Is the Mondrian Scottsdale about to say adios to Asia de Cuba?

Hotel management could "not confirm or deny" any imminent changes at the high-style Asian-fusion restaurant, and Asia de Cuba's parent company, China Grill Management -- which owns two-dozen eateries around the world -- officially says there are no changes in the works.

In any case, there's industry buzz that restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow's two-and-a-half-year-old Scottsdale Asia de Cuba outpost will soon become an as-yet-unnamed Italian eatery.

If the rumor turns out to be true, it could be a blast from the past. The restaurant that used to occupy the Asia de Cuba space, back when the Mondrian was still the James Hotel, was an Italian restaurant called Fiamma (owner B.R. Guest Restaurants closed the New York location of Fiamma back in January and still operates Fiamma Trattoria in Las Vegas).

• Chow Bella