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The New York Butcher Shoppe (3606-L N. Elm St.; 288-8900; www.nybutcher.net), an upscale retailer of prime meats, sides and wines based in Greenville, S.C., opens Monday at the Lake Jeanette Commons shopping center in north Greensboro.

Brooklyn, N.Y., native Bill D'Elia started the chain 10 years ago in Mount Pleasant, S.C., as a small, family-owned shop. D'Elia had been in the grocery and butcher business for more than 20 years.

In addition to cut-to-order certified Angus beef, pork, chicken and lamb, the shop offers specialty game meats such as wild boar and duck sausage, says Jim Tindal, chief executive officer for the Greensboro franchise.

The shop also offers heat-and-eat entrees and sides such as Goat Cheese Chicken, Smoked Salmon, Stuffed Pork Chops, Spinach and Portabello Quiche, Baked Manicotti, and pasta and green salads.

Just want a quick bite? New York Butcher Shoppe offers freshly made deli sandwiches to go. It also has speciality cheeses, imported grocery items, 180 selections of wine and even charcoal -- "everything you need for dinner tonight in one stop," Tindal said.

The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Julia-inspired menus

The film "Julie and Julia," written and directed by Nora Ephron, opens nationally Friday.

It is based on a book by Julie Powell that chronicles the author's attempt to cook, in a single year, all 524 recipes in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 1" while juxtaposing the effort with moments in Child's career. The late Child would have been 97 this month.

At least two local restaurants and a meals-to-go venue are paying homage to Child by offering dishes inspired by the famous chef.

At Madison Park Cafe (1310 Westover Terrace, Suite 107), chef Paul Shepherd plans to offer a daily dinner menu through the weekend featuring appropriate dishes.

Shepherd had the pleasure to be in Child's company three years running while attending the Wine Spectator Awards in the mid-'90s. On two of those occasions he even found himself in the elevator with her at the New York Marriott Marquis.

"She never professed herself to be a chef," Shepherd says of Child. "It was her and Graham Kerr that changed the view Americans have toward a somewhat complicated cuisine."

Shepherd remembers her stature and her voice "transcending everyone in the dining room" during those awards. He says she always maintained a definitive grace.

Madison Park kicks off the menus today with Braised Salmon and Chilled Leek and Potato Soup. An early special, 5 to 6 p.m. includes a salad, dessert and glass of wine for $20. Prices for entrees only will range $17-$21 this week with slightly higher pricing for items like lobster this weekend. Diners will also get copies of the featured recipes. Call 275-3755 for the day's menu.

Chef Bart Ortiz at Print Works Bistro (702 Green Valley Road) at the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro read Julia Child's memoir, "My Life in France," shortly after returning from France for research for the restaurant.

"Many things she shared about her first impressions about French food and culture resonated with me," Ortiz says.

Ortiz suggests "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" as important reading to his team at Print Works Bistro.

Through August, the restaurant will offer weekly prix fixe menus with dishes such as Onion Anchovy and Olive Tart, Lobster Thermidor, Poached Flounder with mussels and shrimp, Chicken With Tarragon Sauce and Almond Chocolate Cake. Cost is $15 for a two-course lunch and $38 for a three-course dinner. Call 379-0699 for reservations.

Maria's (2130 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro), a meals-to-go venue and catering company, is also paying tribute with Coq au Vin over Buttered Egg Noodles, Parsley and Green Peas and Cucumber and Red Onion Salad with Yogurt Dressing for $6.50 today and tomorrow.

Owner Maria Salakovic says she never had the pleasure to have met Child, but the iconic chef has great influence.

"My first cooking was totally a French style because of watching her on television," says Salakovic, who featured many French dishes when she first opened Liberty Oak on Battleground Avenue. "Once you learn those basics, it's very easy to do French cooking."

Of course, Salakovic sold Liberty Oak years ago but still loves offering French entrees to customers of Maria's. And she says she'll be raising a glass of wine on Child's birthday.

Call 379-8646 or visit www.marialovesfood.com for more Julia-inspired August menus.

New Mellow Mushroom

Burlington is getting a Mellow Mushroom.

Burlington native Joey Cathey plans to open one at 767 Huffman Mill Road in the former Rockola Cafe.

"I've always said that Burlington needs something different," says Cathey.

The chain of pizza restaurants is known for its colorful "bohemian-chic" atmosphere and menu of gourmet pies.

Cathey's parents once managed concessions at Burlington's City Park and he plans to base the restaurant's ambiance on the park's well-known carousel.

Renovations are underway and the location will have a patio. An opening is expected  in October.

Sippin' on Sunday

Bistro Sofia (616 Dolley Madison Road, Greensboro; www. bistrosofia.com) will hold a Sunday Sippin' Series in the Garden 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The cost for the wine tasting with hors d'oeuvres is $25. Call 855-1313 for reservations.

Can men cook?

Sample the goods of dozens of amateur and professional chefs at Men Can Cook, the annual benefit for the Women's Resource Center. It's from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Special Events Center of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex (1921 W. Lee St., Greensboro). The event also features a professional chef cook-off and a silent auction.

The event will also be collecting canned goods for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Tickets are $40, and you get a free parking pass if you buy your ticket before Aug. 14. Tickets are available by calling the Women's Resource Center at 275-6090, online at www. womenscentergso.org, at Bardy's Estate Jewelry & Diamonds or at the door.

Sample area restaurants

Hospice of the Piedmont's 21st annual Taste of the Town fundraiser is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Showplace (211 E. Commerce Ave.) in High Point).

The event features about 50 area restaurants, caterers and beverage services with samples of their best offerings. There is also a silent auction.

Admission is $5 and taste tickets are $1 each. Ages six and younger are admitted free.

For information, call 889-8446 or visit www.hospicetaste.com.

Teakettle trade-in

The government's "cash for clunkers" program has proved a huge success with car owners.

But what about all those dented and outdated tea kettles hanging around the kitchen?

Chantal, a high-end kitchenware company, is banking on a similar program to boost sales.

The company is offering a tea kettle trade-in program through The Extra Ingredient (801-D Friendly Center Road), a locally owned kitchenware retailer at Friendly Shopping Center in Greensboro.

The promotion offers 20 percent off the price of a new Chantal tea kettle for customers who bring in their old kettles. Old tea kettles will either be donated to Goodwill or recycled.

The promotion is good only through August.

For more information, call the store at 299-9767 or visit www.extraingredient.com.

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