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The African Sisters Food Services offer a menu of traditional African food from 4 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday at The Boabab Tree Arts Cafe (1404 Glenwood Ave.; www.myspace.com/baobabtreegso) in the heart of Greensboro's Glenwood neighborhood.

The menu includes items such as Baked Chicken Drumstick, Fried Tilapia, Spicy Pinto Beans, Jasmine Jelof Rice, Spicy Okra, Spicy Collard Greens and Fresh Tomato Salad.

Cost is $4 for three items and $5 for four items. Call 686-2669 to place an order.

Wine and food

Twelve wines from The Grateful Palate and appetizers from Jodie Crandall, formerly of Grappa Grill, are what's on the table from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at The Wine Warehouse (2310 Battleground Ave.) in Greensboro.

Cost for the event is $15. Call 288-2002.

Benefit with bags

Bring your own bag when shopping at The Extra Ingredient (801-D Friendly Center Road; 299-9767), Greensboro's original cooking retail store at Friendly Center, and the shop will donate a dime to Greensboro Urban Ministry.

Visit the shop online at www.extraingredient.com for special offers, events and to sign up for a newsletter that offers news, cooking tips and recipes like casserole concoctions excerpted from James Villa's "Crazy for Casseroles."

Wine event

Ganache Restaurant and Bakery (403 N. Elm St., Greensboro) will hold its monthly wine event at 7 p.m. Friday.

For a menu and reservations, call 230-2253.

Book spotlights chain

You might not have heard of author J. Phillips Johnston, but the subject matter of his latest book is familiar to most around here: biscuits. Or more specifically, the success of small business.

In "Biscuitville," Johnston tells the story of a company that grew from a humble local beginning to a popular chain of 50 restaurants in North Carolina and Virginia.

Johnston will sign copies of the book at 2 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble (3125 Waltham Blvd.) at Alamance Crossing Shopping Center in Burlington.

New lunch items

The muffaletta is back, says chef Lucindy Willis of Yancey House Restaurant (699 U.S. 158 West) in Yanceyville.

The New Orleans-inspired sandwich joins a spicy Vietnamese Noodle Bowl as new lunch items. Call 694-4225 for reservations.

Lunch buffet offered

Avenue Restaurant and Bar (201-A N. Elm St.; 617-5321), the new restaurant at Center Pointe in downtown Greensboro, is now offering the business buffet for $12.

Choose from entrees like grilled beef medallions with a mushroom sauce or crusted tilapia with a white wine sauce paired with sides like whipped potatoes, squash casserole or haricots verts (a French green bean).

Avenue also offers a late night menu and live jazz from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

New menu items

The Olive Garden has added Pork Milanese, Lasagna Fritta, the dessert Zeppoli and a children's Cheese Ravioli to its menu. A Moscato has also been added to the wine menu.

Locations are at 3000 High Point Road (854-7094) in Greensboro and 1770 Glidewell Drive (584-1171) in Burlington.

The chain is also once again offering its micro-site, www. olivegardennewfavorites.com, where visitors can learn traditional Italian cooking techniques, watch chef interviews and view photos of culinary journey in Italy.

Smoothie shop closes

Juice N Java at 1605 New Garden Road in Greensboro has closed.

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