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Next weekend, my mother is taking my two sisters and me to New York City. I assume shopping is on the itinerary, as well as lots of good eating; we will be staying at The Kimberly, a luxury hotel in mid-town Manhattan, and the highlight of our trip will be to see Wicked on Broadway. I am getting really excited! If you have any must-see or must-do activities for me, let me know. I have a few touristy things of my own that I'd like to do (I haven't been to Ellis Island yet), and I'm sure my sisters and Mom have their ideas. The question is, can we fit it all in in two days?

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We will be closed next week on Wednesday, April 30m and Thursday, May 1 for private parties. Please make a note of it and plan your weekly trip to Pinocchio's on another night. Don't forget, Mondays we have all veal and chicken dishes for only $10.95!!

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The Wine Club meets again this Sunday, April 27, at 5 p.m. in Lexington at the Parish Hall of Christ Church Cathedral, 464 N. County Home Rd. If you need directions call me at the restaurant (704-636-8891) or email me here. This month we are getting ready for summer by trying white Pinots. Bring a bottle and your favorite go-with snack or appetizer.

I have some news that you aren't going to like. After nine years of restaurant ownership, Giuseppe is ready to "retire" and try a 9 to 5 job where he gets a regular paycheck and, more importantly, regular vacations. Currently, if Giuseppe wants to go home to Italy to see his family, we have to close the restaurant...and since we can't afford to do that, he just doesn't get to go. Even long weekends are difficult. We have an excellent sous chef in Joe Laib, who has been a Godsend to our restaurant, but no one chef can handle our weekend business by himself.

So we are going to sell the business - but PLEASE don't stop coming, thinking we are closed! In fact, now's the time to pack in some extra meals by Giuseppe. It could take a couple of years to find the right buyer; we are looking for someone to continue a like business who will employ our well-trained staff. We are committed to working with the new owner in order to make the transition a smooth one. In fact, if you know someone who has always wanted a restaurant, send them our way. Remember, WE ARE OPEN UNTIL YOU GET AN EMAIL FROM ME SAYING OTHERWISE.

10. Yes, you are in my section! We all take care of everybody in our dining room, so that you get great service. On the other hand, we try not to hover. It is sometimes a delicate balancing act, so if you need something, feel free to wave any one of us down.

9. No, we are not reopening for lunch - being open did not make fiscal sense. Sorry.

8. Yes, we will close the dining room to the public if you rent out the whole restaurant for your Christmas party or other event (capacity: 50). This does not apply to Friday and Saturday nights, however.

7. The freezer has been fixed, but continues to be wonky. Thank you for your concern and your continued support!

6. Your favorite waiter, Brian, is NOT my son. My son, Kaine, washes the dishes. However, Brian is a good looking guy so those of you who say he favors me, I thank you.

5. The bottle on the table is filled with Chianti wine, not balsamic vinegar. Yes, you can drink it, and many do. No, it is not homemade.

4. Yes, we take reservations. Leave them on the answering machine or with a dining room staff member (Tracy, Brian, Erin, James, or Melanie). Please, do not leave your reservations with Giuseppe. He does not write your name down right no matter how many times you spell it to him.

3. Our bread IS Italian bread, as it is made daily by the house Italian in the tradition of his family. If you want crusty bread with a soft white center, well, he doesn't make it that way.

2. For those of you who state you are from New Jersey and expect REAL Italian food, I have bad news. My real Italian chef has never been to Jersey. But give him a try, anyway.

1. Yes, Giuseppe has a girlfriend - ME! So, ladies, asking for Giuseppe's phone number will get you nowhere fast :-).