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Downtown Greensboro now has a little Zen.

Zen Sushi and Sake Bar (272-3995; www.zengreensboro.com), a new restaurant offering sushi and hibachi specialties, has opened at 216 S. Elm St. in Greensboro.

The bistro, owned by Rocco Scarfone (Carmine's), includes a sushi bar menu and hibachi dinner menu with items ranging from Tofu Steak ($12.50) to Filet Mignon at ($22.95) and combinations including Chicken and Shrimp ($18.95) and Filet Mignon and Salmon ($22.95). All dinners include soup, fried rice or noodles and steamed vegetables.

In developing the restaurant, Scarfone looked at sushi restaurants in New York and Myrtle Beach.

"We mixed them all up from an ambiance standpoint and food standpoint," Scarfone says.

"We have tremendous chefs from Asahi to Arigato on down," adding that his two sushi chefs have 35 years experience between them.

The sushi bar offers traditional nigiri, gunkan and sashimi tuna ($4.50), salmon ($5.25) octopus ($4.25), fresh water eel ($5.25) and crab stick ($3.75) with mayonnaise sauce. Sushi rolls include tuna ($6), yellowtail ($6.75) along with Western favorites such as California Roll ($6), Philadelphia Roll ($6.25) and Rainbow Roll ($12.50), a California roll wrapped with five different fish.

Zen offers soy wraps (no rice or seaweed) including the Warrior Vegan ($6.95), Carnivore Roll ($8.95) with beef tataki and Aloha ($11.95) with tuna tempura, pineapple and crab. Sushi combinations range from $17.50 for ten pieces to $35 for a 24-piece chef's choice.

In addition to traditional soups such as Miso or Seaweed ($2), Zen offers exotic appetizers such as Edamame Bean ($4), boiled soybeans; Spicy and Crispy Tuna ($10); and the Octopus Bowl ($8.50) with vinegar sauce.

A highlight of the restaurant is the lava rock in which a hot grill made of rock is brought to the table for guests to grill their own Kobe beef, chicken or other selection. Think hibachi version of fondue.

Zen's sake menu includes 20 different varieties, including nine by the glass and four infused flavors, which will routinely rotate. A wine list of over 40 selections is offered. Zen will offer half price sake days for the after work crowd.

Zen offers an intimate candlelit ambiance, but some patrons may prefer to watch the downtown street life from the outdoor seating area, stone topped bars flanking the entrance. The polished synthetic stone surfaces are nearly uniform except for the intentional blemish of a mirrored half of a geode in each serving area. Smoking is allowed in the outdoor seating.

Hours are 5 to midnight Monday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Beginning Monday, lunch will be served 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and will offer Bento Boxes ($13.95-$16.95) with an assortment of sushi and California Rolls.

The Vino Shoppe (3800 Tinsley Ave., Suite 103, High Point; 885-0081) at N.C. 68 and Wendover Avenue has been offering selections from small wineries since before the first of the year. But shop owners David and Tish Miceli are holding a grand opening 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. There will be a free tasting of more than 10 wines each day and heavy appetizers.

The Vino Shoppe offers wines of from around the world, including North Carolina and Virginia with most selections priced from $8 to $25.

A weekly wine tasting will be held 5-8 p.m. Friday and 2-5 p.m. Saturday. There is a small fee.

Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Seasonal with a twist

The Undercurrent (327 Battleground Ave., Greensboro; 370-1266) is celebrating the new year with a special tasting menu on Friday that incorporates Southern American cuisine infused with Asian ingredients.

The three course menu includes a Lemon and Black Rice Roll, Hoppin' John with Jasmine Rice and Molasses-braised Pork Bellies and Turnips. Cost is $24.

The Undercurrent will continue with additional tasting menus "with a twist" on Fridays through January.

Wine dinner, new hours

Ganache Restaurant and Bakery (403 N. Elm St., Greensboro) is offering a seve-course wine dinner today. Cost is $44. Call 230-2253 for reservations.

Ganache is also serving breakfast. Winter hours are 7 a.m.-6 p.m. (breakfast and lunch only) Monday and Tuesday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Early bird specials

Southern Lights Bistro (105 Smyres Place, Greensboro; 379-9414) is offering an early dinner special 5-7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. The special includes a choice of three entrees and a salad for $10.95.

Just around the corner, 1618 West Seafood Grille (1618 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro; 235-0898), has an early evening three-course dinner that includes salad, entree and dessert for $14.95. The special is offered 5:30-7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

New hours, new menu

Gate City Chop House (106 S. Holden Road, Greensboro; 294-9977) and Chop House Grille at Burlington (710 Huffman Mill Road, Burlington; 524-9941) have stopped serving lunch.

New hours for both locations are 4:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Owner Keith Hall says the economy and competition have forced the reduced hours.

On an optimistic note, Hall says Gate City Chop House plans to roll out a new menu next week. Details to come.

New Mediterranean items

Jack's Corner Mediterranean Deli (1601 Spring Garden St., Greensboro; 370-4400) is offering a Mediterranean-spiced Salmon Platter ($12.49) that includes Greek salad, rice topped with pine nuts and cucumber sauce. Or get a half portion of the grilled salmon on a Greek salad for $3.99.

A new beef tenderloin kabob is marinated in "Old World Spices" and served with hummus, Greek salad and grilled pita bread for $9.49 for two skewers, $11.49 for three.

The Beef or chicken Pilaf Platter ($8.50) is drizzled with tahini sauce and served with Arabic Mint Salad. The mint salad is also offered on a pita wrap (the Salata Wrap for $4.99) with tahini sauce.

Continental to Italian

Carolina Diner on High Point Road in Greensboro has closed.

In its place is Tito's Pizza and Subs Italiano Restaurant (2700 High Point Road, Greensboro; 299-8486).

Tito's offers pizza ranging from $5.99 for a small cheese to $16.99 for an extra-large Chicken Alfredo. There's also stromboli and calzone ($7.99-$9.99).

Italian plates include spaghetti with marinara ($5.99), meat or veggie lasagna ($6.99), eggplant Parmesan ($6.99) and fettuccine alfredo with crab meat ($7.99). Subs and wings are also available.

An eight-inch sub with fries and drink ($6.49) and small pepperoni and ham stromboli with a drink ($8.49) are among the lunch specials.

Hours are 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday and noon-10 p.m. Sunday.

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