By Charlene Arselault

Charles and Stacey Luster (right) greet guests at the Crescent Cafe's grand re-opening.

• This classic Crescent is full of Luster: On Tuesday, March 18, The Crescent Café at 69 Canterbury St. had its grand re-opening. A community landmark for more than 50 years, it was a banquet function facility that sat in a neighborhood that had seen better times. Charles and Stacey Luster had faith in the historic venue, and are restoring the building — and welcoming a new and improved lounge and bar. The Crescent Café will feature Soul Food Sundays, which not only features gospel music, but also a menu of fried chicken, barbecued ribs, baked macaroni and cheese, corn bread and the café's coconut cake. They also just received a liquor license two weeks ago, and offer a full bar.

"We fell in love with the property as soon as we saw it," says Stacey. "There was a space we can renovate for our barbershop; the residential units are huge, with original woodwork and fabulous craftsmanship. We knew that families would love the property and we could make it accessible to low- income families through Section 8 subsidies. The Café was a bonus. The 40-ish crowd has complained for a long time that they had no place to go to hang out with ‘grown folks' and listen to music they love and meet old and new friends. The area is ripe for growth and rejuvenation and we are proud to have the privilege to participate."

Current hours for the Crescent Café are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 6 p.m. to 2 p.m. The second Sunday of each month features gospel music and the fourth Sunday features jazz. Stay tuned for reggae this summer. Reservations are strongly encouraged for Soul Food Sundays. Call 508-612-2264.

Blast from the past: Search "Desert Rain — Peace Frog" on youtube.com to catch a performance at the Crescent in 1994.

• Always a good combo: Check out pieces from the Allure Galleria of Fine Arts and Apple Tree Arts while tasting wines from the Cirrus' Wine Cellar. The event, taking place at the Wine Cellar on Grafton Common, happens Friday, March 28, and also features hors d'oeuvres by the Grafton Inn. 5-8 p.m. Call 508-887-9463.

• Awwww ... it's their first batch. How cute! The Honest Town Brewery in Southbridge is debuting its first batch of brew, called Padraig Red, on Saturday, March 22. Drop in between noon and 5 p.m. to discover this and other brews. It's at Cannery Hall, 12 Crane St. in Southbridge. Lots going on down there. Check it out at www.12crane.com.

• If you don't want to deal with cooking: Cyprian Keyes in Boylston is putting on a huge Easter spread that includes fresh pastries, bagels, roasted pear and pecan salad, French toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, chicken Francaise with lemon wine sauce, baked Icelandic haddock with crab stuffing, prime rib, mac and cheese, beans, rice, a sundae bar and much more. This brunch costs $29.95 for adults, $24.95 for seniors, $14.95 for children 10 and under and kids under five are free. Seating takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday. Visit www.cypriankeyes.com for more information.

Wine tastings? New chef? New menu items? 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.