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Imagine you are in a town in France. It's mealtime, and so you do as the French do and stop by any number of shops or market vendors to pick up the makings for a simple meal: grilled chicken or stuffed sausage casings, a hunk of cheese, a fresh baguette, maybe some fruit. That's the concept behind The Madison Park Cafe and Marketplace (1310 Westover Terrace, Suite 107, Greensboro; 275-3755) at Westover Gallery of Shops.

The restaurant, in the old Casaldi's Cafe, marks the return of Paul and Joan Shepherd. The couple served classic French cuisine and fine wine at The Madison Park on Dolley Madison Road for a decade before a fire destroyed the restaurant.

That was more than 10 years ago. In the interim, they worked with the High Point M arket and developed a food service contract with a resort in the mountains of Georgia. For a short time, Paul Shepherd worked with Revival Grill. But he never forgot an idea he had for a new concept of The Madison Park, an idea whose genesis actually began during the days of the old restaurant.

"We wanted to keep the restaurant but offer the café," Shepherd says. "To be relaxed and casual. To have fun."

Chalkboard menus hang above display cases that hold many of the classic "country French" and Mediterranean-style items the cafe offers, such as Boeuf Bourguignonne ($12), beef brisket cooked in red wine and stock; Veal Blanquet ($13), veal chuck and white wine with vegetables; Poulet de Pot ($10), boneless chicken with a rich Chicken Veloute and vegetables; and Bouillabaisse ($18), classically made with fresh fish and an assortment of shellfish.

Diners simply walk in, peruse the menu and the options in the cases and have a seat at one of the 35 green linen-covered tables. A server will take your order for a choice of entrée, freshly baked bread, appetizer or a salad.

Shepherd stresses freshness . Only enough will be prepared by his two culinary school-trained chefs for that day. Take, for instance, the Prime Rib ($16 for 8 ounces, $20 for 20 ounces, bone-in), slow roasted and served with au jus.

"There's 12 cuts of prime rib," he says. "Once it's gone. It's gone."

At lunch, diners can choose from hot entrees (Spinach Quiche, $7; cabbage infused with chuck steak, $7) or a grilled cold entrée (chicken, $7; seafood stuffed casings, $6; Pacific Coho Salmon, $8) and create a sandwich or salad. Or grab a French Dip ($7) or a Muffuletta ($7) with Mortadella and Soprasatta with provolone and olive tapenade.

So, where does the marketplace come in?

Shepherd explains he soon plans to offer "home meal replacement" - partially cooked or precooked entrees and sides that can be finished in the home oven.

The Madison Park Café also offers homemade sorbets and custard-based ice cream. Brazilian-grown Carolina Roast coffee is available, and Teavana Teas are served in individual drip carafes - or get them bagged to go.

The café offers WiFi, and Shepherd says he will soon open early to serve some continental breakfast items.

The Madison Park Café and Marketplace is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Restaurant founder dies

More than two years ago, Slater "Tex" Moore journeyed from his home in Bowie, Texas, to attend a reunion with employees and patrons of Tex & Shirley's, the Greensboro restaurant he founded in 1972. The pancake house at Friendly Shopping Center, which was named after him and his late wife, is widely considered a Greensboro landmark.

Moore, 86, died last week in Texas. A service was held Saturday in Bowie.

"I talked to him about every other week," current owner Bart Ortiz Sr. says. "Tex was like a second father to me."

A longtime general manager of the restaurant who had known Moore since he was 16, Ortiz bought Tex & Shirley's in 1989 when the couple decided to retire.

A few years later, they moved back to Moore's native Texas.

"He's been a great mentor and personal friend," says Ortiz, who had just visited Moore early last week. "He will be missed."

Dine out for a cause

Barberitos Southwestern Grille, Ben & Jerry's, Carolina Diner and Tex & Shirley's Pancake House are just a few of the restaurants donating a portion of their proceeds today to the United Way of Greater High Point during Dining Out Day for United Way.

For a list of restaurants, visit www.unitedwayhp.org or call 883-4127.

Anniversary celebration

It's hard to believe it's only been a year since Loco for Coco (1420-D Westover Terrace, Greensboro; 333-0029; www.locoforcocochocolate.com) started offering Belgian truffles and other chocolate goodies in the Westover Gallery of Shops.

Mother and daughter proprietors Betsy and Amie Gauthier are marking the occasion from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday . There will be a drawing, chocolate tasting and wine tasting presented by WineStyles.

Wine shop simplifies

What is WineStyles (3326 W. Friendly Ave., Suite 141, Greensboro; 299-4505; www.winestyles.net/greensboro ), you might ask? It's a new wine boutique at the Shops at Friendly.

The franchise tries to simplify shopping by organizing wines by color and style .

The concept allows customers to choose wines based on their individual preferences such as crisp, silky, rich and bubbly . The shop features up to 150 revolving selections ranging from $10 to $25.

New owners, new menu

Super Suppers (2925-C Battleground Ave., Greensboro; 545-8900) has new owners and a new promotion.

Johnny and Juanita Rose are now the proprietors of this do-it-yourself meal preparation franchise .

During October, Super Suppers features a menu of six fall recipes from Every Day With Rachael Ray magazine, including Pork With Pumpkin Penne Pasta, Mustard Crusted Salmon, Uncle Ben's Red Rice and Italian Sausage and Coconut Curried Shrimp. With the purchase of one of these recipes, customers will get a copy of the magazine and a gift bag .

To see the fall menu or to schedule a meal preparation session, visit www.ssgreensboronwnc.com .

Breast cancer benefit

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A benefit for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo Wings and Rings, 1614-B Highwoods Blvd. in Greensboro. The event includes tasting of wings, beer and wine . For info , call 315-1297.

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