Celebrating New Year's Eve at The Pine Street Cafe

I took lunch today at a little known Gump cafe (short for cafeteria) which has been operating at 1725 Pine Street near beautiful Oak Park for over 75 years.  The Pine Street Cafe offers a variety of entrees, vegetables, desserts and salads all in an open selection format similar to the Commerce Cafe in the Center for Commerce.  This usually overlooked place offers amenities few other Gump eateries can match.  If, for example, you find your tasty grilled Tilapia wedged in your throat, highly-trained medical professionals are just a few steps away. In fact, a lot of the clientele today appeared to be rich doctors and beautiful nurses so you know the food must be outstanding. Although one normally needs someone to arrange formal admission .  It it is not an exclusive eatery like The Club.  Thankfully there is rarely a need for reservations at lunch. It is also extremely convenient for me when I visit my dear Mum who is recuperating from a broken leg in the nearby clinic.

Today I took a walk on the wilder side and selected the grilled Tilapia, corn and green beans. My butler fetched me a square of cornbread in honor of the Carp. For some unknown reason, I was granted discounts on every item which totaled $1.17 lowering the total charge, with tax and orange juice, to $7.29. Quite a bargain, I must say.  I only had to tender four shares of Synovus Stock and received change!

Some drawbacks: parking is usually difficult and the nearby ER traffic boarders on the seedy side, especially on New Year's Eve.  It is rather sad to see the parade of inebriated and foolish injured passing through the double doors a stone's throw away. Will our less fortunate brethren ever stop firing weapons in the air to celebrate the New Year?

Wait a second.  Just a moment please.  As I write this from my mother's accommodations the nurse has just brought in a tray of food and on the plate was a grilled Tilapia which looked suspiciously like my entree for lunch.  I took a bite and sure enough it WAS the same flavor.  I have now been informed that I have just written a review of hospital food.  Oh my.  Does this hurt my credibility??

The best fried catfish "B" has ever had.  Sorry, no corn bread.

Cheerio anyway and have a very Happy New Year!!