David Hammond wrote:Seems poutine-ish (adding meat is something they're doing with poutine at The Gage, but not sure how traditional that is).

Definitely. English poutine. I haven't tried many of the poutines that have popped up around town but I have to think this is one of the better ones. Not all that long ago it was almost impossible to find here. Five years ago I think Pizzeria Aroma on Berwyn served Chicago's only "poutine"— frozen crinkle-cut fries soaked in Italian beef juice and topped with a handful of shredded mozzarella.

David Hammond wrote:That pickled egg looks so good, as do pretty much all the pix.

I love pickled eggs and wish they were more common in Chicago. I know In Fine Spirits does tea-pickled eggs. Does anyone know where else to find them? Do I really have to go to Wisconsin?

David Hammond wrote:Good thing Maria's is so close. Most of this seems like drinking food to me.

Maria's and Pleasant House are a remarkably good fit. I'm usually there before Maria's opens so only once did I have beer with my meal (and it went very well indeed). Pleasant House serves house-made sodas (usually a tea soda and ginger ale) that are well worth trying. But I think beer is better.

Ursiform wrote:Also of note are their burgers, served every Tuesday on a homemade english muffin bun and cooked to order ~ it's rapidly become my favorite burger in the city. Another special, sausage rolls, are not to be missed, with their terrific homemade sausage encased in buttery, flaky pastry.

The burger has been on my to-do list for months but I haven't managed to get there on a Tuesday yet. I have no doubt it's great. Haven't had a chance to try a sausage roll either but will be on the lookout for them.

Tuesday burgers. Got it. Once the snow clears I can make the five-minute walk to get one.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:Tuesday burgers. Got it. Once the snow clears I can make the five-minute walk to get one.

Did you make it over?


Well worth the walk from the Northside if you had to take it...

Tonight I finally made it over to try the burger special and it was excellent. One of the more desirable burgers over $10 I've had from anywhere and it was only a buck or so above that. My last couple visits I had to order what I call the "Pleasant Poutine" seen upthread. I'm addicted. I ate a bowl to myself the first time I tried it and there wasn't a lick of gravy for a fly left in that bowl. It's become habit forming for me.


"Pleasant Poutine" Fried Potato Chunks aka chips with gravy, skirt steak and real cheddar

Rene G wrote:Pleasant House is my favorite recent addition to the Chicago dining scene. Together with Maria's, the bar right next door, it has made the corner of 31st & Morgan a real destination for food and drink...It seems Pleasant House and Maria's have quickly become the heart of the New Bridgeport. Every neighborhood should be so lucky to have such a pair.

I agree with thee. They nailed it when you talk about a place that takes something their really passionate about making and keeping it to a minimum as far as the menu which is pretty small but very powerful. Then they add a daily special, all of which I've had are excellent, equaling to everything on the menu being very good to better than good. I've got the bangers and mash and carved meat Sunday special to go as far as what I've tried. Hell next time I might have to buy some soap and other housemade bath and body products too. I'm hoping to one day see the classic American variation of a chicken pot pie on special. Has anyone seen that done yet?

Pleasant House Bakery
964 W 31st St
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 523-7437
Website

The poutine is the best thing I've had there. My burger the one time I had it was overcooked, and I thought the roll too bready. Maybe I'll give it another shot later.

I love the steak and ale pie, too. Need to try the chicken balti and the fish and chips. Beth is addicted to the mushroom and kale. Just a truly wonderful place.

Da Beef wrote:

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:Tuesday burgers. Got it. Once the snow clears I can make the five-minute walk to get one.

Did you make it over?

Unfortunately, I was too distracted by dealing with a toddler who opted to skip his nap. Always at the most inopportune times, I swear.

gleam wrote:My burger the one time I had it was overcooked, and I thought the roll too bready. Maybe I'll give it another shot later.

Gleam, please do...I rarely post pics as I always eat over at Maria's where it's dark, but I always get my burger beautifully medium rare, and the buns are ether-esque in their lightness. I think you would really enjoy it on a second run.

Data point - burger was perfect tonight.

I recently stopped by for the Friday fish fry which was excellent, but the scotch egg was terrific. Mine came with a slightly runny yolk and was just outstanding.

I also must say they are incredibly nice and hospitable there. On my first visit, I made my order and inquired about the hibiscus soda and commented that it sounded delicious. They let me have one on the house so I could try it. I've only been there about a handful of times and not regularly. But the owner still recognized me as a repeat customer on my last visit. I also brought myself a beer for a byob and didn't have a glass to pour it in, but they graciously let me use a pint glass the staff use occasionally. You can really tell they care as much about their customers as they do about the food they serve.

surbano wrote:I recently stopped by for the Friday fish fry which was excellent, but the scotch egg was terrific. Mine came with a slightly runny yolk and was just outstanding.

I was there today and encountered the same wonderful surprise. I had wondered if it was unintentional or by design, now I know it was on purpose. I far prefer a slightly runny yolk over a solid one. This small detail really improved the Scotch egg experience for me.

I saw the same everyone knows my name feel today. When I told Art I brought my Mom, he ran over to meet her. She seemed surprised and she told me she was delighted to be referred to as Cathy1.

I will be coming back soon with the Moms for AFternoon Tea at $15 pp.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:I was there today and encountered the same wonderful surprise. I had wondered if it was unintentional or by design, now I know it was on purpose. I far prefer a slightly runny yolk over a solid one. This small detail really improved the Scotch egg experience for me.

Cathy, it's by design, they have a painstaking process to get them to come out like that.

I left others on the Chowathon to carry on but the bite or 3 of the mushroom kale pie is one of the best new things I've tasted this year.

Wonder if we can get back over there this weekend.

I've been itching to try Pleasant House for so long, so today was the day. I just knew from the crust pictures throughout this thread that Pleasant House was right up my alley and couldn't possibly disappoint. I was right.

I picked up a friend of mine who simply trusted me that we'd go someplace good, although he was certainly baffled once I hopped on the Kennedy, headed south and passed where I'd normally exit for Pilsen. At that point he asked "are we leaving the state?" Well, once exiting the Dan Ryan at 31st, he knew we weren't going that far.

We shared the Chicken Balti Pie and Steak and Ale Pie. He preferred the chicken, I preferred the steak, but we thought both were excellent. Impossibly flaky and delicious crust and great, moist fillings. What I loved about the steak and ale pie is I adore a good beef stew, and not only was this the most delicious and complex beef stew I've ever tasted, but it was encased within a crust (a weakness for me). Also loved the fresh, vibrant flavors of the chutney that accompanied the Chicken Balti Pie.

We had the Deluxe Gravy Chips and they too were delicious. I would say they could have used just a bit more gravy, but still great. Also tried the scotch egg and enjoyed, but would have preferred a slightly runny yolk.

House made ginger soda was fantastic - best I've ever tried. All that, and a really friendly group running the place, and some old school charm and comfort. I might not become a regular because of the distance from home, but I will make sure I return. Let me tell ya - the "Pleasant" in Pleasant House Bakery is the understatement of the decade. This place is superb.

Word from Art last night was that Cinco de Mayo will be marked at Pleasant House by a collaboration with Jonathan from Birrieria Zaragoza. Yup...that's right... birria pies.

I know where I'll be next Saturday.

-Dan

Fifille and I shared a mushroom kale pie Friday from the truck. Easily the best thing Ive ever had from a food truck. We cannot wait to visit the store!

PHB is now my regular stop on the way to Sox games, and what a great improvement that is. Fish and Chips plus hibiscus soda on Friday hit the spot. Lots of pepper and malt vinegar to liven it up. On warmer days, it is nice to take a pie to the game, but Friday was dine in weather.

If I made a list of the 10 best things I have eaten this year, PHB would hold half the spots and I have not made it to the Poutine yet. By June they may have the whole list.

Available today and Saturday. Birria Pie looking delicious! Glad to say a buddy had a hand in making this happen.

https://twitter.com/#!/RoyalPies/status ... 04/photo/1

thepld wrote:Available today and Saturday. Birria Pie looking delicious! Glad to say a buddy had a hand in making this happen.

https://twitter.com/#!/RoyalPies/status ... 04/photo/1

Speaking of buddies, the most excellent patoriq (two-time vet of Chowathon) is talking with Art about bringing his mobile wood-burning pizza oven to the Pleasant House patio this summer.

thepld wrote:Available today and Saturday. Birria Pie looking delicious! Glad to say a buddy had a hand in making this happen.

https://twitter.com/#!/RoyalPies/status ... 04/photo/1

Delicious indeed!

Pleasant House Royal Pie de Chivo




Despite having just eaten a not unsubstantial lunch at Lao Sze Chuan, I dove into this beauty as soon as I got home. Thanks to boudreaulicious for scoring one for me.

Ha! Can't believe you actually ate it...I took it out of the box, stared at it for a good 5 minutes and finally put it back in the fridge. Just couldn't do it. Hoping to recover some appetite by tonight since I'd hate to have it sit in the fridge til tomorrow.

On a related note, any suggestions for how best to heat these up?

boudreaulicious wrote:Ha! Can't believe you actually ate it...I took it out of the box, stared at it for a good 5 minutes and finally put it back in the fridge. Just couldn't do it. Hoping to recover some appetite by tonight since I'd hate to have it sit in the fridge til tomorrow.

On a related note, any suggestions for how best to heat these up?

Mine was still warm when I got home, so that was the main incentive to eat it. Ideally warming it in the oven, rather than a micowave, is ideal. Try 325 for 15 - 20 minutes and then check the temp. I've put mine on a preheated pizza stone in the past (use parchment) with great success.

boudreaulicious wrote:On a related note, any suggestions for how best to heat these up?

Per the website:

*Baking Your Pie at Home or Work: All of our hot pies and pasties are available fully baked and chilled. They are as delicious when heated at home as they are when they come out of our oven. Simply preheat your oven or toaster oven to 350 degrees, place your Royal Pie on a cookie sheet or rack, uncovered, and bake from 20 to 40 minutes (times will vary by oven). The center of the pie should be piping hot (165 degrees internal temperature). Frozen, unthawed pies will take longer to heat.

I went to PHB at noon today looking for a Birria pie and was told they were all sold out! They sold them all on Thursday and then only had pre-orders available today. I was really unhappy about this as nowhere in the email that PHB sent to their listhost did they mention they were being sold on Thursday (it only mentioned Saturday and Cinco de Mayo) nor did they mention pre-ordering. I've been looking forward to this all week and even rearranged my plans today to be able to get there early. So, if you were planning to go get a pie today, don't go out of your way as there aren't any.

Hi,

Louisa Chu and I visited Pleasant House Bakery last night, they had made their first batch of Coronation Chicken pie to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This pie will be served cold with a curry mayonnaise. It is only for this weekend.

One bite and I was quite inspired to sing:



In between ceremonies at the Queen's coronation, the Queen and her ladies in waiting were served a Coronation chicken salad with a mango chutney.

When you check out the recipe here, it is a kissing cousin to the curry chicken salad with dried cranberries available at some grocery store delis.

If you want this Coronation Chicken Pie dearly and want to avoid bon2mic's experience, you may want to preorder.

Regards,

That link didn't work - try this one.

I might have to stop by for that pie! It sounds wonderful. But - did they actually use currants, or did they sub raisins? This is important.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:That link didn't work - try this one.

I might have to stop by for that pie! It sounds wonderful. But - did they actually use currants, or did they sub raisins? This is important.

There were not raisins or currants, that I recall. They did have the chutney just under the top crust. The curry mayonnaise was on the side to spread as you preferred.

Our pie was room temperature, those served today will be filled with aspic and chilled.

Regards,

I was thrilled to discover last night that PHB is now making pizzas. My understanding is that yesterday was the first day they've offered them, and depending on how it goes, it may become a semi-regular feature through the summer.

Friend of Hammond/original and recent chow-a-thon'r (whose name I've so rudely forgotten), posing next to his portable brick oven, which is being used to fire the pizzas:


We tried two of the pizzas last night, and both were great - a Margherita pizza (or, Queen's Pizza, sticking with PHB's royal theme) as well as one featuring chutney, cheddar, ruccola and... I don't quite remember, as I was drunk and it was dark. Crust was light and airy, but with a nice crisp exterior and interior chew.

-Dan

Visited Pleasant House Bakery today and was tempted by their fish and chips. It was as delicious as everyone before me has said - the chips have a good ratio of crispy skin and fluffy insides and the fish tastes like fish without tasting fishy (does that even make any sense?). Also had the ginger soda which is zingy and super refreshing

In honor of the Super Bowl, Pleasant House is offering buffalo chicken and chili-cheese pies today. I tried both. The buffalo chicken was outstanding - great sauce and even a buffalo wing standing upright from the crust. I preferred it only slightly to the terrific chili-cheese pie. Both pies were better than 99.9% of the buffalo chicken and chili options most of us will eat the rest of today. Add in the amazing crust and I'll guess it blows all other options out of the water. Washed it all down with their house-made ginger soda - now I'm in a good place.

BR wrote:In honor of the Super Bowl, Pleasant House is offering buffalo chicken and chili-cheese pies today. I tried both. The buffalo chicken was outstanding - great sauce and even a buffalo wing standing upright from the crust. I preferred it only slightly to the terrific chili-cheese pie. Both pies were better than 99.9% of the buffalo chicken and chili options most of us will eat the rest of today. Add in the amazing crust and I'll guess it blows all other options out of the water. Washed it all down with their house-made ginger soda - now I'm in a good place.

In one of many cases of an LTH post converting immediately and completely into revenue for a local business: my stomach thanks your description, BR. I could not stay away.



This was a frigging fantastic pie. Braised carrot and celery floating in a sea of melted butter and hot sauce with islands of perfectly cooked chicken thigh and wing meat. Probably the best thing I've had there; palate cleansed with ginger beer, and ready for the week.

The house- cured salmon plate with Peerless Bread & Jam bialy was not too shabby either (read: totally badass). Satisfying as it was, we couldn't resist washing it down with one of those hot wing pies! Pleasanthouse is the place to be on a Sunday!

Ah, what a fine lunch that was. That is one hell of a kale & 'shroom pie, and the ginger beer didn't hurt. Seems the macha powder is kicking in and I might not need a coffee after all. What a cute joint this is, and such friendly staff! I hope I can get down here more often.