news-record.com

Simply Thai (2041 Timberline Station Drive; 584-3838; http://mysimplythai.com) has opened in Elon.

In a sophisticated, white-linen atmosphere, the restaurant serves signature Thai dishes ($9.95 with tofu to $14.95 with seafood), such as Basil Leaves with bell peppers and green beans, Eggplant with bell peppers and basil, Chopped Chicken or Steak with red onions and cabbage and Thai Pepper Steak. All dishes are served with rice.

Fresh Thai noodle dishes ($9.95 with tofu to $14.95 with seafood) include Pad Thai, spicy Drunken Noodle and Lad Nar, jumbo rice noodles with fried broccoli and light gravy.

Simply Thai also offers five traditional curry dishes.

Pla Lad Prik ($15.95), a spicy fish dish, Ginger Salmon ($14.95) and a House Special Steak ($14.95) are among the Chef Specialties.

The restaurant also offers a selection of pho noodle and Thai soups, Thai-style salads and appetizers that include spring rolls and wraps.

Simply Thai offers a selection of made-to-order sushi and sashimi.

Premium beer and wine are available.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Coffeehouse adds drinks

Whether your muse is beer, wine or coffee, all three will be available during a pumpkin-carving contest from 5 to 10 p.m. today at Tate Street Coffee House (334 Tate St.; 275-2754) in Greensboro.

That's right. After 15 years operating as one of Greensboro's best coffee shops, owner Matt Russ is offering beer and wine, including brews on tap from Natty Greene's.

The shop has also added Wi-Fi.

So, drop by for a brew (bean or hops) and enter the contest. Contestants are encouraged to bring their own pumpkins, but a few will be available just in case. The shop will provide cutting tools. Face painting will be offered.

Karaoke and a deal

Catherine Johnson is getting ready for a busy weekend.

From 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, she'll be hosting an evening of karaoke at The Catitude Cafe (718 W. Market St.; 617-8354) in Greensboro. The evening's special guest is Johnny DunGOTem. She plans to donate part of the proceeds from sales to Southeast Guilford High School, which her children attend.

Johnson took over the smoothie shop last summer and renamed it Catitude Cafe, a nod to Catherine, the name of her daughter and mother.

The shop is in the Shops on West Market at Cedar Street near Greensboro College. Catitude Cafe offers coffee from a local roaster, all-natural smoothies, wraps from Hogan's Groovy Gourmet and baked goods from Spring Garden Bakery.

The shop frequently offers entertainment and Wi-Fi.

On Saturday, stop by the shop in your Halloween costume and get half off on any smoothie.

Catitude Cafe hours are 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and occasionally later for music and events.

Wine dinner

Meet vignerons Anne Parent and Francois Servin and enjoy a dinner reminiscent of the French harvest table prepared by Mitchell Nicks during a wine dinner at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Avenue Restaurant and Bar, 201 N. Elm St. in Greensboro.

Cost for the event, presented by Zeto Wine and Cheese Shop, is $99. Call Zeto at 574-2850 by Saturday for reservations. For information, visit www.zetowines.com.

Make a Halloween cookie

Drop by Spring Garden Bakery and Coffeehouse (1932 Spring Garden St.) in Greensboro between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday and decorate a Halloween cookie. The bakery provides the cookies in various shapes and different colors of icing. Cost per cookie is $1. For information, call 272-8199.

Opening nears

Mellow Mushroom (767 Huffman Mill Road) in Burlington is planning a Nov. 9 opening. Updates to come.

Shakes for a cause

For each strawberry milkshake purchased through Saturday at Chick-fil-A (611 Pembroke Road; 323-0298) at Friendly Center in Greensboro, the store will donate $1 to an area cancer organization.

More Halloween events

T.G.I. Friday's (4423 W. Wendover Ave.; 294-3707) in Greensboro is celebrating Halloween Thursday by offering appetizers for just a penny after 9 p.m. The catch? You have to order a beverage, and you have to be in costume.

The promotion is part of an introduction of a new line of signature drinks, including a Pumpkin Pie Martini. Visit www.fridays.com for more information.

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill (3200 Battleground Ave. and 4406 W. Wendover Ave.) in Greensboro will hold a Halloween party from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday with a costume contest and drink specials.

Golf social for women

Women on Course, an organization introducing and connecting women to the golf lifestyle, presents "Master the Wine List," a happy-hour event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar (3342 W. Friendly Ave.) in Greensboro.

In addition to hors d'oeuvres prepared by Chef Todd Jones and paired with selections from Mirassou Vineyards, the event invites women to socialize and get information about the sport of golf.

To register, visit www.womenoncourse.com or call (703) 268-5078.

Julia wine dinner

Bistro Sofia (616 Dolley Madison Road) in Greensboro is holding a Julia Child Wine Dinner featuring five wines and four courses at 7 p.m. Nov. 4. Cost is $65.

The restaurant also continues its Sunday Sippin' Series with a luncheon and blind tasting from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $35.

Call 855-1313 for reservations of either event.

Outside market offers eats

Downtown Greensboro has a new dining option on weekends.

A market of sorts has opened in a vacant lot at the intersection of McGee and South Greene streets overlooking the new roundabout. The market will include Benny's Seafood and Catering, a mobile cafe offering turkey barbecue, chicken wings, hotdogs and hamburgers, fish, fries and sides.

Benny's is serving lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday.

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