Chefs plant 'Seeds of Hope' with harvest dinner

James Beard-award winning chef Sean Brock and chef friends will host "Planting the Seeds of Hope" dinner June 13 at McCrady's Restaurant.

The event starts at 5 p.m. with a jazz reception; a five-course dinner starts at 6 p.m. in the Long Room. The cost is $150.

The creme de la creme of Charleston's finest chefs join Brock for this special evening made exceptional as the chefs are partnered with local farmers.

--Frank Lee, Slightly North of Broad, with Mark Marhefka, Abundant Seafood.

--Jacques Larson, Wild Olive, with Pete Ambrose, Ambrose Farm.

--Mike Lata, FIG, with Celeste Albers, Green Grocer.

--Sean Brock, McCrady's, with Marcia Baldwin, Our Local Foods.

--Ken Vedrinski, Trattoria Lucca, with David Belanger, Clammer Dave's Sustainable Gourmet.

To reserve, call 789-1760 or visit www.rsfh.com/seedsofhope. All proceeds benefit the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center. McCrady's is at 2 Unity Alley.

'Dine Right Dinner'

An exam you can eat!

Chef Nathan Thurston, with the Ocean Room at The Sanctuary, administers the final exam to his graduating chefs at Arts Institute Charleston. It's also a dinner to benefit the Lowcountry Foodbank.

The June 10 event begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner service at 6 p.m.

The $75 price includes cocktails, dinner paired with special beers and dessert.

For tickets, contact the Lowcountry Foodbank at 747-8146, ext. 105.

The Art Institute of Charleston is at 24 North Market St. The dining room is on the third floor.

Les Dames' tag sale

The Charleston chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier, an international philanthropic society of women in food, beverage and hospitality, will host the annual Culinary Tag Sale and Raffle to benefit their scholarship fund for women.

Just imagine the culinary cast a-ways from Nathalie Dupree, chef Celia Cerasoli, formerly of Celia's Restaurant, and the queens of biscuits, Callie and Carrie of Callie's Biscuits!

The sale, which runs from 9 a.m.-noon at The Real Estate Gallery at 214 King St. will feature culinary finds, vintage cookbooks, linens and raffle tickets ($5) for local items and gift certificates.

Highlights include a vintage fondue set, a green enamel escargot set and a global library of cookbooks. Sweet treats and beverages are available for purchase.

This event is free and open to the public. No tickets required. Cash only.

Hail the ale

Palmetto Ale House is open at 951 Folly Road, serving lunch and dinner.

Craft beers' kids menu, outside seating and daily specials: $5.99 at lunch and $8.99 at dinner.

Visit www.palmettoalehouse.com or call 277-2410.

Dimmed

Shine Restaurant at Line and King streets has closed. Negotiations are in the works for new ownership.

Much depends on licenses.

Drazen Romic, part owner of the popular Mediterranean restaurant Lana, is in negotiations with Shine's owners.

Asian persuasions

--Fuji Sushi Bar and Grill is offering an all-you-care-to-eat-and-drink dinner for $75 on the last Saturday of every month beginning at 8 p.m. There is a restriction on bottled wine and sake. Reserve on-line at www.fujisushibarandgrill.com or call 856-5798. Fuji is at 644 Q Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant

--Pho Bac is offering a similar program on the last Wednesday of every month. The cost is $25 and includes either one drink of beer or wine and a sampling of their complete menu for three hours. Pho-Bac is at 1035 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., 884-4227, www.pho-bac.com.

Tap house on Coleman

Coleman Public House opened May 24 at 427 W. Coleman Blvd, Mount Pleasant. They are serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

Hours are 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Brunch is 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 416-8833 or visit www.colemanpublichouse.com.

Bring on the boats

Muddy's Dock Bar, at Vickery's Bar and Grill on Shem Creek, is now open on the weekends beginning at 4 p.m. Fridays.

Drive your boat to the dock and enjoy cold beer, a full bar menu and a round of Cornhole.

Vickery's is at 1313 Shrimp Boat Lane, Mount Pleasant. 884-4440, www.vickerys.com.

Follow the sun

17 North Roadside Kitchen is now offering a "sunset dinner special" that includes three courses for $20 at 4-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

The garden patio is now open and live music celebrates the sweet summertime 6-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. 17 North is at 3563 U.S. Highway 17, Mount Pleasant. 606-2144.

Craving value?

Crave Kitchen and Cocktails at 1968 Riviera Beach Dr., Mount Pleasant, is now offering dinner for two for $52 Monday-Wednesday.

Three courses plus a restaurant selected bottle of wine. To reserve, call 881-1177 or visit www.cravemtp.com. Dinner is offered 5-10 p.m. daily.

A taste of two cities

Rivers Deli bills itself as a classic New York Deli. It opened May 17 at 1190 Clements Ferry Rd.

They are open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; and closed Sunday.

Owners are Donny and Joseph Frazzitta. Visit www.riversdeli.com.

Bested by a dog!

The Food Network's new show "The Best I Ever Ate" featured the Cosmic Dog at Jack's Cosmic Dog as the best Alton Brown "ever ate in the fried category."

Jack's second location at 1531 Folly Road is still a work in progress. Its opening is delayed. Tweet says: technical difficulties. Stay twoooned.

The original Jack's holds down the dogs at 2805 U.S. Highway 17, Mount Pleasant.

Lucy at Seabrook

Red Sky Grill has returned to its roots. Lucy Budzyna has re-opened this Seabrook Island classic grill at 1001 Landfall Way.

The grill serves dinner Monday-Saturday from 5:30-9 p.m. The bar opens at 4:30 p.m. They are in the Village Center. 768-8118.

Manny's fast casual

Manny's Mediterranean Cafe has opened at 3032 W. Montague Ave., North Charleston. Line up at 11 a.m. June 10 and the first 50 patrons receive free gyros.

Sugar high

Pastry chef Amanee Nierouz has just released her summer dessert menu for Tristan Restaurant.

House-made sorbets, lemongrass-based ginger ale, milk chocolate parfaits and blueberry shortcake with a Bavarian cream are just a few of the sweet endings on the menu for you at Tristan.

Tristan is at 55 South Market. Call 534-2155.

Prosecco at Peninsula

The Peninsula Grill welcomes Spoleto in high spirits with its 2010 signature Spoleto cocktail: Il Spoletano.

Think Lowcountry Bellini! The cocktail is available May 28-June 13.

The grill will open at 5 p.m. during the Festival. Reserve at 723-0700 or visit www.peninsulagrill.com.

Peninsula Grill is at 112 North Market.

SNOB goes to dogs

Slightly North of Broad is supporting the Charleston Animal Society by donating $2 for every "Tail Wagger" cocktail served until June 19.

Do your part for man's best friend and raise a glass of cheer at SNOB, 192 East Bay, 723-3424.

Lunch is served Monday-Friday, dinner nightly. www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com.

Milk Bone garnish, anyone?