Pork, pride and money

"Zink's All-American Pig Menu" is now offered each Monday night: three courses for $35 at the SouthPark area restaurant, with dishes varying weekly -- and also sold a la carte. Some samples (and Zink is using pork from Morganton's Rock House Farm): creamy potato and bacon soup with braised pork belly salad; confit of pork meatloaf; warm chocolate and bacon lava cake -- and house-cut fries cooked in organically grown pig fat will be offered all day on Mondays. 4310 Sharon Road; 704-909-5500.

Mac’s Speed Shop on South Boulevard won Stone’s “Most Arrogant Bar” 2010 contest by pouring the most of the brewery’s Bastard ales during a week in November – that’s Arrogant, Oaked, Double and Lucky. Stone CEO Greg Koch is scheduled to present a plaque to the restaurant Feb. 17; a celebration with lots of Stone offerings will follow. 2511 South Blvd.; 704-522-6227.

Among new menu items at Blue: pan-seared Hudson Valley foie gras over black pepper and ricotta crepe; pan-seared wild striped bass over toasted walnut spaetzle; and duo of pomegranate-glazed duck. Corner of 5th and College streets; 704-927-2583.

The three Zoë’s Kitchens in Charlotte raised $2,000 for Autism Speaks, Greater Charlotte Chapter in December.