Panera Finally Comes to NYC; David Waltuck's Pop-Up Dinners

BROOKLYN—Finger On the Pulse is hosting a private holiday themed dinner with chef Sam Mason. The dinner runs $150 a head but includes canapes and five courses from Mason, wine pairings from Uva's wine guru, Justin Chearno, and cocktails from Frank Cisneros, of Dram and the Drink. Email fotpdinnerparty@gmail.com for resys.

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN—Crain's reports that sandwich chain Panera Bread is opening a branch in Downtown Brooklyn right across from the upcoming Shake Shack. It is the first Panera in Brooklyn, and the chain has yet to penetrate Manhattan. [Crain's]

FIDI— Still hankering for some food from Chanterelle? Chef David Waltuck is serving food from his shuttered restaurant during a set of pop up dinners at The Grill Room. The dinners run $100 excluding drinks. [Paper Mag]

UPPER EAST SIDE—Grub Street learns that a well known collage artist is suing restaurateur Nello Balan for stealing his art. [GS]

MONEY SPENDING—Tis the season to be shopping, and our friends at Eater National are putting together a fancy, flipping 2010 Gift Guide Advent Calendar, where a new holiday gift idea for gastronomes — from the reasonable to the outrageous to the mindblowing must-haves — will pop up daily. Here's to all things merry and bright. [-E-]

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