Bringing some urban attitude to the 'burbs with a tapas style menu, LATITUDES CAFÉ AND BAR has opened at 18 Main St. in the historic district of Milford (513-831-9888). Popular throughout Spain in bars and restaurants, tapas are appetizers to accompany cocktails or small bites that can form an entire meal. "We wanted to provide an alternative to traditional menus, and specifically traditional appetizer-size items," notes owner Christopher Hamm. He adds, "Our atmosphere attempts to connect the history of the area with a more eclectic, urban appeal."

Chef Kathryn Bishop, former chef of York St. Café, has created a menu of that will include Ahi Tuna spring rolls, sautéed scallops and mussels, Chinese baby-back ribs, coconut shrimp, filet mignon and hummus with grilled chicken and pita.

Delicious, healthy alternatives to burgers, pizzas and subs were the catalyst for local businessman Vince Czepukaitis to bring SAMURAI SAM'S TERIYAKI GRILL to Cincinnati. Scheduled to open on Jan. 21 at the corner of Kenwood and Cooper roads in Blue Ash (513-791-7267), the eatery's menu features generous portions of marinated, char-grilled chicken, steak or prawns tossed with vegetables and their signature sauce and served over steaming rice or as a wrap sandwich. Other specialties of this quick-serve chain (most outlets are located on the West Coast) include Yakisoba noodles with crisp stir-fried vegetables, salads, California rolls and egg rolls.

We're glad to see THE DINER (12th and Sycamore streets, Over-the-Rhine, 513-721-1212) has opened its doors again after succumbing to the post-riot deflation in 2001. Although we'll miss the white crab chili that made them a popular hang-out in the '80s and '90s, we're grateful new owner Alex Patel is offering traditional diner fare such as pancakes, eggs, goetta (well, it's traditional in Porkopolis), burgers and shakes, 24 hours, seven days a week, plus a full bar.

Chefs Paul and Pam Sturkey have added another Encore Café to their growing culinary empire. The new 200-seat ENCORE 3 on Route 741 in Springboro (513-748-8877) joins the West Chester and Loveland cafes with the same menu of appetizers, pastas, signature entrées and award-winning desserts. Through Feb. 10, all three locations will offer an additional pris fixe menu of three-course meals for two (your choice of one appetizer, two entrées and one dessert).

Sadly, the hoped-for resurrection of MULLANE'S is not to be after all, but we can tell you where you'll find Audrey cookin' up a mess of her wicked good red beans and rice. A sort of mini Mullane's has morphed at ARNOLD'S (210 E. Eighth St., Downtown) during the day with Audrey -- and an aide de camp of two former Mullane's staffers -- taking over the position as day chef. With Arnold's $3.99 lunch deal is one of the best things going, we're crying grateful tears between bites of Audrey's cornbread.