Tapas Tuesdays at Ghini’s French Caffé have always been a hit, but patrons asked owner Coralie Satta to move the event to a day when they could let loose a bit more. The result is Fabulous Fridays, which will start at 3 p.m., Friday, July 29, and feature French-inspired small plates and $3 wine, beer, cocktails and more.

Speaking of happy hours, Pastiche Modern Eatery now has specials on drinks and appetizers from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

The opening of the new Mr. K’s Barbeque on the corner of River Road and Stone Avenue is so close you can almost smell the smoke. The restaurant has already announced a soft opening in the first week of August, and should be open to the general public shortly thereafter. We’ve also heard that the guys from the original Mr. K’s on South Park Avenue might be opening a new joint before long, but details are scarce for the time being.

Janos Wilder and the guys and gals from Sleeping Frog Farms are planting a patch of heirloom pumpkins and squash next to Downtown Kitchen and Cocktails on Monday, July 25. We hear they’ll be putting in a few scarecrows, too. When the pumpkins are done, Wilder will hold his first-ever Pumpkin Palooza, which will feature a pumpkin-carving contest and other revelry. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Oct. 22.

Also on Monday, July 25, is the Zona 78 Iron Chef competition. The chefs from each location will duke it out, there will be a secret ingredient, and guests will receive four small plates and two wine-pairings for their $40 admission fee. It takes place at the Zona 78 on Tanque Verde Road, and reservations are required; 296-7878.

In other food events, the Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market at the Mercado San Agustin will feature cooking demonstrations and Peruvian music on Thursday, July 28. It’s a celebration for the market’s new location, which offers a lot more shade and, in general, many more accommodations than the gravel lot it used to be held in.

And last, but certainly not least, you should go eat at the Onyx Room soon. It’s a classy joint, the food is good, and the family that runs it is great. I’m not even that big of a fan of Southern cooking, and the chicken, mac and cheese and collard greens blew me away. The fried catfish is also out of sight.