Now open: New Lulu, VBGB

Lulu on the Greenway is now open, in a little kiosk amid the walking/biking paved path that wends its way from Freedom Park to the Metropolitan at midtown. (Actual street address: 650 S. Kings Drive.) Serving daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., it offers an array of sandwiches, salads, ice cream and beverages (nonalcoholic, that is). Among the offerings: bagel with coffee for $3.50, Greek salad for $6, pan bagnat (tuna in oil with sliced egg, olives and Nicoise dressing on French roll) for $6.50, quiche for $7 and more. Plans call for the menu to grow over time.

VBGB Beer Hall and Garden is open at the N.C. Music Factory, and owners Tom and Kara Taddeo are also the proud holders of the famous JFG Coffee sign from uptown's skyline; they put it on the roof, and there will be a "lighting of the sign" party April 30. Look for 30 or so craft beers and a frost rail: That's a frozen section of bar you keep your stein on for continued cool drinking. On special on lighting night will be N.C. beers and grilled chicken wings with Dinosaur sauce. The regular menu ranges from imported-from-New-York hot dogs to kabobs to sides such as potato latkes. You can check out the menu here. 920 Hamilton St.; 704-333-4111.