Updated: New uptown spot

Chef Jamie Lynch will be at the kitchen helm of 5Church, slated to open in spring at the corner of Church and 5th streets (in the former Molly MacPherson's), with a New American menu. N.C. foodstuffs will figure prominently in what's being described as "an eclectic blend of multicultural flavors" and the lineup will include housemade breads, pastas and cheeses. Other press-release descriptions: The interior is a "tongue and cheek (sic) interpretation of a neo-Victorian décor”; expect lunch, dinner and weekend brunch that are "casual, yet refined."

Lynch, most recently at Barrington's in Charlotte, has worked at Le Cirque, Café Boulud and Aureole, and plans here, according to a press release, "to develop New American-style seasonal menus that reflect the purity of local products and to advocate proper techniques of food preparation in a respectful manner.”

Champagne dinner

The Wine Vault has scheduled "National Champagne Lover Come Out of the Closet Day" Feb. 12 at Aria's upstairs lounge, uptown at . $25 for tastes (with explanations) of Duval-Leroy Brut NV (that means non-vintage); Duval-Leroy Rose NV; Duval-Leroy Cuvee Paris NV; Duval-Leroy Clos des Bouveries 2004; Duval-Leroy 1995 Femme de Champagne; and Duval-Leroy 2000 Femme de Champagne. Aria will also offer three courses for $30 that evening. 100 N. Tryon St.; 704-548-9463.

Puck honored

Wolfgang Puck was named today as recipient of the 2012 James Beard Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award. Puck has won a number of awards from the Foundation, a national group that seeks to promote the culinary arts and whose awards are what some dub the Oscars of the food world, yearly honoring chefs, restaurateurs, cookbook writers, wine professionals and more.

Puck, slated to open a restaurant at Phillips Place this year, will get the award in May at Lincoln Center in New York. He cooked the first guest-chef dinner at the James Beard House, in 1987, and is the only person to win Outstanding Chef twice, said Beard president Susan Ungaro: "Wolfgang has not only demonstrated to the industry his incredible talent but he has helped shape the industry by revolutionizing how American chefs think about food. What sets Wolfgang apart, however, is that his creativity takes him beyond our industry’s walls. As a former Humanitarian Award recipient, he has shown that the culinary industry can improve the lives of others and benefit society as a whole."

He is a native of Austria and got famous with Spago in Hollywood, which opened in 1982. He's got 20 fine dining restaurants currently, plus "multiple" casual places; 5 million of his fresh and frozen pizzas sell each year, and Campbell's sells 26 varieties of Wolfgang Puck soup. There's cookware, too ... (Photo from Access Hollywood.)

Four Diamonds

Bonterra, Zebra and McNinch House received Four Diamond awards from AAA Carolinas this week. Each has won multiple times: This is Bonterra's eighth award, Zebra's ninth and McNinch's 15th. Of 58,000 inspections each year nationally, 3.4 percent result in this rating, according to Dave Parsons of the organization.

Links of the week

McDonald's has dropped "pink slime," perhaps in part because of chef Jamie Oliver's protests (but maybe not), says the Huffington Post here.

The Daily Mail, meanwhile, illuminates us on the British teen who collapsed after (she says) eating nothing but chicken nuggets -- for 15 YEARS.
(MSNBC explains a little about salt and reducing it in a related story here.)

Wow. I might need a glass of wine after that. You, too? Learn a few vocabulary words to be more impressive while imbibing, here.

Bits and crumbs

This Sunday (Jan. 29) is the 12th annual Soup on Sunday benefitting Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region. Soups from area restaurants, pottery from area potters, all offered 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Central Piedmont Community College, 425 N. Kings Drive (at the corner of Kings and 7th.) General admission (food and drinks) is $30 ($10 for kids 7-12, free for 6 and younger); "soup lover's special" is $40 and you get a handmade pottery bowl as well. Details and tickets: hpccr.org. You can also buy them at the door or by phone at 704-335-4312.

Global will add a Jan. 31-Feb. 4 run to its Restaurant Week three-for-$30 deal.

Bonterra, Zebra and McNinch House received Four Diamond awards from AAA Carolinas this week. Each has won multiple times: This is Bonterra's eighth award, Zebra's ninth and McNinch's 15th. Of 58,000 inspections each year nationally, 3.4 percent result in this rating, according to Dave Parsons of the organization.

But do you REALLY want to show your love?

The Ritz-Carlton uptown's 14-Carat Chocolate Package should do. You get:

* Five-course, all-dessert Champagne and chocolate dinner for two, including pairings such as Chocolate Pistachio and Raspberry Macaron with Moët & Chandon Nectar Rosé Imperial.

* Two nights in The Ritz-Carlton Suite, which has "floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of Charlotte."

* A private dessert cooking class for two at Bar Cocoa’s Cocoa Lab Kitchen.

* A Le Vian 14K White Gold and Chocolate Diamond Pendant Necklace.

* A Montblanc Chocolate Brown Bohème Fountain Pen.

* Weekend brunch for two at Bar Cocoa.

* The Honey Detox and Chocolate Truffle Body Treatment and Massage for two at the hotel's spa.

* A dedicated private car and driver throughout your stay.

* Limousine service to and from the hotel and a local address or to and from the hotel to the Charlotte airport.

The price tag is $14,000 -- and yes, that includes tax and tip. Interested? You can get "personalized reservations assistance" (I should think so) from the hotel's Ashley Branch at 704-549-4735. Note: You do need to call seven days in advance.