By Charlene Arsenault

• Everyone's thinking cabbage: Despite the recent recall/cruelty video that got lots of people rethinking their beef intake, it's hard not to think of the fatty slab of salty goodness that practically defines St. Patrick's Day for many. Add in some onions, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, brown bread and a big frosty glass of Guinness, and that corned beef dinner may just be the best of the year (perhaps second only to Thanksgiving?). Not only do most restaurants offer a nice version of the meal (O'Connor's, The Irish Times, and Greendale's among them), but every corner bar and private organization offers it up on St. Patrick's Day weekend — paper plates or not. Here are a few we know about: SAC Park in Shrewsbury puts out a yummy spread on Friday, March 14. It's corned beef and all the trimmings as part of a dance that features Elliot Lockwood. Starts at 6 p.m. and the dancing costs $8. Call 508-757-3948. The Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre is a hub of Irish activity, and on Saturday, March 15, it hosts a dinner dance with music by Irish Ceili (and yes, the corned beef dinner, too). Likewise, the Mary, Queen of the Rosary Church in Spencer hosts a traditional dinner with Sounds by Rich playing tunes. That one is $17 and runs 6-11 p.m. Call 508-885-2522. 86 Winter American Bistro is offering a $15 corned beef and cabbage dinner from 6-9 p.m. on the 17th. And Art's Diner offers corned beef and cabbage dinners and sandwiches on the 17th throughout the day.

• Learn to make more than mac and cheese: On Sunday, March 16, J's Restaurant in Bolton runs a Sunday Brunch Cooking Series, which is described as an "intense half-hour of dramatic and delicious sights, smells and tastes, as you watch a live demonstration of sophisticated cooking techniques and unusual tips made simple by one of our accomplished chefs." Taste the dish, and then enjoy the buffet, as well as taste wines and tour the winery (with a complementary Nashoba Winery glass). It's 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 978-779-9816. It fills up fast, and so do the cooking classes by Paula McCarthy at Zia Grill at Scano's. Her next cooking workshop features "How to Make a Delicious Spring Brunch." This BYOB class takes place from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, April 7, at Zia, 352 Shrewsbury St. Call 508-363-3477 and costs $50, which includes McCarthy's engaging commentary.

Wine tastings? New chef? New menu items? Breakout of salmonella in your favorite restaurant? Opening a new place? Expanding? Eat something good? Eat something bad? Did your mom win a pie recipe contest? If it's directly or indirectly related to food and drink, we want to hear about it. Direct any and all of your juicy foodish news and tidbits to Charlene at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 508-749-3166, ext. 245.