On The Border Mexican Grill has closed its location at 1910 N. Stone Ave. at River Road. The loss of a chain Mexican food restaurant isn’t notable in itself - especially in Tucson where there are so many good alternatives - but it is a commentary on the economy that the Dallas-based Rinker International restaurant chain - whose brands also include Chili’s Grill & Bar and Romano’s Macaroni Grill - is closing selected locations.

For now, at least, On The Border remains open at 5205 E. Broadway.

58 Degrees closes location

58 Degrees & Holding, 4280 N. Campbell Ave. in St. Philip’s Plaza, has closed and been consolidated with the original location in the Plaza at Williams Center.

The owners of 58 Degrees say they will keep control of the space in St. Philip’s Plaza and are looking into partnering with another group for a new concept.

• 58 Degrees & Holding, 5340 E. Broadway - http://58degrees.com/WC_default.htm - (520) 747-5858.

Ventana Room’s new menu

Tuesday (Sept. 9), the AAA five-diamond award winning Ventana Room re-opens after a summer hiatus. Executive Chef Marc Ehrler has created a new desert foods menu for the restaurant.

In partnership with Tohono O’odham Community Action (TOCA), the desert degustation menu will be a special menu within a new menu for the Ventana Room.

TOCA is a nonprofit founded in 1996 to create a healthy, culturally vital and sustainable Tohono O’odham Nation.

The Ventana Room is open Tuesdays through Thursdays 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

• Ventana Room in Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive - www.ventanaroom.com/ - (520) 615-5494

Watch where you swirl

You can’t just swirl your favorite wine in any glass, can you? According to Robert M. Parker Jr. of The Wine Advocate, "The finest glasses for both technical and hedonistic purposes are those made by Riedel. The effect of these glasses on fine wine is profound. I cannot emphasize enough what a difference they make."

Well you can taste for yourself what a difference they might make at a Reidel tasting Sept. 13 at Pastiche.

Five different wines will be offered in five different Reidel glasses. The cost is $35 per person, $85 if you want to keep the glassware.

• Pastiche Modern Eatery, 3025 N. Campbell Ave. - http://pasticheme.com/ - (520) 325-3333.

3-course summer sayonara

Quick, before the summer goes away for good, the three dining venues at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa have each come up with special three-course meals costing $39 per person ($9 for a children’s meal).

The resort says the offer is available for a limited time at Primo, Catalina Steakhouse or Signature Grill.

• JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd. - www.jwmarriottstarrpass.com/ - (520) 792-3500.

Contact T.J. Katz at tj.katz@yahoo.com. Meals & Entertainment appears weekly.