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The Grille @ UNCG (423-A Tate St., Greensboro; 275-9388) has opened at the eastern edge of UNCG.

The shop serves wraps with amusing names such as Roadkill ($7.29) with seasoned steak, Tate St. Cuke ($6.29) with blackened chicken and chunky cucumber sauce and the aptly named Saucy Chicken ($6.79) with barbecue chicken and "gooey" cheese.

Burgers and sandwiches include the Bayou Burger ($6.89) with spicy grilled onions and bacon, Rocky Top ($6.89) with Cajun chicken and barbecue sauce and Chicken Ranch ($6.29).

The Grille also offers quesadillas (chicken, $8.49; steak, $8.59; and cheese, $6.29) with a side of homemade salsa that packs some heat.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Mellow Mushroom opening

After months of location scouting followed by months of renovation, Mellow Mushroom is finally set to open Dec. 22 at 609 S. Elm St. in downtown Greensboro.

The chain of pizza restaurants is known for its colorful "bohemian-chic" atmosphere and menu of gourmet pies.

The Greensboro franchise is owned by Jim and Cindy Waters, who also own a franchise in Winston-Salem. The Greensboro location, Jim Waters says, will be different, taking advantage of the vaulted ceiling at the building that formerly housed TwoArtChicks.

Popular restaurant closes

Grappa Grille (2618 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro) has served its last dinner.

Stacy Land, who owns the restaurant with Jodie Crandall, says negotiations with a bank over the restaurant's loan failed, and the restaurant was forced to close. Joining the lament of many restaurants, Land says revenue has gone down.

"We're in a very large space," she says. "We have been down 10 percent."

Grappa Grill has been a fine dining destination since opening more than six years ago. Crandall, a longtime employee, bought a share of the restaurant a few years ago from the original owner. Land, another longtime employee, joined her in ownership in April.

Crandall could not be reached for comment, but in a blog post from last Wednesday, Grappa's last day of service, she thanked patrons.

Land says the two are keeping the future open.

"Jodie and I work well together," Land says. "We've been together for ages. We love what we do. We have a good core group of people. If the opportunity arises, we would take it elsewhere."

New owners, new name

The Press Wine Cafe in Southside, which recently came under new ownership, is now Vintage 301 (301 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Greensboro; 333-3190).

In its new incarnation, Vintage 301 continues to offer live music and nightly beverage specials.

With the new name and new ownership are new hours. Vintage 301 is open from 4 p.m to 1 a.m. Sunday and Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday.

It appears that Vintage 301 is working on a Web site, but for now, you can check out specials and information at www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=51758575420.

Cookbook authors to sign

"Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue" explores the lore, recipes, traditions and people who have shaped a quintessential food.

Authors John Shelton Reed and Dale Volberg Reed sign copies of their book at 6 p.m. Thursday at Barnes & Noble, 3102 Northline Ave. at Friendly Center in Greensboro.

And it's always a pleasure to give a shout out for Mary James Lawrence when she alights long enough to sign copies of her book "Mary James Dishes It Out."

James, former owner of Roosters, will sign copies at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble in Greensboro.

For information on either reading, call 854-4200.

Holiday tea offered

The O. Henry Hotel is holding a Holiday Tea on Sunday.

The annual event offers "The Nutcracker"-inspired treats and tea, warm cider or hot chocolate. Children can decorate an ornament or help chefs of the Green Valley Grill make gingerbread houses and then join Clara by the tree for a reading of "The Nutcracker."

Cost is $38 plus a 20 percent service charge. Call 854-2015.

New winter items

Solaris (125 Summit Ave., Greensboro; www.gettapas.com) isn't just tapas anymore.

The restaurant has an expanded dinner menu that includes soups, salads and vegetable sides.

Solaris is offering a winter menu that includes Nantucket Clam Chowder or Vegetarian Chili ($3.95 cup, $5.95 bowl), Chicken or Ribeye Stir Fry in tapas portions ($9.95 chicken, $11.95 steak) and full dinner ($16.95 chicken, $21.95 steak), Crab Stuffed Portobello Tapas ($8.95) and Sesame Seared Tuna ($12.95 tapas, $22.95 full dinner).

Solaris offers specials each day, including Friday and Saturday. Bottled wine and tapas are half off when dining in the bar or lounge area 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Call 378-0198 for reservations.

Hanukkah chocolate

Loco for Coco (1420-D Westover Terrace, Greensboro; 333-0029) is offering some Hanukkah goodies, including kosher double chocolate cocoa, Star of David and Menorah pops, chocolate Dreidels and gift boxes. Visit www.locoforcocochocolate. com.

Pass on discounts

Restaurant.com claims to have saved diners millions of dollars through discounts. Now those who love to eat out can save others who love to eat out a bundle as well through Feed It Forward.

The site says it will donate $30 million in free restaurant gift certificates now through Christmas and allow you to treat others to savings on a meal out. For details on how to participate, visit www.restaurant.com.

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