Nan and Byron's getting closer

With Marc Jacksina (above, left, from a Twitter feed) coming on as chef de cuisine at the upcoming Nan and Byron's (Jamie Lynch, right, is executive chef, as he is at sibling 5Church), look for a menu soon. Construction at the place should finish mid-September if all goes according to plan, says Alejandro Torio of MAP Management. Nan and Byron's will be an American place in the former Vinnie's in South End at 1714 South Blvd.; you can take a look at some plates being played with on its Facebook page here. Maybe we can have a contest with readers guessing the exact number of square inches tatted on these two ...

Photo by JustinDphotos.com

Maters at Harper's

Harper's restaurants (in Charlotte at Carolina Place and SouthPark) are doing their 14th Annual Tomato Fest for as long as the crop lasts. Locally grown tomatoes go into all sorts of things, from summer tomato bisque with sea salt, basil and cornbread, to parmesan-crusted trout with lemon butter and fresh tomato succotash.

Harper's Steve Seitz said, "Even with the rainy weather this year, which has made it a difficult growing season for farmers, our longstanding relationships with local growers have enabled us to still bring some of the very best tomatoes to our guests... We are proud to serve tomatoes from farms throughout the Carolinas, including Beaverland Farms, Whitaker Farms, Lowland Farms, Simpson’s and WP Rawl and Sons."

Tune in to WFAE Wednesday at 9 a.m.

I and my restaurant writer co-- let's say co-conspirators -- will be chewing the virtual fat with the ever-gracious and garrulous Mike Collins on "Charlotte Talks."

Got something you want us to discuss? Let me know now, and tune into 90.7 FM at 9 a.m. (you can live stream it, comment, email and more here.)

Sunday brunch at Q

Queen City Q now served Sunday brunch, including Burnt Ends and Grits (that's brisket) and pork belly eggs Benedict. The meal is served 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and dishes range from about $5 to $12, at 225 E. 6th St.; 704‐334‐8437.

Wine, beer, all kinds of dinners ... and magic!

"Magic & Wine" (for adults only, I'm told) happens July 28 at ilios noche: wine and appetizers and magic tricks from Chris Hannibal. $60; 11508 Providence Road; 704-814-9882.

Roosters Uptown offers a New Town Farms dinner Aug. 1 for $65. As the farm's Sammy Koenigsberg put it, "We are excited about this dinner because Jimmy Noble's restaurants have been our best customer at New Town Farms consistently for many years... (Roosters downtown) chef Joe Kindred is a particularly zealous supporter of the farms in our area." On the menu: Whynot Farms Berkshire salumi with fried New Town Farms pickles; New Town Farms heirloom tomato gazpacho and carpaccio; Red Bro chicken (a French heritage breed, pasture raised), fig tart and more. 150 N. College St.; 704-370-7667.

Lulu hosts a J. Lohr brunch tasting at noon Aug. 3 for $45, with the Wine Vault. On the menu: chicken liver pate with Bay Mist Riesling; creme brulee French toast with Arroyo Vista Chardonnay; Fogs Reach Pinot Noir; a merguez omelet with South Ridge Syrah, and more. 1911 Central Ave.; resrvations: 704-548-9463.

The Crepe Cellar hosts a beer dinner Aug. 5 for $50, with beers from Allagash, including a bourbon-barrel-aged black and two aged sours. The menu ranges from oysters on the half shell with Allagash Blonde to N.C. striped bass with White, to confit of duck with Golden Brett, and more. 3116 N. Davidson St.; reservations required at 704-910-6543.

B.Y.O.B. at Upstream is Aug. 9 for $55: You bring your own wine and chef Tom Dyrness does a four-course meal. 6902 Phillips Place; reservations required: 704-556-7730.

Capital Grille gets Generous

Through Sept. 1, The Capital Grille offers its Generous Pour wine event: For $25 (and purchase of an entree), you can get pours of any of seven wines. The list: Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc; La Crema Pinot Gris; Freemark Abby Chardonnay; Hartford Court Pinot Noir; Kendall-Jackson Highland Estates Merlot, Taylor Peak; Atalon Cabernet; and Arrowood Syrah, Saralee's Vineyard. All were chosen by the chain's George Miliotes. 201 N. Tryon St., 704-348-1400.

The restaurant will host a drawing for Generous Pour, in which a winner will get one of only 200 Double Magnum (3L) bottles produced and signed by the La Crema Pinot Gris winemaker, Elizabeth Grant-Douglas.

Tupelo Honey: It's official

Tupelo Honey's Elizabeth Sims confirms officially:

The Asheville-based restaurant will open in early December, if things go according to plan, in the former Pewter Rose spot in South End. Coolest detail? They're adding an elevator, so diners won't have to climb those intimidating steps (and those who can't climb will be able to go).

The menu will be the same as the original's, but the decor will aim to be Charlottean, said Sims, marketing director for the business, owned by Steve Frabitore. He bought the restaurant (which opened in 2000) in 2008 and has since opened a second Asheville location (on the south side) and ones in Knoxville (2012), Greenville (S.C., in June) and plans to open in Chattanooga in September.

"We try to take the fun, whimsical essence of our brand into the new market," said Sims. "We want to be a Charlotte Tupelo Honey (and) we are honored to be in (the former Pewter Rose) location."

Details to come. And just so I'm not the only one humming for the rest of the day: This.