Charleston Restaurant Week

Mark your calendars and make your reservations! Charleston Restaurant Week starts Sept.5 and runs through Sept. 16.

Orchestrated by the Charleston Restaurant Association, Restaurant Week has become an event that has proven to be one of the most highly anticipated culinary events in the area.

Charleston Restaurant Week offers diners prix fixe menus consisting of three items for $20, $30 or $40, depending on the restaurant.

There are more than 125 restaurants participating, the highest number to date.

To find out which restaurants are taking part and to get a glimpse of the menu offerings, check out www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com.

Many restaurants are still working on their menus and may not be available on the site, but be sure to check back often for updates.

The Charleston Restaurant Association encourages diners to make reservations as early as possible. Over the past few installments, many restaurants were booked to capacity before the event started. Not all participating restaurants accept reservations, but many provide access to a reservation link through the association’s website. Diners also can contact the restaurants directly.

Find out all you need to know about Charleston Restaurant Week in the advertising supplement in Thursday’s paper, including a list of participating restaurants, tips on how to make the most out of your experience, answers to frequently asked questions and more.

Farewell to summer

The Tides Hotel and Blu Restaurant and Bar will host their inaugural End of Summer Party 7-11 p.m. Sept. 7.

The Tides and Blu will provide live entertainment complete with a hula fire show direct from Hawaii, live music and fireworks to mark the end of summer. The party begins at 7 p.m. on the deck at Blu Restaurant and Bar with Calvin Taylor performing. Unkle Funkle performs at 9 p.m., with fireworks at 11 p.m.

This oceanfront party is $65 and includes open bar, pig roast, buffet and entertainment.

Room packages are available.

Reservations can be made at www.tidesfollybeach.comor call 588-6464.

Declaring its colors

Mellow Mushroom on King Street is the official local bar of Virginia Tech alumni. An hour before each game, it will host a pregame party, during which 10 percent of sales will go to the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. The alumni association will use those funds to send Lowcountry students to Virginia Tech. Mellow Mushroom is at 309 King St. Call 723-7374.

Salute Trattoria Lucca

Kudos to Trattoria Lucca chef and owner Ken Vedrinski, whose restaurant was selected by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the best Italian restaurants in the United States. Trattoria Lucca is at 41 Bogard St. Call 973-3323.

Flavors of Vietnam

Vietnamese cafe Mi Xao plans to open this week at 1055 Highway 41 at Station 41 in Mount Pleasant. Anh Toan Ho was ready for a planned opening Aug. 29. Designed for takeout, there is a small seating area. On the menu: banh mi, pho bo, goi and bun salads. Call 388-5733 or check out www.facebook.com/mixaocafefor more.

More EVO

EVO bakery and pizzeria is now open on Monday, serving lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and dinner 5-10 p.m. EVO is at 1075 East Montague Ave. in North Charleston. Email info@evopizza.com or call 225-1796.

Reopened

After a short hiatus and a return to previous menu favorites, Iacofano’s chef and owner John Iacofano reopened Aug. 23 at 626 Coleman Blvd. Call 485-3663 or go to www.iacofanos.com.

Local chef featured

Chef Jeremiah Bacon of The Macintosh had his scallop recipe featured in Bon Appetit’s September issue. Check out page 42 for some good eating.

Pal Joey’s

La Fontana opened this summer on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard. Sister property Cuoco Pazzo closed, and then was said to reopen as a pizza place. Now, both properties are closed and Pal Joey’s Martini Bar plans to open in La Fontana’s former location in early September. Pal Joey’s will be at 1035 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. in Mount Pleasant.

Three squares

The Square Onion at 18 Resolute Lane in I’On is now offering a Wednesday night supper program. Call 856-4246 for details.

Mini bar opens

Anna Faenza has opened the Elliotborough Mini Bar in the former Enoteca location at 18 Percy St. It is open 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Call 577-0028.

Closed

Vino Burgerz has closed at 1039 S.C. Highway 41 in Mount Pleasant.

Manicures, martinis

Style Bar has opened at 125 Cannon St. Check out the grand opening Sept. 21 with a special happy hour beginning at 5 p.m. for a whole new way to look at salons. Call 577-7595 or go to tabularasacharleston.comfor more info.

VIP

Tickets to the BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival, scheduled for Feb. 28-March 3, are now available — prior to the public on-sale date Thursday — to food enthusiasts who book hotel packages as part of the Hotel Package Promotion. More than 13 of Charleston’s most highly regarded hotels are offering packages including accommodations and tickets to various festival events, with some adding special touches such as transportation, drink specials and gourmet meals. With a variety of events, locations and price points, there is a package to fit every festival attendee’s needs. Check out charlestonwineandfood.com for details.