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."
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