Restaurants support No Kid Hungry

There are just two days left to eat at participating restaurants that support No Kid Hungry, the effort of national hunger-relief agency Share Our Strength.

You can find restaurants closest to you at dineout.nokidhungry.org/maps, but I’ll give you a few names: Karma Kafe, Salsarita’s, Bruegger’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Which Wich, Pizza Fusion, Arby’s, Nothing but Noodles, Fuddrucker’s, Papa John’s, Mellow Mushroom, Palm, O’Charley’s, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Genghis Grill, for a start (check the website for specific locations).

Interested in this effort? You can follow @nokidhungry on Twitter and check out the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nokidhungry.

Wine dinners

• D’Vine Wine Cafe does a Frank Family wine dinner Thursday, with Danny Sanford of Fine Wine Trading as guest. Courses include seared quail with creamy polenta and peach-jalapeno jam, with 2010 Napa Chardonnay; and buffalo meatloaf with seared sweetbreads and side-by-side Cabernets: 2010 Napa and 2008 Rutherford Reserve. $79.99; 14815 John J. Delaney Drive; 704-369-5050.

• Zebra creates the challenge Oct. 18 with a five-wine, five-course dinner for $85. Among the selections: plank-roasted salmon with 2007 Giacomo Grimaldi Barolo “Le Coste,” and venison loin with mustard and preserved figs with 2006 Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino “Prime Donna.” 4521 Sharon Road; 704-442-9525.

Food and fun on the westside

The first “Taste of FreeMore” – which FreeMoreWest Partners (a nonprofit promoting Charlotte’s westside) hopes to make an annual event – will be Oct. 6, benefiting itself and Classroom Central.

Area restaurants Savor Cafe, Pinky’s Westside Grill, The Burger Company, Open Kitchen, Dairy Queen and Picante will bring food, selling for $1-$5, and Four Friends and Birdsong breweries will sell beer.

The event – 4-8 p.m. in The Burger Company’s parking lot at Morehead Street and Freedom Drive – will include live music from The Blue Dogs, a large art tent with area artists painting and showcasing work, and face-painting and balloon animals for kids. Folks attending are also encouraged to bring pencils to donate to Classroom Central, or clothes and computer supplies to go to Goodwill.

Admission is free; purchases are cash only. Info: www.freemorewest.com.

New chef at Fern

Vegetarian spot Fern, approaching its one-year anniversary, has a new executive chef, with former sous chef Drew Trepanier replacing opening exec Alyssa Gorelick. Expect a new fall menu in early October from Trepanier; he’s testing things as specials now. Spanish and Asian influences will be noticeable, I hear, including vegan stuffed dates, housemade kimchi and vegan paella.

Gorelick says she’s sticking around Charlotte and looking at opportunities. If you’re trying to find her, try www.ChefAlyssa.com.

Coming up

• The Pizza Peel has a lively late September on tap: Look for its Oktoberfest part 1-6 p.m. Saturday, with live music and the chance to win free pizza for a year.

Then, next Thursday, dress up as Sam Adams (or the lovely Ms. Adams) for a costume contest commemorating Sam Adams’ birthday; there’ll also be a stein hoisting contest and Sam Adams trivia competition. 4422 Colwick Road; 704-714-8808.

• Restaurateur Jim Noble of The King’s Kitchen and Rooster’s will be part of the kickoff of Myers Park United Methodist’s autumn series on hospitality: a supper program Sunday that’s free with a suggested $5 donation for local missions.

Noble will talk, with Rev. James Howell, about “what they’ve learned about welcoming others, and the spiritual dimensions of reaching out to those who are different.” Reservations: 704-376-5520 ext. 5950; the church is at 1501 Queens Road.