Lou’s Grub Shack: For those who could do without the prototypical wisecracking, gum-snapping, short-order waitress, Lou’s Grub Shack has introduced the diner-without-waitresses concept. The new, independently owned Leicester eatery features hot dogs, burgers, subs and fried chicken—all available at the counter. The menu also includes a Greek Corner, with slow-roasted lamb, chicken and beef gyros. Drive-through service is slated to debut soon, although the Shack’s owners are encouraging hungry customers to place their orders in advance “because of the prep time of some of Lou’s grub and the quality that Lou is committed to providing his guests,” says a notice on the restaurant’s Web site. Lou’s Grub Shack, 345 New Leicester Highway, is open Mon.-Sat. from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. To learn more, call 505-3680 or visit lousgrubshack.com.
North Star Diner Closes: North Star Diner, a Weaverville eatery that opened in early 2007, has closed. Customers with gift certificates can redeem them at Early Girl Eatery in Asheville.
Vigné On Hiatus: Vigné, the fine-dining establishment at 125 S. Lexington Ave. in Asheville, closed for a break on Jan. 3. “We’re closing for the winter season,” explains co-owner Guadalupe Chavarria, who cites the state of the economy as a main reason. “We plan on re-opening in the spring, but we’re also searching for investors and considering lease options.” For more information, e-mail guadalupe@studiochavarria.com, and stay tuned to www.vigneculture.com for news about re-opening.
Michael Pollan: He’d probably ask that you find a green way to get there, but food visionary Michael Pollan—who last year urged the incoming president to recast the Department of Agriculture as the Department of Food and to plant crops on the White House lawn—is coming to Atlanta. Pollan, author of In Defense of Food, will be the keynote speaker at the Georgia Organics Conference on March 21 and celebrated guest at a Slow Food Atlanta dinner the previous evening. While the Slow Food event is still being planned, the Georgia Organics Conference schedule is now available at www.georgiaorganics.org.
Earth Fare: Diets don’t work! Or so say many failed resolution-keepers come February. They’ve got the backing of weight-loss expert Laura Margolis, who pronounces diets a failed solution in her popular “undiet” program. Margolis will outline her Slim for Life weight-loss system in two lectures at the South Asheville Earth Fare, 1856 Hendersonville Road, on Jan. 13 and Jan. 27. The lectures start at 6:30 p.m. Call 210-0100 for more information.
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