The foodie haven that is Andersonville (Anteprima, Natalina's, m. henry, Jin Ju, In Fine Spirits, That Pizza Place That Looks Like a Hardware Store, Vincent, Sunshine Cafe) will soon have another intriguing spot, called Acre.

Acre is taking over the location formerly home to Charlie's Ale House, which is just a few doors down from Anteprima, on the 5300 block of North Clark St. Acre is not only Anteprima's newest neighbor, it is also brought to us by the people behind the rustic Italian eatery. A note posted on the window of the former Ale House, which I read as I walked past Wednesday afternoon as workers were busy preparing the place for its new life as a restaurant that would feature casual, seasonal American fare, said so.

I'm looking forward to this new place. Anteprima is one of my absolute favorite restaurants, featuring the real, regional Italian food that you just can't find anywhere else, and were it not for their slightly high prices I would eat there more regularly. The thought that that same attention to authenticity and quality will be carried over to another eatery, that will have a "casual American" menu, seems very exciting. Charlie's Ale House was a spacious and casual place that had what I'd call an estate library aesthetic -- brown leather, dark, heavy wood, vintage photos -- that was the best thing it going for it, honestly. I look forward to seeing what the Anteprima people do with the place and wish them luck.