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Ella Elli Sets March Opening Date For Southport Corridor Spot

By Ariel Cheung | January 18, 2017 4:54pm
 A rendering depicts the planned exterior of Ella Elli, which is set to open in March.
A rendering depicts the planned exterior of Ella Elli, which is set to open in March.
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Provided/Space A+P

LAKEVIEW — The vibrant Southport Corridor will have another dining option in a few short months, as Ella Elli set its opening date for March 6.

The restaurant will open at 1353 W. Cornelia Ave. in two months, 4 Star Restaurant Group announced Wednesday.

Initially proposed as a French-Italian eatery, Ella Elli will join Tuco and Blondie, Frasca and Crosby's Kitchen on the roster of Lakeview restaurants under the 4 Star Restaurant Group umbrella.

"Unique from 4 Star's previous concepts, Ella Elli is an intimate, charming gathering place where we invite guests to enjoy delicious food, quality wine and laughter," said 4 Star co-founder Doug Dunlay.

The 75-seat restaurant will feature "globally influenced" cuisine featuring pizza, pasta, seafood, and charcuterie and toasts, with an emphasis on French, Italian and Spanish flavors.

Ella Elli's menu, created by Matt Eversman and Nolan Narut, ranges from a pizza topped with roasted oysters, mushrooms and goat cheese to a Lamb Scottadito dish with spiced yogurt and harissa, a North African hot chili pepper paste.

Wood-oven octopus with crispy potatoes and salsa verde is among the more eclectic offerings, along with Spanish blue cheese beignets and a mint chocolate espresso profiterole, or cream puff.

Other dishes include a crispy grain salad, roasted carrots with crème fraiche, rigatoni with roasted cauliflower and peppery burger au poivre with St. André triple cream and watercress.

Classic cocktails like the negroni and old-fashioned will be offered alongside a wine list with selections from Italy, France and Spain.

 The owners of Crosby's Kitchen plan to expand into the space next door with Ella Elli. The space at 1353 W. Cornelia Ave. has been vacant since Wrigleyville Dental moved south to Ashland Avenue.
The owners of Crosby's Kitchen plan to expand into the space next door with Ella Elli. The space at 1353 W. Cornelia Ave. has been vacant since Wrigleyville Dental moved south to Ashland Avenue.
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DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung

Inside the 2,200-square-foot space, Ella Elli will have couches, loveseat bar stools and private alcove booths with a 1920s vibe.

With an interior design concept from SPACE Architects + Planners, the firm that worked on Tuco and Blondie and Blackwood BBQ, Ella Elli will be centered by a walnut and marble bar lit by French-style windows at the entrance.

A fireplace in the lounge and a variety of seating options will complement warm woods, brass and paneled millwork.

The restaurant will be open from 5 to 11 p.m. on weekdays and until midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

Ella Elli will be the 11th restaurant for 4 Star Restaurant Group. In addition to the other Lakeview spots, its holdings include Dunlays on Clark, Dunlays on the Square, D.O.C. Wine Bar, Smoke Daddy, Remington's and The Windsor.

Next year, the group will also open a second Smoke Daddy BBQ in Hotel Zachary near Wrigley Field.

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