Darden Restaurants Inc. has agreed to buy Yard House USA Inc., which operates 39 Yard House locations, in an all-cash transaction totaling $585 million. The Irvine, Calif.-based Yard House will join Darden’s Specialty Restaurant Group, which includes The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52...More>>

Something to ponder before the start of season two of Bar Rescue: Why haven’t you walked through your kitchen or talked with the Chef? More>>

T.G.I. Friday's is mixing it up again and inviting guests to beat the heat this summer with new beverage menu additions featuring fresh ingredients and fun flavor combinations. More>>

From NRN.com: Beverages make up 40 percent of total sales at Old Chicago’s 96 locations across the country, and about three quarters of those beverage sales is beer. More>>

With a $10 million renovation to the all-American upscale sports bar and lounge complete, New York’s 40/40 Club announces a new Executive Chef, Mike Shand, along with a fresh take on its private events and dining menus.More>>

The upscale lifestyle brand known for its “Relax” philosophy, has announced the appointment of Chef Jason Michael Krantz as Executive Chef of its Manhattan flagship Restaurant & Bar, scheduled to will open its doors November 2012.More>>

From San Francisco Chronicle: In a first-time event, The Chronicle's nine 4-star chefs are teaming up for a special dinner benefiting the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank.More>>

From USA Today: Located on the corner of a commercial block in the East Town area of Grand Rapids, Mich., The Winchester looks like any old neighborhood tavern - in a neighborhood going hipster.More>>

From MarketWatch: Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, the restaurant and bar specializing in good food, good drinks and good times, will once again give competitive eaters the opportunity to devour a 'build-a-burger' masterpiece for a $2,500 cash prize during its second annual BURGER BATTLE eating...More>>

From Gizmodo: The Brewtruc, which debuted in October of last year, is the brainchild of Hugh Schick, a San Francisco-based catering truck designer. It grew from his previous work on the ultra-popular Le Truc mobile eatery. More>>