Michelin-Starred Senza in East Lakeview to Shutter On January 17

In an era when many of Chicago's Michelin-starred restaurants are calling it quits, news of another closing is sadly coming in today. Senza, the intricate tasting-menu spot on Broadway in East Lakeview helmed by chef Noah Sandoval, will hold its last service on January 17. Senza was awarded a Michelin Star last month for the second year in a row.

Cara Marie Sandoval, general manager and wife of the chef, says that ownership will replace it with a retail location of their Ravenswood bakery Wheat's End Artisan Foods and Cafe and that neither she nor Noah Sandoval (Schwa, Green Zebra) will be a part of it. "Noah and I feel like it's the best time for us to move on to new projects," she writes. "It's a bittersweet ending as we'll truly miss serving our guests and the family we've created here, but we're excited for the future."

Wheat's End will take over the entire space in February, when it will expand hours and start serving alcohol, Sandoval says.

Senza was an under-the-radar opening in August 2012 and was originally focused on its gluten-free status before gaining recognition and a following for its chef-driven finer dishes available both in tasting menus and a la carte. It launched a bakery service (in conjunction with Wheat's End) in February 2013, gained its first Michelin star in November 2013, and switched to Nick Kokonas' ticket system just over two months ago.

Now, on January 17, it will join other Michelin-starred restaurants L20, Takashi, and Graham Elliot on the recent shutter list. Sandoval says she and her chef husband "are looking for the right opportunity" to work on a new restaurant but "are looking forward to a little time off." You have just over a month to see them at Senza before it closes.