· Like many, we were very sad when Norman's closed, so it makes us very happy to hear that sommelier/mixologist extraordinaire Peter Birmingham is the new sommelier at Il Grano. Chef Sal's bollito misto and Peter's wine picks? Run. Don't walk. [EaterWire Inbox]
· In related where-did-the-Norman's-staff-go news, chef Michael Bryant is the new executive chef at Bin 8945. This means that opening chef Matt Carpenter has departed, taking some of his Caribbean-influenced dishes with him. Bryant will add Asian, Latin American and French touches to the new menu, which debuts Feb. 14. [EaterWire Inbox]
· Last week, we had a Plywood Report about the boarded up Joss space with Sancturay signage. That, friends, is a record label that has offices above the closed restaurant. Not only were we corrected, but if anyone wants to open an "Iron Maiden/Motorhead-inpspired lounge called Sanctuary," we'll put you in touch with this tipster who imagines it: "Gothic decor, candelabra lighting and bats hanging from the ceiling- Sanctuary is the Sunset Strips new home for sin. Boasting full bars serving 'bloody' marys, waitresses with vampire teeth and a soundtrack ranging from Slayer to Pantera, Sanctuary appeals to the darker side of Hollywood. At midnight every Friday a psuedo-celebrity like Nicole Richie will be sacrificed to the metal gods on Sanctuary's dungeon altar." [EaterWire Inbox]
