A taste of California in Charlotte

Napa on Providence opened to the public this week in the former Providence Café spot, with a menu that includes grilled swordfish with pasta faglioli sauce; bucatini with pomodoro sauce; poulet rouge (half a roasted heritage breed chicken) with root vegetables and horseradish pan gravy; grilled hanger steak; dry-rubbed trio of Berkshire pork; and more.

Entrees run about $17-$24 (and there’s a burger for $9), and first plates at dinner range from pizzas and grilled or raw shellfish to mozzarella-stuffed meatballs and miso-glazed pork belly.

The wine list highlights northern California, including 20 by the glass. Designer Mimi Sabates did the interior, which includes booths with granite tabletops, Carolina hemlock tables and a bar, community tables and host stand built by NoDa’s Zac Sessions, according to co-owner Jeffrey Conway.

Look for lunch beginning Dec. 3 and brunch starting mid-December. Chef James Cannon worked on developing the menu, and will continue; Robert Fox and Eric Litaker are sous chefs. 110 Perrin Place; 704-900-8535; www.napaonprovidence.com.

Coming up

• The Pizza Peel hosts a New Belgium beer dinner Dec. 6 for $35. Among the courses: roasted butternut and Biere De Garde soup (with Biere De Garde) and oven-roasted game hen with Fat Tire. Interested in just the beer? You can pay $15 for a tasting ticket. 4422 Colwick Road; 704-714-8808.

• The Wine Vault and Pewter Rose offer the third annual Peasant Rhone wine dinner Dec. 9.

Among the courses: shaved asparagus and fennel with fried goat cheese croquettes and L’Oustal Blanc Naick 10 Blanc; housemade duck confit and goat cheese ravioli with 2010 Ferrand Cote Du Rhone Antique Vielles Vignes; braised chuck shoulder over white bean ragout with 2010 J.L. Tribouley “Les Bacs” Vielles Vignes; and more. $60; 704-548-9463; 1820 South Blvd.

Holiday doings

• AZN at Piedmont Town Center will offer a Toys for Tots special menu 7:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 4, available when you bring one new, unwrapped toy: It’s a three-for-$30 menu with choices including spicy calamari, Hawaiian ahi poke, caramelized salmon, walnut shrimp and more. 980-819-9189.

Also coming up at AZN: Christmas Eve dinner, with both its regular menu (3-9 p.m.) and a course menu with choices of starter, entree and dessert for $40-$60, depending on entree choice. Options include Cantonese roasted duck, sushi platter, Chilean sea bass and more.

And for New Year’s Eve, an a la carte menu will be offered (including starters, entrees, sushi rolls and sashimi and nigiri sushi), plus a three-course menu for $45-$70.

• N.C. Dance Theatre hosts its second annual Nutcracker Tea at the Omni Charlotte uptown Dec. 16: Tea, holiday cookie decorating for children, the chance to meet members of the dance company’s Nutcracker cast for photos and autographs, and a reading of the Nutcracker story by Clara.

The menu for kids: turkey and cheese sandwiches, grilled cheese tea sandwiches, fruit kabobs, hot cocoa and more. For adults: cucumber tea sandwiches, Waldorf chicken salad on mini croissants, scones, chocolate-covered strawberries, fruit tartlets, tea and more. 4:30-6 p.m.; $60 for adults, $30 for children; the Omni is at 132 E. Trade St. Buy tickets online at ncdance.org/NutcrackerTea.

• Zebra will offer New Year’s Eve dinner (with wine deals for the 5-6 p.m. seating only). Among the menu choices: walnut-roasted quail with glazed rutabaga mash; lobster, shrimp and crab cocktail; N.C. trout Francaise; griddled Moulard duck breast; Grand Marnier souffle; warm chocolate cake with caramel ice cream; and lots more. $74; 704-442-9525; 4521 Sharon Road.