Let me preface this review by saying that on another occasion, I had a most delightful experience at The Parrot Cage...such was NOT the case yesterday, and unfortunately it was Mother's Day! The Brunch Buffet was HORRIBLE ...and that's putting it mildly! Had it not been for the wonderful atmosphere and the company we were with, it would have been a COMPLETE disaster. From no plates, to cold food, to NO food, to JAMES BROWN serenading us after the Jazz Quartet packed up BEFORE the last guest departed, the EXPERIENCE was definitely memorable, but in the WRONG way. Perhaps the students need to stick to fine dining, because they flunked at buffet. As I mentioned before, my previous experience at The Parrot Cage was wonderful, but that was fine dining and not buffet. Perhaps they should stick to fine dining until the buffet is better tuned for the public!
(1)
Dennis B.
As a washburne alumni I always wanted to try this place out. They were talking about opening this restaurant right before I graduated, so I missed out. O well, I'm not in foodservice anymore anyway. The restaurant is very small but I really liked the decor. The students were very professional and the food was very good as well.
(3)
Jasmine G.
The Parrot Cage is a hidden gem in the South Shore community inside of the historic South Shore Cultural Center. This restaurant is ran by the Washburn Culinary School (Kennedy King College). The students provide a 5 star dining experience on a dime. The ambiance is breathtaking and is the perfect place for alfresco dining with the view of Lake Michigan in the background. This is a perfect date spot and best of all, they offer BYOB for a small corking fee. Please note that seating is by reservations only.
(4)
Jai B.
Nostalgic. Dinner their with friends and family and forgotten how cool a venue and view SSCC had. The staff was friendly but needed some prompting. Food was surprisingly well prepared and tasty (a bit heavy handed in the salt) but overall a good start to a great evening. The venue is in need of a good scrub (bathrooms not well maintained) and building needed a power wash. South Shore Cultural Center is a Southside jewel. I hope to go more often.
(4)
Jeff W.
We have dined at The Parrot Cage a number of times in the past and have even used it as an interesting venue for entertaining clients and colleages. However, our experience this past Saturday evening was such a profound disappointment on so many levels that we shall never return. The menu has been dumbed down to cafeteria-grade entrees bearing no resemblance to the menu posted online; the atmosphere has also been degraded to that of a cafeteria with bright lighting and excessively loud music; and the service was completeky untrained. The Parrot Cage is but a shadow of its former self. It no longer represents a palletable culinary experience much less a good value. The proof is in the pudding--the dining room was nearly empty. There were only three other tables seated. That speaks volumes.
(1)
Gina C.
Pricey but one of the best breakfast buffets on the south side. Ample "free" parking is a plus and the eating area is quaint and airy. Wait staff was very friendly as well and they catered 2 special requests.
(4)
Maureen T.
I went to The Parrot Cage for the second time yesterday for Sunday brunch. They have changed their brunch offerings since I was there last. Much improved! The setting is just beautiful. If you haven't been to the historic South Shore Cultural Center I'd highly recommend going. The restaurant itself is decorated in a very charming way with, as you can imagine, lots of parrot related decorations. Our server was very attentive, refilling our glasses before they were even empty. They had made to order omlettes and waffles. They also had a a beautiful turkey breast cut to order. They also had the usual offerings of bacon, sausages, salads, fried chicken. It looked like that there is an outdoor dining area just outside for warm weather dining. I'll be back in summer! After brunch we sat in the lobby looking out the windows at the lakefront and took out our I Pad and Googled images of the South Shore Country Club and looked at dozens of old pictures of the space when it used to be a fancy members only country club. The Park District has done a very good job restoring it. We walked outside around the grounds after brunch. This place is truly amazing. Definitely worth the drive down Lake Shore Drive.
(5)
Jan E.
Wanted to love this to support the culinary institute students. Great parts: the food was delicious at the Sunday brunch. Lots of meat. Some of the best sliced turkey breast I've ever had. Not-so-great parts: the servers were not good. After being seated by the hostess, no one came to say "hi" or bring water until about 15 minutes later. Once she came over, she was nice but had little tableside manner. She took my son's plate mid-bite (with several bites left.) She poured my coffee into the wrong cup. She reached over us instead of serving at our right, etc. I wouldn't worry about this, but she's supposedly learning how to serve in a fine restaurant, as well as how to work in the kitchen. Actually, our server told us she'd graduated and had gotten a real job there. Maybe she was just having a bad day. I'm not a complaining customer, but there were so many issues (gnats b/c patio doors were open) that they gave us one brunch gratis. That was really nice. We will go back, because, again, we want the students to succeed. And the free brunch helped. But they need to refine the service a bit.
(3)
Tiffany D.
I loved, loved, loved this place! I love the fact that it is housed in the beautiful and historically rich South Shore Cultural Center for starters. As others have mentioned, this is truly a hidden gem on the South Side. I also loved that the place is run by the Washburne(sp?) students. I think it's an excellent concept and you get to witness first-hand these students developing their craft. As for the food, excellent. I went on a Wednesday with the prix fixe menu, which was a steal. I had the grilled caesar salad that was done just right and the lamb for my entree, which was so tender it almost fell off of the bone! My dining partners also enjoyed their meals. One of them had the pork chop that was so huge it was almost unreal. And, despite its size, she also said that it was done to perfection! It's a classy place and the dining room was packed with a diverse crowd, with multiple people who found the place pleasurable enough to celebrate their birthdays there that night. I will definitely be back to try their brunch buffet. I highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys a fine dining experience!
(4)
Sam M.
I got a red velvet cupcake from their booth at the taste of chicago. Dropped it right in front of them and they didn't even give me another. Sure it's at the Taste but the point of this yearly event is to promote your establishment. Thiscustomer service reflects poorly on the restaurant and of course I will never taste that cupcake so I really have no reason to remember this place. Really, how much would it cost for you to get a customer another mini-cupcake? FAIL.
(1)
Judy C.
Sunday was my first time at the Parrot Cage, although I had it on my list as a place to go. Four of us enjoyed the excellent selections, the lovely decor and the reasonable price for a Sunday buffet. I was called the night before and advised that they did not yet have their liquor license, but would serve wine if we brought it. I brought Proseco and the waitress was lovely to bring out the champagne glasses and pour our orange juice to mix our mimosas! We were able to tour the ballrooms. It is a beautiful location and the space is beautiful. The old South Shore Country Club which is now owned by the Chicago Park District. Seeing the building itself (at the end of the lake shore bike trail) is great fun, and the restaurant is just the icing on the cake. I am looking forward to an evening dinner.
(5)
Fredrick B.
Parrot Cage February 13, 2015 Valentine's Disappointment--Still a B+ for the Students WOW! What a difference a year makes. In my February 13, 2014 review I wrote: "Six of us went to dinner at the Parrot Cage for a GREAT night out. ... An adequate wine list that was reasonably priced. Culinary students run this place? Really? Bon Appetite!" What an ABOUT FACE for my experience on February 13, 2015. My experience last night warrants an overall grade B+ (down from the A+ I issued in 2011): Our Waiter Alex gets an A+++; the Hostess a D; the Manager a C+; and the Chef a B. Allow me to explain why the adults in the front of the house hurt the students' grade, and why our experience was somewhat disappointing. First and foremost, our 2014 experience lead to exceedingly high expectations for 2015. They recently remodeled and I was concerned they might not open in time for our dinner. Despite speaking to the hostess/manager/staff three times in the six weeks prior to this dining experience, including on the day of our dinner, not once did they bother to mention the major development of no longer having a valid liquor license--it's BYOB now. Literally 10 minutes before my 5 guest arrived I had to drive to 71st & Jeffery - in the hood - to purchase three bottles of the most average wine imaginable. I probably should not have been surprised when the hostess had an attitude with me because I politely expressed my displeasure with not having been told of this development. Her "bad behavior" was consistent with my previous experience there. In a review of Parrot Cage that I wrote on June 5, 2011, I stated: "A relatively rude manager/hostess, and a pedestrian wine list, did not overshadow the otherwise outstanding front-of-the house service from these culinary students, and an exceptional very diverse menu with exceedingly well-prepared food by the back of the house." With regard to the food, my comments are generally the same as in my 2011 and 2014 reviews, although I had to send my steak back. I ordered medium rare, they delivered well-done. The second version was medium-well, but as everyone else had eaten, I ate the center of the steak and we moved on to the decadent dessert course. Our waiter Alex, and the other servers were the BEST aspect of the evening, other than the exceptional company of my guests. The most disappointing aspect of the evening was how much the ambience of this establishment has changed since it was remodeled last month. By removing the carpet (now tiled floors), drapes (no window treatments at all), and wallpaper (it was due to be changed), and adding bright lighting, they not only eviscerated the quaint and almost romantic aspect of the room, but the place is now loud. That does not excuse the rude old man who conned his way into a free meal, from interrupting our dinner to tell us to "quiet down." Next year he won't have to worry about our group--we'll be at La Petite Folie where we started to go this year! Let me close by saying that if you chose to dine there, and I plan to, it's best for couples only. Large groups will resonate too loudly. By the way, did I mention that I'd give Alex an A+++
A beautiful nostalgic restaurant where the Washburne Culinary Institute students prepare the meals. The star of the experience is the restaurant and the location being right on Lake Michigan; while dining my mind wondered what really went on here during the country club years. The food was delicious, and the service was polite. I would recommend this place to anyone who is looking for something different or romantic and after the meal why not take a walk around the grounds if you visit on the weekend you will most likely see a wedding or a reception taking place. Like Corinne G. said this place really is a hidden gem!
(4)
Kay J.
We took the family to brunch here. What a great deal. With the 10% added grattuity, 8 drinks for 5 of us, the bill was only $110. Again, service is unsophisticated but food is excellent.
(5)
Suzanne E.
The food was excellent but the setting upstaged it. There were six of us and the staff obligingly set up a round table for us in the corner right next to the window, where we (well, those of us not facing west) could see out the floor-to-ceiling window into the park and toward the nearby lake). I hadn't been in the building in nearly 20 years and was thrilled to see that the weird green/gilt/oxblood color scheme from the 1980s had been replaced with something warm and cream/peachy. The prix fixe was a great deal, and they were gracious about sending us home with leftovers (there was a lot of food). The service was friendly but rather slow in parts: one of my hosts had to step out for 45 minutes to deliver one of the guests to a nocturnal janitorial gig, because the whole thing took about an hour longer than we had expected. So I wouldn't suggest it for a tightly scheduled pre-theater date, but if you just want to hang out and relax, it's great. (I suspect the martinis were rather strong, which may have contributed to our lack of ambition to get out of there any time soon.) Transportation note: The place is practically next door to the South Shore stop on the Metra Electric line, which originates in the Loop. It's kind of a long and lonely walk at night up the drive through the park from the street --a legacy of the country club mentality from when this place was built--but well lit, and pretty. BTW I assume the name is in honor of the green monk parakeets that are all over the south side. Kind of a dumb and insensitive name, considering that these characters' ancestors apparently escaped from some pet-store shipment, and now live happy, loud and free (squawk).
(4)
Sabrina M.
Hate to do it, but it must be done: Had dinner here tonight and the service and the food was awful. I think the concept of the restaurant and the fact that culinary students are working there is great. But they have a long way to go toward making the experience an enjoyable and professional one and taking constructive criticism in order to improve. Our service was lackluster and paint-dry slow. When the food finally came my salmon was overcooked and the bed of rice accompanying it was undercooked. The server tried to tell me that the texture was supposed to be that way because it was "sticky rice" but it wasn't. It was just bad, gritty, undercooked rice. My nephew's "well-done" steak was pretty much burnt to a crisp. The roasted tomato soup was a standout but that's about it. We tried telling our server the meal about little things -- forgotten beverages, slow service, etc. and it was met with "we're students and at the end of the night we're just trying to get an A." No real effort to try to make the service any better. Well, tonight, nobody there, from the rude hostess to the slow server to the indifferent manager should get an A.. I wish the restaurant and its students well but professionalism can't be sacrificed in the learning process. This is my second experience here and my second time being utterly underwhelmed. I'd love to say that this place is a diamond in the rough, but right now it's far more rough than diamond.
(2)
Orland C.
Food is great!, service is great! Ate here twice, once takeout and second time I dined in. LOVED IT!!!!! Hidden Gem
(5)
Nique F.
Amosphere:B+ Service:B+ Food:C+ The restaurant is located inside the South Shore Cultural Center. The entrance of SSCC has well manicured lawns and a curve driveway, however the parking lot is not paved, full of pot holes & gravel. There was another event taking place, when we arrived. We felt odd, like party crashers in search of the Parrot Cage, which is to the left of the entrance. The small restaurant has high ceiling with a parrot cage in the middle of the room. There are huge windows on one side, in view of the lakefront, which makes this a nice setting for a romantic dinner. I noticed a balcony facing the lakefront, not sure if this is open during the summer. Our waiter was pleasant. The menu was pleasingly simple. I ordered the Baked Catfish Fillet with stuffed crab, served with rice and spinach. While waiting on our order, we were served a choice of several types of bread. The sour dough bread was soft and delicious, but the pretzel shape bread with the sesame seeds was hard as cement. The fillet was a generous piece, undercooked in the middle and missing the stuff crab. I was so disappointed, since I'm a seafood lover. I'm guessing the sauce on top of the fish was crab sauce. The yellow rice was ok, nothing out the ordinary, aside from the kids meal serving. The texture of the cooked spinach was fine, but it tasted AWFUL......plain, blanched taste. It would have been better if a butter or cream sauce of some kind was served on top. The soup sampler (chicken, turtle and pea soup), served in 3 tea cup size portions. The chicken soup was delicious, plenty of vegtables and season just right. The pea soup was nothing short of evaporated milk mix together with whole peas.....NOT good at all. I didn't have the nerve to taste the turtle soup, my party said it was good! I will return and give them another test and perhaps try the desserts.
(3)
Happiness L.
What a special place. Gorgeous grounds and the dining room is so pretty. The wait staff is nice too. We were there for their Thursday night special...$30 for appetizer, entree, and dessert. The crab salad was perfect, the beef tournedos were good however the beef was tough, and the berry bread pudding was good but not amazing. Cocktails were good as well. The dining room was very warm, perhaps it is better to go there in the fall or winter?
(4)
Janice H.
Best kept secret in south shore. I love it and everything on the menu. The Sunday brunch is the best deal in town.
(5)
marvie f.
I finally made it there with my husband and 9 month old son and none of us were dissappointed. To start I had the shrimp and grits. I LOVED!!! them. My husband got a fried seafood sampler that was not too greasy and just perfectly crisp. He had the steak and I had a crad crusted tilapia I think it was. Both DEE licious. My husband loved the desert the best. He had a chocolate chip cookie pie with ice cream and now plans to get that for an appetizer when we go the next time, which will be tomorrow. Overall, the server we had could have been a little more attentive but the food was well worth it. Highly recommend!!!
(5)
Maurice E.
I ama big Fan of the Parrot Cage have been going for the last two to three years the great service, beautiful setting, and outstanding food. I applaud the Washburn Culinary Institute for putting the Parrot Cage on the southside and in the historic South Shore Country Club as those of us who grew up in the area know the place as....
(4)
Carole C.
I'd give Parrot Cage one star because it's quite lovely in decor, and comfortable with good jazz in the background. That being said, the food was disappointing considering it is run by the Washburn Culinary Institute. The prices are reasonable, and we tried the prix fixe menu for $30. The house martini was way too sweet & Grey Goose couldn't be tasted, crab appetizer used snow crab, but menu said jumbo lump crab meat, and was bland, the fritto de mare had slightly tough calamari, the salmon entree was overcooked with dry edges & sorely lacking in Moroccan spices, the lamb chops were ok. My frustration peaked when dessert arrived with peach cobbler from canned peaches! Wait staff seemed unconcerned...My dinner companion packed her dessert to go only to arrive home and find a fly in it! Not planning a return, and such a shame!!
(1)
Gonzo L.
Just did holiday brunch with Santa. Having had a pretty nice dinner here in the past, I was surprised by today's brunch. Let me begin by saying that the Parrot Cage is a gorgeous room with tons of charm, a real gem on the south shore. It should also be noted that it is part of a culinary school, so the food is prepared and served by students. The end result is a mostly fine dining experience at a reasonable price. Admittedly, I walk in the door not expecting the same treatment or cuisine that I would expect at a 3-4 star restaurant downtown and everything works out just fine. That being said, today's buffet style brunch was awful. Our server never asked us if we wanted any drinks, we had to flag him down to order coffee and never got any refills. As for the food, let me begin by saying that I LOVE brunch buffets, however only the carved beef was up to snuff here. Well roasted, albeit flavorless. The rest of the fare could either be described as bland or dry... salmon cakes, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens, potatoes, bacon and sausage. Yes, that was everything. ANY type of sauces paired with ANY of the buffet items would have gone a long way to save this brunch. I can safely say that the quality of the buffet items was below what I would expect from "Chef's Kitchen" or similar grocery store hot deli counter carryout food. We did NOT try the omelet station or waffle. One dessert was offered, a vat of soggy peach & strawberry cobbler that our toddler enjoyed. We left feeling ripped-off, disappointed and hungry... which is a first for me at a buffet brunch.
(2)
Rita H.
Really great food and empty! Great place!
(5)
Linda T.
The shrimp and grits were some of the best I've had, that overbearing fishy taste was not there. The steak was cooked to perfection and the portion was generous, 16 oz. I had to take some home. More than 6 baby asparagus spears would have been nice though as well as more than 5 thin onion rings. The staff was very pleasant, friendly and accommodating and I did make note of a couple of things on the receipt in the comment section regarding reaching over the diners to get something and bumping into chairs (mine) several times in order to service the next table. But they are learning and the concept of the Parrot Cage is an excellent teaching tool. I will be back.
(4)
Matt S.
We went to the Parrot Cage for the first time on Sunday afternoon and had a fantastic experience. We had never been that part of the city, South Shore, and found a historic gem and one of the most gorgeous historic buildings, the old South Shore Country Club, we've seen in Chicago. We went to the Sunday brunch and found the wide assortment of dishes wonderfully prepared, fresh and of great quality. The mimosas were good and cold and the bloody marys were very good which is unusual for a brunch. The service was first class and all staff members were very attentive, pleasant and accommodating. The restaurant overlooks lake Michigan and is right next to a small beach and a Chicago Park District golf course. After brunch we went down and walked in the sand and dipped our feet in the lake (I wish I had had my swim suit.) This place is truly a hidden gem and we look forward to heading back for dinner in the near future. Some additional stuff: The Parrot Cage is a teaching restaurant affiliated with Washburn. There is seating on the outside patio. The price was great at about $19 a person for brunch.
(5)
Tina S.
I had dinner there on a Thursday night and I thought everything was great. I had been there for brunch previously and thought both the food and service was awful so it took some convincing to get me back there. But I am always looking for interesting dining on the southside and we all know how difficult that can be! At any rate, the man who created the Parrot Cage was on hand to show us a great time. He was knowledgeable, unpretentious, and committed to providing great food to a community starved for it. The fact that the restaurant is a training ground for Washburne Culinary students is great. Plus, you don't have to tip them because they are students and they've incorporated 10% gratuity to the bill. Everyone was exceptionally nice and attentive. I would definitely go back. The food was also very good. I had the butternut squash soup and the catfish entree. I enjoyed them both. This place needs some more foot traffic. Please check it out!!
(4)
Simone G.
I'm really hesistant to write about this place because I've always considered the South Shore Cultural Center one of those little secrets to be kept between those in the know. Only in the last few years has the parrot cage been added to this lovely place, which is the setting for the practical application for students of Washburn's Culinary program. The cream of butternut squash was great. I thought the reduction served with a pepper crusted filet mignon was fantastic and the Jerk Chicken was nothing short of scrumptious. Additionally I enjoyed the malbec they had available to accompany my dinner. The food was sometimes a bit salty, and the students will have to slightly improve their table side manner but both of those criticisms are meant more as constructive advice rather than a negativism. I will come back here... and even though it was shown on "Check Please," lets try to keep this place on the low.
(4)
Sarah K.
What a unique and interesting dining experience! The Parrot Cage restaurant is the kitchen and stomping grounds of a culinary school, but you hardly notice and the food and service are wonderful! The restaurant is located in the gorgeous South Shore Cultural center/country club that I now want to research. We were seated at a table with a lovely view of the lake and our server greeted us quickly. The wine list is small, but all of the glasses are offered for $6 and the bottles are all $24. The menu includes a wide variety of items and you can choose anything you want for the prix fixe menu, which is $30 (we lucked out and got it for $19 because there was a special promotion). We started with the shrimp and grits and the crawfish soup. The soup was hearty and spicy and the grits were TO DIE FOR. If this place was not so hard for us to get to than I would return often for these. For our entrees we had the salmon and the steak. The salmon was nicely prepared, however the steak had a lot of fat on it. For dessert we had the banana bread pudding and the cookie sundae. The cookie was impressive as it was freshly baked in a hot skillet, however it did not taste quite as good as it looked. Overall, I would give the food three stars, however I bumped it up to four as the venue was just so impressive. The check is a little strange here are they charge an automatic 10% gratuity. I added an additional 10% on top of this (to make it 20%) but then when I asked my server about it, she said that the 10% gratuity was actually for a scholarship and did not go to her so I am not sure if you are supposed to add 20% on top of the 10% already included.... THE FACTS: Prix-fixe is $30 on Wednesday and Thursday night (anything on the menu) Corkage is $5 There is a 10% gratuity/scholarship added to your bill
(4)
John L.
Always good, well presented food. Excellent service from wait staff. We also enjoy the low background music and the decor.
(5)
Christine R.
I chose this restaurant because of its name (The Parrot Cage ... ridiculous and awesome?) and because it's part of a culinary school, which usually leads to good and cheaper results. Also BYOB. ($5 corkage fee) The setting is amazing. It's in the South Shore Cultural Center, which is right on Lake Michigan and a beautiful old building. It's a bit of a hike from the North side, but worth it. The service is a little slow (as is the crowd in general, lots of older people), but the food is great and the staff is so friendly and nice. And it's always fun to support students. They start with this delicious seed-bread? I'm not great with tastes (or memory - it's been almost three years since I've been there), but it was bread with some seeds in it or something. Whatever, it was great. Since I'm boring, I always ordered the salmon, but that was GREAT and obviously I liked it enough that I continued to return there and order it. It's also a fun date place.
(5)
Charisse L.
went to the Sunday Jazz Brunch in April and it was AWESOME!!!the variety of entrees and breakfast foods was beautifully displayed, the omelet and carving stations gave fast service, and the staff were very attentive. The highlight of course was the live entertainment , both inside the dining room and the Harold Washington College Jazz Combo in the lobby! Worth every penny! (The only downside is you have to feed the parking meters in the lot...OUTRAGEOUS.) We have dined for dinner during the week and the food and service were top notch. check out both experiences and try their variety of dinner entrees.
(5)
Keziah C.
Went here with hubby for the 87.7FM Sunday Brunch. I thought the food was pretty good, my favorite was the Jambalaya, my least favorite was the dressing aka Stuffing. I loved the ambiance, and the building which has an old southern charm to it, not to mention our family used to visit the park in general for the 80's committee picnics when I was a youngin. I would recommend Parrot Cage to others because it helps support the culinary school, and it's students which did an awesome job at cooking. The service was great. The "Noteworthy Band" was wonderful. If you're ever in the area, I would recommend you give this place a try.
(3)
Courtney R.
Not a huge reviewer, but had to comment on this place. First of all, I've been going to the South Shore Cultural Center since I was a little boy. I spent many a year in their summer camp program. I though it was an awesome place then, and I think the facility is an awesome place now. The views (when it's not pouring rain, like last night) are wonderful and the overall atmosphere is just great. With that said, the Parrot Cage received 4 stars from me. The food was excellent (I had the Pan Seared Tilapia), our server was nice and attentive and even apologetic when my Aunt's fish was a little too spicy for her tastes and couldn't be redone for her. She even went the extra mile to not charge my Aunt for the drink that she had. My biggest complaint however, is that it took what felt like 5 years for us to get our food after we ordered. I never knew it took that long to cook what was a majority of fish dishes. However, the plating of each dish in my opinion was really nice. I've read a few harsh reviews about the restaurant here and the only think I can think of is that because they are students, maybe they rotate out and you don't have the same people there every year, because everyone was pleasant from the moment we walked into the door to the minute we walked out.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Racquel J.
Let me preface this review by saying that on another occasion, I had a most delightful experience at The Parrot Cage...such was NOT the case yesterday, and unfortunately it was Mother's Day! The Brunch Buffet was HORRIBLE ...and that's putting it mildly! Had it not been for the wonderful atmosphere and the company we were with, it would have been a COMPLETE disaster. From no plates, to cold food, to NO food, to JAMES BROWN serenading us after the Jazz Quartet packed up BEFORE the last guest departed, the EXPERIENCE was definitely memorable, but in the WRONG way. Perhaps the students need to stick to fine dining, because they flunked at buffet. As I mentioned before, my previous experience at The Parrot Cage was wonderful, but that was fine dining and not buffet. Perhaps they should stick to fine dining until the buffet is better tuned for the public!
(1)Dennis B.
As a washburne alumni I always wanted to try this place out. They were talking about opening this restaurant right before I graduated, so I missed out. O well, I'm not in foodservice anymore anyway. The restaurant is very small but I really liked the decor. The students were very professional and the food was very good as well.
(3)Jasmine G.
The Parrot Cage is a hidden gem in the South Shore community inside of the historic South Shore Cultural Center. This restaurant is ran by the Washburn Culinary School (Kennedy King College). The students provide a 5 star dining experience on a dime. The ambiance is breathtaking and is the perfect place for alfresco dining with the view of Lake Michigan in the background. This is a perfect date spot and best of all, they offer BYOB for a small corking fee. Please note that seating is by reservations only.
(4)Jai B.
Nostalgic. Dinner their with friends and family and forgotten how cool a venue and view SSCC had. The staff was friendly but needed some prompting. Food was surprisingly well prepared and tasty (a bit heavy handed in the salt) but overall a good start to a great evening. The venue is in need of a good scrub (bathrooms not well maintained) and building needed a power wash. South Shore Cultural Center is a Southside jewel. I hope to go more often.
(4)Jeff W.
We have dined at The Parrot Cage a number of times in the past and have even used it as an interesting venue for entertaining clients and colleages. However, our experience this past Saturday evening was such a profound disappointment on so many levels that we shall never return. The menu has been dumbed down to cafeteria-grade entrees bearing no resemblance to the menu posted online; the atmosphere has also been degraded to that of a cafeteria with bright lighting and excessively loud music; and the service was completeky untrained. The Parrot Cage is but a shadow of its former self. It no longer represents a palletable culinary experience much less a good value. The proof is in the pudding--the dining room was nearly empty. There were only three other tables seated. That speaks volumes.
(1)Gina C.
Pricey but one of the best breakfast buffets on the south side. Ample "free" parking is a plus and the eating area is quaint and airy. Wait staff was very friendly as well and they catered 2 special requests.
(4)Maureen T.
I went to The Parrot Cage for the second time yesterday for Sunday brunch. They have changed their brunch offerings since I was there last. Much improved! The setting is just beautiful. If you haven't been to the historic South Shore Cultural Center I'd highly recommend going. The restaurant itself is decorated in a very charming way with, as you can imagine, lots of parrot related decorations. Our server was very attentive, refilling our glasses before they were even empty. They had made to order omlettes and waffles. They also had a a beautiful turkey breast cut to order. They also had the usual offerings of bacon, sausages, salads, fried chicken. It looked like that there is an outdoor dining area just outside for warm weather dining. I'll be back in summer! After brunch we sat in the lobby looking out the windows at the lakefront and took out our I Pad and Googled images of the South Shore Country Club and looked at dozens of old pictures of the space when it used to be a fancy members only country club. The Park District has done a very good job restoring it. We walked outside around the grounds after brunch. This place is truly amazing. Definitely worth the drive down Lake Shore Drive.
(5)Jan E.
Wanted to love this to support the culinary institute students. Great parts: the food was delicious at the Sunday brunch. Lots of meat. Some of the best sliced turkey breast I've ever had. Not-so-great parts: the servers were not good. After being seated by the hostess, no one came to say "hi" or bring water until about 15 minutes later. Once she came over, she was nice but had little tableside manner. She took my son's plate mid-bite (with several bites left.) She poured my coffee into the wrong cup. She reached over us instead of serving at our right, etc. I wouldn't worry about this, but she's supposedly learning how to serve in a fine restaurant, as well as how to work in the kitchen. Actually, our server told us she'd graduated and had gotten a real job there. Maybe she was just having a bad day. I'm not a complaining customer, but there were so many issues (gnats b/c patio doors were open) that they gave us one brunch gratis. That was really nice. We will go back, because, again, we want the students to succeed. And the free brunch helped. But they need to refine the service a bit.
(3)Tiffany D.
I loved, loved, loved this place! I love the fact that it is housed in the beautiful and historically rich South Shore Cultural Center for starters. As others have mentioned, this is truly a hidden gem on the South Side. I also loved that the place is run by the Washburne(sp?) students. I think it's an excellent concept and you get to witness first-hand these students developing their craft. As for the food, excellent. I went on a Wednesday with the prix fixe menu, which was a steal. I had the grilled caesar salad that was done just right and the lamb for my entree, which was so tender it almost fell off of the bone! My dining partners also enjoyed their meals. One of them had the pork chop that was so huge it was almost unreal. And, despite its size, she also said that it was done to perfection! It's a classy place and the dining room was packed with a diverse crowd, with multiple people who found the place pleasurable enough to celebrate their birthdays there that night. I will definitely be back to try their brunch buffet. I highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys a fine dining experience!
(4)Sam M.
I got a red velvet cupcake from their booth at the taste of chicago. Dropped it right in front of them and they didn't even give me another. Sure it's at the Taste but the point of this yearly event is to promote your establishment. Thiscustomer service reflects poorly on the restaurant and of course I will never taste that cupcake so I really have no reason to remember this place. Really, how much would it cost for you to get a customer another mini-cupcake? FAIL.
(1)Judy C.
Sunday was my first time at the Parrot Cage, although I had it on my list as a place to go. Four of us enjoyed the excellent selections, the lovely decor and the reasonable price for a Sunday buffet. I was called the night before and advised that they did not yet have their liquor license, but would serve wine if we brought it. I brought Proseco and the waitress was lovely to bring out the champagne glasses and pour our orange juice to mix our mimosas! We were able to tour the ballrooms. It is a beautiful location and the space is beautiful. The old South Shore Country Club which is now owned by the Chicago Park District. Seeing the building itself (at the end of the lake shore bike trail) is great fun, and the restaurant is just the icing on the cake. I am looking forward to an evening dinner.
(5)Fredrick B.
Parrot Cage February 13, 2015 Valentine's Disappointment--Still a B+ for the Students WOW! What a difference a year makes. In my February 13, 2014 review I wrote: "Six of us went to dinner at the Parrot Cage for a GREAT night out. ... An adequate wine list that was reasonably priced. Culinary students run this place? Really? Bon Appetite!" What an ABOUT FACE for my experience on February 13, 2015. My experience last night warrants an overall grade B+ (down from the A+ I issued in 2011): Our Waiter Alex gets an A+++; the Hostess a D; the Manager a C+; and the Chef a B. Allow me to explain why the adults in the front of the house hurt the students' grade, and why our experience was somewhat disappointing. First and foremost, our 2014 experience lead to exceedingly high expectations for 2015. They recently remodeled and I was concerned they might not open in time for our dinner. Despite speaking to the hostess/manager/staff three times in the six weeks prior to this dining experience, including on the day of our dinner, not once did they bother to mention the major development of no longer having a valid liquor license--it's BYOB now. Literally 10 minutes before my 5 guest arrived I had to drive to 71st & Jeffery - in the hood - to purchase three bottles of the most average wine imaginable. I probably should not have been surprised when the hostess had an attitude with me because I politely expressed my displeasure with not having been told of this development. Her "bad behavior" was consistent with my previous experience there. In a review of Parrot Cage that I wrote on June 5, 2011, I stated: "A relatively rude manager/hostess, and a pedestrian wine list, did not overshadow the otherwise outstanding front-of-the house service from these culinary students, and an exceptional very diverse menu with exceedingly well-prepared food by the back of the house." With regard to the food, my comments are generally the same as in my 2011 and 2014 reviews, although I had to send my steak back. I ordered medium rare, they delivered well-done. The second version was medium-well, but as everyone else had eaten, I ate the center of the steak and we moved on to the decadent dessert course. Our waiter Alex, and the other servers were the BEST aspect of the evening, other than the exceptional company of my guests. The most disappointing aspect of the evening was how much the ambience of this establishment has changed since it was remodeled last month. By removing the carpet (now tiled floors), drapes (no window treatments at all), and wallpaper (it was due to be changed), and adding bright lighting, they not only eviscerated the quaint and almost romantic aspect of the room, but the place is now loud. That does not excuse the rude old man who conned his way into a free meal, from interrupting our dinner to tell us to "quiet down." Next year he won't have to worry about our group--we'll be at La Petite Folie where we started to go this year! Let me close by saying that if you chose to dine there, and I plan to, it's best for couples only. Large groups will resonate too loudly. By the way, did I mention that I'd give Alex an A+++
(3)Corinne G.
Hidden gem! I would never have heard of the Parrot Cage if not for searching for Wednesday prix fixe specials on Yelp. The restaurant definitely suffers from a lack of marketing... We couldn't even find any signs on the outside of the South Shore Cultural Center telling visitors that the Parrot Cage was inside, so we weren't positive we were in the right place until we walked in. I had never heard of the place before seeing it on Yelp. The South Shore Cultural Center is a gem itself! I found out that it's where President Barack Obama and Michelle held their wedding reception, and it is listed on the historic register. The marble stairs, chandeliers, and architectural details are stunning! Upon entering, we were sure glad we found the Parrot Cage! We were there for about an hour and a half, and the entire time, there was only one other table of two diners there. With the quality of the food and the beauty of the atmosphere, it should be filled. There are very few restaurants with a view of the lakefront, and the food holds it own as well. The goat-cheese flan alone is worth the trip! My husband also raved about his jambalaya. He finished the etouffée entree in short order, pronouncing it "very good," and I also enjoyed my crab-encrusted catfish. For dessert, my husband said the peach cobbler was among the best he'd had, and my banana bread pudding was good as well, although just a bit on the dry side. Maybe more sauce would have helped? We also enjoyed a couple of the signature cocktails, the Parrot Martini and the Pineapple Martini. Overall, I would give the food and service and solid 4 stars, while the beauty of the location rates a 5. We will make an effort to return... the Wednesday prix fixe is a great value!
(4)Shakira E.
A beautiful nostalgic restaurant where the Washburne Culinary Institute students prepare the meals. The star of the experience is the restaurant and the location being right on Lake Michigan; while dining my mind wondered what really went on here during the country club years. The food was delicious, and the service was polite. I would recommend this place to anyone who is looking for something different or romantic and after the meal why not take a walk around the grounds if you visit on the weekend you will most likely see a wedding or a reception taking place. Like Corinne G. said this place really is a hidden gem!
(4)Kay J.
We took the family to brunch here. What a great deal. With the 10% added grattuity, 8 drinks for 5 of us, the bill was only $110. Again, service is unsophisticated but food is excellent.
(5)Suzanne E.
The food was excellent but the setting upstaged it. There were six of us and the staff obligingly set up a round table for us in the corner right next to the window, where we (well, those of us not facing west) could see out the floor-to-ceiling window into the park and toward the nearby lake). I hadn't been in the building in nearly 20 years and was thrilled to see that the weird green/gilt/oxblood color scheme from the 1980s had been replaced with something warm and cream/peachy. The prix fixe was a great deal, and they were gracious about sending us home with leftovers (there was a lot of food). The service was friendly but rather slow in parts: one of my hosts had to step out for 45 minutes to deliver one of the guests to a nocturnal janitorial gig, because the whole thing took about an hour longer than we had expected. So I wouldn't suggest it for a tightly scheduled pre-theater date, but if you just want to hang out and relax, it's great. (I suspect the martinis were rather strong, which may have contributed to our lack of ambition to get out of there any time soon.) Transportation note: The place is practically next door to the South Shore stop on the Metra Electric line, which originates in the Loop. It's kind of a long and lonely walk at night up the drive through the park from the street --a legacy of the country club mentality from when this place was built--but well lit, and pretty. BTW I assume the name is in honor of the green monk parakeets that are all over the south side. Kind of a dumb and insensitive name, considering that these characters' ancestors apparently escaped from some pet-store shipment, and now live happy, loud and free (squawk).
(4)Sabrina M.
Hate to do it, but it must be done: Had dinner here tonight and the service and the food was awful. I think the concept of the restaurant and the fact that culinary students are working there is great. But they have a long way to go toward making the experience an enjoyable and professional one and taking constructive criticism in order to improve. Our service was lackluster and paint-dry slow. When the food finally came my salmon was overcooked and the bed of rice accompanying it was undercooked. The server tried to tell me that the texture was supposed to be that way because it was "sticky rice" but it wasn't. It was just bad, gritty, undercooked rice. My nephew's "well-done" steak was pretty much burnt to a crisp. The roasted tomato soup was a standout but that's about it. We tried telling our server the meal about little things -- forgotten beverages, slow service, etc. and it was met with "we're students and at the end of the night we're just trying to get an A." No real effort to try to make the service any better. Well, tonight, nobody there, from the rude hostess to the slow server to the indifferent manager should get an A.. I wish the restaurant and its students well but professionalism can't be sacrificed in the learning process. This is my second experience here and my second time being utterly underwhelmed. I'd love to say that this place is a diamond in the rough, but right now it's far more rough than diamond.
(2)Orland C.
Food is great!, service is great! Ate here twice, once takeout and second time I dined in. LOVED IT!!!!! Hidden Gem
(5)Nique F.
Amosphere:B+ Service:B+ Food:C+ The restaurant is located inside the South Shore Cultural Center. The entrance of SSCC has well manicured lawns and a curve driveway, however the parking lot is not paved, full of pot holes & gravel. There was another event taking place, when we arrived. We felt odd, like party crashers in search of the Parrot Cage, which is to the left of the entrance. The small restaurant has high ceiling with a parrot cage in the middle of the room. There are huge windows on one side, in view of the lakefront, which makes this a nice setting for a romantic dinner. I noticed a balcony facing the lakefront, not sure if this is open during the summer. Our waiter was pleasant. The menu was pleasingly simple. I ordered the Baked Catfish Fillet with stuffed crab, served with rice and spinach. While waiting on our order, we were served a choice of several types of bread. The sour dough bread was soft and delicious, but the pretzel shape bread with the sesame seeds was hard as cement. The fillet was a generous piece, undercooked in the middle and missing the stuff crab. I was so disappointed, since I'm a seafood lover. I'm guessing the sauce on top of the fish was crab sauce. The yellow rice was ok, nothing out the ordinary, aside from the kids meal serving. The texture of the cooked spinach was fine, but it tasted AWFUL......plain, blanched taste. It would have been better if a butter or cream sauce of some kind was served on top. The soup sampler (chicken, turtle and pea soup), served in 3 tea cup size portions. The chicken soup was delicious, plenty of vegtables and season just right. The pea soup was nothing short of evaporated milk mix together with whole peas.....NOT good at all. I didn't have the nerve to taste the turtle soup, my party said it was good! I will return and give them another test and perhaps try the desserts.
(3)Happiness L.
What a special place. Gorgeous grounds and the dining room is so pretty. The wait staff is nice too. We were there for their Thursday night special...$30 for appetizer, entree, and dessert. The crab salad was perfect, the beef tournedos were good however the beef was tough, and the berry bread pudding was good but not amazing. Cocktails were good as well. The dining room was very warm, perhaps it is better to go there in the fall or winter?
(4)Janice H.
Best kept secret in south shore. I love it and everything on the menu. The Sunday brunch is the best deal in town.
(5)marvie f.
I finally made it there with my husband and 9 month old son and none of us were dissappointed. To start I had the shrimp and grits. I LOVED!!! them. My husband got a fried seafood sampler that was not too greasy and just perfectly crisp. He had the steak and I had a crad crusted tilapia I think it was. Both DEE licious. My husband loved the desert the best. He had a chocolate chip cookie pie with ice cream and now plans to get that for an appetizer when we go the next time, which will be tomorrow. Overall, the server we had could have been a little more attentive but the food was well worth it. Highly recommend!!!
(5)Maurice E.
I ama big Fan of the Parrot Cage have been going for the last two to three years the great service, beautiful setting, and outstanding food. I applaud the Washburn Culinary Institute for putting the Parrot Cage on the southside and in the historic South Shore Country Club as those of us who grew up in the area know the place as....
(4)Carole C.
I'd give Parrot Cage one star because it's quite lovely in decor, and comfortable with good jazz in the background. That being said, the food was disappointing considering it is run by the Washburn Culinary Institute. The prices are reasonable, and we tried the prix fixe menu for $30. The house martini was way too sweet & Grey Goose couldn't be tasted, crab appetizer used snow crab, but menu said jumbo lump crab meat, and was bland, the fritto de mare had slightly tough calamari, the salmon entree was overcooked with dry edges & sorely lacking in Moroccan spices, the lamb chops were ok. My frustration peaked when dessert arrived with peach cobbler from canned peaches! Wait staff seemed unconcerned...My dinner companion packed her dessert to go only to arrive home and find a fly in it! Not planning a return, and such a shame!!
(1)Gonzo L.
Just did holiday brunch with Santa. Having had a pretty nice dinner here in the past, I was surprised by today's brunch. Let me begin by saying that the Parrot Cage is a gorgeous room with tons of charm, a real gem on the south shore. It should also be noted that it is part of a culinary school, so the food is prepared and served by students. The end result is a mostly fine dining experience at a reasonable price. Admittedly, I walk in the door not expecting the same treatment or cuisine that I would expect at a 3-4 star restaurant downtown and everything works out just fine. That being said, today's buffet style brunch was awful. Our server never asked us if we wanted any drinks, we had to flag him down to order coffee and never got any refills. As for the food, let me begin by saying that I LOVE brunch buffets, however only the carved beef was up to snuff here. Well roasted, albeit flavorless. The rest of the fare could either be described as bland or dry... salmon cakes, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens, potatoes, bacon and sausage. Yes, that was everything. ANY type of sauces paired with ANY of the buffet items would have gone a long way to save this brunch. I can safely say that the quality of the buffet items was below what I would expect from "Chef's Kitchen" or similar grocery store hot deli counter carryout food. We did NOT try the omelet station or waffle. One dessert was offered, a vat of soggy peach & strawberry cobbler that our toddler enjoyed. We left feeling ripped-off, disappointed and hungry... which is a first for me at a buffet brunch.
(2)Rita H.
Really great food and empty! Great place!
(5)Linda T.
The shrimp and grits were some of the best I've had, that overbearing fishy taste was not there. The steak was cooked to perfection and the portion was generous, 16 oz. I had to take some home. More than 6 baby asparagus spears would have been nice though as well as more than 5 thin onion rings. The staff was very pleasant, friendly and accommodating and I did make note of a couple of things on the receipt in the comment section regarding reaching over the diners to get something and bumping into chairs (mine) several times in order to service the next table. But they are learning and the concept of the Parrot Cage is an excellent teaching tool. I will be back.
(4)Matt S.
We went to the Parrot Cage for the first time on Sunday afternoon and had a fantastic experience. We had never been that part of the city, South Shore, and found a historic gem and one of the most gorgeous historic buildings, the old South Shore Country Club, we've seen in Chicago. We went to the Sunday brunch and found the wide assortment of dishes wonderfully prepared, fresh and of great quality. The mimosas were good and cold and the bloody marys were very good which is unusual for a brunch. The service was first class and all staff members were very attentive, pleasant and accommodating. The restaurant overlooks lake Michigan and is right next to a small beach and a Chicago Park District golf course. After brunch we went down and walked in the sand and dipped our feet in the lake (I wish I had had my swim suit.) This place is truly a hidden gem and we look forward to heading back for dinner in the near future. Some additional stuff: The Parrot Cage is a teaching restaurant affiliated with Washburn. There is seating on the outside patio. The price was great at about $19 a person for brunch.
(5)Tina S.
I had dinner there on a Thursday night and I thought everything was great. I had been there for brunch previously and thought both the food and service was awful so it took some convincing to get me back there. But I am always looking for interesting dining on the southside and we all know how difficult that can be! At any rate, the man who created the Parrot Cage was on hand to show us a great time. He was knowledgeable, unpretentious, and committed to providing great food to a community starved for it. The fact that the restaurant is a training ground for Washburne Culinary students is great. Plus, you don't have to tip them because they are students and they've incorporated 10% gratuity to the bill. Everyone was exceptionally nice and attentive. I would definitely go back. The food was also very good. I had the butternut squash soup and the catfish entree. I enjoyed them both. This place needs some more foot traffic. Please check it out!!
(4)Simone G.
I'm really hesistant to write about this place because I've always considered the South Shore Cultural Center one of those little secrets to be kept between those in the know. Only in the last few years has the parrot cage been added to this lovely place, which is the setting for the practical application for students of Washburn's Culinary program. The cream of butternut squash was great. I thought the reduction served with a pepper crusted filet mignon was fantastic and the Jerk Chicken was nothing short of scrumptious. Additionally I enjoyed the malbec they had available to accompany my dinner. The food was sometimes a bit salty, and the students will have to slightly improve their table side manner but both of those criticisms are meant more as constructive advice rather than a negativism. I will come back here... and even though it was shown on "Check Please," lets try to keep this place on the low.
(4)Sarah K.
What a unique and interesting dining experience! The Parrot Cage restaurant is the kitchen and stomping grounds of a culinary school, but you hardly notice and the food and service are wonderful! The restaurant is located in the gorgeous South Shore Cultural center/country club that I now want to research. We were seated at a table with a lovely view of the lake and our server greeted us quickly. The wine list is small, but all of the glasses are offered for $6 and the bottles are all $24. The menu includes a wide variety of items and you can choose anything you want for the prix fixe menu, which is $30 (we lucked out and got it for $19 because there was a special promotion). We started with the shrimp and grits and the crawfish soup. The soup was hearty and spicy and the grits were TO DIE FOR. If this place was not so hard for us to get to than I would return often for these. For our entrees we had the salmon and the steak. The salmon was nicely prepared, however the steak had a lot of fat on it. For dessert we had the banana bread pudding and the cookie sundae. The cookie was impressive as it was freshly baked in a hot skillet, however it did not taste quite as good as it looked. Overall, I would give the food three stars, however I bumped it up to four as the venue was just so impressive. The check is a little strange here are they charge an automatic 10% gratuity. I added an additional 10% on top of this (to make it 20%) but then when I asked my server about it, she said that the 10% gratuity was actually for a scholarship and did not go to her so I am not sure if you are supposed to add 20% on top of the 10% already included.... THE FACTS: Prix-fixe is $30 on Wednesday and Thursday night (anything on the menu) Corkage is $5 There is a 10% gratuity/scholarship added to your bill
(4)John L.
Always good, well presented food. Excellent service from wait staff. We also enjoy the low background music and the decor.
(5)Christine R.
I chose this restaurant because of its name (The Parrot Cage ... ridiculous and awesome?) and because it's part of a culinary school, which usually leads to good and cheaper results. Also BYOB. ($5 corkage fee) The setting is amazing. It's in the South Shore Cultural Center, which is right on Lake Michigan and a beautiful old building. It's a bit of a hike from the North side, but worth it. The service is a little slow (as is the crowd in general, lots of older people), but the food is great and the staff is so friendly and nice. And it's always fun to support students. They start with this delicious seed-bread? I'm not great with tastes (or memory - it's been almost three years since I've been there), but it was bread with some seeds in it or something. Whatever, it was great. Since I'm boring, I always ordered the salmon, but that was GREAT and obviously I liked it enough that I continued to return there and order it. It's also a fun date place.
(5)Charisse L.
went to the Sunday Jazz Brunch in April and it was AWESOME!!!the variety of entrees and breakfast foods was beautifully displayed, the omelet and carving stations gave fast service, and the staff were very attentive. The highlight of course was the live entertainment , both inside the dining room and the Harold Washington College Jazz Combo in the lobby! Worth every penny! (The only downside is you have to feed the parking meters in the lot...OUTRAGEOUS.) We have dined for dinner during the week and the food and service were top notch. check out both experiences and try their variety of dinner entrees.
(5)Keziah C.
Went here with hubby for the 87.7FM Sunday Brunch. I thought the food was pretty good, my favorite was the Jambalaya, my least favorite was the dressing aka Stuffing. I loved the ambiance, and the building which has an old southern charm to it, not to mention our family used to visit the park in general for the 80's committee picnics when I was a youngin. I would recommend Parrot Cage to others because it helps support the culinary school, and it's students which did an awesome job at cooking. The service was great. The "Noteworthy Band" was wonderful. If you're ever in the area, I would recommend you give this place a try.
(3)Courtney R.
Not a huge reviewer, but had to comment on this place. First of all, I've been going to the South Shore Cultural Center since I was a little boy. I spent many a year in their summer camp program. I though it was an awesome place then, and I think the facility is an awesome place now. The views (when it's not pouring rain, like last night) are wonderful and the overall atmosphere is just great. With that said, the Parrot Cage received 4 stars from me. The food was excellent (I had the Pan Seared Tilapia), our server was nice and attentive and even apologetic when my Aunt's fish was a little too spicy for her tastes and couldn't be redone for her. She even went the extra mile to not charge my Aunt for the drink that she had. My biggest complaint however, is that it took what felt like 5 years for us to get our food after we ordered. I never knew it took that long to cook what was a majority of fish dishes. However, the plating of each dish in my opinion was really nice. I've read a few harsh reviews about the restaurant here and the only think I can think of is that because they are students, maybe they rotate out and you don't have the same people there every year, because everyone was pleasant from the moment we walked into the door to the minute we walked out.
(4)