GENTLE READERS,

Monique Siu of

Castagna

called Miss Dish to tell her that Cafe Castagna will be open seven nights a week starting Feb. 17 and that if she's heard rumors that Castagna is closing (she had) that they are not true. So there. Miss Dish is going to have to find a more reliable Deep Throat, eh. Any takers?

***

The following letter hit the Dish desk from the folks at Assaggio: "Norman Vincent Peale once said 'Change your thoughts and you change your world.' Well, we've had a fundamental change of thought...introducing reservations, Tuesday through Saturday." Ah, the power of positive thinking.

***

Another educational missive arrived, via post, from the folks at House of Asia to announce a second location in Beaverton for their Asian cuisine done with Cambodian touches. Thus spake the press release: "There is rioting in Cambodia over a statement made by a Thai actress that Angkor Wat, Cambodia's national identity, should be Thailand's. This caused Cambodian citizens to attack, pillage and set fire to the Thai embassy, Thai-owned hotels and businesses in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. But Angkor Wat, Cambodian cooking and culture are alive and well in Portland and soon in Beaverton at the Murray Scholls Town Center." Anyone got a problem with that? Catch Cambodian pride Beaverton-style in April.

***

Notes from Beervana...Portland Brewing is re-releasing its very first beer, 1986's Portland Ale, in case you want to kick it old-school. Rogue Ales is offering a St. Valentine's Day Eve Chocolate and Beer Massacre that serves up 10 pairings of beer and chocolate for $25. The bacchanal will be led by local authority on all things beer Fred Eckhardt. Rogue Ales Public House, 1339 NW Flanders St. 6-8 pm Thursday, Feb. 13. Call 222-5910 for reservations.

***

Miss Dish can report from experience that Flux, the fundraiser coming up Feb. 22 to benefit the noble organization CASA, which matches up adult volunteers with kids going through the court system, is really fun. As they did last year, organizers have attracted awesome restaurants to set up tasting booths (Taqueria Nueve, Paley's Place, Wildwood, to name just a few) and the best soul music in town (Black Angel and Silky) to serenade you as you munch and mingle at the artistically enhanced Pacific Northwest College of Art. And all for just $25! Call 295-4225 or visit www.fluxtix.com to sign up.