Carrie Nahabedian's excitement is palpable as her new project, Brindille, is almost set to open. The NAHA chef/owner has spearheaded an extensive buildout and conceptual refinement over the past few months, and it is finally almost ready to go. The 50-seat dinner-only restaurant will open for business April 22, following a soft opening next weekend, taking limited reservations next Friday and Saturday over the NAHA line (312.321.6242). Once open, reservations will be available via City Eats.
The entire theme revolves around Nahabedian's love of Paris and French cuisine, which nudged her into the cooking world years ago. The menu is complete (more on that in the coming days) and will be executed by chef de cuisine Ali Ratcliffe Bauer, a longtime NAHA sous chef. The pastry chef Craig Harzewski and sous Fred P. Zolig and Zach Steen are also Naha vets, Steen most recently worked at Topolobampo/Frontera Grill.
The price points will be similar to NAHA, with entrees ranging from mid-$30's to $50's, a la carte, with tasting menus by request. She says it's "not a special occasion restaurant" but refined and luxurious.
The design has Nahabedian especially giddy. "Once you see the space, you will know why the finishes have taken as long as they have," she says. "Some of them have never been done before." Tom Nahabedian (Carrie's cousin) of the Bureau of Architecture has made it to look like an urban refined Parisian restaurant. Local artist Lora Fosberg, who also made custom artwork for NAHA, has produced artwork for Brindille. Three pieces "are a reflection of being in the forest and looking up...like a child laying on the forest floor looking into the sky."
This is the first restaurant in the space and it will house its first dinners next weekend. More to come.
· Brindille [Official Site]
· Carrie Nahabedian Names New Spot, Getting in Shape [~ECHI~]