Barack Obama visited a famous Washington hot dog restaurant this weekend, thrilling the good people at the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council.

There's a very good reason why Ruth Madoff's 1996 cookbook, Great Chefs of America Cook Kosher, is no longer in print. John Shoup, the CEO of Great Chefs Television, says his company trademarked the term "Great Chefs" in 1983 and forced Madoff's publisher to stop printing the book as soon as he learned of its title. Shoup claims his attorney is now looking into whether Ruth and her publisher have violated the agreement since then, although if he's hoping to get any cash out of the Madoffs, he'll have to take his place at the back of a very long line. [Eat Me Daily via NYM/Daily Intel]

• Ago, the restaurant inside the Greenwich Hotel, will close at the end of the month when Jean-Georges Vongerichten takes over. He'll change the restaurant's name and chef, but says the menu will remain Italian. [TFB]
• Kefi is reopening tonight after it was shuttered by the Dep't of Health. [Eater]
• Buddha Bar has been forced to change its name after losing a lawsuit. [P6]
• Elad Properties says the closure of the Palm Court is only temporary. [NYT]
• Picholine says it plans to expand its "Menu d'Economie." [W&D]
• A rundown of this week's restaurant closures. [Eater]
• The Observer's top 10 picks for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner. [NYO]

Are you one of those people who eats squirrel not because of poverty or comical sitcom hillbillyism, but for the delicious taste? England has a product for you!

If you were hoping that a benefit of economizing might be dropping a few pounds as a result of fewer expensive boozing sessions and restaurant meals, food experts would like to alert you to the inescapable relationship between a shrinking bank balance and a burgeoning waistline. According to one doom-mongering nutritionist, obesity "is a toxic result of a failing economic environment," basically due to the fact that McDonald's is so cheap. But looking on the bright side, at least the lines will be shorter at Whole Foods.

• The restaurant formerly known as Grayz reopens as Atria tonight. [NYT]
• Bobby Flay is launching a talk radio show on Sirius XM. [AP]
• The latest blow to Giuseppe Cipriani? He's having credit problems. [Eater]
• Here's a great deal: On Friday night, you can watch Babette's Feast and then eat Babette's feast. Just $6,000 a couple! [GS]
• If cash is tight, head over to SideBAR on Saturday night without any pants on and you'll get a free drink. The humiliation you'll experience is free, too. [NYB]
• Devin Tavern on Greenwich Street has officially closed. [Eater]
• For shame: Unless he gets his act together, George W. Bush will become the first U.S. President since FDR who has not dined at the '21' Club. [P6, HuffPo]

• One sign we're in a recession: The Times published an article today on the joys of eating squirrel. Guess we'll see you in Central Park later tonight! [NYT]
• Frank Bruni calls Rouge Tomate "impressive" and gives it one star in today's New York Times, although he also reports the food "lacks punch." [NYT]
• Kefi has been shut down by the Department of Health. [Eater]
• Forge owners Marc Forgione and Christopher Blumlo are changing the name of their eatery to avoid a lawsuit by a similarly-named spot in Miami. [NYO]
• Brooklyn's Patois isn't closing after all; it's moving across the street. [Zagat]
• JoeDoe in the East Village is offering a new three-course, $35 prix fixe called the "Madoff menu." But where are the pork sausages? [GS]

Andre Balazs may have inadvertently stumbled on a brilliant new hotel amenity. A tipster who stayed at Balazs' new Standard NYC last week tells us the hotel is making up for its lack of a restaurant by not only providing guests with menu binders in their rooms, but you can also call down to the front desk, tell them what you want to eat, and they'll do the ordering for you. Sadly, it appears the service is only temporary. Then it's back to holding guests hostage with $35 hamburgers and $6 cups of coffee.

The Brits suddenly love squirrel! And so will we, probably: the critters run $3 each, and the Times concedes they seem perfect for a recession.

• Those "anniversary specials" at the Four Seasons and Daniel? They may actually just be recession discounts in disguise. [W&D via GS]
• The latest contender to take over Wakiya is Danny Meyer. [Eater]
• Patois, one of the first upscale spots to open on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens, will serve its final meal on Sunday. [NYT]
• Momofuko Ko is offering a $225 Super Bowl take-out special. [Eater]
• The UWS's Emerald Inn won't be shutting down after all. [NYT]
• A Q&A with food critic (and former New York employee) Gael Greene. [RG]

• The Cipriani family is planning to close the Rainbow Grill on January 12th, although the bar and banquet space will remain open. [AP]
• The troubled Palm Court inside the Plaza closed last week. [Eater]
• A pizza-making school is coming to Bleecker Street. [NYT]
• Upright Citizens Brigade is contemplating an East Village outpost. [GS]
• The success of Simon Hammerstein's The Box is leading more nightclubs to consider adding live entertainment. [NYP]
• Restaurant Week reservations are now being accepted. [NYCGo]

Frank Bruni's list of the 10 Best New Restaurants of 2008 is online. Here they are: 1. David Chang's Momofuku Ko, 2. Drew Nieporent and chef Paul Liebrandt's Corton; 3. (tie) Scott Conant's Scarpetta; 3. (tie) L'Impero; 5. Dovetail; 6. Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Matsugen; 7. Adour Alain Ducasse; 8. Daniel Boulud's Bar Boulud; 9. Allegretti; 10. Mia Dona. [NYT]

• Jim Lahey's Co., backed by JGV and Phil Suarez, opens Friday. [Eater]
• City Winery is hosting (another) sneak preview from 6 to 12 tonight. [Eater]
• At Vermilion's going all out tomorrow night with a seven-course menu. [TFB]
• A guide to food shopping along 14th Street. [Urbanite]
• Margaret Palaca Bakes in Cobble Hill is closing. [BP]
• Just a few of the spots mentioned on The City last night: Nero, Cafe Noir, Thom Bar, Extra Virgin, Tenjune, and Philippe. [Metromix Twitter]

• Adam Platt's annual "Where to Eat" guide is now online. [NYM]
• Ian Schrager may be talking to Scott Conant about taking over the Wakiya space inside the Gramercy Park Hotel. [Eater]
• Daniel Boulud shares a few of his fave places to eat in NYC. [Independent]
• The NYT asks the months-old question: Is Chloe the new Beatrice? [NYT]
• Hope you can do without guacamole: An avocado shortage is looming. [LAT]
• More options for New Year's Eve, in case you've yet to make plans. [FB]
• The documentary on Le Cirque and the Maccioni family airs tonight. [HBO]

• A list of spots where you can save on stress and dine out on Christmas. [NYM]
• Tips on how to avoid food poisoning at Grandma's house this year. [NYDN]
• Frank Bruni checks in on Tom Colicchio's Tuesday Dinner and Brian Bistrong's Braeburn in today's Times. [NYT, NYT]
• Is champagne too ostentatious given current events? Try punch. [NYT, NYT]
• Just in case you feel like skipping ahead to New Year's Eve, here's a complete rundown of events planned for the big night. [Citysearch]

• Armin Amiri's Socialista was shut down by the yesterday for failing to post "No Smoking" signs. Or did it have something to do with the rat problem? [GS]
• A group of vandals broke in Stephen Hanson's Fiamma last night. [Eater]
• David Burke's Fishtail is serving a late-night menu from 11pm to 1am. [GS]
• A bunch of changes are in the works for the Rusty Knot. [GS]
• The new d.b.a. beer bar has opened in Williamsburg. [FB]
• Billy's Bakery is giving out $1 cupcakes today if you're interested. [Eater]
• A roundup of outdoor bars that have heaters, so you can drink all winter long without having to put on gloves. [FB]

Why are TV networks laying off staff? Because it's a lot cheaper to hire five-year-olds, that's why. [Buzzfeed]

• A look at what will one day open inside Andre Balazs' Standard NYC. [Eater]
• A roundup of the changes to the Tribeca dining scene this past year. [NYT]
• Bar Milano is set to become another outpost of 'inoteca. [Eater]
• A look back at five years of Marquee. [NYP]
• A handy map of dessert spots in the East Village. [Eater]
• Construction on the Nobu Hotel has been halted. [NYT]
• Mauro Maccioni isn't thrilled with the Page Six mag piece portraying "him and his brothers as a scheming fiends seeking to throw their father into exile." [FB]
• Thomas Keller will be on Nightline tonight, just so you know. [GS]

• A handful of top NYC chefs recount their favorite meals of 2008. [Metromix]
• Chinatown's HSF dim sum house is no more. [Zagat]
• The Standard is supposedly opening for friends and family on Sunday. [Eater]
• Only a holiday miracle will keep Via Delle Zoccolette in business. [Eater]
• Free sliders at Morton's tomorrow from 5-6, if you're interested. [GS]
• Boqueria is now serving lunch; breakfast at the Oak Room begins 1/1. [GS]
• A few food trends you can look forward to in 2009. [Gourmet]

Rocco DiSpirito used to be a critically-acclaimed chef, but then he did that show the Restaurant and then Top Chef and The Biggest Loser and finally Dancing With the Stars. Now nobody respects him!