Flog favorite Stefano’s Trattoria in Winter Springs is taking an innovative approach to subsidize some of its costs. Although it’s a popular dining destination for many, it also has a lot of takeout orders, a sector of the business that likely ramped up during the pandemic and continues to be a strong suit.

But increased takeout business brings increased costs in the form of takeout containers and pizza boxes. Owner Alejandro Martinez saw an opportunity there and is offering the containers as advertising surfaces – mini traveling billboards – to local businesses and slapping flyers for local companies on the pizza boxes and to-go bags that are picked up or delivered to homes in Winter Springs, Oviedo, Casselberry and Winter Park. Very smart. And a win-win-win situation: Stefano's costs are defrayed; businesses get noticed; and customers get Stefano's terrific food.

The Chef & I, on of the more ambitious restaurant kiosks at the Hall on the Yard in Ivanhoe Village, is hosting a Chef Battle as part of its dinner series. Chefs Michael Morrison and Travis Chasteen will face off on January 25 at 6:30 p.m. to produce a four-course taste-off using shrot ribs, mahi mahi, pork tenderloin and Key West pink shrimp. And attendees will choose who cooked it better. Tickets are very limited and are $100, which includes gratuity. Tickets here.

If you’ve been waiting all week for the weekend so that you could go to Tap Room at Dubsdread for the prime rib that is not available during the week, you’ve wasted several days. The popular College Park restaurant now offers prime rib every evening.

Since we talked about Dry January yesterday, today – bar news.

Up in Mills 50 comes word that St. Matthew’s Tavern has been sold to Team Market Group, the prolific bar-isters that also own Mather’s Social Gathering, The Robinson Room, The Wellborn and others. TMG is also known for classy interiors and high quality (its Plantees meatless burger brand just down the block notwithstanding), so it will be interesting to see what it does with St. Matthew’s, which had taken a dive even deeper than your basic dive bar.