North Pond
Madeleine Dubelko · 116 Google reviewsNorth Pond — one of Lincoln Park's strongest french spots. No frills and no gimmicks, just a solid honest room. Strong pours and a bartender who takes pride in the work. Kyle Bullock: "Best of all I thought the tasting menu was incredibly reasonable (for around $130 / person)" [patio]
What 688 diners keep saying
What 688 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“We did the brunch fix menu for a birthday celebration. They prepared custom menu for the birthday star and made it really special. Food is also tasty and service is great.”
“The tasting menu changes with the seasons and reflects whatever is arriving from the local farms and the restaurant's own rooftop garden. We had a tuna tartare with chicharrón that opened the meal with crunch and acidity against the clean, cold fish, a combination that made everyone at the table sit up a little straighter. The agnolotti with maple and sunflower cream arrived mid-menu, delicate and slightly sweet, a pasta course that leaned into the season without being literal about it. The wagyu course that followed was the centerpiece, grilled and adorned with buttermilk cream and shiso that added the kind of quiet brightness that makes a good piece of beef taste like a thoughtful decision rather than just an expensive one. The chicken liver mousse on a warm waffle at brunch is the dish that brunch visitors reference most, rich and lightly sweet with strawberry preserves and pickled blueberries, the kind of composed plate that earns every element its place. Dessert was seasonal and careful and not oversized, and the house-made butter that arrives with bread at the start of the meal is worth mentioning on its own terms. Service here is genuinely warm in a way that Michelin-level restaurants don't always manage, attentive and personal without being formal or rushed. Brunch on Sunday is a separate and equally worth-experiencing version of what the kitchen does.”
“My daughter and son-in-law’s wedding was spectacular - every detail was accommodated with cheerfulness, they provided an 11 out of ten truly cherished experience.”
“We took my mom for a belated Mother’s Day brunch. The staff were so thoughtful and welcoming. My mom was very happy and impressed. I appreciated that they were accommodating to my mom’s dietary restrictions though I knew it might’ve been too much of an ask. Everyone made the experience wonderful - and of course last but not least the food was so delicious! North Pond is an absolute must for a special occasion or if you just want to enjoy well executed food and service. Highly recommended.”
“My fiancé and I had an amazing experience here! I reached out months ago to plan my proposal and they went above and beyond for us! Customs menus that they let us take home as a memento, extra desert with custom writing. Plus the food and service in general were top tier! Great place to have a special date night or celebrate a special occasion.”
“Four of us celebrated a birthday and belated Mother's Day brunch. It was a stunning day and the restaurant is beautiful whether you are outside on the terrace or inside the cozy prairie-styled dining room. (No need to stress on where you're seated!). Brunch is a three course menu that echos a dinner menu rather than an eggy-based b'fast menu. Offerings included a bowl of gris with a fantastic duck confit topping smooth Oaxacan grits, (amazing) or a tender focaccia with ham and strawberry - chili cream cheese (fantastic). Second course offerings included a brown sugar pork belly with smoked apple butter and mushrooms and a bass fillet with sweet potato. And that third course? Desserts that were...perfect. A mixed berry empanada with a basil cream, or Apple Pie with rhubarb compote. My only dissenting moment - and the only reason for the slightly reduced rating, was the pacing is fast. We were at the last sitting which was likely the challenge. The restaurant was winding down where our 1:00 reservation was just arriving. The four of us were out within 75 minutes. Too fast for such great food. Or maybe just too fast for me. I needed a few minutes between courses. That won't deter me from returning!”
“Fabulous! The whole experience is magic. We went to celebrate my husband’s birthday and it was really special. Every plate was incredible! Flavor, service, drinks, atmosphere was amazing we really had a good time definitely back soon. Thanks to Julio and all staff for the experience.”
“One of our favorite Chicago restaurants because of good food and excellent cocktails plus the location adjacent to beautiful North Pond can't be beat.”
“I celebrated my birthday at North Pond last night. I have had this restaurant on my bucket list for quite some time, so I had high expectations, and it certainly did not disappoint. First, the location is sublime. Beautiful, magical views of the city overlooking the restored shoreline of North Pond in Lincoln Park is hard to beat. Second, service from Jake and the rest of the staff was incredibly professional, yet sincerely warm and laid-back…a tough combo to achieve! Even the music playing was fun and not stuffy and added greatly to the vibe that they achieved. Third, the food. Everything was so beautifully presented, prepared and stunningly delicious. Portions were perfect, too. We did choose the optional wine pairing and the Sommelier outdid themselves matching the wines to the various courses. Truly stunning! Special touches such as having a personalized menu with Happy Birthday and my name on it as a keepsake, and a beautiful beeswax candle to keep and lovely truffles, presented on a slate was a great surprise and not expected. Thank you, North Pond, for a fabulous experience!”
“Took my now (ex-wife) to North Pond to celebrate a promotion at work. Dont worry, it wasn’t North Pond’s fault! They went above and beyond to make the evening special. Chef Cesar Murillo and all staff delivered on great service. The food was absolutely incredible! Truly showcases the Mexican flavors in such an incredible/elegant way. No joke, i almost teared up on a dish because it reminded me so much my mom’s cooking (but in a completely different dish). Going to take mom and sister in a couple weeks and im sure it wont disappoint. Amazing place!”
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