northpondcafe

Located in Lincoln Park just north of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum & the Zoo, this beautiful prairie style restaurant overlooks a pond in the middle of the park. It's a great setting although a bit hard to find as the restaurant has no driveway and is set back from Cannon Drive. There is valet parking on Lakeview and then a short walk under Stockton to the restaurant. We went for brunch and enjoyed the smoked salmon and goat cheese terrine and the pork loin with poenta. On another visit, for an appetizer, I had the grilled scallops perched on top of toasted brioche rounds with pancetta. I also had the soft-shell crab appetizer. An entree I enjoyed was the sablefish filet with shrimp and mango. I also liked the oil poached halibut served on top of baby beets and carrots with a basil puree. For dessert we shared a delicious chocolate hazelnut torte with a caramel ice cream. The beet salad with goat cheese was large enough for 2 to share at lunch. Other dishes I enjoyed were the crab cakes with a green pea puree & a vidalia onion & lemon salad, wild mushroom soup and the prosciutto & brie pizza. The wine list is moderately high to expensive and there is a nice selection of wines by the glass. The covered outdoor dining area facing the pond has heaters for cool evenings.