Allison Ballard

6 days ago | starnewsonline.com | Allison Ballard

Several Wilmington restaurants offer unique dining experiences. These include themed nights, special menus, and extended happy hours. Participating restaurants include Caprice Bistro, manna, Beat Street, Far From France, CAM Café, and South Front Tavern. There are a lot of ways restaurants offer something special to bring people in – lunch specials, oyster deals and happy hour menus. There are a few eateries that have planned unique evenings and menu additions in recent weeks and months.

1 week ago | shelbystar.com | Allison Ballard

Aidyn LoVetro, a Wilmington resident and LongHorn Steakhouse employee, won second place in the restaurant chain's Steak Master Series. The competition, held in Orlando, Florida, involved a written test and a timed grilling challenge. LoVetro took home a $7,500 prize and aims to contribute to the kitchen setup of future LongHorn locations.

2 weeks ago | shelbystar.com | Allison Ballard

Wilmington Brewing Company owners opened Savard Beer & Board, a new brewery concept, downtown. Savard Beer & Board will focus on lighter, lower-alcohol beers and traditional styles like pub ales and German lagers. The new space includes a surfboard shaping studio, a large taproom with seating areas, and uniquely designed restrooms. The owners of the popular Wilmington Brewing Company have launched a new brewery concept, which officially opened June 13 at 121 S. Front St. downtown.

2 weeks ago | shelbystar.com | Allison Ballard

Welcome to the weekly Port City Foodies newsletter brought to you by me, StarNews reporter Allison Ballard. OK. I'll admit that I’m not the best pasta maker. Although Chef David Scott was really trying to help me roll out my ravioli dough to the proper thickness -- or thinness, I should say -- I just couldn’t quite get it. But I’m not mad. Even on the thicker side, the pasta, filling, and quick vodka sauce we made in the class in downtown Wilmington was delicious.

2 weeks ago | shelbystar.com | Allison Ballard

Allison BallardLittle Olive Co. at 242 Princess St. in downtown Wilmington, N.C. offers gourmet olive oils and vinegars and cooking classes. ALLISON BALLARD/STARNEWSJuan Moncada, one of the owners at Little Olive Co. in downtown Wilmington talks to a people attending a cooking class at the shop. ALLISON BALLARD/STARNEWSLittle Olive Co. at 242 Princess St. in downtown Wilmington, N.C. offers gourmet olive oils and vinegars and cooking classes.