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• Cicchetti, the new Venetian bar and small-plates restaurant from restaurateur Dan Rosenthal (Harry Caray’s) and executive chef Mike Sheerin (Trenchermen), opens Monday. Beyond its Italian eats and Harry’s Bar-inspired cocktails, it’s also going to be the first restaurant in Chicago to open with a Green Seal certification for its use of sustainable materials in both construction and the operation of the kitchen. It’s at Erie and Saint Clair, just off Michigan Avenue—and quite a sign of how Michigan Avenue dining has changed in the few years since the Purple Pig opened.
• Also Monday: So you want to get in on Alba truffle action this year, but Spiaggia’s $260-per-person white truffle seven-course dinner seems a bit pricey? How about almost half off? Monday only they’ll do a $135 four-course version, with $55 optional wine pairing. Go here to get tickets.
• A week from Sunday, Paul Virant’s Vie will offer a champagne dinner, for those of you for whom New Year’s Eve is too far away. It’ll be a lush five-course meal of truffles and bone marrow, with appropriate bubbly. It’s $125 per person; call 708-246-2082 for reservations.
• Things to read: Hey, I know you know better, but you probably have friends who are all like, Why should I pay $10 for some artsy yuppie free-range artisanal pho when I can get it for like $5, man. Make them read this. Or get new friends.
