"There were a couple of girls in my grade school class who belonged to this fancy thing called a “country club.” I didn’t completely understand what it was at the time, but I knew that there was a swimming pool with a slide, and all the food was free if you wrote down your friend’s last name. Table Fifty-Two is like the dining room of a southern country club, but a little bit warmer, and you’re actually allowed in the door without dropping a few grand. You will, however, still drop a decent amount of cash, and the food isn’t free even if you sign your friend’s name. Tucked away in the Biggs Mansion, one of the fortunate survivors of the Chicago Fire, Table Fifty-Two is right outside of Viagra Triangle. Instead of belting 80’s jams at the Hangge Uppe or getting your shoes barfed on at Shenanigans, you can dine on proper Southern cuisine merely steps away in an old 19th century home with high arched ceilings and antique furnishings. The chef, Art Smith, is best known for being the former personal chef for Oprah and Jeb Bush, which says a lot about the place. Pedigree aside, he does not disappoint. The kitchen delivers on a number of classic dishes like fried chicken and shrimp and grits with fantastic Southern charm. And just when you think you’ve got it all pegged, changeups are thrown to keep things interesting - mango chutney on deviled eggs, or black pepper ice cream with dessert. The twists add just enough flair to otherwise predictable Southern cuisine, but it’s not so off the wall to totally deviate from your expectations. We’re down to be members of this country club any night, but no promises we still won’t try and stick someone else with the bill." - Claire Schlafly
