There’s a great restuarant in Lincoln Park–literally in the park–that deserves your attention, especially at this time of year. It’s called North Pond, and it is named for the lovely pond it stands beside at 2600 N., between Lakeview and Cannon. The restaurant, owned by chef Bruce Sherman, occupies a former skaters’ warming house constructed in the Arts & Crafts style. The place has great views, a cozy fireplace, and some of the best contemporary American food you’ve never thought of having.
To top it off, on Wednesdays and Thursdays in February, the restaurant offers what it is calling a Carriage Ride Combo–dinner and a horse-drawn carriage ride through the park. The deal includes three courses ($60), with an optional wine pairing. Call 773-477-5845 to reserve your carriage.
Now. Let’s say you’re not crazy about hopping into a horse-drawn carriage, considering it is 2006. I hear you, but you should still try North Pond. And if you happen to drive yourself, there’s valet parking at Lakeview and Deming.
North Pond is a wonderful restaurant with great food. It is especially beautiful on a winter’s evening with snow on the ground. I highly recommend it. Take the horse and carriage, snowshoe, or cab it if you must. North Pond is a treat.
Originally developed by Rich Mott in 1998, North Pond has an interesting story. The building, a former skater’s warming hut, was in poor condition and was leased by the Chicago Park District in the summers to hot dog / snack shop concession operators. Rich won the concession contract for the summer of 1997. After the summer Rich approached the park district with the idea that the space could be more profitably utilized as a sit-down, year-round restaurant. The city agreed and he opened North Pond Cafe in 1998 after extensive renovations.
Rich began his restaurant career accidently while he was an MBA student at the University of Chicago. To raise money for school, Rich and some friends opened a concession stand in the basement of Stuart Hall. After graduation, Rich stayed in the concession business, building Plum Cafes, Ltd into a 200+ person food services company that managed concession shops on several Chicago-area campuses.
Rich offers great advice for would-be owners of restaurants.