​The last word on the reopening of Anita Lo's Annisa, which closed after a fire earlier this year, was November. Unfortunately, a dysfunctional sprinkler system has delayed those plans, according to Lo, who is now hoping to reopen early next year.

"More headache and delays," the chef said yesterday by e-mail. "We're hopefully about to sign with the landlord -- we couldn't start building until our lease was renewed and the building's non-functioning sprinkler system was resolved. I think it will be another two months, unfortunately. But hopefully we'll come back sparkling!"

Despite construction delays, Lo is keeping busy. She's working hard on her cookbook, and is still "plugging along at Rickshaw." Oh, and you can catch her on Martha Stewart's radio program next Tuesday, doling out turkey tips on the Thanksgiving Hotline. On-air awkwardness is expected to be minimal.