Oct. 8

Oct. 8, for a Thursday, sure is jam-packed for diners:

• Taste of the World (go here for details) traverses east Charlotte, and diners get to sample various ethnic dishes.

• Mez offers a "first annual" oyster roast, with oyster buckets, shrimp boil, gumbo, chicken sandwiches and live music. At the EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., 704-971-2400.

• Blue and Left Hand Brewery do a beef and food pairing for Oktoberfest; Hearst Plaza uptown; 704-927-2583.

• Morton's uptown features Second Harvest as its partner during its week of Philanthropy (RAIN is tonight), with $25 of the $75 dinner going to the charity. 704-333-2602; 227 W. Trade St.