Sel Gris >> 23Hoyt

[August 1st, 2007] As reported first on wweek.com, word on the street is that Daniel Mondok will soon vacate his gig as executive chef at Olea to open a new dining room called Sel Gris on Southeast 19th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard—just a maple scone's throw from Castagna. We hear the restaurant will focus on salt service —gourmet varieties of trusty old sodium chloride. Mondok was unavailable for comment as of press time. >> Meal Deal alert: 23Hoyt 's (529 NW 23rd Ave., 445-7400) got the new Happy Hour goods: The grub is now seriously cheap 5-7 pm every Tuesday-Saturday at the sexy space. Dig into chef Chris Israel's incredibly addicting fried garbanzos—a huge portion for only a buck. Plus, "Pitza"—flatbread with mozzarella, pesto, potatoes and pinenuts—and lamb skewers for three bucks . Got more gossip? Email kclarke@wweek.com.