NoMI Closing for Makeover; Pop in for Cellar Notes Now

NoMI has had quite the year of ups and downs. First, executive chef Christophe David announced in August he was leaving after five very successful years to move to Switzerland. Then, the restaurant's chef de cuisine Ryan LaRoche nabbed top honors at Chicago Gourmet's Hamburger Hop, immediately pushing his star a little higher. Now we learn that the venerable restaurant overlooking Michigan Avenue will close down ... but simply for an interior makeover.

NoMI, on the seventh floor of the Park Hyatt, has long been considered one of the most romantic dining rooms in the city, with its broad windows and hanging Chihuly blown glass sculptures. While plans for the room's new look haven't been revealed, they have apparently been pushed about for five years. But one thing we do know is that the restaurant will close on Jan. 30 and they plan to re-open by early June. We'll keep you posted as we learn more.

Meanwhile, if you anticipate watching the lighting of Michigan Avenue this Saturday night during the annual Festival of Lights, make a reservation at NoMI and bribe whoever you need to get a coveted window seat. If you can't make it Saturday, try to swing by each Thursday though the end of the year for NoMI's weekly Cellar Notes, which may be one of the city's best wine-tasting deals. Each week from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., plunk down $30 for a guided tasting of six wines from different global regions. The next Cellar Notes takes place Dec. 2 with a focus on Port. The following week: the wines of California's Central Coast. Note that reservations are required.

· NoMI to Close for a Four-Month Overhaul [Sun-Times]