Good vino

The "Rising Stars of Spain" from the regions of Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Priorat will be the focus of the Woodland's popular wine program that includes tastings and a pairing dinner to be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Cost is $88 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required. For more information, call 308-2115. The Woodlands Resort and Inn is at 125 Parsons Road in Summerville.

All abuzz

Last week bartenders from The Blind Tiger, The Boathouse, Charleston Crab Shack, High Cotton and Peninsula Grill competed for the creation of a specialty drink to be served today at the post reception for the premiere of "The Secret Life of Bees" at the Harbour Club, 35 Prioleau Street. Tickets to the reception are $50 per person and available through Blue Bicycle Books by calling 722-2666. Space is limited. Proceeds from the reception benefit the "Lowcountry Initiative for the Literary Arts" and its "Poets in the Schools" program. Author Sue Monk Kidd serves on the LILA board.

In the pink

Coco's Cafe is donating $1 for every glass and $2 for every bottle of rose sold during October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The monies will donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation's Race for the Cure. Coco's is at 863 Houston Northcutt Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. Call 881-4949 or visit www.komenlowcountry.org.

Now open

--Jimmy John's Sandwich Shop, at 51 George Street, is now serving subs.

--Fused, in the space of the former Little Thai Too, 350 King Street is serving up Asian fusion along with classic Thai curries, soups, and satays. It even has a cocktail lounge. Enjoy its $7 lunch express menu. Call 723-4990 for more info.

--Papa Grill in the former Papa Zuzu's space at 370 King Street is open for business.

Sunday suppers

--Trattoria Lucca, chef Ken Vedrinski's much-anticipated Charleston location, will be serving Sunday suppers with communal seatings at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. A four-course set menu will be served and the cost is $34 per person. Tuscan-inspired and traditionally prepared, Sunday suppers are a way of life in Italian families. For reservations, call 973-3323. Trattoria Lucca is at 41 Bogard Street.

--Chef Brett McKee celebrates his mother's cooking and recipes with Sunday Suppers beginning Nov. 2. Each meal will include an appetizer, dinner entree and dessert for $30. Oak is at 17 Broad Street with expansion into 15 Broad Street coming this winter. For more information call 722-4220.

Raw and 'Savory'

Savory Catering has joined forces with Sushi by Rhett so you can get some maki with your macaroni. Located at 1956 Maybank Highway on James Island, the sushi bar is open 3-11 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, serving sushi and Asian-inspired tapas. Call 762-3338.

Just hired

--Christy Loftin, the former president of the National Association of Catering Executives and former associate director of private events at Charleston Place, has been named director of private events for McCrady's. McCrady's is at 2 Unity Alley. Call 577-0025 for more info.

--Chef Sara Carter joins the Library Restaurant at Vendue as head chef. The Library is at 19 Vendue Range. For information, call 577-7970.

Just promoted

Chef Jim Walker, former sous chef at the Old Village Post House, has been promoted to chef de cuisine. Also promoted was Kristyn Schebil, from group dining and events coordinator to the assistant manager. The Old Village Post House is at 101 Pitt Street in Mount Pleasant. Call 388-8935.

Pizza, please

--Now serving pizza at Nathan's/ Bistro 61 are Chefs Mike Evans and Mike Collazo. "Pizza On The Porch" will be available until 9 p.m. weekdays and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant is at 2004 Ashley River Road. Call 556-3354 for more info.

--You can order D'Alessandro's Pizza online. The restaurant is at 229 St. Philip Street. Call 853-6337 or visit the Web site, www.229pies.com.

Happy birthday!

Ted's Butcherblock celebrates another year in the Lowcountry with its "Third Anniversary Block Party" from noon-6 p.m. Oct. 25. Live music, beer on tap, wine tastings, a Big Green Egg raffle and a slow-cooked Upstate Farmer's Alliance whole hog. Cost is $20 and includes a plate of food and a mug of beer. A portion of proceeds from raffles will be donated to Crisis Ministries. Ted's is at 334 East Bay Street. For information, go to www.tedsbutcherblock.com or call 577-0094.

Calling all stars

Sharpen your knives, polish your copper and whisk your way to the Arts Institute of Charleston for open casting calls for season five of its "Next Food Network Star."

The chance to get discovered will be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 23. Download an application at www.foodnetwork.com and bring a completed form to the event. Check in with the front desk upon arrival. The school is at 24 North Market Street.

More room

Hold a private meeting over breakfast, lunch or dinner at Laura Alberts Tasteful Options in its new Wando Room. The restaurant is at 891 Island Park Dr. on Daniel Island. To reserve a date or for more information, call 881-4711 or visit www.lauraalberts.com.

On the horizon

Ben Sawyer Boulevard will soon perk with a java jolt. Primal Fuel, an espresso bar and art gallery, is under construction. A fall opening is planned.

Apply now

Join the BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival as a vendor in the vendor village. Applications are available at www.charlestonfoodandwine.com. For more information, contact Randi Weinstein at 727-9998, ext. 3 or e-mail randi@charlestonfoodandwine.com.