Jackson Free Press

I have great memories of Capitol Street when it was lined with restaurants, shops and hotels, people bustling on the sidewalks, cars cruising the thoroughfare. One of those restaurants was Primos, next door to the then First National Bank building. I remember eating my first veal cutlet there while on a ninth-grade art class field trip, to the best of my knowledge seated in an upstairs dining area sort of like a balcony. Tres chic to my young, impressionable mind.

Nowadays, Primos is out on Lakeland Drive and is still impressive with its food and its décor, including the retro neon sign above the circular metal awning over the entrance way, double doors each with its own round window. The café opens for breakfast Monday through Friday, 6:30-10 a.m., with Early Bird Special, a breakfast wrap, sides, pancakes and pastries. Breakfast Saturday is 6:30-10:30 a.m. Closing weeknights is 9 p.m., 9:30 Fri. and Sat. For lunch every day of the week there's a couple of hot plate specials plus a choice of sides. I'm especially partial to the chicken pot pie on Wednesdays. An addition to the evening menu Thurs.-Sat. night is your choice of grilled fish served with sautéed shrimp and a selection of sides. The fish is redfish, catfish, snapper or blackfish and is seasoned, floured, then grilled with blackened seasonings and plated with the shrimp in a butter cream sauce. Take the short drive to Primos Café and Bake Shop, 2323 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-936-3398. And for special occasions, be sure to order one of their caramel cakes.

Highland Village is well-known for hosting tempting food events that benefit good causes. The latest one is Santé South on April 23 and it's a bit different. Oh, there'll be food for sure—from a dozen restaurants. But it's a wine-tasting event, complete with the wares of 17 wineries. Reaping the benefits is the McClean Fletcher Grief Support Center of Mississippi, a branch of Hospice Ministries. Come out from 6:30-9 p.m. to taste the wine, all the while enjoying live music from the Barry Leach Jazz Trio. You'll be doing a world of good for the center that serves as a support group for children, ages 4-18, and family members who've lost a loved one. Tickets are on sale at Bravo!, Julep or Kat's Wine Cellar.

Bravo! Italian Restaurant and Bar, Highland Village, 601-982-8111, is hosting an event for wine-lovers, too. Reservations are being taken for Bravo!'s first Springtime Brunch in Highland Village's covered atrium, downstairs from Bravo! Call the restaurant for a list of the winemakers. There'll be a Southern-style brunch from chefs Dan Blumenthal and Louis LaRose at 12:30 p.m.

W. C. Don's, 216 South State St., 601-969-6962, has gone to the dogs, but in this case, that's a good thing. Their Quick Lunch Specials come from Don's Dog House. Serving up New York-style hot dogs ranging in price from $2.25 to $3.75, along with ice cold beer and cocktails as well as specialty desserts, Don's Dog House aims to please. You've got your Grilled Nathan's Famous Beef Hot Dog, your grilled quarter-pound Best Kosher Dog, your smoked and grilled bratwurst, and your smoked and grilled all-beef sausage.

Plus you can dress your dog with chili; cheese; onions; sweet, dill and hot dog relish; kraut; mustard; mayo; cole slaw and/or jalapeno peppers. Sides include chips and potato salad. Haven't got time to leave the office? They'll deliver.