In a past life, we were most certainly French.

Which explains why we feel right at home inside effortlessly elegant Plein Air Cafe, opening today in Hyde Park.

Tucked in a building next to Seminary Co-Op Bookstore on the University of Chicago campus, the 40-seat gem is the latest project from Soo Choi (Little Branch) and Heisler Hospitality’s Kevin Heisner (Little Branch, Sportsman’s Club, Lone Wolf, Trenchermen). Based on the name alone — a French expression for painting outdoors — we envisioned an open floor plan with loads of sunlight.

What else we got: crisp white walls and stenciled cabinets straight out of an atelier, plus Heisner-designed modern industrial fixtures and furniture. Windows allow patrons to peer into the sleek kitchen or out at neighboring Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House.

Comfort food chef Art Jackson’s (Pleasant House) breakfast runs the gamut from savory to sweet — a continental breakfast sandwich, mascarpone-stuffed French toast — while lunch delivers his trademark Royal Pies, plus tartines and grain bowls.

Specialty coffee brewers rotate each quarter, as will the art (up first, the foliage collage work of local Stephen Eichhorn). In a month, a patio will make alfresco dining a must.

Bon appétit.

Plein Air Cafe, 5751 South Woodlawn Avenue, between 56th and 57th Streets (773-966-7531 or pleinaircafe.co)​.

Photos: Nathan Michael / Courtesy of Plein Air Cafe