Exploring Far South
Morning
Mingle with University of Chicago students over good coffee and great pancakes at the
Original Pancake House
, where the sweet, baked Apple Dutch
Baby is a must-try. From there, walk about a mile (1.6 km) south or hop
on the no. 28 bus at the corner of Hyde Park Boulevard and Lake Park
Avenue to visit the
Museum of Science & Industry
, where you can easily spend an
engrossing few hours exploring the hands-on exhibits. For lunch, skip
the museum food and head west about a mile (1.6 km) to
Medici
, a great student and faculty hangout, known for its delicious pizzas. The extravagant Garbage Pizza is a favorite.
Afternoon
Stroll about four blocks southwest to the
Oriental Institute
at the
University of Chicago
whose museum will transport you
back to ancient times. Its Suq gift shop offers unique souvenirs, such
as a replica of an ancient board game. Just east of the institute is
Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece of Prairie-style architecture, Robie House.
Take a tour of this to really gain some insight into the great man’s
vision. Then stroll around the university’s leafy quadrangles if it’s
good weather, or backtrack a little to the
Smart Museum of Art
if you’d rather be inside. Either way, round off your day with some good ol’ home-style Southern cooking at the no-frills
Dixie Kitchen
.
Shops
Powell’s Bookstore Here,
used books in top condition are stacked floor to ceiling on painted
wood shelves, with antique editions protected behind glass. Seminary Co-op Bookstore Housed
in the basement of the Chicago Theological Seminary on the University
of Chicago campus, it’s fitting that this bookstore has a well-respected
academic section, especially humanities and social sciences. 57th Street Books This
basement-level shop carries new fiction, children’s books, and
African-American interest titles. Low ceilings, brick walls, and a
painted cement floor all create a cozy atmosphere, conducive to
browsing. The Co-op Market Mingle
with the melting pot of shoppers at this cooperative market, where
aisles are dominated by organic, vegetarian, and international
foodstuffs. House of Africa The
scent of sandalwood incense fills this small boutique that sells
African artifacts, carved wooden sculptures, and CDs of music from all
over the continent. 1352 E. 53rd St. Closed Sun
House of Africa
Alise’s Designer Shoes Shop
for the latest men’s and women’s designer shoe fashions from Italy,
France, Brazil, and the Far East, as well as ladies’ bags, fine jewelry,
and men’s belts. Toys, Etc. This
inviting store focuses on non-violent toys galore. Good-old standbys
include kites, face-painting kits, balls, and dress-up clothes. Little Black Pearl Workshop The
gift shop at this children’s arts program and cultural arts center
sells the students’ amazing creations, such as one-of-a-kind painted
furniture and vibrant mosaics. 1060 E. 47th St. Closed Sun
Collections Chic
club clothes and look- at-me leather shoes are sparsely displayed along
the walls in this boutique. Many of the designs are straight off
Italian runways, while others are custom-made by the shop’s owner. 1360 E. 53rd St. Closed Sun
Leather shoes, Collections
Artisans 21 This
gallery showcases locally made art. You can purchase designs both to
wear and to show, from whimsical ceramics to fringed silk scarves and
handpainted jackets.
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Most of these shops are usually open at least 10am–6pm Mon–Sat and noon–5pm Sun, and unless specified have DA
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Places to Eat
La Petite Folie An upscale French restaurant offering a fixed-price menu, as well as entrées featuring ingredients such as rabbit and quail. Florian Caffé This
no-reservations hangout for pizza and pasta also specializes in
mile-high cakes, rich with chocolate, strawberry, coconut, and thick
frosting. 1450 E. 57th St. 1 773 752 4100
Calypso Café In this feel-good Caribbean joint, jerk chicken is a favorite, and Key Lime pie is the must-do dessert. 5211 S. Harper St. 1 773 955 0229
Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop A
taste of America’s South, serving fried catfish, crawfish étouffée, and
jambalaya in a setting reminiscent of an old bait shop. 5225 S. Harper Ave 1 773 363 4943
Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop
Medici on 57th Great pizza draws the crowds, but sandwiches on home-baked bread and rich milkshakes are also offered. 1327 E. 57th St. 1 773 667 7394
Cedars of Lebanon Delicious
falafel, lamb kebobs, hummus, and dozens of other Middle Eastern dishes
will fill you up for next to nothing at this BYO spot. Nile Restaurant The extensive menu at this Middle Eastern diner makes decisions difficult, but combination plates let you try an assortment. 1611 E. 55th St. 1 773 324 9499 No DA
Woodlawn Tap A casual dress code, good food, and cheap beer attract all types to this bar especially for burgers and hearty soup. 1172 E. 55th St. 1 773 643 5516
Mellow Yellow This laid-back eatery offers specialties of rotisserie chicken and sweet or savory crepes. There’s also a separate bar. 1508 E. 53rd St. 1 773 667 2000
Original Pancake House This homey breakfast haven does everything well, but its signature dish is the apple pancake. 1517 E. Hyde Park Ave 1 773 288 2322 Closed dinner
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