Restaurant News for May 1

Join local chef for Dinner with Friends

Laura Wilson of La Dolce Vita in Roanoke (Laura writes a column for The News-Sentinel) is hosting a Dinner with Friends starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday at her restaurant, at 139 N. Main St., Roanoke.

On the menu: salad with pear and bleu cheese; hot, crusty baguettes; brown and wild rice; chicken Marbella; frozen lemon pie; and iced tea, lemonade and decaf coffee. Wine and beer will be sold by the glass and bottle.

“Chicken Marbella is the famous Silver Palate recipe, which is a sort of Spanish dish incorporating olives, bay leaves, capers, prunes and wine, along with other great spices. You will love it as thousands of people all over the world do,” Wilson says.

Cost: $33. Your check or credit card is your reservation. Call or email Laura at 341-4300 or Iswim36@aol.com.

Smoothie cafe

Pine Ridge Racquet and Fitness Club has opened City Blends Smoothie Cafe at its location at 12124 Lima Road. Members will be allowed to place smoothies on their house accounts.

Higher Grounds reopens

Higher Grounds coffee shop has reopened in a new downtown location inside the ground floor of the STAR Financial building, 127 W. Berry St. Scott Thrasher Herndon opened the store in a tiny, 300-square-foot space, but there are tables and chairs in the lobby for those who may want to enjoy their purchase there.

In addition to Higher Grounds' signature drinks the new location sells Bagel Station bagels, yogurt parfaits and quiche, and Deli 620 sandwiches. Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

To read the rest of Cindy's column, click here.