Chew on This

Cut a Deal?

Nation's Restaurant News Foodservice Blogs reports that Chef Aaron Deal of Tristan will be headed to the Windy City to cook at the Custom House, which is part of a restaurant group that owns Green Zebra, a vegetable restaurant; Spring, a seafood restaurant; and Custom House, committed to local and sustainable foods with a Mediterranean spin. Brett Thon blogged on Aug. 11 and Aug. 14 that chef Deal was off to Chicago.

New Web site

Sal Parco, owner of six restaurants in the Charleston area including Mustard Seed and Boulevard Diner, has been making adjustments to his menu portfolio. How does pimiento buttermilk dressing sound with crispy fried oysters? A Greek pita filled with vegetables and feta cheese? Shrimp pot stickers along with Asian-flavored short ribs served with a mustard glaze and pickled onions? Check out the new Web site at www.dinewithsal.com and see what tempts your appetite.

Rombauer wine dinner

Atlanticville chef Billy Condon and Alan Cannon of Rombauer Vineyards have joined culinary forces to craft a special five-course wine dinner on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. Contact Atlanticville at 883-9452 or Atlanticville@comcast.net to secure a reservation. The restaurant is at 2063 Middle St., Sullivan's Island.

Fat Hen catering

Increased demand has caused Fred Neuville and company to expand the catering arm of this popular Johns Island restaurant.

Dayle Hickman, with 27 years of food service experience, comes on board as catering sales manager.

Fat Hen Catering's menu reflects the foods of the restaurant, but chef Neuville and his staff will work with clients to meet any specific needs or requests.

Services range from food pick-up to full service. For more information, visit www.fathencatering.com or call 795-4640.

Hops and grapes

Halls Chophouse will host a Fat Tire Beer Dinner at 7 p.m. Sunday. On Sept. 21, the wines of Fess Parker will be featured at a wine dinner.

The family-owned and operated restaurant is at 434 King St. For information, call 727-0090 or visit www.HallsChophouse.com.

New pizzeria chefs

Gerry Haight, owner of Vespa Pizzeria on Daniel Island has announced the appointments of Todd Mazurek and John Banta as chefs. Mazurek has previously served as executive chef for Wild Olive, Johns Island.

Banta was the executive chef for Rue de Jean, Charleston. Vespa is at 224 Seven Farms Drive. 881-0101, www.vespapizzeria.com.

Quick Bites the dust

It was a short run for Quick Bites at 6 North Market St. I dropped by last week and saw another "sign" of the times: closed. The phone has been disconnected.

World Oriental Kitchen

Lowcountry native Nick Bergelt plans to open eco-friendly World Oriental Kitchen at 349 King St. this month.

The site was the former location of Chopsticks House. This fast-casual eatery will recycle, reuse and repurpose as much as possible. W.O.K. is committed to all-natural and organic along with green and sustainable practices.

Visit them on Facebook.com/betterfoodbetterworld. For information, contact info@wok.com. An opening date has not been established.

Stay tuned

This winter, Little Thai Too morphed into Fused, a Pan-Asian restaurant and sushi bar. It suddenly closed and the spot at 350 King St. looked like a sight from Brigadoon: the place settings in place, napkins folded, a wine bottle on the table. This week it had signage that "Tasty Thai" was coming soon; as was "Test of Thai Too."

The look that cooks

Callie White of Callie's Charleston Biscuits, along with granddaughter Cate, was featured in a Chefwear ad in September's Food Arts Magazine.

Taco Boy brunch

Taco Boy at 217 Huger St. is now serving Sunday brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. On the menu: huevos rancheros, pan Mexicana, blue masa hoecakes along with carafes of Mimosas.

Farmers Market dinners

The Swamp Fox Restaurant and Bar at the Francis Marion Hotel serves a Farmers Market dinner on Saturdays.

Chef Ryan Kacenjar is using local ingredients from the Marion Square Farmers Market prepared in the traditional ways of the South.

The cost is $30 per person. Space is limited. Call 724-8888 for reservations.

Holly Herrick

Former Post and Courier restaurant reviewer Holly Herrick will sign copies of her new book, "The Southern Farmers Market Cookbook" at the Lounge in Tristan restaurant from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday.

Farmers market omelets will be priced half-off, a bottomless Mimosa is available for $9 and free Champagne for grandparents (It's Grandparents Day!)

Tristan is at 55 S. Market St. Click on www.tristandining.com.