Special dinners

• Single malt Scotch lovers get a dinner at Blue Nov. 13, with five dishes, cigars at the end and Hendrick Porsche providing a Porsche for a weekend getaway to one winner at evening's end. Among the pairings: warm brined Arctic char with Oban 14 Year Single West Highland Malt; roasted squab with Talisker 10 Year Single Isle of Skye Malt; and roasted venison loin with Lagavulin 16 Year Single Islay Malt. $75; Hearst Tower uptown (corner of College and 5th streets). Reservations required: 704-927-2583.

• Fig Tree presents a five-course wild game menu with Spanish wines Nov. 11. Among the pairings: frog legs en croute with 2005 Jose Pariente Verdejo; and saddle of rabbit with 2006 Dominio de Tares Baltos Mencia. $70; 1601 E. 7th St.; 704-332.3322.

• Revolution Pizza & Ale House hosts a Highland Brewery beer dinner Nov. 15 with owner Oscar Wong present. Beverages include St. Terese's Pale Ale, Oatmeal Porter, Mocha Stout and more. $35; 3228 N. Davidson St.; 704-333-4440.

• Passion8 Bistro hosts a book launch dinner Nov. 18 -- one of several restaurants across the country doing dinners that night -- for "Slow: Life in a Tuscan Town," a book celebrating slow food in Italy. Author Douglas Gayeton will attend the dinner at Chez Panisse (whose legendary chef Alice Waters wrote the book's introduction), while the publisher will join the dinner in the East Hampton's Nick and Toni's. Zagat is supporting the venture, and the cost -- $180 per couple -- includes a copy of the book. 3415 Highway 51 N., Fort Mill; 803-802-7455.

• Bonterra hosts a Gundlach Bundschu dinner and wine pairing Nov. 18, with Jeff Bundschu in attendance. Among the offerings: citrus-marinated scallops with 2007 Estate Vineyard Chardonnay and almond-crusted duck breast with 2005 Rhinefarm Vineyard Mountain Cuvee. $75 (or $140 per couple); 1829 Cleveland Ave.; 704-333-9463.

• D'Vine Wine Cafe hosts an Elyse Vineyards (Napa) dinner Nov. 19, with a large-format bottle to be raffled off. On the menu: braised oxtail with 2006 C'est Si Bon; espresso-dusted barbecue wild boar spare ribs with 2006 Howell Mountain Zinfandel; and more. $74.99; 14815 John J. Delaney Drive; 704-369-5050.