Over a weekend without any new releases, last week's winner, "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," continued its box office reign and earned another $35.6 million, bringing its total to a whopping $124 million since opening Dec. 21. How did this happen? We can't figure it out, and ditto for "Alvin and the Chipmunks," which made another $30 million to place second and increase its take to $142 million since opening Dec. 14. Are you serious, America?

OK, we've calmed down. The rest of the top five: Will Smith's vampire flick "I Am Legend" bit into a host of new fans, landing at No. 3 with $27.5 million. (That's $195 million since Dec. 7.) "Charlie Wilson's War" was fourth with $11.8 million, and the funny, sweet indie "Juno" rode a wave of word of mouth and great reviews to place fifth with $10.3 million.

What was the best movie you saw over the weekend? What were the best movies you saw last year? Is anyone looking forward to next week's only wide opening, "One Missed Call"?

The Trib compiled its list of favorite movie endings--including "The Godfather," "Goodfellas" and "Silence of the Lambs"--so we thought we'd jump into the conversation. Here are our picks in alphabetical order … now tell us yours!

"A History of Violence"
Perfectly-pitched and ambiguous, as Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) returns home after taking care of violent, unfinished business, the movie makes us wonder if a normal family will ever feel normal again.

"Before Sunset"
Jesse (Ethan Hawke) lingers in Paris, admiring his never-forgotten love Celine (Julie Delpy), and nestling into a moment of pure joy as he shrugs off missing his plane back to America … and reality.

"Casablanca"
Yeah, yeah, it's an easy pick. But the line "Louis, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship" still makes us smile.

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"
A couple (Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet) jumps headfirst into a “new” relationship--they previously dated but had their memories of the experience wiped clean--despite knowing it didn't work the last time. It’s a wonderful encapsulation of the optimism of love and its inevitable challenges.

"Half Nelson"
A tender and beautiful conclusion to the story of a drug-addicted teacher (Ryan Gosling) who doesn't learn a lot from his student (Shareeka Epps), but is better off with someone like her looking out for him.

"Requiem for a Dream"
Hope fades away as strung-out characters (Jared Leto, Ellen Burstyn, Jennifer Connelly) succumb to the sickness of addiction. Haunting.

"Rushmore"
Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) finally prepares to dance with Miss Cross (Olivia Williams), as The Faces' "Ooh La La" conjures a moving sense of immediate nostalgia for life as it happens.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-071228endings-story,1,1752566.story

Spy Bar is closing … for a couple months, anyway. The River North nightclub will host a closing party before shutting the doors Thursday for a remodeling, minor expansion project.  

“I’m sad,” said Johnny Cocktail, Spy Bar’s star bartender and Metromix Best Bartender 2006. But when the revamped spot reopens, Johnny says, “It’s gonna be amazing!” 

Expect bigger and better bathrooms, more seating, redecorating and a bit of an expansion to cut down on a cramped feeling. Stay tuned for updates. In the meantime, Johnny tells us he’ll be at Buzz on Mondays, and might tend bar at Crobar on the weekends until he can return to home base.

http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/dance_club/spy-bar-river-north/142951/content

It’s Friday. The Friday before New Year’s. And since we know you’re all “working hard,” reward yourself with a break and check out Tribune newspapers' list of Best and Worst viral videos of 2007. Some favorites include Chris Crocker's weird plea for Britney Spears, Will Ferrell's tough-talking 2-year-old landlord and Tay Zonday's unforgettable performance of "Chocolate Rain."

As for us, we'll always have a soft spot for poor Lauren Caitlin Upton, the Miss Teen USA contestant known for her rambling, nonsensical gibberish. What are your favorite videos from the list? What other clips deserve a spot?

http://chicago.metromix.com/home/photogallery/best-and-worst-viral/275497/content

Listen closely. Can you hear the hearts of Jessica Alba admirers shattering like the box office hopes of "Good Luck Chuck”?

That's right: America's sweetheart, who often appears towards the top of "most datable celebrities" lists, is not only pregnant with producer Cash Warren's baby, but the two also are engaged. So put away those love letters, Alba fans, 'cause it's not going to happen.

Clearly Warren is willing to overlook his fiancee's body of work (we said body of work, for everyone who's giggling), which includes "Awake," "Good Luck Chuck" and "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer." Could you date a celebrity whose movies you couldn't stand?

http://chicago.metromix.com/home/article/jessica-alba-engaged-to/275613/content

"Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" is not your grandma's circus. And that's a good thing. It's not Cirque du Soleil, either. And that's a not-quite-as-good thing. The Florida-based, family friendly show has a less-than-sexy veneer that Cirque du Soleil fans (myself included) could find distracting, especially during the sweet, intermittent songs that are supposed to tide us over between physical feats that seem increasingly more daring as the two-act, two-hour long spectacle progresses. (Yes, I was terrified as Vladimir Dovgan and Anatoliy Yeniy teetered in unison upon stacks of awkwardly rolling cylinders.) And herein lies the strength of the show: The performers, representing the Ukraine, Russia, Mongolia, Canada and the U.S., are top notch. They fly, twirl, balance, lift, hoist, dance and generally awe the audience with their timing, both comic and physical. And, technical expertise aside, they have a blast on stage, doing what they're good at.

The venue, the grand old Chicago Theatre, makes for an interesting big top, probably because there isn't one in sight. Instead, the show's backdrop is a multicolored jungle scene flanked by two ginormous, inflated tree trunks. Characters representing butterflies, giraffes, ostriches, snakes and other beings slither and bounce throughout the show in dazzling costumes. Acts range from tricky jump-rope routines to the flying trapeze. But hurry: If you want to pack a bag and run off to this Cirque, you’ve got to act fast. The last performance is Dec. 31.

 http://chicago.metromix.com/events/theater_event/cirque-dreams-jungle-fantasy-loop/152822/content

And we thought a wholesome show like "The O.C." would teach valuable lessons!

Apparently not: TMZ and People report that former "O.C." star Mischa Barton was arrested in West Hollywood early Thursday for DUI and being an unlicensed driver. Check out Barton’s booking photo, which sort of makes her look like the singer of an '80s hair metal band: http://www.tmz.com/2007/12/27/mischa-barton-busted-for-dui

Unfortunately Barton's co-star Adam Brody isn't here to make the requisite snarky comment. Anyone else care to chime in?

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20168290,00.html

Try not to feel sorry for her, but Paris Hilton is now destined to be considerably less rich.

People.com reports that Hilton's 80-year-old grandfather, Barron Hilton, has earmarked 97 percent of his fortune--yep, nearly $2.3 billion--to go to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, which assists in finding housing for the homeless and other worthwhile causes across the globe. That means the remaining 3 percent--about $69 million--will be divided among Paris, Nicky and the rest of Hilton's heirs.

With Paris set to inherit a measly $5 million instead of what once looked to be around $100 million, do you think she’ll be able to survive?
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20168283,00.html

The spot: Once again, you've procrastinated, and now anywhere you'd want to go on New Year's Eve is either booked, closed or too darn expensive. Well, who says you have to ring in the new year at midnight? Beat the rush into 2008 with an affordable BYOB brunch at Bite Cafe on New Year's Eve. The eclectic, vegetarian-friendly Ukrainian Village eatery serves its usual weekend brunch menu from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 31. Join the other hipsters in the small, cozy space for Eggs Bite ($7.50), a spin on traditional eggs Benedict with ham and spinach, or satisfy your sweet tooth with blueberry pancakes ($5.75).

The bottle: Not too far from Bite, gourmet grocery and upscale wine shop Goddess and Grocer (1646 N. Damen Ave. 773-342-3200) is the perfect spot for an early-morning excursion. Not only does it open at 6 a.m., it's got more bubbles than a Jacuzzi. Pass on the expensive stuff and start small with a split (that's a quarter of a bottle--perfect for a couple of mimosas) of Segura Viudas cava ($6). If you want to go a bit more upscale--c'mon, it's New Year's!--owner Debbie Sharpe recommends a bottle of Casa Boher ($18), an Argentinean sparkler from Mendoza, a wine region you'll probably see a lot more of in 2008. "We were shocked at how well priced it was," says Sharpe. "When we tasted it, we thought it was going to be a $30 or $40 bottle." When the clock strikes midnight, Sharpe will be sipping a sparkling rosé, hopefully on the beach in the Bahamas. If you'd like to follow her lead--with the wine, at least--pick up a bottle of Gruet Sparkling Brut Rosé ($16), the popular bubbly from New Mexico.

-- Emily Hiser Lobdell, Metromix special contributor

http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/contemporary/bite-cafe-east-village-ukranian-village/134762/content

Back at work post-Christmas break and a few days behind on your celebrity tidbits? Here are a few things that have us scratching our heads.

 --Jay-Z announced Monday that he's stepping down as president of Def Jam Records when his contract expires at the end of the year. Anyone looking for a job?
http://chicago.metromix.com/home/article/jay-z-to-leave/274352/content

--Queen Elizabeth now has her own channel on YouTube, featuring old news reels and snippets from daily royal life. You decide if that makes YouTube classier or just much, much more boring.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/offtopic/chi-071224queenyoutube,1,1182242.story

--Former "Boy Meets World" star Danielle Fishel was arrested Thursday on a drunken driving warrant. Yep, that's Topanga, and now we can file this under "Celebrity news about people who are no longer celebrities and we never expected to hear from again."
http://chicago.metromix.com/tv/article/former-child-star-fishel/274077/content

--"National Treasure: Book of Secrets" topped the box office over the weekend with $45 million. "Charlie Wilson's War" placed fourth with $9.6 million, just ahead of "Sweeney Todd" at No. 5 with $9.35 million. "P.S. I Love You" came in at No. 6 with $6.5 million, and "Walk Hard" turned out to be a surprise bomb, earning only $4.1 million to place ninth. America, would you really rather watch Nicolas Cage embarking on an unintentionally funny treasure hunt than see Chicago's own John C. Reilly in a movie that's actually supposed to be hilarious?

http://chicago.metromix.com/home/article/cage-finds-box-office/274298/content

By now you’ve probably heard that Meritage, Timo and Mas are serving their last meals on NYE, but instead of a whimper, they’re going out with a bang.

Meritage
While we’re bummed that owner Christopher Peckat is closing his wine-friendly Bucktown café, he’s promising to resurface with a new concept in the space around Valentine’s Day. But reservations are a must for the going-out-in-style NYE soiree: Chef Troy Graves will whip up an over-the-top five-course meal with choices like seared duck liver with curried suckling pig and charred pineapple coulis. Price: $85. Time: 5:30-10 p.m.

Timo
We’ve seen John Bubala make some changes at this River West address through the years -- he originally opened as French-flaired Thyme in 1998 and he morphed the concept into Italian-inspired Timo in early 2006. (We’re really gonna miss the primo patio next summer.) For NYE, Bubala is planning a three-course dinner and glass of champagne at the first seating, and a four-course dinner, live jazz and a champagne toast at the second seating. Selections include a pork shank with gnocchi, bacon and roasted onions; risotto with spit-roasted chicken mushrooms, asparagus and asiago; and banana crepes with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. Price: $50-$80 Time: 5:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Mas
This Nuevo Latino Wicker Park eatery, which opened in 1998, will be sorely missed for its Mas y Mas margaritas, mojitos and our favorite dish, the NY strip steak with cabrales butter, tobacco onions and chipotle mashed potatoes. The final blowout features a four-course prix-fixe menu with two seating times (the second seating includes a champagne toast); chef-co-owner John Manion wouldn’t give up the menu specifics for now, but we’re betting he’ll pull out some Mas classics. Price: $65-$75 Time: 7 and 9:30 p.m.

The spot: Not invited to any holiday parties this year? That’s OK. You can pretend you are by heading to
dinner at Bucktown’s Think, where the cozy, candlelit atmosphere will make you feel like you’re celebrating in the home of your hippest foodie friends. The menu is seafood- and meat-focused with several rich pasta options. The pistachio-encrusted pork tenderloin ($26), served flanking a coconut milk-infused wild mushroom timbale and surrounded by an amaretto-infused butter reduction and seasonal vegetables, is a good representation of chef Omar Rodriguez’s contemporary Italian-American fusion cuisine.While Think is more upscale than its Think! Café incarnation of a few years back, save your priciest wines for spring when Rodriguez and his co-owner and wife, Ryvkah Goodman Rodriguez, open a new upscale concept, Knew, upstairs. “We’re thinking of doing a prix-fixe (menu) with a little bit of selection,” Goodman Rodriguez says. “It’s going to be a really elegant dining room.”

The bottle: The closest liquor store is rarely the best option. But in this case, Danny’s Liquors, located just across the street, has some decent choices. Selections from around the world are presented in sections labeled by country. For a great value, check out Plantagenet 2005 Hazard Hill Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc from Western Australia ($10.99). Its clear-cut citrus notes make it the perfect white to stand up to the complex, eclectic dishes at Think. Danny’s is cash-only, but there’s anATM in the store. --Emily Hiser Lobdell is a Metromix special contributor.  metromix@tribune.com

The Associated Press gets our award for the Lede of the Year, with this one about Britney and Jamie Spears' mom:

Lynne Spears' book about parenting has been delayed indefinitely, her publisher said Wednesday.

Gee, we wonder why.

Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters have one. So does Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen. And soon, thanks to Oregon's Breedlove Guitar company, Jeff Tweedy will join the ranks of local shredders with a signature guitar model.

For the last few months, Tweedy's main acoustic guitar has been a Breedlove Revival 000 12-fret Calendar guitar. (That's him playing it at the Dec. 7 Barack Obama fundraiser at the Riviera.) He apparently fell in love with the guitar at local guitar shop Make'n Music, and it seems to have replaced his Santa Cruz 000 on stage in recent months. (Not that we're so obsessive as to pay attention to such things.) The Revival 000-12 Jeff Tweedy Limited Edition will be a bit different from Tweedy's current ax -- most notably a bee-themed inlay on the guitar's headstock -- but otherwise the same basic guitar.

The folks at Make'n Music tell us that they'll order "one or two" of the guitars, and that they expect to see them in the shop sometime after the NAMM Show in January. The guitars will be expensive (full list is $5,999, though the guitar will likely to sell in the $4,800 range), but we don't think that'll deter local Wilco fans from trying to scoop one up. After all, if fans have deep enough pockets to help the band sell out a five-night run at the Riveria, one or two of them will have the cash for the coolest Wilco collectable ever.

You're going to have to wait until July 18 to see the new Batman movie, but you can see some killer shots of Chicago right now. Check out the new trailer for "The Dark Knight," in which the city stars with Christian Bale, returning as the Caped Crusader from "Batman Begins," and a very creepy-looking Heath Ledger as The Joker.

But we have to say that this does really look more like Chicago than the Gotham of "Batman Begins." Perhaps the digital effects haven't been added yet -- or perhaps in this version, Gotham is invaded by Chase and Starbucks.

Logan Square neighborhood joint El Cid 2, known for cheap eats and festive patio, recently got a makeover. The tiny spot now boasts a cozy upstairs dining room with a fireplace (wow!), lounge seating (ooh!), a handsome bar, pub tables and a section for larger parties. While the menu remains the same, it's now flanked by a wine list and collection of appetizers and dishes for "late-night grazing."

The only thing that didn't suprise my friend and I (both former Logan Square residents and El Cid addicts) during a recent weekend visit? Overhearing similar expressions of shock and awe as unsuspecting regulars realized that their favorite little spot was all grown up. My friend and I dined on enchiladas, tacos, beans, rice and guac while sipping bottles of Bohemia and Negra Modelo. The bill rang in at $44. Some things never change.

Grant Achatz, the renowned chef from Alinea who made headlines earlier this year after he was diagnosed with oral cancer, sends good news today. Here is his message in full:


It is with a tremendous sense of gratitude and relief that I have successfully completed my course of therapy at the University of Chicago. It was incredibly important to me to remain as engaged as possible at Alinea while receiving treatment, and during that time I only missed 14 services. I continue to stand committed to innovating fine dining long into the future.

At this time I want to thank everyone at Alinea -- the staff, investors, and patrons of the restaurant have offered their unwavering commitment and support in ways large and small.  The community of restaurants, chefs, and industry professionals who reached out to us was exceptionally gratifying.

Most of all, I must make special mention of doctors Vokes, Blair, and Haraf at the University of Chicago Medical Center, as well as the countless number of medical professionals and support staff there who cared for me.  Where other doctors at prominent institutions saw little hope of a normal life, let alone a cure, these doctors saw an opportunity to think differently, preserve my tongue and taste, and maintain a long term high quality of life. Through the use of a new and rigorous Chemotherapy and Radiation protocol, they were able achieve a full remission while ensuring that the use of invasive surgery on my tongue was not needed.

Onward.

We were all set to imagine what irreconcilable differences Pamela Anderson may have cited in divorce papers she filed Friday against her husband of two months, Rick Salomon, the dude known only because of his previous marriage to Shannen Doherty and sex tape with then-girlfriend Paris Hilton. For example, Anderson surely was upset about standard marital issues like, "He always tries to leak our sex tapes onto the Internet."

Now, TMZ reports that Salomon and Anderson--who, as you may recall, has previously divorced Kid Rock and married, divorced, gotten back together with and then split from Tommy Lee--have reconciled and the divorce is off. What do you think is really going on with Pam? Is it true that, as she says on www.pamelaanderson.com, she and Rick are "working things out"? Or did she simply have a change of heart about the whole thing, like turning down extra cheese on a pizza and then calling back to request it?

Gearing up to visit your family by bus, train or plane this holiday weekend? Snowboarding brand Burton, which recently opened a four-story flagship store on Walton Street, had poor souls like you in mind with its tricked-out sweatshirt jacket, The Sleeper ($100), which packs tons of perks to make dreaded holiday travel a bit more tolerable. For a nap en route, just inflate the built-in neck pillow (concealed along the collar) and pull the light shield (hidden in the hood) over your eyes. Bothered by screaming babies or bitching teens? Pop in earplugs safely stowed in a pocket pouch. Stuck in a too-hot terminal? Unzip the armpit vents. If that weren’t enough, there’re also interior pockets for tickets and your MP3 player -- and an oh-so-apropos airplane screenprint on the front. 

Buona Beef -- that longtime advocate of eating healthy -- announced via press release today that they are in the process of eliminating trans fats from their frying oils.

“We are committed to providing our customers with healthier menu items and, at the same time, insist on preserving the same great taste of our foods,” said Joe Buonavolanto, Jr., executive vice president of BUONA restaurants and BUONA Catering.

OK, we know Buona has expanded its menu to offer more soups, more salads, more sandwiches that aren't Italian beef, but there's still something sweetly ironic about this effort to portray itself as heart smart.

We like to think that restaurants don't really close for good. In fact, we were charmed by the way Le Francais's owners said that their restaurant had merely  "temporarily suspended service" this year. And who knows what the future holds -- why not keep all options open? And as long as we still have the extra calories these places helped put on, they will still be a part of us.

So until they serve again, here are some of the restaurants we will miss (and, honestly, a few we will not) in 2008:

Allen's
Ambria
Baccala
Bank Street Bistro
Barcello's
Cereality
Cosmospolitan
Delicioso y Sabroso
Extra Virgin
Filter
Graze
Half and Half
Kizoku
Le Francais
Meritage
Mondelli Lounge
Mulan
Palmito
Parlor
Platiyo
Schwa
Scylla
Sugar & Brown's
Timo
Xel-Ha

The spot: Book your weekend reservations early at West Town’s hot new Thalia Spice. This eclectic pan-Asian multi-level bistro draws big groups eager to take advantage of its BYOB status. Co-owner Anna Makmok said they recently instituted an $8-per-bottle corkage fee on weekends to discourage table squatters eager to chill all night with their wine in the funky, modern space without ordering too much off the menu. But how can anyone resist appetizers like mango seared scallops ($7) and Malaysian roti canai, authentic homemade naan served with yellow chicken curry ($4)? Entrees include a range of Thai, Laotian and Malaysian rice and noodle dishes; you can also indulge in creative Japanese maki. The per-bottle corkage fee is half-price ($4) Sundays through Thursdays. Makmok says she hopes to acquire a liquor license in the spring, but Thalia will continue to allow BYOB, possibly with a higher corkage fee.

The bottle: The nearby CVS/pharmacy store (771 N. Ogden Ave. 312-243-5590) has a surprisingly decent and affordable wine selection. When dining in the hip, non-traditional Thalia Spice, you might be inspired to choose a wine with a unique name and modern label. Little Black Dress pinot grigio ($9.99) is a conversation starter, and the crisp white notes will pair nicely with spicy Asian cuisine. Folie a Deux’s Menage a Trois chardonnay ($9.99) speaks for itself. And if you’re feeling celebratory, grab a bottle of Barefoot Bubbly chardonnay champagne ($8.99). -- Emily Hiser Lobdell, metromix special contributor

Ladies, stefp away from that throwaway sparkly dress from Forever 21 -- chances are you'll see the same all over town on New Year’s Eve. If you’re truly committed to standing out on the biggest party night of the year, comb the racks at resale treasure trove The Daisy Shop, tucked away on the sixth floor of a discreet building on Oak Street. The store sells second-hand vintage and new couture clothing for women, from Dolce & Gabbana to Gucci, at a sliver of their original price tags. (Reality check: That’s still pretty expensive; most items range from $100 into the thousands).

On a recent visit we spotted a hot-red strapless number by Victor Costa and a quilted velvet jacket by Armani, among hundreds of choices, plus a few accessories under $100, like vintage beaded gloves or earrings from the shop’s collection of estate jewelry. If nothing else, stop in to drool over the sheer number of designer duds in one room and chat with Barbara Nell, owner of the 13-year-old shop. If your experience is anything like ours, she might just usher you behind the curtain into her back room, light up a cigarette and tell you about how she got started in the biz. (Her offhand beauty tips are an added bonus: “You’re so pale,” she told us. “You should eat more meat.”) Ask this couture collector about her own wardrobe and she’ll tell you straight out, “There’s not a lot, but it’s good shit.” We wish we could say the same...

At last. A silly story has the anti-climactic ending it deserves.

After only a few minutes in a Chicago courtroom Wednesday, prosecutors put an end to least-sensational celeb-gone-bad story of the year: Shia LaBeouf's arrest in a downtown Chicago Walgreens. They explained that a letter from Walgreen Co. and a security company said that they did not want to continue the case against the 21-year-old actor. LaBeouf had been charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing after the Nov. 4 incident, but clearly Walgreens considers this incident as harmless as we do. No details were revealed on whether Walgreens employees will receive free tix to LaBeouf's much-anticipated, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

What do you think? Is this the most innocent celebrity brush with the law you've ever heard? Or did LaBeouf get special treatment because he's a star?

If you missed the Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale last weekend, don't knit yourself a noose of hand-dyed organic lambswool just yet. Get your DIY fix at the mothership, a.k.a. Renegade Handmade, a store where you can browse all manner of irresistible crafts and even pick up a gift or two (or three, if you must shop for persons other than yourself). Oh, and here's the skinny on last weekend's fair: the octopus, in a sweep any politician would envy this time of year, replaced the owl as the new darling of the craft world (Why? Beats us), and knitters' fingers seemed to have finally tired of turning out mountains of caps, scarves, mittens and bobbles. (Is yarn an endangered species?) Despite the season, there were still some good picks for T-shirt addicts like myself. I picked up a soft-as-silk long-sleeved T-shirt from Renegade regular maryink, $35, to add to my collection.

Wan't to shop till you drop? Try these limited-run mall-ternatives:

Small Print Show and Holiday Open House at the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative

Woman Made Gallery Holiday Bazaar

Modern Vintage Holiday Market

Fair Trade Holiday Bazaar

Christkindlmarket

Today is the day foodies have been dreaming of – the mouthwatering Iberico Pata Negra (“black hoof”) hams from Spain are finally available in Chicago. The ham comes from Iberico pigs, which are descendants of the wild boar -- these free-range porkers eat an acorn-heavy diet, which gives the meat a rich nutty aroma and flavor. We haven’t been able to get the hams here because there were no USDA approved slaughterhouses in Spain before Embutidos Fermin got the green light -- evidentially the meat quality of these piggies goes downhill with the stress of travel, so slaughtering them in approved plants in northern Europe (where most Serrano ham comes from) was a no-go. Solex Partners, the Midwest distributors of the primo product, hand-delivered a limited supply of hams to select spots that pre-ordered today; more hams will be available in the Chicago market in 3-4 weeks.

Want a sample? Chef Mark Mendez is doing a Taste of Pata Negra at Carnivale with a trio of preps for $15 – thinly sliced, in a ham-fat spread on grilled bread, and in a soup with Spanish Marcona almonds. Café Ba-Ba-Reeba is serving the thinly sliced ham with Spanish bread sticks and olives for $13.95. The ham will also be available at Café Iberico, 1492 Tapas Bar, Wave Restaurant, Pastoral and Sam’s Wine and Spirits.

Spent all your dough on holiday prezzies but still want to go out for a drink? Rockwell Lounge has you in mind with this little holiday gift. Owners of the River North are slashing prices in the spirit of holidays. The best part? The deals are good on weekends (Thursdays through Saturdays) from now through the end of January. Get $2-$3 off cocktails, and about a buck off your beer. If you want to plan a big night out, opt for discounted bottle service. Each night select spirits will be available for $150 a bottle; Rockwell normally charges about $250-$300, so that almost sounds like a bargain.

A box office-topping $26.1 million isn't a shabby opening, but for "The Golden Compass," expected to bring in $30 million or $40 million in its first weekend, it looks pretty weak. Were people turned off by the controversy stemming from claims that the first part of Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series is anti-religion? Or were they uninterested in another Nicole Kidman-Daniel Craig movie after "The Invasion"?

Anyway, "Compass" was the week's only major release—bumping "Enchanted" down to No. 2—though  "Atonement" brought in about $817,000 in only 32 theaters. Next week brings lots more box office clout, with the openings of "I Am Legend," "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and "Juno." 
 

Nothing's going to stop Leona's customers from going face down in their pasta. A car crashed into the Lakeview location last night, but no one was hurt. "Everyone pulled out their cell phones and cameras," waiter Johann Flores told the Chicago Tribune. Then presumably returned to their
Kickass Garlic Bread.

What's a reality TV star to do when the prize money and short-lived fame have come to pass? Design your own sushi roll, apparently. Northbrook-raised Mookie Lee, the likable (yet sneakily strategic) winner of "Survivor: Fiji" (Season 14),  battled it out with other local reality TV participants in a November design-your-own sushi contest at RA -- and now the sushi chefs there are serving up his creation for the month of December.

We would have guessed that he would have gone straight for the fugu, but sadly, you won't find any in Lee's RAVU roll (named after his "Survivor" team, of course). It's packed with tuna, spicy salmon, unagi, scallion, avocado and cucumber, topped with wasabi mayo, eel sauce and tempura bits. Served at the downtown, Lombard and Glenview locations, $3 of the $10 price benefits ACTIVE Chicago, a charity Lee himself started this year that brings athletics programs to underpriveleged kids.

Yep, it's true. When this year's Grammy nominations were announced this morning, Amy Winehouse finally had reason to celebrate after a long year of not-so-positive incidents. The British soul singer received six nods, including for Album of the Year for "Back to Black," Best New Artist and Record and Song of the Year for "Rehab."

Chicago's own Kanye West lead the field with eight nominations, including Album of the Year for "Graduation."

The other Album of the Year nominees: Foo Fighters, Herbie Hancock and Vince Gill. Weird.

What do you think of the nominations? Does Amy Winehouse deserve the praise? Who got snubbed?

Though maybe film geeks are the only ones who pay attention to pre-Oscar awards like the National Board of Review, which announced its annual awards this morning, they tend to be a good bellweather for the Oscars -- four of last year's five Academy Awards Best Picture nominees were on NBR's year-end list.

This year the NBR chose "No Country for Old Men" as the year's best movie, which was a no-brainer. The nine runners-up, listed in alphabetical order, were "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," "Atonement" (out Friday), "The Bourne Ultimatum," "The Bucket List" (out Dec. 21), "Into the Wild," "Juno" (out Dec. 14), "The Kite Runner" (out Dec. 14), "Lars and the Real Girl," "Michael Clayton" and "Sweeney Todd" (out Dec. 21). As far as we're concerned, only "Into the Wild" stands out as the lone disappointment on the list.

Another great pick by the NBR:

"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" as Best Foreign Film. It opens Dec. 21 in Chicago. Don't miss it.

One questionable pick:

--Tim Burton, Best Director for "Sweeney Todd"? His work is good, but Coen Brothers good?

What do you think about the NBR's awards? Or are you having trouble just keeping up with the slate of December releases? If so, click here for showtimes.

We just got off the phone with Spacca Napoli owner Jonathan Goldsmith, who is nothing if not obsessed with perfect pizza.

Correction: The perfect Neapolitan pizza.

He has been following the travels of our Reader Review group, The Pizza Posse, but something's been cheesing him off. In "Thin is In," the group's Nov. 21 review of upscale pizza newcomer, La Madia, the intro described the place as "specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza, with its super-thin crust… ."

"I think there is some confusion that all thin-crust pies are Neapolitan," Goldsmith points out. "It can be that some owners are saying that they're making Neapolitan, but they're making it dry, which is an oxymoron."

Translation: If you want to call yourself Neapolitan pizza, the center of the pie should be just a little bit goopy from the moisture from the wet cheese.

In fairness to our Reader Review team, that intro was actually written by an editor here -- and in fact was based La Madia's description of its own pizza as a cross between Roman and Neapolitan pizzas.

But in fairness to us: We've had the pizza and, yeah, we get what they mean…it's not super crispy like a Roman and it's not super-moist like a Neapolitan, but it's closer to Neapolitian. That's why we hedged with the "style" suffix. Maybe we should have said, Neapolitan-ish.

Forget it, says Goldsmith. "To me, Neapolitan is Neapolitan is Neapolitan."

They need to have a soft, wet center.

Like his do.

And the oven needs to be very, very hot. Like 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit hot.

Like his are. (And like the pizza ovens in Naples, where in fact his was made, are.)

But at least we're in good company. Goldsmith also complains that a recent Spacca Napoli mention in the New York Times ad supplement, "Chicago Life," described his fresh cow's milk cheese "fior di latte" as being imported.

Uh, that's an FDA-no no.

Goldsmith's assures us his cow's milk cheese is made locally.

OK, at the risk of biting the hands the feeds us, we have to ask: Has this fancy pizza thing gone just a little nuts?

The spot: You don’t have to chase Honky Tonk’s mobile barbecue truck around town to get a taste of their delectable ’cue anymore. Owner Willie Wagner has opened a permanent location in Pilsen. Honky Tonk Barbecue serves the same tasty grub that made him a popular fixture on the street fair and block party scene, including tender baby back ribs ($18 for a full rack, $11 for half), pulled pork ($6.50) and sides of beans or cornbread ($1.50 each). Don’t worry, fest fans—the Honky Tonk truck will still make the rounds come May, but the country barn-themed setting, seating for 50 and live music from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights make the Pilsen location worth a visit. Cash only.

The bottle: Wagner says his barbecue would go well with just about anything—even Pabst. You can find that (and, thankfully, more) at nearby Amador Liquors (1167 W. 18th St. 312-226-3192). Sweeter than PBR, Leinenkugel’s Honey Weiss ($6.99 for a six-pack) complements the tangy barbecue sauce. Or, go local with a six-pack of Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat or Honker’s Ale ($8.79 each). Honky Tonk charges a $1 per person corkage fee. -- Emily Lobdell is a Metromix special contributor. 

If you haven’t been to Threadless’s storefront in Lakeview yet, we’ve got a great excuse to make the trip: This hallowed local T-shirt cooperative debuts original screen-printed designs every week of the year, but for their Holiday Sale through Dec. 16, a whole crop of tees start at just $10. Designs are zany, artistic and just plain clever, from Splatter in D Minor to Paper Cranes to Punk Rock Cock (pictured below left to right).

What’s cool about this store is that it’s more like an art gallery for T-shirts: you can read a tidbit about the designer who created it. Upstairs, you'll find a gallery showcasing past artist's work, as well as workstations for courses in web design or Photoshop hosted by Digital Bootcamp. If you can’t make it out, the sale is good for online orders at threadless.com, where you can also download original (and fairly entertaining) holiday carols sung by the staff, such as “Happy Friggin’ Holidays.”

This time of year, dinner outings are laced with seasonal guilt: How can I spend money on myself when I have a laundry list of gifts to buy for family and friends? Answer: Head to cozy BYOB spot Habana Libre in West Town. On a recent Friday night visit, two friends and I gorged ourselves with appetizers (plantain chips with garlic sauce and three empanadas), entrees (ropa vieja, roast chicken and pork), desserts (three plates of flan) and Cuban-style coffee all around. The bill came in at about $62. This is a steal any day of the week, but in the shadow of another recent outing (SushiSamba Rio, four people, $235), the price seemed even more reasonable. Tip: Get there early, this friendly, no-frills spot is small. At 7 p.m. there was no wait, but when we left around 9:30 p.m., there was a small eager crowd milling near the door.

Can't wait to see "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story"? Here's your chance to see the legendary (fictional) musician in concert. Chicago native John C. Reilly will perform a free show Thursday at Cubby Bear as Dewey Cox, along with his band, the Hard Walkers. The concert starts at 9:30 p.m. but we suggest getting there early, as the place will likely fill up fast. Want to see the movie before the show? Go to coxacrossamerica.com to register for the Dewey Cox fan club and possibly snag tickets to the screening at the AMC River East theater.