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Category: American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Hyde ParkMon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Mon-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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I came here on Friday with my school for our professional development day lunch. We reserved the entire restaurant and anyone who wanted to dine there was out of luck.
A few weeks before we went here, we were given a menu with a choice of 10 entrees to choose from. When we arrived, we had a piece a paper with our name and what we had selected as our meal. While the staff was great, the process was incredibly bad. People were still waiting for their food while the majority of the people were almost done eating. Some people even took the earlier bus back to work because they were tired of waiting. Within a two hour stay, some people had to pack their lunches to go because it was still not ready.
Aside from the poor timing, the food was excellent. I ordered the bacon blue cheese burger and it was delicious. The fries were crispy and plentiful. People at my table ordered ribs and a veggie burger aside from the BBC burgers. Everyone loved their food.
The restaurant itself is very pretty. It looks like it could be a mix of French and Chinese design influence. A lot of reds, purple and velvet. It's a fairly big restaurant with an open floor plan.
I am not in the Hyde Park area very much but after perusing their dinner menu online, I definitely want to come back again. There are too many tasty items on the menu!
NOTE: The restuarant is located in my neighborhood. Therefore, this review will be a tadbit biast just because of the limited selection of decent food in the area....
Park 52 is a located in the heart of Hyde Park. If you are African American, this is the place to be seen. You come in here and you will probably know at least one person from your old neighborhood, volunteer organization, school, fraternity or sorority. Its just one of those places where familiar faces are all around.
I went on a Saturday night and sat at the bar with a friend. I felt like the menu was a bit limited. I took a suggestion from a friend to try the Sweet Corn Cake and Mixed Veggies. I loved the idea but I know this dish is not truly original. The veggies were not that fresh. Matter of fact, it looked like they took a bag of Bird's Eye mixed veggies and placed on my corn cakes and drizzled a sweet sauce on it. Although it was rather tasty, I felt the price was a bit much for what I ate.
The drinks were good and the service was great. One of my favorite waitresses is Naja. She knows the menu and is one of the best working there.
Since its in my neighborhood, I plan to go again and try another dish. Gotta support the local businesses as much as possible.
My boss brought 6 of us here this week to celebrate the successful completion of a large work event. We arrived at 11:30am, and were the only ones there. The place is really lovely, bright, colorful, and taaaaall ceilings which give it an open feeling.
The hostess took us to the very back room which was a private dining space with velvet curtains that you could close for privacy. (Could probably have 12 back there if you wanted.)
We were seated and ordered drinks. They said they could take our drink order, but the bartender would not be in until almost noon. (Only 30 minutes- that's fine.) The boss and I ordered the Pomegranate Margaritas- and they were $19 each.
When we were ordering, the waitress commented that if you were getting a burger, you really should get the fries, because Park 52 is one of only like 3 restaurants in the city that uses duck fat for the fries, and it is out of this world. So we shrugged and said ok.
When the food came, it did all look delicious. I had the paradise burger and it was yummy. Soft bun, pineapple ring under cheddar cheese on the burger. And the fries...... meh. They were shoestring fries- which I like, but it tasted like duck-fat strips. I din;t particularly like it. Those who ordered the shrimp & grits said it was yummy.
Meanwhile, the bartender was running late, so our drinks came with dessert. The pomegranate margarita- exquisitely delicious and smooth, maybe one of the nicest drinks I've ever had. BUT- for $19, I'll go to the Drake for drinks, not a Hyde Park restaurant mid-day.
We all ordered dessert as well. I had the creme brulee'. Oh wow- it was just delicious!
Drinks & desserts may be the highlights here for me. The ambiance as well. Very fun! I wasn't impressed with my entree, and nobody else at the table said "you should try this!" Rather uninspired.
I will go back again. It's some of Hyde Park's finest dining, and lovely place. But it will be rare. I applaud the restaurant for just being here though.
Never thought I'd come here because I very rarely go to high-end places to eat... and based upon the reviews, I didn't think I'd like it. But some people from my grammar school decided to stage a small reunion here, and I found out that the atmosphere is very nice, and the food is pretty good!
I do have to agree with prior reviewers that Park 52 does not feel like Hyde Park. Look inside this place and you are deep inside the boundaries of the South Loop. Park 52 is located in the only building in Harper's Court that is not slated for demolition, and the designers made excellent use of this odd 70's A-framish structure. The lighting/decoration etc. is hip/funky/classy, yet gives a feeling that is warm and welcoming. This was augmented by a tight little jazz combo that was playing very creditable Coltrane/Gillespie be-bop/hard bop, at least for their first set.
On to eating. Service for food and drinks was immediate, pleasant, concerned and ready with clear explanations and recommendations. The fried calamari appetizer was generous in portion, and each piece was plump and tasty. We tried the baby back ribs with PapaQ sauce, which seemed to have a heavy cumin base and was different and interesting. I really enjoyed the sweet corn cakes (not too sweet - just right) with tequila-lime sauce and copious, fresh vegetables. I probably could have eaten a couple plates' worth.
Bonus celebrity watch: Jesse Jackson (The Rev) was there.
Framing: Father's Day lunch around 2 pm. 4 of us with final bill of about $160 plus tip. Server name: May H
ADVICE TO PARK 52 OWNERS: FIRE ALL SERVICE STAFF AND START OVER.
ADVICE TO POTENTIAL PATRONS: WAIT UNTIL THE ABOVE HAPPENS, THEN GO TO PARK 52. UNTIL THEN, DON'T BOTHER.
WHY?
1) Your food will be cold
Despite the huge flames we could see in the kitchen from our far corner table, our food was lukewarm at best. I can only assume our server forgot about the food, then it got progressively colder as she slowly made her way over to our table with it.
2) Service time is abysmally slow
You will sit there for quite a while before getting any of the basics you would expect from a restaurant, like bread and water. And in between each course you will wait 20 minutes at least before seeing anyone. Better service in prison, I would imagine.
3) Your food will be average quality with above average prices. We had:
- Chicken wing things with lego quality waffle. (plus server forgot the syrup and butter)
- Cold and dry collard greens
- a tiny little piece of short ribs on top of a pile of mash potatos
- Bread pudding that was too much bread. moderately tasty but not very moist.
- really good BBQ Salmon that would have been superb had it been remotely hot.
4) If you want fancy decor and that's all, go to the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute.
Park 52 is an excellent example of what happens when take a great concept to Hyde Park -- they manage to f**k it up.
The interior is very chic and similar in aesthetic to other Jerry Kleiner restaurants. It is red with beautiful wood built ins, interesting dining space with small, intimate areas available. The bar is a great centerpiece. I felt transported out of Hyde Park while inside.
The food was also excellent. My friend and I started with the mussels and the crab cake. The crab cake was standard, but well prepared and did not skimp on the crab. The mussels with pure genius however. They had bacon in them. Yes, bacon in a white wine and butter sauce that melted in my mouth like heaven. I am still dreaming about these perfectly succulent barnacles.
Our mixed green salads were boring at best and I'm not positive they had anything other than pepper on them. I'd definitely suggest you skip those. Then for our main course we had the braised beef and the sea scallops. Both were so incredibly different and uniquely wonderful I could devote a review to them alone.
The braised beef was sweet, melt in your mouth amazingness with the perfect compliment being the salty mashed potatoes. It was a testament to the chefs skill and creative talent to have prepared a dish that interesting and still delicious. Then the sage and thyme butter scallops, which were incredible because they were just allowed to speak for themselves. No over cooked, rubbery lumps over here, just the purest, liveliest and loveliest scallops I have had the pleasure of eating in a long time.
Our desserts were equally amazing. I had the creme brulee and my friend had the flourless chocolate cake. The creme brulee was wonderful but traditional, which left it the sad stepsibling next to the flourless chocolate cake. It was more like a partially cooked, molten-centered brownie with ice cream on it than a dainty flourless chocolate cake. I definitely ate way more than my 1/2 of that dessert!
So why 3 stars? How did they manage to f**k up that good of a meal? Yep, it was the service. As every other reviewer has commented, I was in here on an off night with about 10 other patrons total. There were at least 2 hostess, and at least 2 more waitresses but we might as well have been in Timbuktu for all the times they visited out table. The hostess was very miffed we didn't have a reservation, despite the fact that only 3 other tables were filled. We were seated next to the daughter of one of the hostesses, behind the hostess stand. She was there making an art project of some sort. She definitely received much better attention and service than we did, but then again she was behaving like a bored, bratty 7 year old dragged to her Mom's job, so that's probably why.
It took almost 20 minutes to get water, and significantly longer after that to get waited on! Our courses were slow to come out, but when they did the busboy just pushed our old plates to the side (of our very small two top) and placed the new ones in front of us. I guess clearing our empty salad plates wasn't part of his job description?
I'd still go back, my food was definitely good enough, but it'll always been on an evening I have 2 or 3 hours free and very good company to keep me entertained.
BRUNCHMENOT!
this is a TERRIBLE place to go for brunch. we arrived at noon. although there were very few other tables, it took OVER AN HOUR (and much complaining to the waitress and the manager) to get our food.
when the food finally came it was bad. the chicken sandwich was so dry and the chicken breast was so mangey, the fact that we were charged for it at all was laughable. the fact that we were charged $13 for it was insanity. the steak salad looked way over-dressed (although the meat was cooked well). not worth $16 though. the belgian waffle was so plain, naked, and cold, i would have given it $8 just to go away. the rest of the orders (from what i gathered) about fell in line with the experience on my end of the table.
we went here to celebrate my friend's gaduation from college and instead of having a good time, we left unsatisfied and pressed for time.
thought jerry kleiner might be an answer to hyde park's prayers for more quality restaurant options. sadly, he is not.
Gorgeous space...on par with Marche, Carnivale, Opera, etc. The food is a different story entirely.
We came for brunch so I can't speak to the dinner menu, but this is diner food at gourmet prices...as in the only remarkable thing about this food was what they were charging for it. While perusing the menu I was initially disappointed at the selection of options (they didn't even offer any kind of Benedict which, to me, is a brunch staple). Everything sounded bland and boring. I figured they'd make up for selection with quality and execution. Nope. The fanciest thing ordered at our table was the Brioche French Toast and that was feh. For one-tenth the price you can get similar (if not better) selection and quality at Velois' around the corner.
The service was friendly but a bit disorganized.
Don't bother. Hyde Park has so many better dining options. Even Mellow Yellow would be a better option over this place.
came here on a whim when the harry potter exhibit was sold out for more hours than i could justify sitting in a museum. i don't know hyde park very well (or at all), so i'm glad my friend knew of this place. it was virtually empty when we got there at about 2:30 pm and basically sat at the bar to bullshit for a few hours while having a couple drinks. they have really great cocktails (try the cucumber-tini!) and we didn't feel rushed to get out.
apparently their cocktails are $5 on thursdays, i would think about coming back and trying their food as well.
While I was in Chicago for my friend's wedding, the wedding party was taken out to dinner at Park 52. I was instantly impressed by the classy decor that said trendy, but not snobby. There was also an appropriate, but still funny portrait of Michelle Obama hanging over the bar - what can you expect? It was in Hyde Park I guess.
I was the first to arrive, so I killed some time at the well stocked bar. Their beer selection is a bit strange. Divided in half, there are a decent selection of beers for 6 dollars with standards like Blue Moon and Heineken, and then a really bizarre assortment of low end brews for 5 dollars. MGD and Miller High Life were strange things to see served in a place like this.
When the rest of the party arrived, we were treated to some decent appetizers of Spinach and Artichoke Dip and Quesadillas, but where Park 52 really shined was in there entrees. I had a skirt steak that was prepared perfectly alongside some nicely seasoned fries. Everyone else was extremely happy with their dishes as well.
From the out of towners like myself to the Hyde Park locals that threw the shindig, it was all of our first times at this place, and we all left knowing that it would be worth a return trip.
Haven't eaten here, but I stopped in for a drink on a slow night. The bartender was pleasant and competent and the few other bar patrons seemed to be enjoying themselves, but IMO the atmosphere sucks. The music was too loud and not very interesting, the room is cavernous and tastelessly decorated, and all in all I don't see the point. I'm a total aesthetics geek--I would hang out in Tizi Melloul even if they were serving warm PBR and peanut-butter sandwiches, which of course they are not--but this place is just struck me as pretentious and ugly. A visit to their website underscored that impression. The only reason I'm going on like this is the amount of hype ABOUT said atmosphere. If you want to be somewhere pretty in Hyde Park, the back corner of Piccolo Mondo is truly lovely, and so in a different way is the Snail, and if you want to dine in a work of art, score some pizza from the interior window at the Falcon and go check out the murals and the ornate carving on the putatively Louis Sullivan bar.
Took an hour to get the food and a half hour to get the manager!
I have never been to a Jerry Kleiner restaurant, but after visiting Park 52, I'll always be able to recognize one from the fabulous decor. Extra sized fixtures make this place seem what an adult Alice in Wonderland would patronize had they ever wrote a sequel.
Seriously, this was a "visit Obama's part of town" night and I had heard this place was quite the establishment.
After eating Chicken and Waffels near by, this was going to be a drinks only stop......mainly because I was so full almost nothing else could fit inside me. The bartender was a bit overwhelmed, though the restaurant was not full by any means. She was more focused on getting out servers drinks than servicing the bar...perhaps they need a smaller server bar and hire another bartender so the bar patrons don't suffer. And we all did as the bar was full. Drink orders with my friend were simple, though I requested my drink with a lime which took 3 requests to get.....just totally unacceptable for such a nice place.....I mean it is a drink order. If you cannot get that right, I'd be a bit scared about more complex dinner orders.
The menu is simple, yet has a nice mixture of food, both comfort and otherwise. I would still like to eat here, though my first impression on a non busy night makes me think otherwise.
You can certainly tell that this is a Jerry Kleiner restaurant from the decor- but his signature good service was missing during my recent visit to Park 52.
We stopped in for a drink on a snowy, Saturday night as I had been wanting to try Park 52 since it opened. As I pushed my way through the revolving door, my first thought was "Gee . . .I could have saved myself a trip and gone to Room 21", so close are the design elements between the two.
The signature Kleiner light fixtures, oversized and artistic mirrors, the chairs upholstered in artsy fabric, the heavy velvet drapes and the black and white tile floors all reminded me of the sister restaurant in the South Loop. Even the layout was similar with the large oak bar along the side backed my mirrors and bottles of alcohol. All in all a beautiful restaurant but then I like the look of most of Kleiner's places.
The service was a bit off, in my opinion. We sat at the bar, but there was no bartender. And then- when she does show up- it takes two requests for a glass of water and three to get a lime in the drink. Very strange as it wasn't that busy. And certainly not up to the service standards one expects from this grouping of restaurants.
We looked at the menu and while I recognized some of the entrees, I think they may have a new chef as gone are some of the more casual items on the menu that I had heard about (the burger and onion rings to mention a couple) but there are steaks, short ribs, chicken and salmon all which are also at Room 21.
Since we had only come for drinks- our sampling of the dinner menu had to wait for another time. But in taking a glance around- the food was presented beautifully and smelled delicious!
Valet parking is available out front or you can park in the public lot behind the restaurant for about a third of the price.
Since there are other Kleiner restaurants that offer up a similar dining experience much closer to my house, I doubt that Park 52 could do anything to stand out that would make me come down this way as a destination. But if I lived in Hyde Park- it would go on my list as a solid place to grab a drink and some dinner. That is, if you can find the bartender.
I went into Park 52 with low expectations, actually I didnt wish to visit the establishment at all, but my God-Mother wanted to go there for her birthday dinner.
After viewing the menu online and noticing their lack of vegetarian options I had a snack at home before hand simply to ensure that I would not go hungry for the rest of the evening.
The service is wonderful, they have valet, curteous hosts, bus boys who keep your water glasses full and our waiter was attentive, begining the night with coming over and introducing himself. For the majority of the evening he made us feel we his only clients(but without being pushy). The decor featured LOTS of eye candy and bright colors- but in a way that enhanced your dining experience/atmosphere rather than distracting from it.
The food.......oh the food.............my vegan entree(which was available upon request) was actually DELICIOUS! Usually at these type of establishments they do not put much care into their vegetarian dishes. Linguine pasta with a SPICY marinara sauce with vegetables(that did NOT taste like mush)!! I was shocked.
I walked into the restaurant knowning it was pricey so I am not going to criticize them on price, HOWEVER, to cut my godmother's birthday cake(which we brought from home) there was a fee of $20. I understand that if clients bring cake, they wont be ordering dessert and the restaurant misses out on that revenue- but TWENTY DOLLARS to cut cake is a little extreme. Birthday cake is a TRADITION. Never in my life has a restaurant charged me to cut CAKE for a birthday!
I enjoyed my meal at Park 52, and while I would never go there on my own(as a poor law student) if I was invited I would most definately accept(and NOT have a snack before hand), however I wouldnt suggest celebrating any birthdays there as the cake cutting fee is loopy.
Ladies and gentlemen, Jerry KLeiner and his chef have left the building leaving Park 52 to the devices of a silent Hyde Park partner. I found all of this out via our server when I noticed a dramatic change in the menu. The menu must have been proprietary somehow, because how else can you explain the drop of Chicago's best onion rings from the menu? They don't even have a hamburger anymore. Calamari was clearly pre-prepared, soggy and an effigy of Park 52's old recipe. My friend's trout special was drenched in "Cajun" seasoning and inedible, as were the string beans: a salty mess - plus they forgot the tomatoes!
The Hyde Park curse has struck again. I was already suspicious when I heard Kleiner was going to give Hyde Park a shot. Unless you can keep dishes below $12, Hyde Park will run you dry - and here's another casualty to support my hypothesis. Park 52 had miserable curb appeal from the get go, you can't see it from any major traffic artery, plus its located in a pretty remote area in Hood Park.
The Apple Crisp dessert with Ice Cream...*mouth waters* I wish I had some right now...mmm....
Bumped them up to five stars. The potatoes were mouthwatering. Service was great as usual. I had a… Read more »
My opinion of this place hasn't changed...well, I guess it has....I am even more "in love"!!
Almost a year after my first experience, I am still totally enthralled with this marvelous little gem!
A friend and I had dinner here and I am just so impressed, I had to share. First, the service is phenomenal! Which, says alot for Chicago restaurants! I'm sorry, but so often the wait staff (at even uber chic places) act as if you're an imposition. But, not here. Our waitress (Jordan, I believe) was wonderfully sweet...very engaged and did not blink an eye when my friend returned her Shrimp and Grits. To clarify: There WAS NOTHING WRONG with the dish!! I tasted it. The grits were wonderfully done with just the right amount of Parmesan cheese and corn for a bit of "umpf". My friend is simply notorious for returning dishes?! At any rate, the waitress quickly returned with a new dish amid apologies...as if my friend was not a bit of a handful!
Ok, on to my selection. I had the bar b que short ribs, which were divine...divine...divine! I can't find words to explain how deliciously tender and well seasoned this meat was (and I am really not big on red meat!). The short ribs come with the best mashed potaotes ever. We added a side of the steamed collard greens and were not at all disappointed. My only disappointment...I don't live closer to this fabulous place!
Another great: Their wine list was fab...I had the Cassay (sp?) which is a Cab/Shiraz meritage, that is too good. The pear martini is still "the bomb", although i noticed it no longer came with the slice of fresh pear and cinnamon.
I have to agree with Nicholas. This was one of the best, best, best restaurants!
Sure, there were…
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Loved this place. Ambiance really nice. Server was great. Food is good. They have live jazz on Wed. nights. I will be going back again.
I've enjoyed dinner and drinks here before but brunch today was an unmitigated disaster. The restaurant was practically empty but our server was barely able to provide attention to us (she was obviously too new to be taking on her own tables). We arrived at 12 and the slow service and even slower kitchen caused us to wait until after 1 for any food. The bill of 30 dollars a person was absurd considering the poor quality and small portions of what was served. Park 52 needs to stop trying to serve brunch immediately, they are obviously not able to do it well.
Totally fun, ridiculously over priced. The decor here, like in pretty much every Kleiner… Read more »
A great place to go to for brunch!!! First of all, the decor is wonderful and it creates a great mood throughout the restaurant. The service was great, our server was very attentive and kind. Our food, delicious!! I had the Traditional Benedict with fresh fruit, although I had my choice of fries or fruit. My husband had the Crab Cake Benedict with fries, which he thought was superb. The food and service was worth every penny. I can't wait to come back!!
My now-ex boyfriend took me on a date here when it first opened. We even drove over from my apartment in the neighborhood, and were surprised that there was (a) a restaurant this nice in Hyde Park and (b) valet service.
He was very happy about the scotch selection, and I was happy about the wine-by-the-glass selection. We were BOTH delighted with the scallops. HEAVENLY. The main courses were also excellent--though his was quite a bit better than mine. It was however, just after the restaurant opened, and they were shuffling items around--we got a little review card with the bill. It turned out to be quite an expensive meal, though we knew it would be going into it. And it was worth every penny-perhaps even more so because you would never know from the decor, the service, ambience, and food, that you were in Hyde Park.
Honestly I was a little disappointed, even though I went with low expectation from other review already,
I went on Thursday night to avoid crowd. the menu was different from what they had up on line (which I checked on the same day). I was all up to try the scallops starter and whitefish entree that other reviewer has recommended, but they were no where to be found on the menu.
I ordered the 16oz steak, which was decent, for $24 it doesn't come with anything other then some pea sprouts. the portion was more than enough for me, but if you are used to the American super size meal, you better order a side dish or two, which were $7 each.
my husband order the off-menu special recommended by the waiter, BBQ short rib and scallop. the dish cost $26, and when it was brought to the table, we were thinking "what a ripoff !", 4 tiny scallops scattered around a pile of mashed potato, with no more than 2 tbs of short ribs....I saw other table ordered the short rib only dish, which only cost $20 , but they had a lot more ribs on theirs, I think that's a much better deal. but overall, my husband enjoyed the taste of the food, scallops were well seared, tiny,but still juicy. Ribs were very tender, even though there's only a few bites.
the real turnoff was the french onion soup I ordered. it was way overcooked, there was barely any soup left! which then of coz made it grossly salty, I just couldn't eat it. thumbs down!
We also had Crème brulée as dessert, it was decent, good portion enough for 2.
as other reviewer has mentioned, the deco was beautifully done, very chic and bold. Service was good.
I would recommend to keep this as an option if you live in HP, for the days you don't want to take a bus to get to fancy restaurant, but don't order anything over $25.
Jerry Kleiner has opened yet another restaurant with larger-than-life décor. Massive lighting fixtures, vibrant colors, and polka-dot chairs accentuate Hyde Park's latest bistro.
The menu is full of classic American dishes: glazed salmon, herb-roasted half-chicken, 16-oz bone-in ribeye, 14-oz New York strip, barbecue-braised beef short rib, etc. The food is a little on the pricey side. The half-pound burgers are $12 but that includes fries and anything you pile on top of it. Additionally, many of the ingredients of the stylish dishes come straight from the neighboring Farmer's Market.
The new restaurant is the first of its kind in the area, so the clientele usually consists of local foodies along with students from nearby University of Chicago. Reservations are recommended, but seats are available at the bar if a table isn't readily available.
My wife and I were a bit apprehensive about giving Park 52 a try. We'd read the reviews here, and they're pretty mixed. Clearly, expectations are all over the map, and anticipation that HP -finally- has a destination restaurant is making the bar pretty high.
I suspect what is going on here, is what goes on at a lot of new restaurants. They're still finding their footing. Still ironing out the wrinkles. Still narrowing down exactly what works and what doesn't. The kitchen crew are learning a new menu, and it will take time to become a well oiled machine.
I had the seared scallops with fava and fruit as a starter and they were excellent. Typically I am a "food should taste like itself" kind of guy, and when scallops show up with two different sauces, and fruit and greens and pickled onions I get nervous. Very nervous. But the textures and flavors were not nearly as fussy as the presentation implied. A great a balance of the five tastes with a variety of textures from the crunch of the greens to the meaty grain of the scallop to the smooth wetness of the mandarin orange.
As an entree I had the roasted whitefish which was served with a tomato jelly, sauted baby spinach and thin fretes with a kind of a light mustardy, buttery sauce. I don't even like tomatoes, and this was also excellent. The same balance of contrasts and compliments, well seasoned, the fish was cooked to perfection -- a light crust but still moist and flaky.
My wife ordered the penne with vegetables and was not quite as impressed. There was nothing wrong with the dish, it simply didn't wow her the way mine wowed me. I tend to always suspect that, in the world of finer food, which is so dominated by meat, that it is always the vegetarian dishes on a menu which suffer -- which is a shame. My wife and I do not eat meat in our home, and have found ideas from all over the world to keep our table exciting, tasty and filling. There's really very little excuse for coming up short on these offerings. But this is a criticism of cuisine at large, not just Park 52.
The decor, as everyone else has indicated is bold, eclectic, and very contemporary. I wouldn't have made all the choices they have made, but it presents a carefully crafted attitude of contemporary elegance (if that isn't a contradiction) which matches the food. My only critiques were that the sound system was too loud -- either the acid jazz needs to be quieter, or they need to choose a less intrusive genre of music (like maybe Yann Tiersen), and that there was a big screen TV at one end of the bar showing baseball. Every time the Sox did something good, our fine dining experience was interrupted by raucous cheering from the bar. A clash of cultures I'm not entirely certain this establishment would want to continue cultivating.
All in all, this is a welcome and much needed edition to HP. Sure, there are places in the hipper parts of the city which are better at the same price range, but having an option 10 blocks from home instead of 100 blocks away is a big tip in their favor. And I am sure as the weeks and months go by, they will become more and more consistent and hone the menu and ambiance as needed.
There's something to be said for good food in a location that lacks restaurants with such quality. The spicy crispy shrimp oh so tasty and that in and of it self is likely to drag me back if only to get that and a drink. I had the mushroom asparagus fettuccine which was fairly average but good tasting. The onion rings were delicious as were the other dishes I tried.
The waitress was a bit too flamboyant for me but very friendly and nice. As Marie below stated the martinis were pretty tasty. The layout and decor is classy, though kind of loud; which of course I don't mind for a late night meal but some may.
I'm really excited that Hyde Park is getting some nicer places to visit. Don't get me wrong, I like Thai 55 and Medici as much as the next HPer, but sometimes it's a special occasion and my husband and I want to head out rather spontaneously without hopping on the El or a bus. We'd saved Park 52 for just that sort of moment, and we decided to visit even after finding out about the $20 corking fee if we brought our own wine (very typical fee... but, er, our "nice bottle we'd been saving" was only $45 to begin with.)
So, looking over the menu it was clear that the vegetarian was not their demographic. However, they did have one entree I could eat (and a couple of appetizers/salads. Oh, and deserts too.. mmm). The vegetarian entree would be vegan as well if you simply ask for the cheese to be left off, and I don't think it'd suffer. It was a kalamata olive and asparagus penne pasta red sauce. My husband ordered, and was delighted by the scallops, and a whitefish entree. The presentation was great, and he really, thoroughly enjoyed his food.
Mine was, well... a little bland. I liked it, but didn't adore it. The ingredients were fresh and prepared lovingly, but it wasn't super interesting. Veggie options so often get the shaft in nicer restaurants.
We also ordered a lovely white wine from Alsace... about a $25 bottle. It was delicious, and the sommelier was very friendly as he offered it for us to taste.
There was a lovely espresso machine in the corner, but I was too full to test it. My husband ordered, and enjoyed, the daily special desert- a peaches and cream baked tart.
The space is enormous! I cannot make up my mind how I feel about the decor. It seems, like the patrons, to be a real mishmash. Proving that HP has a nice restaurant audience, P52 was filled on a Wednesday and had everyone from prim looking elderly UofC professor types, to thuggy folks in flip-flops and jean shorts. The bar was fairly large and oddly, had the White Sox game on above it... which was definitely incongruous in a "fine dining" restaurant. It made me feel affectionate for this identity crisis-place. Affectionate in a Hyde Park sorta way.
It was a smart move putting this place in our neighborhood. I'm not sure it could compete uptown, but there's a fairly captive audience down on the south side.
Our waiter reminded me of a therapist I once had. Oh, and we saw a fist fight a block away as we walked here, which was sort of fascinating.
Always the optimist, I've given this trendy gem not 1, but 3 chances to impress. 3 strikes Park 52 you're OUT! When I visited last week, the service was almost as cold as the temperature inside...brrr...why no heat on a chilly November evening? To make matters worse, the tasty shrimp & grits I ordered on my first visit had mysteriously disappeared from the menu (I settled for a decent bbq salmon), my drink tasted like gasoline, and dessert...5 words...don't order the chocolate cake. Bottom line, at Park 52, you're much more likely to find a treat for your eyes than your palate.
I had dinner at Park 52 last night and I was very impressed. The decor and ambience was very welcoming. There seemed to be a good vibe in the room and our server was very attentive. Everyone at our table enjoyed their dishes and the wine list, although small, was wisely selected.
I dined there last night with my husband. We didn't have reservations, but was informed by the hostess that they are recommended. We were lucky enough to find seats at the bar. The cocktails were wonderful and the bartenders were very friendly. Once we were seated, our server was very fun, yet hard to find. My husband had the roasted chicken that was over cooked, I had the short ribs that were delicious. I wish they could have been more tender, but they were wonderful nonetheless.
I think they have a few kinks to figure out in the service area, but still worth the visit. I will definitely be a regular here.
I wish they were open for lunch.
THE GOOD: The decor is quite similar to Carnival, down to the small tile entryway. It's exceptional for Hyde Park, but no so much for those who eat downtown or in the South Loop regularly. The martinis are quite good, but expensive. I was pleased to see that the wine list extended beyond California, especially since there is nothing better than a good Argentine Malbec with steak (to me anyway). The shrimp appetizer was quite good, and the scallops were perfectly done - they melted in your mouth.
THE BAD: The steak, hmm. Half of my table ordered them, and we all got them medium rare. However, they came out cooked to various degrees; my dad's was definitely medium, and mine veered toward raw - it was charred on the outside and barely even warm on the inside. When I sent it back, it took them over ten minutes to return my plate to me, even though they just threw the original steak back on the grill.
THE UGLY: The problem with the steak points to the general problem with this place - the consistency and service. As mentioned, the steaks were uneven (not what you want at $36 a pop!), and the after-dinner coffee was cold. The waitress walked off with our bottle of wine, which had not been fully poured (again, not what you want for a $35 menu item!).
Final verdict - The drinks and appetizers are quite good, but this is too expensive of a restaurant for the kitchen and table service to be so spotty.
This is a welcome addition to the choices in Hyde Park. I've had many pleasant experiences at Park 52. Usually we just stop in for a drink since its one of the few nice bars in the area. On occasion we'll order an appetizer and we've never gone wrong.
The one time that we did have a true sit down meal there, we challenged them with 5 adults and 2 children under the age of 5. The service and the food were both spectacular. The onion rings were a huge hit with everyone - old and young - at the table.
We live just north of Hyde Park and I'm personally quite happy to be able to spend money close to home as opposed to going up to the south loop.
We went there on a Saturday night, late enough to get a very good service, although the place was still pretty busy when we got there (at 9:30).
We really enjoyed the food, and the decor, although I wonder why even in a classy and pricey place like this you have to eat on a piece of paper (which covers the actual table cloth). I understand it's functional, but it really makes a difference to me.
The wine's suggestion wasn't exceptional, but it's really hard to get a decent wine without paying a fortune at any restaurant, so I don't blame the waiter. Who was pretty nice, even excessively so. Again, it's a personal preference, but I'd like to see a waiter who doesn't give the impression of being friendly only with the tip in view. I know this is what American customers want, or at least this is what hosts think they want. Overall, however, the food was good and well presented and it was a very pleasant experience. It's worth what it costs, and this is a huge compliment!
To much of the chagrin of the old timers, Hyde Park is desperately trying to boost its image. We ditched the Co-Op in favor of Treasure Island, Chant on 53rd has rather the trendy bar, and Park 52 is certainly part of this "hipper Hyde Park" push. Which I actually think is great.
My friend and I met his mother here the first Sunday it was open. We had read about it in Time Out Chicago just hours before. I did not read a full review until a few days later, and that's what finally clued me in on the restaurant's theme: "soul with style." Okay. I should have ordered the pear salad, as my spinach salad, while tasty, looked completely uninspiring and sloppy. I was more entranced by the sides that accompanied the entrees than the entrees themselves, but, when my chicken with chorizo stuffing and broccolini arrived, I was pleased with the entire plate. I did take half the chicken home and it was just as juicy the next night. I was tempted to order the shrimp and grits, but I'm glad that I didn't. One should not try to jazz up such a classic comfort meal. Polenta-like squares are not grits! Desserts were good, but not overly inspiring. I did like the creme brulee, but I always appreciate a good creme brulee.
My table's overall edginess was due to the nervous vibe we received from every server in the restaurant. It's okay to mess up your litany of specials once; it's not too cool to apologize a gazillion times and continue to stutter through them. If you don't know them by heart, just look at the sheet! The expediter was similarly apologetic. While we did not witness any catastrophes, I felt that a pitcher of water or tray or martinis could have dropped onto my head at any minute.
The decor is fun; it's a shame people let their kids run up to the cool little red loft. I found the music to be a little too loud at times. Overall, Park 52 seems dated, like mid-nineties South Loop. Perhaps for those of us who ventured down to Wabash or out to Randolph a decade ago, this is all old hat. For others, I'm sure Park 52 holds an edgy thrill.
Never again will I go to this place. If you are looking for something new and exciting, this isn't the place to find it. The menu is cliche: baby greens, seared scallops, salmon, crab cakes, garlic mashed potatoes, etc, etc, etc.
The salmon was dry , the crab cakes were decent, the cocktails were OK.
I could have gotten a comparable dinner for a third of the price at a chain restaurant such as Bennigan's or Houlihan's.
This is a much needed upscale restaurant in Hyde Park. I went with friends two nights ago and we shared appetizer. They were excellent. Services was also great and fast. Great place to go if you don't want to go into town.
Finally....Hyde Park has a fine dining spot. Unfortunately, it's not as good as I had hoped it would be. Given it's KDK parentage, I certainly expected more, but nope! The food is simply ok, nothing compelling. It's a bit overpriced for what you get, ok service, ok food and a lot of colorful decor!!!
I went to Park 52 on a Friday night. I found the decor very nice. Lots of reds and tans with moderate lighting that made the space inviting. The staff was very friendly. The food average, and a little on the pricey side. I also found that the bar area was too small to have customers eating there along with customers who are waiting for a table. There was also no where for customers to wait for a table (those that chose not to go to the bar). Where ever you stand you're right by someones table hovering over them....kinda uncomfortable.
Not exactly What I expected. I by no means have any issues W/ paying for a good meal & nice dining environment, but this place appears to be more hype than anything else. I visited the restaurant for the first time this past Friday for a friends B-day dinner. She chose the place because she visited a month ago & actually liked it. Well, it turns out that they changed their menu, which wasnt good for my friend who chose the place based on her previous experience with the entre she chose the last time she was there. We would have opted for selecting another restaurant based on the menu if their website was up... speaking of the menu, very limited items- not much of a variety @ all. The entrees were grossly overpriced ( considering the quality). I ordered the roasted vegetable terrine ( which was decent)& tomato penne pasta which was over salted...My other friend ordered the same pasta but W/ shrimp added & didnt care for it. another person had the herb roasted chicken W/ chorizo stuffing ( said it was decent), where another friend had the steak but enjoyed it... but her salad was "nasty".. how do u mess up a house salad, even when she got a replacement W/ a wedge salad, she just shook her head. We were so unnhappy w/ the experience W/ passed on my friends free B-day dessert. The hostess was not too personable ( I asked who else I could get change from to tip the server & she " shooed" me over to the bar) @ least the server Carmen was nice considering how slow the kitchen was. I def will not be going back.
Me and my friend were extremely bored and sick of men for the moment and were looking for something to do. We decided to go out to eat. Since we both live in the hyde park area we were eager to try Park 52. Immediately walking in the place i thought i was in Room 21 the set up was exactly the same. Come to find out they are owned by the same people. For people who live in Hyde Park this is a completely different vibe from the normal Pizza Capri's and Leonas. You can actually bring a date their!!!! Now the place is pricey a burger is 12-14 dollars and the steak was roughly 21. however it was delicious. and the mashed potatoes were fantastic. the only thing i didn't like was when i asked the waiter if they had drink specials he said yes when i got the bill each drink was $14.00 i don't know how much of a special that was. I decided to have desert, which was also delicious. i defintely recommend this place.
American Table Menu
Neighborhood: West Loop
Weekend Brunch
Neighborhood: The Loop
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Category: Asian Fusion
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Category: Italian
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Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Category: Middle Eastern
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Category: Diners
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