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Published December 28, 2009 Oh, Nine
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 UPSCALE DOWNSCALEDThe Rise of the Casual Chef
Paul Kahan grilled your tacos at Big Star. Rick Bayless rolled your churros at Xoco. Bill Kim fancified your
jibaritos at Belly Shack. Michael Kornick flipped your burger at DMK. David Carrier stirred your grits at
Kith & Kin. We kind of like this new economy.
 BILLY DEC WENT GLOBALSunda
Those Rockit Ranch rascals (Billy Dec, Arturo Gomez and Brad Young) welcomed you into their latest
playground, Sunda, where a zaftig chef calling himself "The Food Buddha" managed to wrest your attention
away from all that stiletto-clacking going in the lounge. It was love at first Thai Fried Chicken.
 LITTLE GOT BIGTiny Lounge
Everyone's favorite spot for a cocktail under the Brown Line made a long-awaited comeback. And it did so in
such a stylish (and roomy) mid-century lounge on this respectable stretch of Lincoln, you hardly miss the
rumbling "L" shaking the ice cubes in your Manhattan.
 BREAKFAST FINALLY GETS ITS DUEJam
Mornings and you were never on best of terms. But this year, Jam brokered a stable and lasting peace via
braised lamb crepes, Malted Custard French Toast and a savory Pork Cheek and Egg Sandwich.
And yet, the Nobel people don't even call.
 THE POWER LUNCH RETURNEDFred's and Terzo Piano
When you have Valerie Jarrett and Desiree Rogers holding court at
Fred's at Barneys, and architect Dirk Denison designing
Terzo Piano above the Art Institute's Modern Wing (just so Tony Mantuano can ply you with pastas and
wine), it's safe to say the tyranny of the $5 foot long is over.
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