news-record.com

Wrenchel Stokes says things are moving along for the eventual opening of Sidetrax Restaurant in downtown Greensboro.

Stokes, a local real-estate broker, and his partners Craig Conroy, a player for the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames; Conroy's father, Robert "Mike" Conroy; and Timothy Strickland of Baker Properties, plan to begin the upfit and renovations for the old mill in about three months. Opening date for the restaurant is expected to be this fall.

The investors, known as Face Off, have also purchased 2.3 acres adjoining the proposed restaurant. They hope to turn the land into a park and venue for outdoor festivals.

The "casual upscale" restaurant will serve "Southern eclectic," Stokes says, and will feature two floors of dining, a basement lounge and an outside terrace overlooking the Norfolk Southern Railway line on Barnhardt Street.

Old favorite returns

Southern Roots (882-5570), a longtime High Point favorite that closed last year, has quietly reopened at 119 E. Main St. in Jamestown.

The restaurant serves appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrees and sides. The menu includes items such as fried green tomatoes, lump crab cake, a shrimp BLT, beef tenderloin, shrimp and grits and Black Angus meatloaf.

Prices range from $6 to $24.

For now, the restaurant serves only dinner beginning at 5 p.m., but the bar opens at 4 p.m. Reservations are not accepted.

We'll update soon with more details.

Barbecue and wine

It's "Night of the Twisted Pig" from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Lucky City (125 S. Scales St.) in Reidsville. Admission to this barbecue and wine tasting is free. Call 349-7144.

Downtown cafe to close

Friday is the last day for business at Metro Delistro (200 S. Elm St.) in downtown Greensboro.

Owner Noah Burgess says he has no plans to close the sister location Metro 300 (300 N. Greene St., Greensboro; 275-2334) and continues to offer breakfast and lunch there.

Benefit wine tasting

A food and wine tasting to benefit Guild of Family Service of Greensboro Foundation will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 4 at The Fresh Market (3712 Lawndale Drive) in Greensboro.

Cost is $25. Call 387-6161.

Bargain menu offered

Marisol (5834 High Point Road, Greensboro) is offering a three-course prix-fixe menu for $30 through Friday.

The restaurant will conclude the week with a wine tasting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday. Call 852-3303 for reservations.

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