News and notes

• Firenze (6414 Rea Road) hosts a wine dinner June 2 matching indigenous varietals to chef Gabriele Grigolon's fare. On the menu: tuna carpaccio with Villa Sparina Cortese Brut; slow-roasted veal porchetta with 2007 Velenosi, Lacrima di Morro; and more. $39; 704-544-4949.

• Longitude 81 (971 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill) plans a Lowcountry picnic June 6; the restaurant plans these for the first Saturday of each month in the summer. The all-you-can-eat menu includes boiled shrimp, snow crab legs, smoked babyback ribs, cornmeal-crusted baby catfish, fried chicken, peach crisp and more. Live music and drink specials will also be on hand. 803-802-9981.

• Coming up at Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge (10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway), with all reservations at 704-248-4100: A Rutherford County farm dinner with Childress Vineyards on June 18 for $75; Father's Day brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. June 21, a buffet with seafood displays, omelet station, carving stations and more; $48.95 ($25.95 for 7-12, $7.95 for 3-6, free for younger than 3); and a special four-course Father's Day dinner with choices including Vidalia onion soup; Lowcountry shrimp; peppercorn strip steak, softshell crab and more for $49.