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This is his third menu since taking the helm at Table 16 (600 S. Elm St., Greensboro; www.table16restaurant.com) and with each month, chef Graham Heaton becomes more passionate about the direction he has taken the restaurant.

"My philosophy is that it's a 12-season year," Graham says.

With this in mind, Graham tailors each month's menu to what is, more or less, seasonally and often locally available.

The parameters set, Heaton strives to create "globally influenced new world cuisine."

"It's equatorial with a lot of Southern flavor thrown in," Heaton says. "It's arms wrapped around the Caribbean."

The Caribbean once was the New World when European nations started colonizing the region, creating a melting pot of cultures and flavors that blended Spain and the Middle and Far East with colorful fruits and vegetables.

The July menu for Table 16 reflects Heaton's vision with entrees such as Pan Seared Magret Duck Breast ($23) with black beans and Speck (a juniper-flavored prosciutto); Pan Seared Atlanta Halibut ($27) with green cabbage and cherries; Grilled Ashley Farms Chicken ($22) with Smoky Mountain Goat Cheese-lobster stuffed with Poblano peppers; and Grilled Dry Aged Strip Steak ($31) with marble potatoes, Andouille sausage and fried okra.

Appetizers include St. Andre-lady Gala Soup ($9) with smoked bluefish and Purple Cherokee Tomato and Sorrel salad ($11); Flash Fried Cornmeal Calamari ($13) with tomatillo-cilantro relish; and Grilled Marjoram Diver Scallops ($14) with Arbequina olives and lemon hummus.

The kitchen is Heaton's palette; the pantry is his paint. Straying from the menu is a welcome challenge.

Ask him what he has fresh in the cooler and he'll gladly prepare something special.

Shellfish, for instance, won't keep. Heaton would rather saute them in an impromptu reduction rather than throw them out.

"I look out at the dining room," says Heaton, who became chef of Table 16 last fall.

"I can tell from the expressions on people's faces how they feel about the meal."

Table 16 serves lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

For reservations, call 279-8525.

Vineyard grand opening

Autumn Creek Vineyards (364 Means Creek Road) in Mayodan opened with a new tasting room last fall. But a celebration has been delayed until now.

Autumn Creek, on a sprawling 100-year-old farm in northwestern Rockingham County, is holding a grand opening celebration starting at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Owners Quint and Kim Haley and Scott Stanley are pulling out all the stops with a Party in the Vines event featuring live music, food and a drawing. Admission is $5.

The beautiful wine tasting room will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit www.autumncreekvineyards.com or call 548-9463.

Burgers for a buck

Earth Fare Market and Cafe (2965 Battleground Ave., Greensboro) will be grilling burgers for a buck from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The benefit is for the Piedmont Land Conservancy.

Mediterranean dinner

Bistro Sofia (616 Dolley Madison Road, Greensboro) is offering a Mediterranean Summer's Eve dinner that includes three courses and wine for $25.

For reservations, call 855-1313.

Wine dinner

Muse Restaurant and Wine Bar (3124 Kathleen Ave., Greensboro) at Friendly Center is holding a Summer Harvest Wine Dinner at 7 p.m. July 24.

Cost for the five-course, six-wine dinner is $65.

Call 323-1428 for reservations.

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