Here’s a reason to celebrate: Nashua’s downtown tapas bar is celebrating its first full year of business. Stella Blu not only has a new-and-improved website, but the popular small plates establishment is also throwing a party to commemorate a year of success. In order to toast such an occasion, Stella is holding a wine dinner on November 4th, featuring Merriam Vineyard’s vinos. This five course feast will feature dishes like Scallop Shumi, made with pureed scallops steamed in Asian wontons and dressed in fennel tarragon broth; as well as Duck Two Ways, with Chinese black tea smoked breast and confit of duck ravioli. To round out the meal, a sampling of house-made sorbets will be served. Hello, elegance - the folks at Stella know how to romance their customers on an anniversary. Tickets are $75, and include the five courses, the wines paired with them, a champagne greeting, and live music. Not bad for a night out, eh?

There’s a lot going on at the Black Orchid Grille on Temple Street in Nashua, and part of the news includes a whole lot of bourbon. The modern-American restaurant has always been an upscale yet approachable gem in downtown, and their new extended hours makes them that much more casual. The restaurant will now be open for lunch starting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday through Friday (served until 2:30 p.m.), and will open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday, which includes items off their regular dinner or bar menus. Also, on Sundays and Tuesdays through Thursdays, Black Orchid will serve dinner and their pub menu until 9:30; dinner until 10 on Fridays and Saturdays; and their pub grub until 11 Fridays and Saturdays. But enough about the new hours; let’s get to the bourbon. On July 15th, Black Orchid will hold a Bourbon Dinner, where the eatery will be serving a four course meal with five different bourbons for sampling. Each bourbon will be available to be sampled straight as well as a drink with each course, and whiskey professor Bernie Lubbers will be on hand to teach you about each bourbon. Cost for each person is $79 (excluding tax and tip), and you must reserve your spot by the 11th. As a sneak peek, one course includes Sazerac and fried catfish, and hush puppies with anise aioli. Dessert? Knob Creek bread pudding with cinnamon ice cream. You don’t even have to like bourbon to like that.