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The soft opening for Renee and Richard Schroeder's Basils & Co. (1310 Westover Terrace, Suite 107, Greensboro; 285-9023) was well-received.

The Schroeders decided to open a sister restaurant to their successful Sweet Basil's. But the new restaurant and wine bar offers a more casual setting, whether it's sitting down for a meal or enjoying a glass of wine with a sampling of gourmet munchies.

Entrees are offered in small and large plates and include items such as Pan Seared Scallops with Parmesan Risotto ($13/$25), Fresh Mussels with Roasted Fennel and Spicy Sausage ($10/$16), Pan Seared Quail with Blue Cheese Polenta ($10/$18), New Zealand Lamb Rack with Israeli Cous Cous ($15/$28) and Linguini with Mushrooms and Asparagus ($8/$15).

A menu of starters includes Fried Calamari with Smoked Tomato Aioli ($9), Grilled Vegetable Quesadilla Goat Lady Diary Cheese ($8), Pan Seared Fois Gras with Applewood Bacon ($13) or Hill Top Farm Ostrich Meatballs ($11).

Diners may also peruse the display case and choose from a selection of imported cheeses, such as a mustard ale cheese from Wales, a truffle cheese from Italy or sage-infused cheese from the United Kingdom, to pair with a good wine.

Different size pours of wines give guests flexibility in consumption.

"We plan to offer wine flights tailored to a cheese plate or chocolate truffles," Renee Schroeder says. "It's a fun way to eat."

Julie Watson, the pastry chef and co-owner, creates many of the restaurant's sweets, including Creme Brulee, Oreo Cheesecake, Chocolate Pecan Bourbon Tart and a Tiramisu Espresso-soaked sponge cake. The restaurant's bakery serves fresh-baked goods and made-to-order pastries. Full-size cakes and other items also are planned.

Basils & Co. offers a selection of sandwiches including a Smoked Turkey Wrap ($8), Angus Burger ($9) and Chicken Salad ($7).

The restaurant will offer dinner items to go, so patrons can drop by for take-home items such as stuffed Cornish Hens.

Basils & Co. is open from 11:30 a.m. to midnight Tuesday through Friday and 5:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday. A full menu is served until 10 p.m., and a small-plate menu will be offered after that.

Schroeder has no plans to close Sweet Basil's (620 Dolley Madison Road), which continues to offer a fine-dining experience. And she continues to offer catering.

Duo opens coffee shop

It was their T-shirts that brought James Kithcart and Nancy Garrett together two years ago while they were dining in a fast-food restaurant. Good-natured comments about the other's presidential candidate of choice led them to dine together, and each discovered, despite their political differences, that they had a lot in common. Both are spiritual. Both take gratification in community. Both seek to foster fledgling artists.

The two remained friends. So when the recession left Kithcart, who has a siding business, struggling for something more fulfilling and Garrett, gallery coordinator for Tyler D Studios in Burlington, looking for a new venue to promote artists, the two decided to open Cup of Serenity (3729-A Farmington Drive; 294-1133; www.cupofserenity.com), a coffee shop in Stonesthrow Crossing Center in Greensboro.

"It's a safe place," Kithcart says, "a place to bring your family."

"The atmosphere here is conducive to getting up and walking around," Garrett says. "Or people bring their laptops, sit alone and feel comfortable."

The shop offers coffee, specialty teas, hot and iced espresso drinks and smoothies.

The shop also offers pastries, muffins and sandwiches and honey-wheat wraps from Bonnie Kays of Gate City Deli. Because Kays also owns Cincy's, Cup of Serenity offers Cincinnati-style chili three- and five-way.

The shop offers Wi-Fi and a small meeting room where folks can gather. A wall the length of the shop displays works by local artists. The shop offers live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights, including music, comedy and readings.

On Saturday morning, storytelling for children is offered from 8 to 10 a.m.

Cup of Serenity is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Seasonal prix-fixe menu

Bistro Sofia (616 Dolley Madison Road) in Greensboro is offering a comforting prix-fixe menu Tuesday through Sunday nights during January. Cost is $21.10. Call 855-1313 for reservations.

Healthy meal deal

Let's Dish! (2130 New Garden Road), the take-home meal preparation venue in Greensboro, is helping families get a healthy start to the new year by offering a Healthy Eating Jumpstart package.

The pre-packaged deal includes four meals at 380 calories or less for about $3.50 per serving. For information, call 540-0222 or order online at www.letsdish.com.

Discover Bordeaux

Discover Bordeaux with sommelier Julia Schiavone on Jan. 13 at The Undercurrent (327 Battleground Ave.) in Greensboro. For information, call 370-1266.

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