Newsbites (18)

While casino gambling is still up for debate, you have another chance at a jackpot downtown. Every day this month, a quarter of the diners who make a dinner reservation at One Walnut will be randomly chosen to receive a gratis meal (not including wine, tax and tip). Even if you don't get it on the house, dining from chef-owner Marlin Kaplan's new spring menu will make you a winner. We like those odds. Call (216) 575-1111.

The new North Union Farmers Market opens May 7 at Crocker Park in Westlake. Fresh local produce, artisan breads and pastries and works by artists and craftspeople will be on sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. On May 14, the Market will celebrate the season with a maypole dance by Cleveland City Dance. The Market will be open every Saturday through Oct. 29, rain or shine.

This month's wine dinner at Classics features Il Poggione from Montalcino, Italy. The May 18 dinner is $150 per person. Call (216) 707-4157.

Corleone's Ristorante and Bar hosts a benefit wine tasting May 11 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. featuring the wines of Castello Banfi. Proceeds will fund Cornerstone of Hope, an organization based in Independence that provides support and education to grieving families. Call (216) 741-0220.

Look for Mantua's Blazin' Bills to fire up its grills again this month, a little over a year after it blazed a little too much, putting it out of business until repairs could be made. The restaurant will serve up its famous ribs and other family fare seven days a week.

Also opening in May should be John Palmer's Bistro 44 in Concord, boasting a 40-seat, partially enclosed patio. The venture is a spinoff for Michelle and John Palmer DeJoy, who just transformed their upscale Chardon eatery, John Palmer's, into the more casual Johnny D's Italian Kitchen & Bar.

Alberto Vega, previously a chef at Tonight Tonight, has opened Mateo's California Cocina, serving an eclectic Latin American menu, in Akron's former Globe Café Russian restaurant at 1375 N. Portage Path.

The Waterhouse, a seafood-focused restaurant, is slated to open early this summer at 728 Prospect Ave. in the Gateway neighborhood. An upstairs bar, private dining facilities and a lounge are scheduled for completion later this year as phase two.

Teamz Restaurant and Bar may be open by press time in the former Amazon Trail at 6611 Eastland Road in Middleburg Heights.

Raise a mint julep at Great Lakes Brewing Co.'s Kentucky Derby party, May 7 in the GLBC tasting room at 2701 Carroll Ave. Cost is $50 and proceeds benefit the Near West Food & Family Service Center.

Diners now have a free wireless Internet connection available at Pickwick & Frolic on East Fourth downtown.

A happy 25th to Don's Pomeroy House in Strongsville (the Alanson Pomeroy "Homestead" mansion in which it's housed celebrated its 150th birthday back in 1997).

The Juniper Grille downtown now offers swing dancing every Tuesday night with boogie tunes by The Madison Crawl kicking off at 7 p.m.

Openings

Blazin' Bills, 12891 Main Market Road, Mantua, (440) 834-1111; Trader Joe's, 175 Market St., Crocker Park, Westlake, (440) 250-1592; Vue Restaurant and Lounge, First & Main, Hudson, (330) 650-1883; Winking Lizard Tavern, 32045 Detroit Road, Avon, (440) 937-7612

Closings

Tribeca Cafe, 8564 E. Washington St., Bainbridge