If we were to tell you that the chef from Maple & Ash just built you a shrine to successful date nights and delicious wood-fired things, what would you s—
Oh. And there you went.
To Etta, a lovely new datery from Chef Danny Grant that serves simple, elevated dishes with a kiss of fire. It's open now in Bucktown and here it is in pictures.
Inside, it's like a beachy summer home on the coast. Worn wood beams, whitewashed brick walls, rustic tables, mismatched chairs. It's a vibe that lends itself particularly well to group dinners. But not tonight.
Tonight, you've got a casual date thing happening. Tonight, you're starting with a round of Rikki-Tiki-Tavi cocktails. Because it's fun to say and you enjoy obscure Rudyard Kipling references, sure. But also because it's got Denizen 3-year rum, arrack, walnut orgeat and Underberg in it.
Couple that with some ricotta pillows or fire-baked focaccia with ricotta-honey and truffle. As long as there's pizza and ricotta on your table, you can't order wrong from there. Related: it bears repeating that it's all about that wood-fired hearth here. Fish. Chicken. Oysters. The humble potato. All get their turn in the fire.
And coming later this summer: a second bar and a rooftop terrace.
You love a good twist ending.