Photos: Harry Sawyers 

Sprigs on the bar, woods on the walls: Welcome to Brindille.

French speakers won't be surprised to hear that the aesthetic is a little woodsy at Brindille, Carrie Nahabedian's new River North restaurant set to soft-open tomorrow night. But don't take woodsy to mean it's like a lodge—there are just subtle nods to the forest all around the small room.

On the pretty flatware, designed by Michael Aram, the handles resemble rough hardwood. The fancy Lindsey Adelman chandeliers look a little like azaleas sprouting Edison bulbs. And walls of Lora Fosberg's painted woodcuts create the illusion that you're lying on a forest floor.

We'll have to see whether the cuisine continues the theme, or if it just sticks to upscale French knockouts. A preview of the menu revealed entrées like a guinea fowl with morels and cockscombs, a duck breast with foie gras and veggies, a lamb saddle with artichokes, and the pretty incredible looking lobster dish shown in Brindille's Openings announcement yesterday.

The architect, Tom Nahabedian, compared the small space to like a jewelry store. The finishes show a union of materials: Walnut and brass cases display a curated collection of Carrie's possessions, silk screens cover the walls, and the marble foyer begins a nice chevron pattern that continues as a parquet-like wood floor throughout the intimate 50-seat space.

Take a closer look at the images—this could be the next place you enjoy a pretty special evening out.

Brindille, 534 N. Clark Street, opens to the public on Monday, April 22.