Table talk

The Utah Gluten Intolerance Group hosts its fifth annual Gluten-Free Pre-Thanksgiving Feast Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. at the Wasatch Presbyterian Church hall, 1700 S. 1700 East, Salt Lake City. The event is open to anyone who has gluten intolerance or celiac disease and their families.

The menu includes turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, stuffing, candied yams and vegetables. Side dishes are provided by those who attend. Recipes for gluten-free pies, cookies, stuffing, rolls and turkey will be given out. Advance tickets are $8 per person or $16 for a family of four, if purchased by Oct. 31 (www.gfutah.org or 801-486-4140).

Mimi's Cafe is introducing fall flavors to the chain restaurant's menu from November to January. Seasonal dishes include a pumpkin pancake breakfast, Diablo pork chop, pumpkin-spice muffins and pan-seared scallops with butternut squash ravioli (www.mimiscafe.com).

Maui Tacos, at 5300 South and State in Murray, is celebrating its first anniversary with traditional Hawaiian fire dancers on Friday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. On Saturday, anniversary prizes such as Hawaiian-shell leis, T-shirts and hats will be given away (801-747-1166 or www.mauitacos.com).

The Downtown Dine O'Round, held Sept. 14-30, was so successful that the Downtown Alliance has announced a two-week Spring Dine O'Round beginning May 1. During the recent event, three-course meal specials were offered at either $15 or $25 by 35 downtown restaurants. According to a press release from the organizers:

• The Metropolitan recorded its busiest night in 11 years and increased business 16 percent over the same period last year.

• The Vienna Bistro tripled its number of Dine O'Round patrons over the last year.

• The Avenues Bakery and Bistro served 10 percent more diners than the two weeks prior to Dine O'Round.

• Market Street Grill served 168 Dine O'Round dinners in one evening alone.

Lisa Olsen of Salt Lake City won the prize drawing, receiving a dinner for two at each of the 35 participating restaurants.

Market Street Grills, Oyster Bars and Fresh Fish Markets are hosting a Shrimp Festival through the end of November. Dishes on the restaurant menus include shrimp cocktail, buffalo shrimp, crab-stuffed shrimp and shrimp Louie. The company's fish markets offer both raw and cooked shrimp (gastronomyinc.com).

BUFFALO SHRIMP WITH CRAB SLAW