North Pond is located in Lincoln Park, not far from the zoo. They held a Michelin Star for about 7 years. I recommend using Spot Hero for parking or using rideshare to make it easier. If you use a rideshare, put in this address 2600 North Lakeview Ave. You'll get dropped off and all you have to do is walk through that tunnel and you're there. The service was immaculate from beginning to end. The dinner tasting was $136 per person. There is a free coat check or you can put your coat on the back of your chair. So, some of the reviews sound a little fake. If they did such a bad job then where are the pictures to prove it? Sounds sus if you ask me. We went on a Saturday night and it was very busy. They were not understaffed nor did they make any mistakes. We came here to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday and they made it extra special. I'm not going to go through the tasting menu but everything was delectable from beginning to end. I left pretty content and I'm a big eater. In the second course we got both selections. For the main course we got Jake's lamb and pork. For dessert we got payaso and ube napolitano. I recommend trying out some of the refreshers. We got the partridge and pickle margarita. Both were different so it's hard to pick a favorite. However, they were both equally good in their own category. read more

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This is a review of their current tasting menu. As always, the 360 views of North Pond are stunning and change year round with the seasons. For a Friday night the restaurant was busy but not overcrowded. We had wine pairings with our tasting menu. The wine choice was thoughtfully made and paired very well with the courses. 7 courses in all and you got to make a few choices within the menu. Every dish was well prepared and well proportioned. I chose the whitefish as my main and while it was delicious, both of us who had the whitefish thought it was a tad on the salty side. My husband had the lamb and said it was excellent. Service was very good with attentive staff who took the time to explain not just the dishes but the wine that went with it. The price point is pretty good - just over $200pp including wine pairings (and they were generous with their pours) . Definitely cheaper than some 1 Michelin star restaurants in Lincoln Park and in my opinion definitely better than a couple of them. read more

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We went for a special birthday. Service was great, Peter was our server and was very knowledgeable both with wines and food courses. This was a 3 hour experience. We had the wine pairing too which totally enhanced the dishes. The food was delicious, generous but not overly so. The night we were there , they played Latin jazz music (my favorite) The building itself has history. Being part of the original structures of the Lincoln Park zoo. I Will go back again this summer and try the brunch. read more

Came here to celebrate a promotion and it did not disappoint. Chef Cesar even stopped by at the end of the night to check on our experience and gift a pickle jar to us. Btw he is exactly as sweet as he appeared in top chef! Really enjoyed our choices and of the mains, got to try the Chippewa trout and wagyu, which were both excellent. The Zoey's dumpling was great flavor and the melon course was playful. Enjoyed everything we had. Service was great, menu was thoughtful and the wine pairing was nice. read more

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One of the best meals I've ever had--hands down! Came here for Sunday brunch and was blown away. The setting is absolutely beautiful, nestled right by the pond, and the ambiance was made even better by a playlist of 80s alternative and Top 40 hits (totally unexpected, but I loved it!). The service was flawless--friendly, attentive, and genuine. I had the pork belly special, which was perfectly cooked and full of flavor, followed by the strawberry Swiss roll for dessert. Both were beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. They also had fresh, house-made lemonade served as cocktails with a variety of options--mine was with chartreuse, and it was divine. Highly recommend this spot for a celebratory brunch or a splurge-worthy meal. Can't wait to come back! read more

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My visit to North Pond was nothing short of magical! I love that this place is tucked away and has a nice prairie style FLW vibe on the inside. While waiting, I had a delightful conversation with the bartender and really enjoyed my drinks! I had a gorgeous concord grape/rosemary lemonade and an amazing mocktail with a pineapple foam. The food here was FANTASTIC. It's a tasting menu that is carefully and seasonally curated, in addition to being stunningly plated and presented. Every dish was thoroughly explained. As part of the tasting menu, some items are chosen for you ahead of time but you do get choices for your entree and dessert. There are also some tasty surprises along the way! I truly can't recommend this place enough--it's easily among my absolute favorite restaurants in the city! read more

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North Pond has been on my list for a while and seeing Cesar on Top Chef made me get off my butt & make a reservation. We went in April - which is that weird time between seasons. The restaurant is in a lovely setting & I feel like if we were there in any other season the views fantastic. I just looked through my photos and to be honest I can not remember what exactly we ate - but I can tell you that I remember being surprised by textures & flavors. Everything was beautifully plated. I liked it enough to want to come back for another season - which is a big deal for me. read more

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Michelin star experience without the Michelin star price! Excellent customer service. Always something new and exciting on the menu! Cozy feel to the Trattoria and a very welcoming staff! excellent drinks and wine selection read more

We loved this meal. The real stars were the most unique dishes: the chilled melon, cucumber, coconut soup with crab, fennel, and some sort of spice. The other faves: the mushroom, scallop, and buckwheat crepe, the yak tortellini, and the pear with 5 spice dessert. The staff were knowledgeable and on-point. The building was also super cool. Will go again! read more

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One of my favorites in Chicago. I've been for dinner and brunch, and both are phenomenal. I think this restaurant has by far the best service I have ever experienced in Chicago, and the food is consistently very very good. It is somewhat expensive, but sitting outside for brunch here with a view is incredible. read more

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We recently celebrated my birthday here, and it was the perfect dinner experience to cap off a perfect (albeit very snowy) day! Each course was delicious and presented so creatively. The service was absolutely top notch. I also really appreciated the special little birthday things throughout. We also really loved the gorgeous arts & crafts decor. We are looking forward to coming back! read more

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We came a half hour early in case we had trouble finding parking but we were able to snag a spot right away (we came on a Sunday evening for an early dinner). Adults are $134/person and children are $29/person. Wine pairing is $74/person. I had the following: -Crudo: Blue Fin Tuna, Coconut Cream, Sunchoke Leche de Tigre, Sunchoke Chip -Asparagus: Shaved Spring Asparagus, Curry Leaf Ricotta, Tamarind-Crab Salad, Crispy Potato -Scallop: Berbere Spiced Hokkaido, Buckwheat Crepe, Chanterelle Jam, Black Walnut -Halibut: Prosciutto Wrapped, Red Pea Fritter, Brown Butter Hollandaise, Pickled Salsa Verde -Lavender: Flourless Chocolate Cake, Lavender Mousse, Miso-Marcona Almond Gelato, Fermented Lilac Gel Every dish was presented beautifully and we were given a detailed explanation. Everything was exceptional but the crudo and scallop were my favorite dishes. I came here with my husband, child, and parents for my parents' 40th wedding anniversary and boy are they still raving about North Pond. My parents' names were printed on the menu and the staff made my parents really feel like it was their special day. They also brought out a plate written with white chocolate that said: "happy 40th anniversary" and it had a few small cookies on it for the table to share. read more

My fiance and I were celebrating our 6th anniversary and North Pond made us feel special on our special day Firstly we were greeted by a friendly folks at the Host station, they were more than happy to have us (and everyone else) there and their hospitality followed suit Waitress was top notch too as she explained the whole process of the evening (5 course meal with the first 3 courses the same and choices for the entree and dessert portions). She even brought us over some glasses of rosé to celebrate our evening. Our menus were customized to us as at the top it said HAPPY 6th ANNIVERSARY Courtney & Herb, which was a nice touch that we weren't expecting. I have to admit, when I initially looked at the pictures on their website and saw the portion sizes I balked because as a big guy (270 lbs) I thought no was was this gonna fill me up but I was happily wrong First course were the samosas and they were delightful Second Course were the scallop tamales and for two things I never thought would go together in a dish work as pleasantly as these did, color me impressed Third course were the pork belly and pear pairing and this might have been my favorite of the evening as the meat was tender and flavorful and the pears balanced the dish out with its subtle sweetness I picked the Wagyu for my entree and while it was cooked correctly (medium rare) I found it to be slightly tougher than I usually enjoy And finally for my dessert I had the Pepita Pumpkin, which hit the spot especially with the little bits of dulce de calabaza And throughout the evening the chef would send dishes for us to celebrate our evening so it actually was like an 8 course meal when you include the cheese plate we ordered As for the atmosphere, we went on a cold Friday in December and it still had spectacular views inside and out. It's right in the middle of Lincoln Park so you have to park on either Cannon or Stockton and walk over (parking was scarce but we found a spot eventually). Beautiful view of the Skyline with a pond in the foreground. I'd bet that during the summertime and in the day it's that much better but we enjoyed it too. Some will balk at the price but for all that we got and how special the whole staff made us feel the entire evening, it was well worth it and we will be returning read more

North Pond - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came here on a Friday night after a busy week attending a conference. The restaurant is in a beautiful location near a pond and in a beautiful historic building, which makes for a special atmosphere. The cocktails are delicious, and they have a nice collection of mocktails. The menu is a 4-course tasting menu. We were impressed with the variety of options for each course, and everyone in our party found something amazing in each section. The dishes were good but we found that there was a lot going on with each plate. Multiple strong flavors were paired together, which was overwhelming at times. The dinner took over 2 hours. We weren't put out by the extended time but it felt like we were waiting a long time between courses. read more

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My mom and I went here on 6/16/2024, we had a brunch reservation and were sat immediately when we arrived. We were greeted by an unenergetic and unenthusiastic server, he asked us if we wanted anything to drink/if we were ready to order. However, at a restaurant like this, I would've expected him to ask if we had been there before, review the menu with us, add some niceties, nope, none of that. We got a couple of cocktails, asked some questions and ordered when he brought us out our drinks. On this day, they provided a complimentary cinnamon/crumble muffin, it was dry and sadly both my mom and I agreed that Costco's cinnamon muffins were better. The server also shared that there was a special housemaid cornbread with crab ricotta they were selling, we decided to order that and it was good, however the ratio of cornbread to crab ricotta was severely lacking, more crab ricotta was needed. For our meals we got, the following, first course: Janie's Mill Grits (my order; bloody butcher grits, house bacon, glazed carrots, pickled golden raisins and poached egg); Jamon, Toast (my mom; Serrano ham, whipped brie, Klug farm strawberries, rhubarb preserve and Kajer's greens). Second Course: Pork, Asparagus (my order; braised pork belly, asparagus okonomiyaki, black garlic gastrique and Sunnyside egg) and Beef, Beet (my mom; grilled Lockhart Farms Sirloin, roasted beets, citrus beets, citrus beets puree, black pepper streusel and red wine jus). Third Course: Crepe, Caramel (Durum wheat crepe, salted caramel custard, chocolate ganache and raspberry sorbet) and Matcha Sesame (matcha & vanilla marble pound cake, macerated strawberries and black sesame Chantilly cream). I am not a big dessert person, so I ordered what my mom wanted. All of the flavors of the food paired nicely together and complimented one another, the stand out for me was for sure the Janie's Mill Grits, it was so good, everything was PERFECT and the grits were bomb. The Jamon, Toast was a little too sweet for me, but still good and the desserts were also really good. It was a nice experience, but did not unfortunately did not live up to the hype. I should note that service (beyond our server) was great, the other helpers kept our water filled and plates cleared and when they dropped off our different meals, they thoroughly explained the meals. read more

My wife and I went to dinner here and loved it. The setting is really cozy and nice. We went fairly late at night and it felt like a very nice lakeside cabin. The food was imaginative including a watermelon sashimi which was amazing. They also included neat little freebies like a bite of popcorn flavored ice cream as a palette cleanser between courses. Service was also impeccable. The waitstaff seemed genuinely passionate about the dishes they explained as they served them. This is what fine dining should be. read more

First off, the location. Definitely one of the more unique spots in Chicago. Right next to the pond in Lincoln Park with the skyline in the background makes for a breathtaking backdrop. The wood details and art deco/FLW-inspired flourishes throughout the indoor space are lovely. The tasting menu has 3 starter courses, then you pick your entree and dessert. Everything was presented beautifully and thoughtfully. And the food was delicious. If I had to pick a standout, it was the wagyu steak with massaman curry, but every course was fantastic. Our servers were attentive and so warm and friendly from start to finish. Everything made for a memorable evening -- they really made us feel special. read more

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Enjoyed a great evening at this gem of a place in Chicago. Fantastic location. Great service. Multiple course dinner was very good. Will definitely come back. read more

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We were visiting from LA for the weekend and had one free night, we were excited to visit North Pond as it had always been on our radar when we lived in Chicago. The location in the park is unique and fantastic. The vibe inside is great. I wasn't ready for it, but I immediately got Wisconsin Dinner Club feeling in the best possible way. The staff were incredible. They were warm, friendly, professional, knowledgeable, accommodating... it genuinely felt like they were part of our evening and wanted it to be the best it could be. We were surprised that it was fairly empty inside. It was a Sunday. And maybe they're only taking so many reservations in order to maintain the quality experience? And if so, I certainly applaud that. Oh and the wine pairing was 10/10. Hitting on every one. Don't skip it. The menu is inventive and creative. They obviously swap out dishes regularly -- I imagine seasonally if not more frequently. I won't say they were all home runs, but overall excellent. The amuse was a play on green eggs and ham, a small pot of peas, custard and ham and it was a fun and playful opener that just tasted great. Next was the tomato panna cotta and crab, which was probably my favorite bite. It was expertly balanced with sweetness, acidity, brine and texture. The quesadilla came next and felt very much like a Chef Cesar signature dish. It was warm, rich and had depth. I enjoyed it, but couldn't help feeling like something was missing. There were a lot of small elements and nuanced flavors that I could see, but not really taste. Because in the end it was primarily the cheese and a (fantastic) tortilla that you were tasting... good, but maybe not the best vehicle for all the other subtle flavors as they got lost. The scallop dish... look, this might be on me: I'm just not having the savory banana thing. I love new and inventive flavors. I'm a very adventurous eater. And I've now seen savory banana in roughly 3-4 different dishes and frankly none have worked for me. My wife loved the dish. I think it was her favorite. For the entree, I had the lamb. It was delicious. The popcorn grits are so good. They also don't take over the dish. The lamb was perfectly cooked. There were little elements of texture and flavor everywhere to make each bite a new adventure. It was just great. (Wife had the Waygu and loooved it. I had a taste. It was excellent. Very rich.) I had the cornbread dessert. I loved this too. The horchata ice cream and berry ganache and cornbread were just a great balanced not too sweet dessert. (Wife had the opera cake. She loved it. I tried it, and can concur, it was great.) Overall North Pond is a high recommend. Great experience. Excellent food. read more

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We were beyond excited to try this place but we were running late and they have a strict no seating pass your reservation time policy so we didn't get to try it. It's our fault so not blaming anyone. However, I will like to point out the reason why we were late. The location that's pinned on both google map and yelp is just wrong. We walked for 20 mins in 100 degree heat around the lot looking at the map that's pointed to a yacht club that's not the restaurant. Give yourself a good hour to look for parking and the place if you want to dine here. Their attitude also screams "we are popular so it's your problem that's you can't find our place in time. " while they could've be more empathetic and simply correct their address pin online. This have unfortunately tainted our experience with pond and we will not be back again. read more

The place sits right in the middle of Lincoln Park. Having an evening reservation after the sun has set gives this little building all the vibes. The wait staff makes you feel as if you've come home for a great meal and they are excited to host you. The food is a nice little adventure for your palate. Always unexpected, always delicious. read more

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We did the brunch at North Pond and omg Amazing location and great views! The brunch is amazing- star is the foie gras creme brûlée and pork belly with grits. Surprise surprise is the house cider loved it Great service and clean design- especially the food, it's art on the plate. Highly recommend! read more

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North Pond is such a beautiful rustic (?) restaurant! I came with my friend who lives in Chicago, and it's been our yearly tradition to try new Michelin restaurants every time I visit. We were not disappointed by North Pond--service was impeccable, and the staff is incredibly friendly and kind. The only reason for four stars as opposed to five is because some of the dishes were definitely misses. I couldn't finish everything despite being very hungry. There are certain ingredients that don't pair very well with others, and I was a bit confused when it came to other dishes. Dessert and the small bite were delicious, but I wish I had enjoyed my main entrée and appetizer more. They gave us a little packet with seeds inside at the end of our dinner! It was so cute. The restaurant is really nice and vibey, so I think it would make for a great anniversary dinner. It's definitely not one of my favorite Michelins, but I'm glad I came to experience the beautiful interior and surroundings. read more

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A fantastic brunch at North Pond in Chicago. We've done a few 1 Star Brunches in the USA and Europe and this was definitely one of our favorites! The service was attentive, efficient, timely, and not overwhelming. The food was creative, flavorful, perfectly cooked, beautiful and seasonal. The Pop Tart was a fun dish that packed way more flavor than I was expecting. The cocktails definitely went down too easy. The day we went they were featuring different lemonades with alcohol add in options. I'd definitely recommend trying them. The restaurant ambience reminds me of a craftsman bungalow within a park. You totally forget you are in the middle of a bustling city. It's definitely a great escape. We will for sure be coming back when we visit next. read more

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We went for the brunch menu ($59/pp) and added the cornbread ($14) and ciders ($7/each). The ciders were delicious. My bf used to make fun of people who drink cider but now he understands why they like it. Then there was a cinnamon roll muffin. Liz was super nice and made great recommendations. The cornbread had a crabmeat on top that was so delicious. I liked the beet toast more than the pate so. Beet toast was very smoky and sweet. The pate so didn't have a lot of lobster and the blueberries made it a little too tart for me. It's cozy inside. There's even a fireplace. I was stuffed by the time dessert came. I didn't like the little bits of popcorn on the cheesecake and the raspberry shortcake probably could use some ice cream because it was a little too fluffy for me. But we enjoyed our experience so much that we reserved another visit right after. read more

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It's pricey for sure but worth the money. One of the best meals I've ever had, not just in Chicago but in the world. The ambiance is wonderful and an evening stroll through Lincoln Park is the perfect end to the night after a meal at North Pond. read more

Great experience! Beautiful room, delicious food, friendly service. We did the wine pairing for dinner, and I'd recommend that.

It had been eight years since I visited North Pond, so I thought it was time to check in and see if much had changed. It hasn't. It is certainly an idyllic setting for a restaurant. When you can sit in the front room with all the walls opened up on a nice evening there is no more pleasant dining venue in Chicago. The menu is a tasting menu of four courses, with three choices for each course. Courses are large, for a tasting menu. In my previous review I noted they contained many interesting and delicious ingredients that didn't necessarily combine into something greater than the individual parts. That is still true. This time our two appetizers--a ceviche and a foie gras--were stellar. It was downhill from there though. The entrees--a sturdy wagu strip loin and mundane lamb dish--were particularly forgettable. The lobster--a $40 add-on--was nicely poached. Desserts again rose to a higher level, with a green tea ice cream and banana bread being the best. There is a wine pairing available, but we chose to bring some high-end wines and pay the $50 per bottle corkage. Our waiter and all of the bussing staff were terrific. I will go back again eventually, for the ambiance, which is exceptional. read more

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I had such a lovely Sunday anniversary dinner at this restaurant and a beautiful experience from the moment I stepped in they gave us options where we wanna sit outside or inside,the menu they gave us had a beautiful anniversary message with our names on,the food that we picked looked so amazing and was delicious and the cocktails are very good and they use most of the ingredients from them garden.Jeff took very good care of us.The view over the pond was heartwarming at the sunset. The only thing that I want to add it's that for the menu that it's 125$ per person maybe and extra course will make a difference ,I feel that was a bit less for that price.:) I totally recommend this experience and the place if you want to have an unique night. read more

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We were gifted a certificate at North Pond seven years ago, but never visited until today. What a wonderful experience. The staff is so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. We absolutely loved our server. But the food is truly amazing. My wife and I ate three different plates so we could share. So delicious. And the ambiance is very cool. The building was constructed as a warming center for ice skaters around 1912. We will be back soon with friends. Thank you for a wonderful birthday celebration. read more

North Pond - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My family and I dined here on 6/9/2023. We were here celebrating my sister's upcoming graduation from Northwestern. Immediately the staff was incredibly accommodating and friendly. My dad and I came straight from the O'Hare Airport and due to traffic were a bit late to the reservation. When we arrived, they took all of our suitcases and stored them in a back room and brought us to the table. The rosé I ordered was not the most expensive but I definitely felt like it wasn't dry or bitter like some cheap wines can be. I really liked all of the dishes I chose from the tasting menu. We've been to many stellar restaurants and North Pond delivered a very unique flavor profile. Each course had its own tastes and textures. The lamb was perfectly cooked and tender. The pea soup was refreshing. The two amuse bouches were very interesting (one had boba in it), and the bread was heavenly. I left that evening feeling very satisfied. read more

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After almost 19 years on my Yelp collection, I finally got to dine at North Pond. The food and service was exceptional! All of the dishes had varying flavor profiles that excited the taste buds. Between the four of us, all of the dishes were experienced. Everyone cleaned their plates and spoke highly of each dish. I'm so glad that my family celebrated Father's Day here. read more

First dealing with getting the reservation for 8 was a thrilling challenge and reassuring- went from two to eight and the system responded- a little difficult to find even our Uber driver had difficulty- however upon arrival the restaurant staff took over and accommodated those who arrived later without difficulty- our waiter described all the entrees courses and wine pairing perfectly and showed us the menu designed for the occasion- Daniel Jones 69th birthday- food ambiance service was over the top- delicious at every level- I have dined all over the world- this is the best possible at every level including the price and the value- will be remembered for a lifetime read more

Absolutely amazing staff and service. I highly recommend. The wine pairing is better than other experiences I've had.

Such an exceptional experience at North Pond! The courses were delicious, creative, with incredibly fresh ingredients, and the presentations were beautiful. Every dish was amazing. Our primary server was attentive and so very pleasant, and all the dishes were well-described. The dining room is also beautiful, with a peaceful Arts and Crafts interior. We've lived and dined in Chicago for decades, and this was literally one of our favorite dinners, ever! read more

Lovely ambience located on the north side of the pond with cozy welcoming interior. We sat next to the lovely fireplace and could see the open kitchen and view the pond. The service was excellent. The best we have experienced in Chicago yet. Every individual was on point, very considerate & authentically genuine - so rare post pandemic to get this level of care. The food was spectacular in presentation, thoughtfulness and preparation. The pairings and recommendations for any allergies were well thought out beforehand and the staff accommodated all of our concerns. They were excellent with kids too and quickly getting the kids food out and adjusting serving times to accommodate. read more

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Fancy food next to an old swamp. Nice little building built by some famous architect, Frank Llyod Weber or something. Awesome service. We came for the $59 prixe fixe brunch. Smaller portions but can't really expect much more for this location and quality. I think it was a great deal for what we got. Came with 3 courses and between the 4 of us we got the whole menu besides the salad. For the first course we got 2 seafood paellas, a foi gras waffle, and a sweet potato toast. The seafood in the  paella was cooked well but but the rice could be more crispy like a  paella. The pan didnt do that for it here. The toast was interesting, good textures, tasty. The waffle was crazy, in a good way. Intense flavors you dont expect to go together but did. The trout and steak were probably the best normal mains. Cooked well, good flavors, textures, whatever.  The chicken could use a little more, on the plainer end but still cooked well. The mushroom had my favorite and weirdest flavor combinations. I get that they want to keep a vegetarian main but that dish could use some protein. The chocolate cake was my least favorite but still good. Good texture but mellower flavors. The panna cotta looked like bologna in soy sauce. Tasted weird but creamy and pretty good.  The apple tarte tartin was my favorite. Simple, but like a tasty adult apple fruit rollup. For drinks we got the lemonade which was fine and somebody at our table got the bloody mary which was delicious, one of the best i've had. They also gave us a freebee cinnamon muffin and we bought the cornbread with crab spread as an extra. Good stuff. Worth it if you can forgo the cement paradise of Chicago for an hour to endure some nature. Take a walk through the swamp afterwards to play with  some animals at the zoo. You'll have a great time. read more

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Frank Lloyd Wright fans(like me) will drool at the architecture and decor of this gorgeous and unique restaurant. We enjoyed a 4 course meal and some lovely cocktails. The crab roll was "ok" but fortunately each course thereafter increased in taste and texture. Service was just "ok" for a Michelen star restaurant and I was disappointed that we had to flag down our waiter several times for refills on our drinks or water. However, I would definitely consider coming back - not for the food or the service but for the unique ambiance located just steps from lake Michigan. read more

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I have now been to upward of some twenty-five Michelin Starred restaurants (no brag, just fact) all over the world, with North Pond being my latest! Now, I don't need the Michelin Tire Company to make me want to seek out their recommended "Best Restaurants", but in reality, they are pretty spot-on with their inspirational and provocative lists. North Pond today for brunch, completely and totally deserved Michelin's endorsement; it was just that good. From the ambiance, to a staff so well trained, to a menu so tantalizing, to plating so beautiful and of course to food so delicious that it amazed us. What North Pond gave me and my wife today was a pure illustration on how to present a prix fix menu with choices, and not have this meal take 4-6 hours, and not charge you two car payments to make a point on what gourmet food is. They dove deep into the nuts and bolts on how to elevate their food this high without all of the bells and whistles. For Brunch, we were both given a flute of champagne to get this meal started and from that point: * My first course was a waffle with chicken liver mousse, strawberry preserves, and pickled blueberries that was divine * My second course was braised pork belly with squash, black garlic gastrique with a sunny side up egg - and can surely say it was the best pork belly rendition I've ever had * My third course was an absolute superb wheat crepe with salted caramel custard, chocolate granache with a strawberry sorbetto - what a way to end this extravaganza *My wife got the Truffle Congee with rice, grana padano, poricini mushrooms, tomato-bacon dressing and a pouched egg - she adored this dish * Her second course a grilled Dutch Valley New York steak, roasted beets puree, peanut crumble in a red wine sauce - Wow was all she said! * Her third course was a peach pavlova with peppercorn pavlova, apricot kernal gelato and glazed peaches - Loved Loved Loved this presentation North Pond is housed in this stunning structure built in 1912 located next to this beautiful pond in Lincoln Park. Chef Cesar Murillo is the very skilled leader heading this feast and I am so happy I chose this place to celebrate my umpteenth anniversary with my favorite person in the world! read more

If I could only use one word to describe North Pond, it is "pretentious." It seems to me like North Pond tries to be innovative, but fails on execution. The menu sounded interesting, but when I tried everything, I wished I went somewhere else instead. I can give many examples of where North Pond failed: * Sweet potato boba amuse bouche: The drink was very thick (because it was essentially a sweet potato smoothie). I'd rather have a regular boba drink. * Beet butter: When you have a warm piece of bread, you are looking for a smooth and fatty smear of butter to spread over it. The beet butter tasted like mashed up beets. * Pea soup intermezzo: Two little cups were set on an egg cartoon. If you removed one cup, the other one would tip over, so you have to masterfully pick up both cups at the same time. The chefs clearly did not think through the placement. * Pea shoot soup: The soup looked beautiful, but tasted sour. I'm not sure what acid was added, but it's not listed on the ingredients list on the menu. * Grains "risotto": It was weird to use a hard grain to make a risotto-like dish. The cream in the "risotto" was very heavy too. It did not go with a hard grain. Few items that I sort-of enjoyed: * Wagyu striploin and beef cheeks: I don't know why there are two beef things on one plate. I rather just have a bigger piece of the striploin. Also, the plating was weird in the sense that a large piece of radish-like vegetable covered the beef cheeks. * Passionfruit custard intermezzo: This is the only dish that I liked in its entirety, and it wasn't even an option on the menu. * Chocolate cake with black truffle: I tried to like this flavor combination, and may be convinced that this sweet-savory combination works. It's a hard sell though. For a 1-star Michelin-star restaurant, I definitely expected better. read more

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