tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post7688287771186129994..comments2023-04-01T06:34:38.141-05:00Comments on Hyde Park Progress: Sit Down Sushi: Bright Spot on East 53rd Streetchicago pophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17055796523227869734noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-47838623124942462772008-12-28T10:20:00.000-06:002008-12-28T10:20:00.000-06:00Very positive review. We tried The Sit Down for di...Very positive review. We tried The Sit Down for dinner Saturday, December 27, and it is now on our list of places to surely return to. Four of us shared two entree salads and two of their thin crust pizzas. All were delish. The pizza crust is so thin, its almost looks translucent. Crispy enough that a slice doesn't bend under its own weight. We were told the thinness is due to holding back on the yeast, an accidental discovery. Really fresh salads; I wonder if HP Produce supplies their veggies. We B'd our own B.Richard Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02773215580457414540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-23148284038884135592008-12-22T22:20:00.000-06:002008-12-22T22:20:00.000-06:00We've gone once and definitely enjoyed the restaur...We've gone once and definitely enjoyed the restaurant. The spider roll was very good, although not the best incarnation I've had (which was 997 miles away). We enjoyed the pan seared albacore appetizer. The soups were surprisingly good. Although the jambalaya was not particularly authentic, it was tasty. My wife had the bean soup and enjoyed it. The only mediocre aspect to dinner was the brownie dessert, although it wasn't too bad.<BR/><BR/>Our waitress was efficient and helpful. Overall, we'd definitely return, although we remain cautious about attempting traditional sushi items in Hyde Park. It's quite a normal restaurant that one might find in other parts of Chicago and other major cities.<BR/><BR/>We'd like to try Shinju Sushi, but we've read some concerning reviews on Yelp.<BR/><BR/>On a separate note, does anyone know of any Chinatown restaurants that deliver to Hyde Park? The chinese food scene here is fairly awful.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06343536278143783319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-58063767888267952962008-12-21T17:02:00.000-06:002008-12-21T17:02:00.000-06:00we've been to both places, and, according to my wi...we've been to both places, and, according to my wife, who is Japanese (the owner of Japanese Spa Zen (thanks for the mention!)), the rice, which is so important for sushi, is much better at the Sitdown.Pixel Bufferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03742632024403201418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-64432851905322703402008-12-20T13:22:00.000-06:002008-12-20T13:22:00.000-06:00If sushi's your thing, please check out Shinju Sus...If sushi's your thing, please check out Shinju Sushi - the space itself is quite small, but the sushi and sashimi go toe to toe with the best I've had in Chicago.<BR/><BR/>Another review in the cards? :)natehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11096862209150658930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-72120097433195337822008-12-19T18:47:00.000-06:002008-12-19T18:47:00.000-06:00We had the pizza which I highly recommend and I se...We had the pizza which I highly recommend and I second the comment on the Miso soup which was just right. We had the feeling that these are folks new to the restaurant business. The comments about the space reflect that, but more importantly, we found the 'block and tackle' less together than Chicago Pop's experience. Friday night at 5pm was not terribly busy, but we had to request utensils, waited a bit too long for the check, and they did little to up-sell (no suggestions, no desert, did not point out their pricey soft-drinks). <BR/><BR/>All of that said, this is a very welcome addition to 53rd and the pizza was good enough to make it regular addition to our dining.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16174714224987485075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-32169340572398064162008-12-18T20:10:00.000-06:002008-12-18T20:10:00.000-06:00Dueling workaday restaurant strips?57th St, Harper...Dueling workaday restaurant strips?<BR/><BR/>57th St, Harper to Kimbark<BR/>55th St, Hyde Park Blvd to railroad bridge<BR/>53rd St. Lake Park to WoodlawnRichard Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02773215580457414540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-15725414006323421092008-12-18T16:28:00.000-06:002008-12-18T16:28:00.000-06:00Another sushi place opened on 53rd street about 2 ...Another sushi place opened on 53rd street about 2 months ago:<BR/><BR/>http://www.shinjusushi.com/Fleuriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15497575647556637031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-78536323149911905282008-12-18T15:21:00.000-06:002008-12-18T15:21:00.000-06:00"It seems much bigger than it ever did when they w..."It seems much bigger than it ever did when they were produce vendors."<BR/><BR/>That's because the old produce store was all product and bins, with half-inch-wide aisles. It was sort of like shopping in a submarine, but that was part of the place's "unique" character. There's that word "unique" again; did Jack Spicer try to preserve that place too?Richard Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02773215580457414540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-83559882997701585982008-12-18T14:49:00.000-06:002008-12-18T14:49:00.000-06:00Yeah, we sat close enough to the door to get a col...Yeah, we sat close enough to the door to get a cold blast every 15 minutes or so -- some kind of vestibule or revolving door is a good idea.<BR/><BR/>Layout: Dining Companion #3 also observed that they could fit a lot more tables in the space they have and make it seem less open and drafty.<BR/><BR/>Thoughts we hope they'll keep in mind to make future visits more enjoyable!chicago pophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17055796523227869734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-25308214496281137782008-12-18T14:14:00.000-06:002008-12-18T14:14:00.000-06:00My wife and I have made several visits to the Sit ...My wife and I have made several visits to the Sit Down and have found it enjoyable each and every time. I too was concerned about the extent of the menu, fearing another Rajun Cajun, but I think they are able to do each thing quite well, and I can not complain about that in HP. I believe you can also purchase sushi from the Sit Down at the deli counter in HPP, but I am not sure of the specifics just yet. I am thrilled to have another place in the neighborhood where I actually enjoy to eat. My only complaint/criticism concerns the layout. The space: yes it does seem so much larger than the old HPP, but it is poorly designed. They could easily increase the number of seats available in the restaurant with some minor changes. Also, the failure to replace the double doors with a revolving door is a big mistake during the winter months for a restaurant. Still, this isn't enough to discourage me from going back for more. I would also like to add that it is very inexpensive, but doesn't taste that way.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04698686048830456118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-84329159931290751202008-12-18T12:03:00.000-06:002008-12-18T12:03:00.000-06:00I believe the current owner of Sit Down is a relat...I believe the current owner of Sit Down is a relation of the family that owns HP Produce. Don't know what the extent of financial support was.<BR/><BR/>On that note, it was interesting sitting in the restaurant and remembering the space when it was a grocery store -- and trying to figure out whether we were the mango table or the dry goods rack. <BR/><BR/>It seems much bigger than it ever did when they were produce vendors.chicago pophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17055796523227869734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-25872846827858595952008-12-18T10:58:00.000-06:002008-12-18T10:58:00.000-06:00The web site has a big BYOB listed on the front pa...The web site has a big BYOB listed on the front page. <BR/><BR/>Wasn't this place supported by the owners of Hyde Park Produce?edjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01593866936717576973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-55666318562052448672008-12-18T10:25:00.000-06:002008-12-18T10:25:00.000-06:00Sounds great, and so close to Cedars, one of my fa...Sounds great, and so close to Cedars, one of my favorite local eateries. I'll be interested to try Sit Down's thin crust pizza. Does Sit Down allow BYOB?Richard Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02773215580457414540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186587935097536129.post-37849222476295845412008-12-17T18:05:00.000-06:002008-12-17T18:05:00.000-06:00This post and the weather together make me need a ...This post and the weather together make me need a bowl of miso.Elizabeth Famahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04931639156261179425noreply@blogger.com