Chicago: Where to Eat: Table for Two: North Pond

North Pond

Because of its off-the-beaten-path location—not only is it in Lincoln Park, but you actually have to walk through the grounds to get there—locals consider North Pond a beloved hidden gem. Its rustic Arts and Crafts design and lake view make it a romantic spot on a summer evening. Chef Bruce Sherman, a native Chicagoan, prepares market-driven cuisine that makes the most of unusual ingredients: oxtail ravioli with chestnut puree, for instance, and pan-roasted wild pheasant with sage sausage and turnips. Closed Monday.