North Pond

Okay, so technically you’re not eating outside, but when you’re only a few feet from a pond in the middle of Lincoln Park, you’re as close to nature as it gets in the city. Even more so when you sample chef César Murillo’s latest creations, concocted with as much locally grown organic food as he can get his hands on. Murillo’s ever-changing offerings have included Gulf Shrimp and Manila Clam with black olive Capellini, snap peas, and carrot-shrimp broth topped with pecorino and crumbs, and Alaskan Halibut served with red and white quinoa, cucumbers, bing cherries, mint, and cucumber broth—perfectly lovely reminders of the time of year in case you can’t get a window table.