Sept. 26, 2024

This paid piece is sponsored by Vanguard Hospitality.

Whether you’re meeting for a beverage after work or looking for a new spot for dinner, the new menu at Paramount Cocktails & Food delivers.

The cocktail bar attached to Minervas at 307 S. Phillips Ave. just launched a tapas-inspired menu that has a lot of personal ties for Vanguard Hospitality director of culinary Josh Jackson.

“We want people to come in here and socialize and be able to eat multiple things,” Jackson said. “Sometimes, they’re coming in as a first stop before going somewhere else for dinner, so you can use it as a first course, or you can order multiple things and share at the table. Or if you’re looking for a dinner entree, there are options for that on this menu as well.”

Here’s a look at some of the dishes — and the stories behind them.

Chicago Dog

For Jackson, this Windy City classic goes back to a trip he took shortly after he met his future wife. They took in Chicago sporting events, “and I ate a lot of Chicago dogs and fell in love with them,” he said.

“We were excited to be able to use bison on our menu, and this was a unique way to try something fun with a bison dog.”

The Paramount Chicago Dog is a smoked bison hot dog served with spicy brown mustard, pickled pico de gallo, sliced Roma tomatoes, celery seed, pickled sport pepper and pickle spears.

 Smoked jumbo wings, New Orleans shrimp

A recent trip to South Carolina to train in a barbecue restaurant inspired this version of wings.

“While there, I learned a new technique to cook wings, so I brought that with me, and we’re exploring it here,” Jackson said.

The Southern theme continues with the New Orleans Shrimp, served in a Worcestershire sauce with butter, lemon juice, white wine, heavy cream, onions, garlic and Cajun seasoning.

“It’s a Cajun barbecue sauce, and then our house baker makes homemade biscuits to go with it baked fresh every shift,” Jackson said. “Much of this comes from me traveling in New Orleans working for a while, so you see a lot of Southern influence on the menu.”

Burgers with a local twist

Burgers are anything but an afterthought on this menu — and one easily could become your dinner.

There’s the SmashBurger, made with Hadrick Ranch premium Angus, served on a garlic herb butter toasted bun with Russian dressing, American cheese, caramelized red onion and bread-and-butter pickles with a side of kettle chips.

Here’s a smaller version served for happy hour:

“This is a good old American classic, and it’s a customer favorite,” Jackson said.

Then, there’s the Dry Aged Burger, made with a Haiwick Heritage Ranch smoked patty and served with caramelized French onions, aged cheddar cheese and steak sauce with a side of kettle chips.

“It’s smoked and aged 21 days and definitely is one to try,” Jackson said.

Santa Maria Steak

Jackson grew up about 15 miles from Santa Maria, California, living on an Air Force base.

“So I’ve been dreaming about making this,” he said.

It’s a Morgan Ranch tri-tip served with charred salsa and heirloom beans made from scratch with ham and bacon.

Other new additions, returning favorites

Ready for more? The Paramount menu also features two signature tartare dishes — one with beet and one with steak — plus a new hummus plate with red pepper artichoke and olive tapenade, and shrimp tacos with spicy aioli slaw and salsa verde on Hernandez tortillas.

Patatas Bravas offer a classic tapas plate with pan-fried potatoes, saffron aioli and Bravas sauce.

And, a charcuterie board features local meats, cheeses and accoutrements.

Happy hour specials

Want to sample a few small plates? There are three $5 options served between 4 and 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday: Pommes Frites, chips and salsa, and a smash burger slider.

Plus, enjoy savings on wine by the glass, South Dakota tap beer and several classic cocktails.

Here’s a look at the full menu: