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It's deja vu in a big way for Sandy Wrenn.

Wrenn and her husband, Carl Wrenn, owners of Steak Street in High Point, have reopened their former Greensboro location as The Palms @ Westridge (3404 Whitehurst Road, Greensboro), an event and catering facility.

Inspired by the popularity of Steak Street, the Wrenns built a new location in 2003 just off Westridge Road near the intersection of Battleground Avenue. But the endeavor proved to be a struggle, and the Wrenns closed the facility to focus on their original restaurant. They leased the space to Cheap Seats and later, for a short time, to Vines California Grill.

When the space became available again, the Wrenns decided to open a catering facility.

"We've been really blessed with a great business at Steak Street," Sandy Wrenn says. "Then we had this opportunity to expand, as well as bring something nice to the community."

The Wrenns have catered many small corporate functions at Steak Street but found they had to turn down many because of size. So, opening the old Whitehurst Road location for that purpose made good sense.

"We now have an avenue. We can tailor the menu," Sandy Wrenn says.

The 12,500-square-foot building of stone and wrought-iron balconies, built to resemble homes in Key West, offers two floors of dining space, including a lounge with a 45-foot-long bar and fireplace and heated outdoor patios.

The facility welcomes caterers but can also provide service by Catering One on One, owned by Steak Street chef Anthony Tisdale.

"We are blessed with a great staff at Steak Street that allows us to do this," Sandy Wrenn says.

For information, visit http://www.palmsatwestridge.com or call 288-8322.

Burlington Gets Italian Chain

Alamance County's first Olive Garden has opened at 1770 Glidewell Drive near Alamance Crossing in Burlington.

The restaurant, built in the chain's new Tuscan-farmhouse design, seats 247. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For reservations, call 854-7094.

Asian Buffet Opens

Golden Koi Asian Buffet (2504 Battleground Ave., Greensboro; 540-0239) is serving Asian specialties from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Mexican Grill To Open

Chipotle Mexican Grill (272-5503) is opening a second Greensboro location.

Chipotle, a chain specializing in made-to-order gourmet burritos and tacos, opens Friday at 1420 Westover Terrace at Westover Gallery in Greensboro. The first 100 customers through the door after 3 p.m. get a T-shirt and entry in a drawing for three lucky winners who will get free burritos for a year.

But UNCG students can get their burritos early -- and for free. Chipotle will open to UNCG students for a day of free food on Thursday.

For those who need to get in and out quickly, Chipotle offers DSL (Don't Stand in Line) ordering on its Web site at http://www.chipotle.com.

Store hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Chipotle also has a location at 5402 Sapp Road.

Go Western

The Yancey House Restaurant (699 U.S. 158 West, Yanceyville) is going west with an old-fashioned Hoedown at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Texas barbecue brisket and chicken, along with all the fixings, will be served, followed by a helping of bluegrass and gospel with The Sigmon Stringers.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for ages 4 to 8. Call 694-4225. For directions, visit http://www.yanceyvillage.com.

Celebrate Autumn Wines

Noble's High Point (101 S. Main St., High Point) invites you to celebrate cooler weather with a Flavors of Fall wine tasting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today.

Cost is $12. The tasting features three whites and three reds. Call 889-3354.

Inspections Guidelines

Following a change last month in rules governing sanitation of the food service industry, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources says health departments are focusing their inspections on restaurant and food-service establishments with the highest potential risk of food-borne illness.

Under the new guidelines, food-service facilities will be evaluated and assigned a risk category based on the type and amount of food prepared. The number of annual inspections for each establishment will be based on the risk category. Low-risk facilities, such as drink stands, will be inspected a minimum of once a year, and higher-risk venues, such as full-service restaurants, a minimum of four times a year.

For more information, contact the Guilford County Department of Public Health.

Have restaurant news for Short Orders? Contact Carl Wilson at 373-7145 or cwilson@news-record.com.