I've got a great week of eating ahead of me, and I hope some of you will be able to join me.

On Monday, (March 24th) I am planning to stop by at the Grand Café [1], (3804 Grand Ave. S., Minneapolis) for their first ever cribbage night. (I actually majored in bridge in college, but I minored in cribbage.) I haven't decided yet whether I am actually going to compete in the double elimination tournament and compete for the fabulous prizes (gift certificates and other stuff, I am told) but I do want to dip into the buffet, which will include a lamb stew, vegetarian stew, cheese board, fruit, bread and crackers, and the Grand's legendary pignole (pine nut) cookies for dessert. The excitement starts at 6 p.m.

Here's the fine print Cost is $25 plus tax and tip, with tap beers on sale for $3 a glass, and wine for $5. Reservations are required - call 612-822-8260 - and you are requested to bring your own cribbage board if you have one - they'll supply the cards. Owner Mary Hunter cautions that this tournament is not sanctioned by the American Cribbage Congress [2], and that you need to already know how to play the game - lessons will not be provided. (It really isn't all that complicated: you can find the rules online.) Ordinarily, the Grand Café is closed on Monday nights, so don't show up two weeks from now looking for hot card action.