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For more than eight years, San Luis at 1503 W. Lee St. (851-2158) has served what many think is some of the best Mexican food around. If blogs are any indication, the humble restaurant is one of Greensboro's best kept secrets. Now the owners have opened a second location, San Luis II Mexican and Seafood Grill (4207 High Point Road; 617-5508).

The new location, formerly another Mexican restaurant, at the intersection of Merritt Drive and High Point Road, is far from humble, sporting a festive interior, lots of secluded niches, wide-screen televisions and a full bar.

The broad menu includes many Mexican and Tex-Mex specialties such as Carne Asada ($10.99); Steak and Shrimp ($13.99); Pollo Vallarta ($9.99) topped with barbecue sauce; Chile Verde ($8.50) with pork in green sauce; and Vallarta Fundido ($7.99 lunch, $10.99 dinner) with steak, chicken, shrimp, and grilled vegetables topped with melted cheese.

San Luis II specializes in seafood dishes such as Camarones Yucateco ($12.99), shrimp wrapped in bacon; Costa Azul ($12.99), grilled shrimp, scallops and crab meat in ranchero sauce; Brochetas ($11.99), skewers of charbroiled shrimp, chicken and vegetables; and Steak and Shrimp combo ($13.99). Or go all out with a Mariscada ($55 for a full, $38 for a half), a giant seafood platter big enough for five to six people to feast on. San Luis II also offers oysters, fish tacos and three seafood soups.

For the less adventurous, there's plenty of burritos, enchiladas and quesadilla options.

San Luis II boasts more than 40 items on the lunch menu, starting at 3.99 and including many items from the dinner menu such as Scallop Fajitas ($7.99), spicy Camarones a la Diabla ($9.99) and Alamabre Steak ($6.99). Lunch specials are served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Combination dinners and several vegetarian options are also available. A children's menu offers several items starting at $3.50.

Once a month, it's a real party with a mariachi band. San Luis II offers nonsmoking seating. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Homegrown brew organic

Natty Greene's Pub and Brewing Co. (345 S. Elm St., Greensboro; 274-1373) has its locally brewed beers down to an art with the five core beers and a plethora of seasonal beers that include Smoky Mountain Porter, Cannonball Double IPA and the Bayonet ESB.

Now brewer Mike Rollingson is really keeping it local with Piedmont Organic Ale.

The medium-bodied ale is brewed with organic malt and hops grown in North Carolina.

In addition to a farm in Graham, Piedmont was brewed with hops grown by Matt Russ at his Misty Mountain farm. In addition to growing hops and blueberries and keeping bees, this renaissance man is owner of Tate Street Coffee House.

Only six barrels of Piedmont were brewed, and Rollingson says it's going fast. But Russ is already planning on devoting additional acreage to hops because Rollingson has expressed interest in brewing additional barrels next year.

Early fall menu

Lucky 32 (1421 Westover Terrace, Greensboro; 370-0707) is offering an early Fall menu including "Mac" & Cheese ($4) with Gemelli pasta and creamy four cheese sauce; Peel and Eat Fresh Carolina Shrimp ($14 half pound) with cocktail sauce; Duck and Brie Bread ($10) with cremini mushrooms; North Carolina Clams ($10) steamed and stuffed with all-natural bacon and bread crumbs; Grilled Pork Medallions ($19) with bourbon stewed apples; Cider Roasted Duck Legs ($23) with pecan glazed yams; and North Carolina Apple Pie ($6) with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.

For a complete menu, visit www.lucky32.com.

September menu

Fresh seafood takes center stage on the September menu at Table 16 (600 S. Elm St., Greensboro; 279-8525).

Chef Graham Heaton is offering the likes of Pacific Blue Marlin and Chanterelles ($30), Salmon Fillet and Cornichon ($24), Lemon Tilefish and Black Olive Sauce ($25), Jerked Delmonico and Basil Blue Crab ($30) and Channel Catfish and Yucca Root ($20).

Appetizers include Maple Syrup Barbecue Shrimp ($12), Apalachicola Oysters and Pampadums ($14) and Scallops and Thread Noodles ($14).

For a complete menu, visit www.table16restaurant.com.

Calling all chili cooks

The North Carolina Chili Championship and Rubber Duck Regatta is looking for chili competitors for this year's Sept. 20 event at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons.

The 26th annual event benefits the March of Dimes. For information, visit www.NCchilichampionship.com.

Sipping series returns

Bistro Sofia (616 Dolley Madison Road, Greensboro; www.bistrosofia.com) is kicking off its Sunday Sippin' Series again with a wine vendor event 1-3 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $20. Call 855-1313 for information.

Openings

The Shops at Friendly Center in Greensboro are getting some notable additions this fall.

WineStyles, a wine accessories retailer and tasting bar, opened last week. Williams-Sonoma, a specialty cookware retailer, will be relocating from Four Seasons Town Centre in November. And Poblano's Mexican Bar and Grille is scheduled to open in October in adjacent Friendly Center.

Contact Carl Wilson at 373-7145 or carl.wilson@news-record.com