Owners of the new Mario's Restaurant and Pizzeria promise patrons more than just Italian dishes made from scratch with the freshest ingredients -- they guarantee an authentic Italian dining experience unlike any other available in the area.

Fazoli's, the Italian fast-food chain, has left the buildings. The Kentucky-based chain shut down its location on West International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach and on Saxon Boulevard in Orange City earlier this week as part of a reduction in stores.

Q: Who is Thomasson Drive named after? I was told that it was named after Ed Thomasson, a surveyor, from whom I bought the house I used to live in.

ANNA MARIA — Erica Webb, the bartender at the historic Rod & Reel Pier Restaurant on North Shore Drive in Anna Maria, says the best thing about the place is that you always meet someone interesting there.

The Boston Celtics have re-signed swingman Marquis Daniels. The team announced that it had signed the 6-foot-6 Daniels after his disappointing first season with the club. The seven-year veteran missed 28 games with a torn ligament in his left thumb that required surgery and averaged a career-low 5.6 points in 51 games.

Today BID ON A BACHELOR: A Bachelor, Basket and Services Auction will be held at 7 p.m. and hosted by the Community Service Council of West Pasco at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey. Guests may bid on a date with one of 12 bachelors ranging in age from late 20s to 60s. There will be hors d' oeuvres, three chocolate fountains, a cash bar, auctions of service packages valued ...

BARSSARASOTABACALAO SPORTS GRILL BAR: Karaoke, 6:30 p.m. Thurs. / Hip-hop, 10 p.m. Thurs. /

Exhibit listings are published on a rotating basis as space allows.

By Brian Ries As I sit down at the table, I can't help but reach out and, well, play with the table decorations. There's a gleaming yellow lemon sitting next to a massive carrot -- the kind of thing you only seem to find at farmers' markets these days -- sitting atop a mismatched tablecloth and doily set. Stacked at the far end of the table are three books that look like they came from a ...

The decades-old Ada's saga continues.

Earlier this month, Busch Gardens introduced its "Play & Dine All Day" ticket, which includes admission to the Tampa theme park and lots of eats and specific restaurants. ( Details here. ) One commenter noted that you get a similar deal at Universal parks "for a small fee." I've seen the Universal Meal Deal signs for year but never considered it. As a local, I probably won't eat two meals in the ...

Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi has created a modern, Italian influenced menu with lots of local flavor at Pelagia Trattoria.

The couple canoodling in the back row of British Airways flight 2588 in May during the cabin-crew strike were in luck. Not only did the flight operate normally, but when the on-board staff on the flight from Gatwick to Venice discovered the pair were newlyweds, they decided to help them celebrate their honeymoon. Two quarter-bottles of champagne were brought discreetly from the Club Europe cabin ...

BARSSARASOTAAMERICAN LEGION POST 30: Badd Ju-Ju, 7 p.m. July 17. 4015 N. Lockwood Ridge Road.

Read Charley Steiner's other articles on HuffingtonPost.com

Darren Denington raised an eyebrow and smiled when he learned that I had heard about his restaurant's charity fundraiser through the virtual grapevine – Facebook.

By Brian Ries It's a Thursday night in downtown St. Petersburg and Central Avenue is lively. Maybe not hopping, exactly, but there are enough diners and revelers around to outnumber the usual parade of full-time downtown "residents" who repeatedly walk the circuit throughout the night. There are families and couples at sidewalk tables and live music streaming from the doors of bars. Step into ...

The Boss and the Voice of God By Charley Steiner One was the Boss. The other was the Voice of God. Although the former occasionally...

Published: Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 10:59 p.m. Last Modified: Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 10:58 p.m. BARTOW | No business is likely to promote itself as being "autism unfriendly."

Is your body sick and tired of too many processed and fast foods? Learn how the "slow food movement" can help.