It is often my unpleasant task here to have to inform readers of goings on that they weren't supposed to know about. So this week, I am happy to report, there's some good news.

Contrary to the gossip mongers who seem to thrive here, La Bruschetta Restaurant is not closing, my friend, business partner and publisher Dan Cipollitti is not dead, dying or even ill and, yes, he will be opening a snack bar on the newly renovated ninth floor of Frank Parlato's One Niagara in time for this year's tourist season.

If you don't believe me, all you have to do is stop out at the restaurant. While you're there, order up some of the best veal in the city, Milanese or Parmigiana, as you prefer, or one of the 22 oz. strip steaks Dan gets in every morning at 8 o'clock to cut himself.

He'll be behind the bar, or in front of the bar, or sitting at a table with friends. He's the big, silver-haired guy in a short-sleeved white shirt, his oversized forearms reminiscent of Popeye's from the cartoons, the result of a lifetime spent cutting meat. He'll probably be smiling.