North Pond

I came here during Sunday brunch to surprise my fiancé for our engagement anniversary on February 24th. He thought we were going for our cake tasting. All though this place is known to be very popular during the summer with the most beautiful scenic views of the skyline if you get window seating and it's near a children's park with a pond nearby, it was beautiful in winter too. I made reservations well ahead of time and requested window seating however that goes by first come first serve so we got lucky. I told them about how it was a special occasion so as a surprise they had menu's typed up saying 'Happy Anniversary Saba and Faraz' inside the menu covers! They also gave us two copies to take home in a manilla envelope with a pamphlet detailing what the North Pond restaurant is all about.

The area is beautiful. I would suggest if not valeting, finding free parking in the area. It's a pretty walk around as well.

For 33 dollars per person for brunch, I felt like I ate a 100 dollar meal for the quality of the presentation of food, excellent service, and the unique ingredients that were put together to create a delicate meal out of quality ingredients served in the most appropriate sizes. The ambiance is impeccable and the environment is mostly older. I saw older couples and large size group families.

My fiancé and I ordered different things for the appetizer, entree, and dessert and taste tested everything off each others plates. We did not like one thing better than the other, everything was very delicious. I have posted a picture of our menu on this site, but I would also suggest going on the North Pond website and looking at the menus.

I would definitely take that someone special here. I did not want to do something cliche like the Trump Hotel or Signature Room, all though those are nice rooftops, I wanted something different. Both growing up in Chicago, we have seen it all. It was very nice to have tried something new and away from the hustle and bustle. I see myself coming back here again!

One thing that was very expensive was the liquor! 13 bucks for a Mimosa. It was refreshing but I probably would have been fine with water or even a cheaper glass of wine.

We have been to North Pond four times.  Each time, the food has been pretty good for my husband, not so good for my vegetarian self.  They routinely do not list a vegetarian option on the menu and when you inquire they say "we make one off the cuff".  What this essentially means is, being a vegetarian, you have no say in what the actual meal is, but you will pay $40+ for whatever they come up with.  I find this disconcerting as it was amazing one out of three visits.  The fourth, I finally ordered a dessert cheese plate in place of my meal.  The second issue I have is the valet/cab service.  The first time we valeted, it was 16 degrees and the valet was no where to be seen for 25 minutes outside.  We finally located our car a street away and it was unlocked!!  Unfortunately we could not drive it away as he had the keys but we were able to sit in it until he returned.  This evening, the waiter and host told us the valet would have a cab waiting, to go out to the street.  As we went to the street, the valet was sitting in someone's BMW at the stop sign and said he can't get us a cab unless one drove by.  So we stood outside for another 10 minutes in the Chicago winter waiting.  I am fine with calling my own cab but since you have to walk out through the park and there's no shelter to wait in, I feel as though they should be able to get you one and send you out when it arrives.  I would not be so picky had we ever spent less then $250-$300 for the two of us here but it seems it should be part of the experience at that price.

Our server was fairly "stuffy" and the service did not lend itself to the customer service oriented establishments we're becoming accustomed to in our generation.  

That being said, we do love the ambiance and decor.  It's a lovely restaurant in a lovely spot.  Just be aware your money could go much further elsewhere..

Went for brunch and was not disappointed!! Amazing food and beautiful location!!! Great service too:)