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Stevens Oyster Bar (313 S. Greene St., Greensboro; 987-1758; www.myspace.com/sobgso) has opened in the old Shucka's location across from the Carolina Theatre.

Tony Stevens says he has brought the white-linen experience from his former restaurant, Grappa Grille, to a more casual setting.

"It's more of a neighborhood oyster bar with a candlelit atmosphere," Stevens says.

Stevens Oyster Bar, or SOB, offers oysters, mussels, shrimp, clams and lobster tails at market price. Blue Crabs are offered in season.

Sandwiches and salads include a lobster club ($12), oyster or shrimp po' boy ($8) with bread from Simple Kneads, Blackened Shrimp Salad ($9) and Thai Shrimp Salad ($10). Other items include Bourbon and Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon with Toast Points ($)9), Sliced Tuna Sashim with Wasabi Dipping Sauce ($10) and Grandma Stevens' Oyster Stew ($5).

"We steam and shuck the oysters right in front of you," Stevens says.

The restaurant features both a patio and daily drink specials -- the makings for nice summer evening.

Stevens Oyster Bar is open from 5 p.m. to midnight Monday through Wednesday and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m Thursday through Saturday.

Stevens also says work has begun on his other venture, a downtown sports bar called The Boiler Room around the corner on McGee Street.

The 3,000-square-foot space will offer pool, darts and weekly Wii tournaments.

Stevens expects it to open by the end of the summer.

'Hell's Kitchen' chef visits

Unless you are a member of the Chamber of Commerce or a local business owner, the Piedmont Triad Business Showcase is probably not a destination. But it might be fun to stop by this trade show event sometime between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday just to see Chef Lou Petrozza .

Petrozza, a Charlotte chef, was a runner-up on the 2008 season of the television reality cooking show "Hell's Kitchen." This Brooklyn native turn out some of his specialties at the table of Greensboro's award-winning Exclamations! catering . Admission is $10.

Dine to help dogs, cats

Grab a bite at McAlister's Deli (1603 Highwoods Blvd., Greensboro) from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday and help Animal Rescue and Foster Program.

A portion of the proceeds benefits the organization. Volunteers will be on hand with homeless puppies and kittens waiting for adoptions.

For information, call 574-9600.

Free ribs

Shane's Rib Shack is celebrating May as Barbecue Month by giving away a free half-rack of baby back ribs and Coke Zero to the first 100 customers through the door at 11 a.m. May 16.

In Greensboro, you can find Shane's at 4217-A W. Wendover Ave. and 1410 Westover Terrace, Suite 101-A.

Supper on the lawn

Summer Supper will be served from 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 22 on Greensboro's lawn, Center City Park at Friendly Avenue and Elm Street.

The event is presented by Friends of Center City Park and features music by the Nutbush Ramblers, children's activities by ArtQuest and dinner by Exclamations! catering, which recently garnered a couple of awards at Catersource in Las Vegas. Cost for nonmembers is $10 ages 6 to 15 and $25 adults. Call 379-0821 by May 18.

Andy's issues challenge

If the wait staff at Andy's (2101-100 Pyramid Boulevard, Greensboro; 621-3775; www.andysburgers.net ), a new burger and shake shop at The Shoppes at Pyramids, is indulging in the goods, you'll never know it considering how quickly they appear to open the door for diners coming and going.

Andy's is a chain that specializes in a retro malt shop look and offers burgers, fries, shakes and daily custards in a variety of flavors.

Burgers range from $2.19 for a cheeseburger to $7.19 for a double with bacon. Specials include a cheeseburger, fries and drink for $4.99 or get the combo with a shake for $6.99.

Andy's offers cheesesteak subs, shrimp and wings.

A $5.99 weekday special, with fries and drink, include a chicken sandwich on Monday and a shrimp burger on Friday. Andy's also has Saturday and Sunday specials .

If you're feeling adventurous, Andy's throws down the gauntlet with the Burger Challenge, a stack of six burgers (more than three pounds) on a bun with four toppings, fries and a 24-ounce drink. Eat it all in 30 minutes and you pay nothing. Otherwise, the meal will set you back $21.99.

Spring menu

Warm weather just begs for dining alfresco, and Green Valley Grill (624 Green Valley Road, Greensboro; www.greenvalleygrill.com) is rolling out a spring menu perfect for the restaurant's patio.

Menu items priced for lunch include Grilled Tuna or Peasant Chicken Salad ($11.95), Crab Sandwich ($11.95), Crispy Risotto Cake Napoleon ($11.95), Wood Fire-Grilled Berkshire Pork Loin ($14.95) and Valencia Style Paella ($12.95). Some items cost a little more for the dinner menu.

Small plates include Calamari Fritti ($8.95), Blue Crab and Spinach Dip ($10.95), Beef Short Rip Sliders ($10.95) and House-made Savory "Pies" ($10.95) filled with rosemary beef and Tillamook cheddar.

Brunch menu items include GVG Eggs Benedict ($10.95), warm fruit crepes ($9.95), Giacomo's Sweet Italian Sausage over polenta ($10.95) and grape leaf-wrapped salmon ($12.95).

Call 854-2015 for reservations.

New tapas items

Rim Tapas and Fine Wine Bar (219-A S. Elm St., Greensboro; 230-2055) is offering some new menu items for less than $10. Visit www.rimtapas.com for a peek.

Contact Carl Wilson at 373-7145 or cwilson@news-record.com.