The Wine Bar at chef Chris Shepherd’s much anticipated Underbelly (1100 Westheimer) opens today at 4 pm so that the staff can begin doing wine service. There will be no entry to the restaurant itself as it still under finishing construction, says a spokeswoman, “but we will have wine service and a small food menu with cheese, basic charcuterie and other small bites.” Underbelly will begin soft service in the restaurant Thursday, March 1, and will be open to the public on Monday, March 5.

Congratulations to Houston’s “French cowboy” and chef Philippe Schmit, who recently learned that he will be given the prestigious, highly sought-after title of Master Chef of France. A year in the making, the honor will be made official in March at a ceremony in France. Schmit is one of 10 being designated this year and the only one in Texas with this designation. “It is a great honor to be recognized, as this is the most coveted award in France,” says Schmit. “Maîtres are looked to as ambassadors of the French cuisine all around the world, and this is exactly how I present my cooking.” Read more about Schmit and his approach to French food at Philippe Restaurant + Lounge in our April-May issue of My Table, which will be out the last week of March.

Congratulations, too, to Houston chefs Manabu Horiuchi (Kata Robata), Anita Jaisinghani (Indika and Pondicheri) and Hugo Ortega (Hugo’s) who are all first-round semifinalists in the Best Chef Southwest category of the 2012 James Beard Awards. Also honored: chef Grant Gordon (Tony’s), who is a semifinalist for Rising Star Chef, a category reserved for chefs 30 or younger. Pondicheri is also a semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. And in yet another category, Anvil Bar & Refuge was named a semifinalist in a new category, Outstanding Bar Program. The final nominees will be announced on Monday, March 19, and the winners will be announced on Monday, May 7, from Lincoln Center in New York City.

The Four Seasons Hotel (1300 Lamar) recently began serving afternoon tea on the third floor, 2 to 4 pm Wednesday and Saturday. The cost the tea service is $36 per person ($42 with Lunetta Prosecco), plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are recommended. Call 713-276-4700.

Todai (7620 Katy Fwy.), the massive all-you-can-eat seafood and sushi buffet in the same center as the Edwards movie complex just outside the West Loop, recently changed its name to KPOP Restaurant & Bar. The accent is now decidedly Korean.

The Houston Chowhounds will host a crawfish boil of epic proportions as a fundraiser and spring membership drive for Foodways Texas and an official book release party for Robb Walsh’s new cookbook, Texas Eats, on March 11 at Vargo’s Restaurant (2401 Fondren). Jim Gossen, CEO of Louisiana Foods and Foodways Texas founding member, will be cooking up the critters in his custom-made crawfish rig, and Saint Arnold will provide the beer. Advance tickets are $20 and available at http://ftxcrawfish.eventbrite.com

At the Eastside Farmers’ Market tomorrow (Saturday, February 25), Urban Harvest will be celebrating the upcoming arrival of legendary restaurateur Alice Waters (coming to town for a lecture on Monday, February 27, with The Progressive Forum and Urban Harvest). There will be lots of local fruits and vegetables for sale, even more than usual. In the My Table Chef’s Corner, get a sneak peek at some of the great food that chef Justin Yu is working on for his new restaurant Oxheart, which is set to open next month. Yu will do live cooking demos 9 to 11 am. In addition, the market will feature a fruit tree sale. The time is right to plant, so come check out the stock of fruit trees. The market is located at 3000 Richmond in the rear parking lot facing Eastside.

Piatto Ristorante celebrates its 10^th anniversary this Sunday afternoon, February 26, 2 to 4 pm with a special benefit for the Pink Ribbons Project. Light appetizers and wine will be served, and guests will have the opportunity to bid on a painting by Houston artist, Kermit Eisenhut. Tickets are $40 in advance ($50 at the door). Call 713-871-9722.

Georgia’s Downtown (420 Main) opened the last week of January in the space that was previously Byrd’s Market. Like the original Georgia’s out on the Katy Freeway, this version offers naturally raised grass-fed meats (many animals from the Bost family’s own farm), locally sourced produce and products from local producers such as Pola Cheese, Way Back When Dairy, Sinfull Bakery, The Herbal Goat and Slow Dough Bread Co.

Three Brothers Bakery recently opened a storefront in the Memorial area at 12393 Kingsride Lane. “We are hoping this new concept bakery cafe will be the first of several expansions,” said Bobby Jucker, who owns this bakery and the Braeswood original along with Janice and Estelle Jucker. Veteran restaurateur Chuck Krauthamer is the GM. On a related but sad note, the French Gourmet Bakery at 12504 Memorial Drive recently closed.