I liked the Baltic, sort of. The bar was fun, the music was OK, Chuck seemed like a pleasant guy, and I lusted for his wife Melanie.

All that--minus Chuck and Melanie--will be coming back soon, says yet another Man Who Should Know. Word is that the landlord--Tom Butt's Baltic Development Associates--has finished evicting the unlucky duo and that a new partnership will reopen the place in August or September.

There's yet more good news: better food. The Hotel Mac chef is one of the new partners.

You may not like Hotel Mac food--it's OK with me--but it's sure better than the old Baltic creations. Chuck should have spent more time on menu planning.

I say give the new guys a chance. Hey, the new chef might find inspiration on a longer leash. And the two former Baltic waiters might know how to run things out front.

Let's hope for the best.