Eater Inside

Explore Fort Willow, an Elston Avenue Throwback to Treehouse Forts and Childhood

DMK’s latest opens on Saturday

by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel Jan 18, 2018, 4:39pm CST

Fort Willow is about to open along Elston Avenue.

Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

Fort Willow, the soon-to-be-open restaurant and bar along the Elton Industrial Corridor, wants its adult customers to use their imaginations in the same ways they did as children. The 75-seat restaurant at 1721 N. Elston Avenue should bring back backyard memories when kids played in treehouses. If the metaphor is lost upon diners, don’t fret — there’s a tree that’s sprouting at the end of the bar. It’s one of many design elements aimed to transport customers back to their younger years.

DMK Restaurants already runs Ada Street and Werewolf Coffee Bar nearby, so they’re familiar with the neighborhood. Expects unique cocktails and a menu with global flavors as far as India (vegetable curry) and as close as San Francisco (oysters).

It’s a 2,500-square-foot space designed by Chris Talsma of Filoramo Talsma architects and Arlan DeRussy, a local craftsman. Yes, there’s a swing in the dining room.

Take a look at the photos below. DMK finally late Friday confirmed that Fort Willow is opening on Saturday.