Mark Lile-King is looking to move both his Rioja! A Wine Bar (1603 Battleground Ave.) and his Wine Warehouse (2310 Battleground Ave., Suite 110). And he would like to combine the two.
"We're looking at a concept where we can locate both in the same building and have the wine shop on one side and Rioja on the other and have a free-flowing corridor between the two," Lile-King said.
Lile-King says the lease on both locations will soon be up for renewal and the time is right for this new concept. He doesn't have a new location yet. He's seeking feedback from an online survey sent to his e-mail newsletter base. Spots he's considering range from a few blocks away to locations in North Greensboro.
Lile-King anticipates the transition to occur sometime this fall. To get on the newsletter list, visit http://riojawinebar.com.
Tour community gardens
The Guilford County Cooperative Extension Service and Guilford County's Master Gardener Volunteers are presenting a tour of Guilford County's Community Gardens from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
If you're unfamiliar with community gardening, it's an approach where neighborhoods come together to create a communal garden plot that is managed and shared by residents. An old idea (think Victory Garden) that is experiencing a rebirth.
There are 16 gardens on the list. For information on the tour, call 375-5876 or visit www.guilfordgardenanswers.org for the complete list and directions to each.
Imagine a tomato that isn't shipped from a thousand miles away.
Steak-Out closes the door
The sign in the window says it all: Thank You For Twenty Years.
So there was no reason for Chuck Bodine to come to the door. A door that, by the way, remained unlocked even as a Friday lunchtime approached.
"I thought about locking the door, but I decided to stay right here and take it," says Bodine who, after 20 years filling deliveries for college students and office workers, closed Steak-Out on West Friendly Avenue in Greensboro. The location was the last one in North Carolina.
Bodine says his lease was up and in the current market, he just didn't think he could commit to another 10-year lease.
He opened the Friendly Avenue location 18 years ago, two years after opening a franchise at Quaker Village. At the time, he was coming off a five-year marathon of opening and managing over 20 franchises of another restaurant chain.
The more relaxed pace of operating Steak-Outs obviously suited him. And it also suited all those who for years came to rely on the restaurant when delivery options were few.
"I just want to thank all my loyal customers who have made it happen for the last 20 years," Bodine says.
Wine shop closes
Another closure to mention is Passion Fruit, a wine shop and gift boutique on South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro.
In an e-mail, owner Tigress McDaniel says there was not enough support for the concept of the store.
The wine shop, which specialized in North Carolina wines, opened this spring.
New burger chain
Five Guys, a burgers and fries chain, plans to move into the former Muse restaurant on Kathleen Avenue at Friendly Center in Greensboro. A targeting opening is set for sometime in October.
More about Five Guys at www.fiveguys.com.
Breakfast at The Bistro
The Bistro at Adams Farm (5710-M High Point Road) at Adam's Farm Shopping Center has added some new menu items and breakfast one day a week.
Among the new items are Zucchini-Wrapped Halibut topped with Sweet Vegetable Sauce ($23), Lobster Paella ($24), and Tuna ($25) over coconut rice with red curry.
A revised lunch menu offers a selection of sandwiches, pizzas and entrees ranging in price from $7.50 for house-made chicken salad to $10 for Blackened Tuna Tacos with Kim Chee.
The Bistro is now offers live music and discount house martinis each Thursday and continues offering half price wine on Wednesdays.
Responding to many requests, the restaurant is adding breakfast one day a week from 8 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday and will serve a changing menu that includes items like fritattas, stuffed crepes and traditional meat and egg combinations. Call 294-4610 to see what's coming off the griddle each week.
For a complete lunch and dinner menu, visit The Bistro's new web site at www.thebistroatadamsfarm.com.
Get healthy recipes
Get Healthy Guilford will be at the Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market (501 Yanceyville St.) at 9:30 a.m. today demonstrating recipes and offering samples from fresh produce.
The market is open today from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.
Tomato is contest subject
Earth Fare (2965 Battleground Ave., Greensboro) is accepting entries for a Take Our Tomato photo contest.
Dress it up, pose with it, whatever, as long as you photograph a tomato purchased at Earth Fare. The contest will run until July 25, when the store gives awards during its Tomato Celebration.
For information, visit www.earthfare.com or call 369-0190.
Special event dinner
The Secret Tea Room (412 State St., Greensboro) is offer a special three-course dinner and live music on July 24.
Some items on the seasonal menu include Eggplant Brushetta, Salmon Florentine and Twice-Baked Rosemary Potatoes.
The dinner coincides with a State Street merchant event that evening.
Call 271-2998 for reservations.
Free McDonald's mochas
Stop by any McDonald's from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the next two Mondays and get a free hot or iced mocha.
The chain is offering a complimentary 8-ounce mocha or 7-ounce ice mocha each Monday through Aug. 3.
For info, visit www.mcdonalds.com/mccafe.
Restaurants help MDA
OSI Restaurant Partners have joined with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to raise funds for the organization.
OSI includes Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba's Italian Grill and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, all of which have franchises in Greensboro.
Fund-raising efforts vary with each chain and range from proceeds from sales to special events.
Locally, Carrabba's Italian Grill (1653 New Garden Road, Greensboro; 218-0623 and 3200 High Point Road, Greensboro; 323-6069) will donate proceeds from special events and some menu items to the Muscular Dystrophy Association through Aug. 6.
Bonefish Grill (2100 Koury Blvd., Greensboro; 851-8900) is accepting donations for the MDA through Aug. 6. Voluntary donation cards will be presented with guests' checks.
Contact Carl Wilson at 373-7145 or carl.wilson@news-record.com
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