Chesnut in Brooklyn Shutters; Fatty 'Cue's Lunch

CARROLL GARDENS— The owners of Smith Street restaurant Chestnut announce the shuttering of their nine year-old operation. They write on their website, "As we move towards brighter futures we'll always be reminded that what we built was a true mom and pop and not a theme or franchise. It took an army of hungry food loving people to raise this house and an economic disaster to bring it down." [EaterWire]

EAST VILLAGE— East Village Thai staple Klong is expanding into the space next door, formerly home to a gaudy jewelry store called Hottie. [The Local]

WEST VILLAGE— Fatty 'Cue in the West Village is now serving lunch from noon to 3:30 PM on weekdays. They're serving a 'Cueben, a fried oyster roll, and a 'Cue Grilled Cheese among other offerings. [EaterWire]

CARROLL GARDENS— Lost City is a little peeved that fro-yo chain 16 Handles put up a "horribleriffic monstrosity of a sign" at its forthcoming location on Court Street, "scarring the eyes of innocent locals and frightening mild-hearted dogs and children." He deems it the worst sign in the 20 block radius, concluding, "You're a bad neighbor, 16 Handles." [LC]

PROSPECT HEIGHTS— Lovely neighborhood restaurant James in Brooklyn is launching a veggie-focused lunch menu tomorrow. [EaterWire]

REALITY TV— Meat Man Pat LaFrieda on being filmed for his upcoming Food Network show: "They followed us everywhere, and that gets old quickly. Sometimes we’d work such long hours that the camera guys would fall asleep during a break. That’s when we’d turn the cameras on them." [NYDN]

NOLITA— From the gossipmongers over at Nolita Italian spot Emporio: "Alec Baldwin at Emporio Restaurant on the eve of getting engaged to his girlfriend Hilaria Thomas getting an impromptu performance by an opera singer of 'o sole bio' in front of a packed house. Thunderous applause followed by Alec and the entire restaurant giving a standing ovation." [EaterWire]

[photo credit]