Your Daily Dose of Food News, Events and Must-Read Miscellany

1. Chef Lisa Nakamura is planning to open a restaurant based around gnocchi, a favorite dish at her former Orcas Island restaurant, Allium. While the restaurant is in the works, she’s hosting trial runs at Miyabi 45th in Wallingford. Nakamura will host two pop ups in March: one on the 9th and another on the 23rd. Make your reservations now.

2. Happy Mardi Gras! Seattle Met has a list of Fat Tuesday-themed happy hours around town, with appropriately-themed appetizers and drinks.

3. Pork Chop & Co. is opening in Ballard on Leary Avenue, reports Eater. Breakfast, lunch, and eventually dinner will consist of hearty meals made from seasonal farmers market ingredients. The brain behind the biz is Paul Osher, who moved to Seattle from Los Angeles. His goal is to open in early April.

4. Blind Pig at Eastlake Teriyaki had its last day of service yesterday. It will reopen as Babirusa, a casual restaurant and bar. Construction is slated to begin later this week.

5. A technology snafu led to a Port Angeles pizzeria becoming inundated with calls from “American Idol” viewers last week. Countless viewers called Gordy’s Pizza & Pasta unwittingly, thinking they were casting a vote for their favorite contestant. An “Idol” spokesperson said they were not sure why calls were routed the pizzeria; restaurant owner Randy Sexton hopes the issue is resolved before the next show.