Parachute reopens with a chill listening bar vibe
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Chef and DJ Johnny Clark at Parachute HiFi. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios
Avondale's James Beard Award-winning Parachute has shed its fine dining mantle to re-emerge as a chill, no-reservations, no-online-menu listening lounge where celebrated chefs offer delicious bar food with vintage vinyl sounds.
Why it matters: The transformation ushers in a new era for chefs Johnny Clark and Beverly Kim, a married couple who've won some of the industry's highest honors but wanted to create a lower-key experience for themselves and their guests.
What they're saying: "We wanted a more affordable and fun neighborhood place that you can come multiple times a week," Clark told Axios as he dished up food and Miles Davis tunes from behind the bar Sunday night.
- "It's kind of like bringing one of my hobbies [music] into work. If I'm working this much, I want to be able to enjoy myself, cooking and listening to good music and fiddling with these [audio] toys."
Dig in: To preserve the "analog experience," Clark has kept the menu offline, but IRL visitors will find a selection of raw veggies with walnut ssamjang sauce ($6), kimchi Spam fried rice ($12), fried chicken with mirin mayo ($12), french fries with banana ketchup ($7) and a double cheeseburger with Comté fondue ($19).
- I tried the rich six-piece smoked salmon nigiri ($19) with horseradish-scallion cream cheese and a shiitake glaze, which may be one of the best deals in town.
- Pad thai lovers will cherish Clark's even heartier version using thick Korean tteokbokki noodles ($11).
- Parachute's famous potato bing bread ($14) returns every Wednesday.
Drink up: Find Bud on draft ($6), a selection of sake, soju ($2-$30), NA drinks ($3-7) and culinary cocktails ($12-20) with names like "prosciutto & melon," "blueberry pancakes" and "Greek salad."
The vibe: The wood paneling and colored lights recall a mid-century basement rec room equipped with excellent snacks and incredible speakers.
Listen up: When Clark isn't spinning vinyl, a rotating roster of DJs will offer tunes from mellow jazz to 1970s Korean pop and everything in between.
