North Pond - Chicago

Pros: The building is stunning, the scenery is unbeatable, and I loved the interior design and ambiance. The food was very good, but nothing left me speechless. However, the presentation of the dishes was absolutely beautiful. Cons: I'm being a bit critical here, as I've been fortunate to experience many amazing restaurants. Nothing we tasted was bad, but nothing wowed me either. My expectations were high given the Michelin star status. The same goes for the service—while it wasn’t bad, it wasn't extraordinary either. In my view, excellent service is a key aspect that distinguishes fine dining, and this fell a bit short. The waitstaff seemed to have difficulty articulating dish descriptions. On the bright side, we appreciated the personalized menu that wished my mom a happy birthday; that was a lovely touch. Overall, I would consider returning for dinner to see if that experience lives up to the buzz. For brunch, I’d recommend going for the unique location and amazing views, but if you’re seeking exceptional food, there are other options in Chicago that offer a better experience at a lower price.

We absolutely love NP and have visited many times. Each visit seems to bring enhanced service and improved menu options. The seasonal tasting menus, paired with the creativity typical of NP, make it worthwhile to return every few months for new flavors in both drinks and dishes. We will definitely keep coming back. Plus, the ambiance is always impressive!

I always have a fantastic experience here, and the staff is incredible. They are kind and attentive, and the tasting menu is hands down my favorite in the city.

For a Michelin star restaurant, this experience was lack luster. Bench seat sticky from the last patron. Shelves with canned veggies had a layer of dust. Just not the environment I was expecting. Service was good, but the service waiters knew little about what they were delivering beside the line they memorized. Our bill was over $600 so I guess I was underwhelmed.

We celebrated our 10th anniversary here and they made us feel so special. Everyone was so friendly and incredibly knowledgeable about the food and wine. I would highly recommend this place to anyone.