Four Seasons' New Resto Name Revealed

Kevin Hickey will be executive chef at Allium when it opens in February at Four Seasons Chicago.

Seasons Restaurant and Seasons Bar and Lounge in the Four Seasons Chicago served their last meals on New Year's Eve, making way for a private dining space and a more approachable concept called Allium.

Set to open in February, Allium (which is Latin for "onion") will focus on regional, farm-to-table modern American cuisine under the direction of current Executive Chef Kevin Hickey. It'll be housed in the space adjacent to the seventh-floor hotel lobby. And, according to a recent email from the publicist, the extensive redesign of the space will "showcase a warm, approachable and more modern aesthetic."

Let's just hope they don't take out that fireplace!

Alpana Singh Set To Open Wine Bar

Master Sommelier Alpana Singh (Photo: Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises)

This is some very cool news!

Check, Please! host and former Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises master sommelier Alpana Singh is set to open a wine bar, according to Crain's Chicago:

Didn't See This Coming

The Raw Bar signage via Yelp.

More info is trickling out about the Dana Hotel's forthcoming American contemporary restaurant set to be helmed by former Sunda chef Rodelio Aglibot.

312DD has learned that Mehrdad Toni Motamen, owner of Wrigleyville's The Raw Bar, has signed on to oversee the oyster bar that's supposed to be part of the concept. And since there's already a perfect area carved out on the mezzanine level to accommodate it, I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's going there.

Still no word on a name or when it will open . . .

It's A Busy, Busy January . . .

Big Star truck is setting shop outside Koval Distillery later this month. Photo via Time Out Chicago.

Not everyone is hibernating this month.

Those taking the boozy tours at Ravenwood's Koval Distillery can finally get some sustenance, well at least on Wednesdays. That's when Food Truck Wednesdays happens, featuring a different meal on wheels each week. They'll set up shop an hour before each tour begins and will be outside when it's done.

First up this Wednesday is Getta Polpetta, which specializes in gourmet meatballs. Duck N Roll (Jan. 18) offers tasty Vietnamese cuisine, while TaqueroFusion (Jan. 25) features Latin-influenced eats. Look for the trucks at 7pm.

A special event happens Saturday, Jan. 28 with ChicaGourmets and the Big Star Food Truck, which will serve up a DIY taco bar. That occurs 3 and 5pm.

Other cool stuff going down in January:

Why Paul McGee Should Stay in Logan Square

Paul McGee photo via This Is A Cocktail Blog

Last week, The Whistler's head mixologist Paul McGee made a shocking announcement that he was leaving the popular Logan Square cocktail lounge to head up a future project by Jerrod, Molly and R.J. Melman.

The new project is based in River North, and I'm guessing that it'll be the planned Melmans' country and western-themed lounge.

Personally, I think the bar would be better suited in Logan Square, especially if the rumors of McGee's involvement are true. Why?!

Here are my reasons:

Keep That 'Healthy Eating' Resolution Intact

Union Sushi's black rice sushi sampler. (Photo: Union Sushi)

The worst part of your New Year's resolution to "eat healthier" is that it gets bland—quickly—because chowing down on salads every day just isn't cutting it.

Sooooo, 312DD dropped by the set of The U's You & Me This Morning Friday to introduce anchors Melissa Forman and Jeanne Sparrow to some local spots that whip up healthy, hearty and delicious dishes.

From mango jerk chicken wings from Flavor 180 to the Indian-inspired delights at Bombay Wraps to the sensational black rice sushi sampler at Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar, these items did not disappoint.

Watch the video right here!

Rodelio Aglibot Lands at the Dana Hotel

Chef Rodelio Aglibot. (Photo: Sunda)

For the past few months, there's been speculation about where former Sunda Executive Chef Rodelio Aglibot was going next.

There were whispers in the industry about him returning to the River North area to focus on another Asian-inspired concept, but an Ultimate Insider tells 312DD that only half of that is true.

Free Breakfast Jan. 6 at Protein Bar!

(Photo: Protein Bar)

Here's some breaking breakfast news for you!

Google Places Chicago is splurging on your breakfast this morning (Jan. 6!) if you get to the Protein Bar at Wells & Washington from 8-10am.

The first 100 people to join Google Chicago and show their Google Places app (available for free on Android and iPhone app store) will enjoy free breakfast burritos, granola bowls and blended drinks.

What's better than a free breakfast? A healthy, delicious, and FREE breakfast! Don't forget to review your favorite Chicago spots on Google Places, and enter the Get Fit With Google contest.

They are giving away seats in a FlyWheel Sports Spin class, Bar Method class in Lakeview and a Whole Foods Wellness Club Cooking class. Just log into Google Places, start reviewing and enter here.

Cheers to a healthy start to 2012, and to your Friday!