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?

If you haven’t yet dined at Stella Blu, you are missing out on some of the tastiest food downtown Nashua has to offer; and that is an understatement. Luckily for Stella fans and wannabes, the tapas bar is extending their hours. Starting Saturday, July 11th, Stella Blu will be open on Saturdays for both lunch and dinner, and although they are now closed for dinner on Sundays for the summer, the restaurant is launching a tapas brunch to take place on Sundays, starting July 12th. The brunch menu is still TBA, but the restaurant promises to post it on their website before the launch date. This is a busy long weekend for the culinary gem, as they are holding an Artist in Show event on July 9th, featuring Laura Keith Woerner of Harrisville, N.H. Not many things in life taste better than a pitcher of sangria while enjoying some local art. Throwing some global tapas in there doesn’t hurt either.

I ate like a queen last night at Moonstones in Chelmsford, Mass. Scott Plath, who also owns Cobblestones in Lowell, is owner and chef of this chic, yet relaxing, tapas restaurant. We started at the trendy bar that was covered in a sparkling marble countertop, and run by a friendly, attentive bartender. I had the refreshing white Sangria, and shared some pepperoni focaccia for only $4 with my friends, thanks to Moonstone’s happy hour deals from 4 to 6 p.m. When our other friends arrived, we moved to a dinner booth and ordered enough tapas to feed all eight of Jon & Kate’s children. We had some more homemade focaccia, this time made with olive oil, roasted garlic, reggiano cheese and sea salt, as well as the marinated olives with white bean hummus; the artisan three cheese sampler plate, with goat, bleu and baby swiss cheeses; white truffle and parmesan cheese fries; scallops in bacon; and fried buffalo calamari with crumbled bleu cheese. Yes, the amount of food we consumed is shameful, but I’m not ashamed - the food was outstanding. I won’t go into detail about each dish, but the highlights for me were the addicting and not overly greasy shoestring fries, as well as the cheese plate, which came with crackers, candied walnuts and grapes. Washed down with plenty of pinot grigio, this is one meal I will be back for (and that didn’t empty my savings account). My only complaint: some food, such as the scallops, came to our table at room temperature or colder, when they should have been served warm. However, the flavors were perfect, and our waiter was right up there with them, so a few lukewarm plates were quickly forgotten.

Side note: Moonstones has more than tapas, too - entrees, sandwiches and salads are just a few of the other options they provide. Just be aware that entrees range from $20-60, roughly.

Another new restaurant alert, this time in Manchester: Mint Bistro, offering upscale fusion fare to the city. The globally-inspired eatery opened its doors on June 8th, with a grand opening celebration on the 12th. Reasons to go: rumor has it the Bistro offers a full bar with an extensive boutique wine list, sushi and tapas; the herbs used in each dish are apparently hand-picked; and all entrees are seasonal and fresh. Brunch is also offered Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (bring dad there this weekend), and the restaurant’s open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Have no plans Friday night? Mint also has entertainment every T.G.I.F., this week being Boston’s DJ Sis Chong. Sounds like a chic new place to enjoy a trendy meal, good wine, and live music.