'Japonais is not going anywhere!'

. . . exclaims Joe King, one of the operating partners behind Le Colonial, the sister restaurant to Japonais—in response to a flurry of rumors circulating for a few weeks about the supposed closing of the trendy River North restaurant.

He adds that the Asian-themed eatery is one of the "top grossing restaurants in the city," so they're in no danger of closing any time soon.

So now you know!

A First Bite at Theory

(Photo: Theory)


The Stew's Monica Eng has mixed feelings on the theme at new sports lounge, Theory, but she likes the food:

"Our super friendly and efficient waitress recommended the burger and especially the barbecue, noting they smoke everything in house. So we started with three pieces of Brian's Bespoke Babybacks ($7), which were impressively, sweet, sticky, smoky and tender specimens arranged in an artful pyramid and served with a vinegary Carolina-style sauce and a tangy house sauce.

"Our $3 cup of chili (which like most dishes sports a 'clever' name: A Chili Notion) features seasonal hot peppers, sweet onions, andouille sausage, sweet potatoes and cold-smoked cheddar, among other things. Interesting blend of ingredients but it left us wishing for less sweetness and a little more kick."

What would they cook for him?!

Our friends at Restaurant Intelligence Agency rounded up local chefs and asked:

If you were invited to cook at the White House, what one dish would you make?


Jill Barron (MANA Food Bar): I would make my mushroom and brown rice sliders.

Troy Graves (Eve): I would cook up a great macaroni and cheese.

Koren Grieveson (avec): My choice to make for him would be a sausage dish with lots of pork and guanciale.

Paul Kahan (Blackbird): If I was invited to the White House, I would cook country-fried rabbit and rabbit chorizo. It's one of Obama's favorites at Blackbird. He had it for his celebratory dinner after clinching the primary.

Joncarl Lachman (HB Home Bistro): I would make shellfish choucroute. Pretty much becoming the specialty of the house at HB, it's comforting, relaxing, delicious and a little off-the-beaten-path.

Chris Pandel (The Bristol): If I had to cook at the White House, I would make my Caja China and roast a piggy in his yard.

Debbie Sharpe (Feast): I would serve him a hearty meal of roasted chicken with pan gravy, accompanied by lots of vegetables.

Cheers to the Chief!

Whether you're hanging at home or heading out to one of the hot Obama blowouts around town, from C-View to Stretch Run Sporting Club and Grille, 312DD's still got you covered:

Those throwing their own Barack bashes will need, of course, a signature sipper. We dig the idea of shaking up The $700 Billion Martini, generously made with Svedka Vodka. You can also find it at People Lounge and Seven Ten.

For something a little smoother, get Hennessy 44, a limited-edition cognac honoring the 44th prez. The bottle features a redesigned label, black capsule and special "44" seal with the date of the inauguration. Only 180,000 collectors' bottles are available and a percentage of the proceeds benefit the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Lucky guests at the glammed-out, VIP party at Park 52 on Tuesday will have a chance to sample Hennessy 44 cocktails.

And instead of the usual bubbly from Champagne, France, do your 'hood good and celebrate with a bottle of Cooper's Hawk Winery's Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine. It's the only local winery getting props at the Illinois State Society's Illinois Inaugural Gala in Washington, D.C.—plus they're pouring the First Lady's Toast, so you know the Obamas will be there!

Gotta have Faith

Faith & Whiskey opens to the public on Friday. (Photo: Faith & Whiskey)


312DD's secured the first sneak-peek pics of Lincoln Park's newest rock lounge, Faith & Whiskey, which takes over the old Ta'Too.

The laid-back and budget-conscious bar—with an imposing tattooed wall logo, antler light fixtures, encased guitars behind the bar and dark, narrow edges similar to Angels & Kings—is a far cry from owner Hunter Cannon's glamorous West Loop spot Bon V, which is known for hosting celebrity events, including the wrap party for "Public Enemies" last summer.

Even though Faith & Whiskey's in a more low-key 'hood, the guys behind this project are pretty hooked up in the industry, so you never know who'll turn up.

It opens to the public Jan. 23.

Even more news on the Cru closing

How can you benefit on the Cru Café & Wine Bar closing that was exclusively reported on 312DD?!

We just found out that owner Debbie Sharpe is selling off most of the merchandise on Jan. 25, the day after it closes until it transforms into Feast Gold Coast. She's selling off some of the higher-end wines, furniture, chandeliers and coffee tables. That'll happen 9am-noon.

Sharpe also has plans to open two additional Goddess and Grocer shops. One (with yet another Feast Restaurant + Bar) expands into Lincoln Square at 4743 N. Lincoln Ave. in June. And the former Solomon's Cookies at 2222 N. Elston Ave. will become the fourth location.

The original Feast is in Bucktown.

EXCLUSIVE: Update on Cru closing

Appears that we jumped the gun on the Cru closing. Yet another tip comes in; this time from someone who lives next door:

"Cru is closing (last day is 1/24). The ownership is not changing. Cru is being reconcepted into Feast, just like the Goddess/Feast space in Bucktown. They are going to open as Feast 1-2 weeks after Cru closes. I live next door to Cru and in fact just left the place about 30 minutes ago and got the latest scoop."

Maybe they'll leave the Cru Club on the menu after all!

EXCLUSIVE: Cru Cafe & Wine Bar to close

THIS just arrived in the mailbox from an Ultimate Insider:

"Just heard Cru Wine Bar was sold to the owners of something called 'fiesta' and is getting a makeover, will be closing in about a week."

Naturally we checked out this tip with a quick call to the Gold Coast restaurant/lounge, and it's true. Goddess and Grocer, the adjacent cafe and upscale gourmet sandwich shop, will remain open.

So if you're a fan of the infamous Cru Club (made with mounds of grilled beef tenderloin, lobster, avocado and chipotle mayonnaise), you'd better get one before it's too late!