Plein Air Cafe hopes to draw students, locals in Hyde Park
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Hyde Park is known for many things, including world-class academics and President Obama's home.
But finding world-class food has been more of a challenge.
We've seen some great signs in Hyde Park lately, namely, A10 on 53rd Street. But finding great food directly on campus besides Medici has been harder to find. Enter a new collaboration between a successful restaurant group and a beloved Bridgeport purveyor of British pies, and you've got a formula for success with an historic view for all you architecture buffs.
Sandwiched between Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House and a co-op bookstore, Plein Air Cafe takes its name literally. From the French expression "in the open air," this new endeavor is a unique partnership.
"We wanted to create a cafe that's very French and new American, and we're lucky enough to work with Art Jackson from Pleasant House Bakery," said owner Soo Choi.
So that means Jackson's famous British pies, made in his Bridgeport cafe, are always available, as are exquisite pastries from La Fournette in Old Town. Serious coffee and latte art, courtesy Wicker Park's Metric Coffee, can also be seen. But there's plenty of good stuff made on the premises too, like a stack of French toast slathered with rich mascarpone cheese, drenched in their homemade jam. Also, tartines.
"Tartines are an open-faced sandwich. It's just a nice, rustic bread, which is a sourdough," Choi said.
Four options are typically available; a vegan version has a base of fresh pesto that's topped with roasted seasonal vegetables. If you're gluten-free, no problem - just lose the sourdough, then add some quinoa or other healthy grain, and go with one of their bowls. Choi said the setting, which only becomes more desirable in the summertime, is truly unique in Hyde Park, but they're hoping the food draws in locals once the students go home for the summer.
"We were so lucky enough for University of Chicago to actually ask us to build and concept the cafe that would be very well-suited for the space, which is really great," said Choi.
5751 S. Woodlawn Ave.
773-966-7531
