by Nikki M. MascaliStaff Writer
ARENA ‘CHARMED’ ABOUT ITS BIRTHDAY
Arena Bar and Grill (380 Coal Street, Wilkes-Barre) will mark its seventh anniversary this Saturday, Dec. 12. To celebrate the special occasion, owners Michael and Nicole Theodore had Baltimore’s Charm City Cakes bakery design a special beer-themed cake.
The bakery is owned by Duff Goldman, the star of Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes.” The show, which premiered in 2006, was one of the network’s first reality series and gives a behind-the-scenes look at the bakery and its employees. The show’s eighth season will begin airing in January.
“We’ve always been fans of the show,” Michael Theodore told Dish Monday.
The cake — which will be more than two feet tall — will be delivered on Saturday and will be on display when doors open at 3 p.m. At press time, the Theodores did not know if Duff would be the Charm City Cakes employee delivering the cake. During the celebration, pieces of the cake will be sold, and monies will be donated to a local charity. There will be a special happy hour from 9-11 p.m.
“We feel this is a big accomplishment because we are a locally owned and operated business, and many of the national chain restaurants in the area have gone out of business,” Michael said of the celebration in a press release. “It shows that special touches like an extensive bar, unique gourmet food and superior service really do make a difference.”
In other Arena news, the restaurant will hold a Holiday Beer Dinner Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. The dinner features five courses and five premium beers. To reserve your spot, call 570.970.8903.
Arena Bar and Grill is open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more info, call 970.8829 or visit www.arenabarandgrill.com.
FOOD ON THE MOVE
Roving food trucks can be found in cities like New York, Los Angeles — and now Scranton, thanks to Da Taco Truck. Run by Jeffrey Diaz, Da Taco Truck made its downtown debut two weeks ago and offers chicken, beef, pulled pork and vegetarian tacos, quesadillas, burritos, Korean short rib tacos and crispy fish tacos. Diaz will soon introduce a falafel taco.
“I wanted to prove you could have gourmet-type food in a truck,” he told Dish.
Like food trucks in big cities, Diaz will use social media sites to announce his daily locations. Follow Da Taco Truck at www.twitter.com/datacotruck or on Facebook.
DRINKS FOR THE SUGAR-PLUM FAIRY
“Cocktails with the Nutcracker,” a fundraiser to preserve Ballet Theatre of Scranton’s annual free gift to the community, will be held Friday, Dec. 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Glenmaura National Golf Club (100 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic). The event will feature wines, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and holiday music. The cost is $40 per person before Dec. 10 or $45 at the door.
Ticket buyers will receive two reserved tickets to a “Nutcracker” performance at Marywood University. The play, which has been performed every year since 1976 for free at the university, will be staged Dec. 26-28 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For tickets and info, contact BTOS at 570.347.BTOS.
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