news-record.com

Chef Scott Leard has opened Basil's Trattoria (800-H N. Main St.; 310-4167) in Kernersville.

Leard knows his Italian. For a couple of years, he owned Pinot's in Greensboro and has worked at Southern Roots in High Point and Giovanni's and Carmine's Restaurant in Greensboro.

Basil's Trattoria offers Italian classics such as Chicken or Veal Picatta ($15 and $18), Pan Seared Salmon over Creamy Parmesan Polenta ($18), Rigatoni with Sunday Gravy and Fresh Ricotta ($8 and $15) and Penne with Giacomo's Italian Sausage in tomato-basil sauce ($8 and $15).

Appetizers include Fist-Size Meatball with Pomodoro and Parmesan ($7) and Caprese ($10) with pesto and heirloom tomatoes.

Lunch includes items like a Grilled Shrimp BLT ($9), Grilled Chicken Romaine Salad with Roasted Romas ($10) and a soup and unlimited salad special for $7.

All pastas are made in house and the menu changes frequently depending on what is what is available.

The intimate, 36-seat restaurant offers beer and a wine list.

Leard says Wednesday night is "gospel Italian family night" with meals served family style. Basil's also offers catering and will offer Thanksgiving specials to go.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Mexican restaurant Poblano's opens at Friendly Center

If you happen to be shopping at Friendly Center tonight, be sure and stop by Poblano's Mexican Bar and Grill (808 Friendly Center Road; 299-9898). Radio station WKZL 107.5 will be hosting a grand opening, and all menu prices are half off.

The restaurant serves traditional Mexican and Tex Mex food. It is owned by Adel Ghalyoun and David Romero. Both are longtime business partners and are familiar faces. Ghalyoun owns Venice Pizza and Poblano's in downtown Greensboro. The two opened Poblano's at Adams Farm Shopping Center a couple of years ago.

Poblano's is in the spot formerly occupied by Panda Inn, but you wouldn't think so. Gone is the open atmosphere of the former incarnation, replaced by separate dining areas that include booths and tables. The restaurant, which seats about 220, offers a sedated ambiance of earth tones and faux stone and tile.

Poblano's offers 13 signature burritos including Burrito al Pastor ($8.95) stuffed with pork marinated in guajillo chile sauce and pineapple and Burrito Caliente ($8.95) stuffed with grilled chicken and chipotle sauce.

Speaking of shrimp, Poblano's offers seafood including Camarones a la Diabla ($12.95), grilled shrimp and garlic sauce; Shrimp and Scallops with Rice ($12.95); and Ceviche ($10.25), shrimp and scallops marinated in lime.

Chef specialities include the Parrillada Poblana ($12.95), a platter of carne asada, grilled chicken, shrimp and bacon; Poblano's Sizzling ($10.95), a plate of shrimp in garlic butter and guajillo sauce with a chicken enchilada and steak taco; and David's Special ($12.95), sauteed scallops and shrimp with poblano chile peppers.

Lunch specials (26 of them) start at $4.50.

Poblano's bar offers a selection of margaritas, beer and a wine list of about 30 labels. Four televisions will offer NFL Ticket among other programing.

Kids eat free with a paying adult Monday through Wednesday and live music is offered on Saturday night. A private banquet room is available and Poblano's cater business or special occasions.

Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Wings franchise opens

Buffalo Wings and Rings (1614-B Highwoods Blvd., Greensboro; 315-1297; www.buffalowingsandrings.com) has opened.

Buffalo Wings and Rings specializes in boneless wings and chicken tenders from mild to "atomic" with a choice of eight sauces.

Beef and turkey burgers (Cajun Burger, Teriyaki Burger, Black and Bleu Burger), and Gyros (Chicken, Greek Salad) are other specialties of the chain.

Other sandwiches include the Buffalo Tender, Pulled Pork and Fish and wraps. Buffalo Wings and Rings also offers soups and salads, quesadillas and appetizers.

Lunch specials, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, include 10 wings ($7.49), Char-Grilled Chicken Salad ($6.49) and soup and salad ($4.99).

Low Country-inspired franchise opens

Fatz Cafe (841-0081; www.fatzcafe.com) has opened Greensboro's first restaurant at 619 S. Regional Road.

The franchise offers signature Low Country and New Orleans-inspired dishes such as World Famous Calabash Chicken ($11.99), Edisto Shrimp and Grits ($11.29) with burgundy mushroom gravy, Big Easy Fish Fry ($13.99), BBQ Babyback Ribs ($16.99) and Calabash Cobb Salad ($9.29) and Fatz Famous Calabash Salad ($9.29) topped with the Calabash Chicken and applewood-smoked bacon.

Steak and pasta dishes also highlight the menu.

Sandwiches and burgers include the Fatz Philly Cheese Steak ($8.99), Big City Reuben ($7.99), Fatz Famous Blackened Fish Sandwich ($8.99) and Fatz Onyum Burger ($8.29) covered in spicy sauce and topped with signature onion ring-style Onyums.

Other popular items include the Cajun Firecracker Sticks ($8.49), rolled tomato-basil tortillas stuffed with spicy gulf shrimp and andouille sausage, Sullivan's Island Shrimp Cakes ($7.29) and Fried Green Tomatoes ($6.79) over grits covered in remoulade sauce.

Fatz features affordable lunch specials, including a Create-Your-Own Combo with a choice of two items for $5.99.

Classic desserts include Carolina Peach Cobbler, Double Decker Key Lime Pie and the tropical infused Mango-Guava Mousse Cheesecake.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Plan for Thanksgiving

Get a taste of what Earth Fare (2965 Battleground Ave., Greensboro; 369-0190) has to offer for Thanksgiving at a sampling event 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and again Nov. 22-23.

Among other venues taking the hassle out of Thanksgiving meals include Maria's Gourmet Catering. For information, call 379-8646 or visit www.marias-to-go.com.

J&S Cafeteria (5835 Samet Drive, High Point) is offering holiday meals and catering. Call 841-8192.

Mezze Catering is also taking orders. Call 617-4091.

Green Valley Grill is offering full holiday meals. Call 854-2015 or visit online at www.greenvalleygrill.com.

New menu offerings

Speaking of Green Valley Grill (622 Green Valley Road, Greensboro; 854-2015), chef Leigh Hesling is offering a new menu of Bacon-Wrapped Berkshire Pork ($27.95), Grape Leaf-Wrapped Salmon ($22.95), Crab-Stuffed Flounder ($25.95) and Vanilla Panna Cotta Sponge Cake ($12.95) topped with Gewurztraminer and saffron infused pears.

Bargain hunter newsletter

Who doesn't like a good bargain? A new e-newsletter offered by the News & Record highlights some of the best deals around, including some of your favorite places to eat.

There's also news and advice on looking for deals and saving some dough.

To have the free newsletter delivered to your inbox every Wednesday, sign up at www.news-record.com/bargains.

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