Free food, discounted food and more

• All Applebee's (and there are about 2,000 of them) plan to honor U.S. veterans and active-duty military with a free meal Nov. 11: Just bring proof of current or former U.S. military service and you'll get a free entrée from a special menu, and it's offered from lunchtime through dinner (but dine-in only). See www.applebees.com/vetsday for details.

• Uno Chicago Grill offers a free entrée or individual pizza with the purchase of another to all members of the military that day. Arrive in uniform, or bring a photo of yourself in uniform or a military or veteran's ID. Charlotte's Uno is at 401 S. Tryon St.; 704-373-0085.

• Sole celebrates its seventh birthday with $7 dinner entrees before 7 p.m. Sunday-Thursday throughout November. 1608 East Blvd.; 704-343-9890.

• Cosmos Café also is celebrating -- it's been uptown for 12 years now, and is offering a three-course $12 menu and $12 bottles of wine Nov. 9-14 at both its uptown site (300 N. College St.) and Ballantyne one (8420 Rea Road). Among the dishes are sea scallops with red pepper sauce; chicken paillard with garlic mashed potatoes; grilled marinated flank steak and more.
  

• Mert's Heart and Soul now offers a birthday club program, with a free entrée of salmon cakes or barbecue to members on their birthdays. To join, go here. 214 N. College St.