Sham Shutters, Barbara Fairchild Dinner at Eva, Eva Starts Brunch, MORE!

SANTA MONICA— An Eater reader sent a query this AM wondering why hole-in-the-wall Middle Eastern eatery Sham was shuttered this past Saturday. Grub Street reports that, in fact, Sham no longer remains. The phone has been disconnected, lights out. [GS]

MID-CITY— On December 21 Eva restaurant hosts a dinner in honor of Bon Appetit's former EIC Barbara Fairchild. Octavio Becerra (Palate), Laurent Quenioux (Bistro LQ), Mako Tanaka (Mako), Suzanne Tracht (Jar), and proprietor Mark Gold will each cook a course, dinner costs $95 a head with two seatings offered. Wine pairing is $50 extra. In other Eva news, the restaurant commences Sunday brunch service on December 12, open from 10AM-1PM, hopefully expanding to Saturdays in the future. Choose from five first courses, five second courses, plus unlimited mimosas for $29. [EaterWire]

PASADENA— Laurent Quenioux, chef and owner of Bistro LQ, has signed on as executive chef at Vertical Wine Bistro. [DD]

WEST LA— Cart For A Cause takes to the kitchen on December 7 at Test Kitchen. For $95 (hey, it benefits St. Vincent Meals on Wheels) score eats from Fig's Ray Garcia (Ham Hock and Foie Gras Terrine with Garcia Farms’ Guava and Brioche a Tete), Nobu WeHo's Alex Becker (Chilean Seabass with Jalapeno Miso), Il Grano's Sal Marino (Homemade Pasta with Cauliflower and Black Truffle), The Gorbals' Ilan Hall (Pork and Pomegranate), with dessert prepared by Spago's Sherry Yard (tbd). [DL]

[Photo: Midtown Lunch]