Park 52, Jerry Kleiner's colorful, eclectic neighborhood restaurant in Hyde Park, introduced a $44 prix-fixe menu in honor of the new 44th president of the United States, who just happens to live six blocks away (well, not right now, but you get the picture).
The special menu, which is available daily, features four courses paired with a glass of wine. Choose from spinach dip with parmesan and cayenne or a chicken quesadilla with roasted tomato salsa for the first course; a chopped iceberg salad with tomato, bacon and blue cheese dressing or a Caesar salad with garlic croutons and parmesan for the second course; blackened catfish with creamy corn ragu, honey-and-habanero chicken with broccoli, penne pasta with roasted almonds and butternut squash, or "Michelle's" grilled skirt steak with red wine butter and hand-cut fries (so named because the First Lady recently ordered this dish) for your entree; and either creme brulee or ricotta cheesecake for dessert.
While you're there, check out the super-cool, limited-edition print of Michelle Obama by Brooklyn-based artist Mickalene Thomas that is prominently displayed in the dining room. Let's hope Barack and Michelle find reason to come back to Chicago from the nation's capital often -- you just might see them back in their old neighborhood at Park 52.
