North Pond

another one that was live from Chicago...

The restaurant North Pond is lucky enough to occupy some amazing real estate -- the north side of North Pond in Lincoln Park, with some serious views of downtown.  It's one of those places where I'm sure bridal parties go for pictures.


Inside the restaurant, which was first a warming hut for skaters on the pond, then a concession stand, a cafe, and finally a full service restaurant, the decor can best be described as "craftsman," reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright (according to my mother and I'll take her word for it).  Dress is classy (they ask no jeans or shorts), but not overly stylish.  All ages would feel very comfortable here; it's a homey place.

The menu (here) goes with the decor; everything is seasonal, sustainable, and local when it can be.   

Once again we were served by an incredibly knowledgeable and friendly waitstaff that was even willing to create wine pairings with our various courses, even providing different wines to each of us when they weren't consistent across the table.

Some highlights of the meal included a kabocha squash-apple soup, smooth and not sweet as squash soups can be, accentuated by a perfectly soft, creamy goat cheese gnudi, crisp, salty cubes of pancetta, and topped candied pecans.  A fitting way to begin a meal on an unseasonably cold day.  For entrees, the standout was red snapper served atop "bacon-infused" sweet potatoes.  These were so good, so smoky and bacon-y that I had to ask how they were prepared.  Cardiologists, avert your eyes:  they render bacon in cream, then fold it into a puree of squash that's been roasted in butter.  Pure heaven, I promise.

North Pond
2610 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL‎
(773) 477-5845‎