Table Fifty-Two: User Reviews

Up on Low Country
By Jane from Evanston, June 28, 2008

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Table 52 satisfied my craving for some good ole low country food. The shrimp and grits were excellent with a gentle surprise of cayenne. Mike, our waiter was very kind and accommodating to our last minute guest. Table decor was most inviting and inspiring. Well done.

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I am not a fan
By Spanky from Roscoe Village, June 26, 2008

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Hearing mostly good things about this restaurant, I hoped to give a better report than this.

The opening biscuit was as reported, outstanding. The smoked duck pizza was also a very good choice. Both the the pistachio crusted chicken and the catfish were a yawn. The celebrated mac and cheese was prettier to look at than delightful to eat. The famous Hummingbird cake reminded me of a decent carrot/pineapple cake with too much buttercream, in other words unremarkable.

The arrogance of the pricing is what I will remember the most. This place is way over-priced.

My recommendation to the chef is to bake biscuits exclusively.

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Excellent from start to finish
By Kevin F from Streeterville, June 23, 2008

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First, thanks to all who complained about the hosts, because by the time we got there they had cleaned up their act and were professional and hospitable. We had great appetizers, followed by a cold melon soup which wasn't so great but our waiter saw we weren't excited and immediately asked and then offerd to remove the order from our bill. Our entrees were outstanding (I had pork chops; she had the fish special). Dessert was great. Service was excellent (not too attentive, but not aloof). We dine out a lot and at a variety of restaurants throughout town, and we were very impressed and look forward to returning.

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HORRIBLE HOST STAFF
By Lisa1111 from River North, June 17, 2008

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I initially began to write a review back in March (which is when I dined at Table 52). However, due to more pressing issues, I forgot. It wasn't until I read the other reviews on this restaurant, that I had to give my two cents.

I dined at Table 52 for my birthday with a very dear friend of mine. I was thoroughly excited about trying Art's new restaurant, especially since I had heard wonderful things about the restaurant. HOWEVER, upon entering the restaurant, I was encountered by an extremely rude host. For a southern restaurant, you would think it would be at the top of Art's list to hire people with southern hospitallity. We were seated and Art came over and said hello. He even signed his cookbook for me as a birthday present - very sweet. Our server couldn't have been nicer and very knowledgeable. We ended our evening with the 'hummingbird' cake, which is to DYE for. I have made a point of telling friends/family that this is the most delicious cake I have ever tasted. After finishing dessert, we stayed and chatted for about 15 minutes. The RUDE host came upstairs (as we were seated right at the top of the stairs) and he just stook there staring at us, waiting for us to leave. I mentioned something to our server because this really left a bad taste in my mouth. We ended up leaving shortly thereafter and even though the food was great, Art was very sweet, the HOST really ruined the authenticity of the restaurant. I really hope in reading this review, Art and the management staff will look at hiring new host staff. I have a permanent residence in River North, but now live in Beverly Hills, CA. I frequently come back to Chicago to visit friends/family and would love to come back to Table 52, but only if I don't have to encounter the host.

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Overall very good
By Hana from West Loop, June 16, 2008

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I ate at Table 52 twice last week, once for lunch and once for dinner. Overall, it was a very good experience. Lunch: With a party of 6, we had an early seating (11:30 am), which is a bit too early, but I understand the two seating concept, given the size of the place. Nearly all in the party were pleased with the food, except for the burger, which was nothing special. A number of us are mac 'n cheese lovers, and we were very, very happy with Mr. Smith's offering. The service was all quite professional and unobstrusive.

Dinner: My fiancee and I took his parents on a weekend night, with a 9:00 pm reservation. (Booked in April.) We arrived a few minutes early and were seated upstairs to wait. We were seated more than 40 minutes later. I tend to be irritated with such a delay, but my dining companions did not have a problem with the wait. That said, the staff was very careful to check in with us every few minutes, and Mr. Smith personally apologized for the delay. In addition, they comped a bottle of wine, and an appetizer, which was way more than I expected. Once seated, everyone enjoyed the food very much. The mac 'n cheese again won raves, but the best of the evening was the pecan pie with very flavorful shortbread crust. (It is large enough for several people to share.) The flatbread pizza with duck and the pork chop were also favorites, the former having perfectly cured duck, and the latter being very juicy and tender. One of the waiters noted that my future father-in-law mentioned that he liked okra and brought him a side of pickled okra, which we all enjoyed.

I did not see any of the snooty behavior of the host staff that others have encountered. My only real issue with the wait that we had was that no one asked us if we wished to sit outside (perhaps it was too late to seat people out there?) an option that we would have exercised as it was a beautiful night.

One note to my fellow diners: I suspect that the reason we waited so long was that others showed up late for their reservations. In a restaurant SO small, such inconsiderate behavior has a ripple effect on your fellow diners, and should be carefully avoided.

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Favorable Critique of Table 52
By askshades1 from Chicago, June 14, 2008

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I visited Table 52 Restaurant on Saturday June 14th. I took my dad there for Fathers Day.
The hostess greeted us with a smile. She was very friendly. It was such a treat meeting
Art Smith/Owner. We ordered jumbalya. Every morsel of food was delicious.
We had a great evening and will return next month for Art's fried chicken.
Thank You Art and hostess for a pleasant evening!

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Great Food, Horrible Host
By hoosierchicago from Lincoln Square, June 11, 2008

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Called to tell them running late due to traffic and hostess was very nice. Got there and only 2 of party had made it...they seated us but rude host repeatedly asked where the other 2 were...they were 15 minutes late and tables were open and nobody was waiting to be seated.

Food was very good, service was very good but the horrible host leaves the most lasting memory! I went up to make future reservation while waiting for food and was given a huge amount of attitude. Then another member of the party went up and was also given a lot of attitude and also when we left.

There have to be some hospitable people in Chicago to work here aren't there? Sounds like from the other reviews people agree that they need better hosts!!!

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Best Brunch
By cutegirl1768 from River West, June 1, 2008

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Just got back from the most delightful brunch. The service was divine, the food was delightful....especially the mac and cheese and the chocolate cinnamon rolls. The only disappointment was the really expensive cocktails. Although the blinis were delicious, I've honestly never paid $20 for a drink. Other than that, everything was perfect and our party of 4 really enjoyed every moment. I'll definitely be going back.

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Bad Hostess
By SMW from bucktown, May 28, 2008

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My mom and her friend were very excited to try this restaurant. Upon entering they were told by the cold faced hostess that they were to shut the door. She then sat them at a two top table. When asked for a different table (all but one of the four top tables were open) they were told a big cold NO-that they must have four in the party. The waitress overhead my mom saying that there were plenty of open tables and asking for a four top. Ten minutes later the hostess came back and said "since you conplained" you can change tables. Just very rude customer service by the host. She really did dampin the experience. By the way, no one else ever entered the restaurant while they ate, so the four top tables sat emplty. Who needs this kind kind of service. The rest of the luch was great, including the kindness and great service from literally everyone else at the restaurant (minus the hostess).

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