One of our favorite bookstores is the Seminary Co-Op. Now we have another reason: Plein Air Cafe (5751 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL). Plein Air is a cafe and coffee shop attached to the new Seminary Co-op (which may be slightly neater, but just as fun as the old version). Plein Air is a counter-service cafe that serves a small, healthy-leaning menu of soups, sandwiches, grain bowls, coffee drinks, pastries and savory pies from Pleasant House. Everything we have sampled has been solid, and we particularly enjoy the kale salad, the quinoa balti bowl and the hearty soups. The coffee is pretty good too, and you can get a variety of espresso drinks to go with your pastry of choice. We have visited Plein Air cafe on multiple occasions and we are impressed how it can morph into being just about anything to anybody: coffee shop, outdoor cafe, casual restaurant, study spot, hangout place, etc. If you find yourself in Hyde Park and are feeling bookish and in need of a light meal or a pick-me-up, definitely give Plein Air a try.
Eating The World 