North Pond
Usually I’m a downscale meat-centric yet organic-y type of eater (think Spacca Napoli, Edzo’s or Publican Quality Meats) but if I’m going classy upscale, then I’m going to North Pond. Ethically/locally sourced menu by James Beard Award-winning chef Bruce Sherman always surprises (best halibut I’ve ever had), the restaurant itself is old-world warm, and outside the setting is almost too good to be believed—a duck pond with the stunning skyline beyond. So romantic evening? Out-of-town guest who needs to be shown what’s awesome about our little town? Or just feel like something out of the ordinary? Trust me—North Pond.
2610 N. Cannon, 773.477.5845, northpondrestaurant.com
—Dave Tolchinsky, chair, Department of Radio-TV-Film, Northwestern University (Film 50)
Best of Chicago 2015