The J. Parker — Restaurant in Chicago

I visited J. Parker for an early dinner with my mother on Sunday, expecting the usual upscale experience with the stunning view across from Lake Michigan, but what we got instead was an absolute disaster.

First off, I ordered an “OnlyFans Martini,” which tasted spoiled and was undrinkable. I immediately sent it back. Then, after placing our food order, it took 20 minutes for the server to inform us that they were out of veggie patties. Why even let us order something that’s not available? We reluctantly switched to chicken sandwiches, which then took a ridiculous 35 minutes to arrive. The restaurant wasn’t even busy — we got there at 4:10 pm, so this was an early dinner, and there was no excuse for the delay.

When the food finally arrived, it was laughably poor. The chicken sandwich tasted like a dry, flavorless knock-off, nothing like the quality I had enjoyed here before. A Chick-fil-A sandwich would have been a step up from this sad excuse for a meal. To make things worse, I asked for an extra cup of ketchup when the food came out, and no one ever brought it. Our server vanished, and I had to hunt down the host just to get our check.

Speaking of the check, this was another ordeal. He brought it three separate times because of multiple mistakes. First, he tried to charge us for the martini I sent back. Then, the second time, he charged us for both the veggie burger and the chicken sandwiches — even though we only got two entrees in total. On top of all that, every time the server came to our table, he reeked of weed. It was unprofessional and disgusting.

J. Parker used to be one of my favorite spots, but the atmosphere no longer matches the service or the quality of food. For a rooftop restaurant in Lincoln Park with views of Lake Michigan, you’d expect so much better. This place has gone downhill, and I won’t be returning...

I hope this message finds you well. I recently visited your bar, and I must say that the ambiance, rooftop view, and overall theme were truly delightful. The welcoming attitude of your host and bartenders also added to the positive experience.

However, I regret to inform you of a disheartening incident that took place during my visit, involving one of your security personnel. This tall African American security staff member displayed behavior that was not only unprofessional but also deeply disturbing. I observed him verbally abusing a young lady without provocation, using derogatory language and making threats.

What troubled me even more was that the lady in question was calm and non-aggressive throughout the interaction. Despite her request for assistance from the host and, later, the manager, this security personnel continued to be disrespectful and verbally abusive towards her.

The conduct of this security personnel was not only unbecoming of someone in his position but also completely unacceptable in any establishment. This kind of behavior not only tarnishes the reputation of your bar but also poses a serious risk to the safety and well-being of your patrons.

I feel compelled to inform you that, during the same evening, this same security personnel was involved in an altercation with some other patrons, which tragically escalated to violence resulting in a fatality. This incident raises further concerns about the hiring and training practices in place at your establishment.

I truly believe that your bar has the potential to be a great place for people to enjoy themselves, but my experience, coupled with this tragic event, has left me with serious reservations about returning. I hope you take these concerns seriously and take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and professionalism...

We got seated quickly—because we were willing to sit outside—and honestly? It wasn’t bad. The views were great, the breeze was manageable, and the heat lamps were set to a gentle “warmish suggestion,” maybe 35% power. Still, we were surprised more people weren’t out there. I thought Chicagoans were supposed to be built for this weather.

J. Parker is exactly what it says on the tin: a rooftop bar at a hotel that knows the view is doing most of the work. The décor walks the line between worn-in and worn-out, and the vibe is a bit airport lounge with slightly better drinks and fewer rolling suitcases. It’s not trying to reinvent anything—and we respected it more for that.

My biggest misstep? Ordering an espresso martini that arrived in a plastic martini glass. Not a cup. A plastic martini glass. It was both deeply sad and somehow exactly what I deserved for trying to order that drink at this place. We sipped slowly, watched the lake, and eavesdropped on a few conversations that confirmed some of the crowd had to be local—just locals who’d given up on waiting anywhere else.

The view made the visit worth it, and in fairness, any of the other lake-facing rooftops probably would’ve involved more lines, more fuss, and more influencers claiming territory. So J. Parker gets points for being chill and letting us coast in.

3 stars: One for the view, one for the ease, and one for that valiant little plastic stemware...