EATS

After hearing from a couple of readers who had called to make reservations for the Chef's Room at the Mansion Restaurant and were told it wasn't currently open, I emailed PR manager Erika Gonzalez. She confirmed that, indeed, the Chef's Room has "paused service" and will resume after Labor Day weekend. (That pic to the left even makes the space look more suitable to cozy autumn and winter, doesn't it?) I assume that goes for the extravaganza Chef's Table experience as well.

The main dining room -- as well as the swanky Mansion bar -- continues operation in full swing. Summer menu offerings include a starter of pounded big eye tuna and foie gras torchon dressed with extra virgin olive oil; leek and curry infused baby turbot with lime orzotto, green apple and Madras curry nage; and pan-seared filet mignon with Burgundy snails, Roquefort blue cheese and yukon gold potato puree. (Apologies to RW goers: I'm throwing out dishes that are not on that special menu.)

In 1998, when Stone Savage situated his wine shop in the unlikely location at the crook of Harry Hines downtown where it angles into Akard, his motto was "100 wines for under $12 in 300 square feet." Despite the off-off-off retail spot, Stoney developed a following for his well chosen, inexpensive wines.

Several years ago, Stoney moved "uptown" so to speak, with a nook next to The Grape on Greenville, where he expanded his collection, the horizons of his customers and the store's name to Stoney's Fine Wines and Market.

But now, with the economy putting the squeeze on everyone, he's getting back to his bargain roots. Stoney's new motto: "Big-box wine savings in a congenial, small-box atmosphere."

He's added a new selection of wines in the $5 to $15 range that now makes up about half his stock. He's singling out value wines again, such as Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Australian Shiraz for $10.99 ("Bright and jazzy," he says on his Web site, "brimming with dark fruit flavors."). Also wines like Lindauer, a spiffy, evergreen sparkler from New Zealand, for $9.99.

If you haven't been by lately, check him out. And at this location, 2804 Greenville, there's no problem with parking.

If you prefer your latte iced on these hot afternoons, you'll love this:

Starting today, Starbucks' morning customers will be offered any iced grande beverage for $2 after 2 p.m. To get the afternoon discount, customers must present the receipt from their morning Starbucks visit.

The offer's good through Sept. 2. See the Associated Press story on the jump.

A local lawyer of our acquaintance reports to her journalist hubby that the Boston Market at Preston Center (Preston and Northwest Highway) is now offering "gourmet" cupcakes.

"No doubt," her ink-stained spouse snarks, "this stems from being just up the block from Sprinkles. Has anyone ever used the words 'gourmet' and 'Boston Market' in the same sentence before?"

Heh heh. But apparently this is not simply a Sprinkles-related local phenomenon. Boston Market recently rolled out its new cupcakes nationwide, in two flavors: "Death By Chocolate" and "Neapolitan." (For the record, each is just under 3 ounces, with 320 calories and 14 total fat grams.)

Have any Eatsians sampled these cupcakes yet? So far, the most detailed description I have seen on the web is from Ms. Ultraviolet, a blogger in Orange County, Calif., who says she liked the frosting better than the cupcake itself. For her take, read on:

(Boston Market chocolate cupcake photo by Paula Light)

If you're collecting them, you already know that 7 p.m. Aug. 13 is the time the Flying Saucer will trot out the latest in its annual parade of Elvis glasses. If you're not already a collector, you could be the first on your block to start a set. Either way, get there early because we're told these puppies fly out the door. Flying Saucer is at 14999 Montfort.