SEATTLE—After dealing with all kinds of obstacles and delays, the Seattle version of Hard Rock Cafe is finally getting close. Located right on Pike Street, the two-story, 14,000-square-foot behemoth is currently looking at a January or February debut. [Seattle PI]
PHILLY—Just like Jose Garces and well-timed his Next Iron Chef shindig, Top Chef Vegas finalist Jennifer Carroll is holding a maybe-suspicious finale viewing party at her Philly resto, but then again, they've been screening the entire season. Speculate as you will. [GS]
MCWORLD—One of the highest executive in the McDonald's company, chief operating officer Ralph Alvarez, has announced that he will retire this month because of health reason. It was generally assumed that Alvarez was the top candidate to succeed current CEO Jim Skinner when he retires. [Reuters]