This post is the third of 6 food-centric posts on Chicago, as promised in my first post the city’s architecture, design and food. Click here to see all my posts on Chicago.
The beautiful Arts and Crafts building that houses North Pond
The view towards downtown Chicago from North Pond
North Pond is quite possibly the most beautiful and romantic restaurant in Chicago. It is located in Lincoln Park, north of downtown, right by a beautiful pond in a building built in 1912 and restored in the Arts and Crafts style. It was a warm and clear night when we were there and we sat by the pond waiting for our table to be ready and admiring the view, and the jumping frogs/fish.
Baby Red Beet Tatin, Caramelized Onion, Candied Gold and Chioggia Beets, Smoked Trout Mousse, Pea Tendrils, Walnuts
Warm Artichoke-White Wine Velouté Soup, Baby Artichoke Giudia, Goat Cheese Emulsion, Rosemary
North Pond’s setting is absolutely lovely and so is the service and the food by 2012 James Beard award winner for Best Chef Great Lakes Bruce Sherman. The farm to table food is fresh and the plates beautiful, worthy of some of the best fine dining establishments. Yet North Pond has the feel of a neighbourhood restaurant, where the waitress is polite and knowledgeable but friendly and casual, stopping just short of calling us “sweetie”. Unpretentious and unstuffy is my kind of place, especially when the food is so outstanding!
Copper River Sockeye Filet, Smoked Purple Potato, Broccoli Rapini, Confit Garlic, Burgundy Escargots, Bordelaise, Marrow
Pan-Browned Duck Breast, Confit Duck Thigh; Sherried Lentils, Green Garlic Pavé, Lemon Marmalade, Orange-Cognac Reduction
I was glad I decided to include this last-minute reservation to my list of Chicago must-eats, right before the James Beard winners were announced! Everything we ordered was delicious and the portions are quite generous. Although it was quite tasty, I did feel like my duck à l’orange with lentils was more of a winter dish, especially since it was so warm out. I did order it though and I gladly dug into it. Both the breast and the confit thigh were perfectly cooked and the green garlic potato pavé was rich, crispy on the outside and meltingly soft on the inside.
Enrobed Dark Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate-Lime Cake, Yuzu, Lychee Sorbet, Sesame, Cashew, Kumquats
North Pond offers a tasting menu with optional wine pairing for a reasonable price. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert because both desserts we had were delicious, with delicate contrasting flavours.
We were too tired to do it but a walk around Lincoln Park before or after dinner would’ve been lovely so take the time to do so if you visit Lincoln Park.
Don’t forget to check out my Chicago Google map for more tips on this beautiful city. Click here to see all my posts on Chicago.
North Pond
2610 North Cannon Drive
+1 773 477 5845
Opening Hours
Dinner
Tuesday – Sunday From 5:30pm
Brunch
Sunday 10:30am – 1:30pm
