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Three Triad restaurants have been chosen by The Goodness Grows in North Carolina Program and Our State magazine as finalists in the Best Dish in North Carolina Restaurant Competition.

Restaurants that enter the statewide competition, which recognizes efforts to incorporate North Carolina products and ingredients into their meals, must feature and promote a special menu for four consecutive weeks between May 1 and July 27.

The Triad finalists and menu dates are Ganache Restaurant and Bakery (403 N. Elm St., Greensboro; 230-2253; www.ganachebakery.com) offering a special menu June 17-July 15; Yancey House Restaurant (699 U.S. 158, Yanceyville; 694-4225; www.yanceyvillage.com) offering a special menu July 1-29; and WS Prime (425 N. Cherry St., Winston-Salem; 722-5232; www.wsprimerestaurant.com) offering a special menu through June 15.

All are finalists in the Casual Dining category.

A judge will visit each restaurant during its special menu promotion.

For a look at the menus and chef biographies, visit www.ncagr.gov/markets/gginc/bestdish/index.html.

Dine to benefit arts

Dine at Riva's Trattoria (257 N. Greene St.) in downtown Greensboro on Friday when part of the proceeds benefit the United Arts Council.

For reservations, call 334-9989.

Chocolate shop gets award

Congratulations to Betsy and Amie Gauthier, owners of Loco for Coco Gourmet Chocolate (1420-D Westover Terrace; 333-0029; www.locoforcocochocolate.com), for a Women in Business Award from the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.

Stop by the shop for a selection of summer-inspired treats like peach and mimosa truffles and strawberry and Key lime bark. Loco For Coco also offers a Wine Lovers Chocolate Selection, including truffles, a dark chocolate bark and other gourmet chocolates to be paired with wine.

Food franchise recognized

The McDonald's at 2738 S. Main St. in High Point was awarded the Outstanding Restaurant Award of the Year from McDonald's corporation for the Raleigh Region, which includes 700 restaurants in five states.

The franchise, owned by Tony Delligatti, was rebuilt in 2007 with a new look and dual drive through.

Meal deals for two

The Village Tavern (1903 Westridge Road, Greensboro; 282-3063; www.villagetavern.com) is offering some "twosome" meal deals that include two garden salads and two flatbread pizzas for $20 and two appetizers and two entrees for $25.

For $50, get dinner for two that includes five courses and a glass of wine. Also, all wines available by the glass are half price for both glass and bottle on Wednesdays.

Small entrees offered

Starting today, Ganache Restaurant and Bakery (403 N. Elm St., Greensboro) is offering a limited menu of appetizers, small plate items and entrees from the dinner selection each Tuesday and Wednesday. Items will change weekly.

In addition, Ganache is offering the opportunity for patrons to customize a multi-course tasting menu paired with wine each Tuesday and Wednesday. Selections will vary depending on the recommendations of the chef and guests. Call 230-2253 for reservations.

Monthly tasting menu

The Undercurrent (327 Battleground Ave., Greensboro) is changing it's monthly tasting menu to include items such as Roasted Red Pepper Bisque, Smoked Trout Mousse and Red Curry Glazed Jumbo Shrimp for June. Call 370-1266 for reservations.

More deals

Fatz Cafe (619 S. Regional Road; 841-0081) is offering the "Down Home, Done Right" Sunday special.

For $10.99 get a choice of meat and three vegetables and a nonalcoholic drink.

The chain has also introduced an "All Fired Up" summer menu with seven grilled entrees starting at $9.99.

Market adds hours

Ever wish you could stop by a neighborhood farmers' market on your way home from work to pick up something fresh and local for that night's meal? Isn't that what sustainability is all about?

The Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market (501 Yanceyville St. at Lindsay Street) is doing just that, at least one day a week.

In addition to the regular hours (6 a.m.-noon Saturday and 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday), the market will open from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Perhaps with overwhelming support, the market will add even more hours.

Visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/farmersmarket.

Keep It Local grows

Speaking of keeping it local, Solaris Tapas Restaurant and Bar (125 Summit Ave., Greensboro; 378-0198) is now part of the Keep It Local campaign.

The initiative is a loose cooperative of locally owned and operated finer dining restaurants who are cross-promoting what they have to offer to the budget-conscious diner.

Here are the Greensboro restaurants participating in Keep It Local:

Bert's Seafood Grille (4608 W. Market St.; 297-4881), Bistro Sofia (616 Dolley Madison Road; 855-1313), Cafe Europa (200 N. Davie St.; 389-1010), Liberty Oak (100 W. Washington St.; 273-7057), Madison Park Cafe (1310 Westover Terrace, No. 107; 275-3755), Marisol (5834-E High Point Road; 852-3303), Rim Tapas and Wine Bar (219 S. Elm St.; 230-2055), Riva's Trattoria (257 N. Greene St.; 334-9989), Sweet Basil's (620 Dolley Madison Road; 327-0023), Table 16 (600 S. Elm St.; 279-8525), The Bistro at Adam's Farm (5710-M High Point Road; 294-4610), The Undercurrent (327 Battleground Ave.; 370-1266), Solaris Tapas Restaurant (378-0198).

Burritos catch local heat

Chipotle Mexican Grill (1420-A Westover Terrace and 5402 Sapp Road) in Greensboro now gets 35 percent of its jalapeños, lettuce, green peppers and red onions from local growers.

Saturday brunch added

Cafe 35 (103 S. Main St., Lexington; 238-3535) is now serving a Saturday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

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