Etta, Bucktown’s Open-Hearth Smash Hit, Plans New River North Restaurant

Bucktown neighborhood restaurant and critical darling Etta was a surprise hit when it opened on West North Avenue in 2018, earning local acclaim for its affable atmosphere and chef Danny Grant’s rustic dishes cooked over an open hearth. The Etta team, which is also behind posh Gold Coast steakhouse Maple & Ash, now plans to expand its Chicago footprint with a new restaurant — Etta River North.

Owners applied for a liquor license this month on the first floor of 700 N. Clark Street. Representatives have not yet provided more information. The space sits across the street from the Godfrey Hotel and Hotel Felix just blocks from Michigan Avenue. There’s no word yet on the size of the space, how many it will seat, or when owners hope to open its doors.

One of the most anticipated openings of summer 2018, the original Etta was a decidedly casual departure for Maple & Ash’s owners, who launched the stylish steak hotspot in 2015. Grant, who is also a partner, took over the Gold Coast kitchen a month after opening. At Etta, he offers a selection of handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and large seasonal dishes for sharing. Brunch service launched just a few months after Etta opened, and the restaurant won its first Michelin Bib Gourmand this year.

Stay tuned for more coverage of Etta River North as details become available.