A newly opened restaurant, Pompette, is filled with wine, morning pastries, and plenty of delicious eats, all coming from the minds of three Chicago chefs. The all-day cafe opens today with a rotating menu of European-inspired dishes meant to pair well with wine and be shared amongst friends and family.
As for who’s behind the chic new spot? That would be the incredible trio of chefs: Ashlee Aubin (Alinea, Wood, and Salero), Katie Wasielewski (Pub Royale), and Aaron Patten (Acadia, Moody Tongue). They’ve known each other since 2012, working together over the years and through different jobs.
The restaurant itself, once home to Izakaya Mita, has been transformed into a cozy, sleek space complete with a coffee and pastries to-go counter, and a gorgeous tile bar. Offering freshly baked pastries prepared in-house, lunchtime visitors can expect options from James Beard Nominated Pastry Chef Aya Fukai, and West Town’s Aya Pastry, with sweets like a decadent brown butter streusel coffee cake sure to sell out fast.
The trio of chefs have curated relationships with local farmers over the years, who will contribute fresh produce to French and Italian-influenced selections. Like a smoked salmon dish topped with creme fraiche. There’s lamb brochette complete with cucumber-red onion salad and garlic pia, a sea bass option complete with artichoke, and farro and swiss chard salad topped with a herb vinaigrette and candied walnuts. A farm-fresh quiche also makes the list. For dinner, there will be buttermilk fried quail, beet falafel and so much more.
Bar manager Margaret Warren will work with the chefs to add seasonal components to the drink choice. The daytime drink menu will include low-AVB cocktails (some made with green tea) keeping the more intense wines, brandies, and such for the late-night crowd.
Expect a lot of wine on the menu as well. With Aubin taking on the general manager role outside the kitchen, his picks come from all matters of France, Spain, Italy, and Germany. Most picks fall under the natural wine category, meaning they’re cultivated with limited manipulation and no additional additives.
Pompette is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM. Seating is first come, first served.
Address: 1960 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
[Featured photo via: Reilly Drew]