day! I will warn you though, it comes in a dainty little feminine glass, so macho-men beware. I'll definitely be back to get my raspberry fix, as well as participate in some good old fashioned people-watching out the floor-to-ceiling windows. Thumbs up :)

    (4)

  • nicole u.

    i really want to like this place. it's so close to home, they have good beer and bourbon and the menu has great potential. unfortunately none of it makes up for the crap service. i have been here 3-4 times, usually just for drinks, but occasionally have food. the olives and food they don't do much to is good. the concepts for the food are good. unfortunately, the food is not so good. return to the original frites. don't over salt your mussels that already have salty sausage in them. and in the name of all things holy, don't serve me a grilled cheese that has sat long enough that the cheese is no longer melty. the final straw was when the bartender got me another drink and then looked at my friends' empty glass but made no move to sell him another. said friend had to ask for another. then, the guy disappeared. literally. as in not to be found for 20-30 min. the barback finally got us our tab and some water. we did see waiter through the window as we left. and as you may have guessed, there was no warm farewell salutation...not even a hint of a y'all come back now. no worries, i won't.

    (2)

  • Klay K.

    I stopped in last Saturday evening at 7PM to beat the crowd and did just that. About 15 minutes after the 2 of us were seated the place filled really filled up. We were seated in the far Northwest corner which unfortunately put me right under the blowing vent of the air condtioner. We ordered drinks, and appetizer, and our entrees at the same time. I ordered the Hangar steak and it arrived luke warm. It was tasty and well worth the $12, but it should have been hot. They forgot our Moo appetizer. I told our server to cancel it since we were already eating the main course, and she asked if we wanted it to go but we declined on that offer. So drinks and food were pretty good and reasonably priced. The big problem here is that it's extremely loud. They had the music very loud which was corrected half way through the service, but everyone continued shouting at each other because it's the only way you could hear the person across from you. We had to repeat almost everything we said for the entire dinner which is exhausting. That may be fine for some random bar, but for a gastropub or other dining establishment it's unacceptable and just not well thought out. I may return in a few months to see if the shortcomings have been corrected, but my expectations will be much higher the second time around.

    (3)

  • Matthew F.

    I went here the second night it was opened, and was very happy with almost everything. The beer selection (for this neighborhood) is unparalleled, and the menu looks great. I ordered the burger, which is always the first thing I order at a new place. The flavor was great, but it was cooked well beyond the medium that I ordered. I'm not too concerned about how it was cooked at this point; I'll make that decision on my next visit. My wife ordered the coffee jerk chicken sandwich (i don't think that's what it's actually called, but it's something like that...) and it was fantastic. She doesn't have the palate for spicy so she ordered it sans spice. I'll be ordering that the next time, but with the spicy. I love the spicy. The frites are delicious as well. I concur with the previous review about the perfect amount of crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. Everyone at my table was good and sauced by the time we left, and all of us were very happy with every beer we drank. (Especially the Dragon's Milk from the beer engine.) I can't wait to go back and drink more.

    (4)

  • Jb B.

    Over the holidays after picking up my granddaughter and her 4 yo son, our first stop was@ Fountainhead. Weren't sure if the atmosphere would be ok for the little one. We were delighted when we graciously were given a table in the back. Our server, Caroline Horist was terrific. I am gluten free and she made sure my order was the same, even offering gluten free beer. The menu is not typical "bar food". But, when when husband ordered the burger, (a very picky guy) he couldn't rave enough about the quality. I had the pan seared bay scallops... YUM. We also had the cheese fondue; fun and plenty. Caroline easily brought us more apples to keep (gluten free me) and the little one happy dunkin for cheese. Prices are on the mark for the quality, neighborhood. I'm told the Sunday Bloody Mary's are awesome. I wouldn't recommend normally bringing kids in the evening, just because. By the time we left the place was abuzz w people enjoying the atmosphere, and each other. All in all highly recommeded.

    (5)

  • Karin K.

    Hooray, another fun restaurant & bar in Ravenswood!! Nice selection of beer, wine and whisky, decent food and a fun atmosphere. The food wasn't bad - their bruschetta was tasty and so was the spicy salad. There are a lot of meat and cheese dishes on the menu too, for those looking for something more solid. Rumor has it their patio will be open in July and will have a full bar too. Looks like it will be a nice place to bring parents for a casual outing, a good place to grab a drink, and a great place to sit in the sun once that roof opens.

    (4)

  • Pat m.

    Great beer and whiskey selection. Interesting appetizers, great sharing portions. I had a cheese platter that was bountiful, party had great sandwiches. But's what with turning the TV off if a Chicago game is not on? And one TV ? Understand if they don't want to be a sports bar...so remove the TV

    (3)

  • Calin D.

    Hummus fans, check out the smoked hummus here! I'm a huge fan of hummus, I truly am, so when I heard that Fountainhead has smoked hummus, I had to try it. It's now near the top of the list for me. That said, the rooftop at Fountainhead is not to be missed, especially on a beautiful day before the ice, dark, and cold arrive in Chicago - so get there while you can! The hosts, server, and kitchen staff are all fun and polite as well as efficient, and the layout of the place leaves plenty of room to hang out while still feeling cozy. There are several seasonal local brews on tap, for which I was grateful, and two different menus to choose from, (one for the roof and one for the main dining room downstairs), which means you can have your choice of style. I opted for the chef salad, which I had made as a wrap, with house-made chips and pickle. I also tasted the hummus wrap after having the hummus starter, and it had a little bit of a spicy kick to it! (So now I'll get that next time I visit.) If you want lunch on a nice rooftop, Fountainhead is a good bet! Cheers!

    (4)

  • William B.

    I don't exactly feel qualified to review this place. It seems like it's striving to be the local option for folks who live at Montrose and Damen, which I don't. And who needs somebody coming into your neighborhood and eating once at your local and then reviewing it on the internet? At the same time, I do feel compelled to comment that I can't quite figure out what this place is trying to be. The menu is a little long, a little involved, and has the chef's name sprinkled throughout, suggesting some pretensions of being an actual restaurant, rather than a very nice bar with food. But the food I had wasn't so unusually good as to justify that focus, or to justify the way our waitress was pushing it on us. To add to the confusion, if you want to eat on the nice patio upstairs, you get a different more limited menu. And rather than being limited, as you might hope, to classic bar food like burgers, fries, or macaroni & cheese, all of those items are taken *off* the menu upstairs. As my dining companion said, I would probably have given up every item off the upstairs menu for some french fries with horseradish sauce. So I don't really understand why this place is trying to be something other than a very nice bar with food. Or maybe I do understand, and don't approve.

    (3)

  • Jason T.

    I want to like this place more than I do. Cool vibe, great beer selection, cool rooftop, but things just don't add up. For one, the food is ok at best. And it's waaaaay overpriced. Ambitious menu for sure, with local, fresh ingredients, but come on, a sloppy joe with only chips is $13?????? Also, try not to act like you're a River North lounge with Logan Square attitude. It doesn't work for you or anyone else. I'm on the rooftop in the afternoon sun and you're playing silky slow lounge music? Boring. There's other joints (see Bad Apple) that do it way better in the Square.

    (2)

  • Renita M.

    A friend of mine suggested this as a meeting spot with good food and a good beer list, and I was happy to oblige. Trekking in from the 'burbs I tend to think about parking but she assured me that it wouldn't be too bad. Sure enough, I found a spot on a side street, about two blocks away, and since the horrendous cold had temporarily abated, it was not a bad walk. I was a bit early (overprepared for city traffic) so I sat at the bar for a little while to wait. I was served promptly and sat chilling with my beer, listening to the guy next to me prattle on and reading over the beer list. One note, if you're at the bar and later move to the table, they won't transfer your tab over - so if you're one drink and moving, don't start a tab. We then moved to a table, tucked in the back near the kitchen. The waitress was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. We split the hummus appetizer -- the smoked hummus was REALLY good. I had falafel and my friend had the mac n cheese. I tried a bite and it was yummy. The falafel was warm, crunchy and tasty; the fries were outstanding (Old Bay seasoning, I think). A note on the beer list: they had maybe a dozen taps? Not a huge amount but very solid, and the bottle list was very long. They seem to have a lot of unusual bottles, especially large format - great if you want to share. While I don't get to this neighborhood a ton, having a friend nearby to explore with means I just mind end up here again.

    (4)

  • Tad D.

    They refused to provide an estimate of how long the wait will be. They would tell me "there are 20 parties" but not how long it would take to seat us. Not even a very rough estimate such as 5 minutes or 5 hours. There are no buzzers or text alerts, either. I refuse to participate in such stupidity and will never visit this place again. I will also encourage my friends to stay away. Seriously, the arrogance of this move is unreal. Who do they think they are, Charlie Trotter? It's a freaking neighborhood pub. There are too many good restaurants around here to put up with this bullcrap. Try Fork, Gather, or just about anywhere else. We went down the street to Glen's Diner and had a great meal on their patio with fantastic service.

    (1)

  • Christopher R.

    I'm a regular customer of Fountainhead and I would fully recommend this establishment. Ok - let's start off with the one thing that keeps this review from being 5 stars. The entrees at this bar are definitely bar food quality and not gastropub quality like they are presented as. That's not to say that the entrees are bad - and I would go so far as to say that most of the appetizers are good - it's just clearly not the bar's primary focus. Fountainhead's focus is clearly their beer list, which they call the beer bible. It's a wood bound menu that is literally pages and pages long. Every time I take someone here for their first time, I definitely get the "we can't order yet, I haven't finished reading this menu yet" moment. I love coming here and trying a new beer every week. It's really expanded my beer knowledge and palate.

    (4)

  • Real K.

    Great attentive service. The only drink under $10 on the menu was Port. They served it in a shot glass on a stem. I forgot this is a dessert, sipping wine. I can drink the same stuff at home out of a Mason Jar for $4.

    (5)

  • Mary W.

    Very cool roof top bar!!! Decent beer selection! Only compliant was how they handle seating the upstairs. There were tons of open tables but wouldn't seat us because it was for someone else. But 15 minutes later the tables were still open.

    (4)

  • Laura G.

    A lot of my friends adore this place, but I'm not so sure. I went with my boyfriend in the winter and when we arrived there was a wait. I asked the hostess how long she thinks the wait might be and she said she's not allowed to give me an ETA. Not knowing how long it would take to be seated didn't allow us to plan if we should get a drink at the bar or just have our entire meal at the bar rather than waiting. We ended up ordering drinks and before they were even ready the hostess sat us at a table. Wouldn't have it just been easier to say less than 10 minutes? We ordered the old bay fries as an appetizer and those were delicious, but the chicken pot pie was average and the bbq rubbed with coffee was trying too hard and did not deliver (I don't see it on the menu currently). Both entrees were poorly plated. It was like they were just slopped on the plate. Both were items I could make better on my own. Again, my friends say great things about this place and maybe I went on a weird night. I plan to give it another try. Hoping for better results!

    (2)

  • Alexandria T.

    Foutainhead, I had such high expectations for you, but you seriously left me disappointed. We headed out to Fountainhead on a Saturday evening for a dinner and drinks with a couple of friends. We arrived early, knowing there would probably be a wait for the patio on a beautiful early summer evening. We put our name and made our way to the bar for some drinks while we waited. The beer selection is pretty amazing and that was one of our reasons for waiting to check it out. We enjoyed two beers at the bar before our table was ready. It didn't seem to take as long as we thought it would, which was a pleasant surprise. As soon as we got upstairs to be seated, we were informed the menu upstairs was incredibly different from the menu downstairs. They had a special BBQ menu, and two of our party, including myself, are vegetarians, who eat fish. The only item on the menu other than a salad for us to eat was a fried catfish dish. No problem, right? Well, they were out of the catfish, and completely unwilling to serve anything from the downstairs menu upstairs. The server went to check with his manager and told us that they absolutely would not do that. That was a poor decision on their part, but I decided to let it go, and ended up ordering a salad in wrap form, specifying not to include the bacon on my wrap. We began our meal with an order of the deviled eggs and pub cheese. Neither of these items were particularly mind-blowing, but at this point, we were starving. Our food took a unusually long amount of time to make it to the table, but we continued to enjoy another round of beers, which also kept taking forever to arrive to our table. Everything pretty much went even further downhill from this point forward. Once our meals finally arrived, we all were pretty much ready to eat anything. I bit into the salad turned wrap that I ordered and discovered they had included bacon on it. Ridiculous, after the whole debate about what to order there without eating meat. They sent it back, and I was left staring at everyone else eating while they attempted to fix the mistake. Another bacon-free wrap came out, and it was sub par at best. This is definitely not a place where you can expect quality food. We were sitting finishing up our beers when a busser came by to clear our plates. He spilled a half full beer all over my lap. Awesome, especially since I had to bike home, and the evening by this point had turned rather chilly. The server came over and said they'd bring me another beer at no charge. They should have also comped the beer that was spilled all over my lap, but this place clearly doesn't know how to treat customers well. I don't care how nice their rooftop patio and beer list are, Fountainhead sorely misses the customer service mark. I would not return, nor would I recommend anyone to give this business their money.

    (1)

  • Shereene M.

    Super cute!! The rooftop is so nice and the service is great! We got drinks and shared the cornbead just for a snack and it was yummy! I'll definitely be back. The area is nice and would a good spot to start off at.

    (4)

  • Amanda P.

    I want to like this place, I really do. However, each time I've gone, my hopes and dreams for what Fountainhead is have been crushed. I've given it several chances, but after our latest visit, which was notably bad, I think I'm done giving chances. What I've concluded: SERVICE: MEH The servers are pleasant, casual, and attentive. The bartenders are arrogant. The hostesses are friendly, but would do well to make themselves useful doing something (anything) other than awkwardly standing around & chatting with each other near the door when no customers need to be seated or greeted. Also the seating system is frustrating and inefficient, and begs to be streamlined to accommodate the heavy demand of the place. FOOD: HIT OR MISS The menu is definitely original, with a lot of tempting choices. I'll admit, I have had a few very good items here. The deviled eggs and broccoli cheddar soup were outstanding, flavor-wise. But I've had a few disappointing items each visit too. On our latest visit, my fries were so overseasoned and oversalted that I could not stand to eat them. They're fries, for Christ sake! So I asked for the cole slaw instead. You can't go wrong with slaw, right? Wrong, apparently. Fountainhead's slaw is tasteless. As in, tastes like cabbage and water, with a tiny sprinkle of sugar. I can't imagine how they can overseason one item so heavily, and underseason another. My best guess is that the Chef is drunk on the Roses whisky, which customers are slyly prompted (in print at the bottom of the menu) to send back to the kitchen for $XX. Um, thanks, but I'll pass. VALUE: POOR Prices are outlandish (even for Chicago). Portions are also tiny, which makes the food even more overpriced. To demonstrate the poor value: On our latest visit, BF and I each ordered a bowl of soup, a burger, and 2 beers/glasses of wine. We spent over $100. I'm sorry, but NO. This meal would cost $60 or less at any other casual dining establishment in the city. But Fountainhead's burger costs $20, and their bowl of soup costs $8. Also, the "bowl" of soup was really a cup (maybe not even), served in a bowl so shallow the soup didn't even cover the spoon when you dipped it in. $8 was already a hard-to-stomach price for any single serving portion of soup. For it to be so incredibly skimpy was an infuriating start to the meal. Fountainhead, I think you might be trying to be something you're not. You're a gastropub, not a Michelin-Starred fine dining establishment. You're in Ravenswood, not Streeterville. Just swallow a little chill pill. It'll do you a world of good.

    (1)

  • Monica F.

    Here's a nice place to meet some friends, particularly friends who aren't interested in your suggestion that you meet someplace quiet and instead explain that they are going to be here whether you like it or not. It's a pleasant bar, not too brightly lit. It wasn't as loud as the restaurant I had just left, which was nice, although I still felt pretty hoarse after an hour or so of talking over the music and the other patrons. The waitress seemed really perky and helpful. My friends both got tasting glasses of beer before making up their mind. The friend who chose the bar was also eating some kind of sandwich when we arrived. His office was on the block and he said he ate there pretty regularly and really liked it. I tried to order a buttery nipple because I had a sweet tooth but she said they didn't have any butterscotch schnapps. Disappointing! Then I tried to get a Frangelica, which they also didn't have, but they had a different hazelnut liquor that tasted pretty much like Frangelica, so I was satisfied. My friends bullied me into having a second one, which is more liquor than I usually have in a month, but I don't see these people very often, and they got my tab, so a good time was had by all.

    (3)

  • Erica L.

    Impressive selection of beers, bourbons (Four Roses L.E.), whiskey, and Scotch. They even had an "Asian Invasion" special last Wednesday featuring a few types of Kavalan. They have Hibiki 12 year, my favorite brand of Japanese whiskey ever since we brought the Hibiki 21 year from our Tokyo/Taiwan trip last year...yeah, yeah I started with the good stuff first and everything has been downhill since then. Food is great - Hubby loves that they offer an appetizer of "Pickled Things". I had the small portion of Mac & Cheese and ordered a side of the cornbread and honey butter. First I thought the portion was small, but I was stuffed. Hubby enjoyed the juicy Fountainhead Burger. Just warning that the menu is different from the main dining area and the Rooftop Garden. We tried to have weekend brunch upstairs, but the menu was more limited to sandwiches and simpler fare since they have two different kitchens. It's a great place to enjoy the summer weather. They have retractable shades if it gets too hot. Service has been friendly and efficient. We haven't had a problem getting a table the times we've went. So go for the drinks and stay for the food, especially in the main dining area.

    (4)

  • Heather P.

    This has quickly become my favorite neighborhood joint. For one, I have never had anything but exceptional service. All the servers I have ever encountered have always been upbeat, outgoing and armed with a great recommendation be it for food or drink! The menu is great, but one tiny cringe is that they have been 86'd on the item I've ordered more than once, but there is never a shortage of enticing menu offerings so I'm able to make a quick recovery from the initial devastation. One of these days I will have the tamales! Risotto was pretty good, frites are great, pub cheese yum, mussles yum, the burger was good but not $14 good. The crowd is very chill. The environment is cozy and warm. The rooftop is a great little city oasis. There really isn't a bad seat in the house or on top for that matter. Great food, great drinks, great service, pretty great environment!

    (5)

  • Leah M.

    I came for the rooftop bar and was left disappointed by every other aspect of my visit. Food: overpriced with scanty portions, and I'm a small woman with a below average appetite. If you're going to do gastropub, there are a million other places that are better than this place in the city. On one visit I ordered the mushroom risotto. Why I ordered risotto at a place like this is stupid mistake, but that does not excuse the downright DISGUSTING plate of food I was served. Water floating at the bottom, rice and quinoa still crunchy, and mushrooms overtaking the whole shebang. Drinks: Again, I could've been a smarter customer, but their liquor list is deceptive. S and D don't stand for Single/Double, and double has a different abbreviation altogether. So when I pointed at the menu, said I'll have this, and make it a double, clearly pointing at the list, you'd think they'd correct me. Instead I paid $25 for a double of a $35 a bottle bourbon. When I asked about the price, they didn't apologize once, and instead scoffed that I didn't read the menu correctly. I hate complaining. I'm a nice person. The server was a b****. Service: pretty much covered above, but I wanted to mention that it took 45 minutes to get our check on a slow Tuesday. Server was impossible to find. If you want to get a beer and stay a while, this is the spot because the rooftop is lovely and they have a good beer selection. But that's really it's only draw.

    (2)

  • Chris M.

    Will start by saying that I didn't eat here, as our goal on Saturday craft beer weekend was to bar hop and consume as many craft beers as possible....it was a tough job, guys....but someone had to do it!! My four stars alone are for the beer menu and the GORGEOUS upstairs patio deck!! I LOVE the space up here!!! Full bar, a mini separate kitchen that serves the patio area, fire places, heat lamps and just a really nice view that makes kicking back and relaxing all that much easier. I can't think of any places like Fountainhead around this area that have an upstairs patio like this. And for that, this place is unique and I hope it becomes a staple to this area as well as a foundation for other rooftop endeavors to come into the area as well.

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    Went out in search of beer. After some discussion with my friend we settled on coming here. There was a wait for tables, but space open at the bar. Since we were going just to drink, it was a-ok with us to sit up there. While normally I don't comment on bar stools, these drove me a little crazy. There was no where for me to put my feet. I was too short. I just felt like a little child sitting up at the bar. Staff was was super attentive, but not annoyingly so. Beer and whiskey selections were good.

    (4)

  • Tara N.

    Great rooftop but drink menu prices are deceptive. I ordered a lemonade vodka menu priced at $8 great drink but they actually charged me $9 so check your bill carefully!

    (2)

  • Zita M.

    Wonderful roof top restaurant. A bit slow service but didn't mind it. I loved their risotto with added bacon. Many cider options.

    (4)

  • Brian S.

    Wonderdul beer selection here. Ask for a nitro beer. In terms of food I like the pork sandwich and mussels. Its really a great bar year around with knowledgeable and friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Bernard L.

    Fountainhead continues to improve since I've been coming here the past three years. The place almost has a divey bar look to it but has an array of beers and whisky. The presentation of the menu itself does that the place has a lot of class. There are about 20 beers on tap and an almost endless list of bottle beers and whisky. The one TV that they have is sometimes on and sometimes off so I'm not sure if they want to have more of a dinner only vibe or a sports vibe. As for the food, you can't go wrong. The new chef Cleetus has introduced a fantastic menu, which includes the awesome turkey sandwich, which he had at City Provisions (I miss that place). My wife and I went to brunch there recently and had the BEST hummus I have ever had. It tasted like there was bacon in it, but according to the waitress, the garbanzos beans were roasted giving it that flavor. The new roof addition is nice, but honestly I've been to better rooftops so I wasn't particularly blown away. Overall, this is an amazing place for good food and drink and only makes me want to stay in Ravenswood forever.

    (5)

  • Bri A.

    We must have come at a good time for brunch because the place was empty! We had no problem grabbing a booth and placing our Bloody Mary order right away. My friend and I love bloodies, but these were way too spicy! I like a kick to them, but the spiciness was too overpowering and drowned out the flavor of the drink. Foodwise, we enjoyed our meals! I had the chicken burger which came topped with a fried egg and a nice, fat piece of bacon. The meat was a bit too salty, but overall, it was a pretty good burger. The potatoes were awesome and even when full, I couldn't stop eating them! My friend loved her mushroom quinoa risotto. Next time, I'd get a few of the small items to share. The sriracha deviled eggs, fancy mac & cheese and buttermilk biscuits sound amazing! We'll see if I actually share. I want to try the dinner menu, too, especially since I hear they have a great craft beer list.

    (3)

  • Rebeca M.

    Lovely rooftop. Great beer selection. Mediocre staff. Came here on a Friday evening about 7pm.. No wait but I was still waiting on a friend so I sat at the bar... The bartender was very friendly and attentive .. Once we got our table, our server kind of forgot about us. She stopped by after about 10 min and took our drink order .. Then we didn't see her again for about 15-20 min so we got our own drinks at the bar. We decided to close out and head somewhere else.

    (3)

  • Trista T.

    I love restaurants like these with ever changing menus. Everything truly tasted like it came right from the farmers market! We started with a spicy peach soup that was chilled. I had never really tasted anything like it, so unique. I kept it simple and went for the burger. Yum! Cooked perfectly and crazy juicy. I tried my sister Mac and cheese that was crusty and creamy. Our waitress was great and helpful suggesting beers for us. We hardly ever drink beer so we were lost in the drink menu. My sister and I both ended up with great fruity beers we loved! Can't wait to try out the rooftop sometime!

    (4)

  • Tom C.

    Went here for just some drinks with friends on a Friday night and had a great experience. Host accommodated 20 of us last minute on their rooftop section which was very nice on a warm night. Server was crazy nice and recommended very well crafted drinks and beers. Next time I want to sample the food because it smelled delicious though!

    (5)

  • Gina G.

    Great attention to details and your dining experience. Nice spot to watch sports outside or to grab a beer with friends and lounge around together.

    (3)

  • B D.

    Starting with the attitude of the hostess to the really crap service I think this is our last time at fountainhead. Not the best food anyway. Started out being told all the items they didn't have in the menu. Veggie burger dry as was the bun. Steak was marginal at best. Also, no highchairs!?!? Know your neighborhood people.

    (2)

  • Katie S.

    I've been to Fountainhead about three times now. I've always had a positive experience. I have not eaten the food, so I cannot comment on that. But I feel that their drink offerings are superb. My husband loves to come here because he loves scotch and they have excellent scotch selections. He really loves the LaPhroaig. One time, I got the Irish coffee and it was the best Irish coffee I've ever had! It had this delicious whip cream on top (and I don't even like whip cream- that's how amazing it is!!) I would seriously recommend ordering it. We went last weekend on a Friday night and they had the roof open. It was chilly, so they had a portion sectioned off for an "in doors" feel. They had another section which was open with heaters, so you had the choice. It was really nice and I really liked the vibe up there. Overall, go for their excellent whiskey selections and their Irish coffee!

    (5)

  • Patrick Z.

    The beer is great, but watch your receipts. These guys seem pretty sly with skimming off the top. I called management twice because they overcharged me on my bill. They said they would take care of it and never did. Do not pay with debit card!!

    (1)

  • Jenna C.

    Sometimes, it really pains me to give a bad review. I really wanted to like you Fountainhead! Really, I promise I did! Perhaps it was an off night? Perhaps dining downstairs is better? I'm willing to come back and find out, but for now I'm of the opinion that this gastropub is overrated. Their rooftop is a nice atmosphere and rightfully earns itself a star. But the menu is different than downstairs, and the beer options severely more limited. Unfortunately, our waitress started by telling us they were out of six different drafts, leaving only a handful to choose from. Granted, the one I ordered was very good, but the service was also extremely slow. We ordered food as well and it took over an hour to reach our table. I got the mushroom quinoa and it was ok but definitely not worth the price. One other person in my party noticed there was no smoked gouda on his sandwich - which, if you've ever had good smoked gouda then you know this is a crucial mistake! The staff was actually very nice - earning the other star in my rating. They even felt so bad for the slowness that they sent over free dessert. But some experiences just cannot be fixed with cheesecake.

    (2)

  • Tom S.

    Great beer menu, average uninspired limited food menu. Had a cob salad which was good but somewhat on the small side for price. French fries also not a great value at $6. Small portion of little nibs of fries. Horseradish mayo a good dip though. Was expecting more out of this place then they provided. Server was friendly enough but took a while for food to come out.

    (3)

  • Lauren R.

    Fountainhead has all the makings of a great bar - awesome beer menu (literally a full multi-page menu), unique food menu, cool atmosphere and wonderful location. However, the wait for all the delicious beer, cider and food is so long that it takes the fun out of going to a bar. No water refills, no check-ins. Lastly, while the unique food menu is appealing on paper, I didn't really like the execution. The pub beer cheese spread was blah. The smoked hummus was nothing special and the fries are over seasoned. Way too expensive for the bad service and bad flavors.

    (3)

  • Ross R.

    To date, I have had 3 entirely separate, and entirely bizarre bad experiences at this restaurant. 1. Circa 2013-ish, I was served raw chicken. When i sent it back to get re-made, the server felt compelled (at the Chef's request) to tell me that it wasn't under-cooked, just very moist. While being false, it was also offensive that they felt the need to express this opinion to me. Since this was their response, I decided I didn't want to mess around with the same dish again, so I ordered a veggie burger, which was horrible. 2. Circa 2014-ish. We sat on the rooftop deck, which is a nice atmosphere. My wife ordered a 14 dollar 'salad' that she ordered without the meat (which turned out to be 2 slivers of speck). The salad she received was 4 pieces of asparagus, which some shards of cheese on top...and it also had the meat on it. The issue wasn't so much the meat, but that this dish was pretending to be an entree (or, we assumed it would be, given the price and conventional wisdom), but was scarcely large enough to be an appetizer. My wife expressed her concern, and the server took that feedback to the kitchen. The Chef came out to talk to us, but instead of listening to the concern, he seemed more focused on questioning why my wife had ordered a salad with meat (again, that was not the primary concern). He then begrudgingly agreed to provide a different entree, which was pretty bad. Again, the food was pretty sub par all the way around, and way too expensive for what it was. 3. Circa 2015. We went for a late lunch on a weekend. We were given a brunch/lunch menu that had lunch options on one side, and brunch options on the other. The lunch menu had only 3 or 4 items, none of which were really interesting to me, and all of which were laughably expensive. We were told that the brunch menu was only going to be available for another 10 minutes, which we thought was fine, since we thought it would allow us to order off of a full lunch menu. Wrong! If we had waited, it would have limited us to the 3 lunch entrees on that menu they had given us. I ordered a sloppy joe that had an egg on it. It was fine, but was $13 or $14. It came with some gross breakfast potatoes, and some arugula. One of my friends ordered a side of mac and cheese, which turned out to be $16, lol. We had a good laugh about that one. I think the cost/noodle wound up being about $0.50/noodle. We were almost in tears from laughing when we realized we each paid $30 for a meager amount of mediocre food and 1 drink. The rooftop is always packed, so others must enjoy something about this place, but in my opinion, it's a joke. I think my 2015 visit will be my last. I still laugh when I think about the absurdity of my experiences here.

    (1)

  • Matt B.

    The pub cheese (charred kale, stone IPA, cheddar, pretzel bread) was great! The setting is great even though it is a bit oddly laid out. The fireplace was great for ambiance and that we were in the midst of a polar vortex. Looking forward to heading back to check out the rooftop bar. I had the turkey burger which wasn't the best I've ever had. Probably should have gone with my first choice, the beer braised brisket. There is always next time! And if that experience goes better we'll definitely add another star.

    (3)

  • Jackie B.

    Nice place, bad service. They missed no opportunity to let us know we were doing everything wrong and were maybe too dumb to be served here. First, as they went to seat us at a table, we asked if we could sit at the bar, so the hostess took her menus away and left us with nothing. My boyfriend found a menu shelved by a table next to the bar, but as he began to take it, the hostess ran up to him to let him know that we had to use the menus behind the bar, not that one. So he sat back down, and yet we still had no menus. Finally, the bartender manages to give us menus. Nice beer list, but tiny writing, dark room, a bit confusing...anyhow, I instead asked the bartender what IPA's they had on draught, and he told me to just look at the menu, as if I hadn't been sitting there for 5 minutes studying it already. Really? A bartender that won't help you pick a beer? No one ever asked for an IPA before? Finally, he grabs the menu and quickly reads off the beers that might qualify, glares at me, and moves on when I don't order instantly-thanks, dude. I ended up ordering a bottled beer. For our second round, I told him my boyfriend and I would split a second bottle, to which he proceeded to pour the entire bottle into one glass as I sat there trying to stop him, since we were splitting it. We also ordered food and were with a friend who ordered a cocktail, the bar wasn't overly busy, it's not like we were so cheap and he had too much better to do. Umm sorry, so many good beer bars in this city, I don't need to be made to feel like Clarence the angel from It's a Wonderful Life ordering his first mint julep in 135 years. Part of the joy in going to the bar is interacting with friendly, knowledgeable staff, or at least being treated like my business is appreciated.

    (2)

  • Radha K.

    I like the idea of this place...and I really like this place as well. I've only been here a few times and just for drinks, but have always had a pleasant experience! If I've come by myself and had a drink at the bar, the service is great and the staff are extremely friendly and attentive. Obviously they have a great beer selection! We had their bloody mary on Saturday and it was quite good n' spicy! The bottom of the glass ends up being a bed of pepper, but it was still delicious! To hold us over until we went somewhere else, we ordered the deviled eggs. They had a bit of sriracha on the top which made it quite tasty! Now that it's getting nice out, make sure you use the rooftop...it's great!

    (4)

  • Simone T.

    This is a consistently great date spot for my Husband and I. Love the food (our favorites are the Whisky Bacon & Deviled Eggs, the Mac 'n Cheese w/Duck Confit, the Mussels Vindaloo, any soup offered, the Chicken Fried Chicken and the Burgers). Cleetus has a great thing going here!

    (5)

  • Julie A.

    Good and bad. The good: Great beer list, spicy as hell bloody mary, amazing homemade ranch. Good turkey sandwich. Great pub cheese and pretzel bread. Tasty french freis. The bad: the ketchup is weird. I know its homemade but its like tomato water. It really should be thicker. The wings: BLEH. Not good at all. The skin was so gross and we asked for spicy bbq sauce and there was barely any on them. I took one bite and that is all I could take. But in the same way it wasn't that bad that I wouldn't go back. Very middle of the road. The pub cheese was my favorite thing though.

    (3)

  • Jan R.

    We went during prime time on a Friday night expecting a looooong wait. They told us about 30-40 mins which was much shorter then we expected. Also, we could wait on their partly tented rooftop and order beers. It was a little chilly out for the roof but they have a fireplace up there, so it was the perfect night! Great variety of beers and food. Everyone at our table ordered expecting to share. Everything from sandwiches to burgers, to die for! I was not disappointed with any aspect. I have nothing critical to say besides I wish I could eat there every day. Very cool atmosphere as well. I'm looking forward to returning in the summer to hangout on the rooftop

    (5)

  • Katherine K.

    Amazing food. Great warm alcoholic cocktails. Great drink list. Music is a bit loud though...

    (4)

  • Rudy C.

    Eh not really a fan. The service took forever and the prices were pretty high for the neighborhood this place is in. I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Courtney C.

    There are some trends that just need to die, while others are trends for a reason. The whole 'bacon' fever thing -- not gonna lie -- should NEVER, EVER DIE. Everything is better with bacon and don't say it's not. I won't believe you. When I heard of this bacon monkey bread, I knew it was going to be as scrumptious as it sounded. Believe me, it was all that and more. Fountainhead is known for this heavenly bread for a reason. It's super duper soft on the inside and the gravy that they give you was the perfect complement. (It's the white biscuits and gravy type of gravy.) We'd already eaten a sh&t ton that day or I also would have tried the siracha deviled eggs. I may be the last person on the face of the earth that hasn't tried siracha. This place has a beer and whiskey list like you've never seen before. It's a book (no it really is.) You need to commit at least 10 minutes to look at this list or better yet, just close your eyes and pick something. I thought it was quite strange that they are known for such a huge alcohol offering, yet there were quite a few kiddies running around, but hey - what do I know? I'll come back to this place for sure. Especially now that the patio is open for the summer!

    (4)

  • Lauren F.

    On a nice Chicago day the rooftop at Fountainhead is hard to beat. They don't have as many food choices up there so drinks and ambiance are what you're going for. I had the Cobb-Like Salad and really enjoyed it, sandwiches looked pretty good as well. I'd definitely like to return and try the food downstairs because it looked and smelled fantastic!

    (4)

  • Nik A.

    Unmatched customer service in every regard. Brilliant suggestions from beers to whiskey to food, accommodations for allergies (and custom to-order preparation on the fly), and a dedication to quality and consideration that I cannot even begin to compare to another experience I've had in any restaurant or bar. I was already swayed to keep coming to this place weekly and now I want to funnel my paycheck directly into their coffers. Servers, chefs, and management go above and beyond to make this a worthwhile experience. Best idiosyncrasies: Actual Manhattans, mind-bogglingly expansive scotch list, perfectly-cooked vegetables. Why do you keep reading this? Why are you not here already?

    (5)

  • Meredith B.

    I walk by Fountainhead on the way to my gym almost every day, and it always looks cozy and busy. I finally got the chance to have dinner here last night, on a Tuesday. I met a friend at 5, and the place was totally empty. It filled up quick though, and when we left after 7 most seats were full! They had a fire going in the fire place, lots of tables by the windows, and it was so cozy to sit in the warm room and peruse their massive beer and whiskey list while watching the snow fall outside. They are not playing around with their booze list! Their bottle list was extensive - they had like, a dozen ciders! They had tons of everything else too, obviously, but I was pretty impressed with a cider selection that consists of more than just one. I had a blueberry cider from a Michigan cider mill which was great, and followed it up with a nice glass of red wine (small, but nice wine list). For food, we split the winter kale salad which was a large portion and great for sharing between two people as an appetizer. it was loaded with toasted pecans, blue cheese, and dried cranberries. The apple cider vinaigrette was served warm on the side. There's no "V" next to it on the menu but it is vegetarian, in case that matters to you! Then I had the crab cake sandwich with slaw. The crab cake was really delicious and flavorful, though it did have a tendency to fall apart (especially towards the end of the meal). The slaw on the side was okay - just crunchy cabbage, bell pepper, and carrot, in a creamy dressing. One of the best parts of the sandwich was the toasted bun. It was really very simple, but when you raise the sandwich up to your mouth you get a wonderful toasty, grilled smell. Sounds like such an ordinary thing but it took the sandwich to the next level. My friend enjoyed her mussels, and I had a few of her fries which were all right. They were served in a drinking glass, and the hot fries steamed up the glass and ended up making them a little soft over time. Hard to reach the ones on the bottom too! Small complaint. I think the prices are a little high for what you get, but all the food was really tasty and it's such a wonderful atmosphere in winter. I know they are known for their rooftop patio but don't wait until summer to go here. Come early, grab a seat by the fireplace, have a few drinks, and above average pub food.

    (4)

  • STephanie C.

    I love Fountainhead! I've gone on both weekends and weeknights, and am never disappointed. It's honestly one of my favorite places for brunch in the city, and a great place for dinner and drinks. The Eggle is delicious every time, and I love their bloody marys. I also recently tried the mushroom risotto, which was one of the small plate options. It was wonderful, too! My boyfriend and I discovered Fountainhead when we couldn't get in for brunch at Marmalade across the street. I'm glad! haha I much prefer a savory brunch over a sweet brunch, and I like the options for that at Fountainhead. The service is great, too, and although they get busy, I've never had to wait when I've gone in, even on busy Saturdays and Sundays.

    (5)

  • Anthony L.

    I'd give it a five but its sort of unfair since I was only on the rooftop, which is awesome, and cannot speak for the inside. The beer selection on tap is pretty good and they have lots of bottles. I really liked the hummus but my girlfriend wasn't a big fan. Service was pretty good. Will be back when its nice out but probably won't go unless the roof is open.

    (4)

  • Kelly A.

    This weekend, we enjoyed the Fountainhead roof deck for the first time. The weather was gorgeous outside so it seemed like the perfect place to watch the World Cup Final. This place has a lot going for it. The roofdeck is really well done. I thought the decor and landscaping where nice and even though it can get crowded, it doesn't feel like you are on top of each other. The drink list was also pretty extensive. This place is a gastropub so they're understandably heavy on beer, but the wine list was also good as well and had some interesting wine types I hadn't seen elsewhere. My boyfriend really enjoyed the beers he selected and I thought both wines I tried. (Note, if you're visiting the roof deck I would take the wine lists posted online with a grain of salt because the one I ordered from is different than what was online.) Cider list was okay, not as stellar as places like Hopleaf, but better than your average bar. If you're coming here to watch a sporting event on TV know that you're sacrificing the viewing experience a some in order to be outside. The TVs were definitely on the small side and not all great tables have a good line of sight. Thankfully the staff were accommodating by letting us shift chairs around a little to have the best view. As far as the food goes, the food on the rooftop deck is just okay. It all seems to come out of a smaller kitchen on the roof vs. the full kitchen so the menu is pretty straight forward and limited. Everything we had was tasty, but not as interesting as the food downstairs. i get needing a limited menu in this environment and that the roof is more for drinking than eating, but wish they had at least put a few more creative touches on what they served. Some more interesting flavor combinations on the sandwiches could have gone along way. As far as the atmosphere goes, it was mostly good, though I am sure the crowd wasn't representative of the typical patrons since it was World Cup time. Basically everyone was having a good time and it was definitely more geared toward day drinking, but it didn't feel out of control or over the top obnoxious like a college party. It is worth noting though that this isn't a 21 plus beer garden. We were seated next to an odd party of 2 women and their four children who allowed their children to run amok & pester other diners. That was definitely not appreciated. I get that in this situation it's hard for the restaurant to say anything, but given these kids were all over the place (and visibly coloring all over the furniture) I sometimes wonder where you draw the line. Overall, I think this is a great place to grab some drinks and enjoy summertime in Chicago. I'm not sure I'd eat on the roof deck again as I know I can have a much better meal elsewhere, but for a drinking experience it's great.

    (4)

  • Dom C.

    I found this place on nupalapp.com and now I love this place, plus its right in my neighborhood! Everything I love: -Whiskey -Great draft beer -Wings Check it out for sure! I'll see you there!

    (5)

  • Lucas W.

    4.5 Stars, but I'm rounding up cuz why not. The food's delicious, the beer selection's fantastic, the place is awesome, but between the food and the beer it gets expensive pretty quickly. Seemingly every beer I looked at and wanted to try was double digit prices. I get that for some of the rare or import beers, but it just seemed more expensive than it should've been. For food, I had the Turkey Sambal which, although simple, was superb. One of the best turkey sandwiches I've ever had. Moist, smokey turkey with a heavenly spicy mayo complemented excellently with some grilled onions and a not-overly-salty pretzel hoagie. I generally hate getting simple dishes at restaurants, but I guess I just felt like a burger/sandwich but not beef and the Turkey Sambal fit the bill. Superb (tho the homemade ketchup isn't great, wish they'd gone with normal ketchup). For beers, I had the Perennial Dunkelweiss and the La Trappe Quadrupel. The dunkelweiss was good, but didn't have the strongest of flavors despite some interesting descriptions (walnuts and cherries and such). La Trappe Quadrupel was full of flavor and incredibly delicious flavors they were. But the beer menu here is truly remarkable. They have maybe about a dozen beers on tap and a phone book full of the highest quality beers. Everything from American craft brews to rare imports, from stouts to lambics to IPAs and ales. They've got anything you're craving beer-wise.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    Brought a buddy from out of town who's a beer snob. It was overwhelming. Some experiences may differ but ours was too notch. 6 pages of whiskeys, great drafts, cellar beers. Try the whiskey cured bacon, incredible.

    (5)

  • Ross K.

    I ate at this place a couple of months ago, and had the quinoa risotto. It was soooo good. They were using 40% cream!! I know they were because I could taste it.

    (5)

  • Liz A.

    After months of going past this place, I finally made plans to stop in. Got there at about 8:30 on a Thursday night and the place was pretty full. Had it not been such a humid and rainy night, I would have loved to check it out their rooftop patio. I hear it's amazing. Upon arriving the hostess told me it would be a wait on ordering food because the kitchen was backed up but since my friend hadn't arrived yet and I wasn't in a hurry, the food delay was no big deal. I pursued their beer menu which is quite extensive. I probably spent 10 minutes paging through before deciding to order their beer they had for shark week. It was named something along the effect of lake Effect Blood Saison with Hibiscus and Ginger. It was delicious and I was happy with my choice. I was even happier with my order of the small mac and cheese. It came in a mug and the top was finished off with some toasted bread crumbs and the cheese was amazing. I think I might add bacon next time because I bet it would have been amazing though the bacon was an additional $4. Our server was attentive, answered my questions and quick with beer refills. She easily split the check up to make it easier since neither of us had cash and were both using cards. Happy to find such a laid back bar near my neighborhood. Will be back.

    (4)

  • Kurt B.

    3.5 stars. Great food, spectacular beer, the concept is a total mess. First off their veggy burger is great for vegans, and my french dip was outstandingly good, I expected nothing and enjoyed it heartily. They had terrific taps including a sour from local heroes Goose Island and a rare black IPA from best-brewer-in-America Three Floyds. They earned a 5 star review based upon these factors. However - they are trying to be all things to all people and this place gets exhausting for that reason. They want to be a craft beer gastropub and a sports bar at the same time, and it makes for a strange mix of clientele. The bar has all kinds of rare and fine beers, and then the bartenders blast the *worst possible* Top 40 hard rock at a deafening tone. It was so loud that it was making one of our table sick while they were trying to eat. Terrible business guys, play some tasteful stuff, music from Chicago jazz history, something hard but at a lower volume so people can actually eat, etc. Anything but what you're doing now. Also this place is trying to be a fashion haven, but you aren't going to attract the right clientele with substandard soundtrack and a sports vibe. Anyway, I think this rubbed me the wrong way because they're so close to being in contention for one of the "great bars of Chicago". Right now it's just an unpleasant hodgepodge of great food, taps, and location, and awful front of house management, acoustics, and concept.

    (3)

  • Lucy P.

    This is pretty much a review of the food only, and it appears to echo some of the other reviews I'm reading after the fact. I was meeting my husband after work and he suggested fountainhead. I didn't care what we were doing so I said sure and headed out to meet him. Things started out great, I love that their menu clearly lists the vegetarian options. We ordered the fried pickles, because who doesn't like fried pickles? I don't even really like pickles, but I like fried pickles. I do like the way pickles smell, but that really has nothing to do with this review. When they came out they were the thickest fried pickles ever, I took a bite. Not good. It was almost too big to take a bite of, and it was very very greasy --like when things are fried at a too cool temperature. I'm not a stranger to grease, I rarely find something fried I don't like, or at the very least that I won't eat. I would not eat these. They just were all around not good. Too hard to eat, too greasy, just not good. When our server brought our food she did notice that they were untouched and asked. So we told her they were not good. She took them off the bill without us even asking. Serious kudos to that. My husband had the veggie burger and I ordered a special, I can't even remember what it was but it was some type of pasta with ramps. Both of these items were completely forgettable. They weren't bad or inedible, but they just were not good. One of those foods that you will eat because you're hungry but there is no enjoyment in doing so. I would say both were seriously lacking in flavor as an overall assessment. My husband was especially hungry because he missed lunch, so he ate a lot of the food, but when we were done he was almost depressed that he ate so much flavorless food. I stopped at Burger King on the way home for an ice cream cone. As far as the ambiance and the staff, those were both normal/good. But since I don't drink beer, I really have no reason to ever come back here again.

    (2)

  • Amy W.

    As part of our 1 year anniversary celebration, by boyfriend and I went to The Fountainhead simply because of the rooftop bar (which I wanted) and because the great reviews of the Bloody Marys (which my boyfriend wanted). Although it was a beautiful day and I enjoyed sitting outside, there wasn't anything special to this rooftop. The walls are kind of high that when you're sitting at a low table, you really have no idea if you're on a rooftop or the ground floor because you can't see out over the walls. But I suppose the tall walls could help block out traffic noise from below. I also appreciated that there are restrooms on the rooftop. I ordered the Spring Veggie Stir Fry. It was ok. It was not my favorite flavor but it was filling and good enough for me to eat. I would probably not get it again. My boyfriend had the pulled pork sandwich, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He also loved the Bloody Mary. He said that it was spicier than many other Bloodys he has had, which was fantastic. The service at this place was very friendly and helpful. They made the atmosphere very inviting. I think that I will go back to this place but not during the day. It is a much better spot to go to at night, under the lights, with their large beer selection. And of course the Bloody Marys, if that's your kind of drink.

    (3)

  • V W.

    A large group of us dined on the rooftop a few weeks ago. Each plate was marvellous and the beer selection is great. Had to write this review just for our server Devon (Sinead!) who was simply STELLAR. I would return on basis of her care of us alone. Well done Devon! And thank you for a memorable experience.

    (4)

  • Steven R.

    This review is for drinks. The Fountainhead is kind of like my cousins right about now. I remember them when they were babies. They went through their awkward pre-teen years and our conversations were few and far between, strained verbal dissections of whatever pop culture touchstones with which they currently were obsessed. Eventually, they grow up and you think "holy crap, you're a real adult!' The Fountainhead is a real adult, a contender for one of the best beer bars in the city. I first ventured here not too long after opening and they were doing some beer event. My memory doesn't serve me well (usually because of beer) but I want to say they had a few FFF draughts and Moloko Milk Stout on nitro. There were few people but I remember thinking how cute that was that this place was going for the beer bar thing. Fast foward to this past weekend and Fountainhead is done growns-ed up (think Vince Vaughn in "Swingers" for that one). They have an impeccable beer selection which included Stone Vanilla Bean Porter, Goose Island BCS and Hitachino Nest Ale among other delicious choices. The bottle selection was extensive and the price were justified. There's nothing else to read here, just get your belly up to this bar and enjoy some delicious suds. Hurry before they run out of something.

    (5)

  • Jen S.

    I've been to Fountainhead a few times previously and have had a decent experience. This last time was far from what I have come to expect. The waitstaff was far from attentive. It took a half hour just to order drinks and the waitress never came back the rest of the meal except to give us the check. That was the only prompt event of my experience there. In addition, the food was overpriced and lackluster. Fountainhead was a place that I had recommended to friends quite often; however, after this experience I highly doubt I will come back any time soon.

    (2)

  • James R.

    Decided to check this place out, as we'd pass it occasionally on the bus. Unlike other reviews, we didn't have to wait and were seated right away. It was a busy weekend night, so the place was a little noisy. (But that's good for a pub/bar!) They have an excellent drinks selection, with a wide variety of ales, wines and ciders. I chose the Jaipur which was excellent and well-presented (came in a decent beer glass!) The food was a little different to your typical menu. Not the standard pub food you'd find, but more unique dishes. Since I went a couple weeks ago, I can't remember the meal I had, but it was delicious! My wife's meal too was excellent. We kinda wish the portion sizes were a little bigger for the money, but you can't knock the quality of the food. Very nice! To sum up, would definitely stop by again. Great service, great atmosphere. Good times!

    (4)

  • Cassie V.

    Like another yelper below, 3.5 is more like it. It's birthday season, so being out with about 8 people for a birthday started here at fountainhead. First off, there seems to be some conflicting stories regarding reservations. Some things say they don't take reservations, but we were told by the hostess that they do. If we could've had a reservation that would have fixed the problem we ran into - the wait. It was long, over an hour and a half. They were super apologetic about it though and acted accordingly by letting our birthday cupcakes in for free when it's usually a charge. Great response for our situation. If we hadn't all been hungry, the wait wouldn't have been as killer because we found enough chairs for us to pony up to the bar after a few minutes. The bar was great, the bartenders weren't ignoring any patrons and took time to answer a question if asked (it is a varied drink menu). I enjoy ciders, and one of my favorites, Ace Pear Cider, happened to be on special. Score. We ate dinner on the rooftop, which we knew had a more selective menu for both drinks and food. Np, everyone found something they liked to drink and good food. However, the charcuterie platter was the smallest one I've ever seen. Also, the bread for my BBQ pork sammie was soggy (it might've been dipped in au jus but I didn't see that specified on the menu). I'm not complaining, I totally scarfed the whole thing. It wasn't outstanding though. The service seemed way too busy, they were good but I felt exhausted for them. I was advised by a friend that it's always like that so maybe they could use another server or two. The rooftop was beautiful, enhanced by some actual summer weather (finally). It would be a tough call to weigh the full menu against the rooftop seating on a warm summer night, pick your poison. I don't know if I'd come back on my own, but I wouldn't object to going again for my friends who need to check some crafts off their lists.

    (3)

  • Rakesh M.

    Great beer selection - many different types from different places, both on tap and in bottles. Came here a bit late, so I didnt try the food, but the food other people got looked good. Also, the whiskey flight tasting was pretty good as well. Prices are reasonable as well. Great little neighborhood place.

    (4)

  • Peter S.

    Our first visit. I know, late to the party. Must say, it far exceeded my expectations. Judging by the names of the dishes on the menu one would be excused to expect "typical bar fare" but Fountainhead delivers far more and way better. We shared some sriracha deviled eggs which were good. Not overly mayo-y. Mellody had a terrific beat salad with two kinds of purple beets, balsamic and fresh greens and dill. Very refreshing fresh. Bryn had the veggie burger, no bun, which was good but needed some spunk, nonetheless, pretty good. Perhaps with the brioche bun it would have been more lively. I had the brisket with greens sub slaw for potatoes. The greens were quite tasty and I give them credit for not making them a throw-away side. The brisket was good, real meat and flavorful. The slaw was very fresh, positive, but also lacked a little pizzaz. All in all though we really liked Fountainhead. It delivered real, quality food and reasonable prices. We'll be back to enjoy the roof top this fall. Cheers.

    (4)

  • Not Just Brunch B.

    Four of us came here for brunch one Sunday recently. We came around 11:00 and were seated right away by the peppiest of all peppy servers. The brunch menu has a lot of options outside of your normal eggs n toast. The standout was the Breakfast Burger, which is HUGE and comes topped with the best bacon we've ever had. Seriously. Another standout, which comes from their endless beer list, is the breakfast beer that smells like an Anthropologie store but tastes like... a delicious beer. You can read some more about our brunch experience here- Gettin' Some Fountainhead notjustbrunch.wordpress.…

    (5)

  • Kyle W.

    It's a Chicago staple. Great beer and cocktails served by friendly and knowledgeable staff. The food is pricier than your average pub but it's worth it. Good vegetarian options too. Try the cornbread and honey butter! The smoky hummus platter is also unique and great to share. The downstairs has a classic pub feel and the patio is classy and comfortable (if not very high for a rooftop). Good brunch too. Definitely worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Dave N.

    Decent place and good food. The chef was walking around and very talkative. Great beer menu. Love the devil eggs and homemade honey. I'll be back!

    (3)

  • Laurie P.

    I ordered the allagash sausage and while chatting with the waitress after ordering a cider, I explained I couldn't have the beer because of an allergy to gluten. She put in the order and brought our food out but before I could take a bite of the sausage she came over stating that there was beer in the sausage and that she felt so bad that I almost had taken a bite. She had the chef come out and discuss other options with me that would be gf and even stated that my meal would be on her. The chef, Ross, came over and discussed options and made my food to order as soon as he went back to the kitchen (I only waited about 5 min for my new order). The waitress, Faith, and Ross were accommodating and absolutely amazing. Will definitely come back in the future and look forward to other meals here!! Also for all the cider drinkers out there, there is a pretty great list available!!!

    (5)

  • Tim S.

    Seriuosly, do I look homeless or like a person who should not be in your establishment? It was like we were invisible. After drinking our entire beer without any other interaction from staff, except for when I went to the front to get food menus, we choose to leave. Was about to just walk but I am not that guy. Trying to get us not to leave with a suggestion that your food is really good, duh that is why we came, and free drinks is too late. Sorry Fountainhead you missed out on this and many more date nights to come. The fact I an writing this from down the street enjoying a delicious beer while I contemplate the menu at a different restaurant says a lot to me as I don't normally write bad reviews. Sad cause I really liked you before the change.

    (1)

  • Pam S.

    I had two back-to-back experiences at Fountainhead, and that's the only reason why it's bumped up to two stars. The first visit on Wednesday July 3rd was mediocre at best. While the service initially was prompt and friendly, I was largely ignored when after I got my food. It took me roughly forever to get my check. The next day, since EVERYTHING was closed, a friend and I noticed that the Fountainhead was open. Since it was so gorgeous outside, we went up to the rooftop to grab a beer and figure out food. We immediately received waters, and then were ignored. The waitress came back to take our beer order, but then we waited. And waited. And waited. And waited. You get the picture. 35 minutes later, we left because at that point we saw tables who got there AFTER us get their beers. I'm sorry, there is no good reason to be ignored that long. What she SHOULD have done is told us she was swamped, and our beers were coming (for free). Kicker- as we left, we saw that our beers weren't even on the bar...which most likely means that she never put them in. Never again.

    (2)

  • Virl S.

    I have not eaten hear yet, so this review will be strictly about drinks; however, I know Cletus does the menu here as well as at Bar on Buena. BOB's food is spectacular, so I'd expect the same here. Beer menu here is excellent. It's always rotating and has a wide variety of craft beers to choose from. Meade is not my thing, but they are really specializing on this style of wine. Atmosphere is very hip and local. Always plenty of seating here. On nice days, the upstairs is fantastic to go up to. Fountainhead is quickly becoming one of my favorite places.

    (5)

  • That D.

    This place is a total waste of money. I was there due to a suggestion from a local. Rude hostess to "welcome" us and a huge roach spotted in the men's restroom turned me off initially but my friend had already ordered a beer at the bar. The waiter staff is not friendly at all. If they do not want to work there, why even punch in for the shift??? I would never go here again. The upstairs bar is a nice touch but the bartenders there just ignore you chat with their tattooed biker-looking friends. A shit stain of a place that doesn't deserve anymore funds that they've already received. Piss poor.

    (1)

  • Melissa G.

    Me & my boyfriend sat on the rooftop, which was a nice atmosphere. When we got there, there was some confusion between the waitresses and no one came to the table for like 10 minutes. The biggest problem we had was that it took over an hour from when we ordered and when we got the food. The waitress didn't really seem to notice or comment. The food was alright, it was over priced for what we got though. Probably won't go back.

    (2)

  • Ben S.

    Just had the best experience. My friend has a soy allergy, and not the oh-I-feel-bloated kind. The die on the floor of the restaurant kind. It can be kind of stressful for her to eat out, because you never know if the waitress quite knows if there's soy in the fry oil or bread or whatever. We mentioned it to the the waitress, and not 2 minutes later the exec chef Cleetus came out, walked us through the menu, and double checked everything. He must have been busy, but he took time to chat, make recommendations, and most importantly get the soy thing right. Top notch service, and on a busy night too. The food was killer too - we both had the brisket. It was exactly what my mother wished she knew how to cook every Passover, but didn't. Tender, mushroomy, tasty, and just uncommon enough to be memorable. Beer selection is great, but you probably already knew that. Cleetus is apparently a brewer and had his micros on tap. Solid, and made the whole experience that much more memorable. Great atmosphere, drinks, food, service. 6/5.

    (5)

  • Lance K.

    I really want to like Fountainhead. It is a great spot, and has an amazing roof-deck. With that being said they are incredibly unaccommodating. We called 2 weeks ahead about bringing 20-25 people through for a bar crawl. We never received a call back. When we arrived, they said we should have called ahead. Are you kidding me?!?!?! They told us we could not use the obviously empty tables, and could only stand at the bar. Incredibly awkward and uncomfortable situation ensued. Than you for your hospitality Fountainhead! We went across the street to Oakwood for cheap drinks. You guys are getting a little too big of an ego, thanks but no thanks!

    (1)

  • Erika J.

    I love this bar! The outdoor patio is wonderful in the summer. They have an extensive cider list, which is very exciting to me, and I have never been disappointed by the food. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • David R.

    Solid bar, excellent tap list at all times (including some exclusive collaboration brews), and really, really good food. Sriracha deviled eggs. Mmmm... All that would be enough to recommend this place on its own, but the Fountainhead also has, hands down, one of the best rooftop bars around. I would live there from May through October if only they'd let me stay. Great spot - nothing bad to say about it.

    (5)

  • Renee E.

    Imma give this one a four. Hubs and I were in the mood for some brewery plus food action and wanted to get out of our usual Logan Square neighborhood rut, so we drove up to whatever the area is now called. North Center? When I lived there in the 90s, I swear it was Ravenswood. I had the Cobb-like salad, which was very good. The veg tasted super fresh, the dressing was light and tangy and not overdone. But the best part was the smoked chicken. A nice deviation from your average grilled chicken breast. Hubs had the turkey sammich with fries. I stole a few fries and they were quite a bit above average. He was a little disappointed that the sandwich wasn't heated, which does seem a little odd for a dinner offering. I also tried the Rosemary' Red Devil on draft and damn. Yum. I want one now and it's like 8 a.m. The beer menu is really very extensive, with lots of interesting choices. I'd like to sample a few more on my next visit.

    (4)

  • Anne M.

    A couple important announcements: - Rooftop patio is open. I repeat: Rooftop patio is now open. Go there! Enjoy a leisurely summer evening atop the Fountainhead, enjoying warm summer night breezes and craft beers. Is there anything better? - Cakeballs. Re: the "Is there anything better?" question above. Cakeballs make everything better. (though, I will say, I think $6 for an order of 3 cakeballs is too steep.....) - The Green Curry is seriously good and seriously spicy. So maybe I'm a spice weakling, but this was too hot for me... I still ate it b/c it was good, but it was too much heat for me. If spice is your thing, I'm sure you'll love it. * Note about the rooftop: Fountainhead keeps tight wraps on the capacity of the rooftop. Understandably so. Just keep that in mind when going - there might be a long wait, or it may be totally maxed out.

    (5)

  • Don K.

    Back again and I am sure many more times. I listen to the bartenders Mark and Susan about what special is good. They recommended the duck breast special which was fantastic. They offer excellent advice and service under the watch of the always working and caring General Mgr Chris.

    (5)

  • Brooke B.

    Nice selection of beer and bourbons... Bartender was knowledgable and engaged in conversation about bourbons. Seemed selective on who she helped but we were still decently pleased with our visit here. Never tried the food... Bar was clean and a nice decent presentation overall.

    (4)

  • Xamyma O.

    Review is for drinks only. Now you're talkin'. Actually, DIDN'T expect this place to be anything, similar to lame Driftwood down the street. Wrong. Immediately competes with the best beer bars in Chicago. Menu is deep and encyclopedic. That Elgood's is KILLER. They went with the all over deep dark burnished wood thing, and it looks pretty sharp. Took the mirror out of the back bar to make a pass through to the other side of the bar. Looking forward to the rooftop(?) They made the most of the space they have. Angelina A., you best get outta Ravenswood and go back to southern IL or whatever since the neighborhood "changed" here about 15 years ago.

    (4)

  • Amanda P.

    Got a chance to visit Fountainhead on Friday night with a girlfriend. I am not from this neighborhood, so parking was a bit difficult. In the summer, I will definitely ride the bus back! It was busy around 7:30 so we grabbed a beer at the bar. My two initial complaints are that the hostess was not overly pleasant and that there is nowhere to stand in the crowded dining space while you are waiting. However, the bar service was prompt and the beer was delicious. After being seated, we grabbed another drink and split the Pub cheese and fried pickles. The pickles were enormous and very lightly breaded which was great. The spicy dipping sauce complimented them perfectly. I will return just for the pub cheese, it was divine! Overall, I found the prices to be reasonable for the food portions and pours you were getting. Can't wait to try out the roof!

    (4)

  • Paula C.

    New Year's Day 2014 - snow from hell day. My friend and I Uber ourselves over to what was our much beloved Fountainhead about 9:45pm on New Years Day. Why 1 Star? ACT I We sat at the bar. After wishing the bartender a happy New Year upon our arrival and asking how she was doing, she proceeded to say how she felt horrible from the night before passed out on her bedroom floor. Now that's nothing to judge a tatooed strung out bartender for or anyone who had too much fun New Year's Eve. We relished in her melancholic story and assured her we would be easy on her in a cheeky sweet way. After we ordered our drinks and got food menus, we noticed that on the other side of the bar, where a bearded guy had been sitting, the bartender was seated with him, with her coat on and a few minutes later, they both left. Now that's just rude. Who just bails on their patrons without saying someone else will be taking care of us? ACT II Now that our sleeping beauty is gone with her knight in sweaty armor, our next lack of character on the scene is a plain gray haired guy in his 40's who appears to not be bar tending but just getting something. We got his attention to get another beer to replace a very watery tasting Atlas and got the Begyle Flannel Pajamas which was dark, roasty, and yummy. I credit this salty headed man with giving 2 lovely tastes one of which was the choosen Begyle Flannel Pajamas. Still under the premise that we don't know who our bartender is now, we decide to just order from salty headed man. We ordered the STOUT BEEF STEW for $9. Now to put things in perspective, the Fountainhead Burger with Fries is $12 and you get 1/2 pound of meat. The "STOUT BEEF STEW", as was the title of this dish, had in its description that it came with Gruyere mashed potatoes. What we got was basically Gruyere mashed potatoes with the stew gravy that we each salvaged 3-4 teaspoons of meat....3-4 BABY BITES....for $9. Salty headed man behind the bar asks "HOW IS EVERYTHING" We said "HONESTLY? WE EACH ONLY FOUND 3-4 BITS OF MEAT IN OUR STEW." Salty headed man behind the bar replies, "YEAH WE'VE HEARD THAT ALOT. IT'S JUST HOW IT IS." The title of BEEF STOUT STEW with Gruyere mashed potatoes = GRUYERE MASHED POTATOES with beef stout stew gravy. For $3 more we could have had a 1/2 lb burger with fries. THANKS FOUNTAINHEAD FOR GIVING US MORE TO SHARE WITH OUR FRIENDS

    (1)

  • Jamie B.

    Nice mid afternoon crowd with good craft beer selection, AMAZING Bacon and cozy decor. Too bad out visit was tainted by the faint smell of vomit and cleaning solution (must have been fun the night before). Not sure I would venture back but it is not a bad place to check out once.

    (2)

  • Tina L.

    This review is based on after dinner drinks here. The evening weather was fairly nice, so we wanted to try for the roof. Had to put our name in, so we got a beer at the bar while we waited. They have a great selection, so be adventurous and try something new! Every beer that I had was a little too hoppy for my taste, but strong...which is something I don't necessarily mind. ;) Once we got called for roof seating, we had almost finished our first drink. I'm guessing it was about a 20-30 minute wait? Not sure. They have a separate menu upstairs (Rooftop Garden menu), so be prepared for that. I dunno if I'd recommend their parsnip "guacamole" because I just was NOT used to that texture and flavor. Maybe next time I'll try the beet salad or the meat and cheese board...?

    (4)

  • Stephanie F.

    Waited about two hours for a table on the roof and as soon as we were seated they closed the kitchen and ran out of the entree I wanted. We ordered something else and it was cold and not very good. The beer selection downstairs was good.

    (3)

  • Ginger F.

    Fountainhead, the sausage balls you served at Square Roots were lame. The food has not impressed me generally but the two sad, bland, boiled balls on a stick with a squirt of mustard were pathetic.

    (1)

  • Amanda W.

    My fiancé has been foaming at the mouth to check this place out for a while now because of their elaborate beer menu. Me? not so much. Here's the thing-we've played this record before-and it ends with him basking in his sweet beer buzz while I forage for a midnight snack in the pantry because the twigs and berries they charged an arm and a leg for didn't rock my world. However, Fountainhead was a refreshing exception to the normal pretentious gastropub and I'll happily accept the award for biggest presumptive bi-atch of the year if I can eat more beer braised brisket. Truly, from the moment we stepped inside the experience was top notch. Not only was the service excellent, but the food was great. I had the aforementioned beer braised brisket over a butternut squash polenta with some crispy kale and he had the burger. Both were delicious! And yes, the beer selection was epic. All in all we both left happy and my pantry door stayed closed all night. Highly recommend giving them a try.

    (5)

  • Travis P.

    Living in the area for almost 8 months I am ashamed to say that this is my first time at Fountainhead (I have been driving by it on a daily basis too). Went with a party of three on a cold Wednesday night and was seated immediately in a nice booth. Went through the beer menu and was amazed at how many different types of beers they had either on tap or bottle/can. The food menu on the other hand was relatively small, which could have been viewed as a good thing. A number of the entrees sounded great but I decided on the burger, medium with bacon and served on a pretzel bun (I think just about everyone now can agree that a pretzel bun with a burger is perfect pair)..... But I was not blown away by the burger. I plan on going back to check out the other items on the menu since there were a few that sounded appealing and have the potential to be better than the burger. If you want a wide selection of beer, this is a great place to check out. FYI they have a rooftop patio that is open during "warmer" months.

    (3)

  • Angelina A.

    This place is hipster heaven! Myself being an accidental hipster, did not enjoy. My friend and I were sat in front of a lovely fireplace and waited and waited. I finally picked a Kale salad, aka the stuff you throw away on your plate and a beer I cannot pronounce. Meh this is really misplaced for this neighborhood also! This ain't Lincoln park this place is fancy pants. No thanks.

    (2)

  • Brad H.

    Great portion, great food, and great price! The deck patio is amazing and staff are friendly! I really wanted a margarita and my waiter made sure that I knew that my margarita would be made from fresh ingredients and that it would taste a little different from regular margs. I love when staff knows their products and how everything should taste. FYI: that margarita was the best one I've ever had! And it was perfect for a perfect sunny day! Whenever I'm in Chicago next, it's the first place I'll go!

    (5)

  • Coleman B.

    I really was devastated when I came back to one of my top bars in the city and found their menu had been so stifled with your typical bar fare. The new chef has taken a menu that featured ambitious choices and decided to market your common pub food like chicken wings and hamburgers. If you don't want a salad or a sandwich, this is sadly no longer the choice for you. We did try several items none the less with the hope that maybe they would be elevated in some way, and unfortunately this was not the case. The salsa and guacamole was terrible, and for 7 hungry adults to collectively decide not to touch it, that's really really strange. the potato latka was mostly onion and my vegetarian friend who loves potatoe pancakes simply tried it and scrunched up her face shaking her head. No. NO. I miss my old Fountainhead... Lastly the wings. They tasted very good, but the wings themselves were tiny. The serving is large so its not a huge issue, but they were extremely greasy and the ranch dressing they served it with was so watered down that the dressing beaded off the wings! Imagine that, the wing sauce was thicker than the dipping sauce. A quick fix, but kind of important when it comes to this type of food. The celery the wings came with were more enthusiastically eaten than the wings themselves. There you have it, guys. I still love Fountainhead and use it as a go to for first dates. The only thing keeping it afloat is the the fact that the beer and booze selection is still great, and the monkey bread it still amazing.

    (2)

  • Eryn G.

    Yet again the hostess is just rude.. But thank you for pointing us out to different bars, don't mind taking our business elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Kaitlyn W.

    Would give them 5 stars but they have all those whiskeys and no cocktail menu. However the beer/ cider menu is phenomenal! The Boyfriend got the burger and added smoked Gouda and onions. He said it was the best burger he's ever tasted. Take that kumas! I got the chicken fried chicken. It brought me so much home cooked Sunday evening dinner nostalgia that I didn't want it to end. Not to mention the portion size was well worth the price.

    (4)

  • maurice s.

    Review is for brunch only. It's probably a different place at night. It never ceases to amaze me that mediocre brunch places have lines out the door, while you can be seated quickly at much better restaurants that just happen to serve brunch. Everything was excellent and made in-house. Beer list is outstanding. Service was awesome. The chef was making the rounds to ensure that everybody was satisfied. Bears game on the TV. Very reasonable prices. Sound dampening to keep it from getting too loud to hold a conversation. Not sure what more you could want on a Sunday.

    (5)

  • Linda SingaSong S.

    What to do on a gloomy, rainy Sunday? It's not quite warm enough for the rooftops to be open or to sit outside on this particular day. So we grabbed ourselves a seat at this cozy gastropub with an extra meaty Bloody, freshly squeezed OJ mimosa, and some damn good BACON!!!!!!!!! I reclaim my original Yelp title as "ze Baconator!!!! " I've had a recent separation from Bacon as I've tried my hardest to maintain my clean eating during the week, but { ________sigh_______} what a mistake that was. BRUNCH nomeries: ** Bloody Mary with sufficient toppings of Charcuterie, giant pickle, olives, and hearty spice factor ** OJ mimosa: fresh OJ, sparkling champagne ** Salmon Bagel & rosemary-chive schmear ~Not your typical bagel with a hole in the middle, but they used a fluffy, doughy Everything bagel toasted to its rightness ~ Good schmear. Chunks of chive and lovely rosemary flavor ** Veggie hash with poached eggs ~ chunks of diced potatoes, assorted array of peppers, asparagus, and 2 poached eggs with its ooey-gooey yolky goodness hidden in the center ** Side of bacon (yes PLEASE ) ~ what are they feeding these piggies? steroidal injections ? GSH? whatever it is, these bacon are thick cut infused with applewood smoked bacon flavor. I ended up cutting the bacon into bacon bits for my veggie hash. The ultimate brunch dish. They seem to have an extensive beer, scotch, and whiskey list which we'll have to try another time. Mmmmmm... If you don't believe me about the bacon,,,check out my pic and get ready to salivate! oink oink!

    (4)

  • Claudia K.

    Came in for drinks late night - not a great spot for a larger group. The way the tables are placed right next to the bar, nowhere to really stand and hard to order a drink without asking people to move. Also didn't care for the mixed drink I had, $11 and not as described on the menu. Had a hard cider which was great. Better for a small group and if you can get a table.

    (3)

  • Katie C.

    I was kind of disappointed by this place. The beer selection is AWESOME; don't get me wrong; but I found the food to be somewhat lackluster. We got the monkeybread and I found it to be kind of bland. I also had the jerk chicken sandwich which despite having habanero in it, was also bland. It's a shame because on paper the menu looks really delicious, but on the plate it was just meh. I would be willing to give the food another shot though. I did like the atmosphere of the place; there is a fireplace in there which always adds a nice, comfy touch. But I would say if you want to drink here then grab dinner somewhere else first.

    (3)

  • Jeff G.

    this is really a 2.5 rounded up. been a couple times, i like the beer selection. the food though. the pomme frites were tasty, but the wife and i got a burger and asked for it medium. after a couple bites we realized it was charred black on the outside and was not good at all. we should have sent it back but we didn't. the pork sammy we got was more sliced. i don't know what the menu said, but the wife thought it was going to be more of a pulled pork in sauce type thing.

    (3)

  • Jenna S.

    I'm a bit disappointed with the average overall review of Fountainhead. I was really impressed with our dinner here and I will definitely be back. This place gets crowded, so expect a short wait. It's also very clearly good for groups (and I think they take reservations), so come with a large group if that's what you want to do. The restaurant is cozy and decorated very warmly. We were seated close to the fireplace, which was really comfortable on a super cold Chicago night. The seating does get close, so be prepared to sit very close to the people next to you. Despite the closeness, we didn't even notice the people conversing next to us, which was nice. The menu is large enough, with a lot of appetizers and small plates to share. Prices are reasonable and the food is yummy. We sampled the Wine Cheese, which was super tasty. It was a cheese spread that kind of tasted like fondue but spreadable. They'll also refill the crackers in case you need more. YUM. We both got burgers, though mine was the veggie variety. The black bean burger was really good and I really enjoyed that it was house-made. It's hard to find a restaurant that makes their veggie patties in house. The toppings made the burger really delicious, so I recommend getting the onion marmalade, cheese and avocado. However, even though the burger was delish, the side coleslaw was not good. It was too tart, too runny, too... gross. I regret the decision not to get fries or some other side. However, that didn't really ruin my meal since I was still snacking on that cheese. The beer and whiskey list is overwhelming, so be prepared. There's a lot of rotating drafts and yummy things available, so sample. Prices were good and my husband really enjoyed his whiskey. All in all, a great restaurant in the neighborhood. There's ample seating, nice bar with a TV, tons of beer and whiskey and good food. What more could you ask for?

    (4)

  • Jules H.

    Hipster nirvana here, except for me and my date. We had radish hummus, pedigreed beer and wine, deep conversation. It was a date steeped in romantic realism, objective individualism, and an exploration of the collaboration of collective creativity. It was Bennigan's with pseudo hip moments. Beers and wine $2 more expensive than the corner joint. I was not fooled. And don't see myself hurrying back anytime soon.

    (3)

  • Cara B.

    I would give Fountainhead a 4.5 for the beer/beer selection and a 2.5 for the food. This is a great place if you just want to have a new beer with friends. The food leaves something to be desired. The group I was dining with had the Fountainhead Burger (just okay), the fries (way to salty), mac and cheese (good but not great), the pub cheese (good, but it's hard to screw this up) and the mussels vindaloo (one of the better items on the menu.) Everyone felt that the food was just okay and it's on the pricier side of bar/pub food. I would go back but only for beer and a chance to sit on the rooftop.

    (3)

  • Vanessa D.

    I would have loved to leave a nice review, but on this occasion we had a group getting together for a birthday. A reservation attempt was made the day before, but staff was unclear if we had one. Communication seems to be a problem amongst the staff. They let us stand there for 45 minutes, zero effort to accommodate us or let us know if we should expect a table, actually the hostess was pretty flip about it. If you have a group, I wouldn't bother.

    (2)

  • Rachel H.

    I managed to avoid this place somehow for a long time, despite the fact that my companion works a mere block away. What is wrong with me? Perhaps its my aversion to Ayn Rand. That name.... I finally took the plunge, twice in the past ten days even, and boy am I glad I did. We came in once for dinner and shockingly they still had Southern Tier Pumking which I gladly ordered. The burger I got was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the pretzel bun was, as all pretzel buns are, a nice touch. I got the chips with this and sort of wished I hadn't because I was either too drunk to listen or nobody told me they were sweet potato chips. Some people are probably into that, but the frites I stole from my companion were better. On the second visit, my gal pal and I cozied up to the fireplace at the best seat in the house to gab over beers. Their selection is extensive and seasonal and really well rounded. Very difficult to choose from, though we managed. The wine cheese made a great appetizer, fancy Cheez-Wiz if you will, and our server had no problem bringing us more breadsticks and toasts so that we didn't have to lose our dignity by eating the dip off forks and knives. Fountainhead is warm, festive around the holidays, and near my companion's workplace and several friends' residences. I foresee myself coming back, probably often.

    (4)

  • B P.

    Came here at 5:30 on a Saturday with 2 other couples ... We had 2 children with us and they looked at us like we were crazy for bringing them. This is after I called and asked if they were a child friendly establishment. So I get it... it's a bar... but they claim that they are "Purveyors of fine food/taking a high-end artisanal approach to food" so I'm not there to pound beers/drink whiskey - I'm there to have a good meal with friends/family at an early hour to avoid the chance of ruining someone else's experience. I guess it's shame on me for overlooking the other reviews here stating that the food is average at best and wanting to give them a chance. Not to mention - I called to make a reservation for 7 - was told reservations were not needed for 5:30 - wanted to make them anyway. Once I arrived - was told we would have to wait and was not quoted a time. I didn't want to believe the other customer service related comments here but...... Thankfully we just left - I'm sure we didn't miss much.

    (1)

  • Karen N.

    Good beer list. I think average food, not as amazing as some people give it. It's a comfortable place to hang with friends and get some good food, but not a destination. Burger, mussels, devil eggs, pickled things... all good. Waitress is in a hurry always. I don't think I would go back unless I am in the neighborhood.

    (3)

  • Richard O.

    Not really my thing since I'm not much of a drinker.. All the food seemed heavy and the fries taste burnt. I kind of wished this place would have had something cheesy like a fruit punch or something on a muggy summer weekend. I liked the cake. I think "gastropubs" should have sparkling water. The simple salad didn't really come together. I wished I had requested the dressing on the special salad. It was like someone took the vegetables off a taco and drowned them in vinegar. It'd be nice if they got to opening that rooftop patio I heard tell of a few months ago. For now, I think I'll stick with Northdown.

    (2)

  • Yanyao N.

    Still a great beer and whiskey list, but the food just isn't as good as before. Of all the things I ordered for dinner, the most delicious was the frites with garlic aioli. The monkey bread was so dense that I only took one bite and left the rest for J to finish. (After dinner, he kept complaining that he felt like there was a brick in his stomach). We also tried the crab and polenta small plate, which didn't do it for me at all. The crab was tangy, and that got me a little paranoid. There were also crunchy nuts that shared the plate. The soup was French Onion, and it was...as our server put it: "intense". There were no empty plates, and no leftovers taken home. If you like beer and whiskey, this is still a great place to go. The atmosphere is very cozy - great for the cold weather! Unfortunately, for me, I only really frequent pubs that have food that I really love, so it may be a while before I pop back into Fountainhead again.

    (3)

  • Ed A.

    Great atmosphere, great food, great beer list, great service and good times all around. I like the open space in the room and the seating along the windows. I heard they have a patio in the summer which would be fantastic. Possibly even, a rooftop deck... score! The Monkey Brains for my side dish was fantastic. It was like a cheese, bacon, pancake soufflé, like a complete old-school breakfast condensed into one. It was delicious. The beer list is so extensive it almost feels like you're given a homework assignment when they hand you that thick booklet to review and choose your beer. Not finding something you would like to drink is impossible here. The Andersonville Walker I had was delicious and will be my new go to beer. Employees were quite helpful and fantastic managing space for our party. We were surprised the crowd was so large the weekend before Christmas. I will be back, hopefully to check out the outdoor patio.

    (4)

  • J. Chuck K.

    Great atmosphere, great beer and great food. A friend suggested this place and I'm glad he did. The burger and fries were delicious, while the beer menu overwhelmed me with their many options (definitely a positive). The space does have a cozy feeling to it, but I did feel somewhat cramped. If you get seated by the bar, be prepared to spend sometime with people ordering drinks or just having conversation while they wait for their name to be called. Although the food and and beer make this easy to overlook.

    (4)

  • Mikey M.

    I frequent this pub and I really like it because of two simple reasons: it doesn't get horribly crowded and the atmosphere of the neighborhood is nice and low key. Moreover, with alternative places to eat within walking distance, what is not to like?

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    I literally cannot get enough of this place! They usually have a house-infused vodka available, AMAZING fries, fun atmosphere, great service...I could go on, but instead I'll just dream about the next time I can make it out to Fountainhead. They have an insane roof-top deck too! There's nothing like a rooftop deck on a summer night! But seriously, you have to have these fries!

    (5)

  • Alison M.

    I'm kind of surprised by the low ratings-- they must have had some hiccups when they first opened. But, I went on Saturday, and seems like they've got their stuff together now. We started with the monkey bread and the mussels. Both were great. If there is a perfect hangover cure-- it might just be the monkey bread. Cheesy and rich, with sausage gravy, I'm feeling better just talking about it. And the mussels were delicious-- a full pound of them for only a couple bucks more than what I paid at Sweets and Savories for six lousy ones. For dinner, my husband had the steak; it looked good, and he refused to share, so it must have been. I had the pork sandwich. Phenomenal. Slow cooked pork, aged chedder, and pickles on thick chewy bread. A perfect sandwich. I got the red cabbage slaw for my side, and it was a perfect tangy compliment to the sandwich. While their menu (mostly the entrees) is a little limited, there were plenty of other items that looked delicious, so I'll definitely be back to try them, and to work my way through the extensive beer list....

    (4)

  • Sara G.

    Not only is this place named after my favorite book, but it is now my favorite spot in Chicago! The beer selection is amazing, and the bartender Mike was super-nice about helping me find something I liked. Try the Chocolate Ale - just a taste. Yummy! And the fooooooood! My husband, best friend and I shared a few small plates. The mussels were phenom, the candied tomatoes MADE that dish! Crawfish & Andouille Pot Pie had great flavor, but a little dry (didn't stop me from polishing off what was left of it). The grits and bay scallops were smooth and sweet, so good. We also got the Monkey Bread and gravy. NOM NOM NOM! Tip: Get there early. We got there around 7 on a Thursday and sat at the almost empty bar. By 8, 8:30 the place was packed - standing room only. When we left, my friend wasn't even able to get her coat off of her barstool before someone swooped in to take our seats.

    (5)

  • Nick M.

    This is the kind of place that I can really... kick my shoes off sink my teeth into take a load off get down to business get a bang out of wet my whistle Ok, so the last two might be misconstrued a little but you get the point (oh, I just did it again). It could be my new home away from home... now if I can just convince them to move into walking distance for me I'd be set! So I don't drink beer but even I can appreciate their massive selection and seasonal brews. Their list of spirits is pretty grand as well and they actually have a decent cider brand. The bar manager happened to stop by our table and we all got into a cider discussion, he said that he would actually look into getting in house my favorite brand (which isn't sold here in the States). Whether or not he actually can, it was nice to here that he was excited to try. The food is (pause) very good. Their monkey bread almost made me walk into the kitchen and kick the chef telling him to "get out of here" it was so darn good and the gravy with it "shut up"(drool), I saved that shit and put it on my chicken burger which was also packed full of flavor! The mussels looked pretty good as well, considering my friend didn't say a word till he was done eating them and then sighed. The one and only thing holding back Fountainhead is the service. Other then the hostess and bar manager the service wasn't all that quick. Our waitress seemed kind of grumpy and that was only in the few times we saw her. I understand that she was busy and it's Fountainhead's job to bring in more staff. But I don't think this will prevent me from coming back and often.

    (4)

  • Jenny W.

    I must say, Fountainhead has secured itself as my favorite bar in the neighborhood, with Bad Apple as a close second. The atmosphere is cozy, and I love that they don't have a million TVs spewed about to distract you from good conversation. The beer & whiskey selection is fantastic, and the prices won't break your wallet. They switch out their on-tap beers quite frequently to keep things interesting. Their bartender Mike is wonderful company if you'd like someone to recommend some good brews, or if you just want to partake in hilarious conversation. For intense whiskey drinkers, they have a few-pages-long list of their large selection, complete with ratings on the smokiness, flavor, etc. As far as food goes -- Everything I've eaten has been delicious. However, for a hearty meal, expect to pay a pretty penny. I'm sure these prices reflect the top-quality ingredients that go into making the food. Most of their menu is seasonal, so I imagine quite a few things change throughout the year, but honestly, I like that. My only complaint would be that there have been a couple of times I've ordered something they were out of. Though apparently that's not enough of a complaint for me to deduct any stars, and I'll definitely keep going back. ;)

    (5)

  • Victor V.

    Great beer selection and whiskey if that's your thing. Really cool and relaxing vibe to this bar. Staff was great and it was a good spot to watch the bulls. I only tried the wings and fries so I can't say much about the food yet. However, what I did eat and drink was great. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Karolyn S.

    I'd give this spot 3.5 stars. The good: Food is quite nice. I've been for both brunch and dinner. Both times I had equally enjoyable experiences and would go back for more. The monkey bread is amazing. The fritatta was nice as well for brunch. While not a beer fan, they do have some brews that I very much appreciated. They were also very helpful in selecting a beer that I would enjoy. So much better than Miller Lite. The service was good, but a tad slow at times. Very friendly, laid-back though, so nothing I would complain about. The bad: The construction on Damen right now is terrible. Getting there if you drive could be a hassle. I'd walk or take the el until that mess is completed. It's worth it.

    (4)

  • Monica G.

    Gotta go here for the beer - love ordering from the beer engine. Hand pumped, room temperature, an experience like no other. The menu is gigantic, rotates often and the bartenders are very helpful when trying to pick between a few. I love the atmosphere - reminds me of my favorite pub from undergrad. Weekends get very crowded, never had much issue on a weekday. And the crowd starts to thin out as it gets later, regardless of the night of the week. I do think the food is lacking. Oysters kinda tasted metallic. Salads leave something to be desired. If you are going to eat, make it the monkey bread - cheesy and bacon-y, its pretty great. As long as you are just drinking - I wouldn't miss this place. Top 5 favorite bars in the city easily.

    (4)

  • Sarah S.

    Went up here for the first time last night with some friends who live nearby. The food is really very excellent, as is the beer list - it's everything a gastropub should be. I had the duck confit pasta, which was essentially macaroni (actually cavatappi) and cheese with incredibly tender duck and peas in it. It was completely delicious, and really unlike anything I'd had anywhere else in Chicago, which is a big plus. Their menu is really inventive, and everything that people got was well executed, from the delicious fries to the totally amazing special of the night, which was goat stew. We had brie and apple bread pudding for desert, which was also delicious. Their beer selection was excellent, and I really enjoyed the descriptions of both their bottled and their draft beers - I'm a beer snob, but I don't know every word that appears on a menu like this, and the menu nicely explained everything, and made it easy to make a choice. Ambiance was pleasant, staff was informative and kind. Basically, an excellent, top notch night.

    (5)

  • Malana W.

    The Fountainhead became a joke every time I drove past it because like Keith A. I drove past it so often. Finally, on a random adventure my date and I stopped in. Seating ourselves we were both extremely comfortable in the cozy and warm setting. The server was very friendly when we asked her for her suggestions she showed us a variety of local favorites on the menu. We decided to order a cheese plate (cheeses for the season, some fruit, nuts, and artisan bread some wine) an order of sweet potato fries w/ a variety of dipping sauces (a bit too salty for me but my date loved them), blueberry beer (not sure of the name but it was to-die-for even if it was over-priced), I know there was another brew in there that my date tried which he enjoyed but I cannot remember the name. It was definitely busy and I think the table we chose was a bit too small for our order, but the ambiance was totally worth it. I will definitely be back to try more than just the appetizers.

    (4)

  • Alex G.

    They have a huge list of beer and beverages and the place has a really nice vibe inside. The food to me is just not worth it. You might as well just go buy a bag of chips it'll be cheaper. If you're gonna come here come for some drinks and the ambiance.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Terrible, terrible, terrible food. Service is good if you love hipster attitude. After looking over their large beer list, I order one type of beer. The waiter let me know they were out. Okay. I look over the list again and order another type. He let me know they were out of that one as well. Waiter stares blankly at me. "Why don't you just tell me everything you're out of so we don't have to keep doing this." Blank stare. He finally let me know that he'd be back in a moment to check out what all they're out of. After he gets this information, I'm able to order. Boyfriend orders as well. Beer comes pretty quickly. Food takes a while and is TERRIBLE! Go to any of the other bar & grills in the general vicinity. This place is not worth it.

    (2)

  • Devin B.

    For drinks hard to beat (I am a huge scotch fan) Food was pretty nice too.

    (4)

  • philip b.

    Great, great beer list. Bad, bad food.

    (2)

  • Bernie H.

    I've been holding off reviewing the Fountainhead, since I live around the corner and the crowds when it opened made me feel -- in a completely selfish way, I admit -- that it wasn't my local bar. And we've needed a quality gastropubby bar in the area for awhile. As I've watched it evolve over the past year, however, and the crowds get down to a more manageable size (at least on weeknights), I realize I can't ask for much more in my local place. We've had very friendly, knowledgeable service, and the beer and food has been pretty stellar. The place also has a very warm atmosphere and a nice diversity of age and style in the customers. They really do love their beer at Fountainhead, and the way they rotate and celebrate the excellent selection of microbrews they have on tap is very cool. Yeah, they don't try to be exhaustive like the Hopleaf -- but I don't want a second Hopleaf. They are good editors -- and I've never gone in there without seeing some new brew I want to try. And if you follow them on Facebook, you know they have many themed beer nights where you can get to know particular breweries or styles of beer more intensely. As a vegetarian, I appreciate that they have more than one option, and the black bean patty is a better-than-usual veggie burger. But I do miss the beet risotto -- which was a huge highlight but which I think is now off the menu permanently? Do you hear me, bring back the beet risotto! :) Anyway, Fountainhead does a good job keeping it real.

    (4)

  • Evan H.

    Meh, exactly... Last night was my second experience at Fountainhead. Seriously doubt there will be a third. Can't say anything was terrible WRONG with the experience, although when we asked to be seated on the rooftop deck (intending to eat dinner), it would have be SUPER helpful if the hostess had told us that the rooftop does NOT serve FH's full menu. Not sure who came up the the rooftop food offerings, but none of them jumped off the page at me. I've dined on several rooftops in Chicago and have never had an issue ordering from the full menu. This just seemed strange to me and I think more effort should be made to alert patrons that only a truncated menu is available upstairs. We ended up having one beer, then heading north a couple blocks for burgers at The Rail. And about the rooftop space itself... After its long-awaiting opening, maybe it's like a movie you've waited forever to see. You wait and wait and wait, your anticipation building, until finally you go check it out and...LET DOWN! To me, there was nothing open and airy about the space. It felt dark, enclosed, and a little claustrophobic. I'd estimate that 30-40% is covered with a roof, and there are large panels erected around the space's perimeter, ostensibly to block the sun. These things combined to create a weird half indoors/half outdoors atmosphere. Just didn't do much of anything for me. Meh. No reason to go back.

    (2)

  • Heather S.

    My hubby and I went last night to the "it might get hoppy" event. We really enjoyed trying the different beers that they had that evening. If you haven't tried one of their theme nights yet, give them a try. They are alot of fun. Our server was attentive, but not intrusive. She was always there to ask us if we wanted another beer the second we had finished one. Because she did such a good job taking care of us, we lost track of how much beer we had, until we were already a little buzzed. All in all it was a fun evening, and we are looking forward to the next event.

    (3)

  • Linda H.

    It's times like this that I wish you could give separate star-ratings for food and service. I was looking forward to going here after reading the menu, and hearing good reviews from friends (who we went with). We were fortunate to nab a table right away when we walked in on a busy Saturday night. I asked beer-expert friend to choose a beer for me from the extensive menu. After we sent the waitress away the first time she came by (it is a BIG beer menu) we finally made our decision, and upon ordering were told that they were out of the first (3?) choices, at which point waitress realized that we were given an outdated beer menu....so about 20 minutes in we finally got our beer order straightened out. Once we got the current beer menu, they were still out of a few things we wanted. Oh well. We ordered a couple apps, including the monkey bread which was SOOOO good, and the salt cod fritters. BF and I both ordered the braised beef sandwich with fries, and friends ordered a burger and soup. Apps were gobbled up, and sandwiches delivered. We slowly started nibbling whilst waiting for friend's soup to be delivered. By the time we could track down the waitress, we were halfway done with our sandwiches (still no soup). A while later, waitress comes by to tell us it will be a couple more minutes for the soup (wtf?). The soup finally comes (the rest of us are completely done eating at this point), and it was the weirdest presentation...it was like an average size soup crock, filled up about halfway. It just looked like she didn't get a full portion of soup...I mean, fill up the bowl, or use a different bowl! I wanted a second beer, but it always seemed like the waitress just wasn't present, or was just too busy. By the time she was available, I was done eating and just didn't want another one. The food was all really excellent. Friend said it was one of the best burgers he's ever had (or maybe he said it was the best?). Our sandwiches and fries were great, as were the apps. So, I'm thinking 2 stars for service and 4 for food. If I lived closer, I could see myself going back to sit at the bar and have a sandwich or apps, but I certainly wouldn't make a special trip to go there...there are just too many other places to go!

    (3)

  • Erin J.

    We went to Fountainhead for the first time last week and have already been back twice! We LOVE this place! They reprint their menu up to three times a week because of how quickly their draft beers change...with this said, their menu is OVERWHELMING but our server did an amazing job helping us decided on a beer that was right for our taste. The food? Excellent. Overall an awesome experience, awesome environment and we will of course be back!!!

    (5)

  • AJ W.

    the drinks are good...but GEEZZZZ They mess up the bill BIG time. They are now 2 for two. This time they gave me someone else's credit card (granted, they did look similiar)....this caused a lot problems over the following days. so...i just don't know if I'll go back regardless of how good the menu is.

    (2)

  • Helena B.

    Look, I'm in Scotland! Actually, I'm in Ravenswood. Also, I'm in love. Told to seat ourselves, we did - in a roomy, dark-wooden bench. Cozy. Initial service was a touch slow, but we filled the time reading the famous beer list. The beer list is so large it is housed in a wooden binder. Not only does Fountainhead carry quite the variety, but said binder explains each and every brew so you can select with confidence. We drank like kings. Also, we ate. To start, we split the Monkey Bread - pull-apart, yeasty bread studded with cheese and bacon. Perfect. For my entree, I had to go with the Hot Pink Risotto in part because of the name and also because it was beet-y. That's right, beets. Beets are tasty. Their red-ness mixed with melted white cheese to make the titled pink color. I ate nearly all and made sure to spear out every last beet. Boyfriend had the smoked mac and cheese with sun-dried tomatoes and duck. Yeah, he clearly won this round. I kept sneaking more tastes of his dish because I just couldn't get enough. I can't imagine a better dish to warm up a winter evening. No dessert this time, but we shall return.

    (5)

  • Samuel M.

    Chicago is not wanting for solid beer selections, and it's difficult for a suds merchant to stand out. The Fountainhead carves a nice niche for itselft; while it isn't in the highest echelon of this city's beer temples, it's certainly knocking at the door. The list offers ~20 drafts, ranging from local favorites such as Emmitt's to obscure and delicious brews from Belgium and Switzerland. They also got dibs on some of the first Deschutes offerings to make it to Chicago. Beers are priced well (topping out at $8 for obscure and imported drafts), and the vibe is generally pretty cool. My one gripe was the service; it took a long time for us to get drinks, even factoring for the crowd. However, all ire I may have had went away after the first sip. I'll be back the next time I'm barcrawling in Lincoln square, for sure.

    (4)

  • Mark H.

    Fountainhead was my most recent dinner out. The interior was inviting, I thought it was a little too cold to check out the beer garden. Nonetheless, I have this page to talk about food. I ordered: Grilled Jerk Chicken Sandwich. It stated marinaded in habenero, cilantro, & citrus. I see "jerk", & I'm expecting certain strong flavors. Allspice, cinnamon, cayenne, etc. Plus you add habenero in the description as well! I received none of that. Just a hint of spice, & the char from the grill. I was fairly disappointed. The zucchini goat cheese tart, was a little bland, & needed, well, more goat cheese. The fries however, were awesome! I would return simply because I want to try more of the menu (& fries). I ordered a Moscow mule, which some places have no idea how to make, & it was spot on. 2.5

    (2)

  • Kristina D.

    We visited Fountainhead for an evening out with friends. No reservations are accepted so the place was packed when we arrived. We spent about forty minutes at the bar sipping on Original Sin's hard apple cider. I also had a shot of the Koval Lion's Head Dark Rye. More and more I'm appreciating the gastro pub experience in Chicago and Fountainhead has decent food (their fries are amazing) and an extensive whiskey list which is great.We had several small plates to share and then some larger entrees. All in all, the food was good. It's definitely not for a quiet night on the town but the service was efficient and friendly. I'll definitely be checking them out again.

    (4)

  • Brent W.

    Right then, i've been up and around this neighborhood for nearly 2 yrs, driven past this place numerous times, heard many a ppl from the area singing its praise, but not until last night, had I had the chance to experience Fountainhead. Woah! Nearly 30 beers on tap. Upwards of 80+ by bottle. If beer aint your thing, no problem. The ubiquitous brew output is nearly equaled by their selection of Whiskey, Bourbon and Scotch selections. Lord have mArcy. The wooden bound menu is well over 10 pages long with a detailed description of all things alcohol. On an IPA kick of late chose the Dogfish Head Apri-somethingorother...it infused real apricots into this completely drinkable 7%ABV IPA....magic. Backed dinner w. a forgettable but tasty enough Malbec. All good. Mussels. Outstanding if not a bit smallish....the broth was shot-worthy. Monkey Bread w. a side of sausage gravy...as the quintessential biscuit and gravy lover, this was phenomenal. Other members of our party had the cheese plate which i tried and it was predictably good. Oysters were also above ave, presented well and overall tasty. [x] will be back

    (4)

  • Laura J.

    I would never say the food was great here, but it's become pretty decently bad. I had the same over-peppered-gamey-hockey-puck burger some other reviewers have mentioned. With a 3 hour wait now to get on the roof top, I don't see a reason to return again.

    (2)

  • Timzie C.

    I've been to Fountainhead a total of 3 times now. The first was not too long after they opened. I went with my roommate, her boyfriend, and a few other people to celebrate his birthday. Everything was okay, except I had ordered a sandwich, and a key part of it it was missing. I pointed it out to my waiter who just halfheartedly apologized and offered to bring the part that was missing on the side. Whatever. The second time I went was last September and I just had drinks with a friend on the roof. Nothing earth shattering, and no problems. I ended up going again this afternoon with another friend. We each had one drink up on the roof after work before leaving. Our waitress was nice enough, nothing to write home about but nothing to make a stink over either. She maybe checked on us twice during the hour and a half we were there. When we got our bill, which was $13, we each threw in $10 and the waitress took our bill. And then she disappeared. We waited and waited, and finally after about 10-15 minutes we had to flag her down and ask for our change. She seemed really flustered and we saw her go over to the cash register looking for our bill. She just assumed she was getting a $7, or more than 50% tip. Now I don't mind tipping well if someone deserves it, but don't assume you are getting all the change. That is completely presumptuous. When she did finally bring our change back in the little black check folder, she threw it on the table without a word and walked off. Needless to say, we left her an even smaller tip than we would have if she had just brought our change back without assuming she was getting it all. I will definitely think twice before going back to this place.

    (2)

  • Andy M.

    This place always gets top ratings and publicity in newsprint as one of the finer bars in the windy city. All they have is a very exclusive wine and beer selection. The food was pretty bad and the look is not the best despite its cool window location at Damen and Montross. I just don't think this place is anything special. no poool table and only one Tv way in one corner. This is a place for beer snobs that somehow think beer actually can have thousands of tastes.

    (2)

  • Lindsay H.

    I'd give them 2.5 Stars but not an option. So the beer selection is great but the staff is super rude. I asked a questions about a Belgium Beer and the bartender rolled his eyes at me. I pretty much only drink Begluim so I knew what I was talking about but my question was almost not allowed.... I usually will just ask instead of trying but when you are buying a beer that's a bottle and over 15 bucks you ask. I went to grab dinner last Saturday and it was my first time eating there. For anyone who has not been there check out the menu before you go as they have 4 different sandwiches and 4 entrees. I'm not one for a veggie burger so there was 7 options left. Then the waitress told us they are not serving the Steak or the Salmon anymore becuase the fall menu is coming out... down to 5 options to pick. We decided to share a Burger that we ordered Medium Rare and the mac and cheese. The burger came out Well done and charred on the outside and the mac and cheese wasn't anything special. My boyfriend liked it but I think he was comparing it to the burger. I will definitely not be back for eating and the poor food quality makes me scared of the quality mussels they probably use, and not sure about you but I don't to get sick. Also makes me sad they never got the permit to open the rooftop patio.

    (2)

  • Leanne A.

    I started coming here when they first opened, and I'm not sure when they became so popular! I don't come on weekends anymore, because the wait is too long, and there's not a good wait-space. However, weeknights are perfect. The atmosphere at Fountainhead is really cozy, especially the little back room with the small tables. As someone who is just now starting to like beers beyond cheap, light stuff, the beer list is overwhelming for me. But it's really fun to read, and I just discovered the Kasteel Rouge, a tart cherry draught that is awesome! I could have three glasses of it. Their bread pudding is a great dessert, but the trouble is I want to order it each time I go! I've also tried the sambal chicken sandwich--loaded with spices and flavor! But lacking in toppings. I'd like this with lots of veggies. I also had a poorly constructed italian bread salad, but it seems that has died off the menu. The food seems to be improving. Over the summer, they talked about opening a rooftop patio. But it didn't happen...how I would love it so if it appeared this summer!

    (4)

  • Jennifer B.

    Food is very basic. I ordered a burger - it was OK, I think Slim's at the corner is better (sad for Fountainhead). My friend ordered the BBQ brisket - he said it was fine, the cheese plate...don't bother, for $12 go to Whole Foods and go home, it's cheaper. The drinks were fine = total $90. Yes, $90 - my next $90 lunch will be at Gibson's or similar. We both left over 1/2 of our meals on our plates to be cleared. You be the judge. We did go upstairs to check out the rooftop deck, wine & sangria = $23. We sat next to the manager doing inventory, he must have been super busy with his calculations, since I asked him a question about a beer and he ignored me.

    (2)

  • Carly O.

    I was worried. After reading some of the reviews, I was expecting REALLY BAD service. But c'mon. A gastropub that some are claiming is even better than Hopleaf? Even if the hype isn't true, it's still worth checking out. I went on a first date here on a Friday night at 8 pm. After the hostess informed us that the wait would be 30 minutes...AT LEAST, we finally managed to wave down the bartender for the beer on cask. It was lovely. In less than 30 minutes we were seated (at the unfortunate table right near the door, but hey, this beggar ain't that choosy), The monkey bread is DELICIOUS. I think I saw someone say the portion was too small. But I thought it was just right for two. The idea of an appetizer is just a few bites so you don't get filled up before the main dish. It's like a cinnamon muffin. With bacon. Served with what can only be described as pork gravy. I enjoyed mussels and frites. The mussels were nice and large. They were served on top of the frites, which some people might not have liked due to their lack of crispiness. Luckily for me, soggy is the way I like 'em. My date had the beet risotto and enjoyed. He claims the mac and cheese is the way to go. I'll be sure to try that next time around. Our waitress was very friendly and came by just enough. I have absolutely no complaints about the service she provided. I think Fountainhead is a great addition to Ravenswood and I'm already dreaming about scarfing down the monkey bread and trying a new beer when I go back.

    (4)

  • Quin C.

    Look no further for a good Beer Selection! This might be one of the best beer list I have seen outside Belgium. We started off with the Monkey Bread since the waitress suggested it. Gorgonzola & bacon pull apart bread with sausage gravy?!?! I got in trouble when I tried to lick the bowl when we were done! AMAZING, I could and would make it a meal! She had the Scallops on bacon risotto, very good, however I wasn;t a fan of my swine swoon...too much pickle not enough swine! This is clearly a place that you "come for the beer, stay for the food." I will go back over and over for the beer (and Monkey Bread.) I really felt like I was in a pub and I could just drink the day and evening away in there! I hear the roof deck is cool, will give it a try if that is the case but I loved the inside! (With a glass of beer going from $5-$45, hard to gague cost.) If this bar is out of your way, it will be more than worth it!

    (5)

  • Anthony P.

    I love the gastropub trend going on these days as it brings the best food in a rustic yet comfortable setting. I have only been to the Fountainhead twice but the atmosphere, food and service has been consistently good. Nice variety dishes and sandwiches with a European twist. I would, however, skip the cheese fondue which had very little body and flavor (that's coming from a Frenchman so take my word for it). Also the wait can be a bit frustrating but nothing a few beers can't take care of. The burgers were fantastic (pate, onion marmalade and smoked gouda are some of the delicious toppings you can have..!). Long story short, loved it and making it a weekly stop. Go for it.

    (4)

  • Christine F.

    We went to the Fountainhead with some friends Saturday and we were generally pleased at what we found. First of all, it's crazy busy Saturday night. Like, complete insanity. When we walked in the hostess told us that the bar area was at capacity so we would have to find somewhere else to stand, haha. Ok, Holy SHIT huge beer menu! There's something for everyone at this place, in terms of drinks. I enjoyed my beers very much (I am a sucker for the Belgians) and was hoping the food would live up to the massive and delicious drink selection. I ordered the mac and cheese, plain (no duck for this gal). It was good...except...IT WAS SERVED AT ALMOST ROOM TEMPERATURE. Ugh. That realllly put a damper on my meal. I didn't want to be THAT PERSON and send it back, but geez, guys, mac and cheese isn't terribly savory when it's not hot. The flavor was good, though. Great drinks, good flavor of the food but the fact that my hot dish was served lukewarm was very, very offputting. I can't say I will be back for the food, but I will return for the drinks.

    (3)

  • Laura P.

    Got a little booth in the back nook on a busy and cold Friday night. It feels like a real pub, cool. But I have to work tomorrow so I'm really just needing the food to be good. Sriracha deviled eggs. I could've eaten a dozen. Seriously. And I am very serious about deviled eggs. My companion had a whisky flight and I had some samples just to taste...all good. All recommended by our server who was most definitely swamped but he was an absolute pro. Dig it.

    (4)

  • Laura K.

    I live nearby so I've been here several times. I'm a solid fan. It can be a bit pricey and the wait can be annoying. But the food is good and the whiskey list is long. I was pleasantly surprised by the brunch, which was really good. Though the biggest pro here is the roof bar. It bumps my rating up a star.

    (4)

  • Freddy F.

    Rooftop bar is where it's at, great summer hang out spot. Beer list is great, and the wait staff are all very good and helpful. I'm not a huge fan of the food menu, I think that it tries to do too much, but it might be something that other people like. Overall, great bar to visit.

    (4)

  • Carl B.

    Came in on a Friday for drinks with my friend the day before his wedding. We were seated right away and the service was excellent: invented some tasty shots, crafted some great cocktails. When the tab came, drinks for the groom were on the house. Great night.

    (5)

  • Kathryn G.

    Go for the beer, not for the food. The bartender was great and so was the beer selection. The food that came out of the kitchen was not worth the wait. Our first app came out within 15 minutes or so but the next one was served 30 mins later with our entrees. My husband liked the ribeye but I thought the pork shoulder sandwich was a waste of time. The place was really crowded and it was hard to have a conversation. Go to drink but not for dinner. Much better Gastropubs to chose from.

    (2)

  • PJ T.

    Absolutely awesome! Tons of beers to choose from and what's more, they let you taste before you make the commitment. Oh yea !! The food selection is limited but what they have is really good. Don't expect anything traditional. Their shrimp diablo and bruschetta were very innovative and delicious. We had the Old Lincoln Ave entree and the sausage was just mouthwatering. I like !!

    (5)

  • Rex M.

    Hey I like this place. Great beer selection. Food selection is mostly comfort food stuff - mac-n-cheese, pork shoulder sandwich, etc. IT's a loud place with bad acoustics so be warned. It really is hard to hear your friends with there's a lot of people in the place. But hey, they're new so give them a break ! The hostess was sooooo nice when we walked in the door. That was awesome. Great first impression. Made me feel like we were welcome. Very casual place - no need to dress up. I'll go back i'm sure. Cheers !

    (4)

  • Amanda C.

    Fountainhead has it all (except a rooftop hint hint)! The food has gotten sooo much better. The service has improved tremendously. My boyfriend and I were in last night and it was ridiculously busy but we found two seats at the bar luckily. Our bartender (Mike) was very busy with customers but was very attentive to everyone. With the bar packed our beers never went empty, He told us the food would take a while but made sure we knew his name and to let him know if we'd been waiting too long. But we had beer so who cares! Sausage came quickly and was fantastic, fondue is creamy and delicious, and the salad was nice and fresh. 5 Stars!

    (5)

  • amy c.

    food-decent drinks-good, decently priced bartenders-poor: poor service atmosphere-decent-why wasnt bar tv on though speed of service-slow hopefully things improve

    (2)

  • Regina W.

    I visited Fountainhead a few weeks back for my co-worker's birthday dinner. It was AMAZING! I'm not a drinker but I noticed that they have a WIDE selection of spirits for those that choose to partake. The fries are excellent but please make sure that you try the macaroni and cheese with smoked gouda and chicken. It was WONDERFUL!

    (5)

  • Nikki G.

    Been here for drinks in past but finally got to eat tonight. Fried chicken with Gruyere mashed potatoes were delicious. Great beer list too.

    (5)

  • Bill T.

    We loved this place in up and coming Ravenswood. Awesome beer selection and the food is creative and delicious. Make sure you get the Pub Cheese as an app along with the Gar Parm Wings - they are delicious. Try the Turkey Sambal or the Fountainhead Burger for your mains and don't forget the beer - many on tap and a huge bottle selection! We had a recommendation to try this and we were sooooo glad we did - Sooo I am recommending this to you too - good vibe, great bartenders, and an excellent stop.

    (4)

  • Mark W.

    Food was okay. Mac and cheese was kind of basic. But good. Great beer menu. I'd go back, but probably wait until we can go to the outdoor space!

    (3)

  • Monica K.

    Fountainhead is pretty busy every time we go in there, but we're always able to get a table! Service is usually really friendly and pretty prompt. Unfortunately, I never like the beer(s) I try when I go! For example, this past weekend I tried the Jolly Pumpkin. The description made it sound so good so I was super excited. BUT, when I brought the cup to my mouth to take a drink, I got a whiff of dried pee/B.O. I couldn't even really taste the beer because it smelled so funky. Ew.

    (3)

  • Samantha L.

    Went here with the boyfriend on a sunny Saturday around lunchtime. All the nice window seats were taken so we opted to sit at the bar. At first the bartender threw us a couple of beer menus and walked away, to which I said to my boyfriend "what a bitch." He agreed which means that she did act inappropriatly because he would have put me in line if I was in the wrong (or if I was the one being bitchy!). I politely asked for food menus, and she seemed to turn that bitchy frown upside down because from then on out she was great. I don't know if she heard my comment, or maybe she just isn't automatically friendly, but the rest of the service was great minus my immediate impression. Moving on - the beer menu is super extensive. I will also mention that most of the draft beers are no more than $7, and a lot of them are %9! I have to admit that I was a bit hungover and wasn't in the mood to drink all all, so I will be back to booze it up at a later date. I was there to eat. I ordered the mussels and my boyfriend had the jerk chicken sandwich. Both were great. The mussels were especially good. And the prices were great. I love that you can order fries with the mussles, and they put them in the pot! to soak up all the juices and garlic! It was great! I might not order that as an entree again though because it was quite decadent and I had a bit of a stomachache later, but in hindsight it was worth it! I think that the atmosphere, beer selection and prices make this a great place. And the food is really good! It is higher end better tasting food for the same price as a bar that serves throw up on a plate [*COUGH* (Pitchfork on Irving) *COUGH* ] for the same price! That is all.

    (4)

  • Stacy M.

    I moved like a 10 minutes walk from this place in May and I can't believe I just stopped in here for the first time Thursday. I had a dinner date down the street and we came in here for a drink afterwards. Huge selection of beer! I had no idea what to get so I asked the bartender for a suggestion and he gave me one that tasted exactly like what I was hoping for. My date ordered a Matilda and thought it was really cool they actually had the Matilda glass for the beer. Actually I noticed they had a lot of different glass types so I'm guessing that's their thing? The atmosphere is dark but in a cozy way, in fact they had a fire going in a fireplace so def a nice intimate spot for conversation with a date or friends. I have a feeling we'll both be back soon!

    (4)

  • Simone C.

    I really wanted to like Fountainhead. We were escorted into the warm and cozy dining room by a very nice hostess, we passed three lovely tables in the window. We landed in the back room. We were seated at a tiny, makeshift table in the back, by the kitchen and the waiter station. Suddenly I just didn't feel welcome at all and it was freezing! Other people have said this, but it bears repeating. The waiter was awful. He just dumped the menus on the table; with no offer to explain the pages and pages of beers. I must be old because the type was unreadable in the dark room. I ordered a cider. It arrived warm and drippy. The Gorgonzola and bacon monkey bread was a brackish, doughy blob. We ordered the duck. It arrived cold in the center, but done on the outside. The plate was a bloody mess. The waiter snottily informed me that "duck is supposed to be rare." Yes, but cold is not rare and usually it is scored so it cooks through. It was the first time I have ever sent something back. So why even 1 star? I have to give the restaurant kudos for not allowing minors after 8. I do miss bars being for adults only and am glad to see someone taking a stand.

    (1)

  • j d.

    GOOD: Fountainhead is a very nice looking, well-appointed bar. They seem to have a nice selection of higher end beers and liquors, and the atmosphere is very nice. They have done a beautiful job of building out the interior with dark woods, and the interior isn't nearly as dark as it appears from the outside. BAD: For the type of food they are attempting to create, the price-to-quality is very poor. Rather than accomplishing nice bar food, they are failing at delivering upscale bistro food. For example, the pate was extremely over-seasoned, to the point of drowning out any other flavors of the constituent ingredients. The frites, as they describe them, were far from actual pommes frites--what they charge $9 for is basically Sysco fries that come from a frozen package. However, I heard from some friends that these were not the usual frites they served, so maybe they had made a cost saving move. The result was very disappointing. Overall, I would say that they have an amateur chef; they need to either invest more into developing their menu and the execution of their food, or charge less per plate and make the type of bar food they can competently accomplish.

    (2)

  • nancy b.

    tough call....i really really like the extensive beer and whiskey list, the promise of an outdoor patio (when oh when is it opening!) and the general feel of the place. i was a bit underwhelmed by the food menu and the dish i ordered in particular. it took me about 15 minutes to make a choice, and usually that's because i am battling on deciding on one entree. in this case though, nothing was jumping off the page. i went with the ostrich tacos. i've never had ostrich but expected it to be similar to duck as the waiter suggested. it was quite tough and the taco shells were rather bizarre; they were soft on the inside with a chewy rim. i will definitely go back there, but i hope to see some new items on the menu!

    (3)

  • Thongsy S.

    I was very excited to see that a new bar opened up in my neighborhood. Unfortunately, I never got to try this place and probably won't. I called in to request a reservation since I was expecting such a large group of people for a birthday party (20+). The person who answered the call said that they typically don't take reservations but that he'll discuss it with one of the other managers and will return my call. Two weeks later and still no word!!! For such a new place to have bad (or lack thereof) service really discourages me from even checking the place out! If you didn't have the capacity or didn't want to take the reservation, at least have the decency to call back when you say you would!! Fortunately, I was able to secure a reservation rather quickly at The Bad Apple...kudos to them!

    (1)

  • kevin c.

    This place has a good beer menu. It is varied and extensive. The food seems a bit limited however. The staff can be inconsistent. Being out of some beers is alright, but explain so at the beginning or keep a list of them for the day. Overall, an ok place with an excellent beer list.

    (3)

  • Carri C.

    Beer list is extensive. Food is ok-they should have more choices and the prices are a little high. Seating on the roof deck is tough to get to the point of I am sick of trying. Service is mediocre.

    (3)

  • Valerie B.

    This is billed as a gastropub and is a fairly large operation at the corner of Montrose and Damen. My how this neighborhood has gentrified! The immediate area has quite a few restaurants and upscale stores. However it's surprising to see that the city isn't squeezing every last penny from parking as street parking is FREE. It is also possible to find a spot too! We went as a group of six. The decor is the ubiquitous pub look, lots of wood and brass. The seating consists of booths around the perimeter of the room and tables in the middle. The booths are not diner comfy booths but more utilitarian pub seating and are sort of skimpy for six people. However it suited our purpose as we do not get together all that often so were busy in conversation. I imagine someone who was looking for a comfortable restaurant wouldn't find this met the bill, but perhaps sitting at a table is better. There is an enormous drinks menu with the emphasis on beer. The server told us we could sample a couple of beers if we wished to make our selection (a nice touch). I am assuming you can only sample beers on tap. The food menu is divided into small plates, big plates, sandwiches, snacks etc. We chose big plates and shared other big plates as starters. The majority of people on a Saturday night were ordering sandwiches and they looked good. I started with the broccoli and quinoa and I have to say the grain part was very good. It was very tasty without any overtones of sack cloth and ashes health food. The broccoli was nice and crisp - not overcooked. I then had the Amish half chicken. The chicken was a small chicken so was not an excessive amount of food as half chickens usually are. It was spiced with a hot pepper and I am still working out how they did it because there was no evidence of a rub on the skin. Anyway, there was a nice sense of heat. Both the leg and the breast were nice and moist, not so easy for a restaurant to do. The bed of roasted corn was really good. Those of tried the duck confit pasta loved it. Others in our party chose the roasted salmon. The menu claimed the salmon was glazed with barbecue sauce but everyone was scraping off an excess. They all were in agreement that the barbecue sauce was overkill. We also felt the desserts were a weak point and not worth the calories. Ours tasted as if it came from the nearest supermarket. Service is not so hot. Refilling of water glasses, return on the waiter etc. is not exactly stellar. There was a huge gap between our appetizers and entree. This didn't bother us as we were busy in conversation and appreciated no pressure to turn the table. However, if you are hungry and in hopes of getting your food before you become faint, this may not be the best place for you. To be fair, it was Saturday night and the place was packed.

    (3)

  • Lauren G.

    So far I have only had great experiences at Fountainhead. Great drink selection, good food and a nice atmosphere. The last time I was there I had a server named Allison who not only remembered me from the time before but recommended drinks that she thought I would like off of what I had been drinking previously and I loved it.

    (5)

  • Ami H.

    Have been to Fountainhead a few times now and it has safely secured my favorite spot to drink. There beer menu is so extensive and complete that it is almost impossible not to find something that you will love. They also have a lot of obscure beers that I haven't seen any place else. The whiskey/scotch list is also a sight to be seen (and sampled). The new menu ranks each selection by smokiness, sweetness, price, etc. So helpful if you want to try something new. All I've been talking about so far is the alcohol but the food menu is nothing to overlook. They have a great selection of appetizers, sandwiches and full entrees depending on the meal. All of the plates are unique in a familiar way, just different enough so that you can't get it any place else but not so out there you don't recognize what you're eating.

    (5)

  • Jim G.

    Excellent beer and scotch selection in a warm and mellow atmosphere. Try the monkey bread.

    (4)

  • Whitney R.

    Fountainhead has great food with a few vegetarian options, but if bad service can ruin a meal for you I wouldn't go here for dinner. It's too bad because between the quality food and great beer list i could eat here weekly. I keep trying to go back and hope I can get a beer within 5 or even 10 minutes of being seated but it always seems to take 15 to 20 minutes if I'm even that lucky. Work on your service and Fountainhead could be deserving of five stars!

    (3)

  • Jenny Z.

    Love Love Love this place! The dark wood, fireplace and comfy booths. I really want to move to Ravenswood so this could be my local. I came here to meet with a friend and really wish I hadn't eat dinner already so I could have tried the many impressive gastropub menu items (lots of meatless options too). My extremely hipster waiter was helpful and knowledgeable of all the beer selections. I am going back next week.....

    (5)

  • Martin F.

    I had dinner here tonight, after a friend recommended it. I love my beer and hearty food, so my expectations were high. They were exceeded. I started off with the Käsekrainer, which was subtle and juicy. Not at all heavy, which is an easy trap to fall into. Next, I had the split pea Spätzle - oh my god. I grew up in Augsburg, Germany, the home of Spätzle, so I was apprehensive. Many American chefs make this staple of Swabian food too heavy and dense - not the case here. This was light, fluffy, the mushrooms were perfectly sautéed. It's a great variation on a German standard. My dinner companion had the duck confit pasta - she loved it. All the while, we sampled the vast beer menu, with the help of one of their very knowledgeable bartenders. He said he was still learning - after four months there. That should give you an idea of the depth of the menu! We finished the meal with a 21 year old bourbon - the Fountainhead Elijah Craig. It was cheaper than the 20 year old one from the same still. Soft, almost buttery, with vanilla on the finish. Overall, I would say that the chef understands how to cook for people who like beer and refined spirits. I'm in town through Monday and I am coming back.

    (5)

  • Yohsuke K.

    This place is growing on me. I really like the beer and whiskey selection here. And the food is good too. Let's get down to it. When you get in, the dim lighting and the wooden decor everywhere made me feel very cozy. The front host staff have been friendly every visit and for the most part had little to no difficulty seating for three to four people on weeknights. When you get your menus, you'll get a long, one page menu made out of thick card stock, while the other is literally a book, hehehe. The food menu is on the small menu, which is divided up into small plates, entrees, sandwiches, and the like. I've had the bacon nuts, the monkey bread, the mussels, and a couple of their sandwiches. All those were pretty good, however the monkey bread was a bit lacking in quantity for its price tag. The black bean burger they have can be a bit crumbly, but the thing is huge! I'm not one for veggie burgers, but this one, made with black beans, oats, and quinoa works for me. But it's nigh impossible to fit into your mouth because it's so tall. The mussels were probably the best thing I've had here so far. The spicy bits of sausage along with garlic and fennel work so well with the mussels. Now for the other menu, the drinks. As any gastropub should, there is an extensive list of beer, whisk(e)y, and spirits to be found. Unlike most places however, the prices are pretty decent! Yamazaki 18 yr. for $11 is pretty good saying that when I do find it, it inches close to or above $20. Their draft selection is very good, and they have a massive selection of bottled beers. Lots of love for the BPAs here, which is my preference for beer. They even offer a carafe of spring water when you ask for Scotch neat too. Also found a Scotch I don't see often, An Cnoc. And a bunch of others I can't put my finger on. Overall, their selection is pretty extensive and affordable to the point where I can just sit and chat away just for drinks. The service overall is pretty good. They give recommendations on their favorite food and drinks, and also come just often enough where they don't bother you too much, but not to the point where they've forgotten about your table. Also, I had dessert there, which was this vanilla bean cheesecake. Delicious! Very smooth texture, with small flecks of vanilla. Subtle flavor of vanilla was just right for this cheesecake. Looking forward to trying more of their cakes because they commission someone specifically just for their restaurant. So, yeah, I'll be back, and often. I'll see ya'll there with me.

    (4)

  • Heather K.

    Fountainhead is a great addition to Ravenswood. The owners did a great job reading the market because a Gastropub is exactly want this neighborhood needed. The beer list is amazing - they were one of the few Chicago pubs to receive DogFish Head's Bitches Brew! The draft list is always rotating with new and exciting beers. I'm not much for whiskey but those that are seem equally excited by the options. As for the food, they still have some kinks to work out. Everything is good but nothing is GREAT. My partner and I have tried just about everything at this point and the highlights are the Pork sandwich, the crispy salad, mac and cheese, and the egg salad. Last night we did a PreFix NYE Beer pairing dinner - which Phil Kuhl (certified Cicerone) did a wonderful job. Happy New Years, Fountainhead!

    (4)

  • Zaven K.

    A good place for a drink...good luck getting in. Food was disappointing to me, and the service was so-so, which made me wonder why it was full of people. Beer and whiskey selection is quite good, and I should say my companions ate burgers and would not shut up about them. I did not try a bite of their burgers, but tried the Frites...they were almost indistinguishable from McDonalds fries...not nesscesarily a bad thing, but at these prices, Ill grab a Super Size large fry at Mickey-D's and save $4. I ordered "Pleased to Meat You" and was underwhelmed. Got a single slice of pork pate, a bit larger than a playing card. A tureen full of rillets, about a full cup. then, apple compote which tasted more like cranberrys or raisins, and grainy mustard...all meant to be spread on bread or crackers...the bread I was given was the last 2 inches of a baguette, cut in 5 slices. If you can explain to me how Im supposed to spread all those rillets on that little bread, after eating the underhwealming pate, Ill pay for your next meal there. I asked for extra bread, and the waiter brought me 3 more slices of the same size as above. Stupid. Admittedly I may have ordered the wrong thing, but its sad to say that this dish was a clunker. I may give them another chance at some point. The Crowd seems to be the spot where Wrigleyville people go to meet Lincoln Square people: a combination of snooty women out on the prowl and meathead facepainter douchebags needing to be in the newest Gastropub. UPDATE: I have since returned to Fountainhead and they have make some adjustments to their menu and things are way better. Turns out my first experience there was during their opening weeks, before they worked out the kinks. Food is excellent and booze is good too.

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    Went to this place on Sunday night after reading reviews about so many amazing new gastropubs opening up. I was skeptical about how fantastical this place really would be, and I wish I hadn't been. The beer: extensive list....extensive meaning an actual binder of beers/whiskeys/scotch available. Just crazy. The food: The menu is small, but the food is amazing. Had a burger with sweet potato chips. The chips were perfect. They also had some sort of slight cinnamon taste to them which, oddly enough, made them taste even more spectacular. My date had a cheeseburger with fries that he seemed to think was wonderful. The bar itself is very beautiful to look at and the waiters/bartenders very knowledgeable and attentive. The bartender we had, I think his name was Mark (?) was great and honestly, very easy on the eyes :) The dreaded hipster vibe I thought we would encounter really never presented itself which was nice. The major thing that struck me out of the whole experience was the eclectic but perfect playlist overhead that seemed to mirror my own. I can't wait to go back. Definitely worth the trip west.

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    Pretty standard "gastropub". Good food, insane beer selection, and comfortable ambiance. Table service left a bit to be desired, otherwise no complaints.

    (3)

  • Andrea G.

    Went on a Sunday night around 9:00 after seeing a play. We were starving and needed a drink! And I had been wanting to stop buy and see what this place was all about. We walked in, and there was no host, which is fine, but there was no suggestion that we should "seat ourselves" no greeting, nothing. So we sat at a table. It was mildly crowded, but there were open tables. One server dropped off menus, and another greeted us. The first server, not so friendly, the server who actually helped us all night was awesome. After looking through the menu a large group of people walked in. They started to filter into the table next to ours, but obviously there was not going to be enough room for all of them. The first server (who dropped off our menus) came by and said, " there is a large party sitting next to you, so it might get crowded". Hahahahahha. Instead of asking us if we minded moving, it was just a weird situation. So we volunteered to move for fear that we would get sat on. We ordered and the food came out quickly. Duck Duck mack, and the pork sandwich (which tasted like a Cuban). It was good... especially for the prices. The server did check back a few times. It was extremely cold in the place, and QUITE loud. I would go back if I was in the area, but it wouldn't be a destination. I would like to check out the rooftop when it opens and isn't raining!

    (3)

  • Tiffany I.

    Amazing beer selection! I have been to this place plenty of times already, and will keep coming back. Once the rooftop opens, this place is going to be killer.

    (5)

  • Michelle L.

    Bruschetta was delicious - great asparagus flavor. Creamy chive egg salad was excellent. The pretzel bread made it just fantastic. The black bean burger, unfortunately, was bad. O'Shaughnessy's pub has a much, much better one. But the pretzel bread, aged cheddar, fresh tomato and lettuce were at least fresh and good. Great beer list, though we just drank water. Waitress was perfect - came around to check on us but didn't hover or disappear. Will definitely be back. Plan to eat frites and mac and cheese - and egg salad!

    (4)

  • Jon D.

    Nice atmosphere, great on a cold winter day. Fantastic beer list, including casks. I wanted to like the food more than I did, the menu was creative, but didn't fully deliver. Prices are reasonable, and nice time for a good evening.

    (3)

  • Natalie T.

    I had a basic salad, which was giant and delicious with spring mix tossed in citrusy dressing as well as the cheese soup. It was spicy and had nice chunks of potato in it. My better half had the black bean burger, which seemed home made and was good other than being pretty dry--it almost had a overcooked falafel quality. Service was a bit strange--there was at least 3 people working our table, but they were busy. We'll be back on a slower night.

    (3)

  • Scott S.

    Opening night at Fountainhead! I had the mac n' cheese and the wife had a portabello sandwich. Both delicious. Fries came with a curry mayo and what I think was a dill tahini sauce. It reminded me of London. The drink menu is one of the best in town with two hand-pulled beers and a scotch selection that gives Duke of Perth a run for its money. There's still a few snags to work out, such as the ordering system that didn't give our request to the kitchen on the first go, the prices in the printed menu that don't match what's in the computer and the credit card system that went offline. My wife also says it's a little too dark to see the "W" on the door of the women's room. Overall it's like a new shirt you just put on with the creases still in it: you can see where it's going and it will be great once they iron out the kinks. Three stars.

    (3)

  • Ryan R.

    If you don't like beer or aren't a scotch drinker than don't go here. I love the stupid people that complain about the place because they didn't like their beer. Now that we have them out of the way we can continue. If you're looking for a unique spot in Ravenswood this is your place. The beer and scotch menu are incredibly extensive and their prices are incredibly reasonable. If you're looking for a typical pub to go watch a game and drink cheap miller lite, this is NOT your place. Yes their menu is limited but we were very happy with the shrimp diablo and mussels-- really garlicky on both. The duck mac n cheese is awesome. They said roof deck will open in August- so call it 2011! I'll def be back

    (4)

  • Ophelia P.

    Went here for a Mother's Day brunch and almost had the place to ourselves. Ambiance was great, nice decorum, relaxing but intriguing. Was able to read the menu online prior to arrival a plus for someone like me who is picky. Lots of great items to choose from, very broad selection for the range of offerings. Also wonderful service! Food was brought to table by either the chefs themselves or some other wonderful servers! We also had ordered appetizers.. these fried donut thingys and all I'm gonna say is mmmmmmmm. Impressive alcoholic menu and even a section for none beer drinkers (which is me sometimes) that includes mead and non-alcoholic drinks. A plus if your on a first date say and you don't know if your company will be as intrigued by the pages long beer list as you are. Really I can't complain, we took our time to get going and weren't harassed or pushed or overcrowded. You'd swear your stepping out of place and walking into Lincoln Park. not onto Montrose Ave. Kudos :)

    (4)

  • Justin W.

    Still not sure what to make of this place, it's not quite a pub, not quite a restaurant, and not quite a brewpub. I mean I would not watch a game here, nor would I go specifically to eat. I guess that's where it falls flat. I would not go out of my way to eat here, and I have no interest in watching a game here. There's really no specific reason to go as the food's not really outstanding in any way. The seating an lay out even restrict a group outing. I could see where it would be a girl on a dates dream spot. A bar where you can drink and your date can't mentally check out watching a game.

    (3)

  • Jen T.

    It's New Years day.... Frankly, we went here because it was open (after trying to go to Bad Apple which was closed). We've been curious about their beer list although we've heard so-so things about their food. The atmosphere- Nice, dark wood, spacious booths. An overall nicely designed space. The beer list- Pretty darn impressive. I'm not a huge drinker but even I was excited to read the descriptions and try a few things. I like Stouts and they had a bunch. My husband tried a number of things ("Hair of the dog," right?!) My friend had a delicious seasonal Cider. It tasted like Christmas in a bottle. The hot chocolate was DELICIOUS! The food- It was okay. The Monkey bread was really good but took a long time to come out. I ordered the Swine Swoon and I liked it but didn't love it. My husband had a buger and he liked it. Our friend had the black bean burger and really didn't care for it, although he's a picky eater. The service- Just fine. It was kind of slow which was fine for us given that we were hungover but on an ordinary day, I'd like more attention. Would I go back? Yup, but more for the drinks than the food. I wish they offered beer flights so that a novice beer drinker like myself could try a bunch without banking on a full glass/bottle.

    (4)

  • Daniel P.

    Great beers. Come on guys get the bottle list done so we can enjoy them too. Didn't eat, but menu looks great. Excited about coming back for the Duck Duck Mac and Cheese! They did a great job on this place, looks great!

    (5)

  • David M.

    Great beer and whiskey choices. Monkey bread - 10/10 Pork shoulder sandwich 9/10 Service could have been better but they get a mulligan as it was St Patricks Day weekend and waitress did explain they were slammed

    (4)

  • Steve Z.

    the lyonais potatoes (served with the hanger steak) was the best potato dish i've ever had. the spicy chocolate creme brulee w/ bacon brittle wasn't too shabby, either. the service is inconsistent.

    (4)

  • Craig T.

    Not a gastropub. They try to be, but just don't quite make it. The mussels have improved (they actually had some salt this time!), but everything else was just bland. Good beer/whiskey selection though...

    (3)

  • Eric M.

    As a big fan of Bar on Buena, I really wanted to like this place, but I just found it to be ok. The one large plus is that the bar is well stocked (unless you're a wine drinker). The beer selection, both draught and bottle, is excellent and the whiskey/bourbon list is even more impressive. The problem is that a busy place with just two bartenders makes it difficult to get a drink if you're just at the bar and takes awhile if you're eating. Our server was nice but she was so busy I think she spoke with us just a couple of times. The food was good, not great. The baked potato sauce for the fries is outstanding. The savory monkey bread not so much. If I'm in the area and it's a weeknight I'll happily stop by; it's too busy otherwise.

    (3)

  • Rachel Y.

    Okay why have I not discovered this place before? Really nice bar setting, great drink list, really impressive service and the food was amazing! I can't comment on the beer but their wine list was very impressive for a pub setting and they make very very good martinis (and they were so nice to include extra olives). My friend ordered the hanger steak and they actually cooked it medium rare and it was absolutely fantastic. I got the macaroni and cheese with shredded duck and sun-dried tomatoes. And yes, it was just as good as it sounds. Only downside is no outdoor seating but that won't stop me from going back. Also it wasn't too crowded or loud which was a nice plus - very comfortable. I'm used to going to Hopleaf and the crowds can get to me sometimes so I think this may be my back-up.

    (5)

  • Deborah B.

    My man and I went to Fountainhead just three days after they had opened, on their first Friday. We were there around 7 or so and had ordered our first round of beers from the many fantastic selections on tap.My second drink was from the wine list a GREAT Zinfandel offered by the glass. For starters we chose the Stammtisch Sausage plate and the Bruschetta. Both were great-but the bruschetta was a bit saltier than I prefer-I suppose it is because of the olives they include-hence the "Meditteranean Bruschetta" . Was good but really reminded me of a tapenade more than bruschetta. BOB has an olive tapenade that is amazing-so maybe FHD should just stick with a straight up tomato bruschetta. Second course-I was not very hungry so I ordered the Shrimp appetizer as my entree and my companion the Hangar Steak. I hate to say this but both the shrimp and steak were served to us nearly cold. Steak ironically also was way overcooked and resembled charcoal. Shrimp I am sure was amazing if served hot. So why the four stars??? Obviously, I realize this place has JUST opened and this as mentioned earlier being their first weekend of dinner service, I am sure will improve over time. That being said, if I ordered these items at an established restaurant I would not be so lenient. Also-our waitress was very nice and accommodating. Then there is the amazing draft, cask, whiskey and scotch selections. Finally-the ambience and decor were amazing, as well as the beautiful bathrooms. Yes I always check out the bathrooms especially of a new resto-for cleanliness amenties, decor etc. We will definately be back to try the food again-and if all else fails there is a new place for us to go and get drunk in the neighborhood this summer.

    (4)

  • Little G.

    Service was a little lacking. Our waitress announced that the kitchen was understaffed, so the food may arrive slowly (on a Sat night). The great beer selection made up for it.

    (3)

  • Katie C.

    Love this place. It really has something for everybody and every friend I have brought here has been thouroughly impressed. Very extensive beer list with many different tastes and brewing styles.Also the quality of the food and ingredients is astonishing for the mid-range price point. The cheese and cracker appetizer is much more decadent than you would expect with rich soft cheese in the middle and thick peppered crackers. I had the black bean burger with quinoa and sweet potato chips. The black bean was innovative and hearty also it was served on a pretzel bun. The sweet potato chips, as my boyfriend put it , tasted like doughnuts. On past occassions I have tried the bread pudding which is amazing and mac and cheese both really good. The environment is cozy but casual. I highly reccomend this place to anyone.

    (5)

  • Dennis Y.

    I'll come back for beers, whisky and maybe, dessert. On a wednesday it took forever to get under-seasoned, copycat gastropub food. Execution is not this place's strength. The swine sandwich was uncut, the sourdough was not toasty or grilled, the pork was just texture, with very little flavor. Belly-same. Just tasted like pork. Upon reading the menu, one expects something that doesn't resemble what arrives an hour later, and upon seeing the food on the plate, one expects it to taste unlike what it does. Nice idea. Great beer selection. I'll definitely come back for brews, but will not plan on eating here. This place is trying, but doesn't quite reach for what it aims. Oh, and there are dates galore, so much so that I kept waiting for the whistle to go over to talk to the lady at the next table. Hmmmm

    (3)

  • Jennifer S.

    They are still working out some kinks after only being open a couple of days.....but we enjoyed the beer and the food. Looking forward to going back again.

    (4)

  • Jenny R.

    Good food. Excellent beer selection. Horrible service! Bartenders were rude and the waiter seemed to care less about serving us. We barely saw him and had to keep flagging someone down to find him to order drinks. He was definitely uninterested waiting on us. We planned to stay all night, but left immediately after we ate to go somewhere else with better service.

    (3)

  • Levi M.

    Atmosphere is very dark but not quite brooding. The beer selection is five-star and I'm pretty picky about beer. Prices are great for the beer and decent for the food. I ordered the Beyond Grilled Cheese which had really good flavor but the bread was way too crispy. To the point where it hurts your mouth. Still good though. Service was good considering how busy it got later in the evening. The one thing I can't figure out is the barrel room. We went there to find a table for five, but I just felt like I was hanging out in a coat closet or something. Access to the bar from back there was nice but just felt very strange and a bit awkward. Overall, if you like unique and tasty beers and whiskeys (such as served at Bar on Buena) you will enjoy this place.

    (4)

  • Anna R.

    I've been to Fountainhead a couple times and while I've had beer there, I'm just reviewing the food - the appetizer frites are good - with tasty dipping sauces. I ordered the Braised Beef Burger and it was so delicious, seasoned well, and tender. It's always been crowded there so that's a good sign! The waitress was nice, but since the food took longer than usual to come out, she took off our appetizer from the bill.

    (4)

  • Alicia E.

    I think I've just found a 'regular' place for my friends and I to visit. Great beer selection on tap (that apparently changes), over 120 different bottle beers, very fresh food with a twist, and an off the chart whiskey selection. PLUS (and this is a big plus) it's reasonably priced. I really hope it stays that way. I had the Spicy Salad with arugula, shaved parmesan, kalamata olives, radishes, and a cherry vinaigrette. Ummm yummm. My boyfriend had the Swine Swoon, which he swooned over. I had to try it and it was well cooked and flavored. I'm going back and splurging on the Crème Brulee w/ dark chocolate spicy pepper infused and bacon crumble. I mean, come on - spicy dark chocolate + creme brulee + bacon...that just has to be sampled.

    (4)

  • Joe H.

    We ate at Fountainhead last night around 7. We were warmly greeted and seated by the host who took a few extra seconds to explain some exceptions on the menu and discuss the establishment's recent opening. So far, so good. I went, safely, with an Ayinger draft and she had a Green Abbot Ale. I decided on the Jerk Coffee chicken sandwich and she had the pork shoulder sandwich. Our meals arrived quickly, which was very nice, though our waitress arrived too quickly after that, inquiring as to the flavor of the food, when one glance would have told her that neither of us had yet gotten that far (pet-peeve of mine). The flavor of both sandwiches was "fine" but not really as savory as I would have expected from the menu descriptions. The chicken was fairly dry, though I've come to expect that from restaurant chicken. We decided to split the bread pudding for dessert, and I chose a Buffalo Trace bourbon on the rocks and she had a glass of red. Both pours were reasonably priced AND generous, much to our delight. The bread pudding, while having good flavor, was far too dry. We desperately tried to sop up the meager caramel sauce with our bites as to moisten them. All-in-all, though we were underwhelmed by our meals, we are anxious to try other items and are convinced that with some tweaking, even our somewhat lackluster choices can be improved. The service was roundly good, and 4 drinks, 2 entrees and a dessert only totaled $50. Not bad. Bit of constructive criticism re: the menu: While not an expert on fonts and layout design, I found the menu difficult to read. The subsections of offerings were not presented in a larger, bolder or underlined font. The organization seemed a bit discombobulated, with entrees at the top of a page, and sandwiches below, with not demarcation between them.

    (4)

  • Jamie W.

    Loved it! The Mac-n-cheese, Mussels and Diablo Shrimp are awesome!

    (5)

  • shell h.

    I ordered the mussels with frites to find out that they put the frites (fries) in the actual sauce with the mussels.. mmm mashed potatoes with mussels. The waitress played it off that it was an actual belgium custom, weird I've had mussels all over and on the east coast and never did they drench frites in the actual sauce.

    (2)

  • Matt S.

    We went to Fountainhead's new roof deck this past weekend; and I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed. I've been to Fountainhead on numerous occasions, the food is great and the beer list is substantial. The roof deck; however, has a different menu?? We ordered the Red Chicken Curry and some kind of pork rib sandwich. Their first attempt at our order was a failure; they brought out Red Tofo Curry and a portabella mushroom sandwich. We notified out waitress, she apologized and said she'd have our correct orders right out to us. 45 to 50 minutes later we received our order... The Red Chicken Curry was pretty good; the rib sandwich was bad. The meat was too tough, the bread was rock hard and resulted in me cutting up the roof of my mouth, and the coleslaw tasted like water and lettuce. On the flip side our waitress was great, she did comp the food portion of our bill. We'll most likely go back to the roof deck; it's a great space, and the beer is as good as it is down on the first floor; we just won't be ordering any food.

    (2)

  • Dan S.

    I love this place. Killer beer and booze selection, great food, nice people. Really just what we needed in the area.

    (5)

  • Ronald A.

    Just returned from dinner at this place. Was really looking forward to hitting this spot. Immediate seating on a Friday evening, nice. Waiting 10 minutes for any type of recognition, not too bad. The waitress, apathetic, the only word I could use to describe her. No Absolute vodka, no Belvedere vodka, no margaritas, no Miller lite beer, not so good. The food, well left quite a bit to be desired. Beverages were served, food came out, no check back from the waitress until she cleaned off the table. As a second thought we were asked if we needed anything else. Overall, poor service, food not so good except for the fries or also called frites. Will not be back! I should have checked these reviews first. Too many other restaurants around that have much more to offer, like nice people who know how to treat guests.......

    (1)

  • BonnieNClyde z.

    Great selection of whiskey & beer, reasonably priced, far away from the downtown crowds. Would definitely go back if ever in Chicago again!

    (4)

  • tony f.

    I've been here a few times now. If you're a beer drinker (which I'm not) then this place is for you. The food is okay, i've had the steak (excellent) chicken (decent) black bean burger (meh). Its kind of loud but the ambiance is cool, it has a very irish or english pub vibe. its kind of pricey as far as pubs go though, so if you're looking for a place for cheap drinks and eats - this is not it. but if you're looking for a place that's a little classier than most pubs then you've found it here.

    (3)

  • N P.

    Delicious and great choice of beers. Good alternative in case Hopleaf is too busy.

    (5)

  • Scott W.

    I was stoked about the possibility of a bar opening up right across the street from my house, so when Fountainhead opened, I just about (insert bodily function here)-ed. The beer list is incredible, and it seems to change regularly. The place has been packed almost every time that I've gone in, so that has to say something... The menu is small (for now, supposedly), but if you order the right item, your life will change dramatically. Two words: "Jerk Coffee." Order this and you will have only one reason to live, and that will be to return to Fountainhead and consume the Jerk Coffee sandwich again. Get it. Seriously. As I said earlier, their beer menu is incredible, and if you only drink Miller Lite, you will have to try something new for once - they don' t have it (in case you're wondering, I think that's a good thing). They have quite an extensive list of scotch, bourbon, and whiskies, but I have refrained because I would hate to vomit my Jerk Coffee sandwich back up. Moral of this story: go there, order the Jerk Coffee, and then keep going back over and over again.

    (5)

  • Andrew V.

    I had an interesting flight of three beers (loaded with flavor!), all of which were interesting and compelling for a hot day. I also had a cheese pairing that was well matched. (Perhaps the final, strongest flavored pair was a little less than perfect in pairing.) All-in-all, a very good experience for the palate. Service was good.

    (4)

  • Amanda C.

    Fountainhead has it all (except a rooftop hint hint)! The food has gotten sooo much better. The service has improved tremendously. My boyfriend and I were in last night and it was ridiculously busy but we found two seats at the bar luckily. Our bartender (Mike) was very busy with customers but was very attentive to everyone. With the bar packed our beers never went empty, He told us the food would take a while but made sure we knew his name and to let him know if we'd been waiting too long. But we had beer so who cares! Sausage came quickly and was fantastic, fondue is creamy and delicious, and the salad was nice and fresh. 5 Stars!

    (5)

  • amy c.

    food-decent drinks-good, decently priced bartenders-poor: poor service atmosphere-decent-why wasnt bar tv on though speed of service-slow hopefully things improve

    (2)

  • Mopsie B.

    A friend lives in the neighborhood and we decided to spend the cold, snowy night enjoying the warmth and friendliness of this pub. First of all, the beer selection is dizzying. You name it, they have it. To appropriate the slogan of another favorite watering hole, there is "no crap on tap..." or in bottles, for that matter! There was lambic, hoppy Belgians, chocolate stouts and even a delicious pear cider from NY. The service was warm and not overly hovering. The place got more crowded as the night wore on and some people stayed a long time (present company included!). My one complaint is that everything is really high fat fare with a high emphasis on bacon/pancetta. Also, when I asked about bread to go with my salad, our server told us that there wasn't any. But when I got my shrimp diablo, there was bread with it! There was also bread with my friend's mussels. So...why did she have to lie?? I think they should have bread available, even if they have to charge extra for it. The sweet potato crisps were addictively good but $2 for a tiny bowl of them is kind of a lot, especially when you don't have any other salty snacks for bread available. Overall, I would definitely go back but wish they would make a few improvements to the food experience. I don't think there is much to be improved upon with the beverage selection or ambience.

    (4)

  • Suzy Q.

    Cozy interior and impressive drink selection. A neighbor warned that the service there is spotty, but I decided to give the place a try. Unfortunately the service was very poor. Went there for dinner on a weekend night and was greeted by a grumpy waiter. The food took a long time to arrive and was lukewarm when served. The coffee was served cold and was terrible. The waiter never asked whether we needed anything or how we enjoyed our food. No offer of dessert. The entrees were average. I had high hopes but probably will not go back.

    (2)

  • David W.

    I really like this bar; the beer selection is amazing and the staff is knowledgeable and nice. One thing I like in particular: if I've never had a beer they'll give me a small amount to sample it. This means I'm never going to spend $6 on a beer that I end up hating. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it's a bit pricier than I like (but understandable given the rarity of the beers), and I've never eaten there so I can't comment about the food. I also wish they had more international beers rather than American beers which are trying to imitate international styles

    (4)

  • Charles P.

    Hey not bad!! Three Stars...good beer / affordable wine and tasty eats! Try the mussels.

    (3)

  • Birds N.

    Loved! First off the last star is not given because the two person table not for two its for one. Please give people a bigger table for their water, beers and plates of food that are so large! The food well the food is FANTASTIC!!!! Mac and Cheese with peas and duck confit was perfection, the burger and fries were beautiful. You will be stuffed after eating there! Its for sure a great food place. The waiter was wonderful and explained many beers to my husband who is a beer person. Although $45 to me seems silly for a beer but what beer people want beer people get. Will go back again and again!

    (4)

  • Andres T.

    Fantastic beer selection and beer events regularly!! Food menu could use some changes / more variety. Rooftop is stellar! "why only 3 stars?", you ask. No matter how many times we go in there, (years), no matter how many times we talk with the manager(s) (frequently), they always seem to ignore us. In fact, it's like they have never seen us before. This goes for the entire staff as well. (one exception, however, a young lady bartender, who always has a smile and a "hello, how have you been?" for us) The staff here is in dire need of customer service education. I have seen the 'beer guys' at other beer events around the city and they come across as arrogant and not to be bothered. A little goes a long way fellas. Once the 'hype' of this place dies down, people will see your true colors, and no rooftop deck will fool 'em. You want good beers and no pretentiousness, go to Local Option!! (in fact, there are plenty of places that serve a good variety of beer with at least some recognition of your previous visits.

    (3)

  • Melissa R.

    Loved it! Sat at the bar and had awesome service from a knowledgeable bartender. Ate wonderful mussels with pork belly, as well as a sinful mac n cheese with duck. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Michael M.

    I am a fan of the beer selection. However, my friends said the burger was not as good as Five Guys. And the Scallops--3 on large plate with a tiny bit of rice (where was the bacon?) underneath. The tiny snap peas were nice. Next time they should have use a smaller plate!!

    (4)

  • Laura M.

    Awesome (and huge) beer selection. The food was pretty good, too. We ordered the monkey bread appetizer (bread with gorgonzola and bacon). I was a little disappointed that the bacon and cheese weren't really distributed throughout the bread, just at the bottom. But my entree, the duck mac and cheese, was awesome. I'll definitely be going back to try more.

    (4)

  • DL L.

    Went in for the first time last weekend. I was referred to this place from a friend of mine that recommended great burgers and beer. I just moved back from San Diego and had some friends in town so we headed to the Fountainhead for dinner on a Friday night. My friend is a " beer connasieur" so I heard they had a wide selection of craft beers. Very impressive and extensive list of beers so my friend was excited. The ambiance was great for a Friday night. We got there at the right time because a little while later, the crowds started pouring in. Loved the way the place looks with a fireplace, brick walls and a great bar. We had the burgers and a black bean burger. My burger was on par. I asked for it medium and that's what I get. Delicious burger on a pretzel bin. Yum! And the fries were great too. I will definitely be visiting the Fountainhead more often now that I am back in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Gina M.

    We live in the River North area and went specifically for their beer selection, which is good. Felt like eating by the time we got there, so told the host we were there for dinner. Sits us at a tiny table shoved up against the wall in the back room, with a round top the size of a half dollar. Seriously....it was comical that they were actually going to attempt to serve plates of hot food on it! Fine size for clubbing and just drinking,though, but seriously? Our 2 glasses of water dwarfed it even more. When we politely asked if we could have a larger table, the host said, "no" because they have to save the slightly larger tables for parties of 3 or more. When we asked to talk to a manager, he shows up with a pretentious, arrogant little attitude of, "Well, if you don't like it, you can leave." Granted he didn't say it in that manner, but it appears they are all about the profit....the profit.....the profit....and couldn't care less about good ol' customer service and repeat business. Somewhat sad, though, and considering the neighborhood, the manager's pretentious attitude was not only out of place, but downright silly.

    (2)

  • Margaret Q.

    You can always count on the Fountainhead for a great time. Get there early, because it does get crowded! The beer list is one of the best in the city, and the knowledgable bartenders are friendly and helpful. My husband and I recently went to their Wild Ale night, and with so many choices on the beer menu, I felt a bit overwhelmed. But the bartender/beer guy had some stellar recommendations, and I went home very happy (maybe a little too happy for a work night!) I've noticed that the food menu keeps getting better-- we had the mac-and-cheese and salami salad at a recent visit-- both were really good and paired nicely with the beers. Mussels are always a good bet too. They almost always have food specials that pair well with whatever is on tap that evening. (Also kudos on the creative events.) Overall, Fountainhead is a comfortable, neighborhood place with an amazing beer list, and a food menu that works well with the star of the show (the beer!)

    (5)

  • Allison J.

    All in all, I was pretty darn satisfied with my Fountainhead experience. I ordered the Beyond Grilled Cheese (melted brie and fruit compote) which was... good. But nothing incredible. Certainly not something I would scream and shout about. I know this is a weird thing to say, but I was really distracted by the bread-to-filling ratio. Too much bread (this feeling intensified with every bite as I managed to scrape the roof of my mouth over and over again... those clever toasty baguettes). So yeah, nothing spectacular. I would, however, kill a man for the Burger and I would probably kick a puppy for the Mac & Cheese. But the real winner was the Lindeman's Framboise. Holy crap, it was like this delightful little puckery kiss from a cherub, sooo refreshing on a summer's day! I will warn you though, it comes in a dainty little feminine glass, so macho-men beware. I'll definitely be back to get my raspberry fix, as well as participate in some good old fashioned people-watching out the floor-to-ceiling windows. Thumbs up :)

    (4)

  • nicole u.

    i really want to like this place. it's so close to home, they have good beer and bourbon and the menu has great potential. unfortunately none of it makes up for the crap service. i have been here 3-4 times, usually just for drinks, but occasionally have food. the olives and food they don't do much to is good. the concepts for the food are good. unfortunately, the food is not so good. return to the original frites. don't over salt your mussels that already have salty sausage in them. and in the name of all things holy, don't serve me a grilled cheese that has sat long enough that the cheese is no longer melty. the final straw was when the bartender got me another drink and then looked at my friends' empty glass but made no move to sell him another. said friend had to ask for another. then, the guy disappeared. literally. as in not to be found for 20-30 min. the barback finally got us our tab and some water. we did see waiter through the window as we left. and as you may have guessed, there was no warm farewell salutation...not even a hint of a y'all come back now. no worries, i won't.

    (2)

  • Klay K.

    I stopped in last Saturday evening at 7PM to beat the crowd and did just that. About 15 minutes after the 2 of us were seated the place filled really filled up. We were seated in the far Northwest corner which unfortunately put me right under the blowing vent of the air condtioner. We ordered drinks, and appetizer, and our entrees at the same time. I ordered the Hangar steak and it arrived luke warm. It was tasty and well worth the $12, but it should have been hot. They forgot our Moo appetizer. I told our server to cancel it since we were already eating the main course, and she asked if we wanted it to go but we declined on that offer. So drinks and food were pretty good and reasonably priced. The big problem here is that it's extremely loud. They had the music very loud which was corrected half way through the service, but everyone continued shouting at each other because it's the only way you could hear the person across from you. We had to repeat almost everything we said for the entire dinner which is exhausting. That may be fine for some random bar, but for a gastropub or other dining establishment it's unacceptable and just not well thought out. I may return in a few months to see if the shortcomings have been corrected, but my expectations will be much higher the second time around.

    (3)

  • Matthew F.

    I went here the second night it was opened, and was very happy with almost everything. The beer selection (for this neighborhood) is unparalleled, and the menu looks great. I ordered the burger, which is always the first thing I order at a new place. The flavor was great, but it was cooked well beyond the medium that I ordered. I'm not too concerned about how it was cooked at this point; I'll make that decision on my next visit. My wife ordered the coffee jerk chicken sandwich (i don't think that's what it's actually called, but it's something like that...) and it was fantastic. She doesn't have the palate for spicy so she ordered it sans spice. I'll be ordering that the next time, but with the spicy. I love the spicy. The frites are delicious as well. I concur with the previous review about the perfect amount of crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. Everyone at my table was good and sauced by the time we left, and all of us were very happy with every beer we drank. (Especially the Dragon's Milk from the beer engine.) I can't wait to go back and drink more.

    (4)

  • Jb B.

    Over the holidays after picking up my granddaughter and her 4 yo son, our first stop was@ Fountainhead. Weren't sure if the atmosphere would be ok for the little one. We were delighted when we graciously were given a table in the back. Our server, Caroline Horist was terrific. I am gluten free and she made sure my order was the same, even offering gluten free beer. The menu is not typical "bar food". But, when when husband ordered the burger, (a very picky guy) he couldn't rave enough about the quality. I had the pan seared bay scallops... YUM. We also had the cheese fondue; fun and plenty. Caroline easily brought us more apples to keep (gluten free me) and the little one happy dunkin for cheese. Prices are on the mark for the quality, neighborhood. I'm told the Sunday Bloody Mary's are awesome. I wouldn't recommend normally bringing kids in the evening, just because. By the time we left the place was abuzz w people enjoying the atmosphere, and each other. All in all highly recommeded.

    (5)

  • Karin K.

    Hooray, another fun restaurant & bar in Ravenswood!! Nice selection of beer, wine and whisky, decent food and a fun atmosphere. The food wasn't bad - their bruschetta was tasty and so was the spicy salad. There are a lot of meat and cheese dishes on the menu too, for those looking for something more solid. Rumor has it their patio will be open in July and will have a full bar too. Looks like it will be a nice place to bring parents for a casual outing, a good place to grab a drink, and a great place to sit in the sun once that roof opens.

    (4)

  • Pat m.

    Great beer and whiskey selection. Interesting appetizers, great sharing portions. I had a cheese platter that was bountiful, party had great sandwiches. But's what with turning the TV off if a Chicago game is not on? And one TV ? Understand if they don't want to be a sports bar...so remove the TV

    (3)

  • Calin D.

    Hummus fans, check out the smoked hummus here! I'm a huge fan of hummus, I truly am, so when I heard that Fountainhead has smoked hummus, I had to try it. It's now near the top of the list for me. That said, the rooftop at Fountainhead is not to be missed, especially on a beautiful day before the ice, dark, and cold arrive in Chicago - so get there while you can! The hosts, server, and kitchen staff are all fun and polite as well as efficient, and the layout of the place leaves plenty of room to hang out while still feeling cozy. There are several seasonal local brews on tap, for which I was grateful, and two different menus to choose from, (one for the roof and one for the main dining room downstairs), which means you can have your choice of style. I opted for the chef salad, which I had made as a wrap, with house-made chips and pickle. I also tasted the hummus wrap after having the hummus starter, and it had a little bit of a spicy kick to it! (So now I'll get that next time I visit.) If you want lunch on a nice rooftop, Fountainhead is a good bet! Cheers!

    (4)

  • William B.

    I don't exactly feel qualified to review this place. It seems like it's striving to be the local option for folks who live at Montrose and Damen, which I don't. And who needs somebody coming into your neighborhood and eating once at your local and then reviewing it on the internet? At the same time, I do feel compelled to comment that I can't quite figure out what this place is trying to be. The menu is a little long, a little involved, and has the chef's name sprinkled throughout, suggesting some pretensions of being an actual restaurant, rather than a very nice bar with food. But the food I had wasn't so unusually good as to justify that focus, or to justify the way our waitress was pushing it on us. To add to the confusion, if you want to eat on the nice patio upstairs, you get a different more limited menu. And rather than being limited, as you might hope, to classic bar food like burgers, fries, or macaroni & cheese, all of those items are taken *off* the menu upstairs. As my dining companion said, I would probably have given up every item off the upstairs menu for some french fries with horseradish sauce. So I don't really understand why this place is trying to be something other than a very nice bar with food. Or maybe I do understand, and don't approve.

    (3)

  • Jason T.

    I want to like this place more than I do. Cool vibe, great beer selection, cool rooftop, but things just don't add up. For one, the food is ok at best. And it's waaaaay overpriced. Ambitious menu for sure, with local, fresh ingredients, but come on, a sloppy joe with only chips is $13?????? Also, try not to act like you're a River North lounge with Logan Square attitude. It doesn't work for you or anyone else. I'm on the rooftop in the afternoon sun and you're playing silky slow lounge music? Boring. There's other joints (see Bad Apple) that do it way better in the Square.

    (2)

  • Renita M.

    A friend of mine suggested this as a meeting spot with good food and a good beer list, and I was happy to oblige. Trekking in from the 'burbs I tend to think about parking but she assured me that it wouldn't be too bad. Sure enough, I found a spot on a side street, about two blocks away, and since the horrendous cold had temporarily abated, it was not a bad walk. I was a bit early (overprepared for city traffic) so I sat at the bar for a little while to wait. I was served promptly and sat chilling with my beer, listening to the guy next to me prattle on and reading over the beer list. One note, if you're at the bar and later move to the table, they won't transfer your tab over - so if you're one drink and moving, don't start a tab. We then moved to a table, tucked in the back near the kitchen. The waitress was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. We split the hummus appetizer -- the smoked hummus was REALLY good. I had falafel and my friend had the mac n cheese. I tried a bite and it was yummy. The falafel was warm, crunchy and tasty; the fries were outstanding (Old Bay seasoning, I think). A note on the beer list: they had maybe a dozen taps? Not a huge amount but very solid, and the bottle list was very long. They seem to have a lot of unusual bottles, especially large format - great if you want to share. While I don't get to this neighborhood a ton, having a friend nearby to explore with means I just mind end up here again.

    (4)

  • Tad D.

    They refused to provide an estimate of how long the wait will be. They would tell me "there are 20 parties" but not how long it would take to seat us. Not even a very rough estimate such as 5 minutes or 5 hours. There are no buzzers or text alerts, either. I refuse to participate in such stupidity and will never visit this place again. I will also encourage my friends to stay away. Seriously, the arrogance of this move is unreal. Who do they think they are, Charlie Trotter? It's a freaking neighborhood pub. There are too many good restaurants around here to put up with this bullcrap. Try Fork, Gather, or just about anywhere else. We went down the street to Glen's Diner and had a great meal on their patio with fantastic service.

    (1)

  • Christian V.

    Let's just say bacon seems to be a major theme at this place, and I ain't mad at that. We had the Bacon Roasted Nuts to start. I followed that with Cheese Soup. Then we enjoyed burgers on pretzel buns. They also had really decent Bloody Marys. I think the glass was rimmed with a bacon infused salt. Yum and yum. As an added bonus, the music was right on. We heard everything from Simple Minds, Echo and the Bunnymen, to TV on the Radio. I will be back here for sure, and not just to try all of the 100+ beers.

    (4)

  • Mick M.

    great beer list and beautiful patio. dissappointing food menu on the patio though. almost consideted going back downstairs to get some good food.

    (4)

  • Dina F.

    Love the food! I've been here about three times and haven't had a dish I didn't like. The beer selection is wonderful and wide. The atmosphere is very laid back and typical of a pub. I can't wait to try the brunch.

    (5)

  • Rex M.

    Hey I like this place. Great beer selection. Food selection is mostly comfort food stuff - mac-n-cheese, pork shoulder sandwich, etc. IT's a loud place with bad acoustics so be warned. It really is hard to hear your friends with there's a lot of people in the place. But hey, they're new so give them a break ! The hostess was sooooo nice when we walked in the door. That was awesome. Great first impression. Made me feel like we were welcome. Very casual place - no need to dress up. I'll go back i'm sure. Cheers !

    (4)

  • Laura B.

    I really really wanted to love Fountainhead. It has the large beer selection for the boyfriend and interesting bar food for me. However the service was so terrible none of this mattered. We came here mid afternoon on a Saturday, there were about 4 other tables and a person or two at the bar. At first our server, can't remember her name, seemed attentive. Boy was I mistaken. After placing our drink order we waited seventeen agonizing minutes before the drinks arrived. Yes I started to time it. During these seventeen minutes we got to watch the bartender talk on the phone, try different beers with our server and eat food. Mind you this is at a bar in full view of the dining room. Having been in the service industry for 7 plus years I would have jumped behind the bar myself and gotten my customers their drinks. But hey what do I know? When the drinks finally do arrive we are hurried thru the rest of our meal without so much of a I'm sorry for the delay etc. If the food was amazing I would go back for a second chance. It's not. In fact there are plenty of other places doing the gastropub thing and doing it a whole lot better.

    (2)

  • chad a.

    Each server is essentially a well oiled sommelier of brew. Margot and I rarely order a beer on our own, leaving the choice up to the server based on our food selection. We have yet to be disappointed with the complex flavor pairing. Fountain Head does not disappoint in the proper restroom door to paper towel dispenser to trashcan proximity. Their ability to keep a somewhat sober eye on details with a grand end product is amazing. Their grub is always a win: DANDY- mac and cheese with duck confit GEM - bacon cheddar cheeseburger with a fried egg SWELL - Monkey bread with a side of sausage gravy GRAND - Service North Center is quickly positioning itself as the basket in which all that is good and holy is kept.

    (4)

  • Jennifer G.

    The only reason I'm giving this 3 stars rather than 2 is for the beer. They have an extensive and impressively-organized beer list. The server let me taste a beer and when I didn't like it, he made another suggestion and I loved it! I appreciate their knowledge of and interest in beer, and for that alone I would consider going back. The food was completely forgettable. The black bean burger was bland and the slaw was soggy. My friend's food was blah too. If they pumped up the food, this could be a great place. Just go and be geeky about beer, but pass on the food.

    (3)

  • Pamela P.

    Ever heard the expression "like sardines in a can"? Saturday evening, this place was filled to the brim. It was loud, boisterous and crowded. We managed to snag a tiny tall table next to the wall. The service was terribly slow but I surmise it may have had something to do with sheer amount of peeps there. The beer list is nauseatingly long, complex and probably better than a romp in the sheets for beer enthusiasts. I stuck to the wine list and that was lacking. I ordered a glass of champagne, which they of course didn't have--too bad it took 10 minutes to tell me that. They offered prosecco instead---I agreed but boy was it awful. Flat, overly sweet and just tasted like three day old 7-up. We were asked to order our drinks and food at once. My other half had the risotto and he said it was good. By the looks of it though, it was only a half portion size--i.e., tiny. I had the black bean burger. It was good but dry. The bun it was nestled on was stale--total turn-off. This is probably a better "grab a fancy beer" type of place than a Saturday night dinner spot. The people were a motley crew of tattooed hipsters and some tree-huggers. Of course, I stuck out like a sore thumb--what else is new!

    (3)

  • ashley g.

    If it wasn't for the enlightening and charming company of 5 friends that I was with, this place would get zero stars. We came on a super busy night, but the hostess, bartenders and management made every attempt to ensure that we were in no way made comfortable or serviced. I'm sure their food is great - but unfortunately, after waiting for 2.5 hours for a table, with no assistance from the floor management, and after seeing a few parties of the same size walk in after us and get seated, we left without ever tasting it. The beer on tap was great! However, I will opt to try one of the other hundred+ bars in the city of chicago that pour the same stuff, but with customer appreciation and a smile. Never going back here. Worst bar experience I have ever had. Sad. Perhaps because we were not wearing skinny jeans?

    (1)

  • Carrie M.

    As one who has returned to vegetarianism as of January 2 of this year, I am back to looking at how places handle veggies like me. This place has an amazing vegetarian-friendly mac and cheese that is lovely ... twirly pasta tossed in a smoked beer sauce ... truly heaven. Very yummy. Going to try the brie / fruit compote next time I am there. Though there is not a lot for a veggie to choose from, it seems what is offered is NOT an afterthought. Nice to go out and not be forced to order salad or a veggie burger ... always appreciated. My meat-eating partner opted for the hanger steak and loved it. Looked great! The Frites are amazing as well ... the garlic and the citrus dipping sauces compliment one another nicely. The beer selection is amazing. The Irish Oyster beer was great said my meat-eating companion. Just a great place with a chill-out atmosphere and a genuine and fun bartender who was patient, knowledgeable and very personable. A great place to go on a Saturday afternoon!

    (5)

  • Aville Mom B.

    Two stars only based on the food up on the deck. Everything else was fantastic. Beautiful rooftop, wonderful staff and service, friendly crowd. Really everything was fantastic except...the food. It just completely missed the mark. I think they are going for a Gene's rooftop vibe, but it just didn't come together. Roast beef was so salty it was inedible. Coleslaw is inedible due to waaay to much fennel, and I love fennel. Pork tacos...just pork in a corn tortilla. Even the bread was stale. But again, feel bad giving a bad review because the staff (hostess, bouncer, servers) were on point. Hopefully they will work out the food upstairs by next summer!

    (2)

  • Tara P.

    Great meal here! I live much closer to Bar on Buena, which has good beer but the food is mediocre at best. Fountainhead hits the mark on both food and beer. The beer menu offers an extensive, exciting selection of beers. As for food, we had burgers - both the meat and veggie versions. Both were outstanding and almost too large to bite. Even the side of slaw I ordered was a tasty but light take on what can be a boring, mayo-heavy side dish. Service and atmosphere were great. I can't wait to go back! My only complaint is the name. I wouldn't go at all if it were a reference to the novel (it isn't) but still...I don't like being reminded of Ayn Rand's "philosophy."

    (4)

  • Tyler M.

    After reading other reviews of Fountainhead I was expecting to be thoroughly impressed, and as a result ended up leaving slightly disappointed. The atmosphere on the roof top was incredible, but the menu leaved much to be desired. While they offered a large variety of beers, only a small number of those were on draft. I ordered the pork tacos that turned out to be delicious, but quite small (was only given 3 small tacos with no sides). Perhaps the menu and portions in the main bar are more substantial, but then the seating host should have asked if we were there for a meal or for light snacks and drinks before directing us upstairs. For dessert I order the cake balls to split with my friends and was again left expecting more. The cakes came out cold and hard as though they had not fully defrosted, when I had been expecting something a little more fresh. I'm sure I'll go back (with different expectations) to give it a second try since I have a lot of friends in the neighborhood, but otherwise I'd be inclined to try other places.

    (3)

  • Miriam C.

    love it! and the beer selection!

    (5)

  • Rosers M.

    What a strange name for a bar...drinking alcohol seems distinctly un-Howard Roark-ian, especially expensive fancy-schmancy cocktails and beers at that...Ayn Rand would be ashamed. She would also be ashamed of the Fountainhead for having over 20 beers on tap (including a several tasty Belgiums), a cool looking interior, and a strangely clean bathroom. Ms Rand would be aghast that despite the bright sunlight of a Saturday afternoon, a bar with ample space and seating is so packed of unproductive slackers that there's a mini-line to get in. But then again, I'm an unproductive slacker that likes beer that you have to drink with your pinky out, so I love the Fountainhead... +5 stars for awesomeness, -1 star for making Ayn Rand turn in her grave (and no, I don't into buy the Ayn Rand sightings...another right-wing media hoax).

    (4)

  • Shannon K.

    The Jerk Coffee sandwich (chicken, grilled pineapple and avocado butter) is just amazing. How could those 3 ingredients be SO GOOD together? The menu mentions that it's spicy but not to me. It's just flavorful. I've come here 4 or 5 times and get that sandwich every time. I've also found assorted appetizers to be tasty but not knock your socks off. They have a salad with watermelon that is a refreshing option for summer. And if you want beer suggestions, the staff is always helpful. Me? I'll stick with a glass of Zin and the Jerk Coffee and be perfectly happy.

    (4)

  • Laila C.

    Met up with two friends for an early sunday night dinner date. The huge drink list and laid back atmosphere would have been awesome.... Unfortunately I've decided to cut back the unnecessary drinking in order to avoid both unnecessary calorie consumption and the gym so the awesome beer menu was more like a huge tease than a plus. The burgers looked delicious and massive and I wish I would've ordered that. Instead I got the swoon swine which many yelpers loved but I thought was a bit bland and the pickle pieces inside the sandwich were just odd. However the fries were DELICIOUS! Crispy outside and mushy salty on the inside. Get it with the sauces, only $1 extra and totally worth it. Tried a bite of my friend's Mac and cheese and was underwhelmed. Although she loved it, I love things that are bad for me in large quantities, so there was not nearly enough gooey cheesy goodness for me. The three of us also split the monkey bread which they loved but since I don't like breads I was disappointed. Although the flavor was really good I though the bacon and gorgonzola would be spread on top of the bread but actually it was all baked inside. I definitely want to go back and give the place another try. I'll drink massive amounts of good beer, get the burger and the mussels and probably love it, so stay tuned!

    (3)

  • Jake V.

    We came in to check out this place a mere 4 days after they opened and I have to say that they did a pretty good job considering. I enjoy their beer and mussels but, really, those two things are hard to screw up. I'm interested to see how this place grows and what it becomes.

    (4)

  • Stacey P.

    I entered fountain head with low expectations, mostly because I felt like taking a nap instead of eating... BUT, I wanted to see my lovely friends, and that I did. We ordered a TON of food, I think because we were celebrating one of my friends landing an awesome job... but really, we don't need an excuse to order a ton of food. Since I was mostly out of it, I won't remember proper menu item names so you'll have to guess what I'm talking about. We ordered the bread salad, Moo (i remember that one!), Shrimp (something about prawns maybe?), and a hamburger. I did not eat the hamburger because the thought of large amounts of beef made my stomach churn. Per the other ladies, it was GOoooOOOD. The bread salad was nothing special. It was bread and tomatoes with dressing and parts of duck. Yes, it was like random duck parts thrown in the salad. I liked it but mostly because my body was yearning for some sort of fresh produce and I found that in the tomatoes. The Moo-- which is mac and cheese with monkey bread, sweet potato chips, and some kind of dip... was alright. The mac and cheese was not impressive, I wasn't a fan of the dip very much, but mi amigas liked it. The monkey bread was delicious, it had bacon in it! Do I need to say anymore? The shrimp was good not great. It was supposed to be spicy and have some flavor to it, but I think it didn't absorb the flavor much so it just tasted like plain shrimp...but good shrimp.. Nice, juicy, big shrimp. I had some fries and a pickle from the burger. They were also yummy. I definitely like the interior of this place, it's really open and comfortable. Also, I remember liking the bathroom but I can't tell you why now. It could have been because I really had to pee and I'm remembering the good feeling I had as the pressure was being taken off my bladder.... or the bathroom may have been cool, honestly, I don't remember. OH- and my 2 friends got libations, one got a really dark beer, I think she called it like a something stout (I know nothing about beers).. I want to say it had something to do with horns. My other friend got a cider which I tried and it was good! Yeah, don't look to me for beer reviews. I know nothing.

    (3)

  • Steve G.

    The Fountainhead's food has improved since it first opened, which is natural for a new place. I've had multiple very good meals there in the last week, including a delicious braised pork shoulder sandwich and a beet tart. The beer menu is still top notch and is still the star. They have fun theme nights, such as the recent "It Might Get Dark" night with 20+ dark beer drafts, including a rare keg of Surly Four, and heavy metal. Oh, keep an eye on the change one bartender gives...he's shorted me accidentally a couple times. I think he's just kind of busy and thinking a mile a minute.

    (4)

  • John R.

    This place should be a solid 5 stars. It just seems that the staff has a little too much attitude. We got there early one afternoon (about a half-hour after opening) and it really felt like we were imposing on the bartender. The place is beautiful, great selelction, and I would bet that the staff all knows their stuff. I'd go back again to try it out and, hopefully, change my rating.

    (3)

  • Chris J.

    I really enjoyed my visit to Fountainhead. I came late on a Saturday so while it was hoppin, we only waited a few minutes with one group ahead of us. The beer and whiskey selection is pretty out of this world! Definite Hopleaf competition...I especially enjoyed trying a cask beer. And I would highly recommend this place to soomeone who doesn't know their beers because their menu is laid out with the different styles with a description for each, and below the descriptions are the beers they have of that style. Way more user-friendly than the overwhelming list at Hopleaf. The atmosphere is definitely pretty cool although the area in front of the bar seems a little oddly open. Good for people standing around drinking but I feel like they could probably arrange it a little better with a few more tables. Food-wise, they were out of the jerk chicken which was a disappointment. Furthermore, they were also doing a grouper instead of the salmon, which proved to be not very interesting and oversalted. My friend had the mac and cheese which came in a huge bowl. It was quite good although not as hot as it should have been. I'll be back with a bigger group next time to see how they handle that compared to Hopleaf. It's hard to not draw comparisons due to their similar atmospheres and selections. I'd still say Hopleaf is tops in my book but if Fountainhead can kick up the food quality a notch, I think they'll probably be an even match.

    (4)

  • Eduardo M.

    Don't know when this place opened up, but I've been here once now. It's a nice looking place on the inside. Very chill, very relaxed. Great place for an after work get-together. This is another "great whiskey" place in my mind, as they have a few pages dedicated to the different kinds they have in stock. The food on the menu was great, although the portions seemed a bit small, for some, and large for others. Kinda upscale pub food (one of the guys was slightly upset there were no chicken wings, but hey, you can't please everyone). I'll probably go here again, it's close to the brown line, so it's a good spot to stay and drink and still make it home safe.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    So this is Buena Bar's big brother now. Sure felt like it in every way. The one exception is that there is no outdoor dining (yet). I'm told that a rooftop dining area is in the works. About the menu - we ordered three apps: the frites (french fries with ranch sauce); Mediterranean bruschetta and cheese/crackers. All three were extremely salty to the point that I wish the old pharmacy that Fountainhead now occupies was around for a blood pressure monitor. I did not order an entree. Our server was very slow, but attentive. Beer selection is excellent as was their whiskey/wine menu. I would return to get hammered on random Dutch beers.

    (3)

  • XO K.

    Fountainhead has pretty good food, but my wife ordered a Cosmopolitan and they brought this sour, not good at all cocktail in which there was apparently no triple sec or cointreau and the bartender used lemon juice, not lime. Cosmo is something I thought every bartender knew how to make. The best thing about fountainhead was that they offer the 23 yr. Pappy Van Winkle bourbon. Sure, it's $23 a glass, but well worth it, since it goes for $230 per bottle and is not easy to find. I think we would go back, but we are not in any hurry to do so.

    (3)

  • Lindsey A.

    North Center/Ravenswood has witnessed a few clutch openings in the past few years - Sola, Browntrout and now Fountainhead. In an area that's speckled with neighborhood haunts (Globe, Horseshoe, Wild Goose) - it's nice to see an upper-scale establishment put its roots down. Beer list is awesome. Whiskey list is huge. Nice selection of reds and whites. Can't say anything for the menu as we didn't grab any grub. My two issues with Fountainhead are problems that will work themselves out (hopefully) after its first month of service... 1. Why are you short staffed on opening weekend? We went on Friday at 6:30pm and were lucky to grab a table in the 'back room' (which is a somewhat odd area, if you ask me - the window to the bar would be a great idea if people weren't sitting in front of it). We were told there wouldn't be waitstaff until 8pm in the back..... but why? Be overstaffed if anything. 2. The computer system. Granted, it is opening week - but get it working or put a "cash only" sign on the front door. It seemed everyone had issues retrieving their bar tab (I ended up with a free beer because they couldn't find my one-beer tab) and whenever a server had problems, two other servers would rush over and try to help - leaving people at the bar, waiting... waiting...... waiting. That said, I love the dark wood - as generic as some people say it is, it's rich and comforting. I love the beer selection. And I will be back after they're polished as well as in July to sit on their rooftop patio (though their website - which is lacking menus and anything of significance - says will open in June??)

    (3)

  • John W.

    Between the name and the logo and something called "The Beer Engine", I thought this place would be a little more...steampunk-ish. In reality, the interrior is almost criminally nondescript (maybe that's why they keep it so dark). Even still, I really enjoyed this bar. You've got your usual 'beer-bar' encyclopedia of beers, broken down into genres and subgenres, a few quick but helpful thoughts on each one. The draft list is manageable and reasonable priced. The bottles are all over the price, with even a variety of mead listed. Our server was one of the most knowledgeable I've had, and friendly as hell on top of it. The only food we had was the monkey-bread, and it was a giant win. Gooey and savory with a side of sweet-potato chips, we were glad we got that over the somewhat boring looking frites at the table next to us. I don't have any concrete reason to recommend this over the myriad of places offering the same thing, but I am anyway. I really enjoyed myself.

    (4)

  • Brett K.

    More than respectable Whiskey and Beer program. Try the Four Roses Barrel its a great value and nice and hot while finishing sweet. Great for Sunday day drinking.

    (5)

  • Melissa T.

    Yes, the service is slow, but the food is quite good and the beer selection is amazing. We went on a Friday night around 7:30 so we had to wait (they said 45 minutes but it wasn't that long), but there was plenty of room at the bar so the four of us had a drink while we waited. I had the chicken sandwich with the frites (they're just fries though), and it was quite good. At first they brought me the wrong sandwhich -- the pulled pork, I think. So I had to send it back. It took about 10 minutes to bring the right order, but then it was on the house so can't complain about that! Overall, good food, great beer, slow service.

    (4)

  • Laurence K.

    So its a Thursday and I'm out for dinner somewhere. I was going to try Long man and Eagle But when I searched Gastropub Fountain head popped up. So what the Hay IL give it a try . Only 4 weeks old and it was quit busy. I started off with a Metropolitan I-Beam (Chicago, IL) ... 5.3% which was quit good . I started with an app which was really a entree, Hey I was hungry! It was the .Moo , smoked mac & cheese, india pale ale tavern cheese, gorgonzola & bacon monkey bread with sweet potato chips ... 12 Outstanding! Next I had the Hanger Steak porter marinated filet with lyonais potatoes, grilled asparagus, & avocado chive butter... 13 Another winner! with dinner I had the Dogfish Head Midas Touch (Milton, DE) ... 9..0%. This is def a Must try place! you wont be disappointed. and Las but not least. Bread Pudding porter soaked rye & sourdough w/ india pale ale caramel sauce ... 7 It Was really good Oh ya they have over 150 whiskey's! YUM

    (4)

  • Francis A.

    I want to love this place, but during my first experience: 1. The service was slow and inattentive. 2. The food took forever. But, I'll go back because it was insanely busy, so I'm assuming that the service isn't always that bad. The atmosphere was awesome and they had a great variety of beers/cocktails. I'll be back, but not any time soon.

    (3)

  • Joe W.

    This place does it right! The service is great and selection is awesome! Every time I go in I am immediately in my comfort zone. The music is good and if your into craft brew or whiskey these guys can provide quite the experience. I only wish they'd revamp the menu.

    (5)

  • Clare P.

    Went here last night with a large group and the staff was very accommodating, especially the hostess. The bartender was also very friendly and helpful. Food was pretty good too, had the veggie burger. Can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Dave K.

    I like their selection of beers in bottles, their selection of drafts seem to cater to darker beers, at least it seemed that way last thursday. the food is not super great, but not super bad either...What I like the most about fountainhead is that it's a decent place to drink and eat, and it's no farther than a block and a half from where I live.

    (3)

  • Esther A.

    Fountainhead is right in my neighborhood, and as a huge fan of craft beers, I've already been there a handful of time since they opened six weeks ago. It's been interesting to see how they've coped with their instantaneous, huge success--I suspect from the tenor of the reviews below that it's a very mixed blessing in this day and age to be so popular so fast. Things I love at Fountainhead: Oh, the beers. The beers. Such good and interesting things on tap! And now that they've got their bottle list together, there's even *more* awesome beer to drink! I've also had good experiences with the service, particularly on non-weekend nights--friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, and happy to sample out tastings of any beer you might like to try. I've enjoyed the duck mac and cheese, the Moo platter, and the incredibly decadent and well done desserts (the chocolate crème brûlée with a spicy caramel topping is a particular standout). The menu is still in the testing phase (says so right on the front cover!) and the kitchen is still finding its rhythm, but on the whole, I'm excited to have a restaurant like this one in the neighborhood, providing thoughtful, ambitious beer and food. Fountainhead *is* good, and it's just going to keep getting better as they continue to refine their menu and service. I, for one, can't wait to see how they develop.

    (4)

  • Maria D.

    Luckily for Fountainhead (and all of you cheerful Charlies out there) I didn't write a review after my extremely disappointing first visit a couple of weeks ago. I walked in on a Friday night and felt like I was at The Rail; honestly, I'd had no idea until that very moment that so many tools live in my pretty little 'hood. Loud, crowded, indifferent service; Fountainhead really pulled out all the stops. However. After giving it another try last night I'm pleased to report that stars are called for. I walked in with a friend at 8:30 or so on a Thursday and was seated right away in the weird little back area along the wall. We ordered a lovely, reasonably-priced bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and some frites; both were brought out quickly and found to be satisfactory. I also had the Simple Salad and found it a little too simple, to be honest, but that isn't their fault; it's not like I didn't know what the ingredients were. It was still a little loud for my taste but the crowd was definitely less Lincoln-Parky; maybe that's a weekend thing. I will definitely go back again for beer, more food and to check out the rooftop bar when it's opened.

    (3)

  • Evan W.

    I attended a party at Fountainhead and was so impressed with the attention we received from the staff. They were constantly around, but not hovering or ever in our way. We mostly ate the appetizers, but I found them really amazing. Fountainhead certainly put their own taste in the dishes, such as the duck, duck mac, and the melding of flavors and textures kicked everything up a notch. The atmosphere is jovial and comfortable. My only complaint would be the acoustics. It can be a bit hard to hear the people you are with because of the way the din bounces off the walls.

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    I'd been meaning to check this place out since it opened and finally got a chance last night. My rating reflects how I think the place will be once they get the kinks worked out. By their own admission on the menu this is the ".9 Alpha" release. So I'm cutting them some slack but I do have to start with the kinks. First of all when I got there I was getting a table for two. The host only had one menu and said he'd get another, but never did. Then it took 20 minutes to finally get acknowledged by a waiter, after flagging down the host to point that out. Now, in their defense, once they realized the mistake the waitress was attentive and we got decent service for how busy it was. My suspicion is that they'd made a mistake in assigning tables because three other tables in my section were in the same boat. Now of course that brings us to the food and drinks. The beer menu is phenomenal, and has a few items on it that I love that I have trouble finding. They had Allagash Curieux, my current favorite, but alas they'd run out, so I settled for a Triple Karmeleit (I love when that's "settling"). I also tried a trappiste white beer that I'd never had before and it was quite tasty. The bourbon selection is great. They actually have the pappy van winkle 20 year, which I've never seen on a menu before. Interestingly they list prices for shots, drinks, or neat/rocks/manhattan for each bourbon. On the really good bourbons they don't even let you order it in a mixed drink listing the price as N/A. For food, my friend had the beyond grilled cheese and I had the duck duck mac. The duck duck mac was phenomenal with a great smokey undertone. You need to try it. The beyond grilled cheese was a bit sub par though. The sandwich was rather small and the bread basically had the consistence of dry toast. A little bigger slices of bread and a bit of butter before grilling would have made this pretty good. Overall feel of the place is, about what you'd expect. It's casual and a bit on the noisy side but I didn't feel like I was yelling the whole time. There's the "barrel" room which is a bit more secluded alcove behind the bar area. It's a bit quieter in there though it does feel a little like drinking beer in a cave :). In the end, overall it was a good experience once they got over the hump of the delay in noticing us at first. My belief is that once they've got an experienced crew this will definitely be a four star offering. I'll update this later if I discover otherwise down the road. A couple last random notes: 1) Their rooftop is not open yet, but with good beer like that and a rooftop deck it should be a great place to hang out when the weather's nice. I suspect I will be spending way too much time there in the future. 2) Somebody else said they had no TV's in their review. They do now, and were showing the Blackhawks game. I only saw the one, so it's not a primary feature of the place by any stretch. UPDATE: This has become one of my favorite restaurants. The food is tasty, and I especially love the venison spaetzle. The beer list is amazing, and they are generous with letting you try the beers. The only down side is that too damn many of you like this place and so now it's crowded and noisy. DAMN YOU! :) Can't wait til their rooftop opens up!

    (5)

  • Vic C.

    Great beer selection and a solid whiskey selection. Location is perfect- right off of the Montrose Brown Line stop and because it's in Lincoln Square, it lacks the pretentious attitude which usually comes with bars/restaurants of this quality

    (5)

  • Rohan D.

    I should know better than to ignore Lakshmi's reviews, and I don't know why a socialist like me would imagine that a place named after an overrated Ayn Rand novel would suit my tastes. However, the fact that the place was packed, is just further proof that there is no invisible hand of the marketplace providing self-regulation, as there is no reason for a place like this to stay in business. Visually, the ambiance is inviting, lots of wood, well designed, nicely decorated, excellent pub feeling. That's for the eyes, for ears, it's way too loud. We were shouting out our conversation in a booth, and we had quite a bit of miscommunication with our waitress. She also tried to pretend knowledge of whiskey and beer that she just didn't have, her sense of geography was embarrassingly inadequate, but the bar does serve a nice selection of both, if you already know what you're looking for. The fact that they have four different Suntory whiskeys is why the place doesn't get only one star. The food is forgettable bar fare at fine dining prices, the appetizers were good and it was downhill from there. My "swine swoon," was the most overpriced ham and cheese sandwich I've ever had, I actually prefer the ham and cheese sandwich at Subway (the bread is better). Pick yourself up by your bootstraps and avoid this place, unless you're one of those real life rags to riches stories who has enough money to waste.

    (2)

  • Katie B.

    Amazing beer menu... longer than most books I read ;) The food is okay, I have yet to find something that I really love. The scallops with bacon risotto was a bit unbalanced. The servers are great at pairing beers with the food, though. The bread pudding is phenomenal!

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    I don't know how to rank this place. It either is really terrific or it makes everyone I know sick. It's tough to tell. Three friends, including Rachel E (whose review is right below me) went and all felt ill afterward. My group was two and while I felt poorly, Meg L did not. Meg L and I shared everything, so we didn't have anything different, except I had the Porterhouse Oyster Stout (brewed with oysters), although I'm not someone who has any issues with oysters. Disregarding any possible sickness for now, the food was terrific. We shared the mussels, which were in a wonderful Belgian Wit Beer broth and the Old Lincoln Ave sausage plate. The sausage (and accompanying mustard) were terrific, and the cabbage was outstanding. The cheese spread was dull, but certainly not bad. I've been told that the fries cone is outstanding, although we didn't have it. The service was slow and mediocre, but they did help us move from a drafty cold table to a wonderful space by a fireplace. The draft beer list is one of the best. For all it's potential and proximity to my house, I'll definitely go back. If I feel ill again, though, or hear of more stories, we may have to call the inspectors. For now, I'll assume it was a bizarre coincidence.

    (3)

  • Bruce S.

    I really, really wanted to love this place. We took the family, me, the wife and the 12 and 14 year old still at home down for an early meal. We've come to like the gastropub feel where you can get good food, and some unusual beer for me - everyones happy. We managed to park right out front, so we thought this was a good sign for the evening. Walking in you see a very well decorated pub. My wife commented how good it looked. We were immediately seated, again because we dropped in early enough, later it was very crowded. Next, I perused the fantastic beer list, both draft and bottles. If you're a beer geek, and just dropping in for a beer, fantastic beer selection. If your thing is whiskey, again, well thought out large, if not enormous selection, especially scotch. Then we started to order food. We had the cheese plate, which was excellent, and I had the Kale and Pear salad, which was good. Next, we ordered two burgers, the duck pasta, and the pulled pork sandwich. This is where it all fell apart. One burger was supposed to be medium well (I know) but it didn't come that way, it came burnt black on the outside and completely brown on the inside. The other burger, medium, was closer to medium well, and came out several minutes after everything else. I mention that because the other three dinners were cold, so I suspect something got lost in the kitchen. Things may have tasted better if they were hot, so perhaps this isn't indicative. I will also say that it took some time to get food in general. While our server was nice, she appeared overwhelmed and busy, and seemed to disappear at times. Anyway, because I like beer and whiskey, I was hoping that the food would excite the troops so they would indulge me in going back as the tap list rotates. As it stands now, there are places that are consistently good with great tap lists, so I'm not sure we'll be back. In summary, beer and scotch: 5 stars, food: 2 stars, service: 3 stars, overall: 3 stars.

    (3)

  • Borracho G.

    Fountainhead is a great looking place with an extensive list of crafted beers and whiskeys. Our server was very nice and very knowledgeable about the entire list and the history behind the options. I can appreciate bars that want you to try and explore new tastes and methods within the beer world but at some point too many choices become a hinder. There were so many that I started to feel overwhelmed and ended up choosing something that I had drunk before somewhere else. The specialty beers are not all that cheap and you don't want to make a bad choice and regret a $9 decision. One good thing is that you can ask for a beer taste to see if you like it, but at some point if you keep asking too much you feel like you're trying drink for free. I guess who cares, taste them all and let them tell you when to stop and make a choice. This place is also not just about the beer, they have some unique liquor choices and is said to be producing their own infused vodkas. Can't wait. As for the food, there wasn't too many options although everything did taste great but nothing I would consider outstanding. Mac and cheese with pulled duck was probably the best choice. The one thing you must get as a quick starter when ordering beer, is the bacon nuts. Sweet and salty mixed nuts with candied bacon brittle, yup that goes good with a hearty brew. I think anyone who goes will be content and please with this place and Im sure I will try it again sometime but I have to say if they food was slightly better and had a few more options, I would make this a prime choice and raise it a star level.

    (3)

  • Jaime P.

    From what I can gather the negative reviews here seem to be - our particular waiter/bartender sucked, or I went on a very busy night and was rushed. I don't think it's fair to judge a place by how they perform when they are slammed - you are definitely going to get the worst service possible at that time. No one performs their best when everything is going haywire. That goes for the kitchen and the waitstaff. That said - I went at 10:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, and still my order was a tad screwed up. I ordered french fries, and my date ordered sweet potato chips. He got the fries, I got the chips. No big deal, we just switched 'em ourselves at the table. I really didn't care when I discovered the burger was cooked perfectly. I try to order medium rare everywhere I go, and I mostly don't get it, but boy howdy was this one done perfect. Well-seasoned, bacon crispy, a really respectable burger. Waitress was friendly enough. Drink list impressive. I will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Thea G.

    I was taking my boyfriend and some friends out for his birthday and we had been to Fountainhead before and enjoyed it. As always it did not disappoint. The selection of beers and scotch are amazing. Everything from the apps to the original main dishes to dessert is fresh and goes beyond our expectations. The manager accommodated us and made a great impression on my guests. You can't always explain what it is that makes an experience special - whether it's the attentiveness of the waitstaff, the atmosphere that is cultivated by the management, or the delectible morsels that are created by an award-winning chef, but Fountainhead has it all, to make every evening there special.

    (5)

  • Carine M.

    Big fan. I'm never in this neighborhood, but this is definitely the place to get good beer if you are. The place was comfortable, and we had a booth with 6 people and we didn't feel smushed. Our server was great, laid back, knew about beer, and liked that iI liked sour beer. I like when people like what I like. All on all solid place. Didn't try food though.

    (4)

  • Ron T.

    ZERO STARS. I dont know what other people see in this place. My experience with this place was unimpressive. The staff were to busy chitt chating and laughing to even serve us. It took over a half hour to even get someones attention. When our food came it was cold and tasted like it had been in the frig a couple of weeks. When I complained about it I got attitude like how dare I say the food sucked. I would stay far from this place.

    (1)

  • Cecilia T.

    This was my first time at Fountainhead, and I would say this place is GREAT (4-5 Stars) for beer! If you're looking for a laid back pub with a sizeable variety of draft beers and huge selection of bottled beers. For those of you that are dark beer lovers like me, you MUST get the Porterhouse Oyster Stout on tap if available. This is my new favorite drinky drinky, up there with Guinness. (smooth but more strongly flavored than Guinness) In terms of food, it's 3 stars: I thought it was decent but outside of the burgers, the food wasn't hugely memorable - just fun to have small plate varieties that were not just the usual bar foods - the previous yelper review (Stacey P) basically said my thoughts on the food, as we went there together =). They should probably hire more attentive waiters/waitresses there - I had to flag down our waitress a couple of times though the place was mostly empty since we went during the week.

    (3)

  • julie s.

    So excited that this place is in Ravenswood. This area needs a fantastic bar sooooo badly and now they have it. First off- the food is like everything my husband would want on his death-row buffet. I think it's fab too but it really is all that he would want for his last meal. We have been there twice and I think he has tried almost everything at this point (luckily the prices are reasonable!) He is the "foody" in the relationship and he would give it 10 stars if he could. I am the "drinky" and this place rocks for that. I really have my work cut out for me because there are sooooooooo many things I want to try. But I am embracing the challenge and I look forward to it. Lovely beers, the wine list is stellar (I love a bar that serves a nice wine in a big round bell wineglass), and the whiskey is really gonna be a lot of fun. I have barely scratched the surface. Good job Fountianhead for coming to my area that desperately needed you. You would be a gem anywhere and I am glad we get you!

    (5)

  • Danny C.

    My favorite bar in the neighborhood. The food menu is small but the essentials are there as well as more interesting fare, with quality ranging from good to great. The beer and spirits is where it's at and they have a long list of both. These people truly are connoisseurs without being pretentious. And if it all seems overwhelming just ask them for tasting samples. Finally, the decor is equally impressive without pretension; lots of wood with dim lighting and a fireplace to boot.

    (5)

  • Jez E.

    Fountainhead now not only has gluten-free food offerings, but they are delicious. Just wish they would offer Two Brothers Prairie Path, a great g-f beer that doesn't taste g-f, since they already sell other Two Brothers products. Please consider - thanks!

    (4)

  • Benjamin H.

    I'll be frank in saying that this may be one of the best new bars to have opened up on the Northwest side in years. Some buddies and myself had the opportunity to assemble our motley crew of beer geeks and misfits alike to see what all the goddamn hype was about. First off, this is basically a European cafe styled bar. Think German or Belgian cafe-styled pubs....dark lightening, wood..etc. Consequently, the beer, wine and spirit list reflect this accordingly. I noticed is that the beer list is very much food-centric...chosen specifically for it's drinkability, milder flavor profiles so that they compliment the food. Nonetheless, I'd like to see just a few more ass kickin', fuller bodied American craft brews...the list seemingly lacked any barleywines and only had one stout on tap and it was a dry stout (my personal least favorite style)...but when there are two beer engine options, I probably shouldn't bitch. Wine list is only somewhat intriguing but the whiskey list is just plain sick. The frites that we had were some of the best goddman frites i've laid my eyes on in this fair city. Extremely crisp outside and a just-barely soft inside....they were magical. The service was totally solid and considering they have been open just a few days, but it did take a while to get rounds of beers, but that's just to be expected for a new joint. Overall, this is probably gonna become one of my favorite new haunts. Perhaps now I don't have to make a trek all the way over to the maproom to get a dank-ass brew. Keep it alive Fountainhead!

    (4)

  • Bari L.

    My usual food companion and I went for brunch. We shared the Beignets which were delicious and not something I would eat as my main meal. If you are there with a large group it would be good to order they are huge and they give you a good number of them. I had the Hash which I finished but there was definitely way more andouille then pork belly and I was surprised that it only came with one egg. Because of the all the andouille sausage there wasn't really much flavor since the sausage dominated the dish. My foodie companion had the French Toast which of course I tried and just wasn't at all that impressed with. With all the other brunch places in the city I think I'll keep checking out the other spots. Overall it wasn't a bad experience our waitress was very helpful and attentive I just wasn't all that impressed for the price.

    (3)

  • Hoyne L.

    The service killed the experience for me. I was with a small group, in a not packed place. We still needed to flag the server down every time we needed beer and water refills. Food presentation was "meh". A brick of salmon with chopped fennel book ends that somebody sprinkled a little apple vin. on...I probably wouldn't have complained about that if the server was a little more attentive... at least a little more. Beer selection is great, but who the heck wants to come here to drink if you have to wait until your server wants to make eye contact with you. geeesh. Ya know that feeling of trying to get a drink at a crowded 4am bar? This shouldn't happen at 7pm at a not so crowded bar/pub, during a weeknight.. Maybe I'll be back, but not soon.

    (2)

  • Chelsie L.

    This is one of me and boyfriend's favorite spots. Fountainhead has a great atmosphere: dark wood everywhere, usually busy with a young crowd, huge drink list, and interesting food choices. I am a huge fan of gastropubs so I love this place. The menu is always changing so you are sure to find something new to try. I'm not a big fan of beer (I stick to cider) but they have a HUGE selection that my boyfriend loves. This place is great for dates or groups and is usually busy every night of the week!

    (5)

  • David K.

    Good beer options. Okay food- maybe expand the menu a bit? Shitty service, especially for a Sunday afternoon when the place is half-empty. Next time I'll walk 2 blocks further west and hit Bowman's (great food and always served with a smile...)

    (2)

  • Jessica F.

    meh. Beer selection: amazing. though, they're trying to make a statement by binding it in a f-ing book. all three of my beers were perfect...but both times my glasses were HOT out of the dishwasher and were still wet. kills the taste of a cold beer. but if you want someone special, they probably have it...but it might be in a warm glass. the food: less than meh. the price DOES NOT fit the bill. for a $20 i want to NOT taste the grill it was cooked on. and i want a little marinade...or rub...or salt. pulled pork shoulder was cooked perfectly...but no sauce, and a little pickle on top....meh. next time i go it will be at someone else's request. and we'll head early to avoid a wait...and just order beer - in the bottle.

    (2)

  • Courtney C.

    Go here to drink, not to eat. Their beer selection almost rivals that of the Map Room, almost. But they have a crazy selection of whiskey, as well, and when you mix high-alcohol beers with shots of whiskey, fun things can happen. Unfortunately, my boyfriend and I went here for dinner, not for a night of crazy drunkenness. His pork shoulder sandwich was mediocre, and my scallops were inedible. Upside, our waitress was really, really nice. I think she realized the food was terrible. My scallops were overcooked, served dry, with no sauce, on a bed of overly-sticky risotto. I love, love, love scallops so I was willing to overlook the desert-dryness of the meal, and asked the waitress for some melted butter. She said of course but came back several minutes later with a stick of butter, not melted. She then explained they don't have a microwave so can't melt the butter. Really? How did my scallops get overcooked? Most likely on some type of cooking appliance, such as an oven with top burners and a grill. If you put butter in a pan over a burner, it will melt. I've done it before. I explained to her why I wanted melted butter: to have something to make the scallops less dry. She was very apologetic and immediately took the scallops away and took them off the bill without me even asking. I had high hopes for this place, and was so disappointed. I didn't bother ordering anything else but another beer while my boyfriend finished his meal. At least the beer was tasty.

    (2)

  • Kendrah R.

    I had a great experience the first time I went here on 4th of July when the place was empty. But when I returned a second time, it was soooo loud that we could not stay. The acoustics suck - it was physically painful. A note to the owners - you might want to try adding carpeting to the underside of your tables it helps absorb the sound. (They do this at Publican.) If you can get past the noise, they have a great selection of Belgian beers. The greens in my salad were so fresh, dressing light, my burger had an avocado butter that was a great flavor and surprisingly not too heavy. I usually avoid restaurant bread pudding because it is never as good as homemade, but I tried theirs and it was really fantastic. If the noise level changes and I could ever enjoy a meal there again, I'd change my 3-stars to 4-stars.

    (3)

  • Lakshmi R.

    Your standard 'nice' pub. My veggie burger was very good. The ambiance was casual and easygoing. I'd have to make two suggestions though. First: their tables-for-two are way too small if you and your friend plan to order a drink and a plate of food. Second: they may want to remind their staff not to get TOO stoned while at work. Our server was so out of it that he forgot my order *as I was saying it*. Now that's one I haven't seen before.

    (2)

  • Kristen H.

    I only came here for drinks between a wedding ceremony & the reception, but I'll be back to try out the grub - maybe a few times to try brunch & dinner. The beer list was extensive and the atmosphere is modern yet not overly done. The service was friendly and prompt. Till next time...

    (4)

  • Philip B.

    Came here last Thursday evening with the gf, in the mood for some pub grub and quality beers. We got there a second late for the last table, but opted for the bar instead of waiting 20-25 minutes. Which was fine, the bartenders were attentive the entire time. We ordered the moo, bruschetta, and after some debate the mussels as I'd felt I was hungry for something other than bread/cheese. I'd say the moo was the best plate, the beer cheese was great (though a notch below The Bristol's IMO). I wasn't a fan of the bruschetta mostly bc I don't enjoy olives, as it had some olive type spread. The mussels were good, not great. I prefer it with a tomatoey broth instead. They did let me sample a couple of beers for free before making my decision, which I appreciate. As mentioned in other reviews there's plenty of drink choices. Overall I enjoyed it but wasn't wowed, but if I was in the neighborhood I would try it again.

    (3)

  • Diane S.

    I've been to Fountainhead a few times since it opened, and never really felt compelled to write a review one way or the other, even when I was furious that they took the delicious Moo Platter off the menu. But, my last experience was one for the books. To begin, the hostess told us she was the only waitress on the floor, and so it might be a bit of a wait. Okay, no problem, at least she warned us. (I should mention this was a Saturday evening--what kind of staffing error results in only one server on a Saturday pm??) Then some other waitress finally appeared and took our order. Well, whatever. I figured she must have just showed up to help out. That is, until right after our order when she up and got her coat and left. Uh...? I walked up to the bar b/c I was concerned that our order wasn't placed. The bartender explained that her shift was over and we'd be transitioned to the other waitress. Remember, the one that was the only one on the floor? I really still can't believe our waitress (the one who took our order) couldn't be bothered to tell us this. Oh, our order was "sort of" placed--the dinner was put in, but not the appetizer. We got that fixed. I then asked the bartender if they were getting any additional help, and he said another server would be in shortly. I don't know what became of that, the original waitress we talked to waited on us anyway. We got a free appetizer to make up for our waitress forgetting to put it in, but no one seemed to get the bigger issue of being short staffed on a Saturday and the WAITRESS WHO JUST TOOK OUR ORDER WALKING OUT THE DOOR WITHOUT A WORD ABOUT IT. I won't be back. (my food was fine, although the steak was overcooked--which seems to be par for the course in most Chicago restaurants)

    (2)

  • Gabrielle B.

    I love this place! I've been here twice: once for drinks and once to eat. When we ate we ordered a beer and whiskey pairing-amazing! I never liked whiskey but after this experience I love it. The interior has a great, relaxed vibe and there is an incredible selection of alcohol. The range of food was not the most impressive and I ordered a chicken dish that was good but didn't knock my socks off. Hands down though one of my favorite places to go for a casual drink!

    (4)

  • Suzanne B.

    Great beer selection. Nice area. Tasty appetizers. A more mature take on a bar.

    (4)

  • Meredith T.

    I met someone here for a couple drinks and can really only speak to the beer selection and service. Beer selection gets very high marks...five stars even. Most of what was listed from their long (but not overwhelmingly long) list of draft beers was unique and something you don't find at just any bar on the street. It reminded me of Hopleaf, or even Map Room (although I don't think anyone can beat Map Room in this area). The service on the other hand gets one star. Our waiter was friendly enough...but he was hardly ever there! We probably sat at our table for a good 20 minutes before anyone asked us if we wanted a drink or food. After I was done with the first beer, it took about 10 minutes or more before he asked us if we wanted another round. And to add to my annoyance, he had walked by me at least 5 times - checking out my empty glass and making full on eye contact with me. So - I give this place three stars. The good and the bad cancel each other out and therefore, I say this place is just ok.

    (3)

  • Kimberly B.

    The food is generally good, the beers are generally good and there is a good selection. Sometimes it is a bit overpriced for what you get, sometimes there are other issues, but it's basically a good place. Not our go-to for anything, but okay. Definitely the best dinner option in a two or three block radius.

    (4)

  • LadyBird X.

    Boo! Why does every other restaurant fancy itself a 'gastropub'?! The food sounds delicious in theory but always disappoints. I honestly would prefer they just do a really well done fish & chips rather than a third-rate version of gastropub food. Obviously, the beer selection is great. Swing by any day of the week and you'll probably wait for a table because this place inexplicably gets packed. Nice decor inside, but poor service & poor food.

    (2)

  • Michelle S.

    this place is just the best. i don't often eat full meals here, but i'm in for beers and a cheese plate at least once a month... amazing draft selection (usually very IPA-heavy!) that rotates all the time. the staff is usually very attentive and super friendly. also, ROOFTOP YES PLEASE I CAN'T WAIT

    (5)

  • Holly M.

    Just amazing food, amazing beers. How could you go wrong with a restaurant that has, like, a seven-paged beer menu? I recently had the macaroni and cheese with duck. Strange concept, absolutely astounding taste. Fountainhead, you complete me.

    (5)

  • Jason T.

    Very good beer selection and decent food.

    (4)

  • D W.

    Nice atmosphere. Good beer list. But a bit loud, and wait people had somewhat of an attitude. The food I ordered, chicken sandwich, was overcooked, and tasted like a shoe.

    (3)

  • Mike W.

    Great beer selection craft and import, knowledgeable staff great food. Ask for Phil, he's a Chicago craft beer legend and will not guide you wrong.

    (5)

  • Peter B.

    Fountainhead just makes me regret not going to Hopleaf.

    (2)

  • James V.

    I really wish I could give this place a better review. But I was pretty unimpressed. I came here with my boyfriend one night on a whim. We drive by it all the time and have been intrigued by it's appearance. Much to my chagrin, there were many gigantic flat screen tv's lined up over the bar. It's a personal thing, but I don't like to be surrounded by sports while I'm eating. The wine and beer menu was pretty good, and the monkey bread was pretty tasty. I had ordered beet gnocchi and it was just...there. No real flavor to speak of. It was a rather pricey dish so I was pretty let down. The server was really nice though, and the atmosphere aside from the flat screens was really nice and romantic.

    (3)

  • H H.

    ***THIRD and probably final UPDATE-July 2011**** The waitstaff is really bad. Bartenders good. Waitresses/Waiters BAD. I am amending this a THIRD time and dropping down to two stars. Even knowing the waitstaff is hit or miss, a group of 8 of my friends came on a Sunday night. It's generally fairly low key on Sunday evenings here. The waiter we had was rather tepid. We eventually had to wave him down to give him our food order. In the meantime, he was doing a shot with the table next to us. The food came and several things people had asked for were incorrect. Someone had asked for a piece of cheese and although it showed up on the bill, it never showed up on the table. Another of the party had a sandwich and the bun was "grilled" and completely black and charred and she had to ask for another bun. We paid -half the bill was split on credit cards (we wrote out how much and which card for him) and the rest was cash and being over all a good group of people, we still tipped well. We get up and leave and were standing outside saying our goodbyes and the waiter comes OUTSIDE and stops us, bill in hand saying the total wasn't enough. Startled, we all gathered and looked at the totals, he said the credit cards were correct, but that we needed more cash. We look at the amounts, someone told him the total of cash we left, he looks at it in his hand and recounts it and realizes we were correct with what we left. He had miscounted the cash and thought we had shorted him. However, HAD we shorted him the money he thought we did, it would have been on tip, NOT on the bill. So basically, he came outside to find us and tell us we didn't give him 20% (remember, this was a table of 8 eating and drinking, so the bill was large.) He hadn't earned 20% and he certainly didn't after that move. This left an extremely bad taste in all of our mouths and it's pushing me closer and closer to not going back here at all. There are too many great bars in that area to keep putting up with behavior like that. ****second update...waitstaff is improving. Have had male waiters the last two times, and they have been great.****** I really want to adore and love this place. The food is okay, not outstanding, but certainly better than some other bars in the area. The beer is wonderful. Wonderful and 4-5 stars worthy. However, I have had MULTIPLE bad experiences with the waitstaff. The sort where you have to sit there and turn around and watch for them and then wave to try to get them to: take your order, get a refill, get the check, take your bill. And the sort that overrides the rest of the experience. On one visit, the waitress walked away as one of our party was telling her they'd like the same. We had no idea if she even heard us until she came back 15 minutes later with the drinks, and apparently, she did hear, she just didn't acknowledge us. I am a customer that is always courteous to waitstaff and says thank you whenever why water is refilled. I always tip 20%. I understand times get stressful and hectic. On another trip to Fountainhead, our waitress stood at a table NEXT to ours talking to the guys at the table for well over 10 minutes. It wasn't until we made a loud noise that she suddenly came over to give us the bill. Our beer glasses were empty, our plates were clean and at that point, we had decided not to order another round as we had been waiting so long. It is so frustrating as this is a great bar for the neighborhood and I would be there a lot more often, but I'm developing such negative feelings about Fountainhead. Food, fairly good Beer, Fantastic Atmosphere, Comfortable, Dark, but relaxing ONLY one TV, which I find to be a big plus Waitstaff, super crappy Please, owners...address this. Please, look at the other reviews on here, it is an issue. **** I upped a star as I think the owners addressed this. The last few visits the waitstaff was much better.**** THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

    (2)

  • Chris G.

    Holy Amish Chicken Batman! And, obviously, Mark, Chris, Phil, Mike and Caroline are the best :)

    (5)

  • Kathy R.

    I've been back a few times....really like this place. Brunch was fantastic, great menu with a few options you won't find anywhere else. Plus a great beer selection to boot.

    (4)

  • Scott H.

    Great selection! Horrible customer service! I live 1/2 block away so thought this would be my favorite place to chill and have a beer with friends, not so. I ordered a beer I thought I would like but it was not my taste, I finished it and the bartender came and asked if I wanted another to which I replied yes but a different one and that I didn't like that one. He looked at me with a "fuck you" attitude and said "well, we don't serve bad beers here" and walked away. I looked at my friend and asked if I heard correctly and he said that he couldn't believe it either. It was a Tuesday night at about 10 and there were only about 10 or 15 people in the place. We walked out and I will never step foot in a place that completely forgets who is paying to keep the lights on!

    (1)

  • Kara E.

    The black bean patty at Fountainhead is awesome. You can certainly tell their patty is handmade and not a frozen Morningstar burger. The patty is really thick, with lots black beans, corn, and tasty quinoa. Foutainhead also has a huge drink list, I had to defer to the waitress for a recommendation. I hope to return to this place to try out the other menu items and another beer.

    (4)

  • Mark B.

    Really great food and selection of beers! I've been here several times and can't wait to try out their beer garden in the summer!

    (5)

  • Elisabeth D.

    BAD! We got there, and it looked busy. Good sign. went to the bar while we waited for a table, it took us 25 minutes to get a drink, the bar was full but the bartenders were working like slugs! We sat, got a server who seemed bored to be there. She didn't come back for a LONG time to get us new drinks. The Charciuterie was grainy and lacked in taste and appearance. Not a good experience.

    (2)

  • John N.

    Back in the early 90's, it seemed like anyone who ever hung drywall over summer vacation and had a few bucks became a general contractor, and started throwing up McMasions which were eagerly snapped up by buyers too intoxicated by the idea of 6000 square feet, a three-car garage and a 20-ft. vaulted ceiling in the foyer to stop and consider that all they were really getting was a cookie-cutter tract house shoddily constructed with the cheapest, shittiest materials, just oversized and tarted up with a some fancy cornices and columns. The American economy was well on the way to being destroyed before it was generally accepted that these thing were total crap. That said, Fountainhead (and so many recent ventures launched in the same spirit) is the gastronomic equivalent of a McMansion. A lot of pretentious flash, designed to look and feel like an instant classic, and above all else, harvest cash from suckers too uncultured to realize what they are getting. Their website says they're "taking a high-end artisanal approach to food in a casual, comfortable setting. When possible we're supporting local purveyors to create a blend of flavors with global influences [i.e., integrity when it's convenient]." Gosh, which of the hoard of new local gastropub does *not* boast of exactly the same thing? And while the boast may occasionally be true with some of them, I think it's a safe bet that when a place calls itself "high-end," the ambience is going to be toxic, and the food not all that much better. I tried Fountainhead. The atmosphere is post-bro, but still a little douchey. Food's mostly OK. Some of it is a cut above average bar food (the Moo appetizer --smoked mac & cheese, something called "India Pale Ale tavern cheese," Gorgonzola & bacon "monkey bread" with sweet potato chips --is actually fun), some of it strives but fails (hanger steak). As of this writing, the rooftop patio will soon be opening, and promising to destroy a formerly tranquil oasis of a neighborhood populated by people who could have, but consciously chose not to live in Lincoln Park. Now Lincoln Park is being forced on us. I'm not saying don't open new restaurants in the neighborhood; I'm saying open new restaurants which are respectful of and consistent with the character of the neighborhood. Glenn's Diner, just down the street, managed to do just that. They nailed it, and have been packed for the last four years. Perhaps Fountainhead will reconsider what it's trying to do, drop the pretense, and deliver on its promise (great location, cool structure). Otherwise, it definitely won't be around in four years. Win-win either way I guess. This review may seem snobby, and that's fine. But I'm compelled to action nevertheless. Too many remained silent when McMansions first began to sprout, and we all know how that story ended: mass foreclosures, suburban ghost towns, and the destruction of the American Dream itself. Don't let a similar thing happen with these uppity ostentatious wannabe gastropubs all trying to imitate the Hop Leaf. You wanna end up living in a post-apocalyptic Road Warrior world, or scavenging for expired canned food like in The Road? No? Then call out this bad new trend before things get out of hand.

    (2)

  • John S.

    Just go here for the beer selection. The food is mediocre and over priced. Service was pretty slow too. Great beer though!

    (2)

  • Doug M.

    I wanted to like this place, I really did. And, if I limited myself to drinking alone, I still would. But I had to try the food. The food is unspectacular in almost every way and in some cases was just downright bad. Why do so many first time bar owners think that putting "gastropub" in their description will make people look past the fact that the food is uninspired, poorly executed dreck? We got one of only a few appetizers on the menu, the "pleased to meat you". It consisted of some ok pate and rillettes served with one inch (literally) of pre-sliced baguette! Because it was pre-sliced, it was also quite stale. When we asked for more bread the waitress actually brought us another inch of baguette. After a few more similar requests, we finally ended up with a total of four inches of baguette - one inch at a time! Luckily, the additional bread units came with plates so we didn't have to ask for any. I still find it hard to believe that it took twenty minutes to get twenty cents worth of bread with an appetizer. The "Beyond Grilled Cheese" was far from it. If it even lived up to merely a grilled cheese, it would have been ok but it was really a small piece of slightly melted brie with some fruit compote on some way-too-hard white bread with another piece of toasted-to-the-breaking-point white bread on top of it. Mind you, none of the components were actually melted enough to bind any of them together. If this is "beyond" grilled cheese - I fear for the future. From my experience, a place that can't make grilled cheese has some very serious problems. The other dishes were average. Nothing too bad, but certainly nothing very good. I came away from this place feeling like the owners were new to food service and had grossly underestimated the amount of thought and effort required to serve a good meal. Maybe it will change in the future but I kind of doubt it. The wait staff was nice but kind of clueless about waiting tables. We actually had to ask them to remove the empty appetizer tray before somebody took it away - this was after we finished dinner! But, in general, the wait staff is not the Fountainhead's problem. The Fountainhead's problems come from much higher than that. In Ayn Rand's meritocratic world, this restaurant would have closed the day it opened. The bar could have stayed open longer. Perhaps the owners should have stuck to what they were good at rather than choosing to go through the motions of being a restaurant too. The key to enjoying the Fountainhead is that, if you are going to eat, make sure you have a few beers first - it would make the Fountainhead's barely mediocre food seem much better. If it were not for the excellent selection of beer and whisky, I would have only given Fountainhead one star.

    (2)

  • Annie R.

    I think I like beer more than food. I like the drinks here; therefore I like the food. Mussels are great. Never have to wait for a table, fun crowd.

    (4)

  • Jon B.

    The beer selection is wide and deep, and the menu's helpful descriptions of the various styles had me geeking out. The hangar steak is a bargain at $14, and the peppery chocolate creme brûlée with bacon brittle was wonderfully discomfiting. I never meet anybody interesting at the bar, though, unlike Revolution, but at least you can talk here w/o screaming.

    (4)

  • Mick C.

    The good beer selection & decent food would have earned 4 stars, BUT the service was awful. Basically, the service was slow and our server was rude. Hence, 2 stars. I live just around the corner & don't plan to go back.

    (2)

  • Hilary M.

    briefly: good beer selection. mediocre and overly ambitious food. went on a friday night w/ 4 friends. waited for over an hour. couldn't wait at the bar b/c it was at capacity. this wasn't a big deal, as we'd kinda expected a wait. i'm not a beer expert, but my friends kinda are and they seemed satisfied w/ the beer options. what i was most interested in was the FOOD, which was fairly disappointing. here's the run down: - i had the goat cheese croquettes w/ honey lemon sauce to start, which were terrible. undercooked and therefore doughy w/ too little cheese; sauce wasn't really a sauce as much as a bunch of honey w/ a little lemon mixed in... syrupy sweet and not at all a compliment to the croquettes. - a friend and i did splitsies on two sandwiches: egg salad and black bean burger. both were very messy, with flavors that were just okay. ingredients were fresh and neither sandwich was too heavy, but nothing popped. the frites were mediocre. - another friend just ordered frites and they came w/ two aiolis of the day: lemon caper and bloody mary. neither was great... both names hinted at ambitious flavor but didn't deliver. i will go back just for beers. maybe i'd try another appetizer, but i don't think i'd bother w/ a full meal again. the menu sounds great, but the chef isn't pulling it off.

    (2)

  • Kennen M.

    As this is now the bar closest to my house, I was excited that it was going to be my new favorite hangout! My excitement died after my few experiences there. When at the exterior of the building, there isn't much of a welcome sign, open sign and the windows are darkly tinted so there is the uneasy feeling if they are even open. When walking in, you are not greeted by anyone and the tables seem all filled and the only resort is the bar. The bar staff act if they could give two shiets about serving you anything. One shouldn't have to wait more than a few minutes to get acknowledged and even more minutes to get asked what I would like to drink. The other time a female friend and I came in here from a rainstorm, all wet and wanting an evening beer. Standing at the half empty bar for ten minutes without any service is unacceptable. Sure, we were soaked, may not have looked top of our game but we still were appropriately dressed and had money in our pockets. We left and went to the Wild Goose where we were served right away. Yes, Fountainhead has a large selection of beer and bourbon; however they aren't the only game in town. I am dumbfounded to why this place is so busy other than it is the hip place to go at the moment. These lemmings should be taught that there is nothing hip about poor service. I will order my IPA without the attitude somewhere else from now on!

    (2)

  • M P.

    4 amazing reasons to go here: Mike, Mark, Caroline, and Angel. The staff here truly make the place. On top of the wonderful people, the beer selection is huge!! The rooftop is lovely and during the winter there's a cute little fireplace to hang out by. Highly recommended!!

    (5)

  • Sarah N.

    We went there for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The service wasn't spectacular but the atmosphere was nice and rustic feeling - cozy in a large room, if that's possible. The menu itself is small but what we had was delicious! I had the pork sandwich and hubs had the chicken sandwich. YUM! And some excellent beers, of course.

    (4)

  • Patricia R.

    I have been to fountainhead twice and have been underwhelmed and just downright aggravated by the staff. The first time, my husband and I tried to sit at a "sacred" booth, but we were told that the booths were reserved for big parties. The initial server was ready to sit us wherever we wanted, but the manager abruptly made it perfectly clear that we could not take one of the precious booths. It's 6pm midweek!!! And then no one sat in those booths the whole time we were there. Class Act. This place is not as necessary to the 'hood as the staff thinks it is. It's a dime a dozen joint. The food is not very creative or have fun flavors at all. Bruschetta should not be build your own! My husband and I both got sandwiches that sounded unique and interesting, but neither had any flavor. Sure, the beer list is more extensive than Miller Lite, but with a staff that treats people like crap (Hey, ya just opened) I don't feel the need to go back.

    (1)

  • Kerry S.

    Ok, something kinda weird happened. I'm still gonna keep going here, solely because of the beer. But, I went on Mother's Day with my folks. At my house we were watching the Celtics/Cavs game (we're huge Celtics fans) but decided to forgo the fourth quarter in favor of an early dinner. When we got to Fountainhead, the restaurant was maybe half full and their lone TV that hangs over the bar once again was on CNN. My husband and I noted the first time that the music was inaudible and we thought it was weird they just had one TV, and why was CNN on? So when I sat down with my parents, I thought it couldn't hurt to ask if the Cavaliers game could be turned on. (I even said Cavaliers thinking, midwest team, LeBron, playoffs...all selling points.) Our server was super nice, said no problem. Then we saw them dinking around with the remote, and then they just gave up and turned the TV off. She came over and explained the TV was only for Chicago sports, and if no teams were playing they want the TV off. "We don't want it to become a destination spot." What? No one was watching CNN, why not just appease the customer? It wasn't a huge deal for us, I DVR'd the game, but why turn the TV off? It was kinda like taking your ball home from the playground because you don't want to share. I think they should lighten up on their "rules" or just take the TV down. Why have one TV? It's stupid. Hopleaf doesn't have a TV, people still go. I think Fountainhead is working through a little bit of an identity crisis. Am I a bar? Am I a restaurant? Who knows, had they obliged our simple request, we may have stayed for another round of celebratory manhattans, which incidentally are terrific, and we coulda cheered our team on to their eventual win.

    (3)

  • Susana D.

    Indeed, an impressive lineup of beers, but the frites don't even come close to Hopleaf's, or Huey's fries. Or even Le Sabre's fries across the street. The "aiolis" with the frites showed more cleverness than skill. The place was crowded (a good thing) on a Thursday but very noisy, and the 80's college rock seemed generic. The menu was mildly interesting, but both Dining Companion and I agreed we wished we'd have gone for the burger on a pretzel roll rather than the chicken sandwich and the sodden summer salad.

    (2)

  • Fred W.

    I like this place. It's a little pricey. Not quite up to the level of Hop Leaf for a "gastropub", but pretty good. Had a couple of stellar Manhattans and their beer list is extensive with many good choices. Food is OK. Service seems better/friendlier than the Hop Leaf, to continue that comparison.

    (4)

  • N. S.

    I have been there several times now, and I think they have a few kinks to work out. They have a good beer, wine and spirits selection. It's varied, well-priced, and ever-changing. The service is decent. The location and interior are great. On the culinary side though, they've got a lot of work to do. Everything on the menu SOUNDS amazing, yet continues to disappoint. Details below - but for now, I'm going to wait until their rooftop opens and see if by then they've realized their full potential. Burgers: My friends have had these and pronounced them "pretty good." And they do look good. Fries: The first few times, they were these big, delicious, crispy things. This past week though, they've been pretty much just like Burger King fries: a dusting of cornstarch to give them crunch, but otherwise they taste like anything of a freezer truck. Swine Swoon: The pork was perfectly cooked, but not very flavorful. The toppings were scant, so they didn't add much and the "sourdough" seemed to be of the Wonder bread variety. Beyond Grilled Cheese: Sounds amazing. Even though the name is "beyond," it suggests that the sandwich will be cooked (grilled/griddled/pressed, something) but it was really just brie and fruit spread on the same supermarket sourdough. Smoky macaroni: Pasta cooked nicely. More greasy than cheesy. Not a hint of "smoke" that I could taste, though. Sweet Potato Chips: Okay, but nothing special. Moo Platter: I'm not sure what to say about this. Stoner's Delight? Bacon in canned biscuit dough? The previously mentioned macaroni and sweet potatoes. And then this lump of salty beyond belief tavern cheese? What is one supposed to do with that? Put it on the chips or the already cheese/bacony bread? Maybe If I'd smoked a bong first, I would have enjoyed that one more.

    (2)

  • J S.

    The scotch tasting events have been a blast. Thanks to a great team! When we were waiting for our table, Lindsey the hostess was so nice to chat with. The hostess can really set a mood. Thanks again FH!

    (5)

  • Activator S.

    Great beer and liquor selection and awesome brunch! If you're looking for a place to go to with a group of friends and have great food and drinks then this is the place. I highly recommend Fountainhead.

    (5)

  • E M.

    Oh my gosh, what are these poor reviews about? This place is better than the HOPLEAF! There, I said it. It DEFINITELY IS better than the Hopleaf. And no, it isn't named after Ayn Rand's novel. I know, weird. Went with some beer snobs who were moving to VA. Tried the Surly Mild. Amazing. Sweet. Tried the Crispy Salad. Fresh, not drenched in dressing, yet not too normal bag-of-salad at the same time. Duck stuff, also crispy and kinda scrumptious. WAY CHEAPER THAN HOPLEAF. All the beers we tried were great, and we tried a lot. What they have on draft is surprising and cheap. The server knew exactly what she had and even identified the beer my friends described having had at the preview night weeks earlier. It was no longer on the menu, but she knew what they were talking about in 10 seconds. That gives a big clue into the personality of the people who work at Fountainhead. Love it. Loved the set up of the inside where the bar's the feature once you walk in. Lots of room for neighbors to congregate and SOFT PADS ON THE CHAIRS!!! YES!!! You know, the area looks desolate around the Montrose stop, but it's not. There are a lot of cool people around here who have appreciated Glenn's and Margie's, the Lill Street Art Center, Beans and Bagels and Le Sabre forEVER. These places-with-personality have been staples and reflective of the neighborhood for a long time, and I hope Fountainhead is, too.

    (4)

  • kara m.

    Amazing beer menu. There's something for everyone here on the extensive beer menu. We split the mussels and frites...both were delicious (esp. the garlic aioli). We can't wait to visit this place more often this summer!

    (5)

  • Stephanie F.

    Everything about Fountainhead looks great. The corner where it lives, great. Seating in booths and old-fashioned cabaret tables is invitingly great. The outstanding Bourbon and Whiskey list, great. The wonderfully presented and defined beer list, great. The food? Not so much. Of course, it looks great. The way it reads on the menu is great (except for the typo in the word 'chutney.' Their version read 'chutetny'). But when tasted, the dipping sauce served with the Croquettes was loaded with too much thyme and honey. The "assortment" of dipping sauces to be served with the "frites" was a mere two little dishes of something white that was never described to us. We thought a garlic mayonnaise and a blue cheese? The frites themselves were just a notch up from fast food joint crunchy and nondescript. Fountainhead's redeeming quality last night lie in their burger. It tasted like a real, shaped at the counter, grilled by your dad type of burger. Cooked to the perfect temperature and served with the juiciest of tomatoes and tangiest of pickles. Was it the best burger in Chicago or does it deserve to be on a must-have list? Not at all - but the pleasure was found in its charming innocence. My recommendation is to go for drinks and skip on the food.

    (3)

  • Kevin K.

    Beer aged in whiskey barrels?! Why was I not informed of this? I really need to get out more. Anyway, it's brilliant. The wifey and I came here on a Saturday night at around 8:00 and only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. (As this is Yelp, I'm operating under the assumption that spouses must be referred to as either "hubby" or "wifey" with or without the article "the" in front). At the bar my wife had a Crispin Cider on draft that she liked it a lot. I had a sip and you definitely get that whiskey barrel thing going on. Once seated I ordered the Allagash Curieux. The server returned shortly thereafter only to tell me they ran out, but she gave me what they had left, about half a glass, on the house. Great job turning a negative into a positive. My next drink was the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, a beer I knew nothing about and ordered for the 13% APV. Yup, that's how I roll. First of all, it was beautiful to look at. It was dark as sin and had a perfect espresso-like crema. At first sip, you get that great velvety texture of a good stout, and the richness and full body are immediately apparent. Then the taste. Good God that taste. It tasted like black licorice extract, if there is such a horrible thing, mixed with that bottle of Wild Turkey that's been collecting dust in your parents' liquor cabinet for twenty years. I mean I know it's not a chugging beer, but I could barely sip the stuff, and this is from someone who likes drinking bourbon and scotch neat. I don't hold this abomination against the fine folks of Fountainhead or Goose Island. I'm sure some people probably love it. I'm just not one of those people. The food was very good. The Monkey Bread with gorgonzola and bacon served with a side of sausage gravy was amazing. The gravy was extremely black peppery, but in a good way. My wife had the mussels appetizer for an entree and they were very good. I had the Swine Swoon which was a pork shoulder sandwich with aged cheddar and pickle slices. It was good not great. The pork was tasty but a little dry. Also, it was supposed to have some kind of mustard, but if it was on there, I couldn't taste it. It needed something to kick it up a notch like a dijon or a hot sauce. Overall though, really, really good. The service was great from host to bartender to server. Let's give it four stars.

    (4)

  • Madelyn H.

    what lacks in the food at fountainhead, is made up for by the extensive beer list and atmosphere. really a great little spot in this neighborhood. super cozy with a fireplace and dark wood. perfect for the winter. we tried the crispy salad with spiced walnuts and apples. it just wasn't super flavorful. same with the hot pink risotto and the black bean patty. all were underseasoned. i was excited about the bread pudding but it too was not your typical custardy moist bread pudding - kind of mediocre. i would definitely go back though because there were several other things on the menu that i wanted to try.

    (4)

  • carrie h.

    Overrated. I was excited for a place like this to come to my neighborhood, but when I went, I was so disappointed. The beer list is fantastic. Food is mediocre at best. Four of us went for dinner, and had the duck mac n cheese, a burger, an entree with pork belly and something else...nobody thought their food was any more than okay. The staff clearly doesn't understand the neighborhood...trying to hard to be hip translates as a bit juvenile. I will return once the rooftop deck opens...for drinks, not dinner. Hoping that by the time the deck is ready that the owners figure out how to staff the place for people who aren't there for a scene.

    (2)

  • Christopher R.

    I'm a regular customer of Fountainhead and I would fully recommend this establishment. Ok - let's start off with the one thing that keeps this review from being 5 stars. The entrees at this bar are definitely bar food quality and not gastropub quality like they are presented as. That's not to say that the entrees are bad - and I would go so far as to say that most of the appetizers are good - it's just clearly not the bar's primary focus. Fountainhead's focus is clearly their beer list, which they call the beer bible. It's a wood bound menu that is literally pages and pages long. Every time I take someone here for their first time, I definitely get the "we can't order yet, I haven't finished reading this menu yet" moment. I love coming here and trying a new beer every week. It's really expanded my beer knowledge and palate.

    (4)

  • Alexandria T.

    Foutainhead, I had such high expectations for you, but you seriously left me disappointed. We headed out to Fountainhead on a Saturday evening for a dinner and drinks with a couple of friends. We arrived early, knowing there would probably be a wait for the patio on a beautiful early summer evening. We put our name and made our way to the bar for some drinks while we waited. The beer selection is pretty amazing and that was one of our reasons for waiting to check it out. We enjoyed two beers at the bar before our table was ready. It didn't seem to take as long as we thought it would, which was a pleasant surprise. As soon as we got upstairs to be seated, we were informed the menu upstairs was incredibly different from the menu downstairs. They had a special BBQ menu, and two of our party, including myself, are vegetarians, who eat fish. The only item on the menu other than a salad for us to eat was a fried catfish dish. No problem, right? Well, they were out of the catfish, and completely unwilling to serve anything from the downstairs menu upstairs. The server went to check with his manager and told us that they absolutely would not do that. That was a poor decision on their part, but I decided to let it go, and ended up ordering a salad in wrap form, specifying not to include the bacon on my wrap. We began our meal with an order of the deviled eggs and pub cheese. Neither of these items were particularly mind-blowing, but at this point, we were starving. Our food took a unusually long amount of time to make it to the table, but we continued to enjoy another round of beers, which also kept taking forever to arrive to our table. Everything pretty much went even further downhill from this point forward. Once our meals finally arrived, we all were pretty much ready to eat anything. I bit into the salad turned wrap that I ordered and discovered they had included bacon on it. Ridiculous, after the whole debate about what to order there without eating meat. They sent it back, and I was left staring at everyone else eating while they attempted to fix the mistake. Another bacon-free wrap came out, and it was sub par at best. This is definitely not a place where you can expect quality food. We were sitting finishing up our beers when a busser came by to clear our plates. He spilled a half full beer all over my lap. Awesome, especially since I had to bike home, and the evening by this point had turned rather chilly. The server came over and said they'd bring me another beer at no charge. They should have also comped the beer that was spilled all over my lap, but this place clearly doesn't know how to treat customers well. I don't care how nice their rooftop patio and beer list are, Fountainhead sorely misses the customer service mark. I would not return, nor would I recommend anyone to give this business their money.

    (1)

  • Shereene M.

    Super cute!! The rooftop is so nice and the service is great! We got drinks and shared the cornbead just for a snack and it was yummy! I'll definitely be back. The area is nice and would a good spot to start off at.

    (4)

  • Amanda P.

    I want to like this place, I really do. However, each time I've gone, my hopes and dreams for what Fountainhead is have been crushed. I've given it several chances, but after our latest visit, which was notably bad, I think I'm done giving chances. What I've concluded: SERVICE: MEH The servers are pleasant, casual, and attentive. The bartenders are arrogant. The hostesses are friendly, but would do well to make themselves useful doing something (anything) other than awkwardly standing around & chatting with each other near the door when no customers need to be seated or greeted. Also the seating system is frustrating and inefficient, and begs to be streamlined to accommodate the heavy demand of the place. FOOD: HIT OR MISS The menu is definitely original, with a lot of tempting choices. I'll admit, I have had a few very good items here. The deviled eggs and broccoli cheddar soup were outstanding, flavor-wise. But I've had a few disappointing items each visit too. On our latest visit, my fries were so overseasoned and oversalted that I could not stand to eat them. They're fries, for Christ sake! So I asked for the cole slaw instead. You can't go wrong with slaw, right? Wrong, apparently. Fountainhead's slaw is tasteless. As in, tastes like cabbage and water, with a tiny sprinkle of sugar. I can't imagine how they can overseason one item so heavily, and underseason another. My best guess is that the Chef is drunk on the Roses whisky, which customers are slyly prompted (in print at the bottom of the menu) to send back to the kitchen for $XX. Um, thanks, but I'll pass. VALUE: POOR Prices are outlandish (even for Chicago). Portions are also tiny, which makes the food even more overpriced. To demonstrate the poor value: On our latest visit, BF and I each ordered a bowl of soup, a burger, and 2 beers/glasses of wine. We spent over $100. I'm sorry, but NO. This meal would cost $60 or less at any other casual dining establishment in the city. But Fountainhead's burger costs $20, and their bowl of soup costs $8. Also, the "bowl" of soup was really a cup (maybe not even), served in a bowl so shallow the soup didn't even cover the spoon when you dipped it in. $8 was already a hard-to-stomach price for any single serving portion of soup. For it to be so incredibly skimpy was an infuriating start to the meal. Fountainhead, I think you might be trying to be something you're not. You're a gastropub, not a Michelin-Starred fine dining establishment. You're in Ravenswood, not Streeterville. Just swallow a little chill pill. It'll do you a world of good.

    (1)

  • Monica F.

    Here's a nice place to meet some friends, particularly friends who aren't interested in your suggestion that you meet someplace quiet and instead explain that they are going to be here whether you like it or not. It's a pleasant bar, not too brightly lit. It wasn't as loud as the restaurant I had just left, which was nice, although I still felt pretty hoarse after an hour or so of talking over the music and the other patrons. The waitress seemed really perky and helpful. My friends both got tasting glasses of beer before making up their mind. The friend who chose the bar was also eating some kind of sandwich when we arrived. His office was on the block and he said he ate there pretty regularly and really liked it. I tried to order a buttery nipple because I had a sweet tooth but she said they didn't have any butterscotch schnapps. Disappointing! Then I tried to get a Frangelica, which they also didn't have, but they had a different hazelnut liquor that tasted pretty much like Frangelica, so I was satisfied. My friends bullied me into having a second one, which is more liquor than I usually have in a month, but I don't see these people very often, and they got my tab, so a good time was had by all.

    (3)

  • Real K.

    Great attentive service. The only drink under $10 on the menu was Port. They served it in a shot glass on a stem. I forgot this is a dessert, sipping wine. I can drink the same stuff at home out of a Mason Jar for $4.

    (5)

  • Mary W.

    Very cool roof top bar!!! Decent beer selection! Only compliant was how they handle seating the upstairs. There were tons of open tables but wouldn't seat us because it was for someone else. But 15 minutes later the tables were still open.

    (4)

  • Laura G.

    A lot of my friends adore this place, but I'm not so sure. I went with my boyfriend in the winter and when we arrived there was a wait. I asked the hostess how long she thinks the wait might be and she said she's not allowed to give me an ETA. Not knowing how long it would take to be seated didn't allow us to plan if we should get a drink at the bar or just have our entire meal at the bar rather than waiting. We ended up ordering drinks and before they were even ready the hostess sat us at a table. Wouldn't have it just been easier to say less than 10 minutes? We ordered the old bay fries as an appetizer and those were delicious, but the chicken pot pie was average and the bbq rubbed with coffee was trying too hard and did not deliver (I don't see it on the menu currently). Both entrees were poorly plated. It was like they were just slopped on the plate. Both were items I could make better on my own. Again, my friends say great things about this place and maybe I went on a weird night. I plan to give it another try. Hoping for better results!

    (2)

  • Erica L.

    Impressive selection of beers, bourbons (Four Roses L.E.), whiskey, and Scotch. They even had an "Asian Invasion" special last Wednesday featuring a few types of Kavalan. They have Hibiki 12 year, my favorite brand of Japanese whiskey ever since we brought the Hibiki 21 year from our Tokyo/Taiwan trip last year...yeah, yeah I started with the good stuff first and everything has been downhill since then. Food is great - Hubby loves that they offer an appetizer of "Pickled Things". I had the small portion of Mac & Cheese and ordered a side of the cornbread and honey butter. First I thought the portion was small, but I was stuffed. Hubby enjoyed the juicy Fountainhead Burger. Just warning that the menu is different from the main dining area and the Rooftop Garden. We tried to have weekend brunch upstairs, but the menu was more limited to sandwiches and simpler fare since they have two different kitchens. It's a great place to enjoy the summer weather. They have retractable shades if it gets too hot. Service has been friendly and efficient. We haven't had a problem getting a table the times we've went. So go for the drinks and stay for the food, especially in the main dining area.

    (4)

  • Bill T.

    We loved this place in up and coming Ravenswood. Awesome beer selection and the food is creative and delicious. Make sure you get the Pub Cheese as an app along with the Gar Parm Wings - they are delicious. Try the Turkey Sambal or the Fountainhead Burger for your mains and don't forget the beer - many on tap and a huge bottle selection! We had a recommendation to try this and we were sooooo glad we did - Sooo I am recommending this to you too - good vibe, great bartenders, and an excellent stop.

    (4)

  • Heather P.

    This has quickly become my favorite neighborhood joint. For one, I have never had anything but exceptional service. All the servers I have ever encountered have always been upbeat, outgoing and armed with a great recommendation be it for food or drink! The menu is great, but one tiny cringe is that they have been 86'd on the item I've ordered more than once, but there is never a shortage of enticing menu offerings so I'm able to make a quick recovery from the initial devastation. One of these days I will have the tamales! Risotto was pretty good, frites are great, pub cheese yum, mussles yum, the burger was good but not $14 good. The crowd is very chill. The environment is cozy and warm. The rooftop is a great little city oasis. There really isn't a bad seat in the house or on top for that matter. Great food, great drinks, great service, pretty great environment!

    (5)

  • Leah M.

    I came for the rooftop bar and was left disappointed by every other aspect of my visit. Food: overpriced with scanty portions, and I'm a small woman with a below average appetite. If you're going to do gastropub, there are a million other places that are better than this place in the city. On one visit I ordered the mushroom risotto. Why I ordered risotto at a place like this is stupid mistake, but that does not excuse the downright DISGUSTING plate of food I was served. Water floating at the bottom, rice and quinoa still crunchy, and mushrooms overtaking the whole shebang. Drinks: Again, I could've been a smarter customer, but their liquor list is deceptive. S and D don't stand for Single/Double, and double has a different abbreviation altogether. So when I pointed at the menu, said I'll have this, and make it a double, clearly pointing at the list, you'd think they'd correct me. Instead I paid $25 for a double of a $35 a bottle bourbon. When I asked about the price, they didn't apologize once, and instead scoffed that I didn't read the menu correctly. I hate complaining. I'm a nice person. The server was a b****. Service: pretty much covered above, but I wanted to mention that it took 45 minutes to get our check on a slow Tuesday. Server was impossible to find. If you want to get a beer and stay a while, this is the spot because the rooftop is lovely and they have a good beer selection. But that's really it's only draw.

    (2)

  • Regina W.

    I visited Fountainhead a few weeks back for my co-worker's birthday dinner. It was AMAZING! I'm not a drinker but I noticed that they have a WIDE selection of spirits for those that choose to partake. The fries are excellent but please make sure that you try the macaroni and cheese with smoked gouda and chicken. It was WONDERFUL!

    (5)

  • Nikki G.

    Been here for drinks in past but finally got to eat tonight. Fried chicken with Gruyere mashed potatoes were delicious. Great beer list too.

    (5)

  • Chris M.

    Will start by saying that I didn't eat here, as our goal on Saturday craft beer weekend was to bar hop and consume as many craft beers as possible....it was a tough job, guys....but someone had to do it!! My four stars alone are for the beer menu and the GORGEOUS upstairs patio deck!! I LOVE the space up here!!! Full bar, a mini separate kitchen that serves the patio area, fire places, heat lamps and just a really nice view that makes kicking back and relaxing all that much easier. I can't think of any places like Fountainhead around this area that have an upstairs patio like this. And for that, this place is unique and I hope it becomes a staple to this area as well as a foundation for other rooftop endeavors to come into the area as well.

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    Went out in search of beer. After some discussion with my friend we settled on coming here. There was a wait for tables, but space open at the bar. Since we were going just to drink, it was a-ok with us to sit up there. While normally I don't comment on bar stools, these drove me a little crazy. There was no where for me to put my feet. I was too short. I just felt like a little child sitting up at the bar. Staff was was super attentive, but not annoyingly so. Beer and whiskey selections were good.

    (4)

  • Tara N.

    Great rooftop but drink menu prices are deceptive. I ordered a lemonade vodka menu priced at $8 great drink but they actually charged me $9 so check your bill carefully!

    (2)

  • Zita M.

    Wonderful roof top restaurant. A bit slow service but didn't mind it. I loved their risotto with added bacon. Many cider options.

    (4)

  • Brian S.

    Wonderdul beer selection here. Ask for a nitro beer. In terms of food I like the pork sandwich and mussels. Its really a great bar year around with knowledgeable and friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Bernard L.

    Fountainhead continues to improve since I've been coming here the past three years. The place almost has a divey bar look to it but has an array of beers and whisky. The presentation of the menu itself does that the place has a lot of class. There are about 20 beers on tap and an almost endless list of bottle beers and whisky. The one TV that they have is sometimes on and sometimes off so I'm not sure if they want to have more of a dinner only vibe or a sports vibe. As for the food, you can't go wrong. The new chef Cleetus has introduced a fantastic menu, which includes the awesome turkey sandwich, which he had at City Provisions (I miss that place). My wife and I went to brunch there recently and had the BEST hummus I have ever had. It tasted like there was bacon in it, but according to the waitress, the garbanzos beans were roasted giving it that flavor. The new roof addition is nice, but honestly I've been to better rooftops so I wasn't particularly blown away. Overall, this is an amazing place for good food and drink and only makes me want to stay in Ravenswood forever.

    (5)

  • Bri A.

    We must have come at a good time for brunch because the place was empty! We had no problem grabbing a booth and placing our Bloody Mary order right away. My friend and I love bloodies, but these were way too spicy! I like a kick to them, but the spiciness was too overpowering and drowned out the flavor of the drink. Foodwise, we enjoyed our meals! I had the chicken burger which came topped with a fried egg and a nice, fat piece of bacon. The meat was a bit too salty, but overall, it was a pretty good burger. The potatoes were awesome and even when full, I couldn't stop eating them! My friend loved her mushroom quinoa risotto. Next time, I'd get a few of the small items to share. The sriracha deviled eggs, fancy mac & cheese and buttermilk biscuits sound amazing! We'll see if I actually share. I want to try the dinner menu, too, especially since I hear they have a great craft beer list.

    (3)

  • Rebeca M.

    Lovely rooftop. Great beer selection. Mediocre staff. Came here on a Friday evening about 7pm.. No wait but I was still waiting on a friend so I sat at the bar... The bartender was very friendly and attentive .. Once we got our table, our server kind of forgot about us. She stopped by after about 10 min and took our drink order .. Then we didn't see her again for about 15-20 min so we got our own drinks at the bar. We decided to close out and head somewhere else.

    (3)

  • Trista T.

    I love restaurants like these with ever changing menus. Everything truly tasted like it came right from the farmers market! We started with a spicy peach soup that was chilled. I had never really tasted anything like it, so unique. I kept it simple and went for the burger. Yum! Cooked perfectly and crazy juicy. I tried my sister Mac and cheese that was crusty and creamy. Our waitress was great and helpful suggesting beers for us. We hardly ever drink beer so we were lost in the drink menu. My sister and I both ended up with great fruity beers we loved! Can't wait to try out the rooftop sometime!

    (4)

  • Tom C.

    Went here for just some drinks with friends on a Friday night and had a great experience. Host accommodated 20 of us last minute on their rooftop section which was very nice on a warm night. Server was crazy nice and recommended very well crafted drinks and beers. Next time I want to sample the food because it smelled delicious though!

    (5)

  • Gina G.

    Great attention to details and your dining experience. Nice spot to watch sports outside or to grab a beer with friends and lounge around together.

    (3)

  • B D.

    Starting with the attitude of the hostess to the really crap service I think this is our last time at fountainhead. Not the best food anyway. Started out being told all the items they didn't have in the menu. Veggie burger dry as was the bun. Steak was marginal at best. Also, no highchairs!?!? Know your neighborhood people.

    (2)

  • Katie S.

    I've been to Fountainhead about three times now. I've always had a positive experience. I have not eaten the food, so I cannot comment on that. But I feel that their drink offerings are superb. My husband loves to come here because he loves scotch and they have excellent scotch selections. He really loves the LaPhroaig. One time, I got the Irish coffee and it was the best Irish coffee I've ever had! It had this delicious whip cream on top (and I don't even like whip cream- that's how amazing it is!!) I would seriously recommend ordering it. We went last weekend on a Friday night and they had the roof open. It was chilly, so they had a portion sectioned off for an "in doors" feel. They had another section which was open with heaters, so you had the choice. It was really nice and I really liked the vibe up there. Overall, go for their excellent whiskey selections and their Irish coffee!

    (5)

  • Patrick Z.

    The beer is great, but watch your receipts. These guys seem pretty sly with skimming off the top. I called management twice because they overcharged me on my bill. They said they would take care of it and never did. Do not pay with debit card!!

    (1)

  • Jenna C.

    Sometimes, it really pains me to give a bad review. I really wanted to like you Fountainhead! Really, I promise I did! Perhaps it was an off night? Perhaps dining downstairs is better? I'm willing to come back and find out, but for now I'm of the opinion that this gastropub is overrated. Their rooftop is a nice atmosphere and rightfully earns itself a star. But the menu is different than downstairs, and the beer options severely more limited. Unfortunately, our waitress started by telling us they were out of six different drafts, leaving only a handful to choose from. Granted, the one I ordered was very good, but the service was also extremely slow. We ordered food as well and it took over an hour to reach our table. I got the mushroom quinoa and it was ok but definitely not worth the price. One other person in my party noticed there was no smoked gouda on his sandwich - which, if you've ever had good smoked gouda then you know this is a crucial mistake! The staff was actually very nice - earning the other star in my rating. They even felt so bad for the slowness that they sent over free dessert. But some experiences just cannot be fixed with cheesecake.

    (2)

  • Tom S.

    Great beer menu, average uninspired limited food menu. Had a cob salad which was good but somewhat on the small side for price. French fries also not a great value at $6. Small portion of little nibs of fries. Horseradish mayo a good dip though. Was expecting more out of this place then they provided. Server was friendly enough but took a while for food to come out.

    (3)

  • Lauren R.

    Fountainhead has all the makings of a great bar - awesome beer menu (literally a full multi-page menu), unique food menu, cool atmosphere and wonderful location. However, the wait for all the delicious beer, cider and food is so long that it takes the fun out of going to a bar. No water refills, no check-ins. Lastly, while the unique food menu is appealing on paper, I didn't really like the execution. The pub beer cheese spread was blah. The smoked hummus was nothing special and the fries are over seasoned. Way too expensive for the bad service and bad flavors.

    (3)

  • Mark W.

    Food was okay. Mac and cheese was kind of basic. But good. Great beer menu. I'd go back, but probably wait until we can go to the outdoor space!

    (3)

  • Laura P.

    Got a little booth in the back nook on a busy and cold Friday night. It feels like a real pub, cool. But I have to work tomorrow so I'm really just needing the food to be good. Sriracha deviled eggs. I could've eaten a dozen. Seriously. And I am very serious about deviled eggs. My companion had a whisky flight and I had some samples just to taste...all good. All recommended by our server who was most definitely swamped but he was an absolute pro. Dig it.

    (4)

  • Laura K.

    I live nearby so I've been here several times. I'm a solid fan. It can be a bit pricey and the wait can be annoying. But the food is good and the whiskey list is long. I was pleasantly surprised by the brunch, which was really good. Though the biggest pro here is the roof bar. It bumps my rating up a star.

    (4)

  • Freddy F.

    Rooftop bar is where it's at, great summer hang out spot. Beer list is great, and the wait staff are all very good and helpful. I'm not a huge fan of the food menu, I think that it tries to do too much, but it might be something that other people like. Overall, great bar to visit.

    (4)

  • Carl B.

    Came in on a Friday for drinks with my friend the day before his wedding. We were seated right away and the service was excellent: invented some tasty shots, crafted some great cocktails. When the tab came, drinks for the groom were on the house. Great night.

    (5)

  • Amanda P.

    I wish I could review the drinks/food separate. Great drink menu but the food is very very meh. I hate leaving three starts for such a great drink menu but I suppose that's what the review box is for! Very cute and warm atmosphere, can't wait to see it in the summer.

    (3)

  • Kristin B.

    Husband and I came with friends tonight -- beer selection was ok (out of a few drafts I would have liked to try, but whatever), but food portions were SO TINY! Husband got the cobb salad and it had very few pieces of chicken/cheese and was so covered in dressing it was hard to eat. I had the falafel and while it was all fairly tasty, just not nearly enough food! We stopped by Blaze pizza in Evanston on our way home for a pizza because we were still starving -- too much $$ for not enough food (making for a very expensive dinner overall). Go somewhere that will leave you with a full tummy

    (2)

  • Laura T.

    I've been told I have to update this. I gave them another chance. The only thing they were out of was the bacon, the fried chicken is great, and the service was outstanding. However, I still think it's ridiculous that they have a Tolkien quote one their website - "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." But a bacon cheeseburger costs $18.

    (3)

  • Stephanie S.

    I've been meaning to post a review, but things just got away from me. I'm giving Fountainhead 1 star only beacuse of the beer selection. I suggest if you're hungry, eat someplace else and then stop in here for a nightcap. It's been so long since I made my final visit there, I forgot what I ordered. I won't go into deatils, but what I do remember is that it didn't sit well with me afterwards. As I said, the beer selection is awsome, but after 3 visits, 2 with mediocre meals and one that was just awful, I won't be back. There are way too many beer places, that serve much better food than this.

    (1)

  • Alexander F.

    Great atmosphere on the rooftop deck. The food was solid. The service was terrible though. I would come here to day drink again, but not to dine. Honestly this is purely atmosphere. Service &'dining experience has been g-d awful.

    (2)

  • Ross R.

    To date, I have had 3 entirely separate, and entirely bizarre bad experiences at this restaurant. 1. Circa 2013-ish, I was served raw chicken. When i sent it back to get re-made, the server felt compelled (at the Chef's request) to tell me that it wasn't under-cooked, just very moist. While being false, it was also offensive that they felt the need to express this opinion to me. Since this was their response, I decided I didn't want to mess around with the same dish again, so I ordered a veggie burger, which was horrible. 2. Circa 2014-ish. We sat on the rooftop deck, which is a nice atmosphere. My wife ordered a 14 dollar 'salad' that she ordered without the meat (which turned out to be 2 slivers of speck). The salad she received was 4 pieces of asparagus, which some shards of cheese on top...and it also had the meat on it. The issue wasn't so much the meat, but that this dish was pretending to be an entree (or, we assumed it would be, given the price and conventional wisdom), but was scarcely large enough to be an appetizer. My wife expressed her concern, and the server took that feedback to the kitchen. The Chef came out to talk to us, but instead of listening to the concern, he seemed more focused on questioning why my wife had ordered a salad with meat (again, that was not the primary concern). He then begrudgingly agreed to provide a different entree, which was pretty bad. Again, the food was pretty sub par all the way around, and way too expensive for what it was. 3. Circa 2015. We went for a late lunch on a weekend. We were given a brunch/lunch menu that had lunch options on one side, and brunch options on the other. The lunch menu had only 3 or 4 items, none of which were really interesting to me, and all of which were laughably expensive. We were told that the brunch menu was only going to be available for another 10 minutes, which we thought was fine, since we thought it would allow us to order off of a full lunch menu. Wrong! If we had waited, it would have limited us to the 3 lunch entrees on that menu they had given us. I ordered a sloppy joe that had an egg on it. It was fine, but was $13 or $14. It came with some gross breakfast potatoes, and some arugula. One of my friends ordered a side of mac and cheese, which turned out to be $16, lol. We had a good laugh about that one. I think the cost/noodle wound up being about $0.50/noodle. We were almost in tears from laughing when we realized we each paid $30 for a meager amount of mediocre food and 1 drink. The rooftop is always packed, so others must enjoy something about this place, but in my opinion, it's a joke. I think my 2015 visit will be my last. I still laugh when I think about the absurdity of my experiences here.

    (1)

  • Jackie B.

    Nice place, bad service. They missed no opportunity to let us know we were doing everything wrong and were maybe too dumb to be served here. First, as they went to seat us at a table, we asked if we could sit at the bar, so the hostess took her menus away and left us with nothing. My boyfriend found a menu shelved by a table next to the bar, but as he began to take it, the hostess ran up to him to let him know that we had to use the menus behind the bar, not that one. So he sat back down, and yet we still had no menus. Finally, the bartender manages to give us menus. Nice beer list, but tiny writing, dark room, a bit confusing...anyhow, I instead asked the bartender what IPA's they had on draught, and he told me to just look at the menu, as if I hadn't been sitting there for 5 minutes studying it already. Really? A bartender that won't help you pick a beer? No one ever asked for an IPA before? Finally, he grabs the menu and quickly reads off the beers that might qualify, glares at me, and moves on when I don't order instantly-thanks, dude. I ended up ordering a bottled beer. For our second round, I told him my boyfriend and I would split a second bottle, to which he proceeded to pour the entire bottle into one glass as I sat there trying to stop him, since we were splitting it. We also ordered food and were with a friend who ordered a cocktail, the bar wasn't overly busy, it's not like we were so cheap and he had too much better to do. Umm sorry, so many good beer bars in this city, I don't need to be made to feel like Clarence the angel from It's a Wonderful Life ordering his first mint julep in 135 years. Part of the joy in going to the bar is interacting with friendly, knowledgeable staff, or at least being treated like my business is appreciated.

    (2)

  • Radha K.

    I like the idea of this place...and I really like this place as well. I've only been here a few times and just for drinks, but have always had a pleasant experience! If I've come by myself and had a drink at the bar, the service is great and the staff are extremely friendly and attentive. Obviously they have a great beer selection! We had their bloody mary on Saturday and it was quite good n' spicy! The bottom of the glass ends up being a bed of pepper, but it was still delicious! To hold us over until we went somewhere else, we ordered the deviled eggs. They had a bit of sriracha on the top which made it quite tasty! Now that it's getting nice out, make sure you use the rooftop...it's great!

    (4)

  • Simone T.

    This is a consistently great date spot for my Husband and I. Love the food (our favorites are the Whisky Bacon & Deviled Eggs, the Mac 'n Cheese w/Duck Confit, the Mussels Vindaloo, any soup offered, the Chicken Fried Chicken and the Burgers). Cleetus has a great thing going here!

    (5)

  • Julie A.

    Good and bad. The good: Great beer list, spicy as hell bloody mary, amazing homemade ranch. Good turkey sandwich. Great pub cheese and pretzel bread. Tasty french freis. The bad: the ketchup is weird. I know its homemade but its like tomato water. It really should be thicker. The wings: BLEH. Not good at all. The skin was so gross and we asked for spicy bbq sauce and there was barely any on them. I took one bite and that is all I could take. But in the same way it wasn't that bad that I wouldn't go back. Very middle of the road. The pub cheese was my favorite thing though.

    (3)

  • Matt B.

    The pub cheese (charred kale, stone IPA, cheddar, pretzel bread) was great! The setting is great even though it is a bit oddly laid out. The fireplace was great for ambiance and that we were in the midst of a polar vortex. Looking forward to heading back to check out the rooftop bar. I had the turkey burger which wasn't the best I've ever had. Probably should have gone with my first choice, the beer braised brisket. There is always next time! And if that experience goes better we'll definitely add another star.

    (3)

  • Jan R.

    We went during prime time on a Friday night expecting a looooong wait. They told us about 30-40 mins which was much shorter then we expected. Also, we could wait on their partly tented rooftop and order beers. It was a little chilly out for the roof but they have a fireplace up there, so it was the perfect night! Great variety of beers and food. Everyone at our table ordered expecting to share. Everything from sandwiches to burgers, to die for! I was not disappointed with any aspect. I have nothing critical to say besides I wish I could eat there every day. Very cool atmosphere as well. I'm looking forward to returning in the summer to hangout on the rooftop

    (5)

  • Katherine K.

    Amazing food. Great warm alcoholic cocktails. Great drink list. Music is a bit loud though...

    (4)

  • Rudy C.

    Eh not really a fan. The service took forever and the prices were pretty high for the neighborhood this place is in. I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Courtney C.

    There are some trends that just need to die, while others are trends for a reason. The whole 'bacon' fever thing -- not gonna lie -- should NEVER, EVER DIE. Everything is better with bacon and don't say it's not. I won't believe you. When I heard of this bacon monkey bread, I knew it was going to be as scrumptious as it sounded. Believe me, it was all that and more. Fountainhead is known for this heavenly bread for a reason. It's super duper soft on the inside and the gravy that they give you was the perfect complement. (It's the white biscuits and gravy type of gravy.) We'd already eaten a sh&t ton that day or I also would have tried the siracha deviled eggs. I may be the last person on the face of the earth that hasn't tried siracha. This place has a beer and whiskey list like you've never seen before. It's a book (no it really is.) You need to commit at least 10 minutes to look at this list or better yet, just close your eyes and pick something. I thought it was quite strange that they are known for such a huge alcohol offering, yet there were quite a few kiddies running around, but hey - what do I know? I'll come back to this place for sure. Especially now that the patio is open for the summer!

    (4)

  • Meredith B.

    I walk by Fountainhead on the way to my gym almost every day, and it always looks cozy and busy. I finally got the chance to have dinner here last night, on a Tuesday. I met a friend at 5, and the place was totally empty. It filled up quick though, and when we left after 7 most seats were full! They had a fire going in the fire place, lots of tables by the windows, and it was so cozy to sit in the warm room and peruse their massive beer and whiskey list while watching the snow fall outside. They are not playing around with their booze list! Their bottle list was extensive - they had like, a dozen ciders! They had tons of everything else too, obviously, but I was pretty impressed with a cider selection that consists of more than just one. I had a blueberry cider from a Michigan cider mill which was great, and followed it up with a nice glass of red wine (small, but nice wine list). For food, we split the winter kale salad which was a large portion and great for sharing between two people as an appetizer. it was loaded with toasted pecans, blue cheese, and dried cranberries. The apple cider vinaigrette was served warm on the side. There's no "V" next to it on the menu but it is vegetarian, in case that matters to you! Then I had the crab cake sandwich with slaw. The crab cake was really delicious and flavorful, though it did have a tendency to fall apart (especially towards the end of the meal). The slaw on the side was okay - just crunchy cabbage, bell pepper, and carrot, in a creamy dressing. One of the best parts of the sandwich was the toasted bun. It was really very simple, but when you raise the sandwich up to your mouth you get a wonderful toasty, grilled smell. Sounds like such an ordinary thing but it took the sandwich to the next level. My friend enjoyed her mussels, and I had a few of her fries which were all right. They were served in a drinking glass, and the hot fries steamed up the glass and ended up making them a little soft over time. Hard to reach the ones on the bottom too! Small complaint. I think the prices are a little high for what you get, but all the food was really tasty and it's such a wonderful atmosphere in winter. I know they are known for their rooftop patio but don't wait until summer to go here. Come early, grab a seat by the fireplace, have a few drinks, and above average pub food.

    (4)

  • STephanie C.

    I love Fountainhead! I've gone on both weekends and weeknights, and am never disappointed. It's honestly one of my favorite places for brunch in the city, and a great place for dinner and drinks. The Eggle is delicious every time, and I love their bloody marys. I also recently tried the mushroom risotto, which was one of the small plate options. It was wonderful, too! My boyfriend and I discovered Fountainhead when we couldn't get in for brunch at Marmalade across the street. I'm glad! haha I much prefer a savory brunch over a sweet brunch, and I like the options for that at Fountainhead. The service is great, too, and although they get busy, I've never had to wait when I've gone in, even on busy Saturdays and Sundays.

    (5)

  • Anthony L.

    I'd give it a five but its sort of unfair since I was only on the rooftop, which is awesome, and cannot speak for the inside. The beer selection on tap is pretty good and they have lots of bottles. I really liked the hummus but my girlfriend wasn't a big fan. Service was pretty good. Will be back when its nice out but probably won't go unless the roof is open.

    (4)

  • Kelly A.

    This weekend, we enjoyed the Fountainhead roof deck for the first time. The weather was gorgeous outside so it seemed like the perfect place to watch the World Cup Final. This place has a lot going for it. The roofdeck is really well done. I thought the decor and landscaping where nice and even though it can get crowded, it doesn't feel like you are on top of each other. The drink list was also pretty extensive. This place is a gastropub so they're understandably heavy on beer, but the wine list was also good as well and had some interesting wine types I hadn't seen elsewhere. My boyfriend really enjoyed the beers he selected and I thought both wines I tried. (Note, if you're visiting the roof deck I would take the wine lists posted online with a grain of salt because the one I ordered from is different than what was online.) Cider list was okay, not as stellar as places like Hopleaf, but better than your average bar. If you're coming here to watch a sporting event on TV know that you're sacrificing the viewing experience a some in order to be outside. The TVs were definitely on the small side and not all great tables have a good line of sight. Thankfully the staff were accommodating by letting us shift chairs around a little to have the best view. As far as the food goes, the food on the rooftop deck is just okay. It all seems to come out of a smaller kitchen on the roof vs. the full kitchen so the menu is pretty straight forward and limited. Everything we had was tasty, but not as interesting as the food downstairs. i get needing a limited menu in this environment and that the roof is more for drinking than eating, but wish they had at least put a few more creative touches on what they served. Some more interesting flavor combinations on the sandwiches could have gone along way. As far as the atmosphere goes, it was mostly good, though I am sure the crowd wasn't representative of the typical patrons since it was World Cup time. Basically everyone was having a good time and it was definitely more geared toward day drinking, but it didn't feel out of control or over the top obnoxious like a college party. It is worth noting though that this isn't a 21 plus beer garden. We were seated next to an odd party of 2 women and their four children who allowed their children to run amok & pester other diners. That was definitely not appreciated. I get that in this situation it's hard for the restaurant to say anything, but given these kids were all over the place (and visibly coloring all over the furniture) I sometimes wonder where you draw the line. Overall, I think this is a great place to grab some drinks and enjoy summertime in Chicago. I'm not sure I'd eat on the roof deck again as I know I can have a much better meal elsewhere, but for a drinking experience it's great.

    (4)

  • Dom C.

    I found this place on nupalapp.com and now I love this place, plus its right in my neighborhood! Everything I love: -Whiskey -Great draft beer -Wings Check it out for sure! I'll see you there!

    (5)

  • Lucas W.

    4.5 Stars, but I'm rounding up cuz why not. The food's delicious, the beer selection's fantastic, the place is awesome, but between the food and the beer it gets expensive pretty quickly. Seemingly every beer I looked at and wanted to try was double digit prices. I get that for some of the rare or import beers, but it just seemed more expensive than it should've been. For food, I had the Turkey Sambal which, although simple, was superb. One of the best turkey sandwiches I've ever had. Moist, smokey turkey with a heavenly spicy mayo complemented excellently with some grilled onions and a not-overly-salty pretzel hoagie. I generally hate getting simple dishes at restaurants, but I guess I just felt like a burger/sandwich but not beef and the Turkey Sambal fit the bill. Superb (tho the homemade ketchup isn't great, wish they'd gone with normal ketchup). For beers, I had the Perennial Dunkelweiss and the La Trappe Quadrupel. The dunkelweiss was good, but didn't have the strongest of flavors despite some interesting descriptions (walnuts and cherries and such). La Trappe Quadrupel was full of flavor and incredibly delicious flavors they were. But the beer menu here is truly remarkable. They have maybe about a dozen beers on tap and a phone book full of the highest quality beers. Everything from American craft brews to rare imports, from stouts to lambics to IPAs and ales. They've got anything you're craving beer-wise.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    Brought a buddy from out of town who's a beer snob. It was overwhelming. Some experiences may differ but ours was too notch. 6 pages of whiskeys, great drafts, cellar beers. Try the whiskey cured bacon, incredible.

    (5)

  • Ross K.

    I ate at this place a couple of months ago, and had the quinoa risotto. It was soooo good. They were using 40% cream!! I know they were because I could taste it.

    (5)

  • Liz A.

    After months of going past this place, I finally made plans to stop in. Got there at about 8:30 on a Thursday night and the place was pretty full. Had it not been such a humid and rainy night, I would have loved to check it out their rooftop patio. I hear it's amazing. Upon arriving the hostess told me it would be a wait on ordering food because the kitchen was backed up but since my friend hadn't arrived yet and I wasn't in a hurry, the food delay was no big deal. I pursued their beer menu which is quite extensive. I probably spent 10 minutes paging through before deciding to order their beer they had for shark week. It was named something along the effect of lake Effect Blood Saison with Hibiscus and Ginger. It was delicious and I was happy with my choice. I was even happier with my order of the small mac and cheese. It came in a mug and the top was finished off with some toasted bread crumbs and the cheese was amazing. I think I might add bacon next time because I bet it would have been amazing though the bacon was an additional $4. Our server was attentive, answered my questions and quick with beer refills. She easily split the check up to make it easier since neither of us had cash and were both using cards. Happy to find such a laid back bar near my neighborhood. Will be back.

    (4)

  • Lauren F.

    On a nice Chicago day the rooftop at Fountainhead is hard to beat. They don't have as many food choices up there so drinks and ambiance are what you're going for. I had the Cobb-Like Salad and really enjoyed it, sandwiches looked pretty good as well. I'd definitely like to return and try the food downstairs because it looked and smelled fantastic!

    (4)

  • Nik A.

    Unmatched customer service in every regard. Brilliant suggestions from beers to whiskey to food, accommodations for allergies (and custom to-order preparation on the fly), and a dedication to quality and consideration that I cannot even begin to compare to another experience I've had in any restaurant or bar. I was already swayed to keep coming to this place weekly and now I want to funnel my paycheck directly into their coffers. Servers, chefs, and management go above and beyond to make this a worthwhile experience. Best idiosyncrasies: Actual Manhattans, mind-bogglingly expansive scotch list, perfectly-cooked vegetables. Why do you keep reading this? Why are you not here already?

    (5)

  • Kurt B.

    3.5 stars. Great food, spectacular beer, the concept is a total mess. First off their veggy burger is great for vegans, and my french dip was outstandingly good, I expected nothing and enjoyed it heartily. They had terrific taps including a sour from local heroes Goose Island and a rare black IPA from best-brewer-in-America Three Floyds. They earned a 5 star review based upon these factors. However - they are trying to be all things to all people and this place gets exhausting for that reason. They want to be a craft beer gastropub and a sports bar at the same time, and it makes for a strange mix of clientele. The bar has all kinds of rare and fine beers, and then the bartenders blast the *worst possible* Top 40 hard rock at a deafening tone. It was so loud that it was making one of our table sick while they were trying to eat. Terrible business guys, play some tasteful stuff, music from Chicago jazz history, something hard but at a lower volume so people can actually eat, etc. Anything but what you're doing now. Also this place is trying to be a fashion haven, but you aren't going to attract the right clientele with substandard soundtrack and a sports vibe. Anyway, I think this rubbed me the wrong way because they're so close to being in contention for one of the "great bars of Chicago". Right now it's just an unpleasant hodgepodge of great food, taps, and location, and awful front of house management, acoustics, and concept.

    (3)

  • Not Just Brunch B.

    Four of us came here for brunch one Sunday recently. We came around 11:00 and were seated right away by the peppiest of all peppy servers. The brunch menu has a lot of options outside of your normal eggs n toast. The standout was the Breakfast Burger, which is HUGE and comes topped with the best bacon we've ever had. Seriously. Another standout, which comes from their endless beer list, is the breakfast beer that smells like an Anthropologie store but tastes like... a delicious beer. You can read some more about our brunch experience here- Gettin' Some Fountainhead notjustbrunch.wordpress.…

    (5)

  • Lucy P.

    This is pretty much a review of the food only, and it appears to echo some of the other reviews I'm reading after the fact. I was meeting my husband after work and he suggested fountainhead. I didn't care what we were doing so I said sure and headed out to meet him. Things started out great, I love that their menu clearly lists the vegetarian options. We ordered the fried pickles, because who doesn't like fried pickles? I don't even really like pickles, but I like fried pickles. I do like the way pickles smell, but that really has nothing to do with this review. When they came out they were the thickest fried pickles ever, I took a bite. Not good. It was almost too big to take a bite of, and it was very very greasy --like when things are fried at a too cool temperature. I'm not a stranger to grease, I rarely find something fried I don't like, or at the very least that I won't eat. I would not eat these. They just were all around not good. Too hard to eat, too greasy, just not good. When our server brought our food she did notice that they were untouched and asked. So we told her they were not good. She took them off the bill without us even asking. Serious kudos to that. My husband had the veggie burger and I ordered a special, I can't even remember what it was but it was some type of pasta with ramps. Both of these items were completely forgettable. They weren't bad or inedible, but they just were not good. One of those foods that you will eat because you're hungry but there is no enjoyment in doing so. I would say both were seriously lacking in flavor as an overall assessment. My husband was especially hungry because he missed lunch, so he ate a lot of the food, but when we were done he was almost depressed that he ate so much flavorless food. I stopped at Burger King on the way home for an ice cream cone. As far as the ambiance and the staff, those were both normal/good. But since I don't drink beer, I really have no reason to ever come back here again.

    (2)

  • Amy W.

    As part of our 1 year anniversary celebration, by boyfriend and I went to The Fountainhead simply because of the rooftop bar (which I wanted) and because the great reviews of the Bloody Marys (which my boyfriend wanted). Although it was a beautiful day and I enjoyed sitting outside, there wasn't anything special to this rooftop. The walls are kind of high that when you're sitting at a low table, you really have no idea if you're on a rooftop or the ground floor because you can't see out over the walls. But I suppose the tall walls could help block out traffic noise from below. I also appreciated that there are restrooms on the rooftop. I ordered the Spring Veggie Stir Fry. It was ok. It was not my favorite flavor but it was filling and good enough for me to eat. I would probably not get it again. My boyfriend had the pulled pork sandwich, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He also loved the Bloody Mary. He said that it was spicier than many other Bloodys he has had, which was fantastic. The service at this place was very friendly and helpful. They made the atmosphere very inviting. I think that I will go back to this place but not during the day. It is a much better spot to go to at night, under the lights, with their large beer selection. And of course the Bloody Marys, if that's your kind of drink.

    (3)

  • V W.

    A large group of us dined on the rooftop a few weeks ago. Each plate was marvellous and the beer selection is great. Had to write this review just for our server Devon (Sinead!) who was simply STELLAR. I would return on basis of her care of us alone. Well done Devon! And thank you for a memorable experience.

    (4)

  • Steven R.

    This review is for drinks. The Fountainhead is kind of like my cousins right about now. I remember them when they were babies. They went through their awkward pre-teen years and our conversations were few and far between, strained verbal dissections of whatever pop culture touchstones with which they currently were obsessed. Eventually, they grow up and you think "holy crap, you're a real adult!' The Fountainhead is a real adult, a contender for one of the best beer bars in the city. I first ventured here not too long after opening and they were doing some beer event. My memory doesn't serve me well (usually because of beer) but I want to say they had a few FFF draughts and Moloko Milk Stout on nitro. There were few people but I remember thinking how cute that was that this place was going for the beer bar thing. Fast foward to this past weekend and Fountainhead is done growns-ed up (think Vince Vaughn in "Swingers" for that one). They have an impeccable beer selection which included Stone Vanilla Bean Porter, Goose Island BCS and Hitachino Nest Ale among other delicious choices. The bottle selection was extensive and the price were justified. There's nothing else to read here, just get your belly up to this bar and enjoy some delicious suds. Hurry before they run out of something.

    (5)

  • Jen S.

    I've been to Fountainhead a few times previously and have had a decent experience. This last time was far from what I have come to expect. The waitstaff was far from attentive. It took a half hour just to order drinks and the waitress never came back the rest of the meal except to give us the check. That was the only prompt event of my experience there. In addition, the food was overpriced and lackluster. Fountainhead was a place that I had recommended to friends quite often; however, after this experience I highly doubt I will come back any time soon.

    (2)

  • James R.

    Decided to check this place out, as we'd pass it occasionally on the bus. Unlike other reviews, we didn't have to wait and were seated right away. It was a busy weekend night, so the place was a little noisy. (But that's good for a pub/bar!) They have an excellent drinks selection, with a wide variety of ales, wines and ciders. I chose the Jaipur which was excellent and well-presented (came in a decent beer glass!) The food was a little different to your typical menu. Not the standard pub food you'd find, but more unique dishes. Since I went a couple weeks ago, I can't remember the meal I had, but it was delicious! My wife's meal too was excellent. We kinda wish the portion sizes were a little bigger for the money, but you can't knock the quality of the food. Very nice! To sum up, would definitely stop by again. Great service, great atmosphere. Good times!

    (4)

  • Kyle W.

    It's a Chicago staple. Great beer and cocktails served by friendly and knowledgeable staff. The food is pricier than your average pub but it's worth it. Good vegetarian options too. Try the cornbread and honey butter! The smoky hummus platter is also unique and great to share. The downstairs has a classic pub feel and the patio is classy and comfortable (if not very high for a rooftop). Good brunch too. Definitely worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Dave N.

    Decent place and good food. The chef was walking around and very talkative. Great beer menu. Love the devil eggs and homemade honey. I'll be back!

    (3)

  • Cassie V.

    Like another yelper below, 3.5 is more like it. It's birthday season, so being out with about 8 people for a birthday started here at fountainhead. First off, there seems to be some conflicting stories regarding reservations. Some things say they don't take reservations, but we were told by the hostess that they do. If we could've had a reservation that would have fixed the problem we ran into - the wait. It was long, over an hour and a half. They were super apologetic about it though and acted accordingly by letting our birthday cupcakes in for free when it's usually a charge. Great response for our situation. If we hadn't all been hungry, the wait wouldn't have been as killer because we found enough chairs for us to pony up to the bar after a few minutes. The bar was great, the bartenders weren't ignoring any patrons and took time to answer a question if asked (it is a varied drink menu). I enjoy ciders, and one of my favorites, Ace Pear Cider, happened to be on special. Score. We ate dinner on the rooftop, which we knew had a more selective menu for both drinks and food. Np, everyone found something they liked to drink and good food. However, the charcuterie platter was the smallest one I've ever seen. Also, the bread for my BBQ pork sammie was soggy (it might've been dipped in au jus but I didn't see that specified on the menu). I'm not complaining, I totally scarfed the whole thing. It wasn't outstanding though. The service seemed way too busy, they were good but I felt exhausted for them. I was advised by a friend that it's always like that so maybe they could use another server or two. The rooftop was beautiful, enhanced by some actual summer weather (finally). It would be a tough call to weigh the full menu against the rooftop seating on a warm summer night, pick your poison. I don't know if I'd come back on my own, but I wouldn't object to going again for my friends who need to check some crafts off their lists.

    (3)

  • Rakesh M.

    Great beer selection - many different types from different places, both on tap and in bottles. Came here a bit late, so I didnt try the food, but the food other people got looked good. Also, the whiskey flight tasting was pretty good as well. Prices are reasonable as well. Great little neighborhood place.

    (4)

  • Peter S.

    Our first visit. I know, late to the party. Must say, it far exceeded my expectations. Judging by the names of the dishes on the menu one would be excused to expect "typical bar fare" but Fountainhead delivers far more and way better. We shared some sriracha deviled eggs which were good. Not overly mayo-y. Mellody had a terrific beat salad with two kinds of purple beets, balsamic and fresh greens and dill. Very refreshing fresh. Bryn had the veggie burger, no bun, which was good but needed some spunk, nonetheless, pretty good. Perhaps with the brioche bun it would have been more lively. I had the brisket with greens sub slaw for potatoes. The greens were quite tasty and I give them credit for not making them a throw-away side. The brisket was good, real meat and flavorful. The slaw was very fresh, positive, but also lacked a little pizzaz. All in all though we really liked Fountainhead. It delivered real, quality food and reasonable prices. We'll be back to enjoy the roof top this fall. Cheers.

    (4)

  • Laurie P.

    I ordered the allagash sausage and while chatting with the waitress after ordering a cider, I explained I couldn't have the beer because of an allergy to gluten. She put in the order and brought our food out but before I could take a bite of the sausage she came over stating that there was beer in the sausage and that she felt so bad that I almost had taken a bite. She had the chef come out and discuss other options with me that would be gf and even stated that my meal would be on her. The chef, Ross, came over and discussed options and made my food to order as soon as he went back to the kitchen (I only waited about 5 min for my new order). The waitress, Faith, and Ross were accommodating and absolutely amazing. Will definitely come back in the future and look forward to other meals here!! Also for all the cider drinkers out there, there is a pretty great list available!!!

    (5)

  • Tim S.

    Seriuosly, do I look homeless or like a person who should not be in your establishment? It was like we were invisible. After drinking our entire beer without any other interaction from staff, except for when I went to the front to get food menus, we choose to leave. Was about to just walk but I am not that guy. Trying to get us not to leave with a suggestion that your food is really good, duh that is why we came, and free drinks is too late. Sorry Fountainhead you missed out on this and many more date nights to come. The fact I an writing this from down the street enjoying a delicious beer while I contemplate the menu at a different restaurant says a lot to me as I don't normally write bad reviews. Sad cause I really liked you before the change.

    (1)

  • Pam S.

    I had two back-to-back experiences at Fountainhead, and that's the only reason why it's bumped up to two stars. The first visit on Wednesday July 3rd was mediocre at best. While the service initially was prompt and friendly, I was largely ignored when after I got my food. It took me roughly forever to get my check. The next day, since EVERYTHING was closed, a friend and I noticed that the Fountainhead was open. Since it was so gorgeous outside, we went up to the rooftop to grab a beer and figure out food. We immediately received waters, and then were ignored. The waitress came back to take our beer order, but then we waited. And waited. And waited. And waited. You get the picture. 35 minutes later, we left because at that point we saw tables who got there AFTER us get their beers. I'm sorry, there is no good reason to be ignored that long. What she SHOULD have done is told us she was swamped, and our beers were coming (for free). Kicker- as we left, we saw that our beers weren't even on the bar...which most likely means that she never put them in. Never again.

    (2)

  • Virl S.

    I have not eaten hear yet, so this review will be strictly about drinks; however, I know Cletus does the menu here as well as at Bar on Buena. BOB's food is spectacular, so I'd expect the same here. Beer menu here is excellent. It's always rotating and has a wide variety of craft beers to choose from. Meade is not my thing, but they are really specializing on this style of wine. Atmosphere is very hip and local. Always plenty of seating here. On nice days, the upstairs is fantastic to go up to. Fountainhead is quickly becoming one of my favorite places.

    (5)

  • That D.

    This place is a total waste of money. I was there due to a suggestion from a local. Rude hostess to "welcome" us and a huge roach spotted in the men's restroom turned me off initially but my friend had already ordered a beer at the bar. The waiter staff is not friendly at all. If they do not want to work there, why even punch in for the shift??? I would never go here again. The upstairs bar is a nice touch but the bartenders there just ignore you chat with their tattooed biker-looking friends. A shit stain of a place that doesn't deserve anymore funds that they've already received. Piss poor.

    (1)

  • Melissa G.

    Me & my boyfriend sat on the rooftop, which was a nice atmosphere. When we got there, there was some confusion between the waitresses and no one came to the table for like 10 minutes. The biggest problem we had was that it took over an hour from when we ordered and when we got the food. The waitress didn't really seem to notice or comment. The food was alright, it was over priced for what we got though. Probably won't go back.

    (2)

  • Ben S.

    Just had the best experience. My friend has a soy allergy, and not the oh-I-feel-bloated kind. The die on the floor of the restaurant kind. It can be kind of stressful for her to eat out, because you never know if the waitress quite knows if there's soy in the fry oil or bread or whatever. We mentioned it to the the waitress, and not 2 minutes later the exec chef Cleetus came out, walked us through the menu, and double checked everything. He must have been busy, but he took time to chat, make recommendations, and most importantly get the soy thing right. Top notch service, and on a busy night too. The food was killer too - we both had the brisket. It was exactly what my mother wished she knew how to cook every Passover, but didn't. Tender, mushroomy, tasty, and just uncommon enough to be memorable. Beer selection is great, but you probably already knew that. Cleetus is apparently a brewer and had his micros on tap. Solid, and made the whole experience that much more memorable. Great atmosphere, drinks, food, service. 6/5.

    (5)

  • Lance K.

    I really want to like Fountainhead. It is a great spot, and has an amazing roof-deck. With that being said they are incredibly unaccommodating. We called 2 weeks ahead about bringing 20-25 people through for a bar crawl. We never received a call back. When we arrived, they said we should have called ahead. Are you kidding me?!?!?! They told us we could not use the obviously empty tables, and could only stand at the bar. Incredibly awkward and uncomfortable situation ensued. Than you for your hospitality Fountainhead! We went across the street to Oakwood for cheap drinks. You guys are getting a little too big of an ego, thanks but no thanks!

    (1)

  • Erika J.

    I love this bar! The outdoor patio is wonderful in the summer. They have an extensive cider list, which is very exciting to me, and I have never been disappointed by the food. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • David R.

    Solid bar, excellent tap list at all times (including some exclusive collaboration brews), and really, really good food. Sriracha deviled eggs. Mmmm... All that would be enough to recommend this place on its own, but the Fountainhead also has, hands down, one of the best rooftop bars around. I would live there from May through October if only they'd let me stay. Great spot - nothing bad to say about it.

    (5)

  • Renee E.

    Imma give this one a four. Hubs and I were in the mood for some brewery plus food action and wanted to get out of our usual Logan Square neighborhood rut, so we drove up to whatever the area is now called. North Center? When I lived there in the 90s, I swear it was Ravenswood. I had the Cobb-like salad, which was very good. The veg tasted super fresh, the dressing was light and tangy and not overdone. But the best part was the smoked chicken. A nice deviation from your average grilled chicken breast. Hubs had the turkey sammich with fries. I stole a few fries and they were quite a bit above average. He was a little disappointed that the sandwich wasn't heated, which does seem a little odd for a dinner offering. I also tried the Rosemary' Red Devil on draft and damn. Yum. I want one now and it's like 8 a.m. The beer menu is really very extensive, with lots of interesting choices. I'd like to sample a few more on my next visit.

    (4)

  • Anne M.

    A couple important announcements: - Rooftop patio is open. I repeat: Rooftop patio is now open. Go there! Enjoy a leisurely summer evening atop the Fountainhead, enjoying warm summer night breezes and craft beers. Is there anything better? - Cakeballs. Re: the "Is there anything better?" question above. Cakeballs make everything better. (though, I will say, I think $6 for an order of 3 cakeballs is too steep.....) - The Green Curry is seriously good and seriously spicy. So maybe I'm a spice weakling, but this was too hot for me... I still ate it b/c it was good, but it was too much heat for me. If spice is your thing, I'm sure you'll love it. * Note about the rooftop: Fountainhead keeps tight wraps on the capacity of the rooftop. Understandably so. Just keep that in mind when going - there might be a long wait, or it may be totally maxed out.

    (5)

  • Don K.

    Back again and I am sure many more times. I listen to the bartenders Mark and Susan about what special is good. They recommended the duck breast special which was fantastic. They offer excellent advice and service under the watch of the always working and caring General Mgr Chris.

    (5)

  • Brooke B.

    Nice selection of beer and bourbons... Bartender was knowledgable and engaged in conversation about bourbons. Seemed selective on who she helped but we were still decently pleased with our visit here. Never tried the food... Bar was clean and a nice decent presentation overall.

    (4)

  • Xamyma O.

    Review is for drinks only. Now you're talkin'. Actually, DIDN'T expect this place to be anything, similar to lame Driftwood down the street. Wrong. Immediately competes with the best beer bars in Chicago. Menu is deep and encyclopedic. That Elgood's is KILLER. They went with the all over deep dark burnished wood thing, and it looks pretty sharp. Took the mirror out of the back bar to make a pass through to the other side of the bar. Looking forward to the rooftop(?) They made the most of the space they have. Angelina A., you best get outta Ravenswood and go back to southern IL or whatever since the neighborhood "changed" here about 15 years ago.

    (4)

  • Amanda P.

    Got a chance to visit Fountainhead on Friday night with a girlfriend. I am not from this neighborhood, so parking was a bit difficult. In the summer, I will definitely ride the bus back! It was busy around 7:30 so we grabbed a beer at the bar. My two initial complaints are that the hostess was not overly pleasant and that there is nowhere to stand in the crowded dining space while you are waiting. However, the bar service was prompt and the beer was delicious. After being seated, we grabbed another drink and split the Pub cheese and fried pickles. The pickles were enormous and very lightly breaded which was great. The spicy dipping sauce complimented them perfectly. I will return just for the pub cheese, it was divine! Overall, I found the prices to be reasonable for the food portions and pours you were getting. Can't wait to try out the roof!

    (4)

  • Stephanie F.

    Waited about two hours for a table on the roof and as soon as we were seated they closed the kitchen and ran out of the entree I wanted. We ordered something else and it was cold and not very good. The beer selection downstairs was good.

    (3)

  • Ginger F.

    Fountainhead, the sausage balls you served at Square Roots were lame. The food has not impressed me generally but the two sad, bland, boiled balls on a stick with a squirt of mustard were pathetic.

    (1)

  • Amanda W.

    My fiancé has been foaming at the mouth to check this place out for a while now because of their elaborate beer menu. Me? not so much. Here's the thing-we've played this record before-and it ends with him basking in his sweet beer buzz while I forage for a midnight snack in the pantry because the twigs and berries they charged an arm and a leg for didn't rock my world. However, Fountainhead was a refreshing exception to the normal pretentious gastropub and I'll happily accept the award for biggest presumptive bi-atch of the year if I can eat more beer braised brisket. Truly, from the moment we stepped inside the experience was top notch. Not only was the service excellent, but the food was great. I had the aforementioned beer braised brisket over a butternut squash polenta with some crispy kale and he had the burger. Both were delicious! And yes, the beer selection was epic. All in all we both left happy and my pantry door stayed closed all night. Highly recommend giving them a try.

    (5)

  • Paula C.

    New Year's Day 2014 - snow from hell day. My friend and I Uber ourselves over to what was our much beloved Fountainhead about 9:45pm on New Years Day. Why 1 Star? ACT I We sat at the bar. After wishing the bartender a happy New Year upon our arrival and asking how she was doing, she proceeded to say how she felt horrible from the night before passed out on her bedroom floor. Now that's nothing to judge a tatooed strung out bartender for or anyone who had too much fun New Year's Eve. We relished in her melancholic story and assured her we would be easy on her in a cheeky sweet way. After we ordered our drinks and got food menus, we noticed that on the other side of the bar, where a bearded guy had been sitting, the bartender was seated with him, with her coat on and a few minutes later, they both left. Now that's just rude. Who just bails on their patrons without saying someone else will be taking care of us? ACT II Now that our sleeping beauty is gone with her knight in sweaty armor, our next lack of character on the scene is a plain gray haired guy in his 40's who appears to not be bar tending but just getting something. We got his attention to get another beer to replace a very watery tasting Atlas and got the Begyle Flannel Pajamas which was dark, roasty, and yummy. I credit this salty headed man with giving 2 lovely tastes one of which was the choosen Begyle Flannel Pajamas. Still under the premise that we don't know who our bartender is now, we decide to just order from salty headed man. We ordered the STOUT BEEF STEW for $9. Now to put things in perspective, the Fountainhead Burger with Fries is $12 and you get 1/2 pound of meat. The "STOUT BEEF STEW", as was the title of this dish, had in its description that it came with Gruyere mashed potatoes. What we got was basically Gruyere mashed potatoes with the stew gravy that we each salvaged 3-4 teaspoons of meat....3-4 BABY BITES....for $9. Salty headed man behind the bar asks "HOW IS EVERYTHING" We said "HONESTLY? WE EACH ONLY FOUND 3-4 BITS OF MEAT IN OUR STEW." Salty headed man behind the bar replies, "YEAH WE'VE HEARD THAT ALOT. IT'S JUST HOW IT IS." The title of BEEF STOUT STEW with Gruyere mashed potatoes = GRUYERE MASHED POTATOES with beef stout stew gravy. For $3 more we could have had a 1/2 lb burger with fries. THANKS FOUNTAINHEAD FOR GIVING US MORE TO SHARE WITH OUR FRIENDS

    (1)

  • Jamie B.

    Nice mid afternoon crowd with good craft beer selection, AMAZING Bacon and cozy decor. Too bad out visit was tainted by the faint smell of vomit and cleaning solution (must have been fun the night before). Not sure I would venture back but it is not a bad place to check out once.

    (2)

  • Tina L.

    This review is based on after dinner drinks here. The evening weather was fairly nice, so we wanted to try for the roof. Had to put our name in, so we got a beer at the bar while we waited. They have a great selection, so be adventurous and try something new! Every beer that I had was a little too hoppy for my taste, but strong...which is something I don't necessarily mind. ;) Once we got called for roof seating, we had almost finished our first drink. I'm guessing it was about a 20-30 minute wait? Not sure. They have a separate menu upstairs (Rooftop Garden menu), so be prepared for that. I dunno if I'd recommend their parsnip "guacamole" because I just was NOT used to that texture and flavor. Maybe next time I'll try the beet salad or the meat and cheese board...?

    (4)

  • Travis P.

    Living in the area for almost 8 months I am ashamed to say that this is my first time at Fountainhead (I have been driving by it on a daily basis too). Went with a party of three on a cold Wednesday night and was seated immediately in a nice booth. Went through the beer menu and was amazed at how many different types of beers they had either on tap or bottle/can. The food menu on the other hand was relatively small, which could have been viewed as a good thing. A number of the entrees sounded great but I decided on the burger, medium with bacon and served on a pretzel bun (I think just about everyone now can agree that a pretzel bun with a burger is perfect pair)..... But I was not blown away by the burger. I plan on going back to check out the other items on the menu since there were a few that sounded appealing and have the potential to be better than the burger. If you want a wide selection of beer, this is a great place to check out. FYI they have a rooftop patio that is open during "warmer" months.

    (3)

  • Angelina A.

    This place is hipster heaven! Myself being an accidental hipster, did not enjoy. My friend and I were sat in front of a lovely fireplace and waited and waited. I finally picked a Kale salad, aka the stuff you throw away on your plate and a beer I cannot pronounce. Meh this is really misplaced for this neighborhood also! This ain't Lincoln park this place is fancy pants. No thanks.

    (2)

  • Brad H.

    Great portion, great food, and great price! The deck patio is amazing and staff are friendly! I really wanted a margarita and my waiter made sure that I knew that my margarita would be made from fresh ingredients and that it would taste a little different from regular margs. I love when staff knows their products and how everything should taste. FYI: that margarita was the best one I've ever had! And it was perfect for a perfect sunny day! Whenever I'm in Chicago next, it's the first place I'll go!

    (5)

  • Coleman B.

    I really was devastated when I came back to one of my top bars in the city and found their menu had been so stifled with your typical bar fare. The new chef has taken a menu that featured ambitious choices and decided to market your common pub food like chicken wings and hamburgers. If you don't want a salad or a sandwich, this is sadly no longer the choice for you. We did try several items none the less with the hope that maybe they would be elevated in some way, and unfortunately this was not the case. The salsa and guacamole was terrible, and for 7 hungry adults to collectively decide not to touch it, that's really really strange. the potato latka was mostly onion and my vegetarian friend who loves potatoe pancakes simply tried it and scrunched up her face shaking her head. No. NO. I miss my old Fountainhead... Lastly the wings. They tasted very good, but the wings themselves were tiny. The serving is large so its not a huge issue, but they were extremely greasy and the ranch dressing they served it with was so watered down that the dressing beaded off the wings! Imagine that, the wing sauce was thicker than the dipping sauce. A quick fix, but kind of important when it comes to this type of food. The celery the wings came with were more enthusiastically eaten than the wings themselves. There you have it, guys. I still love Fountainhead and use it as a go to for first dates. The only thing keeping it afloat is the the fact that the beer and booze selection is still great, and the monkey bread it still amazing.

    (2)

  • Eryn G.

    Yet again the hostess is just rude.. But thank you for pointing us out to different bars, don't mind taking our business elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Kaitlyn W.

    Would give them 5 stars but they have all those whiskeys and no cocktail menu. However the beer/ cider menu is phenomenal! The Boyfriend got the burger and added smoked Gouda and onions. He said it was the best burger he's ever tasted. Take that kumas! I got the chicken fried chicken. It brought me so much home cooked Sunday evening dinner nostalgia that I didn't want it to end. Not to mention the portion size was well worth the price.

    (4)

  • Linda SingaSong S.

    What to do on a gloomy, rainy Sunday? It's not quite warm enough for the rooftops to be open or to sit outside on this particular day. So we grabbed ourselves a seat at this cozy gastropub with an extra meaty Bloody, freshly squeezed OJ mimosa, and some damn good BACON!!!!!!!!! I reclaim my original Yelp title as "ze Baconator!!!! " I've had a recent separation from Bacon as I've tried my hardest to maintain my clean eating during the week, but { ________sigh_______} what a mistake that was. BRUNCH nomeries: ** Bloody Mary with sufficient toppings of Charcuterie, giant pickle, olives, and hearty spice factor ** OJ mimosa: fresh OJ, sparkling champagne ** Salmon Bagel & rosemary-chive schmear ~Not your typical bagel with a hole in the middle, but they used a fluffy, doughy Everything bagel toasted to its rightness ~ Good schmear. Chunks of chive and lovely rosemary flavor ** Veggie hash with poached eggs ~ chunks of diced potatoes, assorted array of peppers, asparagus, and 2 poached eggs with its ooey-gooey yolky goodness hidden in the center ** Side of bacon (yes PLEASE ) ~ what are they feeding these piggies? steroidal injections ? GSH? whatever it is, these bacon are thick cut infused with applewood smoked bacon flavor. I ended up cutting the bacon into bacon bits for my veggie hash. The ultimate brunch dish. They seem to have an extensive beer, scotch, and whiskey list which we'll have to try another time. Mmmmmm... If you don't believe me about the bacon,,,check out my pic and get ready to salivate! oink oink!

    (4)

  • Claudia K.

    Came in for drinks late night - not a great spot for a larger group. The way the tables are placed right next to the bar, nowhere to really stand and hard to order a drink without asking people to move. Also didn't care for the mixed drink I had, $11 and not as described on the menu. Had a hard cider which was great. Better for a small group and if you can get a table.

    (3)

  • maurice s.

    Review is for brunch only. It's probably a different place at night. It never ceases to amaze me that mediocre brunch places have lines out the door, while you can be seated quickly at much better restaurants that just happen to serve brunch. Everything was excellent and made in-house. Beer list is outstanding. Service was awesome. The chef was making the rounds to ensure that everybody was satisfied. Bears game on the TV. Very reasonable prices. Sound dampening to keep it from getting too loud to hold a conversation. Not sure what more you could want on a Sunday.

    (5)

  • Jenna S.

    I'm a bit disappointed with the average overall review of Fountainhead. I was really impressed with our dinner here and I will definitely be back. This place gets crowded, so expect a short wait. It's also very clearly good for groups (and I think they take reservations), so come with a large group if that's what you want to do. The restaurant is cozy and decorated very warmly. We were seated close to the fireplace, which was really comfortable on a super cold Chicago night. The seating does get close, so be prepared to sit very close to the people next to you. Despite the closeness, we didn't even notice the people conversing next to us, which was nice. The menu is large enough, with a lot of appetizers and small plates to share. Prices are reasonable and the food is yummy. We sampled the Wine Cheese, which was super tasty. It was a cheese spread that kind of tasted like fondue but spreadable. They'll also refill the crackers in case you need more. YUM. We both got burgers, though mine was the veggie variety. The black bean burger was really good and I really enjoyed that it was house-made. It's hard to find a restaurant that makes their veggie patties in house. The toppings made the burger really delicious, so I recommend getting the onion marmalade, cheese and avocado. However, even though the burger was delish, the side coleslaw was not good. It was too tart, too runny, too... gross. I regret the decision not to get fries or some other side. However, that didn't really ruin my meal since I was still snacking on that cheese. The beer and whiskey list is overwhelming, so be prepared. There's a lot of rotating drafts and yummy things available, so sample. Prices were good and my husband really enjoyed his whiskey. All in all, a great restaurant in the neighborhood. There's ample seating, nice bar with a TV, tons of beer and whiskey and good food. What more could you ask for?

    (4)

  • Jules H.

    Hipster nirvana here, except for me and my date. We had radish hummus, pedigreed beer and wine, deep conversation. It was a date steeped in romantic realism, objective individualism, and an exploration of the collaboration of collective creativity. It was Bennigan's with pseudo hip moments. Beers and wine $2 more expensive than the corner joint. I was not fooled. And don't see myself hurrying back anytime soon.

    (3)

  • Cara B.

    I would give Fountainhead a 4.5 for the beer/beer selection and a 2.5 for the food. This is a great place if you just want to have a new beer with friends. The food leaves something to be desired. The group I was dining with had the Fountainhead Burger (just okay), the fries (way to salty), mac and cheese (good but not great), the pub cheese (good, but it's hard to screw this up) and the mussels vindaloo (one of the better items on the menu.) Everyone felt that the food was just okay and it's on the pricier side of bar/pub food. I would go back but only for beer and a chance to sit on the rooftop.

    (3)

  • Vanessa D.

    I would have loved to leave a nice review, but on this occasion we had a group getting together for a birthday. A reservation attempt was made the day before, but staff was unclear if we had one. Communication seems to be a problem amongst the staff. They let us stand there for 45 minutes, zero effort to accommodate us or let us know if we should expect a table, actually the hostess was pretty flip about it. If you have a group, I wouldn't bother.

    (2)

  • Rachel H.

    I managed to avoid this place somehow for a long time, despite the fact that my companion works a mere block away. What is wrong with me? Perhaps its my aversion to Ayn Rand. That name.... I finally took the plunge, twice in the past ten days even, and boy am I glad I did. We came in once for dinner and shockingly they still had Southern Tier Pumking which I gladly ordered. The burger I got was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the pretzel bun was, as all pretzel buns are, a nice touch. I got the chips with this and sort of wished I hadn't because I was either too drunk to listen or nobody told me they were sweet potato chips. Some people are probably into that, but the frites I stole from my companion were better. On the second visit, my gal pal and I cozied up to the fireplace at the best seat in the house to gab over beers. Their selection is extensive and seasonal and really well rounded. Very difficult to choose from, though we managed. The wine cheese made a great appetizer, fancy Cheez-Wiz if you will, and our server had no problem bringing us more breadsticks and toasts so that we didn't have to lose our dignity by eating the dip off forks and knives. Fountainhead is warm, festive around the holidays, and near my companion's workplace and several friends' residences. I foresee myself coming back, probably often.

    (4)

  • B P.

    Came here at 5:30 on a Saturday with 2 other couples ... We had 2 children with us and they looked at us like we were crazy for bringing them. This is after I called and asked if they were a child friendly establishment. So I get it... it's a bar... but they claim that they are "Purveyors of fine food/taking a high-end artisanal approach to food" so I'm not there to pound beers/drink whiskey - I'm there to have a good meal with friends/family at an early hour to avoid the chance of ruining someone else's experience. I guess it's shame on me for overlooking the other reviews here stating that the food is average at best and wanting to give them a chance. Not to mention - I called to make a reservation for 7 - was told reservations were not needed for 5:30 - wanted to make them anyway. Once I arrived - was told we would have to wait and was not quoted a time. I didn't want to believe the other customer service related comments here but...... Thankfully we just left - I'm sure we didn't miss much.

    (1)

  • Karen N.

    Good beer list. I think average food, not as amazing as some people give it. It's a comfortable place to hang with friends and get some good food, but not a destination. Burger, mussels, devil eggs, pickled things... all good. Waitress is in a hurry always. I don't think I would go back unless I am in the neighborhood.

    (3)

  • Katie C.

    I was kind of disappointed by this place. The beer selection is AWESOME; don't get me wrong; but I found the food to be somewhat lackluster. We got the monkeybread and I found it to be kind of bland. I also had the jerk chicken sandwich which despite having habanero in it, was also bland. It's a shame because on paper the menu looks really delicious, but on the plate it was just meh. I would be willing to give the food another shot though. I did like the atmosphere of the place; there is a fireplace in there which always adds a nice, comfy touch. But I would say if you want to drink here then grab dinner somewhere else first.

    (3)

  • Yanyao N.

    Still a great beer and whiskey list, but the food just isn't as good as before. Of all the things I ordered for dinner, the most delicious was the frites with garlic aioli. The monkey bread was so dense that I only took one bite and left the rest for J to finish. (After dinner, he kept complaining that he felt like there was a brick in his stomach). We also tried the crab and polenta small plate, which didn't do it for me at all. The crab was tangy, and that got me a little paranoid. There were also crunchy nuts that shared the plate. The soup was French Onion, and it was...as our server put it: "intense". There were no empty plates, and no leftovers taken home. If you like beer and whiskey, this is still a great place to go. The atmosphere is very cozy - great for the cold weather! Unfortunately, for me, I only really frequent pubs that have food that I really love, so it may be a while before I pop back into Fountainhead again.

    (3)

  • Ed A.

    Great atmosphere, great food, great beer list, great service and good times all around. I like the open space in the room and the seating along the windows. I heard they have a patio in the summer which would be fantastic. Possibly even, a rooftop deck... score! The Monkey Brains for my side dish was fantastic. It was like a cheese, bacon, pancake soufflé, like a complete old-school breakfast condensed into one. It was delicious. The beer list is so extensive it almost feels like you're given a homework assignment when they hand you that thick booklet to review and choose your beer. Not finding something you would like to drink is impossible here. The Andersonville Walker I had was delicious and will be my new go to beer. Employees were quite helpful and fantastic managing space for our party. We were surprised the crowd was so large the weekend before Christmas. I will be back, hopefully to check out the outdoor patio.

    (4)

  • J. Chuck K.

    Great atmosphere, great beer and great food. A friend suggested this place and I'm glad he did. The burger and fries were delicious, while the beer menu overwhelmed me with their many options (definitely a positive). The space does have a cozy feeling to it, but I did feel somewhat cramped. If you get seated by the bar, be prepared to spend sometime with people ordering drinks or just having conversation while they wait for their name to be called. Although the food and and beer make this easy to overlook.

    (4)

  • Mikey M.

    I frequent this pub and I really like it because of two simple reasons: it doesn't get horribly crowded and the atmosphere of the neighborhood is nice and low key. Moreover, with alternative places to eat within walking distance, what is not to like?

    (4)

  • Jeff G.

    this is really a 2.5 rounded up. been a couple times, i like the beer selection. the food though. the pomme frites were tasty, but the wife and i got a burger and asked for it medium. after a couple bites we realized it was charred black on the outside and was not good at all. we should have sent it back but we didn't. the pork sammy we got was more sliced. i don't know what the menu said, but the wife thought it was going to be more of a pulled pork in sauce type thing.

    (3)

  • Alison M.

    I'm kind of surprised by the low ratings-- they must have had some hiccups when they first opened. But, I went on Saturday, and seems like they've got their stuff together now. We started with the monkey bread and the mussels. Both were great. If there is a perfect hangover cure-- it might just be the monkey bread. Cheesy and rich, with sausage gravy, I'm feeling better just talking about it. And the mussels were delicious-- a full pound of them for only a couple bucks more than what I paid at Sweets and Savories for six lousy ones. For dinner, my husband had the steak; it looked good, and he refused to share, so it must have been. I had the pork sandwich. Phenomenal. Slow cooked pork, aged chedder, and pickles on thick chewy bread. A perfect sandwich. I got the red cabbage slaw for my side, and it was a perfect tangy compliment to the sandwich. While their menu (mostly the entrees) is a little limited, there were plenty of other items that looked delicious, so I'll definitely be back to try them, and to work my way through the extensive beer list....

    (4)

  • Sara G.

    Not only is this place named after my favorite book, but it is now my favorite spot in Chicago! The beer selection is amazing, and the bartender Mike was super-nice about helping me find something I liked. Try the Chocolate Ale - just a taste. Yummy! And the fooooooood! My husband, best friend and I shared a few small plates. The mussels were phenom, the candied tomatoes MADE that dish! Crawfish & Andouille Pot Pie had great flavor, but a little dry (didn't stop me from polishing off what was left of it). The grits and bay scallops were smooth and sweet, so good. We also got the Monkey Bread and gravy. NOM NOM NOM! Tip: Get there early. We got there around 7 on a Thursday and sat at the almost empty bar. By 8, 8:30 the place was packed - standing room only. When we left, my friend wasn't even able to get her coat off of her barstool before someone swooped in to take our seats.

    (5)

  • Nick M.

    This is the kind of place that I can really... kick my shoes off sink my teeth into take a load off get down to business get a bang out of wet my whistle Ok, so the last two might be misconstrued a little but you get the point (oh, I just did it again). It could be my new home away from home... now if I can just convince them to move into walking distance for me I'd be set! So I don't drink beer but even I can appreciate their massive selection and seasonal brews. Their list of spirits is pretty grand as well and they actually have a decent cider brand. The bar manager happened to stop by our table and we all got into a cider discussion, he said that he would actually look into getting in house my favorite brand (which isn't sold here in the States). Whether or not he actually can, it was nice to here that he was excited to try. The food is (pause) very good. Their monkey bread almost made me walk into the kitchen and kick the chef telling him to "get out of here" it was so darn good and the gravy with it "shut up"(drool), I saved that shit and put it on my chicken burger which was also packed full of flavor! The mussels looked pretty good as well, considering my friend didn't say a word till he was done eating them and then sighed. The one and only thing holding back Fountainhead is the service. Other then the hostess and bar manager the service wasn't all that quick. Our waitress seemed kind of grumpy and that was only in the few times we saw her. I understand that she was busy and it's Fountainhead's job to bring in more staff. But I don't think this will prevent me from coming back and often.

    (4)

  • Jenny W.

    I must say, Fountainhead has secured itself as my favorite bar in the neighborhood, with Bad Apple as a close second. The atmosphere is cozy, and I love that they don't have a million TVs spewed about to distract you from good conversation. The beer & whiskey selection is fantastic, and the prices won't break your wallet. They switch out their on-tap beers quite frequently to keep things interesting. Their bartender Mike is wonderful company if you'd like someone to recommend some good brews, or if you just want to partake in hilarious conversation. For intense whiskey drinkers, they have a few-pages-long list of their large selection, complete with ratings on the smokiness, flavor, etc. As far as food goes -- Everything I've eaten has been delicious. However, for a hearty meal, expect to pay a pretty penny. I'm sure these prices reflect the top-quality ingredients that go into making the food. Most of their menu is seasonal, so I imagine quite a few things change throughout the year, but honestly, I like that. My only complaint would be that there have been a couple of times I've ordered something they were out of. Though apparently that's not enough of a complaint for me to deduct any stars, and I'll definitely keep going back. ;)

    (5)

  • Victor V.

    Great beer selection and whiskey if that's your thing. Really cool and relaxing vibe to this bar. Staff was great and it was a good spot to watch the bulls. I only tried the wings and fries so I can't say much about the food yet. However, what I did eat and drink was great. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Karolyn S.

    I'd give this spot 3.5 stars. The good: Food is quite nice. I've been for both brunch and dinner. Both times I had equally enjoyable experiences and would go back for more. The monkey bread is amazing. The fritatta was nice as well for brunch. While not a beer fan, they do have some brews that I very much appreciated. They were also very helpful in selecting a beer that I would enjoy. So much better than Miller Lite. The service was good, but a tad slow at times. Very friendly, laid-back though, so nothing I would complain about. The bad: The construction on Damen right now is terrible. Getting there if you drive could be a hassle. I'd walk or take the el until that mess is completed. It's worth it.

    (4)

  • Monica G.

    Gotta go here for the beer - love ordering from the beer engine. Hand pumped, room temperature, an experience like no other. The menu is gigantic, rotates often and the bartenders are very helpful when trying to pick between a few. I love the atmosphere - reminds me of my favorite pub from undergrad. Weekends get very crowded, never had much issue on a weekday. And the crowd starts to thin out as it gets later, regardless of the night of the week. I do think the food is lacking. Oysters kinda tasted metallic. Salads leave something to be desired. If you are going to eat, make it the monkey bread - cheesy and bacon-y, its pretty great. As long as you are just drinking - I wouldn't miss this place. Top 5 favorite bars in the city easily.

    (4)

  • Sarah S.

    Went up here for the first time last night with some friends who live nearby. The food is really very excellent, as is the beer list - it's everything a gastropub should be. I had the duck confit pasta, which was essentially macaroni (actually cavatappi) and cheese with incredibly tender duck and peas in it. It was completely delicious, and really unlike anything I'd had anywhere else in Chicago, which is a big plus. Their menu is really inventive, and everything that people got was well executed, from the delicious fries to the totally amazing special of the night, which was goat stew. We had brie and apple bread pudding for desert, which was also delicious. Their beer selection was excellent, and I really enjoyed the descriptions of both their bottled and their draft beers - I'm a beer snob, but I don't know every word that appears on a menu like this, and the menu nicely explained everything, and made it easy to make a choice. Ambiance was pleasant, staff was informative and kind. Basically, an excellent, top notch night.

    (5)

  • Malana W.

    The Fountainhead became a joke every time I drove past it because like Keith A. I drove past it so often. Finally, on a random adventure my date and I stopped in. Seating ourselves we were both extremely comfortable in the cozy and warm setting. The server was very friendly when we asked her for her suggestions she showed us a variety of local favorites on the menu. We decided to order a cheese plate (cheeses for the season, some fruit, nuts, and artisan bread some wine) an order of sweet potato fries w/ a variety of dipping sauces (a bit too salty for me but my date loved them), blueberry beer (not sure of the name but it was to-die-for even if it was over-priced), I know there was another brew in there that my date tried which he enjoyed but I cannot remember the name. It was definitely busy and I think the table we chose was a bit too small for our order, but the ambiance was totally worth it. I will definitely be back to try more than just the appetizers.

    (4)

  • Alex G.

    They have a huge list of beer and beverages and the place has a really nice vibe inside. The food to me is just not worth it. You might as well just go buy a bag of chips it'll be cheaper. If you're gonna come here come for some drinks and the ambiance.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Terrible, terrible, terrible food. Service is good if you love hipster attitude. After looking over their large beer list, I order one type of beer. The waiter let me know they were out. Okay. I look over the list again and order another type. He let me know they were out of that one as well. Waiter stares blankly at me. "Why don't you just tell me everything you're out of so we don't have to keep doing this." Blank stare. He finally let me know that he'd be back in a moment to check out what all they're out of. After he gets this information, I'm able to order. Boyfriend orders as well. Beer comes pretty quickly. Food takes a while and is TERRIBLE! Go to any of the other bar & grills in the general vicinity. This place is not worth it.

    (2)

  • Bernie H.

    I've been holding off reviewing the Fountainhead, since I live around the corner and the crowds when it opened made me feel -- in a completely selfish way, I admit -- that it wasn't my local bar. And we've needed a quality gastropubby bar in the area for awhile. As I've watched it evolve over the past year, however, and the crowds get down to a more manageable size (at least on weeknights), I realize I can't ask for much more in my local place. We've had very friendly, knowledgeable service, and the beer and food has been pretty stellar. The place also has a very warm atmosphere and a nice diversity of age and style in the customers. They really do love their beer at Fountainhead, and the way they rotate and celebrate the excellent selection of microbrews they have on tap is very cool. Yeah, they don't try to be exhaustive like the Hopleaf -- but I don't want a second Hopleaf. They are good editors -- and I've never gone in there without seeing some new brew I want to try. And if you follow them on Facebook, you know they have many themed beer nights where you can get to know particular breweries or styles of beer more intensely. As a vegetarian, I appreciate that they have more than one option, and the black bean patty is a better-than-usual veggie burger. But I do miss the beet risotto -- which was a huge highlight but which I think is now off the menu permanently? Do you hear me, bring back the beet risotto! :) Anyway, Fountainhead does a good job keeping it real.

    (4)

  • Evan H.

    Meh, exactly... Last night was my second experience at Fountainhead. Seriously doubt there will be a third. Can't say anything was terrible WRONG with the experience, although when we asked to be seated on the rooftop deck (intending to eat dinner), it would have be SUPER helpful if the hostess had told us that the rooftop does NOT serve FH's full menu. Not sure who came up the the rooftop food offerings, but none of them jumped off the page at me. I've dined on several rooftops in Chicago and have never had an issue ordering from the full menu. This just seemed strange to me and I think more effort should be made to alert patrons that only a truncated menu is available upstairs. We ended up having one beer, then heading north a couple blocks for burgers at The Rail. And about the rooftop space itself... After its long-awaiting opening, maybe it's like a movie you've waited forever to see. You wait and wait and wait, your anticipation building, until finally you go check it out and...LET DOWN! To me, there was nothing open and airy about the space. It felt dark, enclosed, and a little claustrophobic. I'd estimate that 30-40% is covered with a roof, and there are large panels erected around the space's perimeter, ostensibly to block the sun. These things combined to create a weird half indoors/half outdoors atmosphere. Just didn't do much of anything for me. Meh. No reason to go back.

    (2)

  • Linda H.

    It's times like this that I wish you could give separate star-ratings for food and service. I was looking forward to going here after reading the menu, and hearing good reviews from friends (who we went with). We were fortunate to nab a table right away when we walked in on a busy Saturday night. I asked beer-expert friend to choose a beer for me from the extensive menu. After we sent the waitress away the first time she came by (it is a BIG beer menu) we finally made our decision, and upon ordering were told that they were out of the first (3?) choices, at which point waitress realized that we were given an outdated beer menu....so about 20 minutes in we finally got our beer order straightened out. Once we got the current beer menu, they were still out of a few things we wanted. Oh well. We ordered a couple apps, including the monkey bread which was SOOOO good, and the salt cod fritters. BF and I both ordered the braised beef sandwich with fries, and friends ordered a burger and soup. Apps were gobbled up, and sandwiches delivered. We slowly started nibbling whilst waiting for friend's soup to be delivered. By the time we could track down the waitress, we were halfway done with our sandwiches (still no soup). A while later, waitress comes by to tell us it will be a couple more minutes for the soup (wtf?). The soup finally comes (the rest of us are completely done eating at this point), and it was the weirdest presentation...it was like an average size soup crock, filled up about halfway. It just looked like she didn't get a full portion of soup...I mean, fill up the bowl, or use a different bowl! I wanted a second beer, but it always seemed like the waitress just wasn't present, or was just too busy. By the time she was available, I was done eating and just didn't want another one. The food was all really excellent. Friend said it was one of the best burgers he's ever had (or maybe he said it was the best?). Our sandwiches and fries were great, as were the apps. So, I'm thinking 2 stars for service and 4 for food. If I lived closer, I could see myself going back to sit at the bar and have a sandwich or apps, but I certainly wouldn't make a special trip to go there...there are just too many other places to go!

    (3)

  • Erin J.

    We went to Fountainhead for the first time last week and have already been back twice! We LOVE this place! They reprint their menu up to three times a week because of how quickly their draft beers change...with this said, their menu is OVERWHELMING but our server did an amazing job helping us decided on a beer that was right for our taste. The food? Excellent. Overall an awesome experience, awesome environment and we will of course be back!!!

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    Food is very basic. I ordered a burger - it was OK, I think Slim's at the corner is better (sad for Fountainhead). My friend ordered the BBQ brisket - he said it was fine, the cheese plate...don't bother, for $12 go to Whole Foods and go home, it's cheaper. The drinks were fine = total $90. Yes, $90 - my next $90 lunch will be at Gibson's or similar. We both left over 1/2 of our meals on our plates to be cleared. You be the judge. We did go upstairs to check out the rooftop deck, wine & sangria = $23. We sat next to the manager doing inventory, he must have been super busy with his calculations, since I asked him a question about a beer and he ignored me.

    (2)

  • Christina R.

    My husband and I live in the area and really wanted to make Fountainhead our "neighborhood place". Unfortunately, the last couple of times we've been here, it's been very disappointing. We went last weekend for dinner and were told the wait for a table on the roof would be 90 minutes. Not unexpected considering it was a Friday night at 7pm. We decided to eat inside and were able to sit down right away. However, it took our server 15 minutes to come over and even take our drink orders. She was apologetic but still. We ended up ordering drinks and food at the same time since we weren't sure when she'd be back. She was very friendly and nice, even offered to have the hostess put our names on the list for the roof, but we didn't see a whole lot of her. It did seem like she had an insane number of tables so that could be part of the issue. We finally got our food and it was alright but we've both had better. Our server came back after we'd almost finished eating to see if we needed anything else but that was the first we'd seen of her since initially ordering. Against better judgment, she talked us into dessert and I'm glad she did. We got a berry cobbler and it was by far the best thing either one of us had all night. Not sure if we'll be back to the Fountainhead any time soon. Both the food and service seemed to be a lot better when they first opened. Now the food is just so-so and the service is not good.

    (2)

  • Johnny V.

    Better late than never! I've had the opportunity to hit up several special event nights at Fountainhead and they've always been spot on across the board. Very polite and attentive front of the house staff, well crafted dishes coming out of the kitchen, delightful pairings on beer or spirits with each dish. I started following them on FB to keep in the loop when new event dinners are announced, if you'd like to treat yourself to a great evening of gastrogrub with solid pairings, take advantage of the Fountainhead. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Helena B.

    Look, I'm in Scotland! Actually, I'm in Ravenswood. Also, I'm in love. Told to seat ourselves, we did - in a roomy, dark-wooden bench. Cozy. Initial service was a touch slow, but we filled the time reading the famous beer list. The beer list is so large it is housed in a wooden binder. Not only does Fountainhead carry quite the variety, but said binder explains each and every brew so you can select with confidence. We drank like kings. Also, we ate. To start, we split the Monkey Bread - pull-apart, yeasty bread studded with cheese and bacon. Perfect. For my entree, I had to go with the Hot Pink Risotto in part because of the name and also because it was beet-y. That's right, beets. Beets are tasty. Their red-ness mixed with melted white cheese to make the titled pink color. I ate nearly all and made sure to spear out every last beet. Boyfriend had the smoked mac and cheese with sun-dried tomatoes and duck. Yeah, he clearly won this round. I kept sneaking more tastes of his dish because I just couldn't get enough. I can't imagine a better dish to warm up a winter evening. No dessert this time, but we shall return.

    (5)

  • Samuel M.

    Chicago is not wanting for solid beer selections, and it's difficult for a suds merchant to stand out. The Fountainhead carves a nice niche for itselft; while it isn't in the highest echelon of this city's beer temples, it's certainly knocking at the door. The list offers ~20 drafts, ranging from local favorites such as Emmitt's to obscure and delicious brews from Belgium and Switzerland. They also got dibs on some of the first Deschutes offerings to make it to Chicago. Beers are priced well (topping out at $8 for obscure and imported drafts), and the vibe is generally pretty cool. My one gripe was the service; it took a long time for us to get drinks, even factoring for the crowd. However, all ire I may have had went away after the first sip. I'll be back the next time I'm barcrawling in Lincoln square, for sure.

    (4)

  • Mark H.

    Fountainhead was my most recent dinner out. The interior was inviting, I thought it was a little too cold to check out the beer garden. Nonetheless, I have this page to talk about food. I ordered: Grilled Jerk Chicken Sandwich. It stated marinaded in habenero, cilantro, & citrus. I see "jerk", & I'm expecting certain strong flavors. Allspice, cinnamon, cayenne, etc. Plus you add habenero in the description as well! I received none of that. Just a hint of spice, & the char from the grill. I was fairly disappointed. The zucchini goat cheese tart, was a little bland, & needed, well, more goat cheese. The fries however, were awesome! I would return simply because I want to try more of the menu (& fries). I ordered a Moscow mule, which some places have no idea how to make, & it was spot on. 2.5

    (2)

  • Kristina D.

    We visited Fountainhead for an evening out with friends. No reservations are accepted so the place was packed when we arrived. We spent about forty minutes at the bar sipping on Original Sin's hard apple cider. I also had a shot of the Koval Lion's Head Dark Rye. More and more I'm appreciating the gastro pub experience in Chicago and Fountainhead has decent food (their fries are amazing) and an extensive whiskey list which is great.We had several small plates to share and then some larger entrees. All in all, the food was good. It's definitely not for a quiet night on the town but the service was efficient and friendly. I'll definitely be checking them out again.

    (4)

  • Devin B.

    For drinks hard to beat (I am a huge scotch fan) Food was pretty nice too.

    (4)

  • philip b.

    Great, great beer list. Bad, bad food.

    (2)

  • AJ W.

    the drinks are good...but GEEZZZZ They mess up the bill BIG time. They are now 2 for two. This time they gave me someone else's credit card (granted, they did look similiar)....this caused a lot problems over the following days. so...i just don't know if I'll go back regardless of how good the menu is.

    (2)

  • Brent W.

    Right then, i've been up and around this neighborhood for nearly 2 yrs, driven past this place numerous times, heard many a ppl from the area singing its praise, but not until last night, had I had the chance to experience Fountainhead. Woah! Nearly 30 beers on tap. Upwards of 80+ by bottle. If beer aint your thing, no problem. The ubiquitous brew output is nearly equaled by their selection of Whiskey, Bourbon and Scotch selections. Lord have mArcy. The wooden bound menu is well over 10 pages long with a detailed description of all things alcohol. On an IPA kick of late chose the Dogfish Head Apri-somethingorother...it infused real apricots into this completely drinkable 7%ABV IPA....magic. Backed dinner w. a forgettable but tasty enough Malbec. All good. Mussels. Outstanding if not a bit smallish....the broth was shot-worthy. Monkey Bread w. a side of sausage gravy...as the quintessential biscuit and gravy lover, this was phenomenal. Other members of our party had the cheese plate which i tried and it was predictably good. Oysters were also above ave, presented well and overall tasty. [x] will be back

    (4)

  • Laura J.

    I would never say the food was great here, but it's become pretty decently bad. I had the same over-peppered-gamey-hockey-puck burger some other reviewers have mentioned. With a 3 hour wait now to get on the roof top, I don't see a reason to return again.

    (2)

  • Timzie C.

    I've been to Fountainhead a total of 3 times now. The first was not too long after they opened. I went with my roommate, her boyfriend, and a few other people to celebrate his birthday. Everything was okay, except I had ordered a sandwich, and a key part of it it was missing. I pointed it out to my waiter who just halfheartedly apologized and offered to bring the part that was missing on the side. Whatever. The second time I went was last September and I just had drinks with a friend on the roof. Nothing earth shattering, and no problems. I ended up going again this afternoon with another friend. We each had one drink up on the roof after work before leaving. Our waitress was nice enough, nothing to write home about but nothing to make a stink over either. She maybe checked on us twice during the hour and a half we were there. When we got our bill, which was $13, we each threw in $10 and the waitress took our bill. And then she disappeared. We waited and waited, and finally after about 10-15 minutes we had to flag her down and ask for our change. She seemed really flustered and we saw her go over to the cash register looking for our bill. She just assumed she was getting a $7, or more than 50% tip. Now I don't mind tipping well if someone deserves it, but don't assume you are getting all the change. That is completely presumptuous. When she did finally bring our change back in the little black check folder, she threw it on the table without a word and walked off. Needless to say, we left her an even smaller tip than we would have if she had just brought our change back without assuming she was getting it all. I will definitely think twice before going back to this place.

    (2)

  • Andy M.

    This place always gets top ratings and publicity in newsprint as one of the finer bars in the windy city. All they have is a very exclusive wine and beer selection. The food was pretty bad and the look is not the best despite its cool window location at Damen and Montross. I just don't think this place is anything special. no poool table and only one Tv way in one corner. This is a place for beer snobs that somehow think beer actually can have thousands of tastes.

    (2)

  • Lindsay H.

    I'd give them 2.5 Stars but not an option. So the beer selection is great but the staff is super rude. I asked a questions about a Belgium Beer and the bartender rolled his eyes at me. I pretty much only drink Begluim so I knew what I was talking about but my question was almost not allowed.... I usually will just ask instead of trying but when you are buying a beer that's a bottle and over 15 bucks you ask. I went to grab dinner last Saturday and it was my first time eating there. For anyone who has not been there check out the menu before you go as they have 4 different sandwiches and 4 entrees. I'm not one for a veggie burger so there was 7 options left. Then the waitress told us they are not serving the Steak or the Salmon anymore becuase the fall menu is coming out... down to 5 options to pick. We decided to share a Burger that we ordered Medium Rare and the mac and cheese. The burger came out Well done and charred on the outside and the mac and cheese wasn't anything special. My boyfriend liked it but I think he was comparing it to the burger. I will definitely not be back for eating and the poor food quality makes me scared of the quality mussels they probably use, and not sure about you but I don't to get sick. Also makes me sad they never got the permit to open the rooftop patio.

    (2)

  • Leanne A.

    I started coming here when they first opened, and I'm not sure when they became so popular! I don't come on weekends anymore, because the wait is too long, and there's not a good wait-space. However, weeknights are perfect. The atmosphere at Fountainhead is really cozy, especially the little back room with the small tables. As someone who is just now starting to like beers beyond cheap, light stuff, the beer list is overwhelming for me. But it's really fun to read, and I just discovered the Kasteel Rouge, a tart cherry draught that is awesome! I could have three glasses of it. Their bread pudding is a great dessert, but the trouble is I want to order it each time I go! I've also tried the sambal chicken sandwich--loaded with spices and flavor! But lacking in toppings. I'd like this with lots of veggies. I also had a poorly constructed italian bread salad, but it seems that has died off the menu. The food seems to be improving. Over the summer, they talked about opening a rooftop patio. But it didn't happen...how I would love it so if it appeared this summer!

    (4)

  • Richard O.

    Not really my thing since I'm not much of a drinker.. All the food seemed heavy and the fries taste burnt. I kind of wished this place would have had something cheesy like a fruit punch or something on a muggy summer weekend. I liked the cake. I think "gastropubs" should have sparkling water. The simple salad didn't really come together. I wished I had requested the dressing on the special salad. It was like someone took the vegetables off a taco and drowned them in vinegar. It'd be nice if they got to opening that rooftop patio I heard tell of a few months ago. For now, I think I'll stick with Northdown.

    (2)

  • Andy M.

    I hate to write a two star review of this place because it has the potential to be a great little Pub. I'm writing this based on my second visit to Fountainhead. The first time was pretty good, but then again, we had the place to ourselves. Our second visit was on a Saturday night. We snagged a table in the nick of time. The people after us waited a good half hour. The joint was hopping, but I have been to places that have handled much bigger crowds with ease. The food was decent, but the service was downright horrible. In a nutshell, our experience went like this. I didn't see our server for a good 20 minutes after we were seated. The hostess took pity on us and finally brought us some water. When our server finally showed up, we ordered drinks, 10 minutes later our drinks arrived. It took her another 20 minutes to return to take our order and another 40 minutes for our food to arrive. The hostess claimed that there was a private party that was keeping our server busy. Newsflash to the good people at Fountainhead. It's a Saturday night, it's going to be busy. For the love of God, schedule more staff. To make matters worse (and slower) our server had to come back twice to tell my wife that they were out of the Micro-Brew she ordered. As for the food, I give it three and a half stars. The burger I had on my first visit was pretty darn good. The Swine Swoon I ordered on my latest visit was a grease bomb from hell, but I enjoyed it. The Duck chicharonnes appetizer is amazing. It's fried duck skin with a smokey bacon flavor to it. The bottom line on Fountainhead: As far as Bar food goes, they are a step above most establishments and they have a great Bourbon selection, but the quality of service was horrible. Based on my latest experience, I doubt if I will ever go back. I'm not ripping on our server. She honestly looked like she was working her ass off. But the person who does the scheduling should be demoted to dish washer. I have walked out of very few places due to bad service, but I was five minutes away from paying for our drinks and hitting the road. Fountainhead has the potential to be so much more than what they showed us on Saturday, but until they get their shit together, it's scratched off my list of places I would recommend to others.

    (2)

  • Chris S.

    The bar itself, and the beer and booze lists are big and beautiful. Then it goes downhill. The service was weak, distracted and not too knowledgeable about the menu. The food goes down as some of the worst food I've had all year. It's like they tried to get on the whole gastropub thing, but then stopped trying halfway through. The bacon nuts sound like they should be good beer food, but it's pretty much just nuts with maple candy of some sort, and no discernablle bacon. Also got the duck chicharones, which were just about as bad as could be - fried, solid, room temp grease. I only ate two bites figuring something was wrong, but was told that's how they are supposed to be. The mussels were pretty good, but overall, I was pretty unimpressed with my visit, and can't see going back to eat. For drinks on the other hand, I've no problem there.

    (2)

  • L M.

    This is my go to spot for a Saturday night burger and beer. I'm here once or twice a month. The food can be hit or miss and I tend to stick with the burger or the non-meat quinoa burger. A word on the burger - I find it's often overcooked. I enjoy the regular fries and my partner usually gets the sweet potato chips. So if you want medium well, order medium. I learned that the hard way. I often split a salad and then get an entree. The beer selection is overwhelming. I usually try to go for something on draft. I've had Sunday brunch a few times. They have fun brunch drinks and some interesting food choices. I've had something on the healthier side - a frittata with egg white and asparagus. And I've had the not so healthy - Phil's Hangover. Let's just say it has tater tots, eggs, bacon. And that's not even it. The staff is always friendly. We're there enough we sort of have "our waitress" who always remembers us and stops by to say hi even if she's not working our table.

    (4)

  • Armani B.

    DO NOT EAT THE BLACK BEAN PATTY!!! WASTE OF MONEY! The patty itself was like a paste, flavorless, and to even make it a decent burger you have to pay to add toppings which in my opinion is kind of ridiculous considering the patty itself is so excruciatingly plain. This is obviously a place meant to cater to the already drunk palette. Impressive overpriced beer menu, unimpressive overpriced food menu.

    (2)

  • Carolynne M.

    We were here twice. The first time was fast because Andy said something about not feeling well, so we had our mostly untouched food wrapped up to go. That time we had the place almost to ourselves. I ordered the Swine Swoon, which was delicious, but the sweet potato chips that came with it had too heavy of a spice applied (I couldnt really put my finger on it, was it cinnamon? Nutmeg? Too much whatever it was). Second time we came the place was packed to capacity. We lucked out in getting the last table available, but then just sat there with only menus to stare at for 15 minutes. Finally the hostess came by with water and claimed our waitress was backed up "due to a party". Except we never saw any evidence of a party anywhere in the place. I tried to order a beer, and the first one was not available. Same with the second choice. I finally gave up and ordered a Sierra Nevada, which was fine but honestly, I can get that anywhere. I came to a gastropub for a unique beer to try! This was pretty irritating to say the least. Service was WAY too slow for a Saturday night. I ordered appetizers for dinner because I felt those would come out faster than an entree. I had the cheese soup to start, which was a small cup of basically potato soup with a mild cheese flavour. Good but not what I was expecting at all. Then I ordered the shrimp diablo. The shrimp were oddly mushy and the bread pieces that came with it had mostly absorbed the sauce so they were mushy too. The sauce was pretty spicy which I was happy to see. Careful though, if you are someone that cant handle the heat. The thing that may redeem Fountainhead for me though and may make me try it one more time is the Duck chicharonnes. Quite possibly the most evil-y decadent thing I have eaten in a while. Tastes like the most awesome bacon ever. Our serving wasnt salted, and salt definitely adds a whole other dimension of flavour, so if you get these, add a bit. I really want to like this place. It has a great, cozy interior, and looks like a ton of fun on the weekends. Of course the chicharonnes help too. But the service issue and the running out of supplies issue are major things that really need to be addressed and quick!

    (3)

  • Dan L.

    WHO RUNS THIS PLACE? burned out lightbulbs in the hallway to the ladies room- making it perfectly dark for my pregnant wife to stumble through, non-functioning paper towel dispenser in the mens room, soap dispenser hanging by a thread from the wall above the slopped up sink, short staffed, no hostess and mediocre, over-priced pub fare served out of a slow kitchen. frites? seriously? you're calling those FRITES? the monkey bread was anything but gooey and ooey- it was nasty and was sent back with one bite taken. the beer list IS exceptional but i'd prefer it on one sheet rather than spread over 20 pages in a three ring binder. does the three ring binder justify charging 15% more than the going rate for whatever the beer happens to be? how about actually using the proper serving vessel? standard stouts (even if they're not guinness but happen to be from ireland) are served in pint glasses and german helles beers are served in krugs or .5L steins, not a 12oz footed pilsner glass. if you're going to pride yourself on being an uber-cool gastropub, get the basics correct and stop overcharging and under-pouring. i will say our waitress was very nice and was working her tail off. big ups to her. would i go back? who is john galt?

    (2)

  • Scott H.

    Thursday night I came here and got oysters on the half shell(one of my favs) and they were not super pricey but the presentation and taste was awesome. Bartenders and super friendly and make really good dry vodka martinis. Love the upstairs and they sometimes make this hot cider drink that gets you drunk and taste like hot apple cider, TASTY!

    (5)

  • Lesley A.

    I don't do alcohol - or so I thought - until my friend introduced me to the Fountainhead. I swear the Fountainhead is a Belgian knockoff because I cannot wait to bring my Belgian analytical chemist crush here for a romantic date without him frou frou-ing the frites here. Imagine a dark wood ambiance, fireplace in the corner, latticed windows, melted candles on the mantle, and the friendliest waitstaff ever. And then imagine a HUGE selection of alcohols that I don't really know much about because I generally do not drink: specialty beers, stouts, ciders, even...MEAD (honey wine!) I came with two friends and I had a vanilla cinnamon mead for $5 that was so delicious and strong. My friend had a dark stout with hints of espresso that was surprisingly delicious. My other friend had a light beer with hints of fruitiness that reminded me of how I do enjoy lambics, which they also have here. Seriously, their alcohol selection is a hard bound volume! To top it off: apple and brie bread pudding for dessert. Think about it, apple...and brie...a savory sweet and devilish concoction of... (I'm drooling here). Lastly, there was a mistake with my order where the waitress thought I ordered the vanilla cinnamon cider instead of the mead. She let me keep the cider too! So nice! Warning though, since this is a popular spot, it can get crowded on a weekend afternoon. It also looks like you can get dinner.

    (4)

  • Kristy N.

    This review is based on beer list and ambiance only. Located right on the corner of Montrose and Damen, it's a great place to meet for drinks or a date. The lighting is kept low and the whole place kind of glows inside. The beer list is massive and decently priced. Our sever was very knowledgable but I must say that the pours were a bit light. If I'm paying $7 for a beer, I don't want a fourth of it to be foam. The food looked really good and I'd be happy to stop back in for dinner and to work myself further thru their extensive drink menu.

    (4)

  • Jillian V.

    Fountainhead definitely has some great things going for it but I probably wont be back The Good: Looks super cute inside with a nice, little fireplace. Beer and whiskey selection is amazing. The monkey bread and french fries were delicious. The Bad: Not very friendly or attentive service. We ordered a hamburger "medium rare" and the mussels. When the food arrived, we realized our table was too small to fit two entrees, two beers and two waters on! Seriously, this table is comically tiny and even after placing our beverages on a nearby empty (also tiny) table, eating was still uncomfortable and awkward. Instead of medium rare, we received a charred hockey puck of a hamburger. That was annoying enough but even the flavor was bland and the texture was dry and....mealy, I guess. Getting a sub-par burger is one of life's most tragic occurrences. The mussels were OK but nothing I'll recommend to others. If beer and whiskey is you're priority, Fountainhead is fantastic. If you want great food, you should probably go elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Virginia T.

    I showed a (decidedly not beer-drinking) friend from high school around the Northside on Sunday. We ended up at the Fountainhead for a late lunch so I could show him GOOD beer. The decor is nice, the place is beautiful. They regularly have beers on cask. The draft list is pretty good and the bottled list is extensive. I tried the Bear Republic Apex Imperial IPA. It was...amazing. My friend didn't care of the aggressive bitter/hoppiness though so I went with a much more "friendly" 5Rabbit 5 Lizard wheat so he could share. The bartender was great and recommended the Mort Subite Kriek for my friend, and he LOVED it! He drank a whole 8oz! Lambic wins! He ordered the burger and frites and I got the black bean quinoa burger with frites and they were both delicious. My burger and beer was $14 before tax & tip. Not horrible. Interesting specials and awesome beer list.

    (4)

  • Bridget S.

    I decided I needed to have a break for lunch on the day of my wedding with my bridal party, being that the ceremony was at 1pm and the reception started at 6pm. I called the manager about a week before my wedding and discussed what I wanted to do for the bridal party. He was INCREDIBLY excited for me, and a joy to work with. We walked in and he and the staff greeted us warmly. They even sent over a free drink for the groom and I. The food was delicious, well priced, and came out quickly. Plus we got to enjoy some college football. I highly recommend the Fountainhead for your everyday lunching needs as well as your wedding day lunch needs:)

    (5)

  • Jamie H.

    I went to this place recently for the first time w/ a group of friends and it was great! The decor was cool, the service was great, the drinks were amazing (I had white wine but they have an extensive beer & spirits list!) but the FOOD was the real prize: our table ordered the Money Bread (gorgonzola & bacon are baked into this pull apart bread w/ a side of sausage gravy) as an app & it was so tasty! Then I had a small plate of the Duck Confit Pasta: which essentially is a small bowl of really fancy mac & cheese w/ roasted duck, peas, aged white cheddar sauce, topped w/ rosemary breadcrumbs! IT'S SO GOOD! I'll will return, OH YES, I will return!

    (5)

  • Jackie G.

    Great selection of beer and scotch. Food is great - wish there was a little more variety - but it's served my needs the few times I've gone (noticeably always with guys who will appreciate the drink list and atmosphere) I was once made fun of for getting the mac and cheese with duck confit, childish seeming to the guys who got the steaks, but it was so good. In fact, one of said guys ordered it the next time we went there. The burger is very good with fries. They intrigued me, but beer nuts left me missing some excitement. They were just kind of like salty slightly different tasting warm nuts. One time I sat at the window nook in the back of the bar, and the bartender was honest when we asked for an opinion about a special beer to order (we ended up with a squash beer that I liked even though it was, as he said, not incredibly differentiated from other beers). The place has always been crowded for the later night meals I've gone here. The time I went for drinks the hostess made us move from a table that was "reserved" but never taken in the time we were there. That was annoying. Overall the place is nice for solid beer and food. I just wish there was a great food assortment like the drink selection.

    (4)

  • Andy C.

    If I could give this place 2 1/2 stars I would. I feel some ambiguity on this place. The food is pretty good, mussels are excellent, beer selection is one of the best around... but the attitude just has to go! I've been there 3 times when we made to wait 15 minutes or so when there was no less than 5 empty tables. They might as well just put a red velvet rope in there. I didn't realize a Gastropub could be so "uptown" and bourgeois... Christ there are enough places with employee apathy and indifference.... it's clear the beer master and chefs are well trained...but not a lot of effort went into the bartenders, waitresses and hostesses. It doesn't matter how good the food/drink are, if you don't feel welcome or the place does't feel homey....what's the point

    (2)

  • Katherine R.

    Cool gastropub on Damen and Montrose St. for fingerfoods like monkey bread and drinks like gourmet beers. This place is stylish and keen. It just opened not to long ago and although very tip worthy the menu items prices will add up. Dishes we ordered were mac and cheese, and a big ol slab of steak by a friend of a friend. I had the french onion soup. Another time me and the boy sat along side the island bar for dark non-alcoholic beers and frites with two tangy and sweet dipping sauces.

    (5)

  • Jane S.

    I've been here a few times; twice for brunch, a few times for drinks and snacks. Some times I've spent a lot of money; others times it's been just a few beers. Each time I've sat on the roof deck, which to me is the main draw of the place. The beer selection is good, the food is all right although not as good as the prices suggest. The hosting staff has always been welcoming, the wait staff friendly if pretty slow. But after my experience last night, I'm a little put off the place. I met a friend at 10 p.m. for a few drinks. Between us we had three beers--by no means the server's most high-paying table, but we weren't crashing the dinner hour or anything. Anyway, as the time came to close the deck--about 11:30--the server did last call, but I'd just ordered a beer, so she brought the check immediately. No problem. But my friend and I didn't pay immediately, figuring we had a few minutes to finish our beers and get our cards out. About five minutes later, the server, who had been pretty friendly before, came to see if we'd put our cards in the bill. We hadn't. According to my friend, she made a big show of looking at her watch after she passed our table. The deck was still full of other people with full beers and unpaid tabs--it's not like we were the sole holdouts or being purposely combative. We really just figured we had a few minutes and would pay when we were closer to leaving/done with our beers. A few minutes passed again--it was 11:40ish at this point, maybe 11:45,and the server came by to check our bill. Seeing no cards, she said, with what my mother would call a "tone," "Yeah, I'm gonna need you to settle up." It was openly rude and not at all in line with our offense. I have no problem being told a place is closing and that I'll need to pay. Fifteen minutes to closing is completely reasonable for that. But there are about five other ways to say that that don't make your customers feel like a huge nuisance. "Hey sorry, we're closing, would you mind settling up?" It contains most of the same words, but it doesn't come off nearly the same. I'm sure the server was anxious to leave and I don't blame her for it on a beautiful Saturday night. But it doesn't take any more effort to ask me to pay politely. Anyway. It's not really representative of the experiences I've had at Fountainhead, but it soured an otherwise nice night. In a town full of friendly beer joints and gastropubs, why would I spend my time (and money--even if it's not that much) at the one that made me feel unwelcome? I'll think twice about it in the future.

    (2)

  • Kirsten K.

    Always great service, good food and one the best beer menus in the neighborhood! I recommend ordering the frites with special dipping sauces. The sauces are always different and always delicious! Can't wait for the rooftop to open back up this spring!

    (5)

  • Sara B.

    Awesome roof top, nice gluten free beer choices, excellent burgers!

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    Fountainhead is awesome! Nicely decorated, dimly lit, comfortable ambience. This place has an incredibly impressive beer selection. They are constantly switching their draft beers. Every time I go in there are different beers on tap, while keeping a few constants. If I remember right there are usually a good 20 beers on tap. They have close to 200 beers to choose from in all including some of my favorites from Quebec and Belgium. My girlfriend doesn't like beer so she got a cider, and according to her it was the best cider she's ever tried (Original Sin). They also serve liquor and cocktails of course. Their burgers are fantastic! They come on a toasted pretzel bun and for the first time in my life I tried my burger with chevre (goat cheese). It was delicious. The mussels are also pretty good as are their fries, which always come with some really interesting dipping sauces. Fountainhead's a great neighborhood pub to grab a beer and catch up with close friends. Check it out!

    (5)

  • S. P.

    This is a nice place for people living in Lincoln Square/North Center. The atmosphere is good. They have a great beer and wine menu. I had the Ham and Brie and it was very good. I would not recommend the wine cheese appetizer, it was extremely bland and poorly presented. There is also a nice rooftop deck that is open in the warm months.

    (4)

  • Todger ..

    It took me awhile to form an opinion about this place. Great room, great looks, super selction of craft ales and beers. Gives the glass a proper squirt-rinse before beginning a pour (always good when you are ordering a $10+ draft). I had a good time here, in the final analysis, but really I'm not sure that I'll be back., here is why: You can't really depend on getting a table in any reasonable amount of time. This annoying trend in Chicago of "We're a bar, not a restaurant" (even though we want to be in the Foodie press about our menu) really means that if you just want to sit all night with your table and nurse a few beers, they are fine with that. But if you are with a party that wants to eat and can't get a table, they are fine with that too. I know this seems non-sensical - because it is. Not all patrons come from the surrounding neighborhood, some have actually driven and parked to find out that they are going to have a few beers (but no food due to no table) for dinner if they hang around at Fountainhead. OK so moving on - I was with a party the last time lucky enough to sit and order. The menu, while a little sparse, is ok. We ordered the Monkey bread and Bacon nuts for appetizers - both of which can be skipped next time. I had the hangar steak, it was fine. I was full, satisfied. Nothing else to add. Read into that what you like.

    (3)

  • Renee P.

    Goodbye Hopeleaf, Hello Fountainhead. OMG, so yummy. Great beers. Even better mussels. I can not wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Caroline M.

    Fountainhead is easily my favorite bar in the neighborhood! The tables and booths here are sleek, shiny, and new(ish). In the evening the lighting is always very dim (ohh-la-la). The beer list here is nothing short of a sacred text. So many optimum choices. It can be overwhelming but I am always so excited to try something new. Food is solid. I once orderd the duck mac and cheese and really enjoyed the smokeyness and creaminess of the cheese but there were barely a few duck shreds in the dish. Next time, I'll just go with the regular mac and cheese. Bonus points: They always seem to have something fun going on here, like Beer and Cheese Academy or battle of the chefs, where I ordered a flight of 3 very different risotto dishes and got to vote for the best one. The winner of the competition gets their dish featured full time on the menu!

    (4)

  • Brendan M.

    When I moved to the area last May this place was a the show! The menu was robust and they took great care to delivery a terrific gastro-pub experience. Not so much anymore. The beer selection is still top-notch but the food has slipped significantly even as they pared down the menu. Recently, the mac-n-cheese came out more oily than cheesy and the portion size on the scallops is sub-par. It is now a place I head for a good beer and an appetizer, then go looking for dinner elsewhere. Too bad as I really like this place and they had it right at the beginning.

    (3)

  • Conly D.

    Want a Coors Light? How about a MGD? Well, go somewhere else. This place has an incredible selection of micro-brews and imports. In fact, I was overwhelmed with the selection. What was supposed to be a couple beers and a light dinner turned into a lot of beers and a large dinner! The food here is equally as good as the beer. While the menu is not that big, they put a lot into the quality. I highly recommend the Beer cheese soup, I can put into words how good it was.

    (5)

  • Kelly M.

    I literally cannot get enough of this place! They usually have a house-infused vodka available, AMAZING fries, fun atmosphere, great service...I could go on, but instead I'll just dream about the next time I can make it out to Fountainhead. They have an insane roof-top deck too! There's nothing like a rooftop deck on a summer night! But seriously, you have to have these fries!

    (5)

  • Angelique B.

    If you're a beer or scotch aficionado, this might be your place. Great beer and scotch list; however the food is mediocre at best. The portions are small (for the appetizers and starters) and the service is just barely so-so. Every time I've dined here, I have been underwhelmed. Last night, I went with two other people and we shared the monkey bread which was the size of a small muffin and the pate which came w/2 slices of pate, 2 cornichons and 6 of the thinnest slices of baguette so thin the bread came apart...there were three of us and seriously, they couldn't spare an extra cornichon?! The waiter brought more bread and cornichons over when we asked but you shouldn't have to ask and the pate shouldn't fall between the holes in the bread. After my second visit, I maintain this place is kind of a pain especially when there are so many outstanding options in the Lincoln Square/North Center.

    (2)

  • Melissa S.

    I'm so extremely dissatisfied with my recent trip to Fountainhead. Four of us saw their advertised special Gluten-Free event, in which Fountainhead was highlighting their special GF menu, featuring some special GF items, and inviting people who do not eat gluten to come and enjoy eating out, an activity that can be very difficult since gluten is everywhere. The good part was the really nice selection of GF beers and cider. And the server was nice enough. Everything else was not great. We told the hostess we were here for the GF event, and she sat us with 4 regular menus and 1 gluten-free menu. We said, nicely, you can take these back, and please give us all just the GF menu, as we will only be eating gluten-free. My friend repeated this to the server when she came, that we're "very excited" for the GF event and that there will be no one at our table eating gluten tonight, just to make it very clear. Then the mussels, which we ordered off of the GF specials menu, came out with a big ole gluten-y roll. We repeated to the server that we do not want anything with gluten at our table tonight, as none of us can eat the stuff. The mussels tasted good enough, nothing spectacular. All four of us ordered burgers, cooked medium, with gluten-free buns and various sides and toppings. The busser delivered the burgers to our table (after a really long wait) and zipped away before we could say anything to us. The rolls looked like their normal pretzel roll, not any GF roll we've ever seen. We all sat there nervously for a minute, and when the server came around, we asked if these were really gluten-free. She check with the kitchen, and sure enough, we had been served gluten for the second time that night. That pretty scary, because there would have been some serious reactions at our table if we had trusted Fountainhead and eaten the food they delivered to their table. The server said she would have the kitchen re-fire the burgers right away (we had already waited 40 minutes for the first wrong burgers). At least 20 minutes later, when our food came back (on the correct buns), we noticed the burgers were not medium but well-done. We were so hungry at this point that we decided to just shut up and eat the over-cooked meat, but then the taste was just so horrible. There was nothing but char and carbon filling my mouth. I scraped away the ketchup and cheese, and sure enough, the burger was seriously burnt. Very, very black and hard on the outside. It was the same all around the table. I have no idea how the person in the kitchen could possibly have put this hockey puck on a plate. The server apologized and took the plates away and asked if we wanted to try something else, but at this point we simply did not trust the food coming out of the kitchen. The burgers were taken off the check and we got a discount off the top of the cost. Unfortunately that wasn't enough to make up for the fact that I left hungry and unsatisfied. I probably wouldn't be so upset if they did not have gluten-free items and we were making a bunch of special requests. But this was a "Gluten-Free Feature Night!" Their very own event page states, "Eating out can be tough when you are trying to eat gluten free." Yes, especially if you try to eat dinner at Fountainhead. The one thing people with celiac or gluten intolerance want then they eat out is to not feel anxiety that the food on their plate will make them violently ill. My advice to Fountainhead: train your staff. Do not have the bussers deliver the food if they are not going to look at the tickets. Have better quality control in the kitchen. And if you can't do gluten-free correctly, just don't do it at all.

    (1)

  • Gaurang S.

    Yes, I know slamming a gastropub in Chicago is blasphemy. They're the 'in' thing right? You're supposed to shut up and lay down the cash for their ridiculously priced beer and small portions of food, after which you pretty much need to go to a burger shop anyways? All fine, provided the food and craft beer is stellar. Which it is at a lot of places (Bristol, Purple Pig etc). Not here. First of all, how can you not have my first three beer choices? And why do you need to go back to your brewery and come back 5 minutes later each time to tell me you're out? It was literally 20 minutes before I could even get a beer order in. And ok, maybe I'm already a bit cranky at this point, so I'm going to complain a bit more. Shouldn't you ask me for my ID when I place my beer order? Not after you've placed my drink on my coaster, and then as I'm about to lift my mug up, put out a floating hand halfway between you and my mug and ask for my ID? I genuinely thought it was a joke and laughed, but you were serious. The food was fine. Just not enough to bring me back. I realize that I sound like a spoiled diva, but really for the prices these places charge, I should be allowed to.

    (2)

  • Bruce M.

    It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that the mussel recipe has changed. I understand the idea of having seasonal menu changes, but the mussels and Frites on the winter menu were standout and really made me crave Fountainhead. The beer list is still great, but extensive beer lists are becoming more and more popular. It was great to see the added vestibule too. Why would you ruin a good thing? I literally befriended a hippie in the Trader Joe's beer aisle, that I convinced Fountainhead had some of the best mussels ever. I hope he made it there for the winter menu. Give me back my mussels and I'll give you back your stars!

    (2)

  • Heather S.

    My hubby and I went last night to the "it might get hoppy" event. We really enjoyed trying the different beers that they had that evening. If you haven't tried one of their theme nights yet, give them a try. They are alot of fun. Our server was attentive, but not intrusive. She was always there to ask us if we wanted another beer the second we had finished one. Because she did such a good job taking care of us, we lost track of how much beer we had, until we were already a little buzzed. All in all it was a fun evening, and we are looking forward to the next event.

    (3)

  • Carly O.

    I was worried. After reading some of the reviews, I was expecting REALLY BAD service. But c'mon. A gastropub that some are claiming is even better than Hopleaf? Even if the hype isn't true, it's still worth checking out. I went on a first date here on a Friday night at 8 pm. After the hostess informed us that the wait would be 30 minutes...AT LEAST, we finally managed to wave down the bartender for the beer on cask. It was lovely. In less than 30 minutes we were seated (at the unfortunate table right near the door, but hey, this beggar ain't that choosy), The monkey bread is DELICIOUS. I think I saw someone say the portion was too small. But I thought it was just right for two. The idea of an appetizer is just a few bites so you don't get filled up before the main dish. It's like a cinnamon muffin. With bacon. Served with what can only be described as pork gravy. I enjoyed mussels and frites. The mussels were nice and large. They were served on top of the frites, which some people might not have liked due to their lack of crispiness. Luckily for me, soggy is the way I like 'em. My date had the beet risotto and enjoyed. He claims the mac and cheese is the way to go. I'll be sure to try that next time around. Our waitress was very friendly and came by just enough. I have absolutely no complaints about the service she provided. I think Fountainhead is a great addition to Ravenswood and I'm already dreaming about scarfing down the monkey bread and trying a new beer when I go back.

    (4)

  • Quin C.

    Look no further for a good Beer Selection! This might be one of the best beer list I have seen outside Belgium. We started off with the Monkey Bread since the waitress suggested it. Gorgonzola & bacon pull apart bread with sausage gravy?!?! I got in trouble when I tried to lick the bowl when we were done! AMAZING, I could and would make it a meal! She had the Scallops on bacon risotto, very good, however I wasn;t a fan of my swine swoon...too much pickle not enough swine! This is clearly a place that you "come for the beer, stay for the food." I will go back over and over for the beer (and Monkey Bread.) I really felt like I was in a pub and I could just drink the day and evening away in there! I hear the roof deck is cool, will give it a try if that is the case but I loved the inside! (With a glass of beer going from $5-$45, hard to gague cost.) If this bar is out of your way, it will be more than worth it!

    (5)

  • Anthony P.

    I love the gastropub trend going on these days as it brings the best food in a rustic yet comfortable setting. I have only been to the Fountainhead twice but the atmosphere, food and service has been consistently good. Nice variety dishes and sandwiches with a European twist. I would, however, skip the cheese fondue which had very little body and flavor (that's coming from a Frenchman so take my word for it). Also the wait can be a bit frustrating but nothing a few beers can't take care of. The burgers were fantastic (pate, onion marmalade and smoked gouda are some of the delicious toppings you can have..!). Long story short, loved it and making it a weekly stop. Go for it.

    (4)

  • Christine F.

    We went to the Fountainhead with some friends Saturday and we were generally pleased at what we found. First of all, it's crazy busy Saturday night. Like, complete insanity. When we walked in the hostess told us that the bar area was at capacity so we would have to find somewhere else to stand, haha. Ok, Holy SHIT huge beer menu! There's something for everyone at this place, in terms of drinks. I enjoyed my beers very much (I am a sucker for the Belgians) and was hoping the food would live up to the massive and delicious drink selection. I ordered the mac and cheese, plain (no duck for this gal). It was good...except...IT WAS SERVED AT ALMOST ROOM TEMPERATURE. Ugh. That realllly put a damper on my meal. I didn't want to be THAT PERSON and send it back, but geez, guys, mac and cheese isn't terribly savory when it's not hot. The flavor was good, though. Great drinks, good flavor of the food but the fact that my hot dish was served lukewarm was very, very offputting. I can't say I will be back for the food, but I will return for the drinks.

    (3)

  • Greer C.

    I was so excited to check out Fountainhead after looking at their menu. I knew exactly what I was going to get: gorganzola bacon monkey bread and the spiced nuts. Both sounded amazing. I was definitely let down, the monkey bread was bland, definitely needed salt and and I couldn't taste any gorganzola and I only got random flakes of bacon. Bummer. The spiced nuts were just OK, the bacon brittle was tasty, but it was SO chewy I felt like my jaws were stuck together and again not enough salt. The service was fine, the decor was good and there was a lively atmosphere.

    (2)

  • Luis C.

    This place was a miss for me. The layout was nice, but seemed overcrowded and loud. Good beer menu though.

    (3)

  • Beebe G.

    try the charcuterie and deviled eggs with your beer. my husband enjoyed his stone moot and i my blanched de bruxelles draft while we noshed on our apps. i'd like to come back with my girlfriend and sit on the rooftop some day.

    (3)

  • Katie T.

    Stay away from the shrimp diablo... you will excrete things you've never imagined for about 2.5 days.

    (2)

  • Brendan B.

    Came to Chicago to visit some old friends, and my friend who works in the area recommended this place and I'm really glad we went! We sat at the bar and got caught up while having yummy food and good drinks. The bartender Ambrosia was awesome, one of the best bartenders ever! Next time I come to Chicago I'll definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Jess R.

    Came here with friends last night. We sat on the roof at a high top table, which was great. Everyone enjoyed their drinks, the group had several kinds of beer. However, service was not good. Our waitress was missing often and forgot to bring us our check, after waiting 20 minutes we had to ask her again. As for the food, one friend got the turkey sandwich and another the brisket and both enjoyed it. I ordered the vegetable stir-fry with tofu and it left much to be desired. The sauce was too oily and salty, and the "seasonal vegetables" included one piece of broccoli, and a few peppers and onions. It tasted worse than something you'd get at TGI Fridays. Definitely a place just for drinks.

    (3)

  • Grace P.

    Huge beer selection. There's something for everybody! Must try Belly Fire Wings with ranch yogurt and parsnip guac. Gouda mac & cheese w/bacon is a little over-seasoned for me, but if you like rich, cheesy goodness you can't go wrong.

    (5)

  • Lee L.

    Fountainhead has a huge beer list and an even bigger Whiskey list. The woodwork is absolutely beautiful both downstairs and on their amazing patio upstairs. It's homey, and the beer is amazing. They constantly rotate through many different styles and breweries, and they are definitely on a good little beer tour route with the Half Acre Taproom and Bad Apple. They also updated their menu, and Cletus pared it down to a nicer, simpler menu. I'm happy to say that Fountainhead has become a bit more homey and casual since their original opening, and it's starting to more resemble the attitude of the Bar on Buena (their older brother bar).

    (4)

  • Jon K.

    Great beer and whiskey selection! Unfortunately, the food is sub-par for the high prices. The best offering they had, the monkey bread was removed from the menu awhile ago to my dismay. I have continued to try different appetizers and entrees, but they are usually bland or salty.

    (3)

  • Suzan W.

    Awesome bar service and beer selection. Nothing impressive about the food, but not terrible. As for the hostess and the waitress service, if I was the owner, I would fire every one of them and start over. Rude, inexperienced, and immature. Please, hire some people that won't argue with you when you are 100% right, spend less time texting or chatting to other staff than paying attention to your table, and how about getting a waitress that smiles once in a while.

    (2)

  • Mahsa T.

    Food was disappointing, I had a very dry tasteless sandwich and unfortunately picked a beer I didn't like, which ruined my entire meal. But that's my fault, they had a huge beer selection, I should've made a better decision, maybe it was because our waitress rushed me to make a decision. And then she disappeared and didn't come back much to check on us. The rooftop is very nice though on a warm summer night, totally feels like you're sheltered away from the noise of the street and city.

    (2)

  • Mark C.

    I'm with some of the others on this one: the drinks are pretty good, the whiskey selection is quite nice, the atmosphere is spot on, but the food is somewhat overpriced and only ok. The rooftop is particularly nice in the summer, although even the main dining area and bar are comfortable. I think I'd give the place 4 stars rather than 3 if it weren't for the 'parsnip guacamole' (and I'm tempted to give it 2 just for that). If I read 'chips and guac' on a menu, I'm expecting something that's mainly avacado. Even labelled as parsnip guac, I was expecting that parsnip was only a component, not that it would replace the main event. If you want some grainy, limey, vaguely carroty tasting goop to dip your greasy corn chips in, order the guac. Otherwise I'd recommend just sticking to drinks.

    (3)

  • Chris S.

    Good food, nice rooftop

    (3)

  • Ricardo G.

    If I could give this dump no stars I would! Fucken dump sucks! I don't mind expensive drinks or expensive food, friends and I ordered food. Chicken tacos, shit was microwaved and the shredded chicken had bones in it. My girlfriend ordered a turkey sandwich and it took about an hour. This fucken dump is horrible!

    (1)

  • Emina D.

    I really wanted to like this place. The rooftop, the ambiance, the location - all of it screamed fun. Fun we had until our food arrived. Who messes up the fries? These people do! Too salty, so saggy luke-warm mess. Burger was too salty as well, and the meat quality was just awful. How do you have 7 items on the menu, and mess up 3 of them? (I was here with another two people, all of whom ordered a different entree.) So, come here to drink. Eat anywhere else beforehand! You're welcome for the tip I didn't get on time. Blech!

    (2)

  • Oliver R.

    Been here many times over the last 10 months as that was when I moved into the neighborhood. Food here just isn't good enough. It's edible, but that is about as far as I will go. They need a much better chef to compete with other places. As a pub they do much better. Good beer selection and a really good beer garden. The beer garden is on the roof and features a retractable awning for showers. I think they use it for shade as well but summer seems a long time ago. The bar staff can be a bit hit or miss. Some are very attentive, others seem to excel at chatting. I'm not the sort to ask a bunch of questions about the beer selection as I prefer to just try whatever sounds interesting. Wait staff at the table have always been pretty decent.

    (3)

  • Johnny R.

    Short: Wanted to like it but my overall feeling was I probably wouldn't eat there again unless there was a menu revamp. I have to be honest, between us 4 adults we couldn't find a single entree that we would say was memorable. The dinner menu section of their website is down and I'll edit this review to list out the 4-5 things we ordered with specific thoughts. I think even if looking at this place strictly as a neighborhood gastropub, I think it's still below where I think it can be and I don't think it measures up when you stop and think about all the great places in Chicago on the North side. I found the service a little wanting, but maybe our guy had too many tables, he was a nice guy. I hate to write reviews like this. :(

    (2)

  • Steph B.

    I've been coming to Fountainhead since it opened a few years ago. Service has always been bad, food has always been overpriced and sub par. Last few visits have really soured me. When it first opened, their beer selection was vast and reasonably priced. Whoever manages their beer menu now (it's switched a handful of times) basically just picks all brown ales or harvest ales or IPAs that I can buy in the beer cooler at Jewel. What happened to keeping locals on tap? No Half Acre or any of the other TONS of local breweries on tap? When you do find something that intrigues you on the menu, pick a back up because they're always out of your first choice. Be sure to check the price. A run of the mill beer found at any grocery store will run you about $8 for 12oz. Go on their rooftop for even more underwhelming options. The food was never their strong point and this continues. Bland, expensive and unimaginative. A turkey sandwich on foccacia with fries for $13? Blah. The rooftop is a beautiful space, but the menu is bad and extremely overpriced. Their servers also don't mind pocketing the cash if you pay combo cash/credit and then putting the entire amount on the card. Their servers also don't mind bringing you and opened can of beer you didn't ask for when your first choice was sold out. Yeah, I guess I'll drink it since it's already opened. Bottom line, this place will continue to be packed because it's "cool' to go here. Every once in a while, you'll have a decent experience, but for the most part it's really underwhelming and at times, down right infuriating to visit. Do yourself a favor and go down the street to Bad Apple or Hop Leaf.

    (2)

  • Mary T.

    It's unusual that I don't research a place before going; seriously, I didn't even know the exact location until I was all, but heading out the door. All I had to hear were the magic phrases "drinks" and "rooftop" and I was sold. I arrived to Fountainhead just as our rooftop table became available. The upstairs is great - lots of dark wood from the floors, to the tables with a nice bar and an assortment of regular and high top tables. Our server was a doll, very knowledgeable of the lengthy booze list and generally helpful throughout the night. It's worth noting that the menu upstairs varies greatly from the downstairs menu. The menu is a small, but well chosen single page of food, followed by 4-5 pages of beers, cocktails, wines and spirits. I assume the difference in the food menu is due to the small rooftop kitchen. We ordered a smattering of things off the menu and everyone in our group seemed to enjoy their food. I went with the pesto panini on quinoa bread and was quite pleased with the selection. My only misstep was slight, choosing the multi-grain salad side over the caraway slaw. It wasn't bad, but the slaw was so good; fortunately, I was able to trade someone for it. When the rooftop closed, we headed downstairs to continue our merriment, which was an entirely different experience. Where upstairs seemed cozy, attentive and jovial; downstairs seemed to be lacking in ambiance. Maybe it was the odd lack of music (if it was there, it was quite low and couldn't be heard over the din). Maybe it was the lack of a server; we went to the bar for all of our drinks - not a terrible inconvenience, just odd. It's a shame summer is on its way out the door; that rooftop is a great space to drink the night away under the stars. Just a short walk from the Montrose brown line, it's easy to access too.

    (4)

  • Megan A.

    My experience at fountainhead started off weak and ended well. We called ahead to ask about the wait because my friends and I were going to a show. The hostess said it was a very short wait and she said the same thing when we arrived. 2 hours later we were seated. I don't mind waiting that long on a Saturday night, but the hostess should set realistic expectations especially for those who have somewhere to be. During that 2 hours I enjoyed an oatmeal stout and the bar tender was very friendly and gave great service. Finally seated and starving we ordered fried pickles and I ordered the fountainhead burger with Gouda and mushrooms. Both phenomenal. The burger has a kick of flavor and goes perfect with the pretzel bun. The ketchup was a little bitter for my likings so I got some garlic mayo instead. We even got to chat with the chef who couldn't have been cooler. I just wish the meal wasn't rushed because of the time crunch. Overall: great food and friendly staff. I would give 4/5 stars if the hostess and I didn't have differing views of what a very short wait is.

    (2)

  • Sara M.

    I did not eat here and only had one drink. But that drink was 20 year Pappy van Winkle neat. So basically a place with friendly staff that actually serves this golden ambrosia has me as a fan.

    (4)

  • Rachel S.

    I have a love/hate relationship with this place. Pros: -The rooftop deck is spacious, tasteful, and has plenty of shade -Wide selection of beers for even the snobbiest beer lovers -Conveniently located near the brown line in a safe + cute neighborhood Cons: -Bar tenders have the personality of a wet blanket. Here's a list of words that do not describe them: helpful, friendly, warm, engaging, talkative, fun. -Don't be surprised if you order obscure beers and they're 0 for 3 on your choices -If you're on the deck expect to hear this line at least once "oh sorry we don't serve that up here." -The deck closes about 2-3 hours earlier than the bar down stairs depending on what day of the week you come If I had my own patio or deck, I'd be drinking there instead.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth F.

    Fountainhead, I love you! My, what an impressive drink list you have! (All the better to get your drink on, my dear.) My, what an inventive, ever-changing menu you have! (All the better to fill your tummy, my dear.) My, what attentive & knowledgeable staff you have! (All the better to serve you, my dear.) My first visit to Fountainhead could not have been better. I visited to enjoy a few pints of Pumking Ale fresh on tap through... wait for it... hollowed-out pumpkins. Quite a tasty way to celebrate Halloween, I must say! After a few rounds, I decided to ask my friendly waiter for a menu. He informed me that the kitchen was closing in 10 minutes, but they would be happy to fix me a plate. I asked for the black bean burger, to go, all fixings on the side. When I finally arrived home, I dove into my HUGE black bean burger with fresh everything, right down to the red coleslaw & cute little cup of homemade aioli. Very much looking forward to returning to Fountainhead. These guys are making a great effort to be anything but "normal"; their food , drinks & atmosphere are anything BUT your usual bar.

    (5)

  • Jen M.

    This place bums me out. I want to love it so bad. It's so close to my house- it's a great space- the staff is awesome- the beers are good- but the food is so mediocre it's become a last resort when we want to go out to eat. They've had issues with the menu since the opened, so I was super excited when they started touting this Cleatus guy as their culinary savior. Has the food gotten better? Sorta, kinda, not really. The menu is more interesting than it used to be, but it's really obvious this guy was a caterer because everything I've had since the new menu dropped has made me think: bridal shower food. I had a turkey sandwich that was so loaded with mayonnaise it was oozing out the sides with every bite. A peach brisket sandwich was dry and under seasoned. The panzanella had promise but was drowning in dressing and the bread pieces were comically large. Also, why is there old bay on my fries? I thought that went on the chips? Bottom line: go for the drinks, find dinner somewhere else.

    (2)

  • Andre W.

    My buddies have been talking about this place for quite sometime now and I always have other plans when they go. We had plans to go for some duck nachos at another place which happened to be closed....so of course someone mentioned Fountainhead. I found good/free street parking a little south on Damen. As I was walking up, I noticed there was a little rooftop action going on here. I walked and and the bar area was empty which was fine with me because I wanted to be on a roof anyway. Walked upsatirs to the very warm rooftop and got good seating for four. Looked at the menu and saw some good beer selections. I saw a nice German beer which was $5. It was very smooth, light and tasty. I also ordered the short rib panini which was very good...the short rib was maaad tender. Our server was cool and had jokes when we would order things...can't repeat the jokes here...lol All in all, this is a solid joint that gets the damn thang did! Good spot for hanging out drinking with friends

    (4)

  • Stephanie L.

    Love this BAR!~ Such nice people in here. We ended up here on accident because we were on our way to Lincoln Square and it was sleeting....we decided to come in for a drink or two or ten. We ended up sitting next to the manager and before you knew it we were five deep and had some shots of jame-o.... But, its a super cute bar, chillax style. They supposedly have great food. We cant attest to this, however, the manager offered to let us try some. We declined because we were STUFFED from dinner and I am still holding on to a small child on my ass and thighs from all of my holiday eating...haha. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area...shit, I would even make a trek up there from downtown. Its not far off the brown line. Go check it out. They have several beers on tap and in the bottle. Supposedly known for scotch too, however, I was smart enough to stay away from that. HAHA.

    (4)

  • Lauren W.

    Giving my recent visit 2 stars because they used to be a better place... or I'd give them 1. I started going to Fountainhead last fall, and usually had a great experience! My last two trip there, however, have been awful. A few weeks ago I had to ask the hostess IF we had a server, since no one had brought us water/drinks and we were even ready to order. Then, tonight, we had the worst waitress and burgers the shape and consistency of hockey pucks. I've had the Fountainhead Burger several times previously, and it's usually excellent. Tonight three of us had one and they were ALL overcooked (we ordered two medium, one medium rare-- but all were med-well or well) and tasted too peppery and burned on the outside. Even the bun was charred. Our server, Paulina, was terse, unhelpful, and kept walking away before we could ask questions about specials or order more drinks-- then seemed annoyed when we all only had one round. It's too bad that their menu seems to have gotten less imaginative, too. And is it just me, or have their prices gone up? Not just food, but their beer list has gotten really pricey, too.

    (2)

  • Lauren P.

    This is a pretty solid gastropub. The craft beer selection is extensive and the food is great. We had the ginger sesame soy wings to start, which were delicious. Fountainhead smokes it's pork in-house, so the Cuban sandwich had tons of flavor. My SO had the fried chicken/mashed, which I didn't try, but there were no leftovers, so I assume it was as equally delicious. Service was also timely despite it being hectic inside due to USA-Portugal (still can't get over Portugal's last second goal) match. Our server was very helpful with the beer selections. Overall, I was very pleased with Fountainhead and will definitely return -maybe next time I will check out the roof deck upstairs.

    (4)

  • Adrian G.

    Had a long wait before anyone even spoke to use. They said there was a wait and when I asked how long it would be, approximately, the hostess said, "whenever the next table is available." Obviously.

    (3)

  • Amy V.

    I just paid my second visit to Fountainhead. First was in fall 2012; no wait for a table, and the menu was outstanding. Went again last night with a group of four, excited to try the gorgeous rooftop deck. It was one of the first warm days of the year, so we expected it to be busy, but still no table after a two-hour wait, from 7 to 9 p.m., on a Tuesday? We couldn't understand why the wait staff wouldn't push two of the many two-top tables together to seat us. There are two separate wait lists for inside and the rooftop deck, so we couldn't ask to simply have the first available table in either location. Finally, the rooftop hostess told us that a table was available inside; when we went inside, that hostess told us there wasn't. A manager sat us in a private dining area behind the bar. Overall, our food was fine (and our server was terrific), but the menu seems to have changed into more traditional bar fare, and I just wasn't too excited about the options. Vindaloo mussels were tasty, and the frites are great, but my mushroom quinoa risotto was drowning in butter. I don't think I'll be returning--very disappointed.

    (2)

  • Linda T.

    Cool place for beers. Food was meh. Black bean patty was dry, but decent tasting. Slaw was dry and had little flavors. Jerk chicken sandwich was dry. Sweet potato chips were dry, but I liked it vs greasy chips. Ham brie sandwich was probably the best tasting of the entrees.

    (2)

  • Marie B.

    Fantastic beer menu. Everyone is right about the beer menu! Fantastic, absolute best in the neighborhood! The decor is great, wood everywhere, I just love it. Menu is good, stick with the burger.

    (3)

  • Aminda S.

    My favorite neighborhood bar - hands down. First of all, they have a truly awesome roofdeck with ample seating. At nearly 7PM on a Wednesday we were easily seated with most of the remaining tables open until after 7:30PM. I'm a beer gal - specifically IPA. If you've read my reviews you know this and you're like "okay we get it already ya beer snob." Fountainhead has an ever-changing, and more importantly, never-ending list of beers to choose from much to my delight. I even tried a ginger peach cider on a whim and it was delicious. Lots of options for even the pickiest drinker. I love the interior of the restaurant as well. Has a cozy feel to it that will be much appreciated once winter is upon us. I can already imagine myself snuggled into a booth with an oatmeal stout in hand. I couldn't go with five stars because I haven't been overly satisfied with their food menu. Their charcuterie plate could be a little more substantial - increase meat quantity and add some sort of spread. The ceviche of the day - scallop - was indeed delicious, but again seemed on the small side. Lots of chips went unused. Pork tacos were fairly forgettable, aside from the jicama which was a nice touch. But overall, I've had nothing but great experiences at Fountainhead. Having a friendly neighborhood bar ljust three blocks from me makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

    (4)

  • Heather D.

    Need a place to chill after work and put back some brews? This is the place. The atmosphere is warm, cozy, and just the right lighting to wind down after a long day. The bartenders are really nice, and the bonus is you can sample a draft before buying a glass. Their craft beer selection is amazing! I also tried the grilled cheese (HIGHLY RECOMMEND!) and sampled some of my coworkers fried pickles (ALSO RECOMMEND!!) I definitely plan to be back either for an after work drink or a place to chill. If you plan to sit down and dine though, there was a wait list around 730pm when we got there. So be prepared to drop a name and hang out at the bar until then.

    (5)

  • Christina K.

    If you count alcohol as a food group, then a Fountainhead Bloody Mary is a serving of all your food groups in one beautiful glass. It comes with a FULL PICKLE, salami, cheese, olives, and more pickle. They offer 2 varieties: 1 with vodka and 1 with Aquavit. Given my rebellious and adventurous streak, I ordered the aquavit. The vodka one is definitely spicier and thick--almost like a spiked gazpacho. The aquavit one is thinner and sweeter. Both are awesome. The vodka Bloody Mary might actually be a meal in a glass. The food is quality. The drinks definitely stole the show. But the fries also shone. Very crispy with the skins on. Yum. I also recommend the Mac and cheese with chili. I poached a few bites of the boyfriend's serving, and enjoyed them immensely. The service is wonderful. They were delayed in bringing out my drink and comped it for us, which I really appreciate. In addition, our waitress was friendly and more than willing to describe the specials and explain the menu and drink options.

    (4)

  • Carrie M.

    Love me a Gastropub. We were in Chicago for a wedding, and as usual, we turn to Beer Advocate for a restaurant recommendation that can satisfy the needs of a beer snob (my husband). We stayed in the loop, and ventured up for a visit to Fountainhead. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED!! We ordered the mushroom pie and muscles to start...delicious. The mushroom pie was piping hot and full of flavor. The muscles were fresh and cooked to perfection. For main courses, we both ordered the blackbean patty with chimichurri aioli dressing. Theses were to die for. We loved the flavor and consistency. Perfectly prepared. Perfectly presented. Decor, five stars. Service, five stars. Food, five stars. And of course, beer selection, nothing compares to this list, five stars.

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    We had a great time at fountainhead thanks to the delicious beer and our server Jon! He gave us samples of tons of beers and couldn't have been more friendly. What a great place to come for a Sunday afternoon beer...or four.

    (4)

  • Alicia M.

    Hire more servers! My husband and I have probably been here 10 times (see previosu brunch review). When we sit at the bar we get exceptional service but whenever we get a table it's SLOOOOOW. Last night finally prompted me to Yelp. Last night, I ordered a drink which I got and as my drink was being brought my husband was informed that they were out of the beer he ordered. You'd think at that point the waitress would RUSH to get the replacement beer. No, it was at least 15 minutes. Before I even got MY drink we waited 10 minutes or more. I was almost finished with my drink by the time my husband's beer came. At that point, he said "don't open that beer. We'll take our check." We didn't tip for the first time in our lives because the waitress didn't even seem to care. She smiled and was like "sorry about the wait guys!" That's it. We're not coming back. A good beer selection doesn't make it okay to have slow service.

    (3)

  • Dave J.

    My first experience with Fountainhead was outstanding. I attended a five-course prix fixe dinner with Scotch pairings and was thoroughly impressed with the food, drink, and atmosphere. Anxious to return, I came for brunch only to find out that they had recently hired a new chef. While nothing was horribly amiss, the food was lackluster and I learned a valuable lesson that a Bloody Mary should never be made with Aquavit. Returning to partake of some tasty beers and enjoy their stellar roof deck on a beautiful summer night, I was once again disappointed. Actually, disappointed is an understatement. Not only were the hostesses and wait staff were inept, the food was laughably bad. I have never tasted such bland food in my life. I am not exaggerating when I say that the most flavorful things we ate were the pickle spear and the pretzel bun. If it weren't for the prices, I'd have been thoroughly amused by just how terrible it was. I will be back to drink, but most definitely not to eat. Shame on you, Cleetus Heetus. ...but serious props to the downstairs bar staff. Those guys are at the top of their game.

    (2)

  • Sandi P.

    We finally had a chance to return here for dinner. It was lively on a typically snowy Saturday night but we tried a couple of their beer selections while waiting for a table. I was most impressed that 2 pages of their extensive drinks menu are devoted to cider, including Aspalls, one of my favorite English ciders. Always happy when bar service is efficient, as it was I this case. We only had to wait about half an hour for a table - a cozy spot in the back room. We ordered the pub cheese again as a starter - love the fresh pretzel bread. All 5 of us all tried different entrees and everyone was happy with their selection. I like that the prices are reasonable and the menu selection is quite varied. They had a number of specials, as well as the standard menu to choose from. The special soup of the day was a rich, satisfying onion soup - yummy. I ordered the turkey. my choice was the turkey burger - which was a very juicy, generously portioned rendition accompanied by fries (those were slightly disappointing being a bit overly crispy). Others in my group had the brisket served with polenta and kale; pulled pork sandwich, turkey samba and cochinita. Service was excellent from both the waitress and the busboys - we never had to wait for anything. Will definitely be back here for dinner again.

    (4)

  • Carolyn L.

    I came here on the 4th of July with some friends to check out the rooftop. We even managed to catch some fireworks up there! Any bar that stocks Suntory Yamazaki 12 year whiskey is A-OK in my book. Their beer selection is out of this world too! Great pickled seasonal vegetables so be sure to try those. I'd love to go back and try more of their food selection. It's worth the wait if you're trying to get up to the roof!

    (4)

  • Lita B.

    The presentation is awesome but the taste was just average. I was expecting more. The atmosphere and environment may cause me to go back but not the brunch menu.

    (2)

  • Mandy S.

    I live really close to this place and it's one of my neighborhood favorites. It has a great atmosphere, especially in the winter when they light the fireplace (!). Very cozy. In the summer it has a great rooftop. It does get crowded on the weekends...and during the week, too, actually. What can I say, this place is often hoppin'. This is the kind of place you can go and tell your server you're in the mood for a (fill in the blank: sour, hoppy, light, fruity, etc.) beer and they'll bring you exactly what you had in mind. I can also get my favorite Canadian whiskey (40 Creek) and soda for $5.00, so I'll be going back again and again. I took away one star because I'm not a huge fan of the food. I like it for snacks--good monkey bread, kettle corn, and desserts--but for meals it's just a little meh. But go for the drinks. You won't regret it.

    (4)

  • Shaun S.

    Met two other couples here last weekend to celebrate a birthday. After reviewing the small but diverse menu online, we were all pretty excited to try the Fountainhead. My wife and I arrived first and received a nice welcome, we headed to the bar and talked to a very good and knowledgeable bartender who found us both good beers to consume. It was when we were seated that the experience started to list to one side like a bad carnival cruise. Our waitress either had too many tables or could tell we were all suburbanites and didn't care. Service was slow, and she needed to understand the menu better. When we finally got our orders in along with a few starters, they finally arrived just before the food. Another thought, just because the menu is switching over in a few days, doesn't mean we should suffer from a further lack of choices. Probably the most disappointing part of the experience. The food itself was good, just not going to be on my list of places to rush back to visit.

    (3)

  • Diana J.

    I hadn't heard much of this place, but a friend who lives nearby recommended it for our dinner meet-up. We got there at 5:30pm on a Saturday; it was pretty busy and it only got busier as the night progressed. I ordered the Amish chicken entree which came with roasted corn and poblano chiles. It was well cooked and the corn really added a nice smokiness to everything. Also at the table were oysters and the monkfish dish. I didn't have the stomach to try either, but they were deemed delicious. Their beer and whiskey selection is impressive at something like 7 pages for the whiskey alone!!! We sat near the fireplace which was warm and cozy on a miserable winter night, and the space is big enough to be equal parts restaurant and bar hangout spot. We felt the pressure of the place being packed (with the servers coming over every 60 seconds to hover and leave) and headed to Lincoln Ave for a spot to have a drink and hang out. The Fountainhead is worth a visit...but if you're not there by 6pm you'll have quite a wait.

    (4)

  • Cassandra L.

    Every time I've been here with friends it's been great! They have so many drinks and delicious appetizers. I don't get a chance to visit too frequently, so the menu has always been a little different each time, but I've always enjoyed whichever vegetarian entree I've tried, and of course I love the wide variety of beer options! It's a pretty big place so even though it's usually packed on the weekend nights we've come, we've never had to wait toooo long to be seated. The atmosphere is pretty loud and dimly-lit, but feels welcoming. I'm glad our friends brought us here! You should definitely check it out if you're nearby!

    (4)

  • Jeffrey K.

    The food is good but the draft beer on tap is better. It becomes loud and crazy in the evening so go in the early afternoon when you can enjoy sweet desolation and nurse your hangover properly.

    (3)

  • Brett F.

    Good Gracious Gastropub! What a fully enjoyable Summertime experience. Hip, casual and bustling to the hilt, it's the place to be, yo! I do have the smallest wish that Fountainhead could magically procure some type of outdoor space... fabulous craft brews, pulled duck confit AND the great outdoors? Now wouldn't that just be a grouping made for greatness?! Until they can wave that all-powerful magic wand, however, I'm more than happy with the brand of indoor chillax cool that pours from the walls, the wooden booths and, of course, the multitude of beer taps. Imbibe on truly divine lagers like the smoky Schlenkerla Helles, amazing ales - how 'bout a fruity Avery Karma for ya? - and my favorite, the fresh lemon and vanilla scented Ayinger Bräu-Weisse. Brewlicious! Fountainhead fortunately spares no effort in the Bourbon and Whiskey department, either. With an extensive list at the ready, you may opt to try your hand at the Japanese Suntory Yamazaki Single Malt 18yr or stick with more familiar guys like Johnnie, Glen and Monsieur Macallan. Mmmm, love them boys! Food was tasty, though menu options are a bit slim. Only 3 entrée selections? F'realz? This is where another recently opened Gastroendeavor, Longman & Eagle, creeps (er, jumps) way ahead in my estimation. Selection is key! Did really enjoy the Half Wit Mussel app though, the beer was punchy and easy to distinguish, while the addition of a spicy andouille was a fabulous and mouthwatering touch! The "Moo" plate was also lovingly devoured by my crew and included a phenomenal smoked mac 'n cheese, a totally tangy ale cheddar spread and the pièce de résistance - gorgonzola bacon monkey bread. Holy Shite! Get this. Demolish it. Be ecstatic. No reservations at Fountainhead mean long lines and waits exist in your future unless you plan accordingly and get on the early train. It's my recommendation you do, hey, it's 5:00 somewhere.

    (4)

  • Erik H.

    Came for my birthday, and had a fantastic time. I was tired of the typical Wrigleyville crowd, and Fountainhead did not disappoint. With a beer list that was 6+ pages long, and a scotch list that was of similar size, it was definitely my kind of bar. The bar itself is a little dimmer as far as lighting, but light enough that you can still read the menu. One of my favorite things is there was music in the background, but it was actually background music. I could still hold conversations with those around me. As a scotch lover, I was in heaven. The server was very knowledgeable and helped those in the party who weren't as familiar with scotch or craft beer. He definitively helped make the evening. I cannot wait for their roof top to open up. Big fan of fountainhead and will absolutely be back.

    (5)

  • Chuck D.

    Our friends wanted to stop by here after a day full of 70 mm film watching at the Music Box. I was tired and probably would have much preferred to go home - but they insisted that this place was great and that we would love it. Ok, fine - so we went. And I'm glad we did! Fantastic atmosphere, fantastic beer & whiskey menu, and fantastic food. In a word... it was great [betcha thought I was going to say fantastic... well, it was that too]. I guess during the summer you can go up on their roof as well... we will have to come back to do that now that the warm weather is coming back into town. If I liked it as much as I did at 1 AM when I was tired and had a long drive ahead of me, I am so excited to go back when I am ready to drink and hang out! Don't pass this place up!

    (4)

  • Aaron C.

    Let me ask you a question. Do you like either really good beer or really good whiskey? Yes and yes? Ok..go here then. You will find a huge selection of the finest spirits including a long list of bourbon and scotch. You will also find great food (eat the fries, eat them!). You may have a wait to get on the roof top, especially on a nice Summer night..but the wait will be worth it. There is a serious lack of patios and rooftops in this area, and hence you may not be able to experience this, but the downstairs is very nice as well. I like to hang out in the barrel room and sip on some good bourbon. The barrel room is basically a private room away from the bar chaos in the front. I see many reviews about the service. On a Friday or Saturday night the bar gets busy. People flock because of the great beer selection, but you might have to just relax and go with the flow.

    (4)

  • Enrico B.

    I haven't tried the food here yet.. But I hear its worth a try.. I came here with one thing on my mind.. Craft beers... And boy did they have a good selection. I was happy with that, very happy actually. But why only 3 stars? Well, I still have to try the food. If the food is good, you may get another star!! But what kinda bothered me was when I went. It was a BEAUTIFUL night out. Clear skies, and 75-80 degrees. The rooftop was closed!! I asked when it was going to open.. They said, tomorrow. Would it hurt to open the rooftop 1 day ahead of schedule considering how nice it was that night? I guess it would. I would definitely come back here again. I still have to try the food and the beer selection is awesome!!

    (3)

  • Kevin F.

    The food was not so good but the beer selection was pretty solid. I ordered the Pickled Things and Fried Pickles as apps. The flavor profile for the Pickled Things was all vinegar; everything tasted the same - green strawberries, asparagus, brussel sprouts, etc. - all the same. Boring. The Fried Pickles were a total FAIL. Huge chunks of dill pickle that I had to cut with a knife and fork to eat. The beer batter didn't adhere to the pickle so I had chunks of hot pickle on my plate and piles of beer batter that had sloughed off. Maybe if they went to pickle chips it would work out better. For my entree I ordered the Chicken Fried Chicken. It was flavorless. A breast isn't the most flavorful piece of chicken anyway but the batter was flat without any seasoning or flavor. Slaw was also flavorless. And the gruyere mashed potatoes also had zero flavor and were disappointingly "un-cheesy." I asked for some salt and pepper which helped but should have asked for some hot sauce to impart some interest to the meal. I don't think it was me because my Lagunitas IPA was delicious. And my wife had the grilled pork loin which I tried and had some flavor to it. I'll give Fountainhead another shot and maybe try their burger or Cuban sandwich next time.

    (2)

  • Rex H.

    The cheese plate is WONDERFUL. I get it every time I come and I have never been let down. Beer selection is AMAZING and the service is warm and friendly :)

    (5)

  • Maryana S.

    Simple delicious meals! The atmosphere is simple yet very pleasant. Service was quick and the food & drinks came in on time. Definitely will be coming back, had the salmon A+

    (5)

  • D B.

    I am giving this rating for service. The staff here are frequently rude and innattentive with a cooler-than-thou attitude and for whatever reason that doesn't bother the management. Here is only one story (I work nearby and have been here multiple times). They had Three Floyds Alpha Clause on tap and I asked for one. I was told that the keg had to be changed which I patiently waited for. When the beer started flowing the bartender was filling a pint glass and it kept foaming. No biggy, happens. This went on a while. Finally she let the foam settle on this no-longer-carbonated pint and kind of rudely told me that this beer was served as a 10 or 12 oz glass not a pint. To which I said "OK" even though it would have been nice to know this up front. She promptly took the pint glass and sloshed the flat beer into the smaller glass and handed it to me. I was stunned into silence as she walked away. I will never set foot in this place again and recommend that you don't either.

    (1)

  • Alexandra C.

    Drink wise, this place is great. There's a great beer selection and anyone, even people who aren't super into beer, will find something they like. Food wise, meh. I've eaten here multiple times and it is always hit or miss. If they were more consistent food wise, I would probably come here more often but right now it is more a grab drinks place in my book.

    (4)

  • Mitzi B.

    Tried to eat at Fountainhead last night. Unfortunately, we barely got in the door. We told the hostess we were a party of two. We asked how long the wait was and she told me how many people were waiting before us. I asked what was the wait she was quoting and her response was, "I'm not quoting a time. We don't know how long people will stay. Sorry." Being a former restaurant person, I was put out. Restaurant 101: train your hostess how to read the dining room to quote a wait. If she had been trained properly, she would have quoted us a wait and invited us to have a drink at the bar. She didn't; we left. We walked down the street to Troquet, where we were greeted at the door, quoted a wait, offered to have a drink at the bar and then we were seated. So simple, so easy. Fountainhead has been open for a couple of years but still making rookie mistakes.

    (1)

  • Erica Z.

    Everything really is better with bacon. Bacon monkey bread, if you are a bacon fan, please mover this to the top of your must try lists!!! Stopped here when we were out on a beer run, (running from bar to bar trying different beers). I am more of a wine drinker, but all of the bartenders were very nice, helpful when it came to selecting the beer I was going to have. I'm a fan, not convient for me to go to just to stop in, but if I was in the area, I would go back, for monkey bread and beer!

    (4)

  • Alex M.

    If you like scotch, there's nowhere else to go in the city. Location is a bit out of the way but the food and the dictionary-sized scotch menu is worth the trip.

    (5)

  • Robert M.

    I had a tough time with this review because Fountainhead has so much damn potential and I don't typically come on Yelp to bitch and moan about places, rather to extoll the virtues of places that I really like so other people notice them and really like them too. And I've tried really hard to give Fountainhead the chance to be part of that group, and the problem I have is that when they're on...THEY'RE ON. The first night I went here, the place was packed and I was with a group of six. The hostess was super friendly and funny and we had a conversation about our mutual last name and Scottish history. The wait wasn't terribly long and the service was incredible. Super attentive without being all up in our business. I left happy and willing to go back in a heartbeat. It's been pretty much a downward slope since then. I've typically gone on off nights and the service has been either OK or downright not good. The times I've gotten food, it's been alright. Their frites are actually legitimately awesome, but everything else is ehhhh. The real problem is the service...which is at times just confusing. The times I've gone and sat at the bar, the bartenders have been super involved...just in other things that aren't serving. The one time the bartender was attentive, he wasn't that great...when I suggest to my girlfriend that she should try a beer, that does not her order make. So when you bring her the beer I suggest without asking her what she wants, it makes me kind of turn my head. And last night, the place was pretty full. The one server working was doing her best, but there were other employees there not really doing much...and the server working really only became interested in our table when the check was brought out...which was odd. I'll probably be back because it's convenient and a pretty cool place. I just wish the service was a little better, or at least consistent.

    (3)

  • Emily H.

    Filthy food-encrusted windowsills. Screaming unattended children. Cold and obscenely salty food. Dirty silverware. Brunch was a disaster. I gave the Fountainhead two tries and all I can compliment them on is the coffee. The interior is pretty, and the napkins weren't too bad either.

    (2)

  • Lindsay W.

    Met a friend here for lunch on a Saturday, and was thoroughly underwhelmed and unimpressed. Every time we had a question about the menu, they did not have the answer and had to go check with the kitchen. This happened about 3-4 times. They were out of two things we ordered. My friend ordered a bloody marry when we ordered the meal, and we had to inquire about it twice before getting it (once we finished eating - a bit late). I had the veggie burger which was incredibly dry. My friend ordered a soup that came with toast, which wasn't brought out with the meal. When we asked about it, we didn't get it (again) until after we finished eating the meal. There were only a few other people in the restaurant when we were there, so it's not like they were busy. While the staff was very nice, they didn't seem to get much right. Unimpressive food and terrible service - I have no intention of coming back here.

    (2)

  • Joel G.

    So this place is tough to rate. Heard great things, was pumped to hit the place. The bar itself is a very cool scene. Interesting people, cool decor, not to loud but enough noise that you know you are out. The beer list is incredible, drank several beers on tap I have not seen anywhere else. Nitro pup so you can get Scottish ales and others which was great. Saw the upper roof top patio and it looks outstanding. Now this is where is goes from 5 to 3 stars real quick. The food although interesting sounding on the menu failed to deliver. Chili fries lacked much chili and I thought they were just nacho fries or something until my wife told me. I could live without much chili but they just were not very good. Fish taco's.... to be direct... sucked. I'm a huge fish taco fan so when I see one that's cod (not tillapia) and not fried I'm good to go. The tortilla was either not cooked or just not good, barely any fish, just not a quality fish taco.... disappointing. I figured oh well other stuff will make up for the taco's as it's hit or miss being in the midwest. My friends burger was ordered medium rare and came out well done. Positive note, his wife's mac and cheese was good, I unfortunately didn't try it so can't judge. My wife had the sausages which were solid. We ordered a Monkey bread for the table which was enjoyable. If you hit the place and want food the sausage plate and the Monkey bread are the way to go. Both solid but not incredible. I came for the beer, was hoping for better on the food, not sure if I will return or not, that patio looks pretty inviting and with a great beer list it would be a regular for me. Beer lists at many venues have improved dramatically so I feel as though you need to get the food right or it's just not worth the second attempt. If I wasn't a distance away I think I would still go but considering the distance I'm probably................Audi 5000! Beer, venue, patio 5 Food 2 Average 3

    (3)

  • Caroline M.

    I'm torn btwn 3/4 stars. Came here after Rib Fest for a light dinner. Since it was 95 degrees out we weren't really feeling heavy food. We got some tasty beers and lots of ice water. I went with the duck confit pasta, which they consider a small plate. It was very generous and definitely could be split as a side for 2-3 people. It was pretty good--watch out for bones :( I know ducks have little thigh bones, but yeesh that could have been a problematic situation. My vegetarian dining companion loved the veggie burger. I got to try the homemade chips, which were pretty darn good. I really loved the water guy. He knew we were parched and kept our glasses filled to the brim. I hate to compare this to other places, but I'm going to do it. The Bad Apple is a touch better all around.

    (3)

  • Katie S.

    Always a good rotating draft selection. Food downstairs is good. Tried the Cubano sandwich last time and that was not my favorite. Seemed out of place on the menu. Service is solid. Love the rooftop. Only wish they served a few more options up on the roof or took some group reservations even if just during the week or something.

    (4)

  • Sarah Z.

    The best way to experience this restaurant is in the summer on the rooftop deck. It's lovely up there and the selection of beer is strong along with nice appetizer options. Sadly, I can't be as enthusiastic about the downstairs area. I went twice over this past winter. The second time has me writing off the downstairs restaurant completely. We come in for lunch and the place is freezing. I mean really freezing. So cold that we and the other patrons were forced to sit and eat in our winter parkas. I asked repeatedly about the heat and they kept telling me it was set for 70. If that's the case, then why is everyone in parkas. We ordered several of the small plates/entrees and were surprised that the portions were minuscule for the price and also cold, stone cold. We sent everything back to get warmed, it was then warmer, but immediately got cold in the freezing restaurant air. Most of the time we couldn't even get a server to come by and check on drinks or our food. I've eaten in the restaurant three times and the service has always been bad. So, I advise you to skip the downstairs restaurant, but enjoy the rooftop bar, where even the service is better.

    (2)

  • Matilda E.

    The only reason i'm not giving fountainhead a 5 is because of the shitty death-metal music they play on the roof top. The food was good, the craft beer list was under-whelming, the cocktail list was a little better, and the service was fine.. Maybe a little slow. The music made me leave after the 1st beer, if there was something mellower playing to match the relaxing rooftop atmosphere i would have stayed longer. Sorry if this review sounds bitchy, i have a headache from this biker gang crap.

    (4)

  • Amanda C.

    Loaded spicy bloody Mary's! Very large beer selection, great casual atmosphere, and pretty funky trendy music!

    (4)

  • Richie D.

    Now this is what I call a gastropub!! And in our very own Ravenswood! Unlike O'Schaunessy, FHd has unique food items to choose from with fun names. Take, for instance, the Duck Duck Mac or the Beyond Grilled Cheese. The Bacon N Eggs chive egg salad was good but not outstanding, however, the frites are perfectly fried with each and every fry being crispy. The two accompanying dipping sauces change nightly and last nights one made of curry was delicious. Picture it: The interior is dark and fames decor similar to a medieval castle. I gotta say that the gas lamps at the entrance are inviting and neat. Yet, do know that it still maintains the pub feel with a loud atmosphere and plenty of whiskies (over 100), microbrews, and wines to choose from. The bar itself is carved of dark stained walnut wood that has a deceiving opening to the opposing side which at a first glance looks like a mirror. I personally can't wait for the second floor outdoor patio to open. I'm sure you'll see me there again soon.

    (4)

  • ILAN B.

    Excellent service, delicious food, deep beer selection. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Cozy set up. I'll definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Greg L.

    Sometimes you want to have a nice cocktail or beer and enjoy a summer day. The rooftop deck here is my favorite place in this neighborhood to do just that. In the winter, the dining room is warm and inviting. The appetizers are interesting, I like the cheese plate. Inside, the bar feels classy (but casual) as opposed to more dive bar locations nearby. The service is nice. The deck can fill up on nice days, so be patient. UPDATE: I was inside with friends on a rainy afternoon enjoying a beer and playing euchre. We had some light appetizers (pickled things were very good) and also met Chef Cletus. He is a visionary. Cletus was able to make great beer recommendations based on our taste preferences and appetizer selection. Inside has a larger selection of food options than the deck, and the options are quite enticing.

    (4)

  • Steven L.

    Fountainhead, we need you to remember that you are part of the city of a tremendous amount of fantastic restaurants and courteous wait staff, you represent neither. Your food is at best okay and your staff is simply rude. This may be the reason you're dead on a Saturday for lunch. Get over yourself and get your act together.

    (2)

  • Laura C.

    Rooftop drinking season is in full effect, despite the rain and fluctuating temps of this summer. On a cool night, we stopped by Fountainhead to check out the views, brews, and the new chef, Cleetus Friedman's menu. The roof is definitely the place to be on a clear night, with it's welcoming fireplace, and they even provide capes for the chilly nights. As a sucker for marketing, I went with the "crowd favorite" on the menu for a Lost Abbey Red Barn Ale, that our server also mentioned was on the menu because of her attachment to it. I was disappointed with how wheaty it was, almost a hefeweizen, for which I have no love. My friend ordered the ever popular Zombie Dust, only to have it run out when he requested his second beer. From the roof menu, we tried the quinoa risotto, which was super heavy on the pepper. Minus that, and it would have been delicious. Great date atmosphere, with the glow of the moon as a summery replacement for the dimly lit corner booth in the back.

    (4)

  • Jenn K.

    We came to Fountainhead on a Thursday night around 7:30PM. There were 7 of us. The place is a bit small, so we had to wait quite a while for a table. The host was really great in keeping us updated, and was sure to seat us as soon there was space. Food was pretty delicious - I had the burger. I think the star of the show is definitely their beer list. The service was really great, too. Definitely will come back!

    (4)

  • Andrea N.

    I went a few weeks and loved the ambiance and our server was outstanding. She was wonderful at making beer suggestions and the beverage list was impressive. I was there for dinner and found the menu...ok. Nothing stellar the food I had tasted was ok. I would go again to hang out and have few drinks, but not for dinner. Way to many better options within a mile for great food and beer.

    (3)

  • Avery M.

    My mind was blown by their selection of draft beers from all over the world. My new personal favorite is Hitachino from Ibaraki, Japan. Warm inviting ambience & very friendly informative staff!

    (5)

  • Kevin C.

    Taking a stroll back through my old neighborhood this is the place to stop by. A friend and I wanted to grab a few good beers after Ribfest and Fountainhead was on our minds. As we sat down my friend said to me, 'Oh remember this is a great place but they have shitty service?'. Well damn they proved us wrong and felt the need to re-up my review. With around 240 for beers to choose from you really have to look closely at the menu. I am too ADD for that. So I appreciated being able to chat with our server about what I wanted. He hit the mark, grabbed a few samples, and narrowed it down to exactly what I wanted. I like counting on the knowledge of the server to make informed decisions. Good service, good drinks, so its all good in my book.

    (5)

  • C. E.

    My husband, two kids and I came here because we were exploring the neighborhood and it started to rain. Not really kid friendly- as I would've expected, since it is a dimly lit bar. A number of other families came in after us, though. No high chairs- only booster seats. We ordered the Sunday supper of fried chicken, bleu cheese mashed potatoes, and corn bread- with a side of monkey bread. The food was pretty good. Enough for all of us and leftovers for lunch the next day. Service was decent. Menu was very limited and kind of pricey. No kids menu. Mostly burgers and bar food. Which is fine, just not my favorite. Would I go back? Yes- for a date night with my husband, or for a casual outing with (adult-aged) friends.

    (3)

  • Michael G.

    This place is great--from the food, to the drink, to the service. I am regular (whenever I am in Chicago). Cleetus is one of the most inventive chef's in the city. The staff is very knowledgable about the entire menu--and the beer and spirit menu is extensive. Also--they are very amenable if you ask for a reco and it's not to your liking. I really can't say enough about this place. It's a neighborhood joint, that is now becoming as know for it's food as it is for its drink. Bravo, Fountainhead. I am a fan.

    (5)

  • Meghan D.

    Snooze.

    (3)

  • Jacquelyn S.

    OMG, I am so glad that I do not live closer. I could not burn off these calories if I ran from Streeterville up to this place. But it is soooo tasty. Burgers, beer, high-calorie fried everything. Not really a kid place but we were early enough that they made do as well. They actually enjoyed the antics at the bar since the bartender was putting on a show for some young girls. This is now on my list of "far-north" pubs to meet clients and friends. I like to keep that list of places I know will have good food and drinks at all times. Fountainhead makes the cut easily.

    (4)

  • Katie K.

    I thought the food was decent and the beer list was great. But, the service was subpar, maybe it was because it was a Friday night and busy, but the service was basically terrible. The food was so-so, I had a burger that was overcooked. Maybe, I ordered the wrong thing. But, they do have a good selection of beer. Also, it didn't seem like they had their act together, we had to wait for an hour or so for a table, but saw empty ones constantly and not empty for a minute or two, but empty for 20 minutes. Etc. Maybe they take reservations, or something.

    (3)

  • Bill H.

    Great roof top, service was good, the food was just ok. It is a limited menu on the rooftop so we did not have a very big selection. Lots of vegan & vegetarian food....not for me

    (3)

  • Restaurant Vigilant E.

    Fountainhead is one of those places you really WANT to love, a beautiful facility smothered with great class and unique features - on the surface, it has everything going for it, but somehow fails to deliver. The interior is awesome! Very tastefully done - traditional, yet up to date in a style all it's own. It has one of the best selections of Whisk(e)y I have ever seen, with a bar staff who really knows their stuff. The beer selection is very extensive, with a great amount of imports, but also a huge selection of microbrews. Beveragewise, it has something for everyone. The bar staff is quite knowledgable and reasonably friendly, but their is an auro of cockiness that whafts off of them - they are VERY knowledgable, and they know it. They just opened a rooftop area which serves food (small menu exclusive to the rooftop) and has a good bar area. An absolutely beautiful addition to a beautiful bar. The menu is trendy - artisinal, hip...or, more accurately, pretencious. I have been to FH at least 5 times in the past few years since it opened, and the fact that they seem oblivious to their shortcomings makes me want to cry. Saturday I had a "house smoked duck breast pannini on ciabatta"...the duck was so smokey, it was like licking a charred stum of a tree burned by a forest fire. The brie and arugula on it - awesome, but I just could NOT get over that overpowering smokey flavor...6 hours later, I still had the taste in my mouth. Another supporting detractor were the walnuts and pine nuts in the sandwhich...ugh!?!?! What!!!??? No! I wish they had spent as much time and attention in seasoning the potato salad which tasted like....nothing. Look, the food is edible, but falls way short of expectations - but I could probably ignore that. What makes me want to flee this place at full sprint are: the floor staff and the patrons. Unlike their bar staff counterparts, the floor staff know zero - about anything. I am convinced most of them burned down an eigth in their bong 15 minutes before I walk in, and generally, they look as though they just rolled out of bed. They are slow, ineffcient, have zero knowledge, have poor customer service, are unattentive and unaccomodating. Most seem as though they are either in college, or graduated last week and have not an ounce of intelligence to show for it. The patrons: They are very nice people I am sure, but the scene is too "see and be seen" the sort of place those ladies who put on make-up before their jog with the stroller hang out. Colorful, trendy scarfs abound on the women, and newspaper boy caps don the heads of at least 25% of the men. It just feels very superficial - very yuppyish and pretencious. For it's amazing specialty bar selection, roof top lounge (complete with fireplace), great location and beautiful interior - I give this place an "average"...it really should get a "poor"....there is another spot one block away that executes the way Fountainhead should execute...

    (2)

  • Duncan S.

    The bar is decent enough with a wide range of beer selections. Some of the beers are a little pricey and not quite living up to price and description. Bar service is just OK and more functional than personal.

    (3)

  • R. P.

    Servers are rude and don't know about the menu.

    (1)

  • Jim D.

    If I could go 4.5 stars I would probably do that as I just did not totally love the sterile vibe of this place. The staff was cool and they were playing some hip music, but the look of the place is kind of like a upscale hotel lounge, not a pub or the typical type of place I would hang. That said, the food was great. I was in a group of five there on Sunday for brunch. We were introduced to the manager when we were struggling on beer selections and we liked the cut of his jib so we asked for food recommendations too. He suggested two apps (Beignets and Grits and Scallops) which we all loved and then a few main courses (Croque Madame, Pulled Pork Benedict, Phil's Hangover.) I had a rather spicy bloody mary (which was fine for me, but too spicy for at least one person at our table - "sure, I'll finish it for you.") and followed it up with 3 different draft beers, all of which were great. The person who found the bloody too spicy was given a free Beer-Mosa which was fresh OJ and a 7oz import wheat beer in a can. It was actually really, really good. Everything we had was great. Food was not super quick to come out, but it was certainly not a long wait. I would visit again in a second.

    (5)

  • Gina F.

    The only problem with Fountainhead is that I haven't spent enough time there this summer! They have good food, good cocktails, and an even better beer selection. I'm really happy they stock Zombie Dust and my beer of the summer, the Radler. The main restaurant is nice and the garden is amazing. I recommend the cheese plate--yum. They have attentive bartenders and friendly servers. Everyone on staff is always great ...except for the guy who hangs out at the bottom of the stairs. He is a pretty sullen fellow. Say hello and he doesn't even respond. Try not to be so joyless, man.

    (4)

  • Sandra T.

    I love this place, love. They have every single choice of spirits you could possibly want. The help is just awesome, friendly, helpful, patient. I had fries and they were great, even at the end of the night or should I say early morning. I will go back and try other items from the menu.

    (5)

  • Jessa P.

    I really like the atmosphere in Fountainhead. It is very intimate, and semi-romantic. I wouldn't mind coming here for a date. It's a good space for groups. And I've heard: especially fitting for bourbon and whiskey connoisseurs. I am not a bourbon or whiskey connoisseur, all I can comment on their selection is that it is quite a large one... I had a sip of my beau's old fashioned once, and whew---he did enjoy it! The food is what I am most interested in. Their menu is not large. My favorite snack is definitely their frites. What makes a cone of fries so good? The dipping sauces that come with it, I believe I had one with truffle, and another with curry. The dipping sauces are unique and creamy. And the fries are cooked and seasoned perfectly. The Crab Polenta- small plate I must say is a true favorite for many of my friends. At $10 you get a bowl of this heavenly, 'high-end version of a KFC bowl (without the potatoes). But please do not mistake this for some cheapo bowl dish. Layered perfectly are: Crab, corn, crunchy roasted pecans, and mascarpone--delicious. I also like their fish and chips- serving is small, but at $10, pretty reasonably priced and impressive in taste and texture. Good for no meat Fridays for Lenten season. Overall, it is a good experience. I would definitely recommend you check out their food menu, whilst exploring their large selection of fine bourbons, whiskey, and beer.

    (4)

  • Dhruv P.

    Its been months and the much promised signature cocktails hasn't been listed let alone developed. The menu, version 1.0, still promises that they are developing cocktails in Version 2.0. Went the other night. It wasn't too packed but our waiter felt that he could ignore us and try to make us feel stupid for asking such simple questions. Do you have that exclusive Fountainhead cocktail that started with Argyle..." and had brandied cherries? No, its not a Manhattan. No, we aren't making it up. No, we aren't on acid. Yes, we had it on at least 3 different occasion over the course of the summer. Yea, well, you think we are idiots, well give us a few minutes to get back to you on what we want (and subtract a few % on your tip too). We walk to the bar. Talk with the bartender and find out the details. And yes, the cocktail was Argyle Elixir. Yes, it was part of their signature cocktail list they were developing but dropped the whole list because they took too long to make. At least he was nice and gave some good suggestions about bourbon. Now, I know this place is all about Whiskey and Drafts. But guess what, if it is trying to aim for the discerning taste (arguably, I don't know if they even know what they want to be), come out with at least a couple of signature drinks with whiskey to highlight your seriousness. VH, Whistler, IFS have all done this. Yes, it takes time. And don't push wine. You don't seem to want to take time to make cocktails, but you think that you will have time to explain the nuances of wines to your customers? If you want to be known as a bar that focuses on the taste experience, then time is a luxury you well can afford. If you want to be a bar that just serves alcohol as fast as possible, then so be it, but why highlight large selection of whiskeys at all?

    (3)

  • Alan F.

    One of Chicago's best craft beer selections: 23 drafts and about 150 bottles (and a few cans), including a few items I don't remember encountering elsewhere in Chicago. An attractive, airy room, with large windows looking out on the Damen Avenue side. Their rooftop garden is presently closed for the winter. I haven't personally tried the food, but the menu appears to have gastropub ambitions. Also features a large selection of Scotch, Bourbon, and other whiskies. Disappointingly, not open until 4 PM on weekdays (but does have a Noon opening on Saturdays, and a 10:00 AM opening for Sunday brunch). Open until 2 AM, 3AM on Saturday night. Oh, yeah--the bartender denies that the name was intended as a reference to Ayn Rand. I imagine he gets that question a lot. Convenient to public transportation, two short blocks from the Montrose station on the Brown Line, and at the intersection of the the 78-Montrose and 50-Damen bus lines. The latter is a particular boon to pub crawlers, coming within a block or so of Piece, the Map Room, Hopleaf, and Hamburger Mary's.

    (4)

  • Susan L.

    Fountainhead is transforming itself into my new favorite place. It is a great place to wile away an evening, or to hit up before a show at Martyrs. I can't wait for the garden rooftop to open! Amazing local and small-brewery beer selection. (and many ciders, too!) Huge whiskey & bourbon offerings. And the kryptonite? A the one and only Cleetus Friedman in the kitchen whipping up some truly delicious food. Try: -the chicken wings -the bean burger -the regular burger -the pickles! -the salsa -the mac & cheese Skip: NOTHING---order more food--you won't regret it!

    (5)

  • Rafael C.

    I now have a couple of visits under my belt for this place and can appreciate how nice of an establishment Fountainhead is. The experience in the main area is very nice and hip whilst the rooftop quicks it up a notch with a nice laid back and cool vibe. They have plenty of drink choices to handle most tastes but I did find the food choices a bit limiting for the rooftop area. They have a much smaller kitchen area than the main floor so its limiting in that aspect. However, the limited options are tasty nonetheless. I definitely say it is worth checking out the rooftop when the weather is nice and you just might find another good option for hanging in style whenever you in this hood.

    (4)

  • Nicholas K.

    The food was pretty good, although my dish was served at nearly room temperature rather than hot. I had the disco stew. We liked the pickles appetizers. Beer selection was very interesting and the waitstaff recommendations were spot on. The loud heavy metal music made for an extremely unpleasant dining experience and does not seem to fit with the atmosphere of the restaurant, which otherwise is rather nice. I don't mind music, but the way too loud music here really ruined the dining experience. I'd like to come back, as conversing with friends over a few pints and a good meal really makes a good afternoon or evening for me, but I doubt I'll come back if it remains so loud.

    (2)

  • Allie T.

    I love this place. Even more I LOVE the roof deck. The food is amazing (expensive but amazing) and they have a killer drink list. Plus the staff is great.

    (5)

  • Andryea N.

    If I could, I would give Fountainhead 2.5 stars... it's definitely somewhere between Meh and A-Ok. What's wrong with this place? Mostly the food... on the rooftop deck. Why they can't offer the same great food you can get downstairs puzzles me, I mean, come on! Despite really liking the al fresco ambiance on the roof the food is really pretty disappointing. The menu sounds good but the food is pretty bland, uninteresting and expensive for what you really get. On my first visit we ordered the ceviche (mostly all tiny scallops) served in a small ramekin with fried plantains. It's more like, have some ceviche with your chips rather than the other way around! Don't bother. On my second visit to the roof my partner ordered the Pork Tacos and I ordered the Shrimp Noodle Salad. Again, disappointing! When our meals came the noodles in my salad were hard and undercooked. I sent it back which took FOREVER! When it finally did arrive is was mostly a huge bowl of overdressed noodles with possibly 6 medium sized shrimp, some random red pepper strips and grilled zucchini (?)... definitely meh. The only savings grace was that management came over to our table, apologized for the mishap and took both of our entrees off our tab. They did the right thing and for that I am grateful but it's their loss because I will not go back up to the roof to eat which is too bad because I am always on the lookout for a warm weather patio that's not situated between parked cars, traffic and pedestrians. Go for the beer, wine, drinks and ambiance of the deck... not the food (at least on the roof). Also, another curiosity, during my last visit I noticed they serve A LOT of families. I was multiple tables inside and out filled with at least two or more children at each. Maybe it was the time of day (5pm Saturday evening) but that's just too weird... kids in a bar type atmosphere? Hmmmm. At any rate, I've grown more and more dissatisfied with each subsequent visit there.

    (2)

  • Suzanne P.

    OMG. Over this place. I came here on Friday night hoping to sit and drink on their new outdoor patio. My sister was in town, and I wanted to show her a great Chicago gastro-pub. I had invited lots of my friends to join us, and I am fully aware of the fact that it was a Friday night with a large party. We showed up about 45 minutes before my friends were arriving, anticipating that we would be waiting for a while. I approached the hostess and inquired about getting a large table on the roof deck. She sighed heavily, and blatantly rolled her eyes at me, as if I had just ruined her night. Um, I've been a hostess before at a much larger, much busier restaurant in DC, and if we rolled our eyes at a customer, we would most likely be released for the evening and told not to come back. She told me that it would be a while, and that the roof was not open. I told her that was fine. She kept rolling her eyes and didn't even take my name down. We left, went elsewhere, and spent a ton of money drinking all night. Whoever manages this place should have a serious talk with this hostess. Her eye rolling cost hundreds of dollars in our business. And I won't be back. And believe me, I filled my friends in on her rudeness. I don't feel the need to attempt the roof deck again. There are plenty of places in this neighborhood that don't give you a bad attitude and have outdoor seating.

    (1)

  • Erika G.

    Went back for the food - one more star, duly noted. A good friend had a baby and turned 40. That means burgers and pink champagne! Giant beer lists are somewhat lost on me, but if you like that kind of thing, they have a GIANT beer list that would make any member of the beer fraternity happy. Four of us descended on the joint on a busy Friday night. Two were early, so a bottle of pink champ was popped out on the bar while we waited for our other two. They have a really delicious Spanish Gran Serao Cava Rose for $19 a bottle that is perfect. Dish on that for awhile. Appetizers - all we wanted were the fantastic pomme frites (fries!) with garlic aioli. Now, this is where FH one-ups Hopleaf just a bit (strike me dead!). Not only do they have a delish garlic aioli, but several other . . . aiolis as well. Oh hell, I'm just gonna call 'em "sauces" 'cos they are not technically aiolis. What they technically are is . . . irresistible. One had bacon in it, if I'm not mistaken. One was a wasabi mayo and one had tons of dill. When we ran out of fries to dip, we were all tempted to lick the little dishes clean! Because we know our manners, though, we refrained. But, Mon Dieu!! We all had burgers. By the time we ate, we were five, and she got a burger too. The two veggies got the Black Bean burger, and this was the best looking vegetarian burger I've ever seen. It looked positively . . . meaty! The bite I snuck confirmed what I suspected . . . delicious. The other burgers were . . . sublime. Pretzel buns - which I am always a big fan of - and perfectly medium rare done. Juicy without being sloppy. Substantial without being vulgar in size. Nicely presented. The sides - sweet potato chips and the fries - salty and great. They do fries really well here. Our server seemed inattentive. However, I'm not going to fault him for this, when I noticed that he seemed to be taking care of ALL the tables with only one other guy. So, realizing that, he did a good job with our table . . . who were sometimes too busy with girltalk to oh, look at menus and decide what we wanted! I don't quite see myself being a regular at this place 'cos it's a bit far away, though it is only a short walk from the Montrose Brown Line. But, I definitely will be back.

    (4)

  • Micheal S.

    #NAME?

    (2)

  • Dan G.

    So this place has some great drinks. Tasty beers always on tap, a great bottle list, and whiskey you have always wanted to try. As a bar it is good. Though the bar area is tiny. I would drink here on an off night. Now the food. A different story. Overpriced bar food that is passed of as being "gourmet" or "gastropub-esque". This is not the case. There are 1000s of better bar food places in the city. Just disappointing. They seems to have a idea of what kind of food they want but it just isn't executed whether it is the prep, the quality of food, or just lack of knowledge, something is missing in the meal department. I'd give this place a 2.5 if I could but I have to round it down because of the disappointing meals. So if you come for drinks you happy if it's food ye are after, you may wanna set sail else where.

    (2)

  • Jenny K.

    Surely this spot is better in milder months, when the rooftop is open. Also probably on a weeknight. But on a recent Friday night and it was crowded and loud as all get-out. They don't take reservations for parties fewer than 6. A fireplace in the corner is a mood enhancer, but the hubbub overshadowed it. The "guac" is good but don't get it if you're expecting actual guacamole. The winter root vegetable & tofu entree is tasty and extremely dense - no appetizer needed.

    (3)

  • Kat W.

    Being a big fan of BOB, and living a block away I really really wanted to like Fountainhead. Yes the drink menu is great - but that's about the only thing I like about the place. The food is OK, the service is OK, but it's just too pretentious for my liking. And the clientele is way too hip for this neighborhood. So while people pay way too much for food and beer, I'll be at one of the other bars in the neighborhood.

    (3)

  • Santiago A.

    I could go on and on about how great their food and beer and whiskey menu is... but it would probably be nothing that you haven't already heard about this place. Let's face it, Fountainhead is great! If you like food and drinks, then you need to check this place out (why haven't you already??). If you have already been here, then isn't it time you visited again? You'll be glad you did. Really, I'll leave you with this one thing: Monkey bread. If you frequent Fountainhead, then you probably know what I'm talking about and whole-heartedly agree - amazing bread! Gorgonzola-bacon pull apart bread with a side of sausage gravy. Delicious way to start the undoubtedly enjoyable meal you will have here. Excellent, excellent place!

    (5)

  • Becky S.

    I like fountainhead. It gives you a warm and vibrant feel. It's darker with a vintage look and is full of people every time I've been. They have a massive beer selection and some good wines too but the real reason I come back... The crispy salad! It has walnuts, goat cheese, apples and some kind of vinegarette and it is sooo good! I also had a creme brulee which had a lot of critic notes but was very good as well. My man had the hanger steak with some kind of bean succotash that he really liked too. My only issue with Fountainhead is that it always seems really really hot. Other than that, it's a great place.

    (4)

  • Vanessa R.

    We headed here on a Wednesday night w/ a party of 3 for dinner and it was packed! Apparently this place is busy regardless of the day of the week (every time I've passed by it's full). Fortunately we were able to get one of the last large tables available and avoided a wait. Tip: call ahead & make a reservation for dinner. Atmosphere: What a great pub. Loved the atmosphere - from the high ceilings, exposed brick, lots of mahogany, candles to even a fireplace; definitely inviting. I had my eye on the comfy looking booths but I guess we'll have to get there earlier next time. One small gripe: there are cooling vents everywhere that blow directly on you and it made it feel really cold. Definitely was wishing we were sitting by the fireplace towards the end of the meal! Drinks: With almost 200 different bottles and another 20+ beers on tap, this place gives Hopleaf a run for its money. Don't like beer? Don't worry; they have lots of wine, whisky, tequila and even mead (if you want to feel like a Viking). Food: We passed on ordering an appetizer and instead ordered some bacon nuts, a mixed assortment of nuts w/ bacon brittle... not impressed. The nuts were a little too smoky for my taste as was the brittle. For dinner, I ordered the Sambal Chicken sandwich and it was fantastic! Spicy marinated organic chicken breast topped with pineapple & red onion chutney to give it a nice kick of flavor. All sandwiches come with your choice of fries, red slaw or sweet potato chips. I opted for the frites and they were excellent as well - thin, crispy and just the right amount of salt. This place is perfect for you beer aficionados out there; a bonus too is that they have a good selection of food for a gastro pub (usually I'm not a fan of the "artisanal" food). Can't wait to return & hit up the new rooftop garden this summer (as I'm sure half the neighborhood is)!

    (4)

  • B C.

    This is a 3-star establishment with a big chance of going up to 4 stars next time. Our servers (two of them helping us out tag team style) were always nearby and eager to help out. The beer list is extensive and loaded with unusual, rare options. The setup of the restaurant feels like a wood paneled library turned bar with a decent number of tvs - good for watching a game while also carrying on a conversation. The bad part, and the reason for the 3 star review, was the food. I got the chicken sandwich. It was burnt black and crispy, topped with a cold jelly marmalade type of sauce. It was gross, and I normally have a high tolerance for sub-par bar food. I'm pretty sure I could have made something better at home myself. The other people at my table had much more luck with their orders. They all got burgers, which were big and well-prepared. I get the impression I had bad luck with my order, and I should give Fountainhead another shot with a different menu item. All the other elements of this restaurant were worthy of a 4 star, or possibly even a 5 star rating.

    (3)

  • Thomas I.

    Ordered the black bean burger. Not good. Those sweet potato chips. Not good. Beer reccomendation. Not good. Dont come, not worth going 2.

    (2)

  • Beth R.

    Stellar. Fountainhead lived up to the expectations my Favorite had planted with his report from an earlier visit. For eaters: The veggie burger is everything good about a homemade veggie burger. They list black beans first, but they do not dominate the other ingredients, including wheatberry, sweet corn and rolled oats. The patty is dense but crumbly, and very substantial. I could taste the health, but in a good way. Could it pack more flavor, or perhaps a custom spread on top? Possibly, but on all other counts, a great burger. The sweet potato chips are the best I've had. They are huge, crunchy, not-too-thin, and have just enough salt. There was no greasiness. None. For eaters of dessert: The bread pudding with chocolate and nuts is so good you might go cross-eyed. For drinkers: The drink menu contains pages upon pages of beer listings, each with a description of type as well as specific notes about individual selections. There were several holidays brews offered as well. If you want to learn more about beer, I suggest you smuggle this menu out and study it at home. There were also many listings for liquors and non-beer options including (paging Melanie S.) Scrumpy's Cider. For drinkers of tea: The tea is Julius Meinl. Props for a quality choice. For your senses of sight, sound, and touch: The atmosphere on this late afternoon in December was cozy, dark and warm. My Favorite found the tall boy chairs uncomfortable after awhile, and truth be told, the booths look much cozier. The music was an 80s mix that was heavy on the Bowie. Sweet. The ladies' room had pretty wooden, almost Craftsman-like stalls, like what I'd want in my home if it were to have pubic restrooms. I also have it on good authority that the Dalmore Scotch stag in the men's room has had a red beer bottle cap affixed to his nose for the holiday season. I love this.

    (4)

  • Chris R.

    The beer list was exceptional and very well-organized. We decided to get a couple appetizers-the pickled things and the pint of fries. The pickled things were very good. It included not only pickles, but also jicama, mushrooms, and brussel sprouts. The fries were average and for the price you do not get very many. The horseradish aioli that accompanies the fries is exceptional! However, the homemade ketchup does not have enough substance and just seems like bottled ketchup with water. Lastly, the service was horrible! The restaurant had many six tables filled and it took at least 10 minutes to receive our beers. The waitress rarely checked in on us, and did not make any suggestions on what to try off the menu.

    (2)

  • Jimmy W.

    To sum it up quickly...... Cheese and Crackers Appetizer + Ola Dubh 12 (beer aged in 12y/o Highland Park Scotch Whiskey barrels!) = FANTASTIC Cheesecake w/ Raspberry Sauce + J.W. Lees Harvest (beer aged in Lagavulin Scotch Whiskey barrels!) = IS THIS HEAVEN? This is by far my favorite place to go to sit with a buddy and enjoy excellent beer!!

    (5)

  • David R.

    It is such a rare, transportive pleasure to walk for the first time through the doors of a place which seems to have been architected from the longings of one's own subconscious and breathed into existence by a benevolent publican-god for one's own specific comfort and enjoyment. If I were asked to describe my ideal bar-restaurant, my dream would hardly stray from the exquisite manifestation of Fountainhead. Perhaps it's because I first experienced it in late-afternoon twilight on a rainy November, but this seems like the ideal spot in which to spend hour upon wintry hour. Dim light from cast-iron fixtures; heavy drapes on the windows; merlot-colored wall paint; tasteful, judiciously deployed beer, wine, and spirits advertisements and signage both vintage and contemporary; a handsome bar where the bottles are kept for display as much as for storage and use; and square foot upon copious square foot of dark wood furniture and trim. So much for first impressions. Does she stack up to a prolonged visit? Well, to begin with, any beer enthusiast can eagerly sink his teeth into their draft menu. It's almost de rigeur to find a place with twelve or fifteen respected local and regional microbreweries: that's a good beer list. Fountainhead far exceeds that benchmark. I've never heard of many of the brands; the constantly evolving menu is chock-full of specialty brewings, seasonal selections, and glorious experiments. (And a few local and regional favorites too.) This is the kind of list on which you might find an obscure old friend or through which you might discover a new one. And if drinking excellent beer and soaking up the ambiance aren't enough (although often they will be), you can eat from their surprisingly sophisticated food menu. Beet salad and bread pudding? Another sign that Fountainhead was designed with me in mind. The beet salad tasted fine but suffered from an engineering deficiency: the main component being frisee, all the smaller and heavier bits such as the beet cubes and yummy hazelnuts fell immediately to the bottom of the bowl ne'er to be seen again until I had eaten a large portion of nearly plain frisee. But hard work was rewarded when I was able to get an ingredient-balanced bite onto my fork. On another visit I ate the tantalizing Swine Swoon sandwich: beer-braised pork shoulder on sourdough with aged cheddar, mustard, and pickle chunks. I asked for easy on the cheese, and the resulting proportions of my sandwich were perfect. I was very surprised at the quality of the pork: this is a nine-dollar sandwich that could easily cost thirteen and tastes like a million. Glorious. And how about that bread pudding? Well, for one thing they use porter-soaked rye and sourdough--brilliant. For another, it contains caramel AND chocolate, which is cheating in my book. So I can't rate them compared to most other bread puddings, but I can tell you that I struggled to resist the urges to lick the bowl and to kiss the baker responsible. I haven't even scratched the surface. The bacon and gorgonzola monkey bread is in my future. As is the macaroni and cheese. And the scallops. And the frites. Oh, and the burger. If the pork sandwich is any indication, future meals (and there will be many) will be a delight. The only thing holding them back from a pristine five-star review is the painfully slow and disinterestedly stone-faced service. At a place whose aesthetic makes me feel this warm and happy, I would like their staff to complement that experience. I had the same waitress both times, so hopefully in the future other servers will do better. I certainly plan to be back again. And again and again and again.

    (4)

  • Keith A.

    I've driven by here and have been around here so often it's almost become a joke for me that I haven't been here. So, what was my reasoning this time, the half acre big hugs release. Eh, we all need excuses for one thing or another, right? So, even with my somewhat lame excuse for finally coming here, I finally did go here. And I liked it a lot. It was a sunday morning around 11:30 and there was a pretty relaxed and laid back crowd in there already. I naturally wanted some beer, so beer it was. I liked their draft list a lot that I didn't even bother looking at their bottle list. I did notice some bottles in a fridge and was liking what I saw in there as well. But, it was all about beer from a tap for moi. The draft list may not have been massive (I think it was about 10-15 deep), but everything looked good to try. That wasn't happening, so I settled on a porter from a michigan producer that I wasn't familiar with. I also need to talk about the food. While my friend and I just ordered the beignets and I ordered the grits, what we had was quite good. We were in for a long day of beer drinking, so a lot of heavy food wasn't going to happen early for us. But, the beignets were really really good. I don't have much to compare them to, but last long they did not. The grits were excellent as well. I'm not a grits nit, but I did enjoy every bit of them. I loved the general feel here. It was relaxed and made you want to drink (shocker, right). The service was also excellent as well. They let us do our thing and it was never hard to get ahold of them either.

    (4)

  • Tom T.

    Love the balcony area! There's a separate bar up there which is ingenious; it eliminates the need to go back to the main floor to get your drinks. I recommend the seasonal beers; they always have a great and tasty selection.

    (3)

  • Josh S.

    They've added a totally bad ass beer garden! G r e a t summer spot. This place is one menu refresh away from perfection. I wish the food had more flavor and less fussiness (disregard what I said earlier about the food). That said, the rooftop beer garden menu is good.

    (4)

  • Jackie O.

    With a drink list from here to Sunday and weekly pairing events - I really want to like this place. Recently, I stopped in here on a Thursday. It was about a 5-minute wait for a two-top table. Our busser greeted us with waters as soon as we were sat, and after one round of waters, our waitress was nowhere to be seen. With minds made up about drinks, and dinner - we figured as a precaution we should order an appetizer. If the kitchen was half as slow as the rest of the service - my stomach would be predominately old-fashioned. That spells bad news for everyone! While our waitress was polite, our drinks came at different times. My boyfriends soda only was refilled by the busser when he had time. My drink was emptier longer than I'd like. Our appetizer came out one minute before the food (two thumbs up for the monkey bread!). It was so disappointing, because everything was so delicious. Maybe I'll try again when it is slower?

    (3)

  • August B.

    It took me a coup of grand at the Bar on Buena to figure these guys out. first off if you like to drink, head to the roof. Second off if you like to drink don't read the menu... ask. Third...I'm not going to tell you what that means. I will tell you this place has made my troika of Chicago bars. The cheese....(I'm dreaming now)

    (5)

  • Rita W.

    Do yourself and all bread lovers a favor and make sure you get the monkey bread. My BF had told me how awesome this monkey bread was but I was a little hesitant about it since I do not like bacon or gorgonzola cheese and both of them items are in the monkey bread. The monkey bread came out very warm and soft and a little gooey, which are my most favorite things about freshly baked bread. It was warm and just cheesy enough not to be overpowering, and I actually liked the smokiness of the bacon in the bread. The sausage gravy had big chunks of sausage and I pretty much enjoyed the gravy not only on my bread, but I also ate it by itself...I know kinda gross but it was that good! For our entrees, I ordered the swine (pork belly) sandwich. This sandwich was packed full of pork and had chunks of pickle in it. I wish the chunks of pickles could have been smaller as it was hard to eat since the pickles kept sliding out of the sandwich when I would pick it up, but I really enjoyed the pickles flavor with the pork. My BF got the mac and cheese with duck confit. It was less like mac and cheese and more like pasta with duck confit and sun dried tomatoes but it was still prett y good. Fountain head has an awesome beer and whiskey selection. Their beer and whiskey menu is the same thickness of a large textbook! We each both got two beers (two beers we each had never had) and were pleased with both of our selections. We left Fountain head with very very full but happy stomachs.

    (4)

  • Beth A.

    with how much i luv bobs (aka bar on buena) i cant believe its taken me this long to make my way to fountainhead the beer and menu selection run aplenty thou i find it odd that there is a completely separate menu if u choose to sit and order on their beautifully decorated but poorly designed patio (see awkward benches with roughage whackin ya in the head) everyone who greeted us was very pleasant and its so cute that they brew suntea :) food orders came out rather slowly considering there were about 5 groups of ppl in the place...portabello panini was delish but next time id skip the multigrain salad...way too vinegar-y for my taste (psst if i were fountainhead id serve it with a balsamic reduction) all in all a fine lil spot that im sure ill head back to shortly

    (4)

  • Stephenie L.

    Last night we hosted a surprise party for my boss at Fountainhead and the staff at Fountainhead were amazing. Our group ended up being larger than we had expected and the staff was nice and accommodating as we took over some more space. Our server was an absolute rockstar and was able to keep our bills all separate. I had already been to Fountainhead and knew that the food and beer would be a hit but I was blown away by the service.

    (5)

  • Kristina K.

    Didn't try the food only had drinks on the roof top which I must say was definitely a place I would go back to again very soon! The rood top was awesome!

    (4)

  • Carol K.

    Fountainhead is defined as "the source". Well if beer and whiskey are what you are looking for along with great, unexpected food, then this is certainly, "the source". I stopped in spontaneously on a Sunday night hoping to grab a burger and a beer. Unfortunately I was out of luck on the burger as the kitchen was closing in 20 minutes so the best they could do was something off of their appetizer menu. The best they could do? I thought I was giving up something until my order of mussels with andouille sausage and garlic came fragrantly over to my seat in a cute little pot with crusty bread and a cone of seasoned fries with two different sauces. The best they could do? Well let me tell you- it was really good and if this is the size of a "starter" my suggestion to you is to split it with someone as I was unable to finish it. The regular menu has some unexpected offerings as well such as duck confit, hangar steak, mac and cheese and a range of sandwiches and burgers. The other funny moment came when I ordered my beer. I know this is a place for craft beers and whiskeys (27 beers on tap should have been my clue along with 8 Rye whiskeys) so when I absentmindedly ordered a Miller Lite- the bartender nicely steered me toward something he "wanted me to try". He picked a lovely Pilsner and I was redeemed! The interior is contemporary, if a little stark. Dark woods, booths and tables make for a place that will be perfect to linger awhile during the cooler months. Street parking on this stretch of Montrose was fairly easy. And the total bill for those wonderful mussels and beer was only around $20 so the price is right as well. Next time you find yourself hankering for a little gastropub action and want a range of whiskeys to make your day right- check out Fountainhead. If you go on a weekend night- word has it you may have to wait awhile. But let me tell you- it's worth it.

    (4)

  • Jess L.

    ** 3.5 stars ** I came here at about 1am on a Saturday night. The crowd was already starting to thin out -- something I appreciated -- but also, it was still hard to get someone's attention. After getting our own menus, we ordered some drinks with our elusive waitress. We also asked if we could bring in our own food since the kitchen was closed. At first confused, she quickly conceded. (Major points there!) Definitely an awesome beer selection, but I imagine a big portion of the clientele is here for the great whisky selection. (The menu includes a lot of descriptions and rankings.) The crowd is late 20's and mostly 30's -- a bit older than I expected (maybe because of the neighborhood?). Definitely a souped up gastropub vibe. Glad I could check it out. Next time, I hope to taste the food.

    (3)

  • PJ T.

    Absolutely awesome! Tons of beers to choose from and what's more, they let you taste before you make the commitment. Oh yea !! The food selection is limited but what they have is really good. Don't expect anything traditional. Their shrimp diablo and bruschetta were very innovative and delicious. We had the Old Lincoln Ave entree and the sausage was just mouthwatering. I like !!

    (5)

  • Andrea B.

    As Ricky Ricardo would say: "Fountainhead, you've got some 'splaining to do!!" But seriously, what gives? I took my friend here for brunch again because I had such an awesome experience the first time around. It was slightly busier this time, but the menu was still the same, and the wait staff "seemed" to be getting stuff done. This was all before we waited by the front door at least 5 minutes in order to be seated as there was clearly a sign that said "please wait to be seated." Duh, we can read. We can wait. But it's almost unforgivable when no one said hi, no one greeted us, and no one bothered to escort us to a table, even though it was painfully clear that everyone saw us. Even the waiter who came right up to a table near us to refill water glasses just walked on by once he was done. My friend then proceeded to grab two menus and we sat ourselves down. We were given water and our drinks but then waited AGAIN before our food orders were taken.I really wanted the french toast, but...::gasp:: they were all out. The waitress then proceeded to tell me how good they were. Why would I care if I can't have any? Now i'm just disappointed and my friend's first impression of fountainhead is going completely downhill. I ordered the hash instead, which is what my boyfriend had last time so i wasn't that thrilled to have to eat more of it this time around (why i just didn't order something else is beyond me, but I can't change that). And then...we waited forever for food to arrive. Our waitress didn't check on us. It was getting late and we had a long agenda of things to do later in the day, so it was a matter of looking at the kitchen every 5 minutes to see if our food was up. When the food did arrive, my egg was overcooked, but since we had no time for me to whine and send it back, I ate what I could of it. Yes, I know i sound like I am complaining too much, but it makes no sense that one minute I can have a completely amazing experience and the next I never want to come back. Now all I really want to only ever go there to get a few drinks and then leave. Although even that might be too hard for the staff to follow through on.

    (2)

  • Eric S.

    Miserably bad service. I have stopped in here 4-5 times over 4-5 years and every visit is the same. Takes forever for a waiter to come around and take your order. When your order comes out it is wrong. No amount of re-working the menu or beer list will ever make up for the incompetence of the wait staff.

    (1)

  • Robert S.

    Menu (perhaps even kitchen staff) has changed and not for the better. Fried pickles are always a plus, but everything else has taken a significant drop off. The burgers are dry and they along with the fries are quite salty. They are also fairly expensive, but the toppings and other accoutrements are lacking. The veggie burger, in addition to being sahara dry, tastes primarily of burned oats and the bun is too much. Avoid the coleslaw. Presentation and preparation have really suffered, it is such a shame. The atmosphere is still excellent, but the food is now a pass and I sadly suggest you go elsewhere for dinner. Still a great place for drinks though!

    (3)

  • Jessica G.

    I'm not going to give this place a 5 automatically because our friend, Nick, works there. I will, however, give it 4 based on the experience that we had, which was a very good one. It's a very cozy space and while it was apparently not too crowded last night and the sound level was pretty good, I can imagine it might get a smidge loud so don't think you're going to get normal restaurant level quiet. The beverage list is impressive. I don't really drink very much but I will tell you that there are some extremely knowledgeable people in this establishment who really know their stuff when it comes down to it and you will get a great recommendation. As for the food, we tried several different plates - the menu apparently changes on a regular basis but the items we had were quite tasty. I was glad for and of our food not to be overly salty and my only real complaint is that some of the items were a bit inconsistent - i.e. the duck confit pasta could have used some additional cheese sauce but the pasta was cooked perfectly and the sort of lentil and (I think) sweet potato hash that came with the chicken had a kind of odd texture, though it was pretty tasty. The cheese plate and charcuterie plate were made of win and the monkey bread was phenomenal. My favorite thing was the wee andouille pie, which has a great flavor and a bit of a kick to it. Overall, very comfortable and cozy atmosphere and very good food that just needs a little refinement. Very good service, too, which I think we would have gotten even if we weren't friends with someone who works there. Somewhere I will want to go back to!

    (4)

  • Andrea L.

    Great selection of beer and wine. Every time I've been there, the food has been delicious. I am constantly referring people to this place. My favorite dish is there salmon with lemon butter seasoning, capers, quinoa, and asparagus. It's amazing!!!! Highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Howard C.

    I don't know what is happening with this place but the food used to be so much better. It was 2 of us, we were seated on the smaller bar tables with the high chairs. We had the Meat and Cheese plate, Mussels and Crab cake burger. The beer selection is alway great, had a smooth stout...the Meat and Cheese plate arrived and it was the best thing of the evening, but we could not enjoy it because 5 mins later the rest of our food came. Being asian I am used to suffering in silence, but my partner was more vocal and asked the waitress to remove it so we could enjoy our appetizer, before she did, I took a peek of the mussels, it was in a coved pot which I opened, 2 pieces of bread was on top of it and it smelled delicious, could not wait to try it. This incident left a bad taste on our mouth and ruined the flow for everything else, when they brought our food it appeared that it was sitting somewhere and the waitress said the kitchen warmed it up....thanks...how about making it fresh??? I love mussels and have eaten a lot them through the years and I can honestly say that these where the worst mussels I have ever had, why....most were over cooked and under seasoned and where was the bread? Crab cake burger nothing special. We should have done grub hub.

    (2)

  • Patrick S.

    UPDATE- Moved back to the hood to find Fountainhead is now... Meh. Sure they have an amazing (and expansive) beer and whiskey offerings. But it is nothing that Bad Apple down the street can't provide, with more charm and sass. They also don't have a full bar so if you are looking for orange juice and Malibu like my trashy hungover friend Rich... BEWARE! The kitchen and the quality of service is REALLY what is slipping here and could be detrimental to this place in the long run. Especially with so many other places nearby offering the same thing. The kitchen was slow, food portions & quality were inferior to my previous experiences. A once playful and informative staff has become mechanical and uninterested. Also, when they opened there was talk of rooftop seating. Where is the rooftop seating!!! And none for you.

    (2)

  • Ken L.

    Love the outdoor seating on the upper patio roofdeck. Love the natural ambiance it provides in an urban setting. The wait staff was exceptional for our large group. Of course, then there is the beer selection of which there is no close comparison in the area. They simply have more than enough options to please even the pickiest of palates. Again, sitting out on this roof deck on a beautiful summer evening with your pals is hard to beat. I give three stars simply because the food menu is different on the roof deck. If you want to eat a hardy meal and enjoy their great food, you must sit inside on the main level. The food menu offered on the patio roofdeck is limited and just doesn't seem to fit the mood. Sheep cheese, olives and paninis are more "inside" fancier fare and less casual. Although, the Pork Tacos do keep the options grounded. I've been here once before in the winter and the atmosphere is warm and inviting on the inside. Their burger is worth the revisit for sure.

    (3)

  • Jaime M.

    Our server, Joseph was great. No complaints on service. This place looked cool and I had always wanted to visit so I decided to give it a try. I ordered a sandwich with fries and the first thing I noticed was, how can ketchup have no flavor? Was that home-made ketchup that was completely unseasoned and kind of runny? On to the chicken wings (I ordered their "hot" version), no flavor once again! No spice, no kick, definitely not "hot"...mmmm, two strikes. The turkey on focaccia sandwich I had...bland. That's it, not fair Fountainhead. Is it that hard to put some flavor in your food? Seems that people go there mostly for the rooftop patio, and maybe to drink?

    (2)

  • Charlee K.

    Is everyone else on crack or is Fountainhead's chef paying for good reviews. Beer, liquor and wine menu is OUTSTANDING!! However, the FOOD SUCKS at the bar, FOOD SUCKS at a table and the FOOD IS SO BAD on the rooftop last summer, I sent it back. Go there for drinks and walk to FORK or BAD APPLE for food.

    (2)

  • Allen B.

    There are a lot of mixed reviews about this place, but from my two visitations, my experiences have been good. However, I've only gone there to have a drink.....or seven. They have an extensive beer collection, that in which has intrigued me about this place. During busy hours I can understand that it would be a little difficult to catch the bartender's attention, but during the off hours, they're pretty much all yours. Great decor and feel, both I consider a major plus. Nothing like enjoying a drink in a joint that resembles a gastropub that you would see in England. Because those pubs are more genuine with a hint of history behind them. I gave Fountainhead "3 stars." I feel that they need to work out some kinks in their customer service. Afterall, in this industry aren't we, the customers, considered the "make or break" situations?

    (3)

  • Roseann M.

    Back to Fountainhead on a cold winter's night, with a much more congenial companion, and I am a happy girl. We had a couple drinks, dinner, and a very nice time. Foundtainhead feels very warm and cozy on aforesaid cold night. We sat at a table, far away from the door, to preserve what little body heat we had when we got off the icy street. The beer menu is pretty intimidating. I went with a Roge American Amber Ale. Very good, and $5.00. My friend had a glass of red grenache wine, which he liked. We had a very professional waitress named Kristin, who was efficient, prompt, and friendly. Two visits, two good servers - either the manager is hiring excellent people, or they have a training program that weeds out the losers. I had the smoky mac and cheeese without the added duck confit, and my friend had the burger. His burger was cooked exactly as he asked. He didn't leave a crumb. The mac and cheese was good, but nothing memorable. It tasted like they used a smoked cheedar, and that was good. The macaroni was cooked perfectly. Nothing wrong with it, just nothing remarkable. I certainly ate the whole thing. Comfort food is wonderful on a cold, cold night. But I'll probably try something else the next time I come. Fountainhead - at least on a week night - is a friendly, inviting, welcoming brew pub with good bar food. It's a very good fit for Ravenswood because it's priced well, has a wide variety of alcoholic selections (I like that too!), and is unpretentious. I'll go again, gladly. This could easily become my place in the neighborhood where I can rely on the quality, competitive costs, and selection.

    (4)

  • Lois A.

    The swine swoon is an excellent sandwich. The pickles....yum. The monkey bread is ok but it's not amazing like the monkey bread at the Bristol. The beer selection is incredible. The only thing I really disliked about this place was the sevice. It was friendly but it was insanely slow. On a recent visit there were not that that many people here and there were two girls working and a bartender so I couldn't figure out why it took a freakishly long time just to get our drinks that we ordered right off. It was a full 30 minutes after our drinks finally came before our sandwiches arrived. Once we finished eating it was awhile before anyone noticed. Things like that bug me.

    (3)

  • Colleen C.

    Who knew Bar on Buena and Fountainhead were siblings!? Well, they are. Same owners, same great beer lineup...but Fountainhead definitely has a leg up on the food offerings. Old Lincoln Ave: sausages, mustard, pickled cabbage, rye bread. Quite tasty, quite German...and quite well-priced at around $14.95. A nice little split between my friend and I, plenty of food for an appetizer, almost...too much! OHHHHH, the beer! Well, I didn't have any. I know, total fail...right? Well, makr my words I'll be back for a few good brews. This day in particular, some cava was calling my name. And lo and behold, there's a pretty decent bottle for...$19. Yep, for the bottle. Served super chilled, and super bubbly. Mmmmmmm. Well done, and props on the offering. Our service was most excellent...she kindly kept checking back on us until we caved on the Old Lincoln Ave plate (a wise decision), and was dutiful and friendly from start to finish. The ambience is dark and refined. Sleek, yet...comfortable. Shiny and new, and certainly a beautiful new addition to this great neighborhood. It replaced an ugly old eye sore, but left the historic building facade in tact, three cheers for marrying the old with the new and injecting some brewwwwww-ha-ha into this corner. Things I'll return for; BEER, the rooftop beer garden (is it real?), the back room. FIlls up quickly (we snagged a seat by getting there at 5pm), so be prepared/patient, or put your name in and pop up to the bar or walk around the charming 'hood. Transport: *Brown Line Montrose *50 Damen, 78 Montrose, Lincoln bus routes Street parking (meters and NON-permit) fairly easy BOB's little bro, Fountainhead, might just give 'em a run for their money. However, as with all siblings I think harmony can be achieved. Different talents, great beer.

    (4)

  • Teri G.

    I've been here a few times, last night was the first time I had dinner here. I think their beer menu has improved a bit, lots of variety and beers from breweries you know but haven't necessarily had. The beer menu is like 6+ pages, and range from 4-18% ABV. I had The Bruery Autumn Maple and a Lagunitas Wet Dog, good stuff. We shared some appetizers, the crab/corn/polenta dish, monkey bread, and fries. The crab small plate was excellent and accomodated someone's gluten free needs at the table. Fries were tasty, served with malty aioli. For dinner I had the black bean burger. It had good consistency and spice. I like the variety of toppings available, I had gouda and avocado. Others at the table seemed to enjoy their food, the broccoli harvest dish also looked good. Service was consistent, no complaints. They seemed to be timely with my drinks which is a good thing. The decor is dark, everything is wooden, like you should be hanging out with monks drinking.

    (4)

  • Jon P.

    Four starts overall.....Five stars for a beautiful rooftop deck. A great place to go on a Friday night, even if its cold as it is partially enclosed with heaters. 3 stars for the food...wasn't extremely impressed. Come here on a nice night, skip the restaurant and head upstairs.

    (4)

  • Alexa H.

    I can't complain about the beer. Great selection, plus we were there for the debut of some delicious new Half Acre brews. I wish there were a few cheap options--or you could do what I did and stick to one beer. Atmosphere is fine and it is close to me. The waiter was great once we had settled into our table, but getting seated was a mess. He was not happy about our large party and that did not make me feel great. But he was very kind & attentive when he knew he was stuck with us. The 2 stars is really for the food. I wish someone would give the guys in the back a salt shaker. Everyone at my table wanted a salt fix--for the burgers, the black bean burgers and the shepherd's pie. I think the pork sandwich and the sausages were the only meals salty enough. The fries were also tiny and not too crunchy and in need of salt. I spent my day anticipating a burger & fries and while Fountainhead's dish curbed the craving, it did not excite me at all.

    (2)

  • Katie P.

    I almost didn't go to Fountainhead last night after reading so many bad reviews, but I'm so glad that I gave it a try anyway! It was 8pm on a Saturday and fairly packed, but I was still very pleased with the service. Split the fries and a crème brulée with a friend - both very nice. I had the chicken wings, which is probably an odd choice for a gastro pub, but that's what I wanted. They were excellent - and even better - there were so many! Excellent value. My friend had the mac and cheese, and was very happy with her entree. Three more of our friends showed up after we'd already finished our meals, and the staff didn't skip a beat to serve them promptly. I'll definitely be back. I should probably give five stars, but this is my first review, so I'm trying not to go overboard.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    The food was decent, but Fountainhead's main attraction is the rooftop patio! It's gorgeous up there. It's an urban oasis with a full bar, high top tables, regular tables with bench seating, flower pots and an outdoor fireplace. It was the perfect spot to spend a warm summer evening and it had great neighborhood vibe. No douchebags in sight! I also enjoyed my ginger peach cider straight from the tap. They have a huge selection of beer!

    (4)

  • Eliza B.

    Nice rooftop seating, but the stairs are steep. Descending them was treacherous. I would suggest bringing your own grappling hooks and rope. Not impressed by the food. The mac and cheese was over peppered. The burger was very thick and dense and had the oddest flavor. It was kind of gamey. The fries were fine. Nothing special. They were sprinkled in Old Bay, which can be overpowering. They were also out of many of their menu items (both food and beer). Our server was very nice and I imagine this would be a good place for a few drinks outside, but not too many because you have to get down those stairs. In the end, there was nothing here to bring us back again.

    (2)

  • Lizz M.

    Yes yes yes! Okay, I was a little skeptical on a place named after an Ayn Rand novel, but I kept hearing good things about this place. I finally decided to go here with a friend tonight and I'm glad we went! I am on a quest for frites as good as I've had in San Francisco--sadly these weren't it (too thin), but they were still delicious! My friend got the cheese soup, which wasn't anything to write home about, but still pretty good. For drinks, I got a rum and diet, and this is where they got their star taken away. I LOVE RUM. LOVE IT. But this tasted like licorice, what the what, guys? Will avoid next time. Give me my Captain any day, because blech. Going back to the nice things. I got the burger with smoked gouda and the red slaw. When it came out I was like "holy shit, I'm dumb, this is going to have beets in it, isn't it?" about the slaw. I still don't know if it did have beets because it was pretty damn tasty beets or not. The burger was nice and tasty, the bun was not a typical pretzel bun, but still good. My friend got the mac and cheese and I do admit I wanted to switch with him halfway through--not because the burger was bad, but he let me try the mac and cheese and it was so good! Would go back again, but I think they could add a little onto their main dishes section, options are a little limited.

    (4)

  • Jelena Z.

    Cartwheels! This is what I started doing when I learned of a new gastropub opening on the north side! Okay, so I never learned how to turn a cartwheel, but I'd certainly be irritating my neighbors with some well-deserved thuds if I could. But I digress. And, let's get this out of the way: I love my Hopleaf, but it's not super accessible to me and a weekend visit certainly guarantees a long wait. Also, I was in the mood for something shiny and new. Enter Fountainhead! And what a handsome little pub it is: Dark, cozy and classy. It was a bit louder in here than expected, but we were still able to snag a table (less than 20 minutes later) in a more secluded area along the windows. Once we were sat, I was able to fully take in the thoughtful beer menu. I tried the Allagash Odyssey (very smooth) as well as a favorite standby -- the Tripel Karmeliet (both available on draft). As for food, I wasn't hungry but my friend ordered the pork belly sandwich only to find out they were out. Boo! Probably a viable endorsement. However, she did end up enjoying her Jerk Coffee Chicken sandwich immensely. And of course gastrobub darling, the mussels, piqued my interest. The smoked mac 'n' cheese also sounded appealing as the plate is served with monkey bread (um, YUM) -- looks like I already have a meal planned for my sophomore visit! There's also a strong whisky menu... Fountainhead will definitely wow the man in your life. Easy street parking, too. This tavern may just be my new go-to spot! Oh, and I was just thinking about how much Fountainhead reminds me of Bar on Buena and then minutes after, read that it's brought to you by the same team. Well THAT explains a lot ;)

    (4)

  • Johnny Lee H.

    This review is specifically about the rooftop garden, which is new this summer. I was really interested in visiting this place when I heard the news so once they did open the rooftop, I got in asap. Been there twice so far and I gotta say, I'm disappointed. The food is of course, as good as what's available in the rest of the establishment downstairs. This is more about the atmosphere. One thing I enjoy about rooftops or outdoor booze spots is the ability to watch the world outside as I gradually get tanked. Well, Fountainhead rooftop is covered with wooden fencing which blocks out the street below. I guess they don't want anyone drinking themselves into suicide off their roof? Who knows. I think they should lower the height of the fence or find another way to secure that doesn't block out the outside world - which, btw, is the point of having an outdoor beer garden in the first place. If you can't find more visible security measures then just do away with it completely. A jumper or two per year isn't that bad, right? Totally worth the view, anyways. Please consider.

    (3)

  • Tara G.

    If I could do half-stars, I might give this place a 3.5...I decided to lean on the generous side, though, because I LOVE beer and the beer selection is truly wonderful. The ambience is really up my alley as well--lots of hardwood, a sweet outdoor patio upstairs. The staff has worked really well to get people seated every time I've been there as well, even when it's been super busy. My boyfriend and I have been there at least four times now, and we've always been treated really well. Once we were seated on the patio and a server asked if we would mind moving to a different table so that she could push ours together with a couple of others to make room for a big party, and we were given a free round of drinks for the inconvenience (which we didn't even view as an inconvenience--we're pretty chill). The only slight downsides for me, all things considered, involve the food. I'm also a huge foodie, and in my opinion the food at Fountainhead is overrated and overpriced. Don't get me wrong, it's great quality for bar food, but the descriptions on the menu make everything sound way better than it actually is. I've heard the bacon-gorgonzola monkey bread is to die for, but unfortunately I'm a vegetarian. The two times I've eaten there I've gotten the veggie burger (nice texture and heartiness, but a little bland, and the aioli they served it with had a really strange fishy flavor) and a red curry with tofu (tasty, but way expensive for a small portion, and I live right by the Argyle El strip, where I can find massive quantities of delicious curries for stupid cheap). Also beware that upstairs and downstairs have completely different food and drink menus, so if you're looking at a downstairs menu while waiting to get seated on the patio, just keep in mind that you won't be able to get the same food, and they have fewer draft beer selections available. Overall though, great place that I'm always happy to stop by for a drink.

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    Still wondering if the food is as good as it looks! We visited Fountainhead for a Saturday evening out with friends. No reservations are accepted so the place was packed when we arrived. Didn't expect to be seated quickly. Didn't even expect to be seated in less than an hour. Did expect that when the hostess told us the wait was an hour and there were only 3 groups ahead of us that we would get to be seated sometime that evening. After two plus hours and being told repeatedly that we were only two slots away, we figured we had been bumped for a group more connected than us so we bailed and went to Celtic Crown instead. We did experience a stellar selection of brews and feel the place would be a terrific choice if we got there at 4pm and could wait 6 hours before eating.

    (1)

  • Michael N.

    Lovely place. Had a couple of unusual stouts there that were out of this world. Had the SKA Autumnal Mole Stout and also the New Holland El Mole Ocho. These are stouts that included chiles in their making. Not overpowering to drink. Hint of pepper on the nose, tastes like a good stout going down, and then just a nice hint of pepper after the finish. The New Holland was a little different and more pronounced but not unpleasant at all. Packs an 8% ABV punch (thus the name "Ocho"). A large party had come in just after us, and service was a touch slow but not inattentive My date and I split the monkey bread, which is made with Gorgonzola and bacon with a side of sausage gravy for dunking. It doesn't get much better. It was fantastic. The steamed mussels were equally good. The broth at the bottom included corn and chorizo. We ordered some extra bread to sop up that yumminess. We had some coffee to go with the dessert special of the day which was a bread pudding, except this is the only place where they fell short. The bread pudding was extremely dry and sorta crunchy on top. It was a large rectangle with a crusty top and its consistency was like a scone. It was so dry, that we poured some of our coffee cream over it, and it sorta just rolled off, not really able to penetrate the outer crust. Not what we expected. Not much of a complaint, really. Not bread pudding snobs. I really can't wait to go back.

    (4)

  • Hagene L.

    The beer selection and atmosphere of this place are great. Definitely a place to go to catch up with friends. But I thought the food was just okay. I thought some of the food I tasted was good, and some foods could have been better, especially for the price.

    (3)

  • Anthony Z.

    The place looks great. Really transports you and makes you feel like you are in London. The beer selection is solid, but not something you would have a hard time finding elsewhere. The food....well, I would rather not think about it. Salted nuts were burnt. Cheese and crackers consisted of a foamy ball of cheese mixed with ale served slightly warm with homemade crackers. Cheese consistency was not appealing and had an icky mouthfeel. Pulled pork sandwich was literally half globules of fat. Jerk chicken sandwich was the best of the bunch, but was just okay. Won't return. For a similar vibe, Longman and Eagle is preferable.

    (1)

  • JP P.

    The two schmucks who reviewed Fountainhead on 4/28 must've raced home to write their Yelp reviews hours -- HOURS -- after Fountainhead first opened. Yeah, dudes, 'cause it was only open 2.5 hours by the time you drank, dined and left, I'm sure there were "kinks to iron out." I was also there on opening night. For one: You were dining and drinking with what they called an "Alpha version 0.9" of the menu -- right off the bat, they admit it's a work in progress. I think the neighborhood was just so psyched for this place to open, the kitchen was ready, and so they did. There were no bottled beers yet -- just draughts (and two brews served via beer engine). It is ~$5-$8 for a great draught beer selection (a menu that includes some really unique brews from well-respected indie and regional brewers -- there were a couple of beers from New Holland and Dogfish Head I'd never seen before). Seems fair to me. Seems comparable to the Hopleaf and The Long Room, two other great beer bars in the area. They've also got a few lambics and ciders on draught -- so there's something for everyone. They also have a great whiskey list -- they have High West Whiskey, my favorite whiskey, so thumbs up to that. Food: I just had the frites. Agreed, there's something left to be desired there, but I bet that if you were to return in a few weeks, you'd find a different fry. Just a hunch. The fries are served with two dipping sauces: a kind-of tartar sauce and a curry aioli. I was told that the dipping sauces change daily. Neat. My pal had the skirt steak w/ avocado butter and grilled asparagus and potato ($13). She said she enjoyed it quite a bit. We both split the creme brulee -- it was amazing: dark chocolate with cayenne and an ornament of bacon-brittle. BRING IT ON! Anyway, give this place a shot -- give it a few weeks (or months) to get its groove. The neighborhood needs it. Hopefully Fountainhead will earn its way up to 5 stars -- I can't wait to give it another shot when the rooftop patio opens!

    (4)

  • Adele n.

    This place is way above average. At first I didn't think I'd like it -- basic, boring pub. But every time I come here, I'm impressed by how nice the setting is, how many good, weird beers they have, and most of all, how great the food is. That black bean burger is heavenly! They also have red beers, which are a special, cool, different treat. Also, the rooftop is beautiful!

    (4)

  • Jason G.

    We made a return visit to Fountainhead for a meal and I was very impressed. The menu is limited but they focus on a few things and they are all very good. The server was good to suggest alternate beers similar to the ones they were out of, and also gave us samples of ones we were interested in before committing to buying a whole glass. The 3G signal inside is atrocious, but that's not their fault.

    (4)

  • Carol D.

    This is my favorite bar. If you are a craft beer lover in Chicago and you haven't been here, you are missing out. They have an ever-rotating draft list and bottles of all kinds. I love going here because you can get something new and different every time. What really sets this place apart is the extremely knowledgable staff - my boyfriend and I love trying different types of beer and we also love recommendations. You can tell your server or bartender what you like or what you have in mind and they are happy to recommend or let you sample a few to find your perfect beer. I was surprised to hear that some people had trouble with the service here, although I can see how some of the reviewers may have found the staff a little snobbish (don't try to order a Miller Lite here), but I guess I'm sort of one of them. If you are way in to beer, you can have great conversations with the staff. The two servers who are almost always there on the weekends (whose names I know I've asked for but I don't remember because it was usually after 5+ heavy beers) are awesome and always provide the best service we get anywhere. The inside of the bar is beautifully decorated in an upper-scale pub style, the atmosphere is casual and age-appropriate for me at age 30. You won't find 21 year olds falling over here. Music is good and not too loud - a good place to have conversations with friends. The rooftop, oh the rooftop! I almost don't want to talk about because it might be the best kept summertime secret in Chicago. The first time we tried to sit up there (right after it opened) we had to wait about 45 minutes for a party of 2, but the next time we came with a party of 9 and were seated up there within 15. They are very strict with the capacity up there, which is great because it creates a nice relaxed vibe since people aren't piled on top of one another. They have a different beer list and menu on the rooftop as well. The food is good, upper-scale pub fare (get the ham sandwich - you won't be sorry), but we go there more for the beer than the food. We don't usually have to wait long (if at all) for a table and they'll let you have a table even if you're just drinking, because your tab will probably be just as much (craft beers ain't cheap!). Fountainhead isn't for everyone - if you would rather pound Miller Lites all night and have a raging party there are better and cheaper places for you to do that. But, if you like to enjoy delicious beers and good food in a nice atmosphere with friends, this is a great place.

    (5)

  • Scott W.

    What more can i say that hasn't already been said? These guys have it down. The beer selection (i.e. Lagunitas Waldo Special!!), the food, the space and the staff are all outstanding. Our table of 12 had a truly enjoyable time. I look forward to coming back to Fountainhead.

    (5)

  • Lora Z.

    I had been here once before, last winter and enjoyed the food then. This time we sat on the roof. It was very comfortable, HUGE beer selection, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Even later when it started getting crowded, our server made sure we had everything we needed. We had a group of 9 people and we had plenty of room. A great place to spend a warm summer evening.

    (4)

  • Angela S.

    The beer selection here is definitely a good one. The food is good, but it could be better. There's been a couple times that the menu depicts something a bit different than what's served. I think it's worth mentioning when there's something like pico or peppers or mustard in the preparation. Just saying.

    (3)

  • Natalie S.

    Before I even get to this review, I beg you... stay "Jerk Coffee Chicken" with a straight face. That's right... say it a few more times til you catch on... Yes, there's Jerk Coffee Chicken on the menu. I'll spare you the jokes made at the dishes expense. Moving on... I, like the other reviewers, was pleased to hear that there was a new gastropub in the area. When my friend suggested it for dinner the other night, I jumped at the chance to check it out. I love the atmosphere. Loud but not to loud. Dark but not too dark. The menu... well, there were some hits and some misses. We had a table full of starters for the 8 of us. My personal favorite was the monkey bread. Kinda wishing I had a whole monkey bread to myself. The shrimp diablo wasn't bad. However, the frites were COLD (sad) and the cheese and crackers was just really average. That cheese spread could have come out of a bucket and I wouldn't have known any differently. I went for the burger. They had me at "pretzel bun". However, it was definitely not the best burger I've ever had. I did it up with some bacon and Gouda cheese but couldn't taste anything but MEAT. So much meat. Slightly overdone meat, at that. Pretzel bun was a little stale. Altogether, not terrible, but not sure I'd order it again. I didn't get to do much besides sample my Dude's libations but the list was very impressive. I'm looking forward to ordering some on my own... post baby. It's in our 'hood. It's close. It was good enough. We'll be back... and I'm hoping trip #2 is much more successful.

    (3)

  • Shakeia T.

    Extensive beer and whiskey list. PLUS. The mac and cheese and burgers were delish! Service was great! We were, however, seated at a table near the bar and the kitchen and a group of people just came and stood there to take shots blocking the way for the staff and constantly bumping me. Not the staff's fault, though! I had been waiting to try this place with a friend, but I ended up in the neighborhood hanging out with a friend and we sauntered on in. We walked in around 7pm on a Saturday night and it was pretty empty at first, but it filled up [PACKED!] within the hour!

    (3)

  • Michael H.

    This review is based solely on the Beer/Liquor--I didn't eat any of the food. Big place-lots of space-"keg room" on other side of bar was kinda cool! Beer Menu is Great--Descriptions of the different types of brews, etc..Also have ridiculous amounts of Scotch/Whiskey--Liquor menu is literally 15 pages long... I would say 25 drafts and 150 different bottles in beerland!! Place was kinda slow-Staff was cool--very knowledgeable bartender..Ask for Patrick!! gtfjd

    (4)

  • Mary M.

    This is my type of place - not fratty, not snobbish, not expensive, not wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am. In other words, a gastropub. Damn good food and damn good beers. The atmosphere is great (what's this about a secret rooftop patio??) - booths, multipaned windows, floor-length drapes, ceilings not too high, lighting sorta dim. I have a feeling the Fountainhead would be an absolute dream to come to around Christmas. Thinking about booking a section for my boyfriend's December birthday already ... Anyway. It's lovely, wallet-friendly, friendly-friendly, and homey. Check it out!!

    (5)

  • Jay S.

    Visited here last Thursday with my newly pregnant wife. Good news is that the drink menu offered good non-alcoholic options which was great. The beer and whiskey menu was extensive as well. Long story short if you're looking for a night out for local drinks, this isn't a bad spot. We ordered food to share and I have a serious allergy to all nuts. Made this clear to the waiter when ordering my wife's roasted chicken. Food comes back - "hello nuts"...lol. A roasted chicken is going to take another 20 min or so to get ready again, by that time our other food would be cold so we stuck with it and just ate individually. We ordered a couple of starters as well(monekybread and mussels). Overall, every dish we ordered tasted very bland and we just didn't like the food at all. We were hungry as heck, so chow down was on, but just didn't enjoy it. What saved stars for this place is the following: -Owner or manager came out and offered apologies for the allergy issue. He comped our meal and gave us dessert. This kind of service warrants a saving grace. -I imagine the outdoor patio area upstairs has to be great in the spring and summer. Who cares about food when you've got good beer and patio seating. Otherwise this is just another one of the trillion gastropubs this city is overwhelmed with. Nothing great about the food. Probably wouldn't go back any time soon.

    (2)

  • Mike C.

    Since we live nearby we keep trying FH hoping the food improves but alas it does not. They can't figure out hamburger temps and this has been an issue for the past year. The gf and I ordered medium and got well done. The manager who has seen us there numerous times since they opened did see it and comped our meal so that was great. Much kudos to him for doing that and showing exceptional customer service. So we go back and try again, knowing they tend to overcook we both ordered medium-rare, nope still came out well done. It wasn't even worth complaining about anymore knowing it's really just our fault for hoping they stepped up their cook crew and ability to cook to temp. I'd love to experience FH more often and would probably frequent there at least 3-4/month will most likely only be once every 2 months just for the beer. That's pretty disappointing.

    (2)

  • Sarah M.

    Dude and I decided to leave our comfy little Andersonville haunts and head over to Fountainhead. He loves scotch and beer so I figured I'd look impressive taking him somewhere that had a great selection of both. Get there and the hostess asks if we want to sit on the rooftop or inside. Although it was 1912349234 degrees outside, I wanted rooftop. She let us know that the rooftop has a different menu (she said b/c they don't have open flame upstairs, but um... can't they just carry the food from the kitchen inside to upstairs?), so we decided to just stay inside. LOVED our server. He answered all our questions we had regarding the beer selections, and even brought my guy a few samples so he could best decide what he wanted. Very attentive and was apologetic when one of the food items we ordered was out (boooo I wanted to try that zucchini and goat cheese tart!). Fairly small menu, but great selection. Both the vegetarian (me) and the meat eater (him) were happy with our meals for the most part. Dessert selection was good as well. We were going to go get a couple drinks upstairs at the rooftop following our meal, but we decided to save that for another time. We'd go back, so I'd call it a successful night.

    (4)

  • Amanda C.

    Whoa! So much hate/indifference for the Fountainhead! We love this place. We've come here - a lot of times - and the food is really good, if a little overpriced, and the beer list is great. We've always had totally adequate service (they're not falling all over you - but who wants that anyway?) The Fountainhead is chill enough for a relaxing dinner out, but nice enough to bring out-of-towners and moms. This has become our go-to spot when we want a "nice" dinner (fancier than Gio's, less fancy than...leaving Ravenswood). I love the Bad Apple too, but this place is closer and usually has a much shorter wait - plus the ambience is a bit nicer - the interior of the Fountainhead is so relaxing and cozy in the winter. Still waiting on that rooftop - I called earlier in the week and they said they were aiming for early June. (Yes, I realize they were originally aiming for, like, August 2010 - but I'm an optimist.)

    (4)

  • Daniel B.

    BETTER WATCH OUT AYN RAND, CAUSE THERE'S A NEW FOUNTAINHEAD IN TOWN. We came here for Sunday brunch and it was quite the deal. We ate up on the rooftop so I was able to bronze while i eat. I didn't know I got a tanning session with my meal! I ordered the hummus as an app and HOLY SMOKES, the smoky flavor was just right. I scarfed it down as fast as I could and waited in anticipation my main course. The turkey club packed quite the wallop and left no room for imagination regarding the perfect sandwich. I'm pretty sure my taste buds retired after the meal because they knew it could get no better. I think the owner of this bar is an alien because the beer selection here is OUT OF THIS WORLD! What are you waiting for, come gallop your way to fountainhead. FIVE STARS!!!

    (5)

  • Laura S.

    Fountainhead, your menu wins you the Laura S. "Foods and Beverages I want to put in my mouth hole and/or throat hole" award. This is a privilege AND an honor. You're welcome. I will make you a plaque to put on your wall if you are interested. You know you want one. Really any place with a Mac and Cheese related item (Duck Confit Pasta) on the menu gets this. Uuuh, yes please. Monkey bread is awesome too. Your beer menu brings sweet never ending tears of joy to my eyes. I just want to roll around on the floor with said menu while whispering words of undying love and affection for the glorious fermented beverages you have graced my life with (then drink my way through it). That would probably get me a few strange looks, maybe even asked out on a date...but worst of all: KICKED OUT...so I shall refrain from such an action. I promise to always behave when I am there and keep my urges in check, yo. Music has always been pretty good, I have yet to want to gouge my ear out with a fork or any blunt object within a 10 ft. radius while drinking/dining in this fine establishment. This is a good thing. Service has always been top notch. I've never had a bad experience here...except one time but that was because my ex was being a total dicknose. Certainly not your fault that he sucks. A whole lot. Seriously, favorite bar in the neighborhood by miles. I don't know how to quit you. I'd marry you if I could. If I can't marry you then I'd civil union the sh*t out of you.

    (5)

  • Evan F.

    I love this bar for the beer, I hate this bar for the service. Tonight, me and a few friends headed there to catch up and have a few. My friends were a little tipsy and apparently under tipped the waitress. The waitress actually came to the table and said "THANKS FOR A LESS THAN TEN PERCENT TIP." Look, it sucks that they left her a bad tip, but I work in the industry and that's how it works. And to approach the table and make my friends (who aren't from the city) feel like that is completely unacceptable. Needless to say, I am not headed back again, even though I live a block away. I've been ignored there before and forgotten about, but never has a waitress had the balls to defy what I pay the bar. Way to go Fountainhead, teach your staff some manners.

    (1)

  • Alisa D.

    A good neighborhood place with a great roof top bar. They also make one of my favorite drinks called "The Arlington", bourbon, fresh grapefruit juice and maple syrup. They have also added some veggie and vegan options.

    (4)

  • Aaron K.

    Fountainhead has really stepped up their game since the beginning of 2013. Their beer and whiskey selection continues to outshine most any other pub in the city but what really makes the difference is having Cleetus Friedman taking over the helm in the kitchen. The food is now on par with the drinks making this a great choice for dinner not too far from home. In the summer the rooftop here is among the best open-air casual options on the north side...or in the city for that matter. So glad to see this place continue to improve.

    (4)

  • Melinda B.

    I really like this place. The food is great, the beer selection is amazing and the atmosphere is my kind of atmosphere. I especially love the rooftop beer garden. Service is good and pretty reliable.

    (4)

  • brian f.

    Rooftop was great time, staff was all nice and helpful. beers cold and fresh. food was good for sharing too. great set up on roof, music and flexible seating (we had a group). hummas was the best EVER.

    (5)

  • Alli W.

    I need to say this - the Ham and Brie sandwich was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had in my life! My mouth waters just thinking of it. Fountainhead is all around a great establishment. I can't wait to try out the rooftop when it gets warmer around here. I wish they had a few more non-small plate dinner options, but that's about my only complaint. Great beer selection, great service and everything I have tried there is delicious.

    (5)

  • Laura S.

    Not even a disastrous first date could ruin a trip to Fountainhead. He sure tried, believe me, but he lost. We seated ourselves at a high-top near the back, and were immediately put at ease by the cozy, inviting atmosphere. Drink-wise, there's something for every taste and budget, and the binder is a welcome companion when you want to explore the lesser known options. I was slightly put off when I ordered *three* different beers that were all sold out (the waitress didn't know what was available, and kept scurrying off to check with the bar), but what I did try took me to my happy place. I've only tried the snacky food items, like the fries and monkey bread (EAT THIS!), but I will certainly be back for more. And next time, I'll be accompanied by a guy who doesn't whine about $7 beers.

    (4)

  • Bex F.

    Yeeaaahhhhh..... Now that we've moved to what feels like Minnesota, we're much closer to Fountainhead and have returned twice recently. I'm not interested in going back. And here's why: The service. And the prices. We sat at the bar, the bartender served us beverages and knew we were going to order food. He wandered off, we were ready, but he was so busy talking to a group of his buddies at the end of the bar who weren't even drinking, he never came back. We asked the bar back if we could order some food, so he went down to the bartender who shooed him off, told him to deal with it. All the while the owner is there. Sitting next to me. We had burgers, which were fine, but not $10 then + toppings fine. The fries were great. The bartender only came back after his buddies left and to give us the check. Our tip reflected his lack of service -- we were hoping to tip the bar back directly instead since he did all the work even though one could easily tell he really didn't want to. More recently we went again but sat at a table as the place was busier. Our server seemed like he had just finished smoking a big fat joint in the back room. The beverage I had had prior was no longer available, which is fine, but as a cider drinker, the list is pretty minimal and I must say, pretty lame comparatively. The food flew out of the kitchen far too fast, the portion of mac and cheese is now half the size and there was a hair in it. They took it off the tab, but still $12 for half the former portion size is pretty steep. And it wasn't as good anymore either. $10 for a smallish bottle of French cider whose flavor didn't match the description on the menu at all and smelled like cow poopies. Ya know, it's great and neat that they carry so many types of beers and whiskey and such, but the beverage menu is so huge and so overwhelming to flip through. The staff gets tired of waiting while you flip, get impatient like it's our fault and decide to move on. I understand places have off nights and I do cut a lot of slack, but we're up to three strikes in my book. It's too bad too.

    (2)

  • Noël S.

    Really great food, drinks, and service. What more could you ask for? My friend was in 7th heaven with their whiskey list-- almost as much as I was with the crab cake sandwich. It can get a bit crowded, especially on weekends around dinnertime, so get there early or prepare to have a bit of a wait at the bar.

    (5)

  • Megan G.

    Typically I think Yelp reviews skew high, but for once, I think the average Fountainhead rating is a little low. A fellow Ravenswood dweller and I had been meaning to meet at either Fountainhead or Wolcott's for dinner for ages to see for ourselves just how bad the new, much besmirched by Yelp neighborhood restaurants really were. As Wolcott's average rating keeps drifting ever lower, we figured we'd be safer at Fountainhead. There were lots of seats available at 7 pm on a Wednesday and the space is really cute and cozy. We did get off to a rough start with relatively inattentive service, but that was okay because the beer tome is huge and requires some time to get through. The rough start continued when the server informed me by draft selection was out - as were 8 of the other drafts. She offered me a taste of an alternative beer by Half Acre, but I ultimately decided to go to with a bottled Unibroue. By and large, the beer prices seem very, very reasonable - overall definitely a few dollars cheaper than Hopleaf. My friend and I ordered the frites to start. Fountainhead's frites are good, but I have to give the definite edge to the frites at Hopleaf. Hopleaf's frites are thinner and crispier and their aioli is was better than Fountainhead's. For dinner I got the black bean and quinoa burger (topped with sauteed mushrooms and cheddar) and my friend got the duck confit mac and cheese. I snagged a bit of his when it got to the table - it was good, but not as mindblowing as I'd have expected for a $15 bowl of mac and cheese. My veggie burger, however, was probably one of the best I've ever had. The patty was delicious and not too mushy and the pretzel bun on which it was served was to die for. Totally worth the $11. Though I've drawn comparisons to Hopleaf, I'd actually say the Andersonville restaurant Fountainhead most resembles is Lady Gregory, another newcomer and of the two, Fountainhead is far, far better. So go on and give it a shot - this place is nowhere as bad as the reviews might lead you to believe.

    (4)

  • Andrew S.

    I really want to love this place. It's literally 30 seconds from my front door. Every time I go here my experience is drastically different depending on who's working. Some are the bartenders are super nice dudes and some are really pretentious snobs. Here are some examples of my experiences: Went in, had a great meal and several amazing beers. Awesome bartender. Finished up with some really excellent bourbon. Took my dad in for some beers and dinner. I ordered a Helles lager. My dad asked for a Heineken and the the bartender made him feel like an jerk for asking. I had a chicken sandwich, he had a steak. Both sucked. Some friends and I stopped in for drinks and had a great time. Our server was awesome and we had some great appetizers. This experience almost made me never go back. It was superbowl Sunday. It was 9:45pm. My friend and I walked over there to have some of their outstanding draft beer. We sat down at the bar and ordered the draft beers we wanted. The lazy snarly bartender explained that he had turned the taps off (there's no off switch on tappers by the way) and we could only get liquor or bottled beer. We politely said that's cool and headed for the door. On our way out the bartender said, "This isn't a sports bar." What a Dbag! If I hadn't been in such a good mood there would've been quite a scene. After boycotting that place for a couple months, I decided not to let one crappy bartender ruin the whole bar for me. I went in solo and had a couple tasty beers and had a great conversation with the bartender. I shall continue to give this place business. Just hoping for some consistent behavior from the staff.

    (2)

  • Kathryn M.

    I kept hearing about this place and was never really sure where it was located. We'll, I've located it and deemed it a hidden gem! One night we decided to skip our regular dinner spots and try something new. We waited long enough to get a unique brew at the bar and were seated shortly thereafter. We started with the bacon candied nuts (yummy but not as amazing as I expected), and a delightful sausage platter. We then shared the mac & cheese and the pork sandwich. Both were delicious and comforting on a chilly, rainy night. We enjoyed a few more beers during our meal and skipped dessert. The meal was delish and fairly priced. The atmosphere as homey and welcoming as an Irish pub. Love it - a great place for the chilly months ahead!

    (5)

  • Eric B.

    If Longman & Eagle had a brother obsessed with half assed economic philosophy, he might be named The Fountainhead. Now, in all fairness, whether the owners are devout Randians is currently unknown, and at any rate certainly cannot be divined from the decor or the menu. Indeed, because of their love for good food and drink, we can be certain they are not nihilists. "Say what you will about the tenets of Objectivism, at least its an ethos!". No, it is more than likely that the proprietors of Fountainhead worship at the feet of degustatory hedonism. Like its traveler in arms Longman & Eagle, the Fountainhead has a vast selection of bourbons and ryes, excellent small batch American beer, a well curated list of food friendly wines, and an adventurous menu. The roast duck breast is yet another example of fantastic game cuisine in Chicago - seared to medium rare perfection with a berry reduction. My friends had the pork sandwich, fish tacos, and seared scallops and were similarly pleased. With the vast whiskey list, well selected wine list, and rich flavors on the menu, all at affordable prices, we will definitely be worshiping at the Fountainhead again soon.

    (5)

  • Kearby K.

    I feel like this place is not carrying its weight. The drinks were reasonably priced and selections were good. Decorations, Bathrooms were nice Lights were TOO bright and there are 1000's of them. Black window coverings made it feel like you were in a box and trapped. Music made you want to kill yourself and you could barely hear it. Waitress was nice when she was around but never got us a new drink. We paid with cash and a credit card and she just took the cash and charged it all on a credit card. People do not tip 40%! NO HAND OUTS! Roark says try another bar.

    (2)

  • Mary B.

    Me and my boyfriend have been wanting to try this place for a while since we heard the bloody marys were one of the best in the city. We went on a Saturday around noon and thought they might have brunch but later found out it is only on Sundays. No big deal, since the lunch menu looked awesome. We got 2 bloody marys - and they definitely were one of the best ive had in the city. Spicy for sure. We split the burger and mac and cheese and they were both SO good. We will definitely be back, for dinner and for brunch on Sunday. This place has great beers, food and bloodys.

    (5)

  • Noelle H.

    I'm impressed by the ever-evolving beer list, the excellent selection of bourbons, and while the food menu isn't necessarily vast, it has solidly nice choices and they're usually done well. But I have to give this place three stars because service really is weak. The servers and bartenders are definitely friendly, don't get me wrong. But it usually takes at least five to seven minutes for an initial greeting (and I've waited as long as ten), and because they change their kegs so often, there are usually two or three beers on the draft list that are actually gone (which is totally okay). Needless to say, it's frustrating when you've made a beer choice and you're waiting for a server, only to learn that the beer you've chosen is 86'ed (that's restaurant speak for GONE, BABY GONE!!!) I've learned to order a new beer the moment my server returns to the table, even if my current drink is 75% full, because I know it will be a long while before I have another chance to order. Suggestion: post a board near the door, or in clear sight, listening your unavailable drafts. And either hire more help, or give your servers smaller sections. I work in the restaurant/bar industry, so I'm more understanding than others when it comes to slow service. I can only imagine how frustrated others might be. I will keep returning for the selections, the convenience (I live across the street), and the beautiful interior. I'm also eager to drink on the rooftop patio opening soon.

    (3)

  • Tom S.

    I like Fountainhead, but it's not quite ready for prime time. It does have a lot of potential. I was impressed with the beer list. I guess I'm a bit of a beer snob and saw some cool brews I'd never tried. We ordered beers and some fries... strangely, the fries came quickly (maybe 5 or 6 minutes) but we waited 10 minutes or more for the beers! Yes, it was a Saturday night and busy, but I don't know that I've ever gotten my food served before my booze. The fries were just ok. The beer was delicious. In the bathroom, they had some handy reading material above the urinal that informed us that the full menu will be coming soon. I'm going to come back to try it. I just hope they have the kinks worked out in a month or two.

    (3)

  • Zac K.

    If I didn't eat here again, I would be A-OK with that. I wanted to like it- cute atmosphere and space- however, oddly, quiet- took forever to be acknowledged at my table- now granted, I was solo waiting for someone so I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt here, but on a Friday evening, come on- a man needs his drink- great beer selections and I'm not a beer person at all - food was tragic- dirty mussels that tasted gritty- GROSS! I wanted to like them too, because they were prepared pretty awesome! Hopefully they appeal to ppl - I just don't think I'm the right audience :)

    (2)

  • Meghan B.

    this place is sooooo yummy and has an AWESOME rooftop. beware, however, the menus between the rooftop and the downstairs are different. great beer list and delicious food. yay gastropubs!

    (4)

  • Andrew J.

    I can sum up my review of Fountainhead in three words: What a shame. I've been here four times in its first three months, and instead of getting better, it continues to disappoint. As impressive as the drink selection is, it's a bit of an illusion, because a significant number of drafts are not available from visit to visit. (I have YET to get my first choice.) The servers never inform you which are unavailable on tap for the day, and I've learned to have a second, third, and fourth choice ready to order. The selection is big enough that this isn't a huge problem, but still... We originally went on Fountainhead's opening weekend and were blown away by the awesome beer and spirits selection, as well as the intriguing food menu. I had the Swine Swoon sandwich, which was incredible. Went back a week later, bringing friends along to whom we'd bragged about the place. The Swine Swoon had different (read: BAD) cheese, and another sandwich we ordered was of an absurd portion for its $10 price (seriously, it was the size of a small child's fist). When we meekly and curiously asked our waitress about our concerns, she seemed a bit embarrassed and brought the manager, who was extremely defensive, a bit rude and off-putting, and essentially said, "What do you want me to do?" His awful attitude along with our awkward seating in the back section partitioned behind the bar made for a not-so-great experience. And boy did we feel like chumps glowing about the place to our underwhelmed friends. Third visit, a month later, we came mostly for drinks and a few appetizers, and although the place was relatively vacant, service was at a snail's pace, and the two orders of frites were stone cold when they finally got to our table. We were willing to have a third round (or even more had we stayed longer!), but the server seemed to be hiding out of sight and not at all interested in checking back in with us. This weekend the place was packed, but severely under-staffed. It took over 15 minutes after ordering our beers to get them, and it took over 40 minutes before we could even place our food order. After placing that order, the server came back to tell me the sandwich I ordered was out, so I grudgingly went with a medium burger. The burger came out prepared well done, and much too dry. It also came on grilled sourdough, although the menu promises a pretzel roll. I asked the server about that (when he eventually made it back to our table), and he seemed embarrassed to say that the kitchen had run out of pretzel rolls. I believe we've figured out this place's main problem: a troubled, inconsistent kitchen (is the chef some amateur?); and some short-sighted, lackadaisical management. I want so badly to like this place--it has a great decor/vibe and so much potential. I keep giving it a try and keep getting disappointed--we're running into "shame on me" territory. Will I return? Probably. For drinks. And certainly NOT as a destination, but as a second-choice option. I definitely won't be back in the next several months...hopefully more time will get things ironed out, but I won't be holding my breath...

    (2)

  • Phil X.

    Fountainhead, you got me good. How many others have you fooled? Shame on you. You call yourself a gastropub? Your food left much to be desired. I came here with a group of five. The place has a nice setup & a great drink selection...but...the food left much to be desired. Our waitress was barely around. I ordered the "Pulled Duck mac n cheese"...barely any duck, wayyy too much sun dried tomato. My girlfriend ordered one of their burgers. I sampled it and found it lacking in flavor. I would recommend coming here for drinks. Fountainhead has a great atmosphere. They have lots of quality craft beer. They even have Mead! (A delicious honey wine that's been enjoyed for centuries) As for food, when I return I will give this place another chance.

    (3)

  • Lopa P.

    Come here if you like trying new beers - they have extensive bottled selection with rotating drafts. And it seems like they have a great whiskey selection, too. The food is a tad pricey... it's good, but there's always a little something missing or a little too much something. But the fries- those are awesome! And I've never had any issues with the service. Then again, I've really only been there during slower times (5-7pm). Love coming here for a beer or two after work!

    (4)

  • Bill M.

    After my friends and I watched the Iowa, er Chicago Cubs lose meekly to the Cincinnati Reds on a warm Sunday afternoon, we decided that we wanted to drown our sorrows with some good beers that were not available at Wrigley Field. Traveling with a carful of foodies (who are also drinkies - is that a term?), they shortlisted Fountainhead as one of our post-game dining choices. Located at the corner of Montrose and Damen, Fountainhead is somewhat nondescript on the outside, but its pubby interior shows a bit of character with barrels, a Brussels poster, and specials scrawled on a chalkboard column. Probably since it was relatively early on a Sunday (about 5PM), we actually found a parking spot nearby and our group of five were seated immediately. The voluminous drink menu of this gastropub is full of amazingly good choices, while the food menu is compact as a two-sided card. Our foodie/drinkie table had no complaints about any of the food, drink, or level of service. We each ordered a food item along with two drinks. I ordered mac and cheese with duck confit and sun-dried tomatoes, and was surprised at the considerable size of this bowl of pasta. Other selections included gourmet sausages, mussels, and monkey bread. While we ate up all the food, the drink was what had us waxing poetically. My own enjoyment of Duvel Green and Lindeman's Framboise (both served on tap here) was thoroughly enhanced by my friends' running commentary of beer, liquor, gastropubs, etc. I felt like I was on a mellow and enjoyable food and drink tour!

    (5)

  • Steve R.

    Amazing beer selection. Tried the mead and loved the locally brewed Metropolitan beer! Great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • carolyn h.

    I went here for a week night dinner with my boyfriend. We have wanted to try this place for a while and finally got around to doing it. I went in starving. I'm not a big beer girl, I prefer my wine. I think If I was a beer girl I would be impressed with the beer menu. For food, I ended up ordering the burger and I just wasn't impressed. It just seemed dry and uneventful. my Boyfriend had the pork sandwich and I tried it and i wasn't dying for another bite or anything. I left being full, but not excited to come back. It was just blah.

    (3)

  • Kathryn G.

    Go for the beer, not for the food. The bartender was great and so was the beer selection. The food that came out of the kitchen was not worth the wait. Our first app came out within 15 minutes or so but the next one was served 30 mins later with our entrees. My husband liked the ribeye but I thought the pork shoulder sandwich was a waste of time. The place was really crowded and it was hard to have a conversation. Go to drink but not for dinner. Much better Gastropubs to chose from.

    (2)

  • Bobby K.

    To be fair, this place is still very new and if it figures itself out, I guarantee I'll up my rating to a 5. I love living just a few blocks a way. It's reputation for beer precedes itself. Their menu is insanely detailed, with a huge page of draft options, followed by pages of bottles that are all sorted by variety. It can be overwhelming but I'll take too much whelm over not enough any day. Everything I've had on the menu has been great so far. They're clearly putting time and effort into each of the creations, and if the options are seasonal, that's totally cool and I respect that. But if this is what they're sticking with, I'm going to run out of new things to try real quick. Nothing is signature enough yet to be in demand. The atmosphere is a little closed off from the world. I have no idea what the decision behind this was, but it seems odd to not have any openable windows onto Damen or Montrose. With such a heavy wood door, it's somewhat uninviting. I'm sure it'll be nice and cozy in the Winter but even in Chicago that's only half the year. Right now, I think they're trying a little too hard to be Hopleaf (you're not going to top their mussels Fountainhead; just give up). I have faith though. Everyone I've taken here has been very impressed with some aspect of it. Keep up the good work, Fountainhead!

    (4)

  • Kristen W.

    Very nice to see a brew pub in this location- definitely needed, nice decor (nothing super creative but still nice), and the logo reminds me of Ayn Rand which is always a good thing, And beer. The beer list is good. Tons of brews on tap -- I would have expected more summer-ish/weiss bier on tap but I guess the bottle selection makes up for it. It's still no hop-leaf. Prices are okay though. The food- menu was small and expected for a beer pub. They serve a lot of duck which kind of grosses me out but that's my deal. I ordered the egg salad sandwich, knowing in the back of my mind that no egg salad sandwich can ever hold up to a great beer. I think a fried egg sandwich makes more sense in this environment. Food was delivered,cold egg salad on warm pretzel roll, kind of odd but adequate. The red cabbage slaw was great. My date's burger was really great. Major kudos on that. Nothing bad to say about the food- prices were great here too. Kind of odd to have bar fare served on fancy-ish plates, but whatever. The service- sucked. The waiter was really nice- when we had his attention, which is when we were first seated and he was all excited to give us the menus. After that we had to ask someone to find him for everything else we needed. NOTHING pisses me off more than to sit with an empty glass waiting for another beer. For this reason alone I may not come back. I'm not sure he even thanked us when he gave us the check, it was like he was too busy hiding in the back to serve us. The restaurant was not busy, there were many open tables. Where was he?? We could have easily tried a few more beers (and upped the tab) but since the waiter blew us off he blew the night. And his tip. Oh and the restrooms were out of toilet paper, and the latch on one stall is broken. Someone needs to start paying attention to detail!

    (2)

  • Chris S.

    This place is great. I have no idea what everyone on here is crying about, because holy crap was my experience amazing. We were there on a Saturday afternoon and there was no wait. The wait staff was awesome, the drink menu was huge and impressive and the food was top notch. I had the burger and I can honestly say with a straight face, that it was on par, if not BETTER than Kuma's. No lie, because I love Kuma's burgers. The meat was tasty, juicy and perfectly seasoned with a slightly blackened crust. Also, it comes on a pretzel bun. My friend had the Swine Swoon and he gave me a bight of his sandwich. FANTASTIC. My wife had the black bean burger and she raved about it. A+ for having Three Floyd's Richard the Bruce on tap. Infinitely better than from the bottle. Will visit again... and again... and again... and... you get what I'm saying.

    (5)

  • Bobby S.

    Overall: only go for drinks, food blows, service mediocre, Can think of dozens of better places to eat. Pros: Beer and other booze selection rocks. Cons: Everything else. Ate their twice. First time was so good I can't even remember what I had (sarcasm). Second time was tonight as I was preparing to leave Chicago for good. Thought after a long day of watching movers I would get some good beer and pub food. Thought wrong. Monkey bread was good but the gravy was horrible. Lumps of flour and they must have ran out of salt. Cheese tart thing was actually prett decent but runny and still needed salt. Wife's mushroom sheppard's pie had two pieces of mushroom, parsnip mash was thin and turned everything into a soggy mess, and again, they forgot the salt. Broke a cardinal rule of eating out and ordered chicken because it sounded decent. Jamaican jerk chicken sandwich was overcooked, no flavor, and again no salt. This was topped by a completely burned bun that had to be replaced. If the management is reading any of this, you guys seriously need to find some better cooks.

    (3)

  • Andrew C.

    After frequent visits, it is readily apparent that there has been a rapid decline in service at Fountainhead. The most recent example... last night a buddy and I came in around 6:45p. The red-headed 'hostess' could barely be bothered to look up from her crossword puzzle (on two separate occasions). The bar was pretty full, but the rest of the place was pretty much empty minus 3 separate parties of 2 sitting in the booths along the windows. I asked for a table for 2 and requested either one of the additional 2 open booths. The hostess refused to allow us to sit there even though there was absolutely no wait and the rest of the tables in the entire restaurant were empty (literally... no exaggeration). I asked why we couldn't be seated in one of the open booths and the hostess said they were keeping them open for larger parties. I asked what larger parties she was referring to and that policy was odd because the other 3 booths were filled with parties of 2. She shrugged and said they were seated earlier (meaning they would also be leaving soon). I put my almost full drink down I ordered from the bar (very nice bartender by the way... hence the one star) and we walked out. The hostess couldn't have cared less that she had an empty restaurant, no wait and just let two paying customers walk out the door. Incredible. I guess that explains why the bar was full and the restaurant area was empty. PS. I want to let Fountainhead in on a little industry secret... if you are mostly empty, you actually WANT to seat people in the windows so it actually looks like your place doesn't suck to passers-by (even if it does). Best of luck staying in business... and on the crossword puzzles.

    (1)

  • Conall W.

    I have to say, the bad reviews on here astonish me. Right off the bat, I think it's important to note that while they have really great items on their menu, I think it mainly augments their outstanding drink selection. I see it more as an 'incredible bar with a great food selection' rather than a 'great restaurant.' Take a look at their menu and decide for yourself. What they do serve is fantastic, but I personally think it's about the beer and the scotch here, plus the fact that they have great stuff to eat or nibble on, and an outstanding environment. I've been here on many different occasions, with many different people, and usually I don't want to leave. I've been here in great moods to keep the good times rollin, and somber moods to cheer up. They only carry craft beers(from all over the U.S. and the world), because they don't participate in the alcohol monopolies that are Anheuser Busch and Miller. But if that's the kind of beer you want--something light and simple--they have something for you. They have really complex beers, really simple beers, and everything in between. I love asking the bartenders about the different beers and scotches. They have a lot of great things to say. They also have one large flat screen TV, BUT only turn it on if there's a game, or an important event. Otherwise they don't believe in LEAVING TV's ON TO DISTRACT PEOPLE FROM THEIR CONVERSATIONS. I like that because usually I go to bars with people that I like to talk to and converse with, and not look over their shoulders at a flashing screen every few moments. I haven't sat down for a proper dinner yet, but I have nibbled on a number of things, and I think the food is fantastic. I've had the mussels(A), monkey bread(B-), pork sandwich(A), and the frites(A) are great. All-in-all, I love it here.

    (5)

  • Tammy N.

    Wandered in here the other day after Zumba and was completely impressed by their beer/liquor menu. As for the food menu was a little disappointed. After careful consideration we decided to stay and ended up splitting the black bean burger and the Crispy salad. The burger was tasty but a touch dry, and I do mean a touch..... The Crispy Salad (atleast I think that was what it was called...apples & walnuts) was out of this world and the dipping sauces for the frites: yum! Will definitely be back to sample the beer!

    (4)

  • Vince M.

    So my real rating would be for 3.5 stars. For a bar, this place gets 5 stars...mostly due to their amazing beer and whiskey selection, and the best organized and informative beer menu I have ever read at a bar. Even if you don't know jack about beer, you can pick something you would most likely enjoy by reading their menu. They do a great job at keeping their current draft/bottle lists available and updated online. The bartenders are not just hotties pouring drinks...like Sheffield's and Hop Leaf, they do know their stuff. The drop-off comes from the just decent food, less than impressive wait service, and way too small bar. I think this place would have done better as MORE bar and LESS restaurant. They seem to have trouble trying to do both, and for such a small seating capacity, they should not be constantly be behind in serving people. Maybe they just need more help, but I'll hold off on being a full fledged fan until I can: a) get a beer easier at the bar; b) get better service while dining.

    (3)

  • Katie C.

    This may come off as Yelp blasphemy, but sometimes I think a 5-star rating system is just not a large enough scale on which to accurately rate...::gasp!:: I know. Nearly 200 reviews and it took me this long? It had to be said eventually... Fountainhead is one of those places that doesn't offer you a superior nor horrendous experience. There are many facets on which to judge: the newness (word?) of the place, the server, the food, the drink, the ambiance, the cleanliness. And sometimes, I really think the five-star system isn't enough to combine those factors. For instance, there are HUGE discrepancies in quality between Fountainhead and other places I've rated 3 stars. For instance, the drink list? Holy F*$^in' crap. This place is a beer and whisky haven. I love the organization of their list, although it is INCREDIBLY hard to read for those that are too prideful (or too young) to whip out their handy reading glasses. So that, right there, would be better described as 7.5 out of 10, rather than 3 out of 5. Catch my drift, o Yelpiverse? As for food, the choices are limited and if you were hoping to catch a salad with chicken on it, you be dead wrong. Only steak is offered as an add-on. As the "newness" of the restaurant wears off, I'm sure they'll eventually offer something for all those crazy health freaks who want to drink their beer and salad it up, too. The mac 'n cheese was good with a distinct smoky flavor (you can thank the rauchbier for that) but not as piping hot as I would have liked it to come out. Again, maybe that would be a 6.5 out of 10...see where I'm going with this? What I will say is this: the drink list is to die for, and there is no way that I won't come back to imbibe, considering there is just NOTHING like Fountainhead in the Ravenswood area. Food? Keep working, you'll catch on. Ambiance? Like the wood, dislike the shouting you have to do to stay on topic with your table members. Super props to the staff for keeping the bathrooms classy and clean. And our service? Nice but a little too sparse. Not my style. If I had a scale out of 10 with half points, I'd give you, Fountainhead, a....drumroll, please...6.5 or 7. And for you math geeks out there, my half-point system rating is a better ratio than 3/5...obvi.

    (3)

  • Dulce P.

    My visit was completely spontaneous. It was a great date spot. We had a few micro brew beers, the name I completely forgot, I just remember there was a devil on the can. However the appetizers were okay. The service was good and friendly. I will definitely revisit. I love trying new beers.

    (3)

  • Marc M.

    One of my favorite neighborhood joints! Stellar beer list, and the food is top notch. The music is not blasting, you can actually talk with your friends and not shout. The staff really knows the menu and beer. We go often.

    (4)

  • Nick M.

    Just go. Amazing drinks, great food and EXCELLENT service. Super knowledgeable, super friendly, and super no B.S. Dont bother with any of the negatives these other Folks are talking about. If you know how to be a grown up and go out, you'll fall in love with place. Only time I've seen service problems is when drunks can't handle Professional Bartenders telling them to head home. I started with Bar on Buena and I'm gonna keep on keeping on with Fountainhead.

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    Best Beer in Chicago, Love this place. Beer is the number one reason I would return. Whiskey number 2.

    (5)

  • J K.

    The beer selection and whiskey choices not only spectacular but the prices were actually reasonably priced! Of course that shouldn't be the only thing that makes a place. OK let's start over with this review for a second... The service was decent. The server was friendly but forgot a few little things on our order and slow to ask for more drinks or refills. The atmosphere is nice but not quite a place to go if you're looking for a 20-something (maybe even 30-something) bar. It's got an older crowd feel without being too sophisticated. The food was ranging from decent to pretty good. The variety is nice, we started with the bacon nuts. Great snacking food with our beer while waiting for our order. We stuck primarily with the sandwiches for our meals. The pork was all right, a little dry but decent flavor. My friend really liked his black bean burger, better than the regular burger. I was a little disappointed in the frites, I thought they could've tasted a little less bland and generic. Next time I'm going with the red slaw. We shared a vanilla bean cheesecake which was pretty good. Light but lacking a little bit on the actual "vanilla" part. Presentation was also neat as well. The beer list changes constantly so I was happy I could be adventurous. I tried the La Trappe beer which was, in my opinion, well priced and tasted great, although generally I prefer heartier beers. It's the first time having Trappist beer so it was not a bad first experience. The whiskey list (especially scotch) was really nice. A few of my favorites popped up on the list and thensome. Must come back again.

    (4)

  • Scott P.

    My favorite Latvian and I hosted a couple of younger relatives/pals for dinner last night. It was a first visit to Fountainhead for all of us, and we all agreed that we will return. The selection of beer, wine, fine scotches and other bevvies was extensive and of first-rate quality for a wide range of tastes and budgets. We had quite the mix of beer, wine and single malts between us, and everyone was more than pleased. As we cruise into the fall season, I personally tend toward comfort foods. Fountainhead's menu seemed to address the great majority of my seasonal cravings: perfectly grilled pork chop, steamy pot of mussels with andouille, roast duck, pulled pork, smokey mac 'n cheese...you get the picture. The atmosphere was similarly cozy with four of us very comfortable in a roomy booth, and our friendly server was more than adept at judging our table's needs and pace. We really had a nice time. Thanks, Fountainhead. We'll be back.

    (4)

  • Christine L.

    I love this place! Great service, delicious and interesting food, extensive beer and whiskey list and fun music. This place is my go-to. I have been here countless times and I've never had a bad experience. I will be spending the majority of my summer nights on that rooftop.

    (5)

  • Kaitlyn P.

    It's easy to get overwhelmed when you walk into this place and get handed the tome that passes for the beer menu. Thank God that the staff here are as knowledgeable as they are, then! Our waitress did a great job of figuring out what we were looking for and recommending a beer to match our tastes. We needed no help in deciding to order up the monkey bread, though, and were not disappointed as we pulled the gooey dough apart and washed it down with the recommended pints. A great place for beer-philes and beer neophytes alike. I still have yet to figure out what the "beer engine" is, but what's a good bar without a little mystery?

    (4)

  • jess e.

    Everytime someone mentions Fountainhead everyone can agree that what they are serving isn't the problem, the problem is who's serving it. And the more I think about it the less I want to go. Nearish closing time, my boyfriend and I are the only paying customers in the place, everyone else is hanging out at the end of the bar gossiping with the staff (or they are the staff just gossiping with each other) we just want to pay our bill and go home. Why won't you look at us? Even when we yell out to you to get your attention you don't care. Have we become invisible? If so then maybe we should just slip out the door without paying the bill. Halloween, beer in pumpkins, fantastic! These are the beers in the pumpkins, I am getting one, fantastic! Waitress comes with the beers, fantastic! "You know we have this beer and another beer in pumpkins tonight if you want to try that next" ......this one didn't come from a pumpkin? "no" ....oh. She was nice and took that one away and gave me the pumpkin one, but I ordered it because I knew it was in the pumpkin, the whole reason we were there, pumpkins. Not only did she not talk about them when we sat down (why wouldn't she push the pumpkins?) When I ordered I assumed it was coming from the pumpkin (there was nothing on the menu to indicate it could be tap or pumpkin tap), but if that's not what was happening why not mention that while I'm putting in my order? Then my soup came, as I was eating it I swear the menu said there was supposed to be more then just soup. Finally flagged down the waitress who told me it was just soup, and when I insisted she said she would check since it was a new item but she's pretty sure it was just soup. A while later I get word that yes there is something else and it's an apple mix that was supposed to go in the soup, but it finally arrived when I was almost finished with my soup. So is this a kitchen fault? Should it have been caught by the waitress? Should Fountainhead spend longer training staff when they put new dishes on the menu? Every time it's something like this.

    (2)

  • Wayne W.

    The beer selection was excellent, they didn't have a lot of the stuff on the menu, but had lots of other great selections. Tried a new Firestone IPA and allagash four. Both were good, but the allagash was superb. The food was a bit complicated, the pork belly salad was really good with watermelon and lime vinegrette. The main course was a bit strange and disappointing. We had the BBQ salamon and jerk chicken sandwich. The fish was perfect but it came on a bed of pickled peaches and something resembling uncooked lentils. The two flavors just didn't mix well. The same with the jerk chicken it had a peach mango chutney that just didn't go with the dry spice of the chicken. Separately the components of bothe dishes were good, they just didn't go together. I'd have to go there again for the beer alone, but definitely give the the food another chance and see what else they can come up with.

    (3)

  • Scott H.

    You changed what had instantly become my favorite mussels so you lose a star. And the thin frites were much better than the fatties you serve now. Quit changing what works! But I still come primarily for the beer!

    (4)

  • Scott W.

    It was ok. I don't like beer snobs. Especially places like this where you're told what types of beers to drink, even when they are horrid. Just because they're a micro brew doesn't make them good. Fine, I'll order pop.

    (4)

  • Eric X.

    [ Visited August, 2010 ] Fountainhead is in my neighborhood, and I appreciate what they're doing and appreciate them as an anchor restaurant east of Lincoln Avenue. The beer selection is quite amazing; I'd be surprised if you could read through the menu in under ten minutes. Don't like beer? Try some of the bourbon selections or ciders. If I rated Fountainhead on their drink menu, they'd get five stars without a doubt. The food is something else. Visiting on a Saturday evening, we found the server was very kind and pleasant. She explained the menu and took the time to help pick a drink. That's where the fun ends. Waiting 30 minutes for a salad was outrageous. Our server explained that the kitchen was missing a chef that night and that the wait times would be rather long. She really should have told us that before ordering. After 60 minutes of waiting, our food came. I had the jerk chicken and my partner the fish taco special. The jerk chicken comes on a potato bun with a single slice of pineapple on top. A side of fries accompanied my meal...and I'm glad, because the ketchup I had with the fries was the most tasteful piece of food on my plate. The jerk chicken was obliterated by the obnoxiously-large, dry bun. When I did find the meat in the bun, the only thing "jerk "about it was the chef who forgot to add any flavor to the meat. I've had Oscar Meyer balogna on Wonder Bread with a side of Miracle Whip that was more interesting. My partner enjoyed the fish tacos, but agreed that my meal was boring and tasteless. After nearly 75 minutes of waiting around to eat, and then being disappointed by the food, our server comp'ed us our food entirely. At least she knew her customers weren't happy about the situation that night. We would have stayed for dessert, but I didn't want to wait another 30 minutes for them to slice a piece of cake off in the kitchen. Fountainhead: you really need to fix your situation or close your doors if you can't handle the volume of customers on a specific night. How about improving the food selection too? Try being less "gourmet" and more "tasty".

    (2)

  • Carrie L.

    Went here on a Tuesday night to try and avoid the normal heavy dinner crowd on other nights. The beer selection was fantastic and fantastically priced. We ordered the mussels, a must do!! Unfortunately, our entrees were not as great. We ordered the salmon, which was cooked perfect, but the dish itself was dry and blad. So dissapointing after a fantastic appetizer. We'll go back again, but only for those mussels and drinks!

    (3)

  • Eric W.

    I want to to give Fountainhead 5 stars. I really really do. Let me give you some context. I went there on a Friday night around 8pm. There was a good crowd and the hostess said it'd be about 30 minutes to get a table. No problem, we just slid up to the bar and ordered a round. After only about 15 minutes we were seated. This is when things become a little "eh". They literally have a 5 or 6 page booklet for their beer selection. Amazing! However, their food menu leaves a little to be desired. While all of the food is good, its not much to choose from. I'm not sure what I expected, but was a little underwhelmed. I ended up picking a pork shoulder sandwich topped with cheese on sourdough. Kind of tasted like a chunky pulled pork sandwich on toasted bread. Like I said... tasty, but still kind of "eh" with a side of *shoulder shrug*. My brother got a pork chop which looked amazing. I'd get that next time. Also, the waitress was kind of slow. It was busy, but I kind of felt ignored at the same time. Now, onto the beer. HOLY - SHIT. The beer menu totally makes up for any deficiencies that this place may have. If you want to go have something you've never had before, Fountainhead is great. A word to the wise though, don't come here if your beer of choice is bud light. I'm almost positive they don't have it, which is just fine by me. Also, you might want to bring someone along who is knowledgeable about and loves beer. They can help you navigate the encyclopedia of a menu and choose one you'd like.

    (4)

  • Richard H.

    I stopped in on a Monday night for a drink. The place was low-key but not dead. The beer selection is inspiring, with an uncommon assortment on tap. The bartender mentioned that the menu is seasonal and the beers change more frequently than that. I gave the menu a look over and it made me wish that I hadn't already eaten. The menu is not crowded with choices, but had many desirable options. An absurd/random observation: their restroom smelled wonderful. I'm believe it was from the wood work? I'm really looking forward to future visits and am hopeful that the patio will be great.

    (4)

  • Kyle M.

    Overall, I like this place. Cool atmosphere, great crowd and a menu with more substance than your neighborhood bar. My one bone to pick with the place is that I had to go through 5! different beers before I got one they actually had. If you are going to promote your impressive and extensive beer and wine list...at least have a majority of them in stock. The food was great. We split the Amish Chicken and a burger. Our server seemed like he was a bit clustered, but he was fine. Bring a jacket though, this place is freeeeeezing. I will definitely go back though for another try.

    (3)

  • Marko V.

    They let my sister, a self-admitted beer retard, try about 9 different brews before she finally found one she liked. And those 9 beers only made up about 3% of the choices at Fountainhead. Almost 200 bottles on hand, with around 20 more on tap, including Tripel Karmeliet, which the beer retard finally settled on with an assist from our very helpful and sweet waitress. The food was alright. I got the Swine Swoon, a pulled pork shoulder sanny. Ladies order the Chicken sandwich and burger. Neither looked that great. But the fries were absolutely EXCELLENT. No doubt about that. Next time I come here it'll be for appies, fries, and beer. Solid place, nothing too special for the price though (I had two beers and a sanny and it was over 30 bucks, but I suppose most of that was beer.)

    (3)

  • Angie M.

    Guess what, single Yelpers? I found your new first date spot. It's Fountainhead. The perfect mix of gastro pub chic, upscale bites, stylish people and swoon worthy atmosphere make Fountainhead a phenomenal date spot in the Ravenswood/Northcenter neighborhood. First off, the drink list is nothing short than right up my alley: Heavy on the craft beers and my greatest love, whiskey. Admittedly I'm a bit of a beer neophyte. I love it. I drink it. But I certainly don't pretend to know a lot about it, so I appreciated the descriptions of the 27 draft beers on the menu. And possibly the best part? They give you the ABV percentage so you know just how tanked you're going to get on that fruity yet lethal Dogfish Head Black & Blue boasting a whopping 10& ABV. While they were out of my requested Cantillon Kriek brewed with black cherries, they did have a substitute that was made with white grapes so I gave it a go. Eh. Not my favorite (SUPER sour) but definitely not the bar's fault. Also important to note is that the beers are all served in different sized glasses. Mine was woefully small (insert sad face) so you certainly run the risk of getting a wee little beverage while your friends get a huge stein. May be best to ask about the glass size if you're worried about how much beer is getting poured into your glass. Whiskey lovers rejoice... Fountainhead totally has you covered. I was ready to try something different than my standard issue Jack and Jameson and our server gladly recommended an Irish whiskey called Finians. On first sip it was a nice, smooth whiskey taste but it had almost a minty aftertaste that was heavenly. No problem slugging down a few of those bad boys, thankyouverymuch! Where Fountainhead needs a bit of work is the menu. Rumor has it the brain trust at Fountainhead is still working on nailing down exactly how they want the menu to look, so it's not finalized yet. Let me make a suggestion: Your appetizers, greens and sandwiches are great. We oohed and ahhed over our spicy Shrimp Diablo, the plentiful, garlicky mussels, seared duck on crispy wontons and the divine Crispy salad chock-full of walnuts, apple and goat cheese served over mixed greens and a light cranberry apple vinaigrette. The shared plates all seemed interesting, but we went with the Moo to get our hands on smoked mac & cheese, india pale ale tavern cheese, gorgonzola & bacon monkey bread and it was nothing short of delicious. That monkey bread, man... its drool inducing. Seriously. Just order some, you'll thank me later. The missing element, though, is the entrée selection. Right now there are just three choices: Mac and cheese, duck and hangar steak. Where's a fish selection (you ARE a gastropub), chicken or even a pasta? Some variety would be nice. The only other slight point of contention was the service. Not from our waitress, because she was great, but from the busboys who seemed VERY eager to clear our dishes that weren't even empty. Yes, buddy, I'm still munching on the baguette with the Shrimp Diablo. Please don't pull it out from under me! I like to linger a bit and enjoy my food on a Saturday night, not have my plate whipped away when I'm not even done eating. Seems like a bit of a training issue that could easily be amended. And the damage for all our beer, whiskey and food indulgence? Just over $100 (not including tip) for 4 diners who had multiple drinks and shared all the food you read about above plus a sandwich. NOT BAD. Gastropubs are getting a good name with Fountainhead. I hope they nail down their menu and adjust their service issues to position themselves as a real force to be reckoned with in the beer game!

    (4)

  • Robyn T.

    I liked this place a lot, and what's not to like? There is a BOOK (I kid you not) of beers. Seriously, you could just spend your time sitting at the bar sifting through the large selection of brews and be entertained by the locations, styles and names of all the beers. On top of that there is an actual hostess to welcome you and help find you a seat. Love that! The food is pretty darn tasty to boot. I was a fan of the bacon nuts (perfect for sharing and there is just a hint of smokiness making these little buggers pretty addictive) and the monkey bread (ooey gooey goodness I wish I'd thought to get one all to myself). I opted for the macaroni and cheese which was so rich after a few bites I decided I had to take it home. The portion could have feed 4 people. Though it was good it was not the best macaroni and cheese I've ever had (that honor goes to The Southern). As other Yelpers have said, the service is not the best. My group had to practically tackle our server to place additional beer orders and she didn't seem to care. If you're looking for a leisurely night of drinking and eating, and you'd like to be in view of a cozy fireplace, this is your kind of gastropub.

    (4)

  • Christie A.

    Just went here this afternoon with my husband for a Saturday afternoon Beer and Nibbles and I must say it was fantastic! Our bartender was knowledgeable and friendly and the beer and food were delicious. Although it's in a a neighborhood I wouldn't usually end up in, it's super easy access to the Brownline Montrose stop. Highly recommend! this is what we had: FOOD-- Mussels in a garlic white wine & beer broth, and frites (fries: plus it came with two delicious sauces.. oh yum!!!) BEER: ***Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout ***Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale ***New Belgium Lips of Faith Dunkel Weiss go there!!!

    (4)

  • Mike B.

    I met some friends here for drinks & appetizers a few weeks back, and I wasn't especially impressed. The beer selection was solid (but a bit pricey), as was their selection of whiskey/whisky. The bartender was friendly, attentive, knew his beer, and gave me a sample of one of the beers. We got a table, and the waiter was a bit odd in his methods. He seemed to just sort of linger over your table waiting for you to go to him. The appetizers were underwhelming. The Bacon & Gorgonzola monkey bread wasn't nearly as delicious as it sounded, the frites were disappointing, and the bacon nuts seemed to be a whole lot of nuts and not much bacon. Someone there had a burger, and the verdict was that it was decent but not spectacular. The sausage plate had some nice items. With so many great tavern & burger places around, the Fountainhead won't be high on my list of places to return to.

    (2)

  • Mike B.

    I love having beer in my food... Might be my new favorite stop to go to in Chi. I've gone out of my way to come here for a good brew and fantastic food. I had their Lil Sumpin muscles and have only been let down to everyone else's, they were awesome and I don't toss out the word awesome very often...I'll do it again.. This place is awesome! the bartender / beer buyer does a great job with putting in such a great line up of American craft brews and shares the knowledge of the beer he's serving. Great staff all around actually. Well done mr. fountainhead I'll be seeing you again shortly. oh and thanks for saving me some 120min.. that stuff was intense.. so was the 75min ..never knew it existed

    (5)

  • Hollywood G.

    Checked out Fountainhead this week - I had heard really good things. Was impressed by the enormity of the drinks menu, and our server's knowledge of the drinks. So much on the menu looked great. We tried: monkey bread w bacon brittle (oddly served with chips), summer salad of watermelon/feta/cucumber/ radish (was swimming in dressing), scallops on bacon risotto (a lil bland) & bread pudding (hard like a toasty crouton). Nothing was terrible, it was all just a little off / someone missed the mark. We didn't send anything back or verbalize our dissatisfaction, we probably should have. All the mediocrity aside, I would definitely give them another chance as they are close to my neighborhood.

    (2)

  • Zach T.

    Again, Yelp nails it with 3.5 stars... I wish I could give another half star. The Beer list is great, the 2 beers I had were great. Atmosphere was good. A Nice dark bar. Service was a bit too-cool-for-school at the bar. I ordered a burger. Medium with cheddar. My Benchmark. When it came out looking like cheesy charcoal, I immediately requested mayo. That and the cheese saved it as it was WAY overcooked. It was tasty otherwise. I would have told the bartender if he'd asked... I'll definitely be back for drinks. I want to try those bacon nuts. Yeah, I said it.

    (3)

  • Jon P.

    Met up here for a date last week. I'm never up in the Ravenswood area, so she chose the place. Fountainhead has that typical higher-end pub/restaurant feel. After being seated at a booth, I looked at the drink menu while I waited. Great beer selection. There was a lot on tap and a great bottle selection. The first beer I ordered was from their special holiday selection and was surprisingly strong, which was probably a bad idea. I think I got a little more drunk than I should have for a first date. Whoops... When she arrived, we ordered some food--a shrimp appetizer and the mac an cheese with duck. The shrimp came fast and was a bit different than I was expecting. Four relatively large shrimp came floating in a spicy broth in a large bowl. It was good, but my date choked on the spiciness, so get ready for spicy if you order it! In the middle of eating the appetizer, the waitress came back to let me know that they were out of duck, so I had to settle for just normal mac and cheese. Kinda disappointing... I went to order a second beer only to be told that they didn't have it. The waitress then went through the beer selection and pointed out which ones they didn't have. Not sure if this is normal here, but it would have been nice if someone would have at least told us at the start of dinner. The mac and cheese eventually came out and it was very good... for mac and cheese. It was cheap at least though, so I didn't feel ripped off. I grabbed a third beer, talked a bit more and left. Overall, I would go back... it I was ever up here more often. Unfortunately, I'm not, so I can't imagine I'll ever end up here again. Too bad. Oh, and since I'm on an ellipses kick in this review and need to end every paragraph in one, here you go...

    (4)

  • Katie H.

    I was super excited when this bar&grill opened in my neighborhood, because we need more places within walking distance that aren't Thai (seriously Damen Ave. - can you possibly have more Thai places?!), not that I don't love Thai. Anyway. Fountainhead has great ambience, especially in the fall/winter (blazing fireplace, huge dark-wood booths and cozy tables). The beer list is excellent and extensive, and the bartenders will give you plenty of tastings until you find your perfect match. And the first time I went for dinner, the food (gorgonzola-topped burger and a salad) was delicious and cooked to perfection. But, the past 2 times, my "medium" burger was definitely well-done, and I'm SO not a fan of the charred meat sandwich. I'll keep giving Fountainhead food a chance because I like hanging out here for a beer. But I have to say, the hostess at the door could be nicer. Yes, I know it's got to be chilly standing there exposed to the snowy Chicago winter, but come on, you're in Ravenswood... slap a smile on that face!

    (3)

  • Jillian D.

    Sexy! (yes, i used initial caps!) i finally made it in to scope this place out this past weekend and already i cannot wait to return. it was late on a lazy saturday, and with a chill in the air that felt decidedly more like the coming of fall then the passing of spring, my friends and i decided a little gastro warm-up was in order. i'm a bit of a nerd for logos and such, and this place has a winner of a logo! and then the aesthetics absolutely love the gas lamps on either side of the door. and the warm woods throughout the interior are gorgeous. we sat on the other side of the bar - yeah, there's a whole other room back there! it's intimate and cozy and provides a unique view of the bar area. the menu offers happy refuge for whiskey and wine lovers alike (and the beer list is not too shabby). but two pages devoted to the brown? sweet!! then there's the food...this is not your average pub grub. my boyfriend sampled the pork belly sandwich. holy yum. next time we return, we've got our sites on the duck confit macaroni and cheese. (it's not for the faint of heart...or dieters...that much is certain). i hear they plan on opening the roof deck if summer ever gets here! a roof deck bar...in north center!!! i cannot wait!!!

    (4)

  • Megan K.

    I have been here both with a friend and then on a first date. Both times pretty good experiences. The drink menu is killer. I am a bourbon lover so having new ones to try is exciting to me. I also tried some of the scotches and enjoyed them. The beer menu is pretty decent and growing I hear. Though it's no Hopleaf, I would definitely order a beer here (as my date ordered a few). As far as the food, it is pretty good. My major complaint is that there is not nearly enough vegetarian options. The mac-n-cheese is good enough to bring me back, but were there more options I would be coming here more often. The frites were not as good as I hoped...maybe I will try them again (*revised, I just tried them yesterday and they were great.) I cannot wait to try the rooftop patio, which I will be doing for my 30th birthday! Thanks, Fountainhead, for having another great place to come to near my neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Colleen A.

    My beau and I went to this place tonight, we were very excited to be able to walk to a great neighborhood restaurant. The location is about all I can say about this place that was positive. Our server was really inattentive and borderline rude. When we didn't order alcohol he seemed to take offense and gave a sarcastic "thanks so much" when we ordered water and soda. He seemed irritated that he had explained the pages of alcohol choices with no results (although we certainly didn't ask him to). Sorry- sometimes you just want a coke! It was downhill from there. The food: I got a burger (it's an incredibly small menu), all of the "extras" are a dollar. It came with fries that were straight from a frozen bag and were cold by the time they got to me. The burger was dryyyyy, and they forgot to bring condiments. Seeing as how our server never really checked in on us, I had to wait quite a few minutes to get any mustard. When he did bring it, he kind of slid it onto the table as he walking by--it was really obvious he didn't want to ask how we were doing. My b/f got the mac and cheese. It was a little soupy and lacked any real flavor (could've done it home with better cheese). The place is nice, but it still smells like wood stain, I think they rushed the opening and you can get a constant whiff of wood finisher which is really not appetizing. They don't have any windows that open, which is too bad on a nice summer night. Overall, we're going to stick with The Bad Apple or any other place in Lincoln Square/ North Center. This place will probably make it, especially when the roof deck opens, but I don't think we'll ever go back.

    (1)

  • Jennifer W.

    Went to Fountainhead for dinner tonight with a couple of friends. We walked inside and were warmly greeted, then seated at a table directly in front of a fireplace (which wasn't on, thankfully, because it's not that cold yet). Anyway, the decor does seem to be a little sparse but I liked it anyway--another Yelper described it as sort of like an English pub, and I can see that. The Fountainhead drink menu is pretty extensive, and describes the various categories of beers, wines, etc. available. I chose the Original Sin Pear Cider, while one friend had a glass of the malbec wine. We settled on the shrimp diablo appetizer, which came with four jumbo shrimp and some little crostinis in a garlicky, spicy sauce that was delicious. We didn't even order our entrees until after we had eaten the appetizer. I must say that the Fountainhead menu contains many tempting choices, and it was really hard to decide. I finally chose the smokey mac & cheese with pulled duck confit and sun-dried tomatoes, while my friends chose the hanger steak with black bean and corn saute & chimichurri and one of the specials, a poblano pepper stuffed with BBQ pork and mashed potatoes. The food was great! I loved the mac & cheese and the pieces of duck complemented the flavors in the sauce perfectly. The steak, which my friend ordered medium rare, was nice and flavorful, and the stuffed pepper was pretty darn good too (though the pork could have used a little more sauce, in my opinion). One nice thing: the servings seemed large for the prices, and I had a lot of mac & cheese left over. The desserts sounded pretty good, but by then, we were just too full to even think of eating another bite. I would recommend the Fountainhead to anyone looking for a good, hearty dinner in the Logan Square area. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that they don't allow kids after 8:00 p.m., according to a sign posted at the hostess station. (I don't have kids, so I don't know if this is a big deal--just thought I'd mention it.)

    (4)

  • John W.

    On the beer selection alone I would give them 5 stars but that isn't all there is to it you know. For one, this is not the place you hang out if you are trying to lose weight with all the high alcohol beers, fatty foods and the fries with the garlic mayo. I am glad I rode my bike instead of drove because at least I could get back some of those calories. The other thing this place doesn't have going for it is that it's very nice inside but not the type of place you really want to be in during a nice sunny Summer day. It will be great in the winter but I did hear they may put in a roof top deck which could really help with the Summer thing. I had a burger, should have had the mac and cheese I think. It was a little dry but not terrible. The fries are really good and the garlic alio dip was awesome. There wasn't a lot of variety on the menu and If i remember correctly there were just a lot of things like Duck and what not which again, not something you really want to eat in the middle of the Summer....But not even as big of a variety as The Hop Leaf. It's a great spot though and I think the neighborhood needed a place like this and I think once they work out the menu a little more and the weather catches up to them this will become a neighborhood favorite for a lot of people.

    (3)

  • Tom T.

    Sure, plenty of places have huge beer selections in the city...but how many of them have the equivalent of a beer sommelier to recommend new things you'll love? Words cannot begin to describe the mouthboner I got when touring the beers here. On the 7th day god didn't rest he brewed beer dammit and the creators of Fountainhead are descendants of angels. Thank you, angels of brewing! I have to deny the coveted 5th star because the food is hit or miss and even the hit doesn't really stick with you. I'd say they should just take that pork chop right off the menu. Who am I kidding; skip the food and just drink your dinner!

    (4)

  • matty z.

    Me likey. My fellow and I went here for a delightful Friday evening and absolutely loved it. The selection of beer is astoundingly wonderful, and the cask options seemed fantastic-- though when we visited, the cask beer was unfortunately out. :-( Regardless, the beers we selected were excellent. The same goes for the mussels served over pommes frites-- absolutely delicious. I need to return for dinner, but from what I've so far tasted, I'm very impressed.

    (5)

  • Sid V.

    Great beer list, decent service, good food. Dark wood decor is suitable for its mission, if perhaps a little too dark. The menu is somewhat eclectic and limited, but other than the duck everything has been quite good. The duck disappointed with its turkey like flavor and flaccid skin-should have been crispy. Really hoping they get the overdue roof deck open soon, someone needs to give these people a crash course in whose palms need greasing or something. Overall, I appreciate how seriously they take their food and booze and am very happy to have this place in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Scott B.

    I finally made it to Fountainhead on a late Saturday afternoon. When I entered, I was surprised at how nice this place was. The proprietor(s) definitely sunk some bucks into this place, and this part of Ravenswood desperately needs a nice bar like Fountainhead. It was smaller than I thought, and it was pretty full even at 3:00 on a Saturday. Wifey & I sat at the bar, and geez, what a phenomenal beer selection! There is probably 5-6 pages of craft beers on their menu. The Fountainhead folks take a lot of pride in their beer. The Bartenders. Superb! Excellent, knowledgeable Bartenders that took the time to explain, in detail, any questions one might have concerning their amazing beer selection. If you're unsure, they'll gladly give you a free taste. If you don't want beer, how about whiskey? Yep, they have a damn good selection of this stuff too. Single malt. Oh yeah, they have a fine selection of this as well. The food menu, surprisingly, was kinda' limited. Wifey & I shared the 'Swine Swoon", which is a shoulder pork sandwich on sourdough bread. It was good (not great), and had decent flavor without being drowned in sauce. The fries however were cold, and tasted like Burger King. I'd definitely try something else next time I go. Excellent service, mind boggling beer selection, and decent pricing will bring me back to Fountainhead.

    (4)

  • josie w.

    Wow! This place was busy early on a Friday Night- but it was cool standing by the bar and the hostess did get us a table after 45 minutes or so...awesome beer selection yes...but actually wish they had MGD! Famous last words: "I probably should have eaten something before I started drinking..."

    (5)

  • Eric H.

    I've been to Fountainhead a few times since it opened, but when I went there for a third time a few months ago, I had an awful experience with the service of the establishment after waiting over an hour and a half for seating after being told 30 mins. When I brought the issue to the manager on duty at the time his comment to me was "Did you see a an empty seat when you walked in that could hold you?" What was that all about? I can believe a manager said that. Needless to say I walked out right then and there and I have never been back. I have worked in the restaurant industry before and it has always been my view that it is up to the establishment to set the patron's exceptions whether they can accommodate their needs or not. It's not my duty as a customer to determine the seating arrangements for 6 people. I for one will never go back. Based on prior experience: Beer selection - 4 stars Food - 2 1/2 Stars Customer service - -3 stars

    (1)

  • Cynthia C.

    Perhaps I went on an off night (Mondays are usually when the exec chef takes a break, no?) but this place was overrated and not tasty. I ordered the Jerk Coffee and my friend got The Burger. Neither one of us liked our burnt, well-done (not medium as requested) sandwiches. For the price they charge, I expect my burger to be done properly. The only redeeming factor for this place is the expansive drink menu - for anyone who likes exploring different tastes, this might be a good place to go. But not for the food.

    (2)

  • Coco D.

    Boo hiss to Fountainhead - I wish I'd read the other reviews before going. I was excited to try this place since its down the street from my job and we have pretty slim pickings up here for good bars. I was terribly dissapointed. Two of us from a party of 7 arrived at 5:45 pm to get a table - there were 3 tables occupied. We had to wait more than 10 minutes while they decided where to seat us, they wouldn't push two tables together in the main dining area. So we were sequestered to the back room where they were hanging theings on the wall with power tools and told our server wasn't on yet. The decor is what I can only compare to a strip mall pub, trying to be something it clearly isn't. The food was ok but lackluster - not something I'd go here for specifically. Enormous beer list that I didn't know anything on because a.) I just don't care that much about beer and 2.) I'm not a beer guru, snob, whatever and I just wanted something cold, light and delicious. I asked what they had in a bottle and was told to look in the coolers behind the bar - impossible! I'm 5'4" and couldn't see over the bar or around the guys sitting at the bar. What? The server made a recommendation for me - I got it and it was ok but not what I wanted. I don't need the attitude - I wasn't being ugly. This isn't a place to waste your time, if you like the owners - go to Bar on Buena, the food and service are supremely better. I can only imagine what an unholy SH--Storm this place will be once the roof bar opens. No thanks.

    (1)

  • Allie K.

    Food was alright...I have been been several times and it has begun to decline. Also the service is AWFUL!!!! It took a group of four of us 2.5 hours to have brunch! Ridiculous! Server was so slow with everything from taking 20 minutes for drink orders to waiting for our entrees for over 40. I will not be going again!

    (2)

  • Brit M.

    I came here on a Saturday afternoon. It wasn't packed and my boyfriend and I were in the mood for a fight. This sucks, because this place could of been enjoyable if he and I didn't want to kill each other. They have a great whiskey list - which made him happy. They have a great beer list - which made me happy. The fight began over me wanting to order a beer with high alcohol content. I did it any ways and it was DELICIOUS! Food wise, it was decent. I ordered the black bean patty (I am not a veggie head - it just looked good on the menu) and he ordered the risotto. My side was the red slaw, and honestly, it had the taste of body odor. It was as if someone was collecting arm pit juices and marinated the cabbage in it. At this point, I was stabbing at it and although my boy and I were shooting hate waves to each other, he flagged the server down and she substituted with sweet potato chips. YUM! My sandwich was pretty good and actually inspired me to look for a similar recipe. The risotto was... risotto? I don't ever order risotto, and I don't see why people are crazy picky about it. The environment was airy, and I would like to come back when we don't want to kill each other. I also noticed Northside hipsters are much more at ease and better to people watch. The service was outstanding by the way - not once did our server cringe or seem bothered by our hostility.

    (4)

  • Anon D.

    I was here about a week ago. I would give it four stars, since for bar food, it's pretty good, though certainly nothing to write home about. They have little twists on typical bar food that work pretty well, but places like that are a dime a dozen these days. Anyways, the reason I'm reviewing the place in the first place, and the reason I took off two stars is that the service is absolutely terrible. The server I had was beyond indifferent. We had to tell her our order twice, and she seemed annoyed at us for her own forgetfulness. And the hostess was extremely rude when we walked in. If you live close by, I imagine it's a great place to have a few drinks and a burger, but it's not worth a trip.

    (2)

  • Rachel E.

    Um.... the fries are good...? Sorry. I really wanted to like Fountain head. But it's not great. To be fair, we did go at an off time (Tuesday around 6:30). Maybe they're more on their game during peak hours? Expect subpar, slow service and slightly below average food, taste- and temperature-wise. Except the fries. The fries are good.

    (2)

  • Casey M.

    Finally made it out to Fountainhead after a couple weeks of anticipation. I really wanted to try this place and on one snowy evening I braved the weather and made it out. And I was in for a great surprise. Fountainhead has a great beer list, it is a leather-bound book, and an extensive whiskey list too. I had the Weihenstephaner Vitus, a nice German wheat-bock beer and my dinner partner had the Triple Karmeliet. To start our night we tried the Cheese Plate, three delicious cheeses, dried fruit, pistachios, but a little skimpy on the bread, and the Bacon Nuts, the nuts themselves we good, but the sugary clumpy bacon brittle I could have passed on. For our main course I had the savory Swine Swoon, a delicious and tender slow roasted pork sandwich, and the Red Slaw on the side. My partner had the Mac & Cheese, which was giant bowl of macaroni tossed in a decedent beer infused cheese sauce. We both loved our meal and afterward we continued to peruse the beer list to see what others we could try. So many choices, I want to try them all. The overall experience at Fountainhead was very enjoyable one at that and I will be back to explore the menu and all those great beers. I am glad to have a gastopub so close to my place.

    (4)

  • Nicolas H.

    The draft beer list is awesome and unique. Probably the first reason to frequent this place. However, the food was good as well. To start the mussels were pretty good, great broth. We also had the monkey bread which when dipped in the mussel broth was a lot better than without. The bread was just a little too dense for my taste. The bacon nuts were different and actually did enjoy the bacon brittle, just could've used a little more. For my meal I had the Swine Swoon which pretty much accurately described how I felt during and after. I'm a sucker for pork and the combo of the tender pork shoulder with the aged cheddar was perfect. Looking forward to coming back to trying some more menu items and tasty drinks (they make a great manhattan as well)...

    (4)

  • Matt M.

    Being in Fountainhead reminded me a lot of being in an English pub in London only with a lot better food. (Aside: All the jokes you've heard about horrible English food are true. How can any culture that managed to rule most of the world not conquer blandness?) My first trip to any pub includes a beer and either a hamburger or fish and chips. Fountainhead didn't disappoint in either category. They had a total of 26 draft beers to choose from. More on the beer later. For now, let's focus on their burger which ranked slightly better than the overrated Jury burger but a small cry from a Bad Apple burger. (If you're reading this and you've never been to Bad Apple, stop reading right now and go - my prose may be fantastic, but the Bad Apple burgers are better). In other words, Fountainhead serves a very delicious burger. My only complaint on the food was the fries and the ketchup. The fries were good but seemed a little too McDonaldy to me. I prefer thick cut fries in my pubs. And then there's the ketchup issue. One thing that always irritates me is when a restaurant is so arrogant about their food that they believe it can't possibly be improved upon by the introduction of condiments. A half pound burger and fries served with a tablespoon of ketchup? Fries with no option for additional salt? Are they serious? Do they not know that my blood pressure is dangerously low and that extra salt on the table is a matter of life and death to me? Before I continue, let me make one thing very clear: I thought the service was fantastic! The waitress was super friendly, prompt, polite, and knowledgeable. Not haughty or condescending in any way - even when I asked for more ketchup. She was great. I just get annoyed by a condiment deficient table setting. Now on to the beer. I was taking a short break from work so I only had one beer. I opted for the hand pumped, cask conditioned, 8% alcohol Dragon's Breath. Trust me when I say this was not an easy choice. Their selection of draft beers is truly impressive. In addition, Scotch drinkers should rejoice. There must be at least 75 Scotch whiskey on the menu. In other words, for those of us that enjoy our libations, this place is a real treat. Their was one thing that really annoyed me. They cheated me out of $3. "How," you may be asking, "could anyone cheat someone as sophisticated and wily as yourself out of $3?" By changing the price of my beer while I was eating! Yes, that's right, when I looked at the menu the price of the Dragon's Breath was $5. When my check came, it was $8. "Perhaps," thought I, "I misread the menu." So I got up, grabbed a copy of the menu, and the price had literally been changed, while I ate, from $5 to $8 by someone yielding a black pen and low moral principles. I mentioned this to the server and she very politely apologized and told me that, being a brand new restaurant, they have some wrinkles to iron out and I was caught beneath the mercilessness of the hot, steal iron. All-in-all, I really enjoyed my experience at Fountainhead and I'd recommend that people go. So why only 3 stars? Because there are some rough edges, store bought fries, and, most important to a cheap skate like me, it was way too expensive. My burger and one beer cost me $19 ($22.50 with tip). In my opinion, despite the deliciousness of the food, the great selection of beer, and the wonderful service, that is a little outrageous.

    (3)

  • Steven B.

    Honestly? This places needs to be bought out by someone that actually cares about running a restaurant. End of story. The first time we went here (opening week) it was FANTASTIC. Beer selection: huge. Food: delicious. Service: quality. We, living in the neighborhood, were excited to have a new place and brought a few friends a couple weeks later, having bragged about how awesome it was. That's when the fun began. Some of the items (the Swine Soon specifically) they'd already tinkered with, downgrading the crazy tasty "aged cheddar" to something boring and normal. When we asked the server (same one we had during our fantastic first visit) instead of taking matters into her own hands, she grabbed a manager, which probably wasn't a good idea. In a word, the guy was HOSTILE. Not good. The friends we went with will never go back... why would they? I've since been back one more time and honestly... it's just getting worse. Beer selection is getting more dodgy, service was horrible (40 min after we sat did the server even take our order), and the burger was way over-cooked. So much potential... if only the place was better managed by folks that cared about their customers. When the flow of new "first timers" ends (why would they go back?) and the place eventually closes, please... someone who knows how to run a dining room and kitchen, please step in and take over.

    (2)

  • Steve D.

    I'm a fan of this place. A ridiculously long and diverse beer menu that's a treat to pore over before ordering. Moreover it's constantly changing and they always have at least one offering on cask, which I absolutely love. I've been there more than once when the bartender or waiter has offered a tasting of a certain brew (without me asking) so I can contrast it with what I'm drinking. Food has been excellent for me - Over the last few months I've had the cheese plate, mussels, burgers, onion soup, and 'swine swoon' and they've all been pretty tasty, especially the muscles. The prices I think are fair for what you get, though I haven't splurged on the entrees, which are significantly more expensive than the sandwiches. This is more a 4.5 star place for me. I can't give it a full five just yet (sometimes service can be a touch slow or spotty) but this is a very welcome addition to the neighborhood and I'm eager to see how this place develops.

    (4)

  • Reema S.

    Went here on a Sunday afternoon for brunch. The food was great and our server was very friendly. I've been wanting to try this place out for dinner/drinks but I haven't gotten a chance to yet but after my brunch experience, I would go back for dinner. The beer list looks great and extensive.

    (4)

  • joi p.

    Great beer, knowledgeable staff, amazing, albeit diet defeating, food. DUH, winning!

    (5)

  • Ania T.

    My sister brought me here and I'm a fan for life! The bartender Mike was awesome, wasn't bothered by my request for a lemon for my water or the fact I have never had a beer other than some bottled coronas or blue moon haha He let me sample a couple beers and we found me a true match : ) I'm definitely coming back!

    (5)

  • Ali H.

    I have such mixed feelings about the fountainhead! It's right near my house and we were all very excited when it opened. My first few trips over the summer proved very enjoyable. I spent most of the summer eagerly awaiting the completion of their roof deck and cocktail menu (still being promised on the front page of their menu). Happy times spent here included delicious cocktails (not on the menu but there was a limited number of signature drinks that they would recommend/offer if you asked), tasty whiskey, yummy frites with creative aiolis, and a generally nice ambiance although I could do without the TVs. I went back a few nights ago after a month or two hiatus for no specific cause. Things had taken a turn for the worse! When we got there, our friend had been waiting for 15 min at a table. No one had stopped to ask him if he wanted a drink, and he'd had to ask the bartender for a glass of water. When we got there, I asked the waiter for the cocktail that I had had so often over the summer. He was definitely tripping on something, but that is not an excuse for his overall rudeness and our feeling of being in trouble every time he came to look at the table. Anyway, this was the gist of our conversation: me: I had a cocktail here this summer that had this and this and this in it...do you know what it's called? him: we don't have cocktails. me: oh, well I had it on several occasions, are you sure... him: was it a manhattan? me: no, it was a signature cocktail. him: we don't have signature cocktails. We don't make cocktails. me: umm...ok...I'll need a minute to look at the menu At which point he left and I went to the bar and found out from the bartender that I'm not actually crazy and that this cocktail did exist but they just aren't making it anymore. In fact, they are phasing out their cocktail menu entirely. This is sad. But, I had a glass of whiskey anyway and it was delicious. My friend ordered sweet potato chips and they were cold and had some controversial seasonings on them; he sent them back and got the trusty frites. Anyway, I felt like the server was mad at me after seeing me at the bar talking to the bartender and we all had a general sense of being in trouble every time he came over. I'm sure he never smiled the entire night. Sigh. I probably won't be back here for a while.

    (3)

  • Edgar D.

    Dropped by here yesterday for my big bro's birthday and had a good time and would definitely come back. The wait staff was a little too relaxed with the patrons but that's okay. Tried the burger and have to admit that it was pretty good. I especially like that they included a side of mustard on the dish (my favorite condiment.) As everyone else has mentioned the beer selection is pretty extensive. Like that they pretty much describe everything you need to know about each drink. Really handy for folks who want to try different beers but don't want their wallet's to do the process of elimination of finding one to settle on.

    (4)

  • Robin H.

    I think for a nice beer and whiskey selection this is the place. Only complaint about the drinkies was that the beer engine ran out and produced maybe a 2 ounce glass of beer and we were charged full price because the guy asked if my hubs wanted it! Really, full beer price for a shot glass worth of beer. Bleech. We probably shouldn't have tried to go here for dinner. Not a great selection, even for a pub that serves a little food. My husband really likes his burger and fries, but I found myself with very little options to eat. Also, this place is not for large groups. We went with a group of 7 and it was about 2 hours before we got seated. Think this might be a quick drink, date night stop.

    (2)

  • natalie v.

    I gave Fountainhead a 3-star review the first time I went because they were a little disorganized. However, it was within a few weeks of opening its doors to the public. I figured they just needed to work out some of their kinks. I was right. This time I went and again had the bacon and egg appetizer. Still amazing. The burger was cooked perfectly this time. And my friend that went with me had the Swine Swoon. Ohhhh. Emmmm. Geeeee! The Swine Swoon. It is rich with its pork shoulder and cheddar cheese on sourdough. I dare you to try to finish it. I love the burger but will be ordering the Swine Swoon next time I go. This time I tried different sides. The fries were good last time, so I decided to give the cole slaw and sweet potato chips a try. I'm not even sure I can rank them because they were all good. It just depends on what you have a preference for that day. The cole slaw is Carolina-style which, I learned, is red cabbage and made with vinegar, not mayo. It had just the right amount of tanginess. The sweet potato chips were light and crispy and just a little sweet (duh, they're sweet potatoes!). I'm very excited to return many, many more times to Fountainhead. My next review of them will hopefully be when their rooftop patio opens. I can't wait!

    (4)

  • Lauren M.

    My husband and I took a break from the Ravenswood Art Walk on Saturday to have lunch here - what a great spot! The prices are reasonable too - I had a glass of delicious cava for $5!! My husband had an Oktoberfest beer, which he really enjoyed ($6). We ordered the bacon and Brie sandwich on brioche to share. There were slices of apple in the sandwich too. On the side were home made sweet potato chips with just the right amount of cinnamon - delicious!!! We also shared the bean salad, which was very summery, light and tasty - a perfect compliment to our indulgent sandwich. I'd definitely go back to this place and would like to enjoy the roof top bar in summer. Its a nice space with traditional finishes and very friendly staff.

    (4)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :4:00 pm - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Music : Background
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : No
    Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Has TV : Yes

Fountainhead

Share with your social network

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

© 2024 Restaurant Listings. All rights reserved.