Tellers of Hyde Park   

Bank on creative dishes, friendly service and a roomful of well-dressed twenty-and thirtysomethings at this popular Hyde Park eatery. After all, the dining room -- light and airy -- betrays many visible signs of its former tenant, the Hyde Park Savings and Loan. Bar tables are framed in the former teller windows, and the vault has been opened up to create an intimate single-table dining room. Entrees play off culinary trends, and the chef frequently adds seasonal specials highlighting fresh ingredients. Happy hour draws young professionals for the Appetizer Trio Tower and the selection of imported beers, microbrews and boutique wines. Expect to wait for a table on weekend evenings, especially if you want to sit on the upstairs outdoor patio. Teller's proximity to Hyde Park businesses makes it an ideal location for a casual business lunch or a respite from window-shopping. Given all that, we'd say Teller's provides a pretty good return on your investment.