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Art Smith’s top Hyde Park-Kenwood spots

The chef shows us around his favorite neighborhood haunts.

By Martina Sheehan
Published: December 28, 2011

357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith
Art Smith, Jesus Salgueiro
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.
357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.znHcafex476.jpg
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.
357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.medicix476.jpg
Oriental Museum, Chicago, IL.
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.
Rajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.
  • Art Smith, Jesus Salgueiro

    Art Smith, Jesus Salgueiro

    Photo: Joe C. Moreno357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.portraitx476.jpgArt Smith, Jesus Salgueiro150620811
  • A ceramic pitcher on display at the Freehling Pot & Pan Company store in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

    “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.jpgA ceramic pitcher on display at the Freehling Pot & Pan Company store in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.150620692
  • A view of the family owned grocery store Hyde Park Produce.

    “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.jpgA view of the family owned grocery store Hyde Park Produce.150620733
  • 357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.znHcafex476.jpg

    “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.jpg357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.znHcafex476.jpg150620914
  • A plate of tandoori chicken, chana masala and rice at the fast food indian restaurant Rajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

    “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.jpgA plate of tandoori chicken, chana masala and rice at the fast food indian restaurant Rajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.150620835
  • Valois Cafeteria in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

    “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.jpgValois Cafeteria in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.150620896
  • A view of the KAM Isaiah Israel temple in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

    “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.jpgA view of the KAM Isaiah Israel temple in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.150620757
  • 357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.medicix476.jpg

    “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.jpg357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.medicix476.jpg150620778
  • Oriental Museum, Chicago, IL.

    “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.jpgOriental Museum, Chicago, IL.150620799
  • Bottles of pure extracts on display at the Freehling Pot & Pan Company store in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

    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.jpgBottles of pure extracts on display at the Freehling Pot & Pan Company store in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.1506207110
  • Rajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

    Rajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

    Photo: Allison Williams357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.rajunCajun2x476.jpgRajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.1506208511
  • Rajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

    Rajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

    Photo: Allison Williams357.ac.ft.mynabe.artsmith.rajunCajun3x476.jpgRajun Cajun in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.1506208712

Art Smith, Jesus Salgueiro

Photo: Joe C. Moreno

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.

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