Entente Aims To Give Lakeview ‘Salty, Bitter, Sweet Umami’ on Oct. 14

Ani’s transformation will be complete on Oct. 14, as that’s when owner Ty Fujimura (Arami) and chef Brian Fisher will open Entente at 3056 N. Lincoln Ave. Fujimura has placed his confidence in Fisher, formerly of Schwa and currently at Saved By The Max. They’ll have a tasting menu for fine diners to complement their regular menu, hoping to satisfy a variety of customers in a difficult-to-crack stretch of Lakeview.

Reservations should go online on Friday via Reserve. Fujimura said he’s known Fisher for years and they began flirting with the idea to reconcept Ani back in January. Fujimura admitted Entente’s modern American menu is outside his comfort zone of Asian food, but he trusts Fisher’s vision. Yes, there’s a burger on the menu, but it joins more creative options like Carolina Gold rice dish that comes with duck egg, truffle and cheese.

"We want to make it accessible for people live there," Fujimura said. "Show them that options exist; you can get sensible cocktails and a quality meal with a high level of service."

Matt Meschede

Carolina Gold

Fujimura is excited about how the restaurant will offer different experiences. The tasting menu will roll out in a few weeks after opening and will only be available via a reservation. He called the wines the "crown jewel" of their drink program, which will include cocktails with house-made tonic waters and sodas. The wines are all natural, and Fujimura promised the list will be funky.

"We want to make it special for someone who is coming in from a different neighborhood," he said.

Entente’s space will feel a bit smaller, but more intimate than Ani. They’ve used darker paints and different fixtures to achieve that feel, Fujimura said. There’s also an eight-seat bar.

The menu will constantly change, but for now check out the sample opening a la carte offerings below.

TARTAR

Wagyu or watermelon

LIVER

Chicken liver mousse, concord grape jelly, crumpet

PORK BELLY

Apple, celery root, pecan streusel

DUCK

Smoked blackberries, miso yogurt, salted cucumber

MEAT PIE

Chicken thigh, rutabaga, leek, puffed pastry

BURGER

Pimento cheese, Iceberg, fries, aioli

CHICKEN

Spiced pumpkin seed butter, coffee, chocolate, maitake

HALIBUT

Parsnip, meyer lemon, vanilla, lentil

KALE SALAD

Nappa cabbage, crunchy noodles, sunflower seeds, Thai herbs

WEDGE

Benton’s bacon, cambozola, Green Goddess dressing

CAROLINA GOLD

Truffle, duck egg, cheese

BUTTERMILK BISCUIT

Seasonal butter

PARKER HOUSE ROLLS

Benton’s ham, cultured butter, pickles

DESSERT

CHEESECAKE

Melon, violet, almond

TRES LECHES

Hojicha, pumpkin, sorghum

PROFITEROLE

Sassafras, sour cherry, shiso

CHOCOLATE

Beet, coffee, bourbon