One of this year’s most eagerly anticipated new restaurants will soon open its doors. The countdown is on for Camaraderie, which will begin dinner service on Wednesday, March 26.
Located in the Heights at 608 W. 11th St., Camaraderie is the first project from chef Shawn Gawle. Best known locally as the executive pastry chef for Goodnight Hospitality — where he won Pastry Chef of the Year in the 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards — Gawle played a significant role at Michelin-starred restaurants such as L20 in Chicago, Veritas in New York City, and Saison in San Francisco.
Diners at Camaraderie have two options for their meals. In the main dining room, they’ll be served a three-course, $75 prix-fixe menu, which includes shared starters, an individual entree, and dessert. Alternatively, diners may choose to sit in either the lounge or on the patio, which will serve a concise, à la carte menu of shareable plates and entrees.
On the opening menu, the shared starters on the prix-fixe menu include salt-baked celery root, asparagus sformato (an Italian-style savory flan), and dauphiné ravioli. Diners will then choose an entree of halibut, veal osso bucco, lion’s mane mushrooms, or Dover sole en croûte for two that's served with housemade bread.
The à la carte menu begins with “snacks” such as nduja rolls, manchego cheese curls, and tarte flambée. The “More Substantial” section includes a socca niçoise (a French chickpea pancake), tuna crudo, carrot cavatelli pasta, and hanger steak with pommes dauphine.
“Our menu is all about celebrating the bounty of American agriculture while respecting the artistry and technique of French culinary tradition,” Gawle said in a statement. This ethos is reflected in the techniques used to prepare the menu’s dishes. For example, the carrot cavatelli uses carrot juice instead of water to make the pasta and minimize waste by using the carrot tops for pesto. The Dover sole is wrapped in laminated puff pastry that’s shaped like a fish with scales.
Joining Gawle at Camaraderie are general manager/wine director Gillian Malone and bar manager Kristine Nguyen. Both bring extensive experience to their roles, with Malone having worked with Gawle at March and Nguyen having worked at both Nancy’s Hustle and Bad News Bar, where she won Bartender of the Year in the 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.
Camaraderie’s wine list includes both American and European selections, with several half-bottle options available. Nguyen’s cocktail offerings includes on-trend “mini” versions of classics, a few non-alcoholic options, and larger cocktails designed to be shared.
Reservations are recommended for the main dining room, while the lounge and patio will be open for walk-in diners with some reservations available. Camaraderie will be open Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 5 pm.
Photo by Dakota Garrett
Bar manager Kristine Nguyen.
