Is Green Dolphin Street Returning To Bucktown?!

Green Dolphin Street's original interior via Chicago Wedding Venues.

Look for the former sprawling supper club to rise from the ashes when it reopens Jan. 18 as simply Dolphin.

This time, the 13,000-square-foot space will solely operate as a nightclub, featuring four distinct rooms with dramatic light-and-sound shows, top deejay talent and the return of the infamous Boom Boom Room dance parties (moved from Monday to Sunday). The main ballroom is offset by the front-room parlor, which serves as a cocktail lounge; outdoor garden lounge; and White Lounge, which will crank out contemporary pop music.

Avec Chef de Cuisine Erling Wu-Bower Kicks Off Pop-Up Dinner Series at Leopold

Erling Wu-Bower photo via Time Out Chicago.

Here's one hot ticket you certainly do not want to miss:

Avec's Erling Wu-Bower teams up with Leopold chef Michael Dean Reynolds for the first of what's certain to be a very popular guest chef pop-up dinner series.

EXCLUSIVE: Michael Simon is Out at Carriage House, The Bedford

The talented, yet controversial mixologist Michael Simon is no longer at Carriage House and Bedford, confirms chef/partner Mark Steuer.

"He resigned on Saturday," Steuer tells 312DD exclusively. "Call it creative differences. We appreciate everything he did for us pre- and post-opening and wish him nothing but the best wherever he lands next."

Popular Pizza Joint Great Lake is Closing at the End of the Month

Great Lake pizza via Food Republic.

Whoa.

Here's some news we didn't see coming.

Former Eater Chicago editor Ari Bendersky reports for Crain's that Andersonville pizza sensation Great Lake is closing at the end of January:

"The restaurant is set to close at the end of the month, according to Danny Yuen, who owns the building in Andersonvile that houses Great Lake.

"Mr. Yuen, who has owned the property for about 20 years, said Great Lake owners Nick Lessins and Lydia Esparza declined to renew their lease after about five years of business and told him they plan to move. Mr. Yuen in turn posted a 'For Rent' sign in the window of the intimate 14-seat spot.

Here Are Some Non-Boozy Alternatives When Drinking Around Town

A non-alcoholic Peach Melba Cooler via Chow.com.

I'm pretty burned out on booze after an especially lushy holiday season, so I am looking forward to taking it down a few notches in the coming weeks. I'm not a huge fan of sodas and there's only so much tea I can drink, so I sought out some tasty alternatives.

From a Caipirinha Bubbly “Champagne” at Chicago French Market to Storefront Company's delightfully refreshing Pomegranate Fizz, here are some of the best mocktails around town.

This Is The WORST Restaurant Tipper of 2012!

Restaurant receipt via The Bitchy Waiter.

You guys know how I love outing terrible tippers, and this guy right here has got to be the lowest of the low.

As you can see above, he actually subtracted his tip from the bill when his party dined at an Andersonville restaurant on Christmas.

Here's what went down, according to the server, as he explained to The Bitchy Waiter.

The Year 2012 Was An Incredibly Outrageous Time For Chicago's Restaurants & Bars

Left photo via Proof nightclub; right photo via Jessica Harr's Facebook page.

Wow.

This year has really gone by quickly. Part of the reason is because 2012 was one of the most outrageous years to date for the dining and drinking scene.

Here's what really stuck out in my mind:

9 Cure-All Cocktail Recipes For Your NYE Hangover

Adam Seger's Libertad Real. (Photo: Libertad)

No one wants to wake up with a massive hangover on New Year's Day, but it's inevitable.

So instead of suffering and shuffling through the day like a burnt-out zombie, whip up one of these cure-all cocktail recipes from some of Chicago's hottest culinary and bar stars.

Happy New Year!