When Soco, the contemporary Southern restaurant fronted by chef Greg Richie, closed last May after 11 years in the Thornton Park District, owner Craig Ustler promised to bring “something exciting to the space this fall.”
That something is Osteria Ester, an Italian-American concept from Good Salt Restaurant Group founders, and 2025 James Beard Award finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur, Jason and Sue Chin. It’s not the first time that the Chins and Ustler have joined forces — the trio brought Reyes Mezcaleria to the North Quarter and The Monroe to Creative Village.