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The Chop House Grille at The Village at North Elm has been sold to a group of investors and is now Graffiti's Bistro (301 Pisgah Church Road, Greensboro; 545-1113).

Managing partner Larry Morgan, a former operations manager for The Chop House chain, says the new name, the new menu and the new look is meant to energize the new restaurant.

"It's a similar menu, but with an elaboration that takes it to a more diversified side," says Morgan.

Along with a slightly new look that includes decorative artwork, lighting and more color, Graffiti's Bistro is offering a spin on the previous menu with most items being 15 to 20 percent lower in price with items like Teriyaki Shrimp and Broccoli ($10.95), Blackened Chicken Alfredo ($9.95) and Blue Plate Meatloaf ($9.95).

Desserts include a Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie, White Chocolate Creme Brule and Berry Berry Sorbet.

Graffiti's also includes a children's menu.

Morgan says Graffiti's aims to be a little more energetic than the previous brand with nine wide-screen televisions providing news and sports, and live jazz Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Graffiti's offers some beverage specials that include half-price wine selections on Tuesday and discount martinis from a list of 50 on Thursday.

Graffiti's serves lunch 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Dinner is served 4:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the lounge remaining open about an hour past dinner each night.

All-night diner opens at Quaker Village Center

Carolina's Diner (5605 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro; 297-9363) has opened in Quaker Village Shopping Center.

The diner offers omelettes, waffles, biscuits and other breakfast items all day. Breakfast specials ($2.50-$5.50) are offered 6 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.

The diner offers a large selection of burgers and sandwiches, salads and soups.

Home style dinner entrees such as Country Fried Steak, Pulled Barbecue Chicken and Turkey and Stuffing come with a choice of a wide range of sides, soup or salad and bread. Entrees range from $7.50 to $12.50.

Daily dinner specials ($6.55) are available 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and include Meat Loaf, Chicken Stir Fry, Lasagna and Chicken and Dumplings.

Lunch sandwich specials ($4.15-$5.95) are available for dine-in only 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Carolina's Diner offers breakfast, lunch and dinner catering. For information, call 665-5270.

The diner closes only from 9 p.m to 6 a.m. Sunday.

Local chef vies for title

On Saturday, Matthew Alexander will compete in the American Culinary Federation's Student Chef of the Year competition for the Southeast region.

Alexander, a line cook for The Undercurrent (327 Battleground Ave.), heads to Charlotte to compete against three other candidates from the Southeast.

"I am really appreciative of all of the help and support that I have received from chef Michael Harkenreader, sous chef Matthew Waterman, and the owner of Undercurrent, Ben Roberts," says Alexander.

"Whether or not Matt makes it past this competition, it is a huge honor and quite an accomplishment already," says Roberts.

The competing chefs will be judged for outstanding cooking skills, menu taste and professionalism. The winner will get a shot at the national title at a convention in Orlando in July.

Tax day discount

In honor of tax day, P.F. Chang's China Bistro (3338 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro; 291-1302) is providing a little relief by offering patrons a 15 percent discount on their total dining bill.

The discount is offered only today.

Restaurant on target

Mitchell Nicks, chef of the new Avenue Restaurant and Bar (201-A N. Elm St.) scheduled to open in the Center Pointe building in downtown Greensboro, says things are on track for a soft opening in a few weeks.

The menu will offer "foods that are ethically grown and are sourced from small farms that produce foods from the earth, not the laboratory" and a 1,200-bottle climate-controlled wine cellar.

Avenue will offer lunch, dinner and late night entertainment in a clean, sophisticated atmosphere.

An opening date is expected to be announced soon.

Print Works chef shares insights and a meal

Chef Bart Ortiz of Print Works Bistro shares recipes, answers questions and tells stories about food and cooking -- all over a glass of wine -- during "Spring: Ingredients and Flavors Emerge," a cooking demonstration at 11 a.m. April 25 at Print Works Bistro (702 Green Valley Road, Greensboro).

The demonstration is followed by a multicourse meal. Cost for the event is $55.

Two other events are to follow in the coming months, including "Tomatoes: Need We Say More," on July 11, and "Autumn Harvest: Braising Greens to Apples to Root Vegetables Galore," on Oct. 17. Cost for all three events is $140. Call 478-9126 for reservations.

PieWorks Pizza recognized

PieWorks Pizza by Design (www.pieworks.com), a locally owned gourmet pizza chain, has earned a spot on America's Top 100 Independent Pizza Restaurants by Pizza Today magazine.

The national magazine rates pizza restaurants based on quality, selection and customer service. PieWorks is ranked 71st.

PieWorks has four locations in Louisiana and two in North Carolina: one in Greensboro (3700 Lawndale Drive; 282-9003) and one in Charlotte.

Coincidentally, the Greensboro store plans to move from its longtime location to New Garden Road by mid-summer.

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