Q: When are Spaghett and Makeki opening?
Tom: We’ve been asking that for weeks. The only thing Sam Hart is saying about his two upcoming concepts is “soon.” We do know that final touches and city inspections are actively continuing on both the Poplar Street and Latta Arcade properties, so we expect we’ll see the doors opening on the two new restaurants, pardon the expression, “soon.”

Q:  Where are the best deals to have some good bar food during happy hour?
Tom: Your timing is great for this question! Fahrenheit just launched a “$5 at 5 Bar Bites” menu available at the bar, lounge, and patio only, 5-6:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, and all day Sunday. Items include truffle fries, vegetable croquettes, and Japanese chicken karaage. Also Uptown, Dogwood Southern Table and Bar inside the Westin Hotel has a very nice abbreviated “In Between and After” menu, which includes baked pimento cheese and a hot roast beef sandwich, as well as its long-popular bacon jam (a holdover from the original SouthPark location). Other good options include Bulla Gastrobar in SouthPark, 5-7 p.m., every day, and Folia in South End, all day. Also, don’t overlook our daily food specials guide listing for good deals all week long.

Q:  When is the next UP dinner?
Tom: Funny you should ask! We are currently in the process of revamping our chef dinner series; still some details to work out. We can tell you that our popular Meat & Potatoes dinner will make a triumphant return in September.

Have a question for us? Email us at editor@unpretentiouspalate.com and we’ll answer it on our next Concierge Thursday!