Block & Grinder on Providence

Block & Grinder is open, with Jed Kampe (former owner of New York Butcher Shoppe on Selwyn) and chef Kent Graham offering both a menu and butcher shop goods at 2935 Providence Road. Among the dinner offerings now (the menu is slated to change seasonally): smoked Berkshire ribs with Cheerwine barbecue sauce and pickled slaw; butter-poached rack of Carolina rabbit with loin and leg roulade; seared magret (that’s the breast of a Moulard duck) with parsnip bread pudding; and more. Large plates run $14-$25; charcuterie and cheeses go for $7 or three for $19 (and range from a Molisana salame to Berkshire prosciutto to chicken liver pate with bourbon and fig compote). There also are burgers (ground in-house) and “anti burgers” (lentil patty with roasted garlic aioli). 704-364-2100; www.blockandgrinder.com.

Easter fare

• Passion8’s Easter brunch will be 11 a.m.-3 p.m. March 31: Three courses for $38 (kids 8 and younger free). 803-802-7455; 3415 S.C. 51 North, Fort Mill, S.C.

•  The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge offers:

Easter Tea: In the main lobby 1-5 p.m. March 28-30, with savories and sweets and your choice of looseleaf tea. $32 for adults and $16 for children 4-12. Reservations: 704-248-4100.

Easter brunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., including salads, decorative displays, seasonal entrées, breakfast fare, carving station and desserts, plus live entertainment (including the Bunny at 11:30 a.m. and 1 and 2:30 p.m. $65 per person, $32 for children 5-12, free for ages 4 and younger. Reservations required: 704-248-4100 or online at www.gallery-restaurant.com. 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway; 704-248-4000.

•  Fleming’s will offer a three-course Easter brunch menu. 210 E. Trade St.; 704-333-4266.

Champagne for a good cause

Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend’s kickoff April 20 has added a new event: a Champagne tasting with Laurent-Perrier, beginning at 11 a.m. at Bonterra (1829 Cleveland Ave.). The tasting will include Champagne Laurent-Perrier Brut Vintage 2002, Cuvee Rose Brut, Grand Siecle Multi-Vintage and other rare vintages. Wine expert Camille Cox hosts, and tickets are $75 at www.charlottewineandfood.org.

That night, 6:30-11 p.m. at Founders Hall, is MOTOWN@UPTOWN: wine, food by Aria, live and silent auctions and dancing to live music. Tickets are still available at $125 (party and parking) and $75 for those 21-35 (party only); the $500 and $250 categories have sold out; tickets are sold online.

The Weekend, an every-other-year event that’s raised more than $4 million in its history, benefits this year the Council for Children’s Rights; Pat’s Place Family Advocacy Program; and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina Backpack Project for Kids.

Coming up

• The last “Chill Chaser Evening” of the season will be March 22 at The Duke Mansion: 5:30-7 p.m., there’s a cash bar (credit cards OK) and snacks from the mansion’s chef, Harrison Booth. Reservations are requested: 704-714-4445 or kellis@tlwf.org. 400 Hermitage Road in Myers Park.

•  Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint, now open at Overstreet Mall, plans five new locations throughout Charlotte. The Atlanta-based chain lets you choose crust (white, wheat, gluten-free), sauce (six choices), cheeses (seven, including vegan) and toppings from a list of 47. 101 S. Tryon St.; www.unclemaddios.com.