Wine classes, garden parties, old standards departing and newcomers arriving are part of the early summer restaurant news as we head into summer.

Bristol wine class studies Napa vineyards

Brush up on your California wine knowledge with a three week class presented by Bristol Bar & Grille’s  Corporate Wine and Beverage Director Scott Harper, who is a Master Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator.

Harper will lecture on Napa Valley viniculture, one of America’s finest wine regions, and lead informative tasting sessions. The course, which will cost $125 or $225 per couple before June 8, and $135 per person or $235 per couple after that date, will be held at the Downtown Bristol Bar & Grille, 614 W. Main St. Participants must be at least 21.

Bistro 1860 Garden Party schedule

Chef Michael Crouch and the Bistro 1860 crew will offer summer garden parties on the patio of the restaurant each month from June through September. The food will be prepared on smokers and an outside grill for maximum opportunity for mingling. The parties start with a cocktail and tasting hour at 6:30 pm. The multiple course dinner will be served at 7:30 pm. Each garden party will have live music, entertainment and special giveaways.

The three summer parties and their themes will be June 4 – Foods in Season Patio Soiree $85; July 2 – Great American Summer BBQ $85; and August 6 – Honolulu Oceans Spectacular, price to be determined.

For more information, call (502) 618-1745 or email info@bistro1860.com.

Spring Pizza Party at 610 Magnolia

Saturday, May 29, at 6:30 p.m., 610 Magnolia will host the first of the season’s monthly pizza parties in the Wine Studio, across the street from the restaurant.  Look for pies made from hand–tossed dough topped with seasonal ingredients and house cured meats, and baked in a wood fired oven.  Both traditional and “creative” pies will be among the choices, along with Italian style appetizers and small plates.  Selected wines and beers will be in addition to the $35 prices of the family-style pizza dinner. Reservations strongly urged. Call (502) 636-0783.

So long, Highlands Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen at 1250 Bardstown Road, in front of  Mid City Mall, has abruptly closed. For almost 20 years it has been providing summer-long Blizzard relief, but now those in need have only two other locations, 3221 Poplar Level Rd and 2058 Portland Ave. No reason for the closing is immediately forthcoming, nor any clues as yet about what that location might become in the future.

Hello Bazos, Mid-City Mall

Bazo’s Fresh Mexican Grill, fast casual purveyor of burritos, tacos, quesadillas and other American-style Mexican food has opened a fourth outlet at 1250 Bardstown Rd. on the Baxter Ave. side of Mid-City Mall, next to Baxter Ave. cinemas. The location at the corner of the mall’s central corridor had been a City Cafe for many years, and then has stood empty for about two years before finally finding new life as a Bazo’s.