Back in 2008-2009, when I stayed in someone's club, lounge or restaurant on the regular, I would write "
Weekend Review" posts. My party girl lifestyle has definitely simmered down, but my social life has not completely flatlined.
This weekend I was on the hunt for a cute, low-key brunch spot to catch up with one of my besties and fellow blogger
Kcalana1. Since I'm staying in the suburbs for the time being I didn't feel like driving up North to all of the fab spots that keep the liquor flowing. I decided to keep things a little closer to home and search in Hyde Park. I'm still on the fence about Hyde Park as a place to call home. It's a super cute neighborhood, but the insane amount of homeless people and lack of parking makes me wonder...
Anyways, we decided to check out
Valois Restaurant, a cafeteria style eatery on 53rd (between Harper and Lake Park). The place had over 100 reviews on Yelp and averaged 4 out of 5 stars. The food was good and the prices were even better! My entire breakfast cost about $8 (2 eggs, grits, ham, english muffin and orange juice) and the service was prompt.
The only drawbacks to eating here were the parking situation and 'cash only' policy. I guess I've been living under a rock (aka South Carolina) because I had no clue that it's no longer free to park on Sundays!! I got a $50 ticket on Sunday and was highly annoyed. I felt like I was in an episode of "Parking Wars" as I ran to my car just as the meter man (isn't meter maid just for ladies? lol... am I crazy?) wrote my ticket.
I also ventured to the 59th St Harbor with another bestie and fellow blogger
SexyandtheChi. I had never been to the marina before, but let me just say it was an experience. I've been on yachts (when I was younger my mom had one...) but I had never seen folks that own boats party in the parking lot of their marina. I guess gas is too expensive and nobody even wants to set foot on their boat lol. Another sight to be seen? The parking situation! Folks were parked in the lot... on the grass, on the sidewalks, on the curbs - - it was a mess! The only thing worse than the parking setup was the nightmare when we tried to leave! I've never been gridlocked in a parking lot. It took forever to get out of there and I couldn't have been happier to hop on Lake Shore Drive and whiz away from that place.
So, how'd you spend your weekend?
Weekend Haunts
Valois Restaurant
1518 E. 53rd St.
Chicago, IL 60615
773-667-0647
59th Street Harbor
5900 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60615
312-747-7019
