AnneVdV wrote: Compared to the grocery alternatives available in Hyde Park (which is pretty much the 2 Co-ops), Hyde Park Produce on 53rd is phenomenal. I agree that they aren't as cheap as Stanley's for some items, but between the cost of gas and time, it almost always makes more sense for most Hyde Park residents to frequent HP Produce.

I should add here, however, that my husband is a big fan of Pete's Markets, at least 2 of which aren't tremendously far from Hyde Park (one on S. Kedzie, one on S. Pulaski).

Hyde Park Produce is great to have around. Especially now that the 47th street Coop is closed.

For more extensive groceries, I've been going to Pete's - there are two on Kedzie (57th and 47th streets, I prefer the latter). I haven't tried the one on Pulaski, I believe that is new(er).


PETE'S MARKET
5724 S KEDZIE
(773) 925-6200

PETE'S FRESH MARKET
4700 S KEDZIE
(773) 523-4600

My favorite food in Hyde Park is that that emerges from my kitchen... barring that, this narcissist suggests that you walk/bus/ride your hipster bike up Lake Park to the Original House of Pancakes, and scarf down a dutch baby or garden, some andouille hash, and bacon waffles, stat. Make sure to allow an hour or two afterwords for a nap.

Try the sandwiches at Piccolo Mondo- most for the same or less $$'s than you would shell out at subway or the quiznos' that are popping up all over the hpk... try the fresh mozz sub (better and cheaper than the u-mart version, and you won't have to stand in line behind half a dozen labbies in north face gear) or the panino imbottito...

My bread & butter (literally and figuratively) is Bonjour Bakery... try the multigrain bread on friday afternoons when it's freshest... the sandwiches are tasty, soups homemade (if you see the roasted yellow pepper soup, order it... same with fennel, leek & potato or cream of mushroom)... i recommend the goat cheese (with roasted red peppers and cilantro) or proscuitto (with marinated artichoke, a little heavy on the balsamic) panini... grilled chicken or steak (opt to add mustard when you order, rather than asking for packets after the fact- the kitchen uses Vilox, a super spicy dijon import, rather than the insipid grey poupon offered on the side. Basic sandwiches are good (go for the brie, with or without ham or turkey). Quiche is tasty, though the Lorraine sacrifices authenticity for the american palate by adding a generous portion of gruyerre... i understand the original includes no cheese. Salad dressing also made in situ, including roasted red peppers, capers, olive oil, and lemon juice... comes with tasty produce mart greens. I use this as the foundation for my dressing at home, but add greek yogurt for a creamy version... Some pastry options are stellar, some sub-par, all rather overpriced... but still cheaper than the med. Try the raspberry pistachio tartlet in season (pistacho mousse unmolded atop seedless raspberry preserve and ringed with fresh raspberries), the chocolate espresso tart year round, or mixed berry tart if they're fresh. Skip the key lime tart imo (again, i'm spoiled by my version... heh), and the creme caramel are sometimes rubbery if they've been sitting out too long- a full tray of them is a good sign that they've been freshly baked. Pick up a batard for stellar french toast the next morning... oh yeah, and tip the friendly counterfolk. Especially me.

Other favorites- Cedars; Rajun Cajun (my roomate used to frequent for their hot tea, which he says is fantastic... until he found a box of chai on devon for $1.99 that tops it and can be enjoyed in the comfort of home); Sammy's Touch for "giiiiroooos plaaaeetee... wiiisss eeeeevrything!!!" (as called out by the wife of the owner to the cooks) and cheap cigarettes, grilled chicken sandwiches, strawberry milkshakes, and the heartstopping wonder of the super taco. Skip the tamale... the giardinerra on the italian beef is bland and disappointing, but hey... you can't have everything from your greek grease pit. Maravillas satisfies me when i can't scam a ride to someplace more awesome... like atoltonico, hacianita at 51st & kedzie (go on a monday to take advantage of half prices at unique thrift store a block or so north... the 55 garfield bus can take you there if you're patient), or a bbq at my girl teresa's backyard at 71st & Saginaw (a couple blocks south of yet another Pete's Market location). Hard to beat a drunk jimmy's burger or polish and fries... it's pretty bad, but you don't usually care... unless you know you could be having equally bad pizza or (purportedly) a fantastic chicken sandwich from the cholie's window in the falcon inn... and also the satisfaction of spending 2-5 dollars less on the pitcher of beer that brought you there in the first place. You mentioned that you're a first year... so you may have to look forward to such pleasures, unless you've already forged some id or purchased such for an exhorbant sum. In which case, good for you... otherwise, forewarned is forearmed. Salonica and the Florian (same ownership) are to be preferred to the Med, but generally avoided. The egg-lemon orzo soup made on weekends at salonica was a draw before they instituted the smoking ban... the wraps at the florian (pesto or caesar chicken) are also tasty and filling but generally not worth their inflated price.

I'm glad to see this thread resurrected, as I just realized I had completely forgotten about a great Hyde Park resource: Bonne Sante, on 53rd (by Hollywood Video and Mellow Yellow). Not only do they sell a decent selection of health foods (looking for amaranth? Need a case of rice milk?), but they have a small take-out counter that offers shakes, etc. There are also salads and sandwiches available, although I'm not sure if they're made on the premises.

This and the previous Hyde Park threads have been very helpful. Overall, I must admit, the food in the area has yet to do anything for me. I have started to use the following comparison: good for Hyde Park. I have a hard time believing that an area with such a diverse population in both ethnicity and wealth, I cant find an above average restaurant. Don't even get me started on the grocery stores. Arrgh!

blueswench wrote:Salonica and the Florian (same ownership) are to be preferred to the Med, but generally avoided. The egg-lemon orzo soup made on weekends at salonica was a draw before they instituted the smoking ban... the wraps at the florian (pesto or caesar chicken) are also tasty and filling but generally not worth their inflated price.

I actually had a good experience with an Italian Beef at Florian on Saturday. Considering it's not a specialty beef store and the focus at that hour was more on brunch, they did rather well ... reminded me a bit of Bombacigno's, based on the crisp-crusted French bread roll. The beef itself was better than Bombacigno's, with strong meat flavor. Light on the gravy (my preference, I'm sure they would accommodate other choices) and they put on a combination of both sweet and hot peppers, also at my request. The sweet were fresh and had clearly been roasted to order for my sandwich. Was I lucky? Anyway, a very good beef, IMHO, and $6.50 with fries (so-so, but hot and plentiful). Overall, not a bad deal, and the sandwich was probably 20% larger than the typical beef, as well. It was also fun visiting the space that was the old location of Cafe Medici, which I dined in frequently in the late '80s when visiting my brother and other UofC students I knew.

I'm heading out to Hyde Park and I could really go for some Soul Food. I'm planning a day of snarf:
1. Z&H MarketCafe - shopping and a bowl of Sweet Potato Chorizo soup for breakfast.
2. Medici - Orzata Float or some other sweet thing, then shopping at the bakery for "healthy" bread and chocolate croissants.
later
3. Violet Hour for a drink or two and some tots, maybe etoufee bites.

These will be spaced out among a trip to the Smart Museum and Powell's Bookstore, so except for Violet Hour, I'll be right in the heart of UC. I think I could use a nice, light (read: small) lunch in there somewhere. Soul food would hit the spot except I see a lot of posts stating that this area sucks for soul food, but since the last post was made in 2005 I thought I'd check to see what's changed.
I'd like something cheap, somewhere not too far out of this area as I get lost easily and I'll be by myself, and not a chain that I can find near home. Go nuts with the naughty factor as I start my new, unwelcome diet on the 30th.

I'm curious why you refer to the Violet Hour as "ridiculously overpriced". Aren't the cocktails $12 or $13 each? Nevermind the unique and some-times homemade ingredients at TVH, but think about how much standard cocktails cost that use non-well liquors at any restaurant or bar in town. Think about what kind of wine-by-the glass you'd get for $12. Report back on what you think they should charge.

Darren72 wrote:I'm curious why you refer to the Violet Hour as "ridiculously overpriced". Aren't the cocktails $12 or $13 each? Nevermind the unique and some-times homemade ingredients at TVH, but think about how much standard cocktails cost that use non-well liquors at any restaurant or bar in town. Think about what kind of wine-by-the glass you'd get for $12. Report back on what you think they should charge.

To me that's pricey. I'd go $9-10. But I didn't mean it to sound snippy.

Something that probably fits the bill - Rajun Cajun on 53rd street.

It's part Indian - part 'soul' food... inexpensive, good food

Here's the LTH Thread from a couple of years ago. But I was there last saturday - and it's still good.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=19563

Pie Lady wrote:

Darren72 wrote:I'm curious why you refer to the Violet Hour as "ridiculously overpriced". Aren't the cocktails $12 or $13 each? Nevermind the unique and some-times homemade ingredients at TVH, but think about how much standard cocktails cost that use non-well liquors at any restaurant or bar in town. Think about what kind of wine-by-the glass you'd get for $12. Report back on what you think they should charge.

To me that's pricey. I'd go $9-10. But I didn't mean it to sound snippy.

Being that anything served up comes with a sidecar of nearly equal size, I'm inclined to think of them as a bargain.

Pie Lady wrote:2. Medici - Orzata Float or some other sweet thing, then shopping at the bakery for "healthy" bread and chocolate croissants.
later.... Go nuts with the naughty factor as I start my new, unwelcome diet on the 30th.

Pie Lady, be true to your name, and get the Vaguely Reminiscent!

Oh I know, I can't make up my mind! After trying to finish off 1-1/2 pies since Pi Day, I thought I could use a break (only three slices to go!) but golly that sounds like Heaven. It will be one or the other for sure.

RomanticCynic wrote:Something that probably fits the bill - Rajun Cajun on 53rd street.

It's part Indian - part 'soul' food... inexpensive, good food

Here's the LTH Thread from a couple of years ago. But I was there last saturday - and it's still good.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=19563

Had I seen this in the morning, this would have been my rec; thanks, RC. Looking forward to the report, Pie Lady. I would have encouraged you to keep on going south to Uncle John's were they not closed this month. Keep That's-A-Burger in mind as well when you're down this way (but call in your burger in advance).

Santander wrote:

RomanticCynic wrote:Something that probably fits the bill - Rajun Cajun on 53rd street.

It's part Indian - part 'soul' food... inexpensive, good food

Here's the LTH Thread from a couple of years ago. But I was there last saturday - and it's still good.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=19563

Had I seen this in the morning, this would have been my rec; thanks, RC. Looking forward to the report, Pie Lady...

Any specific recommendations? I'm looking at the menu via campusfood.com and some Indian meals are $1.99 - how big are they? I'm thinking greens, corn muffin, and mac & cheese on the side of Gobi Mutter.

Who came up with this idea and why don't we have one in Niles?

Pie Lady wrote:

Santander wrote:

RomanticCynic wrote:Something that probably fits the bill - Rajun Cajun on 53rd street.

It's part Indian - part 'soul' food... inexpensive, good food

Here's the LTH Thread from a couple of years ago. But I was there last saturday - and it's still good.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=19563

Had I seen this in the morning, this would have been my rec; thanks, RC. Looking forward to the report, Pie Lady...

Any specific recommendations? I'm looking at the menu via campusfood.com and some Indian meals are $1.99 - how big are they? I'm thinking greens, corn muffin, and mac & cheese on the side of Gobi Mutter.

Who came up with this idea and why don't we have one in Niles?

Sides and mains are priced .99-4.99, combo meals are around $10 these days. In decreasing order of excellence (all are really good, and they don't have every dish every day):

dark (red) lentils
chana masala (chickpeas)
dry potatoes with whole spices (not the stewed potatoes / cauliflower)
samosas (answer to "sweet or spicy," referring to the sauce, is "both")
southern fried chicken
butter chicken (dry chicken, though very flavorful)
curry chicken (ditto)
greens
mac and cheese
muffins
parathas

Get a mango lassi, or try out one of their imports, which include masala-flavored soda and Indian cane sugar coke, or their house-made fruit waters.

A samosa is pretty much compulsory here regardless of which side of the menu you're ordering from.

Unrelated (but related to the original thread), I wonder how Remkoning did in his/her four years at U of C? Did he/she find culinary bliss?

chi esq wrote:Unrelated (but related to the original thread), I wonder how Remkoning did in his/her four years at U of C? Did he/she find culinary bliss?

Can't answer the second question, as our paths didn't cross, but according to the alumni directory they graduated in '07 with a degree in Statistics and live in NYC...I guess Chicago was found to be lacking something.

Personally, I think the neighborhood is still quite far behind the rest of the city in culinary options. There are hidden gems, and a few well known spots, but I think there is still a feeling that the neighborhood is an enclave of upper-class kids who don't have the time/wherewithal to explore the city at-large, and will thus accept lesser quality and higher prices.

Alright, I'm back from my mini nibblin' tour.

The results:

Brunch at Z&H Marketplace: a bowl of sweet potato chorizo soup with a little wedge of French bread and a Filbert's Lemon Lime sodie. That soup was perfect: smooth with tiny bits of carrot and chorizo (not the crumbled kind) in it. Delicious. Glad I don't live nearby because that would be breakfast every Friday.



Dessert at Medici: Vaguely Reminiscent. Glad I listened to you EvA! This was like eating pure silk, and considering how I savored each bite, I'm surprised I wasn't arrested for indecency. I mixed some of that rich whipped cream into my latte too.





I loved this place. Loved the Blues they had playing, loved the architecture and the decor...I could have stayed forever.





I was so pleased, I marked my name on the bathroom chalkboard. Let's see how long it stays. I also stopped next door for 2 buttermilk biscuits because they were so unusual looking (flying saucer-like and smooth). Can't wait to have these for breakfast with some jam and butter!

Linner at Rajun Cajun: the 2-piece dark meat dinner with collards, mac & cheese and a corn muffin. It's so hard to get soul food near Niles and living so close to Little India made me decide to skip the Indian selections. Despite the super nice staff* and nifty space, this was the worst meal I'd had in a long time. So sorry Santander and RomanticCynic! Hate to diss your recommendation. I knew I was in for trouble when the chicken looked paler than I do. The meat was so flavorless I wouldn't have been able to tell it was chicken in a blind taste test. The skin was a little sour, very soft, and almost cake-like, with some weird, unwelcome spice...garam masala? I'm not sure, but it had a decidedly Indian spin to it, not at all soul-y. The mac & cheese had more cheese than mac and was a gloppy mess. The collards were a little too vinegary for me but I've seen that style before so I can't make much of a comment either way. The corn muffin was the only saving grace. I couldn't bring myself to finish the chicken but I brought it home anyway...maybe I can pawn it off on Mr. Pie.



*This place had no bathroom and I had to piss like a racehorse. The owner offered to hold my tray while I visited the Starbucks (who also doesn't have a can either! Had to try Pizza Capri!). When I returned, I found they'd placed it into their hot box to keep warm! I thought that was very sweet.

Drink at Violet Hour, and I'd like to humbly correct myself: this place is definitely not overpriced. You do get a sidecar in an adorable little milk bottle-shaped glass, which comes out to another full-sized drink, making that $12 really $6 apiece. Nice.



Miraflores: Tabernero Acholado Pisco, Grapefruit, Honey Syrup, Egg White, Miramar Bitters. Loved the drink. Very pretty as well as yummy and not too sweet.

It was pitch black in there and my Transitions Lenses like to fuck with me and stay dark for about 10 minutes after entering a building. I requested a seat by the fireplace since flickering light was the only thing I could see. I needed my cell phone flashlight just to read the menu, no joke. I feared another Museum of Sex incident. As I'm not trendy enough for this place, I should have sat at the bar as suggested; my fireside seat was right smack in the center of the room clearly set up for groups, and the server (or a phantom, for all I know) set up a second glass across from me so it looked like I was stood up. And the bar was under- and backlit and really swank, so now I know better. On my way out, I was able to see that there were some nice tucked-away booths that I shall beg Mr. Pie to take me to on our minimoon. The drink was worth the treachery and now I know a cute romantic place in which to get sloshed. (It's right off the Damen Blue Line stop, huzzah!)

Now I'm off to drink something with Llama's orange bitters as I watch my DVD double feature of Shortbus followed by That Darn Cat!

Z&H
1126 East 47th Street
Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 538-7372
http://www.zhmarketcafe.com

Medici on 57th
1327 East 57th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 667-7394
http://www.medici57.com

Rajun Cajun
1459 East 53rd Street
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 955-1145

The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 252-1500
http://www.theviolethour.com

Pie Lady wrote:Dessert at Medici: Vaguely Reminiscent. Glad I listened to you EvA! This was like eating pure silk, and considering how I savored each bite, I'm surprised I wasn't arrested for indecency. I mixed some of that rich whipped cream into my latte too.

I wouldn't steer you wrong, Pie Lady--glad you loved the Vag Rem, one of my favorites.

Pie Lady wrote:Linner at Rajun Cajun: the 2-piece dark meat dinner with collards, mac & cheese and a corn muffin. It's so hard to get soul food near Niles and living so close to Little India made me decide to skip the Indian selections. Despite the super nice staff* and nifty space, this was the worst meal I'd had in a long time. So sorry Santander and RomanticCynic! Hate to diss your recommendation. I knew I was in for trouble when the chicken looked paler than I do.

Thanks for the report, and no worries! That's why the Indian side of the menu is much higher on my list. Z & H is also a fave I've recently posted about, and I'm glad you enjoyed your soup.

Yeah,
if you order Rajun Cajun's chicken in red sauce (I forget if they call it chicken tikka, butter chicken, or tandoori chicken), it won't be lighter than you are. And it'll be good.

I also love their lamb curry, and their mango lassie is also very nice -- a friend that I took their said that American(ized) places usually make those really thick, because otherwise Americans complain that they're not getting their money's worth; but Rajun Cajun's are nice and thirst-quenching/throat-cooling, the way they should be.

As for the American food, I usually order a side of sweet potatoes as a palate cleanser because the way their ordering system is set up, I often get little dishes of two different Indian foods.

I think it's funny that in Hyde Park the two truly local long-term mainstays, Florian and Medici, are basically gussied-up burger/pizza places with extremely developed sweet stuff (desserts, coffees/teas with syrup). Shows where the students' heads are at.

MycoMan wrote:I think it's funny that in Hyde Park the two truly local long-term mainstays, Florian and Medici, are basically gussied-up burger/pizza places with extremely developed sweet stuff (desserts, coffees/teas with syrup). Shows where the students' heads are at.

I'm already planning another trip out there with Mr. Pie. Lots of dessert, a walk on the Point, and a trip a little further south to Army & Lou's. Not necessarily in that order.

Ate my buttermilk biscuit from Medici Bakery today around 2am, and boy was I pissed. It wasn't so much a biscuit as a sweet scone and so dry and crumbly it turned to dust in my hands.

Couldn't resist reposting this bit from Yelp:

I think those of us who live in Hyde Park are spoiled by the great food available in our neighborhood. I've eaten at Cedars probably 50 times and am just now writing about it.

Is that evil of me?

If you think Hyde Park has slim pickin's now, you should have seen it in the early-mid '70s. Harold's and Ribs and Bibs plus Medici were about the best there was and there was little else of whatever caliber.

I think it's funny that in Hyde Park the two truly local long-term mainstays, Florian and Medici, are basically gussied-up burger/pizza places with extremely developed sweet stuff (desserts, coffees/teas with syrup). Shows where the students' heads are at.

Pie Lady et al:

Give the pan pizza at the Medici a try. They can be ordered as small, individual pies, and if you're fond of thick breaded pizzas with a modicum of quality ingredients atop (say, spinach and goat cheese), this should fit the bill (Eat it freshly made, tho; not for take-out._)

EvA wrote:If you think Hyde Park has slim pickin's now, you should have seen it in the early-mid '70s. Harold's and Ribs and Bibs plus Medici were about the best there was and there was little else of whatever caliber.

Amen. I moved to Chicago in 1977 and lived in Hyde Park the first two years (including the famous blizzard of '79). Just terrible choices. Harold's and Ribs and Bibs were the go to places, with the mediocre pizza at Medici further back in the rotation. There used to be a mediocre Mexican restaurant on 57th street too. I moved to the north side in '79 and never looked back. The strange thing that I noticed right away was that there were people on the street even at 10, 11 at night.

I'm a U of C PhD student and I have been living in Hyde Park for over six years now. Our food options are definitely still not great! I can confirm that Z&H, which just opened in the fall of 2008, is a real gem, with great sandwiches, soups, and baked goods, and a small, well-stocked shop. Among other things, the bagels there are house-made and really excellent, although they're not always available. They are expanding to a second location, replacing the University Market on 57th street, and I am hoping they will do well. With a very friendly, knowledgeable staff and consistently good food, Z&H is the only place in Hyde Park I could imagine as a GNR candidate.

I like Cedars. Even if the menu isn't exciting, everything there is always freshly prepared and I get the feeling that someone in the kitchen cares about what's coming out. Cedars is about as good as it gets in Hyde Park, although I have had good experiences at the somewhat more upscale Park 52. The consistently good La Petite Folie is our only fine dining option, to the extent that my advisor once told me he had been there with visiting faculty five times in one week.

I feel that Ribs & Bibs, never great, has gone noticeably downhill since I've lived in the neighborhood, and I've also been disappointed by thick, gummy sauces at Piccolo Mondo during my last few visits. I don't like any of the Thai places on 55th street, or the relatively new Asian fusion place Chant on 53rd, which on my one visit there seemed to be serving mixed vegetables from the supermarket freezer. Seoul Corea on 55th St., on the other hand, is not bad.

Also of note in Hyde Park is the ongoing saga of Orly's, a restaurant which has existed in a number of incarnations under the same eccentric owner, none of them good. It was recently replaced by The Big Easy, with a cajun theme, but apparently the chef, a former contestant on Hell's Kitchen, quit after a few weeks because of personality conflicts with the owner. I have heard good things about The Big Easy but haven't been there yet myself.

I'm not sure how they worked this into the small kitchen, but according to a sign on the door, Salonica is now serving the pizza recipe from the defunct Florian, for those that like the Hyde Park variant of Chicago-style pizza. After a long absence, I was also happy to learn Salonica is taking credit cards and making the avgolemono again.

Salonica
1440 E 57th St, Chicago