By Charlene Arsenault

• An Italian wine dinner: On Thursday, April 17, the legendary Leo's Ristorante at 11 Brackett Court (off Shrewsbury Street) hosts a wine dinner. The menu includes aged provolone piccante and imported sopressata antipasti paired with Michele Chairlo 2006 Gavi, rosemary lamb mignonette with mescaline greens and yogurt dressing paired with Michele Chairlo 2005 Barbera D'Asti, ricotta al Forno manicotti with fresh tomato ragu paired with Michele Chairlo 2004 Barbaresco and veal Saltimbocca paired with Michele Chairlo 2003 Barolo. The dessert of roasted almond tiramisu, petit canola and biscotti is complemented by Michele Chairlo Nivole Moscato D'Asti. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. Call 508-753-9490 for reservations.

• Brick ovens on the corner of Harding: Dino Lorusso, who owns the building at 192 Harding St., says bringing Joe Petrou into the neighborhood is just what is needed. Petrou, who owned Primo's and Union Station: The Restaurant, is putting Roma's Pizzeria Grille where The Blackstone Harvest was (closing abruptly a few months ago). The restaurant, slated to open sometime in May or June, will be like a "mini-Bertucci's," with open brick pizza ovens, open grills and a convection oven. It will also be a BYOB establishment. "We sat down and worked it out," says Lorusso, "and I've had all kinds of offers on that space, from salons to nightlife stuff, and I figured this is the best fit for the neighborhood. When he owned Primo's, I loved his place. I used to eat there all the time. It's going back to what it used to be. I like that format and I think it'll be good for the neighborhood. I think it'll change the corner of Harding Street. I really do. I realize there are improvements that need to happen, but you need to start somewhere."

• One of the Rovezzi restaurants closed, and only one will close: Open for a little less than two years, Rovezzi's Ristorante at 249 Main St. in Rutland recently closed. Bludgeoned by the poor economy — especially the mid-week business — owner and chef Chris Rovezzi decided it was more important to concentrate on his other two locations, in Worcester and Sturbridge. Rovezzi says rumors abound about the other two locations closing, and it is exhausting trying to dispel them. The two Rovezzi's in Worcester and Sturbridge are going strong, and Rovezzi would rather focus on "providing our guests with the fantastic dining experience they deserve."

"It's nothing new," continues Rovezzi, regarding the rumors. "Ronnie's Fried Clams in Auburn had to put a sign out in front of his building stating that he wasn't closing."

There you have it. The Rutland Rovezzi's did close, but the other two are alive and kicking, as yummy and elegant as ever. Check out www.rovezzis.com. You can get plenty of information, including the full menu, there.

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.