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Lee Comer envisioned opening a restaurant that would be driven by the community. Judging by the Fisher Park and Latham Park residents who have found their way into the Iron Hen Cafe (908 Cridland Road; 617-7105; www.ironhen.com) since Comer opened it in early January, the cafe could become a destination for lots of folks.

"I've wanted to do it for a long, long time," Comer says. "I've wanted to do this local kind of concept."

Comer, who is self-employed in the construction industry, opened the cafe with friend Fareed Al-Khori. Iron Hen, which is in the old Cloud 9 space next to Latham Quick Mart, is keeping its offerings as local as seasonally possible.

"We're 80 percent local," Comer says, noting that she works with suppliers such as Goat Lady Dairy and J&S Farm.

She says the name of the cafe was inspired in part by the role of chickens in one of her favorite novels, "The Poisonwood Bible," and how the hen evokes a sustainable mentality. Eggs from local producers become her "Very Good" Deviled Egg and egg salad. And there are several chicken dishes on the menu, such as Red Delicious Chicken Salad Sandwich ($6.95) and Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich ($8.25).

Other sandwiches include Smoked Turkey and Provolone with cranberry mayonnaise ($7.25), Seared Crab Cake with roasted red pepper remoulade ($8.25) and Grilled Marinated Portabello Mushroom with caramelized sweet onion ($6.95). All sandwiches come with a choice of a side (such as fries, sweet potato chips, red cabbage walnut and horseradish cole slaw) and one of those deviled eggs.

Salads include Asian Pear with applewood-smoked bacon ($7.95), Fried Goat Cheese with grilled pineapple ($7.95) and the basic Hen House Salad ($5.95) with lots of toppings and a choice of house-made dressing.

Cream of Tomato ($3.95) and daily soups are offered. Check the board.

Iron Hen Cafe opens early and is a full-service coffee shop with coffee and espresso drinks. The shop also offers frappes and smoothies.

The breakfast menu includes combination plates such as the Hen House Breakfast ($6.25) with eggs, and Gate City Breakfast ($6.25) with buckwheat pancakes. Breakfast also offers the Guilford Mill Grit Bowl ($4.95) topped with chevre and sausage or bacon, Black Bean Cakes with eggs ($6.25) and Buttermilk Biscuits and Tasso Gravy ($7.25). Baker Charis Rose creates daily pastries, including Lemon Bars and Gluten-free Brownies.

The serving containers and eating utensils are made of eco-friendly materials.

Comer brought in caterer John Keever, who helps with the menu and creates daily entrees for the cafe's Market To Go takeout case. Meatloaf, chicken enchiladas and ceasar wraps can be picked up along with many of the cafe's side items from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call for the daily menu. Or offer a suggestion.

A catering menu is available upon request.

Iron Hen Cafe is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Iron Hen has also established a takeout kiosk at Bliss and Company day spa at 3805 Tinsley Drive in High Point.

Pizza chain targeting Greensboro

In recession-laden 2009, Papa Murphy's, a Vancouver-based chain of take-and-bake pizza shops, enjoyed growing sales. According to a press release, the company did so well that it is gearing up to add 130 franchises in large markets, including Greensboro and Charlotte.

Greensboro got its first Papa Murphy's (369-7272) late last year when it opened at 4016 Battleground Ave.

The chain specializes in carry-out pizzas that are baked at home.

Papa Murphy's has received strong recommendations from the magazines "Restaurants and Institutions" and "Pizza Today."

To see a complete menu of pizzas and side items, visit www.papamurphys.com.

Buffet gets makeover, new menu items

Folks lining up for the buffet at Golden Corral (545-5808) at 2419 Lawndale Drive in Greensboro are noticing a new look. The restaurant has added booths and additional room dividers to provide more intimate dining spaces.

The restaurant has also added a bread bar and brought back the Applewood Grill station where diners can get bacon-wrapped items such as sirloin filets, chicken breasts, and grilled scallops in addition to crab-stuffed filet of sole and other items. The Applewood Grill promotion is available through mid-February.

The restaurant continues to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Hours are 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Cafe opens for breakfast

Elm Street Cafe (114 N. Elm St.; 889-2489) in High Point is now serving breakfast starting at 7 a.m.

Triad to get more wings

East Coast Wings and Grill, (www.eastcoastwings.com), a Winston-Salem based chain, has new locations planned for Greensboro, High Point, Kernersville and Winston-Salem.

Additional restaurants are tentative for Lexington and Thomasville, according to the company's Web site.

Spend an evening with celebrity chefs

Have you ever fantasized about hanging out with one of your favorite Food Network stars? Now you can.

The Celebrity Chefs Tour is making a stop at the Durham Performing Arts Center over the next three months.

The first event at 2 and 8 p.m. Feb. 21 features southern cooking diva Paula Deen. Tyler Florence will make an appearance at 8 p.m. March 26, and then The Neelys, a husband-wife team, visit at 8 p.m. April 17.

Each chef offers cooking demonstrations while sharing stories and answering audience questions.

Cost is $30 per event or $112 for the series through Ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.DPACnc.com.

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