Gruet at the Grille—Gruet Steakhouse and Wine Bar is just nine months old, but the success of the upscale steakhouse has prompted business partners Frank Marcello, Laurent Gruet and Farid Himeur to expand the Gruet brand to yet another restaurant. The Gruet Grille opened a few days ago in the old Café Bodega building (4243 Montgomery NE), which now boasts an oyster bar and several other renovations. The bistro-style menu pairs fresh fish and high-end comfort foods with an extensive collection of wines. For the time being, lunch is available from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., with dinner service from 5 to 10 p.m. Call 888-7004 for reservations—and let us know what you think!
The Dish
Help Save the Children with “RobeksBands”—Robeks, purveyors of smoothies and healthy snacks in the Montgomery Plaza shopping center (4411 San Mateo NE), is teaming up with the Save the Children Nutritional and Physical Activity Initiative to assist low-income children. When you buy a $1 “RobeksBand” bracelet, 25 cents will go to fund programs for child obesity prevention and also the development of community-based strategies to increase physical activity and address nutritional concerns. For more information, contact Larry Garcia at Robeks at 881-0688.
The Dish
Full Bowls, Full Hearts—Project Share continues to feed Albuquerque's homeless with their annual “Full Hearts Filling Empty Bowls” fundraising event. $15 bucks gets you an original, locally-crafted pottery bowl plus all-you-can-slurp soup from a slew of participating restaurants. Live entertainment is provided by Chris Dracup and Tommy Elskes, Hillary Smith with Dimi DiSanti, and traditional Native American dancers. That's on Sunday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (12th Street NW, just north of I-40).
The Dish
Your Favorite is Fu Yuang—Despite a heavy concentration of “PF Chains” in the running, Fu Yuang Korean & Chinese Restaurant was just voted your “Favorite Asian” in the15th Annual ARCA's People's Choice Awards. Other local winners include Vic's Daily Café (Favorite Breakfast Spot), Mario's Pizza & Ristorante (Favorite Italian Restaurant), Sadie's Dining Room (Favorite New Mexican Restaurant), The Rancher's Club of New Mexico (Favorite Fine Dining Restaurant) and Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro (Favorite Restaurant Wine List). Cheers!
If you've got news for “The Dish,” e-mail food@alibi.com, call 346-0660 ext. 260 or fax 256-9651. We'll give out free tickets to Laff's Comedy Club for the juciets tidbits.
