Elske, 2016’s Final Hotly-Anticipated New Restaurant, Has An Opening Date

As 2016 winds down, Elske, one of Chicago most-anticipated restaurants, finally has an opening date in the West Loop. David and Anna Posey have marked down Dec. 7 on their calendars for Elske’s general public debut. Chef David Posey left his post at Blackbird in 2014 to embark on opening his first restaurant, a dream that’s a week to fruition.

The Poseys took over the former Sawtooth space, 1350 W. Randolph St., in July 2015, around the time Anna Posey left her post at The Publican where she worked as the pastry chef for the acclaimed restaurant. The couple met while Anna Posey interned at Blackbird. Now, the couple’s first restaurant is one of Eater National’s most-anticipated fall openings in the country.

Elske spans two floors and holds 55 seats. The Poseys will serve an eight-course tasting menu costing a relatively modest $80. There’s also a 10-dish a la carte menu, and many items will be prepared on a hearth, as David Posey raves about the flavor imparted from wood. They’re describing the cuisine as New American, but perhaps that will come with a touch of Scandinavian. Elske means "love" in Danish.

The two-floor concept—the husband-and-wife tandem and the presence of a tasting menu and a la carte options—may sound familiar in the West Loop. The Smyth and Loyalist opened over the summer from John and Karen Shields. The restaurants are also around the corner from each other by less than a minute walk.

Lock it here for much more in the days before Elske’s opening.