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Art Smith’s top Hyde Park-Kenwood spots

The chef shows us around his favorite neighborhood haunts.

By Martina Sheehan

357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith

A ceramic pitcher on display at the Freehling Pot & Pan Company store in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

A view of the family owned grocery store Hyde Park Produce.

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A plate of tandoori chicken, chana masala and rice at the fast food indian restaurant Rajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

Valois Cafeteria in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

A view of the KAM Isaiah Israel temple in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

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Bottles of pure extracts on display at the Freehling Pot & Pan Company store in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

Rajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

Art Smith, Jesus Salgueiro
Photo: Joe C. Moreno357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.portraitx476.jpg150620811
“Freehling Pot & Pan Company (1365 E 53rd St, 773-643-8080), Chicago’s only family-owned cookware store, has everything possible for your kitchen, and even for a Top Chef’s kitchen.”
Photo: Allison Williams357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.freehling1x476.jpg150620692
“I come to family-owned Hyde Park Produce (1226 E 53rd St, 773-324-7100) on Saturdays for the Sisters of Notre Dame’s amazing French baked goods.”
Photo: Allison Williams357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.HPproduce1x476.jpg150620733
“When they opened Z & H MarketCafe (1126 E 47th St, 773-538-7372) on 47th, I was like, How? It’s a quiet street, and putting a destination gourmet food store there was brave in this economic climate. But everyone from the President to regular folks comes for great cheeses, sandwiches, coffee and other foods.”
Photo: Krystal Thibault357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.znHcafex476.jpg150620914
“From the crispiest fried chicken to amazing authentic tandoori chicken, and other delicious Indian specialties—plus lots of soulful sides—Rajun Cajun’s (1459 E 53rd St, 773-955-1145) got it. You get your karma and your comfort.”
Photo: Allison Williams357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.rajunCajun1x476.jpg150620835
“Valois Cafeteria (1518 E 53rd St, 773-667-0647): I’m Southern and love a cafeteria with sassy cooks and political gossip.”
Photo: Allison Williams357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.valois1x476.jpg150620896
“Gaze at President Obama’s residence, but the real beauty is across the street at KAM Isaiah Israel temple (1100 E Hyde Park Blvd, 773-924-1234). This Byzantine structure is one of the great synagogues of Chicago.”
Photo: Allison Williams357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.kamisaiah1x476.jpg150620757
“The Medici on 57th (1327 E 57th St, 773-667-7394) is the place where my not-for-profit Common Threads was born over one of the best cappuccinos.”
Photo: Krystal Thibault357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.medicix476.jpg150620778
“At the Oriental Institute (1155 E 58th St, 773-702-9514), you can wander the halls rumored to have inspired the Indiana Jones movies.”
Photo: Martha Williams357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.oriental1x476.jpg150620799
Bottles of pure extracts on display at the Freehling Pot & Pan Company store in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.
Photo: Allison Williams357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.freehling2x476.jpg1506207110
Rajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.
Photo: Allison Williams357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.rajunCajun2x476.jpg1506208511
Rajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.
Photo: Allison Williams357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.rajunCajun3x476.jpg1506208712

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Art Smith, Jesus Salgueiro

Photo: Joe C. Moreno

12/19/2011

Art Smith, best known as Oprah’s former chef, Top Chef Masters participant, chef-owner of Table Fifty-Two and all-around nice guy, has called Hyde Park–Kenwood home for a decade. He and his partner, artist Jesus Salgueiro, love the area’s diversity. “You will find Nobel laureates next to activists, plus just regular folks who enjoy the ’hood,” Smith says. “We love the history, people and the peace.” While the chef’s been busy prepping for the late-December opening of his new New York restaurant, Joanne’s, a partnership with Lady Gaga’s father, he still finds time to hit some of his favorite neighborhood spots.

December 28, 2011