Driving is a terrible, terrible idea. But if you're lucky enough to live in walking distance, check out one of these open restaurants. (Details are subject to change, so call before you make the trek.)

* Common Market is open until midnight.

• Common Market Facebook

* Solstice Tavern just posted this on its Facebook page: "Hey all you snowmen and snow angels! Post a pic of you in the snow wearing a T-shirt and shorts and receive half-off any entree or app all day TODAY! Make sure to bring your phone to show your server."

* Dolce Vita will be open 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

* Nan & Byron's and 5Church will be open for dinner tonight at 5 p.m.

* Angry Ale's will open at noon.

If you're one of Charlotte's many transplanted New Yorkers and have been aching for a taste of home, come out on Feb. 12 for the opening of the region's first Brooklyn Water Bagel franchise store at 15105 John J Delaney Drive. This company claims to produce the most authentic Brooklyn-style bagels in the nation.

We shall see.

The secret, as the catchphrase states, is "it's all about the water!" Brooklyn Water Bagel's hook is that it uses a special process to "Brooklynize" the water used in all products - bagels, baked goods and coffee are all made with this special formula water.

What makes the water special, you ask? I had the same question. The company's website is a little vague on that point, saying only that regular tap water is filtered down to laboratory-grade H20 and then infused with "those unique elements found only in New York water."

I get the impression that Brooklyn Water Bagels strives to be as mysterious as possible. Hey, it's working, at least in my case. I'm so curious that I will gladly go out of my way to see what the hype is about. Judging from the menu offering everything from gourmet bagels to breakfast sandwiches to melts and muffins, I'll at least get a decent meal out of it.

The company's marketing strategy seems to be paying off, judging from its rapid growth. The first store was opened by Brooklyn-born Steven Fassberg in Florida in 2009, but Brooklyn Water Bagel now has seventeen locations in six states. If the public at large is anything like me, this may be due in part to their signature Iced Coffee Cubsta - iced coffee in which the ice cubes are made of coffee. I'm salivating as I type.

The Year of the Horse makes its gallant entrance this Friday, signifying the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year or, the year 4712 on the Chinese calendar. In Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of nobility, class, speed and perseverance. To ensure ultimate prosperity and good fortune, make your way to Soul Gastrolounge (1500 Central Ave.) for a special menu celebrating the noble horse. Not to worry, no horse meat on the menu - only the signature fusion of flavor from Soul's executive chef Jason Pound and nightly specials that you've come to expect.

J-Pound is dropping Asian-inspired dishes, like crispy pig ears with Chinese sausage, scallion rice and pickled pac choi along with braised rabbit stuffed wontons in a rabbit broth. For a Kung Fu kick to the skull, order the Dynasty cocktail made with Chivas and gunpowder green tea syrup. DJ Paul Margiotis is spinning records to prosper your ears for the evening.

• Natrice Bullard

In no random order, here are the chefs you voted to compete in Creative Loafing's second annual Iron Fork, happening Wednesday, March 19 at Silver Hammer Studios:

Troy Gagliardo
WCCB News Rising

Luca Annunziata
Passion8 Bistro

Aaron Rivera
The Chrome Toaster

Alyssa Gorelick
Chef Alyssa's Kitchen

These four chefs will compete against the defending Iron Fork champion, chef Geoff Bragg.

Tickets go on sale the first week of February. Stay tuned.

Heist Brewery recently rolled out a brand-new menu of twisted eats to the public last week, featuring 38 new items from executive chef Rob Masone. Since its opening in August 2012, Heist has hung its hat on Masone's personal philosophy to "Stay true to the foundations but break every rule possible on the way to the plate... or lack thereof." This is the fountain that sprung things like wasabi cotton candy and kurobuta pork belly corn dogs.

Masone's new menu still follows this mantra, although he makes a point to say that Heist is trying to be more conscious of supporting local producers and working with well-sourced product. Masone spouted off his new creations to a room full of hungry media types. We all got acquainted with the word "ridiculous" as he used this word to describe more than a few of his dishes.

• Justin Driscoll

Some of the standouts included an inventive brussels sprouts presentation dubbed "Farm to Bubble" (pictured above). Guests are presented with a cylindrical container reminiscent of a terrarium filled with brussels sprouts two ways, beer braised and fried served with roasted apples and pears, Asian vinaigrette and micro beets. Chef called the beer braised brussels a "Hoppy Meal." Guests were instructed to shake their little plastic bubble to distribute the dressing, pop the top and eat.

Pizza, pint lovers and Plaza Midwood residents beware: The Pizza Peel opens its second location today at 5 p.m. at the corner of Central Avenue and Thomas Street. The have North Carolina beers on draft for $3.

• The Pizza Peel Facebook

• Courtesy of Lunahzon Photography

The third concept from the Moffett Restaurant Group opened last Monday inside the historic Reynolds-Gourmajenko House off Providence Road. Stagioni is veteran chef Bruce Moffett's take on Italian fare, featuring a seasonally driven menu of small plates, wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, Italian specialties and craft cocktails. I'm looking forward to the porchetta dish, wild boar ragu and the brussels sprouts pizza with pancetta, parsnip puree and pecorino cheese. Also, prosecco on tap. What?!

At the helm of Stagioni (which means "seasons" in Italian), is executive chef Larry Schreiber, who moved from his position as executive sous chef at Moffett's second concept, Good Food on Montford, to assume the lead position.

Besides a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, the restaurant has a rich and storied history. The deceased lady of the house, Blanche Reynolds, is said to wander the premises. Stagioni honors Mrs. Reynolds with a stunning photography display from her son's wedding at the mansion in 1943 that spans nine canvasses and 30 feet.

Stagioni is located at 715 Providence Road and is open Monday through Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Closed Sunday. Call 704-372-8110 for reservations or visit www.stagioniclt.com for more information.

A place known for thrill rides, explosions and excitement, Universal Studios announced on Thursday that it's bringing Charlotte-based Cowfish to its University CityWalk next year.

It'll probably be a good fit. Many of us know Cowfish for its own kind of explosions - the flavorful kind found in its burgushi.

Check out this video of co-founders Alan Springate and Marcus Hall chatting with the folks at the Orlando Sentinel.

(Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Cowfish is located in SouthPark and opened a second location in Raleigh earlier this year.

Are you tired of cleaning up your kitchen post-holiday cooking? Is the entertaining honeymoon over? Maybe you're not in the mood to field drunken daggers from passive-aggressive family members, or you just plain don't feel like cooking?

Whatever the reason, Charlotte has plenty of tables with open seats and incredible spreads to satisfy your appetite for Thanksgiving Day comfort. Here's a sampling of Thanksgiving dinners to join if cooking is off the menu this year.

The Liberty
This is the third year for the Thanksgiving prix fixe meal at the Liberty, which will feature three courses for $29.95 per person. Selections include an adventurous take on "Bacon and Eggs" with maple and orange glazed pork belly, brioche french toast, farm egg, apple butter and a sorghum-fig glaze. Choose from Bell & Evans heritage turkey, slow-roasted prime rib, Duroc pork and wild Scottish salmon for the entree course and finish with one of four dessert options. The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 704-332-8830 for reservations. The Liberty is located at 1812 South Blvd.

The Peculiar Rabbit
The Peculiar Rabbit is covering all bases on Thanksgiving Day beginning with brunch and followed by the mid-day menu chock-full of burgers and bar bites. A special Thanksgiving dinner will be served all day as the "Blue Plate Special" featuring your choice of sweet tea brined turkey or root beer basted spiral ham and an assortment of comforting sides including corn pudding, orange-scented sweet potatoes, cider-braised greens, herb-roasted winter vegetables and more. The Thanksgiving plate is $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children. Brunch is served 11 a.m.-3 p.m., mid-day menu begins at 3 p.m. and Thanksgiving dinner is served all day from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Call 704-333-9197 to make a reservation. The Peculiar Rabbit is located at 1212 Pecan Ave.

A local blogger and her baker blogger friends are helping to raise money for the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines that killed thousands by hosting an auction of baked goods and other items.

Genius idea.

Head over to The Chic Life, helmed by blogger Diana, and bid on Oatmeal Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Chocolate Dipped Caramel Biscotti, Banana Nutella Bread, Pumpkin Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies and more. You've got till 9 p.m. tonight to place your bid.