Wine dinners at The Fig Tree in Elizabeth are among the best in town. Kristen Wile/UP

Q: My girlfriend told me I could pick any wine dinner I wanted to attend as a Valentine’s Day gift. Any suggestions?
UP: Yes, I’ve gotten this as a gift as well — and it’s a great one! My favorite wine dinners are at The Fig Tree. Because of the caliber of their wine program, the restaurant brings in some really cool guests. Sign up for the restaurant’s newsletter for updates on what’s happening when, because the dinners sell out quickly. Corkbuzz is another great option if you’re looking for something more educational; their classes are really informative (and fun). We’ve got a wine selector on our calendar, so keep an eye on that!

Q: I’m looking to go pescatarian in 2020. What are some restaurants that are seafood-focused but still healthy? 
UP: Good for you! I have plenty of recommendations. First, Sea Level NC in Uptown does a fantastic job with healthy but flavorful seafood options. The grilled trout at both N.C. Red and The Goodyear House are extremely well done if you’re looking for something more casual. I’d also recommend Haymaker; executive chef William Dissen is active in advocating for sustainable seafood, and always has a creative, local seafood dish on the menu.

Q: What’s the best place to determine whether a restaurant is going to be open due to snow?
UP: I’ve found that most restaurants use the social media platform they are most active on — either Instagram or Facebook — to announce they’ll be closing for the night. Of course, calling ahead is generally the way to go, but if you’re at work and trying to find out which restaurants are open on the sly, social media is the way to go.

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