“The structure that houses North Pond was built in 1912 as a warming shelter for ice skaters, and has been redesigned according to the Arts and Crafts tradition. The Arts and Crafts ideal is also found throughout North Pond’s culinary style. 

Drawing inspiration from the local market, Chef César Murillo utilizes exceptional ingredients at the height of their season. North Pond supports small, local farmers, growers and producers and treats their product with respect and care in the kitchen. The path from earth to plate remains clear and our cuisine reflects the décor of the dining room”

Management, North Pond Restaurant

Situated in Lincoln Park, the North Pond Restaurant has come a long way since its beginnings as a warming shelter against the cold Chicago weather. This Michelin-starred, reservations-only space provides a beautiful setting overlooking the lush scenery surrounding its North Cannon Drive location, and is home to prix-fixe tasting menus featuring unique and sumptuous pairings of seasonal delicacies.

North Pond’s current menu is reflective the flavors of fall. They offer a choice of Mussels escabeche with ingredients from Werp Farms. The starter features rainbow carrots, lardo, coconut-carrot cream, sesame tuille, and Thai basil. Or, you could try the Sweet Potato, Nori, pairing Nori custard, with smoked trout roe, Japanese yams, Bubu Arare, and Enoki mushrooms. 

Your North Pond dining adventure continues with North Pond’s take on a Waldorf salad, with Scallops Waldorf, with seared, candied walnuts, green grapes, bacon, Bonito mustard, McIntosh apples, shaved celery, and Apple Cider jus, or Squab, Celery Root, featuring a leg Confit, airline breast, celery root “risotto”, truffle puree, red wine sauce, and sorghum “Popcorn.” 

Other selections include a Murray Cod, Grapefruit-seared, miso pesto, with grapefruit coulis, Delicata squash, crispy dulce squash seed crumble, or a crispy pork belly with Littleneck clams, romanesco, saffron-fennel chutney, tomato broth, Swiss chard, and Fingerling potato.

Brunch, served on Sundays, include a Smoked Trout, Pita- roasted crudite, Zahtar, house-made Pita, with dill oil, or Beet Toast with braised red beets, Jamon Iberico, raspberries, pumpkin seed crumble, and brioche, or an Apple Galette, with goat cheese, bacon, charred leeks, Werp Farm Greens Salad, with a Champagne vinaigrette.

Wine Pairings for all meals is available for an additional price. 

North Pond is located at 2610 N. Cannon Drive. Dinner is served Thursday-Sunday beginning at 5:30pm. Sunday Brunch begins at 10:30am. For more information, click here. 

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago

As a homeowner, costs can really start to add up, so it never hurts to take measures to help you reduce your monthly utility bills. Here are a few ways to do just that!

Electricity Bill

Saving money on your electricity bill can be done multiple ways. Some easy changes include running appliances, like the stove, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer, at night, opting to air dry clothes, or cooking meals in a crockpot or toaster oven. Set aside time throughout the year to inspect the areas around doors and windows and seal any cracks with caulk or weather stripping. Additionally, make sure to unplug electronics when not in use or use a power strip to turn them all off at once.

Water Bill

Your monthly water bill can sneak up on you, but small changes can be made to cut costs. Install WaterSense-certified faucets and shower heads and convert toilets to low flow to reduce the amount of water used. Make sure to regularly check toilets and sinks for leaks and repair them. Opt for using your dishwasher instead of hand washing and ensure its a full load each time. Also, don’t forget to turn off water while brushing your teeth and shaving.

Gas Bill

Investing in some changes up front can make a difference on your natural gas bill long term. Add insulation in your attic and around your water heater and pipes. Make sure to repair any leaks in your ducts, inspect your furnace regularly, and check your home for any blocked vents that could cause your gas heating system to work overtime. You can also reduce the temperature of your water heater.

Halloween weekend is here! And Chicago’s doing the celebration right, with family-friendly trick or treating, parades, spooky movies, and lots of other fun stuff!  

“IT’S SHOWTIME! ” Campfire Horrors, the outdoor horror movie series featuring spooky classics and campfires for roasting marshmallows, features Michael Keaton, Greens Davis and Winona Ryder in  ‘Beetlejuice’ at Northerly Island Park, 1521 S Linn White Dr., Chicago, on Friday, October 29 at 7pm. The Chicago Park District requires that you wear masks when not eating, but with a festive holiday atmosphere, warm clothes, and a nice cup of hot chocolate, you’ll be saying, along with Keaton, “GO AHEAD, MAKE MY MILLENNIUM!” Free.

Costumes are welcome, and masks are required at the fun-tastic ‘Saturday with the Snakes’ at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive! On Saturday, October 30, from 1-4pm, you can ‘slither’ to the Nature Museum for a ‘sssuper sssensational celebration of snakes.’ Trick-or-treat with resident cold-blooded critters, create your own ceramic snake with Lillstreet Art Center, get up close with unique preserved collections, and participate in a costume contest for a special surprise. The ticket price includes museum admission. Tickets are $10-25.

Wrapping up a memorable October, the 7^th Annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade returns to State Street on Saturday, October 30, from 6-8pm as the finale of the city’s “Halloweek” program! Now in its 7th year,  the family-friendly event features a magical evening parade that celebrates Halloween as the “artist’s holiday.” Past participants have included the Joffrey Ballet, the Chicago Children’s Choir, After School Matters. Featuring unique floats, spectacle puppets and creative performances – all set against the backdrop of historic State Street. Free 

Trick-or-Treat with your kids this year in Lincoln Square Ravenswood!  On the Sunday of Halloween the business district transforms into LINCOLN SCARED and RAVENSWoooooD, as children trick-or-treat between participating businesses Sunday, October 31, from 11am – 1pm.Plan your route before Sunday by downloading one of the two maps on the website. A rain or shine event, the businesses are subject to change, and treats will be available while supplies last. **

Voted one of the 10 Best Halloweens in the US by Fodor’s Travel Guide and Redfin’s #3 Best City for Halloween, the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade—featuring Grand Marshalls Batty Davis and Matthew Rodrigues, Host & Producer, Chicago Today, NBC5, The Dancing Diva, and LIPS Chicago, steps off at Halsted and Roscoe on Sunday, October 31, at 6:30pm. iPop Band Chicago performs live. Along with an iconic parade, Northalsted is sponsoring a  Costume Contest, awarding $6,000 in Prizes & Awards for  Scary – Drag – Creative – Youth- Cosplay – Group. Awards Show & After Party at: Waveland & Broadway. The parade will go on, despite rain or snow. Pets are welcome to march in or watch the parade (owner assumes responsibility for safety). Free.

The largest touring exhibition of authentic Banksy artworks in the world, ‘THE ART OF BANKSY,’ ends October 31 on the 4th floor of 360 N. State St. Banksy, a British artist, is considered one of the world’s top political artists. Over the years, Banksy has carried out a considerable number of ‘pranks’, including having his “Girl with Balloon” painting go through a shredder just moments after the work was sold for nearly $1.4 million at auction. Tickets are $40 per person.

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago

Although most of the country has been in some state of drought this year, it’d be smart to take steps that will preserve your landscape and the integrity of your home – before the ground freezes! Here are some helpful tips:

Water your trees and shrubs thoroughly. This is essential before the ground freezes. Water long and slowly, trickling an open hose around the dripline (a circle around the tree or shrub where the outermost branches reach). Slow watering is a must, as it ensures all the water is actually going to the tree. If the water is running off, turn down the hose until water is only trickling out. 

Smaller trees and shrubs can do with two hose placements on either side; large trees take 3 to 4. Water each area for two hours minimum. Keep watering the lawn one inch per week to supplement any rain. 

Pro Tip: use a “winterize fertilizer” now to keep the lawn fresh and give it a boost in the spring!

Check all your drains. Take a close look at the drains around and near outside the house, checking for debris, leaves or anything that looks amiss. Then clean all around and clear those suckers out! That way when it rains, the drains can do their job of keeping water outside and not in your basement. Likewise, gutters and downspouts need to be clear and free flowing. Fallen leaves often get trapped and can cause damage to your foundation and roof. 

Pro Tip: do not tackle gutters unless you absolutely know what you’re doing! If you don’t have experience, or a proper ladder for that matter, call a professional. You can also check out systems that are designed to keep leaves out! 

Safety proof for the kids. Halloween is this week, so make sure your home is safe for trick-or-treaters! Clear your walkway and lawn by putting away hoses, tools, and lawn furniture. If you have elaborate decorations, (‘tis the season!) ensure anything electronic is properly set up; keep spooky specters out of the path up your walkway; check hand railings on the stairs for stability and keep the stairs clear of other trip hazards. Remember: there will be excited little ones racing with each other to get to the door! 

Pro Tip: to keep the porch well lit and kid-friendly, use LED lights in the pumpkins rather than candles. 

As fall settles into full swing, your lawn and the parents in your neighborhood will be grateful for your forethought!

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Not ready or in the spirit for Halloween? Well, this weekend before Halloween can change that! Here’s what’s in store for you in Chicago!

The return of the Music Box of Horrors to the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood will definitely send a chill creeping down your spine this Saturday and Sunday. This celebration of scary films is a 24-hour marathon of movie madness featuring the spookiest, creepiest, and rare cult oddities such as Strait-Jacket starring Joan Crawford plus many others. In addition, there will be Q&As, special guests, vendors, giveaways and much more to round out your experience at this spooky fest!

If you don’t think you can stay up for the Music Box Theatre’s 24-hours of horror movies, there’s always the Music Box of Horrors: Dawn of the Drive-In at the ChiTown Movies Drive-In (2343 S. Throop St.) in the Pilsen neighborhood. Once again, you’ll be able to catch single and double features with a carload of your friends as well as enjoying specialized movie intros, hilarious pre-show content, filmmaker Q&As and vendors selling their spooky wares! Beware though, I’ve been told the films are terrifyingly good!

Treat yourself this Halloween season at Deuce’s Major League Bar (3501-05 N. Clark St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood as it transforms into Nightmare on Clark Street through October 31^st. This spooky pop-up comes complete with themed cocktails such as Michael Meyer’s Michelada, festive snacks and plenty of ghoulish décor for photo ops if you’re all decked-out in costume!

There are also several fun, family-friendly events this weekend for the kids (even the furry ones) as well.  Here are just a few:

BooPalooza will be held Saturday (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) at Wicker Park (1425 N. Damen Ave.) in the Wicker Park neighborhood. The Park is transformed into a Halloween haven that includes tons of activities such as seasonally themed games, face painting, pumpkin patches, and a pumpkin show. Plus, there’s the kids’ costume parade and the dogs’ costume parade for a double whammy of cuteness!

Clark Street Spooktacular will be held Sunday (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.) at 2224 N. Clark Street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Embrace the spooky season and celebrate Halloween at this favorite trick-or-treat extravaganza! Participating businesses on Clark Street from Armitage to Diversey transform into trick-or-treat stops featuring candy and surprises for the whole family!

Logan Square Halloween Parade takes place Sunday (5 p.m.) beginning at the Illinois Centennial Monument (3200 W. Logan Blvd.) in the Logan Square neighborhood and brings out costumed kids and adults for a festive celebration. This Halloween procession marches south on Kedzie to Fullerton then looping back to Lula Café for hot cider and cookies. Once again, punk rock marching band Mucca Pazza will be leading the festivities with their spooky soundtrack!

Lakeview Halloween Pupcrawl will be held Saturday (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) in the Lakeview neighborhood.  Trick-or-treat with your dog in costume along north Halsted Street from Belmont to Cornelia with Miss Foozie. Just register at the Sherwin-Williams Paint Store (3311 N. Halsted St.) and show off your dog(s)’ best costume while gathering a bucket full of treats.  There also will be giveaways, prizes, a photobooth and more. Afterwards, have lunch with your pooch at Lark’s on their dog friendly patio!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago