Basil’s Restaurant and Pizzeria, 1675 E. Fire Tower Road, is offering some new chef’s features, according to owner Jeremy Spengeman.

The specials include homemade chicken gumbo, Thai Chicken Skewers, Western Chicken Salad, Spicy Cajun Sausage Hoagie, Basil’s Stir Fry and Cajun Sausage Pizza.
Spengeman said he’s working on a new menu, which will be completed in late February or early March. The menu will include some popular chef’s features such as tuna tacos and improved half-pound Infused Burgers. If you’d like to see one of your past favorites on the menu, or have new menu item suggestions, e-mail Spengeman at Jeremy@itsbasils.com.
Call 353-5800 or visit the Web site www.itsbasils.com.
Here’s more of what’s going on in local restaurant news:

The Daily Grind
Express box lunches now are available for $6.95 at The Daily Grind, 1909 Fire Tower Road.
Owner Jennifer Shearin said there are two options for the box lunches.
The sandwich package features a choice of deli sandwich (such as roast beef, turkey, honey ham or Jay’s chicken salad) with a choice of cheese on white or wheat bread served with chips, tea or soft drink and a mini dessert bar.
The salad duo includes a large house salad topped with a scoop of chicken salad, tuna salad, shrimp salad or egg salad, with a choice of dressing, tea or soft drink and a mini dessert bar.
The box lunches are available to-go only. Large group orders should be placed in advance by calling 830-2233.
Salsarita’s
Salsarita’s, 109 SE Greenville Blvd., is offering a “Spin the wheel” promotion through Feb. 15.
Owner Gita Patel said guests may bring in any valid coupon (for anything: for example, an oil change, dry cleaning or another restaurant) and trade it for a chance to spin the wheel to win a menu discount or a free menu item. Guests landing on the grand-prize spot will be entered into a weekly drawing in which they’ll have the chance to win a year’s supply of free burritos.
The promotion is being tested at the Greenville location for one month and, if successful, will be rolled out to franchisees nationwide later in 2010.
“In today’s tough economy, we thought this would be a unique and fun way to offer our loyal guests a price break, said Patel.
Salsarita’s, a fast-casual fresh Mexican chain, specializes in made-to-order burritos, tacos, tortilla pizzas and taco salads.
Call 353-7482.

A.J. McMurphy’s
A.J. McMurphy’s, 1914 Turnbury Drive, now is offering dinner specials, according to owner Shannon Neuhoff.
Specials on Monday include 10-ounce New York Strip for $13.99 and 10 wings for $5.99. The special for Tuesdays and Sundays is two-for-the-price-of-one burger or chicken sandwich with the purchase of two beverages. Wednesday’s special is a dinner with half of a baked chicken for $7.99. On Thursdays, French Dip is $8.95 and on Fridays, Pub Fish and Chips is $9.99. The one-pound jumbo shrimp dinner is $11.99 on Saturdays. Sides include fries, Judy’s potato salad, coleslaw, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, hush puppies or homemade chips.
Rib dinner for two, including a full slab of ribs, two orders of fries and two orders of slaw with a pitcher of domestic beer or soft drink, is available for $22.99 Sundays-Wednesdays.
Nightly drink specials also are offered.
Call 355-7956 or visit the Web site www.ajmcmurphys.com.

Wasabi 88
Wasabi 88 Asian Bistro, Sushi and Bar, 420 E. Arlington Blvd., has introduced some new entrees, according to owner Dai Nguyen.
“We also added some specialty entrees that were great feature sellers for us, but we still have some old favorite, too,” he said.
New specialty entrees include the 8-ounce Kobe Burger for $11 and Saigon Pork Chops, marinated pork chops with garlic and scallions, for $15.
Asian entrees — Hot and Spicy, Szechuan Orange Peel, Chili Pepper, Spicy Basil Stir Fry, Mongolia, Spicy Garlic, Black Bean, Hibachi and Crispy Sesame — allow diners to choose from beef, chicken or shrimp. The entrees range in price from $12-$14.
Also, sushi rolls are offered at two for the price of one.
Call 493-0510 or visit the new Web site at www.wasabi88.com.
China 10
China 10, 2516 E. 10th St., now is offering Vietnamese Noodle Soup, also known as Pho, from owner Lien Hou’s homeland of Vietnam.
“This is a big bowl of rice noodle soup with shrimp and beef, served in a hearty beef broth and garnished with fresh cilantro, scallions and onions,” she said. “The chilly winter weather calls for this big, delicious and perfect soup bowl.”
It’s $8.95 at lunch and $9.95 at dinner.
Call 830-2238.

Wine tasting
Dolce Vita, 3110 Evans St., will hold an open house and its largest complimentary wine tasting from 6-8 p.m. today.
Distributors will be on hand to pour beer and wine selections hand-picked by wine buyer Brandon Monroe. Appetizers will be served. Dolce Vita’s new craft beer room and newly expanded wine selections will be unveiled. Call 329-8500.
Greenville Wine & Stein, billed as a celebration of fine wine, beer and cuisine, will be held March 21 in the Greenville Convention Center, 303 S.W. Greenville Blvd. The event will feature samples of international and domestic wines, craft and imported beers and food from the area’s top chefs and restaurants, along with live music.
The VIP tasting will be held from 2-3 p.m., with general admission from 3-7 p.m.
VIP tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Tobacco Road Cellars will provide tastings only during the VIP session. Only 300 VIP tickets will be sold.
General admission is $35 in advance and $45 at the door.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit a local charity.
Tickets are available at the Greenville Convention Center office or by calling 321-7671. For more information, visit the Web site www.greenvillewineandstein.com.
Coming soon
Atlantic Grill will begin serving fresh seafood and steaks as early as next week in the former location of Finelli’s on Fifth, 2905 E. Fifth St. General manager and chef is Jonathan Schatz, formerly with LA Lounge.
The Olympian Greek Restaurant will open soon at the corner of Evans Street and Reade Circle. Owner is Pam Reynolds.

Hot Dish is a weekly column of restaurant and food news. To submit items for consideration, call Jane Hudson at (252) 329-9577, fax (252) 754-8140 or e-mail jhudson@reflector.com. Deadline is Mondays at noon.