Kids finding hangout in Aggie's

Parents come, too, for an after-school treat

You'll often find 8-year-old Caty Tripodi at Aggie's Ice Cream and Grill with her mother after school.

Brazilian steakhouse coming to uptown

Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., plans to open its fifth location, in late July or August, at 139 S. Tryon St. It's based on Brazil's barbecue concept called a churrascaria, in which various meats are grilled and presented sequentially to diners on sword-like skewers by "gauchos" who circulate the dining room, the chain has Brazilian ownership (and its name is pronounced "shee-mah"). Expect an upscale look and prices -- prices for here aren't confirmed, but a meal of meats...

These meals can help you stay in good with Mom

Didn't figure out Mother's Day far in advance? You might get lucky at these:

Chef to try for record-sized risotto at festival

Festa Italiana 2008 kicks off at 1 p.m. Sunday at Camden Grandview, 309 E. Morehead St.

Encounter the delightful food of Peru

Charlotte has 2 good places to sample its vibrant entrées, sides

Anticuchos is a snappy-sounding word for something simple: grilled, skewered bits of meat sold as street food in Peru and mostly as appetizers in Peruvian restaurants in this country.

Festival can still squeeze you in, but move quickly

Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend, which comes around every other year and brings in winemakers from all over to show off their wares and raise money for local causes, hits town Wednesday.

Cantina 1511 chef to share recipe Thursday

To get a jump on Cinco de Mayo (celebrating an 1862 battle victory and Mexican heritage in general), Cantina 1511 (1511 East Blvd.) hosts a complimentary sampling from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Cantina's chef will demonstrate how to make the restaurant's signature Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche Acapulco-Style, with tastes, and a new drink -- the Viva Mexico Avocado Cocktail -- will be unveiled. 704-331-9222.

Beloved cafeteria in Pineville shuts its doors for good

Diane Wright was confused when she arrived at the J&K Cafeteria in Pineville and found the normally packed parking lot empty. She noticed movers carting out furniture from the restaurant's dining room. One man stopped and confirmed her fear that her beloved J&K had just closed for good, Wright says.

It's a good local joint gone wild!

Zada Jane oozes color -- maybe a bit too much

It takes guts to be idiosyncratic in the restaurant business, and Zada Jane's, from its name to its offerings to its Web site, has guts galore.

Cosmos creates a $34.95 burger

Yes, Charlotte's had Kobe burgers for some time, but welcome the first burger of more outrageous magnitude: The Kintaro Burger at Cosmos Café (300 N. College St.).