news-record.com

Walter Vanucci and Ilma Freitas are offering folks a taste of Brazil with the opening of Monesi Brazilian Buffet and Grill (500 Americhase Drive, Greensboro; 841-6334) at Sedgemore Center just south of the N.C. 68 and I-40 interchange.

The all-you-can eat buffet is $8.99 for lunch, $10.99 for dinner ($5.99 per pound to go) and offers a fresh assortment of hot and cold Brazilian and international dishes that change daily, such as shrimp in a three-cheese sauce; pork loin with onions; Beef Stroganoff and grilled squash and zucchini. Feijoada (a black bean stew with pork), Moqueca (white fish and shrimp in a spicy Brazilian sauce), and Chicken Stroganoff, a house specialty, are offered on Saturday.

Other Brazilian specialties are imported right from the Freitas' other restaurant, Leblon, and include Brazilian Sausage and Onions, Boneless Short Ribs and ribeye steak.

The salad bar includes mixed greens and an assortment of fixings, and on any given day might offer artichokes, a vegetable medley, tabbouleh and a ham and cheese pinwheel made with traditional bread. For the salad bar only, the cost is $6.99.

Speaking of breads, Monesi offers truffles and cakes created by Leblon's baker. Cakes include Red Velvet, Mango Mousse, Mango Cheese and Dulce de Leche.

A selection of wines, sangria and beers (including some Brazilian selections) is available.

Once a c hurrasqueria (Brazilian grill) is installed, the Freitas plan to offer Brazilian-style kabobs.

Monesi serves lunch 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner 5-8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Chili championship heats up

It's time again for the N.C. Chili Championship and Rubber Duck Regatta.

The 26th annual benefit for March of Dimes is 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons and features a chili cook-off, live music headlined by Billy Currington and of course the quirky rubber duck regatta. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 7-12.

For information, visit www.ncchilichampionship.com or call 778-6300.

Deal feeds hungry

September is National Hunger Awareness Month and 52 Domino's Pizza locations in Greensboro are helping to stock the pantry of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina.

Every customer who orders from area Domino's Pizza shops and makes a donation of a nonperishable food item for Second Harvest will receive a coupon for a free bread item or free two-liter soft drink with the next order.

The offer is good through September 30 and applies to carry-out and delivery orders. To find a location, visit www.dominos.com.

Dine out to fight hunger

Share Our Strength's Great American Dine Out will be held Sept. 21-28. The annual campaign encourages restaurants to donate a portion of their proceeds to end childhood hunger in America. For a list of local participating restaurants, visit www.greatamericandineout.org.

Fall wine dinner

Muse Restaurant and Wine Bar (3124 Kathleen Ave., Greensboro; www.restaurantmuse.net) is holding a Fall Harvest Wine Dinner featur ing five courses and six wines.

Cost for the 7 p.m. Sept. 24 dinner is $65. Call 323-1428 for reservations.

Fondue on a budget

The Melting Pot (2924 Battleground Ave., Greensboro; 545-6233) is offering Girls' Night Out packages.

Package options are the Girls' Petite Feast ($26) that includes cheese fondue and a selection of meats and ravioli, salad and chocolate fondue and Girls' Night Delight ($23) with cheese fondue, salad, chocolate fondue and a choice of one specialty drink.

The Melting Pot also has a $5 martinis and a new $20 by the bottle wine list.

And FYI, manager Priscilla Starr says The Melting Pot plans to move to a West Wendover location by the end of the year. Details forthcoming.

Coffee shop stays open for football fans

iCoffee (1011-A N.C. 150 West, Summerfield; 643-8233) is showing support for Northern Guilford High School by remaining open until midnight on Fridays when the school plays home football games.

Owner Penny Wasmund will keep the coffee shop open late on those nights as a hang out for students and parents to wind down after the game. She welcomes the players and families of the visiting teams to grab a cup of java as they hit the road home.

For information, visit www.icoffeeco.net.

Wine dinner scheduled

The Undercurrent Restaurant (327 Battleground Ave., Greensboro) will feature the wines of Longview Vineyard in Adelaide Hills, Australia with a five-course dinner at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30.

Call 370-1266 for reservations.

Gatsby-themed dinner

Chef Robert Pearse (formerly of The Secret Garden Tea Room and The Revival Grill) will cater a dinner for Great Gatsby Day at Chinqua Penn Plantation in Reidsville.

The formal dinner is at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 and includes Chinqua Penn wines, cash bar and live music. Cost is $45 per person or $300 for a table of eight. For reservations, call 349-4576 or visit www.chinquapenn.com.

Coffee shop continues without owner

Aderonke "Addie" Kujore became a community presence in the fledgling revival of the Glenwood Neighborhood with her coffee shop and gathering place, Addie's Livingroom (1408 Glenwood Ave., Greensboro; 333-5905; www.addieslivingroom.com ), and her neighborhood newsletter. Kujore is headed for St. Louis to take a new job opportunity and seek an MBA at Webster University.

The good news is that the coffee shop will remain open in the capable hands of Atim Efiong . Stop by for a beverage and free WiFi. The shop is generally open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Nonprofit raises funds

The Women's Resource Center raised $54,000, thanks to the dozens of amateur cooks and local chefs who prepared food and the hundreds of folks who showed up to eat it during the seventh annual Men Can Cook, held Aug. 2 at the Special Events Center of the Greensboro Coliseum.

For more information about the Women's Resource Center, visit www.womenscentergso.org or call 275-6090.

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