Mark Van Wie from The Muddy Pig bought the space that used to be Chang O'Hara's and made The Happy Gnome. I was with Andy, Linsey, Amy, Brian and Tim.

Right away we were surprised with how much smoke there was after making the assumption it would be smoke-free. For our group, it was problem enough where we requested to be put on the list for the non-smoking area and got seated a few minutes later.

The beer and wine list is extensive and well picked. We got the artisan cheese plate and tried to be turophiles for a bit. A lot of the staff from the Muddy Pig was working there - enough where we asked who could possibly be keeping the Muddy Pig open. Mark Van Wie was also present talking with guests and drinking.

While the lighting was even more dim than Chang O'Hara's and there was no music, a guy in the restroom joked about "how weird" it was and how it was like "going back" to Chang O'Hara's all over again. It's true, and it's hard to start calling this place "The Gnome" now. Even though the couches are gone and the menu is taken up quite a few notches, it feels like the Chang's crowd is back. We just get better food and far better drinks now.