Graham Elliot to Shutter, Reconcept at New Location

For a period of time next year, Graham Elliot will only have one restaurant in Chicago. Elliot is shuttering his original eponymous restaurant after New Year's Eve, the Tribune first reported, and the "MasterChef" judge will open a different version of it a new location in the spring of 2014.

Elliot also closed Grahamwich after Lollapalooza this year, leaving Graham Elliot Bistro as his only restaurant left in town, at least until he opens his new spot. He now spends much of his time in L.A. and is opening a new restaurant in Greenwich, CT soon.

Elliot tells the Trib that the new Graham Elliot will be "cool and different" yet "pick up exactly where Graham Elliot left off." At any rate, it will be smaller, and the Graham Elliot restaurant you know has less than two months left in business. Elliot could not be reached for comment at press time, but his representatives released this statement:

"The concept of evolution is something that's incredibly important to me in all aspects of my life. For example, since opening my namesake restaurant in Chicago in 2008, the vision has continuously evolved. What started out as a more casual dining experience, eventually became the two-Michelin star tasting menu format you see today. And now we're evolving yet again.

"Chicago will have a new Graham Elliot dining experience come spring, where we build on what we've achieved over the last five years here in the Windy City. In preparation for the new concept, we'll have our final service at 217 West Huron on December 31, 2013, a New Year's "Evolution" of sorts. Our final menu at West Huron will not only feature our greatest hits from the past, but will also offer your first glimpse into what you'll find at our new venture in 2014. We've saved the best for last so join us as the evolution begins. Exciting times call for exciting measures."