Chew on This

Today

--Jasmine Porch on Kiawah Island is hosting a beach-side beer dinner featuring Stone Beer. The cost is $69 per person and begins at 6 p.m. Jasmine Porch is at 1 Sanctuary Dr. on Kiawah Island. For reservations, call 768-6253.

--Ted's "Gluttonous Craft Beer Dinner" takes place at 7 p.m. The cost is $30 per person. Reservations can be made at ted@tedsbutcherblock.com or by calling 577-0094. Ted's Butcherblock is at 334 East Bay Street.

--Caviar & Bananas pops the corks or twists the tops on the Wines of the Pacific Northwest, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The featured wines are selected from Oregon and Washington state. Appetizers are served with the tastings and the cost is $10. Caviar & Bananas is at 51 George Street.

On the menu

--Neil Jordan's Steaks, Seafood, Dessert Bar is now serving brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant is at 1121 Oakland Market Road in The Market at Oakland in Mount Pleasant. For more info, call 388-7827.

--Cuoco Pazzo is now serving lunch. The trattoria at 1035 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard in Mount Pleasant will now serve 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Rebuilding

Robert Barber, the owner of Bowen's Island restaurant, has plans to rebuild his historic restaurant (destroyed by fire in October 2006) over the ruins of the original structure. His goal is a gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Program and to be open in time for next oyster season.

Going up

The Boathouse at Ellis Creek destroyed by fire in March of this year will sport an improved view for its guests as reconstruction will require a raised foundation. For the diners, all the better to enjoy the marsh; for Carolina Crew, the opportunity to go green and seek LEED certification. Plans are for an August reopening.

Hot dog!

The Dixie Dog Diner has opened inside the Charles Towne General Store. It serves breakfast and lunch, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

On the menu: Neeses country sausage, biscuits and gravy, sugar-cured ham, pulled-pork barbecue with both Memphis and North Carolina sauces and New England split top hot dog buns. It is at 3669 Savannah Hwy.

After sunset

Morgan Hurley, the mix master at BLU Restaurant and Beach Bar at Folly Beach has captured first place in Grey Goose's recent cocktail contest. The Three Goose Excuse blends GG Citron with fruit juices that produce the colors of a South Carolina sunset. BLU is at 1 Center Street.

Gluten free

Getting the gluten off the ingredient list is something that is showing up on the menus at Crave Kitchen and Cocktails, Fat Hen, Fish and Oak Steakhouse. For anyone dealing with celiac sprue or any gluten-intolerance digestive issues, this is culinary gold for them.

Making whoopie

The Charleston Cookie Company has continued the expansion of its cookie line and has added a Whoopie Pie Cookie.

Reopened

Blend, at 170 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, has reopened its gourmet-deli operations with adjusted (read: lower) prices and hours. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Friday; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Coming soon

Mount Pleasant residents can get their gelato fix with the opening (soon) of Turtle Tracks Gelato and Coffee. It will be at 1165 Oakland Market Road in The Market at Oakland.

Fired up

Daniel Island residents will have a source for "authentic" Neapolitan pizza at Orlando's Brick Oven Pizza on Seven Farms Road. Orlando's will also be offering gelato and specialty Italian desserts.

Growlers

Growler aficionados will enjoy the recently installed six-tap growler stations at Laura Alberts Tasteful Options on Daniel Island.