Small Bites

The Wine Studio Of Asheville: Wine educator Jess Gualano (pictured), who was profiled in these pages earlier this year, has opened her own retail space on Charlotte Street. Gualano's stocking the store with a wide selection of sustainable wines, as well as conventionally produced vino, and offering local meats and cheeses for pairing. But, she adds, "We're also a place for tastings and classes." The studio includes an instructional area with a high-tech screen on which Gualano can display maps of wine regions and other illustrations. The studio, at 169 Charlotte St., is open Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sun., noon-5 p.m. For more information, call 255-5955.

Nothing &Quot;Crummy&Quot; About It; A Correction: Our review of Chai Pani restaurant in the Nov. 25 issue contained a regrettable transcription error. Here's how we quoted co-owner Meherwan Irani: "Food is supposed to be very textured, which people forget when they eat crummy North Indian food." What Irani in fact said was "creamy" North Indian food — not "crummy." We apologize for the mistake.

United Way Fundraisers: The United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is giving diners the chance to indulge in two holiday traditions at once: Customers who patronize the Moose Café, Fatz Café or Texas Roadhouse can give back while feasting. The Moose Café has already begun selling poinsettias to benefit the nonprofit; plants will be available through Dec. 24. Fatz Café will host a $7 all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast this Saturday, Dec. 12, from 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m., and Texas Roadhouse is donating 10 percent of its lunch and dinner sales on Thursday, Dec. 17, to the agency. There's just one catch: Roadhouse diners must present an event flier. To download a flier, or learn more about any of the three events, visit www.unitedwayabc.org.

The Blackbird: The early bird gets the worm, but the "early blackbird" gets champagne, according to a New Year's Eve promo offered by the Black Mountain eatery. The Blackbird is offering a prix fixe dinner available from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. For more information about the menu, or to make reservations, call 669-5556.

Organic Growers School: Reinforcing the notion that there's nothing meek about organic farmers, the Organic Growers School is introducing a new program this year designed to stimulate lively conversation. In addition to its full array of workshops, a trade show, silent auction and children's day camp, the two-day conference this year will include a slate of evening "salons" at downtown businesses, each one devoted to discussion of "controversial or hot topics in the organic and local food movement," organizer Meredith McKissick writes. Businesses interested in hosting a salon on Mar. 6 — the first day of the annual event — are invited to contact McKissick at meredith@organicgrowersschool.org.

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