Drew & Mary Catherine Curren's Arro To Open July 20 With Wood-Fired Grill, French Wines, $25 Prix Fixe Menu

Chefs Drew and Mary Catherine Curren will open Arro, the third location in the ELM Restaurant Group's growing downtown empire, on Saturday, July 20 in the former Haddingtons spot at 601 W. Sixth Street. Arro will be anchored by a wood-fired grill and Drew Curren will incorporate "local and organic products whenever possible."

Notable offerings include: an all-French wine list from two master sommeliers, rosewater profiteroles from Mary Catherine Curren, breads from sister restaurant Easy Tiger and a $25 prix fixe menu option. Here's the official press release with all the details:

New French Restaurant Downtown Sets Target Opening Date

AUSTIN – July 3, 2013 – Arro, the latest endeavor from ELM Restaurant Group (24 Diner, Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden), is slated to open July 20 at 601 W. Sixth St. At the helm of this casual French spot is ELM's executive chef/partner, Andrew Curren, accompanied by his wife, pastry chef Mary Catherine Curren. The couple has dreamed of working alongside one another in such a capacity since they met at the Culinary Institute of America in New York.

The focus of Chef Drew's kitchen is a wood-fired grill, and he will continue his philosophies of preparing all food to exacting standards in house and incorporating local and organic products whenever possible. This methodology, coupled with a commitment to exceptional service, has earned the group many accolades from local press as well as mentions in Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, Saveur, Mother Jones and Southern Living. Mary Catherine and her team will craft a thoughtful menu of both traditional and seasonaldesserts on site, and bread will be baked fresh daily at Easy Tiger.

Arro will be open seven nights a week and offer brunch on Sunday. Diners can enjoy a light meal consisting of simple single-item options (croque monsieur, vol-au-vent), order classic French composed plates (steak& frites, bone marrow & pistou, roast chicken), indulge in a three-course menu for just $25 or pop in for a late-night cocktail or coffee paired with a perfectly executed dessert (such as dark chocolate pot de crème or rosewater profiteroles).

The exclusively French wine list was curated by two master sommeliers: Craig Collins of Dalla Terra Winery Direct and Devon Broglie, Whole Foods' Executive Coordinator of Purchasing for the Southwest Region. Per Devon, "The Arro wine program will be as thrilling for the wine curmudgeon as it is fun and accessible for wine enthusiast." Classic cocktails and a selection of beers will also be available.

Arro takes its inspiration from the French phrase "arroser la vie," loosely translated to "make a toast to life" or "baste life." Graphic designers Ryan Rhodes and Caleb Owen Everitt of Work By Land played a large role in the artistic development of Arro, drawing inspiration from French artist-provocateur Marcel Duchamp and the Modernist, Dada and Surrealist movements in post-WWI Europe. The duo's considerable talent can be seen in the hand-drawn imagery and lettering that jumps from the menu pages to the walls.

Designer Veronica Koltuniak of VeroKolt (who partnered with ELM on both 24 Diner & Easy Tiger) carries the theme across the interiors, playing with the use of simple iconography and soft neutrals that arein stark contrast to typical signage. "My passion in repurposing materials led me to the use of old canvasmailbags on the ceiling and upholstery, bringing texture and rough, luxe authenticity which dovetails nicely with Duchamp's coal sack installations," says Roni. "Other materials used in the space, such as bamboo caning, woven metals and Deco-inspired tiles, evoke a subtle French feel."

"Every aspect of this project is headed by leaders in their respective fields, from design to bread to cheese to wine to food to pastry to service," summarizes Drew. "Arro is a culmination of friends, family and people coming together to execute and enjoy a fresh interpretation of classic French food and culture."

[Photo: Arro/Facebook]