Hyde Park hideaway-

[rating=5] With the exception of attending a performance at The Court Theatre, located at the University of Chicago, there is seldom a reason to head to the Hyde Park area. Now there is! I had heard about a place that featured Pork Chops ( they have a location at Midway Airport as well). The name of the place is  Red Fish Bleu Fish located at 5121 S. Harper in beautiful Hyde Park. While it is a bit hard to spot as you pull up, look for the logo ( although you will see Pork Chop signage as well) The sign says FREE Parking, but it is NOT where the sign is. You must park in the Whole Foods garage ( around the corner on Lake Park Avenue) and go to the lower level. Bring your ticket to the restaurant for validation. This is an area that is blossoming with lots of new stuff including a sparkling new Orange Theory in the building.

When we arrived, there was a “Town Hall” meeting using the Pork Chop side of the space, so we were able to move to the special room called “The Hyde”. This is a room that takes one back to the glory days of the South Side, the Roaring Twenties. It is less bright and the well- appointed room feels like you might be at “Hernando’s Hideaway”.  Our host for the evening was the owner Javanis Bouargoub who selected a special variety of foods for us to sample. These are items that are “favorites” so far, but we all agreed we are coming back for the pork chops.

The diners were as always, Jane and myself, but this trip we added my son Cary and his wife Cari ( yes, that is correct, they are both Cary (I)’s). When it comes to a non-meat dining experience, Cari loves to add her two cents and does so with great enthusiasm. We did start off with a cocktail ( except girl Cari). We enjoyed a superb tasting Old Fashioned. This is the second time I have given up my martini for one of these and perhaps, I may make a change to this very tasty beverage. For our appetizers, we enjoyed three items:

• Fried Calamari
• Fried Oyster
• Shrimp Gumbo  they were all delicious

• Then came the dinner:
• Crusted Salmon: with carrot Freekeh, persimmon upland cress & light rouge
• Moroccan Chicken- a half chicken, slowly cooked with herbs and Iranian saffron- very tasty and juicy.
• Paella Ala Red Fish Bleu Fish: served with shrimp, pulpo,mussels, clams and calamari and plenty to eat.

The menu also has other items and steaks for you meat eaters. There are two dessert items that were interesting and looked great ( Key Lime pie and chocolate cake), but to be honest, we did not have room, and it presented a reason to head back to this charming and different experience that is truly well worth the trip. Hyde Park is a bustling area and much more than a college campus. It is a place for young people who work downtown to live at a lower cost than the north side offers.

The Hyde – the speakeasy where we dined, also has some nights for music and it is a “no-cell zone”. I love the idea of the people dining with you speaking to you and not playing games, or checking their facebook postings. In the 20’s there were no cell phones, so it is a place to relax with your friends, family or date. This room is also available for private parties.

The hours at Red Fish Bleu Fish are: Sunday thru Thursday  11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Fridays and Saturday  11:30 a.m. until Midnight

THE HYDE is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m.

Happy Hour fro 6-8 with great promotions:

Thursdays-1/2 price wines

Fridays-  $12 whisky flights

Saturdays – $14 cognac flights

There are music programs as well.

Phone number is 773-952-4744 and their website is www.redfishbleufish.com

Again, this is a destination spot that is only minutes away from downtown and truly worth the drive and even with the confusion of finding he free parking.