July 15: Bastille Day at Bar Tabac If you've never played petanque, head on down to Smith Street for North America's largest petanque tournament -- the two block stretch betweeen Bergen and Pacific will be shut down and covered with sand just for the occasion. While your'e watching the action, enjoy special cocktails from Ricard and other drink specials ($5-6), nibble on grilled merguez and chicken sandwiches ($5) and groove to Jazz band Blue Orchid......

January 19: Fondue Night at Riverdale Garden It may be cold outside, but it's perfect fondue weather. Riverdale Garden will be serving up classic cheese, hearty herb flavored oil with beef and chicken and, of course, bittersweet chocolate. Complete dinner is $29 including house wine and draft beer, or just drinks and music for $15. Dinner starting at 7PM, music at 8:30PM. Reservations are recommended and can be made on Open Table or by calling......

January 12: Restaurants from the Inside Out Hear about what makes a restaurant a hit or a flop from three experts who know, some from personal experience, like Rocco DiSpirito. He joins author Calvin Trillin and egullet.com founder Steven Shaw at this panel, moderated by WNYC's Leonard Lopate. For more information call 212-415-5500. $25 tickets available online. 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave at 92nd St., 8pm. January 12: Whym Opens The folks behind Eatery......

From April 18 through April 22, Brooklyn will have its own restaurant week with 3-course meals priced at $18.98, a nod to 1898, the year Brooklyn joined Manhattan. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said of the 93 restaurants (from 20 neighborhoods) participating, "Trust me, when any of these restaurants see me coming in they have a smile on their face - and that's not because I'm the borough president, if you know what I mean."......