Tucci Benucch goes buh-bye

Should've known something was brewing over there at the 900 Shops (900 N. Michigan Ave.) when Frankie's Fifth Floor Pizzeria suddenly appeared out of nowhere in that little cafe area right in front of Tucci Benucch.

Now comes word that Tucci Benucch is closing for good on Jan. 5, making way for a new Italian concept called Frankie's Scaloppini. Not many details are available yet about this new spot other than that it's opening in February once owner Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises totally renovates the space. Man, LEYE is busy as hell these days!

It's over for Spy Bar—for now

Yet another long-standing venue bites the dust.

Spy Bar (646 N. Franklin St., 312-587-8779), which lost its major A-Lister appeal five or six years ago, has its last party on Saturday, Dec. 28 with a big blowout featuring local deejays Dino G, Agent 47 and Brent Brewer. There's no cover, and the party goes on until 5am.

But it's not going away forever. They're planning a major renovation and a reopening in the spring.

NYE: Costumed Countdowns

With New Year’s Eve and Halloween being the two most festive holidays of the year, it only makes sense to combine them.

So if you’re looking to step into character as you celebrate, here’s where to go:

Fat Cat (4840 N. Broadway, 773-506-3100). The sleek, retro-style lounge hosts a Roaring 20s party with a deejay spinning swing and contemporary sounds, passed hors d’oeuvres, a top-shelf bar package as well as a champagne fountain for the midnight toast. Make sure to come dressed to the nines in your flapper dresses, zoot suits, boas, pearls, garter belts and thigh highs for the occasion. A costume contest for the sharpest dresser will be held and the winners will receive prizes. 9pm-1:30am. $75 in advance; $100 at the door.

Opera (1301 S. Wabash Ave., 312.461.0161). Guests are encouraged to show up in masquerade or other costumed attire for this end-of-the-year bash. All staffers will be dressed up, and the menu is a la carte. Dinner reservations are available 5:30pm-midnight.

Prosecco (710 N. Wells St., 312-951-9500). The bangin’ new River North eatery transforms into a Fellini-esque setting for the night. Guests may order from the a la carte menu or from a pre-fixe menu for the night for $80. The last seating of the night will include feathered masks, merrymakers, sparklers, female impersonators and more.

La Strada serves last meal on NYE; two for Chinatown

Writes the Chicago Tribune's Phil Vettel in The Stew:

"After 28 years, La Strada Ristorante (155 N. Michigan Ave., 312-565-2200) is closing its doors. Along with sister property J. Randolph’s Bar & Grill next door, the two restaurants will serve their last meals on Dec. 31. Owner Michael Mormando says he fell victim to re-development; a 40-story residential tower will rise from the space where La Strada now sits, abutting Millennium Park Plaza (aka Doral Plaza).

'My staff and I have been honored to proudly serve the Chicago and worldwide community for the past 28 years,' said Mormando in a statement, 'but the time has come to close our restaurants and make way for a wonderful new residential high rise apartment building development.'

Mormando is negotiating to re-create La Strada in that residential tower when it opens (scheduled for 2010), but nothing is finalized. If you want one more taste of La Strada, head down there soon, or tank up the car: the suburban La Strada (2380 Lakewood Blvd., Hoffman Estates, 847-765-1700) remains open."

And from an LTHForum moderator:

"Just back from a terrific lunch at Lao Sze Chuan (2172 S. Archer Ave., 312-326-5040) with breaking news, Tony Hu is opening two new restaurants, Lao Beijing (2138 S. Archer Ave.) and Lao Shanghai (2163 S. China Pl.). Both are in Chinatown Square, Lao Shanghai will be going in the recently closed KS Seafood and Lao Beijing where Dragon King was. Tony mentioned he was shooting for a January 1 opening for both."

His Airness drops by Table 52

A little-known secret for getting into Table 52 is to try to get a seat at the bar. There's no reservations at the bar, and it's first come, first served.


So, a couple of my friends managed to snag a damn-near-impossible-to-get table at Table 52 (52 W. Elm St., 312-573-4000) last Friday and were rewarded with the ultimate local celeb sighting.

As they noshed on luscious portions of Executive Chef Art Smith's Low-Country shrimp with stone-ground grits and a pistachio-crusted chicken breast with coconut-chile sauce, in saunters Michael Jordan.

And being Michael Jordan, of course it took him several minutes to get to his table because everyone in the room wanted to talk to him. It wasn't a mad frenzy because this is a sophisticated dining establishment, but c'mon, this is MJ we're talking about and the space is pretty tiny. Even Art Smith paid his respects to the table, but no word on whether His Airness got any freebies. . .

NYE: Late-Night Affairs

Many of you plan to go the private house party route for New Year's Eve. But what if you start feeling antsy after midnight? You know, you want to check out other festivities, but who wants to shell out all those bucks? Open until 4am, these spots should satisfy your late-night cravings:

Crobar (1543 N. Kingsbury, 312-266-1900). One of the official after-parties for the annual Chicago-Scene affair, Crobar's event includes techno and hip-hop, plenty of space to dance and a crowd ready to party until last call. $30, with a cash bar.

Green Mill (4802 N. Broadway, 773-878-5552). Jazz fans should head over to this Uptown institution for Battle of the Saxes headlined by legendary music men Von Freeman and Edward Petersen. It's a $5 cover after midnight, and then free 2am-4am. The Green Mill Quartet Jam Session plays after the main show.

Le Passage (937 N. Rush St., 312-255-0022). The other official Chicago-Scene after party takes place at the all-new Le Passage in the Gold Coast. Deejays spin dance music. $30, cash bar.

Relax (1450 W. Chicago Ave., 312-666-6006). You can stop in at any time at this cool new neighborhood lounge specializing in old-school rock and R&B. Open seating, too! Free.

Stone Lotus (873 N. Orleans St., 312-440-9680). New York's DJ Klutch spins dance music at the Outfit Events party. After 1am, it's a cash bar. Under $30.

S'more winter openings

In dining news: Shinobu (1131 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., 773-334-9062) is the latest to roll in on the sushi scene in Edgewater. Lincoln Park brunch fave John's Place (1202 W. Webster Ave., 773-525-6670) branches out with a second location in Roscoe Village at 2132 W. Roscoe St. in January. And Just Indulge (1755 W. North Ave.), a cute little dessert and ice cream shop, opens in Bucktown in February.

Just for the noel of it . . .

Just wanted to bring to your attention this very festive cocktail being offered by Prost (2566 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-880-9900) throughout the month. If you love the nog, then you'll dig this German lounge's version that they're calling Hoochnoggin. It's only $7, and so rich (with chocolate syrup, heavy cream and whiskey) that you won't even need that pumpkin pie.

Also, if you're dreading watching Christmas Vacation, Miracle on 34th Street or A Christmas Story this year, head a couple blocks down to Delilah’s (2771 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-472-2771) for something completely different. They're showing the wild-ass flick Santa Claus Conquers the Martians on all their flatscreen monitors, and it should go down well with all those whiskey selections they offer. Sunday, Dec. 23 at 6pm.

And finally, if you're in a singing mood, then get ye to Davenport's Piano Bar (1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-278-1830) for Cabaroke, a non-stop event where you can have at all the old Christmas standards in front of a crowd that will egg you on. The back room offers recorded tunes, while you'll get it live in the front showroom. Hosted by the "Queen of Karaoke" Alma Mendoza. 10pm-1:30am tonight. $2 cover for front room; no cover in back room.