Meet the New Lunch Coming to the Arts District

Starting today, the new Italian restaurant in the Arts District starts serving lunch. Now opening Tuesday through Friday at 11 a.m., Esther’s Kitchen features a lunch menu of salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and pastas.

Owner James Trees promises that “lunch service will be a little different than dinner. In order to provide great food at a good price, and also to service a quality quick lunch for Downtowners, lunch will be ‘fast casual’ style.”

That means patrons order at the counter, take a number, and servers bring the meal to the table. Take out and curbside orders are also accepted.

On the horizon, delivery options. And in about six weeks, brunch.

Below, a look at the entire lunch menu.

Salads

Campari tomatoes, burrata, basil pesto $9

little gem Caesar, cacio e pepe, croutons $10

add chicken $4

chopped salad, all the things, olive brine vinaigrette $12

chicories, chicken, apples+hazelnuts, mostarda dressing $13

roasted cauliflower, quinoa, kale, pecorino, pickled raisins $12

garlic poached tuna, green beans, poached egg, bitter greens $14

Sandwiches with chips and simple salad

meatball, provolone+basil ricotta, bianco pomodoro, parsley $12

chicken parm, whipped burrata, organic tomato sauce, basil $13

Italian “the chenz” all the meats, provolone, italian slaw, aioli 13

roasted porchetta, cracklins, spicy rabe, pickled chilis $14

cauliflower+eggplant parm, arugula, coconut cheese (vegan) $12

Pastas all made in house

spaghetti, bianco pomodoro, parmesan, basil $11

add polpette $5

chitarra cacio e pepe, pecorino, telicherry peppercorn $13

bucatini all’amatraciana, guanciale, tomato, onion, pecorino $14

rigatoni carbonara, guanciale, pecorino, egg yolk $15

radiatorre, black garlic, lemon, cream, toasted breadcrumbs $13

Pizzas with natural sourdough crust

margherita, tomato, basil, fresh mozzarella $9

calabrian, Zoe’s natural pepperoni, mozzarella, tomato $11

roasted mushrooms, duxelles, taleggio+fontina, charred kale $15

bacon, caramelized onions, fontina, egg, saba $14

• The Arts District Lands an Italian Restaurant [ELV]