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Dran Restaurant Japanese Cuisine (621-0341) has opened at 3113-B Summit Ave. in Greensboro.

The restaurant is in the old Bee Bop Drive-In location, but aside from the slightly retro look of the exterior of the building, once inside, you’d never guess the space used to be a burger joint.

The clean and simple Asian decor of the dining room is a welcoming atmosphere for the restaurant’s hibachi entrees that include the decadent snapper, scallop and steak platter ($15.95) and a simple plate of vegetables ($6.95). Entrees are served with soup or salad, vegetables and fried or steamed rice.

Dran also offers yakisoba Japanese stir-fried noodles that range from vegetarian ($6.95) to salmon or snapper ($9.95).

Dran offers many Vietnamese specialties, such as Chicken Lemongrass ($6.95), Beef Basil ($8.25) and Shrimp Ginger ($7.95), all served with steamed rice. Grilled Vietnamese Sausage combinations are available, as are a selection of vermicelli noodle combinations such as Grilled Shrimp and Imperial Rolls ($8.25), all served with a side of house fish sauce.

Lunch items (all served with vegetables and fried or steamed rice) include hibachi vegetable ($5.50) and chicken and salmon ($10.50). And appetizers include a selection of imperial and spring rolls and tempura.

Dran also offers a selection of exotic smoothies (avocado, jack fruit, mango), Vietnamese coffee and domestic and imported beer.
Dran offers a banquet room that can accommodate large groups.

Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

New ice cream shop

Downtown Greensboro has gotten a little sweeter. The Full Scoop Ice Cream Shop has opened at 121-C McGee St. across from M’Coul’s Public House.

The shop offers 16 all-natural, hormone-free ice cream ($1.50-$3.50) flavors and six to eight gelato ($3) flavors. The shop also offers milk shakes, sundaes and fruit smoothies ($4.50).

Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Occasionally, the shop will stay open a little later.

Italian eatery coming

Bella Maria Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria will join the growing restaurant options in southeast Guilford County. The restaurant is expected to open soon at 4620-E Woody Mill Road in The Shoppes at Forest Oaks.

New hours, special

The Secret Tea Room (412 State St., Greensboro; 271-2998) has new hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday.

The restaurant is offering a special dinner for two that includes three courses, tea and live music. Cost, including tax and gratuity, is $70. To see the menu, visit the restaurant's website.

Read while you eat

In case you’re wondering why so many patrons at Bin 33 (324 S. Elm St., Greensboro) are reading to themselves next Wednesday, it’s because they are participating in The Bookup.

The concept, to promote “long-form reading in a short-form world,” is for participants to meet at a designated place and time to read a book. The Bookup will be from 6 to 8 p.m. April 13 at Bin 33. The event is free, but participants are encouraged to take advantage of the menu and wine list.

Some benefits

A couple of benefits to mention:

Great Harvest Bread Co. (2715-A Grandview Ave., Greensboro; 855-3853) at Friendly Center will hold a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on Friday. From 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., stop by the baker and make a donation of a dollar or more and get a free cookie. The bakery will also donate a portion of its proceeds to cancer research.

And, from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, a portion of proceeds at area Panera Bakery and Cafe locations will help a family defray medical costs for their late son. Participating locations include Greensboro, High Point, Burlington and Kernersville. Donations will also be accepted through April for Operation Dough-Nation. For information, visit Panera's community site.

Tasting planned

Learn about the suds and sustainability of Great Lakes Brewing during a beer dinner at 7 p.m. April 21 at Lucky 32 (1421 Westover Terrace, Greensboro; 370-0707).

Six of the brewery’s crafted beers will be paired with hors d’oeuvres. Cost is $20. Call 370-0707 or visit the Lucky 32 website.

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