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The opening of his fifth J. Butler's Bar & Grill (3030 High Point Road, Greensboro; 861-5758; http://www.jbutlersbarandgrille.com) marks a first for Buster Raynor. For the first time, he has partnered with a hotel.

Raynor's latest restaurant is in the Double Tree Inn, the newly refurbished high rise on High Point Road originally built by Howard Johnson more than 30 years ago. The renovations are so thorough, one might think the building is new. And with the seamless incorporation of J. Butler's, it's as if the restaurant has always been there.

"They've never had a restaurant and we've never had a hotel," Raynor says, referring to his relationship with the new Double Tree.

The venture came about when the contractor for the Double Tree approached Raynor's partner, Charlie Erwin, with a proposal to put a restaurant in the hotel. The contractor had worked with Erwin, designing and building some locations of Erwin's other restaurant chain, Ham's.

Raynor and Erwin decided to go for it. The process of renovating the existing restaurant space began within weeks after the former tenant, Hooters, moved across the street to more spacious digs.

"It came together very quickly," Raynor says.

Raynor immediately brought in Dan Cullinan as the food and beverage director. Cullinan has more than 30 years' experience in the food service industry, most recently with eight years in hotel food and beverages.

The kitchen is also providing room service to the hotel's 175 rooms in addition to accommodating events at six banquet rooms, but that side of the business should be invisible to restaurant patrons.

"It's the same family atmosphere as the other J. Butler's," Cullinan says.

In addition to the traditional menu of steaks, seafood, sandwiches and salads, the J. Butler's at the Double Tree Inn also offers a breakfast menu including a full breakfast buffet ($11.95) of meat, pancakes and breads, fruit, yogurt and granola.

A lunch and fresh salad bar ($7.69), with more than 30 items, offers a noon alternative. Any sandwich or entree from the menu can be added for $2.99.

J. Butler's seats 174, including a heated patio. The restaurant opens at 6 a.m. and closes at midnight seven days a week.

Cookbook Signing

Soon, the Halloween costumes will be stored, the candy eaten and for many, thoughts will turn to the holiday table.

And that's a perfect time for the release of Mary James Lawrence's debut cookbook, "Mary James Dishes It Out."

"I remember once when I was demonstrating the cranberry conserve during our Thanksgiving cooking class, someone asked me how I peeled the cranberries," Lawrence chuckles.

Lawrence, an avid cook and former co-owner of the cooking store Rooster's Gourmet Market & Gifts, had a regular television segment on WFMY (Channel 2) and offered cooking classes for years out of her store. Since closing the store early this year, Lawrence has partnered with chef Xavier Hoffalt, who led many of those memorable cooking classes, and created Mary James in Provence, a series of culinary-themed trips to France. She was also putting the finishing touches on her cookbook that includes more than 200 recipes.

"There are some recipes from Rooster's on the Run such as pimiento cheese, Rooster's Chocolate Cookie and meatloaf," Lawrence says of some of the popular items once offered at her gourmet take-out counter.

"It's a compilation of those recipes and recipes from catering and the cooking school."

She has tied the book into a Web site.

"If someone has a question about an ingredient, they can see a picture or an explanation," Lawrence says.

The book includes recipes for the Thanksgiving menu, including the aforementioned cranberry conserve.

Lawrence will sign copies of the book from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at The Extra Ingredient at Friendly Center and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Randy's Quilt Shop, 2415 Lawndale Drive, the former home of Rooster's. Both retailers will stock the book.

To purchase the book online, to get more information about the recipes and ingredients or to sign up for a newsletter, visit http://www.maryjames.net.

Pet Rescue Benefit

Stop in for latte and benefit our four-legged friends during CapPOOCHino Day Saturday at Carolina Coffee & Tea (400 State St., Greensboro).

The event, a benefit for Animal Rescue and Foster Program, is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features live music and free massages for both pets and their owners. There will also be some puppies and dogs for adoption. For more information, call Carolina Coffee & Tea at 333-9557 or ARFP at 574-9600.

Dine Out Benefit

Dine Out Day for United Way will be held Friday, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting United Way of High Point. Nearly 30 restaurants will participate. For a list of restaurants, visit http://www.unitedwayhp.org or call 883-4127.

Arts Council Benefit

Plan to attend Expo Vino, the annual wine tasting and silent auction to benefit the High Point Area Arts Council.

The event, 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 2 at the High Point Country Club, showcases 100 wines paired with fine food. Cost is $40. Make reservations by Oct. 29 by calling the arts council at 889-2787, Ext. 26.

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