Chew on This

July 4th toast

Toast your independence today at Caviar & Bananas with sparkling wine from the U.S. The cost of the event, which will be 5:30-7:30 p.m., is $10 and includes light hors d'oeuvres. Caviar & Bananas is at 51 George St.

Feed The Need

This coalition cooks! Charleston area restaurants and chefs continue to donate the food and labor for 400 meals served in coordination with Tricounty Family Ministries, East Cooper Meals On Wheels, Crisis Ministries and Neighborhood House.

Support Feed the Need as a volunteer or by a donation to Crisis Ministries, P.O. Box 20038, Charleston, SC 29413 (write "Charleston Chefs" on the memo line).

Call 577-7327. The upcoming schedule is as follows: July 8, Gullah Cuisine at Crisis Ministries; July 15, Iverson Catering at Tricounty Family Ministries; July 22, Carolina's at Neighborhood House; and July 29, McCrady's at Meals on Wheels.

Circa 1886 sizzles

Circa 1886, on the grounds of the Wentworth Mansion, will put its own spin on Southern summer staples at the fourth annual Sizzling Southern Celebration at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Enjoy a multicourse dinner prepared by executive chef Marc Collins then head to the Mansion's cupola with panoramic views of the city to catch a bird's eye view of Charleston's fireworks display and have a glass of champagne.

The cost is $70 per person, including champagne, but excluding tax, gratuity and additional beverages.

In honor of the July 4th holiday, Circa has a special offer throughout July allowing patrons to enjoy any three courses from Circa 1886's seasonal menu for $42 per person.

Wentworth Mansion is at 149 Wentworth St. Call 853-7828.

Tapping in

Liberty Tap Room and Grill has opened (dare we say finally) in Mount Pleasant. Beer lovers will find 30 beers on tap and seafood fans can chow down at the raw bar.

Open daily from 4 p.m., it is at 1028 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard. Call 971-7777 or visit www.tbonz.com.

OK to SIN

Social Restaurant & Wine Bar, at 188 East Bay St., is hosting SIN, Service Industry Night, 7 p.m.-midnight every Tuesday. The entire menu is half-priced.

Jazz and peas

The Glass Onion restaurant now offers live jazz 6-9 p.m. Wednesday evenings and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays.

The West Ashley restaurant, at 1219 Savannah Highway, showcases Trey Cooper on keys with varying accompaniment. Click www.ilovetheglassonion.com for more information.

Free food for 2009

Sticky Fingers Rib House will be awarding one lucky guest at each of their restaurants free food for the rest of 2009 in their third annual "Feast for Free" promotion.

The contest starts today and runs until 10 p.m. Aug. 16. No purchase is necessary and contestants must be 18 years or more.

The winner will receive his own "Feast for Free" card that entitles him to free food (up to $25 per day) at Sticky Fingers until Dec. 31.

Official rules can be found at www.stickyfingers.com/feastforfree.

That's Sublime

Tamlyn Willard has partnered with Charleston Cookie Company to bring Sublime Pies and its products back into the market place. Back are the pink boxes, green ribbon and the quality products. Back are the Dirty Pies on a Stick! For more, call 762-4185.

Two for one

Chefs Craig Deihl of Cypress Restaurant and Aaron Deal of Tristan will participate in the 2009 Food & Wine Celebration held in Milan, Ohio, with all proceeds to benefit Veggie-U, a not-for-profit organization.

The event takes place 4-9 p.m. July 18. Tickets for the celebration are available for $145 per person They can be reserved by calling 419-499-7500.

For more information, visit www.veggieu.org.

Cravin' n' dreamin'

Crave Kitchen & Cocktails will pair inspired menu creations with California wines in a five-course dinner at 6:30 p.m. July 13 at the restaurant, 1968 Riviera Drive in the Shoppes at Seaside in Mount Pleasant. The wines will be presented by representatives from Southern Wine & Spirits. The cost is $54 plus tax and service charge. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 884-1177.

Taverna hour

Join Samos Taverna for wine tastings 5-7 p.m. Mondays. Tastings will be $5 per person and will feature four wines.

Also enjoy Taverna Hour featuring $3 glasses of house red or white wine, half-price domestic beers, half-price dips and $3 well drinks, along with a featured half-price "Mezethes of the Day."

Samos Taverna is at 819 Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. Call 856-5055.

Tapas, Etc.

Etcetera, the gourmet food shop at 245 Seven Farms Drive on Daniel Island, has added tapas to its menu 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.

All wines and tapas are $6. Call 377-8510.

Thursday toast

A four-course wine dinner with produce from the Daniel Island Farmers Market complete with Prosecco reception will be held during the month of July at Sienna. The reception starts at 6:30 p.m. and the cost is $75 plus tax and gratuity. Sienna is 901 Island Park Drive on Daniel Island. Call 881-8820.

Prix fixe

Sundays through Thursdays, McCrady's will offer a special three-course menu for $35 per person. McCrady's is at 2 Unity Alley. Call 577-0025.

Boathouse lunch

Stop by the oyster bar 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for lunch at the Boathouse at Breach Inlet, between Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island. Call 886-8000 or click www.boathouserestaurants.com.