The holidays are upon us. Watch for next week's Food & Flavor on Monday, when the cover topic will be Thanksgiving. Since we're double-timing it this week, only a few listings ... more on Monday. Tune in.
Chipotle will hold its grand opening at 4800 Baum Blvd., Bloomfield, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow. A fund-raiser last night, and from 5 to 9 p.m. today, benefits athletics at Central Catholic and Winchester Thurston high schools. Pay $5 and get a burrito and a drink. Winchester fans were the focus last night; tonight is Central. Whichever camp raises the most money -- a free burrito day for the entire school!
Godiva chocolate stores will offer a "Truffle Break" from 1 to 3 p.m. today. Get a complimentary sample at Ross Park Mall, Galleria in Mt. Lebanon and at the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport Airmall. Its newest European Dessert Truffles, in Lemon Chiffon Cake, Caramelized Apple Tarte, Creme Brulee, Chocolate Souffle, Bananas Foster and Black Forest Torte, will be offered.
See's Candies has opened its holiday locations, through Dec. 26, at South Hills Village and Ross Park Mall (sees.com).
A&P's Jane Parker fruitcakes can be ordered online this year at apfreshonline.com. Available in dark or light cakes, in loaf or ring shapes, and in a box or a tin. Cost: $17.99 to $31.99 for a 72-ounce cake. A&P, long gone from Pittsburgh, has sold the cakes for 78 years. That's despite those perennial jokes about fruitcakes and how they make great doorstops.
The "Everyone's Favorite Recipes From the Heart" cookbook, featuring recipes from Allegheny County employees and city personalities (Steeler great Franco Harris, Pirates pitcher Paul Malholm) is now on sale for $10. Proceeds benefit programs for Kane Hospital residents. Order at the hospitals; by calling 412-350-INFO, or e-mail kanecookbookorders@alleghenycounty.us. The books will be delivered the week of Dec. 8.
Former PG food editor Suzanne Martinson will be back in town to sign copies of "The Fallingwater Cookbook: Elsie Henderson's Recipes and Memories," with Ms. Henderson, cook at Fallingwater, appearing too, on several occasions. Big event: A book launch party from 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at Mystery Lovers Bookshop, Oakmont. Reservations: 1-888-800-6078. Signings: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., In the Kitchen, Strip District; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, OASIS at Macy's, Downtown; 1 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 30, McGinnis Sisters, Adams; 2 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2, McGinnis Sisters, Monroeville; and 10:30 a.m. to noon, Dec. 3, McGinnis Sisters, Brentwood. Also, there's a book signing and holiday reception with the two women and Robert Sendall from 6 to 8 p.m., Dec. 4, at the William Penn Student Union Lounge, University of Pittsburgh, Oakland.
Remember: See Steelers offensive tackle Max Starks at Wholey's, Penn Avenue, Strip District, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Get an autograph, help the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.