For the eagle-eyed folks who may have noticed a "for sale" sign in front of Freckles, the popular restaurant at 5724 Patterson Ave., it doesn't mean the restaurant's closing is imminent . . . but it is definite.

Owner Charles Beard died in May, and with wife Sue battling an illness, son Robbie Eubank is ready to let it go after 21 years in the family.

"I just don't want it anymore," Eubank said.

The restaurant has been for sale for about a year.

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The closing of Aunt Sarah's Pancake House at 7927 W. Broad St. was an anomaly for the Richmond-based chain.

In April, the location was closed after the lease ran out, but no other Aunt Sarah's restaurants have been affected.

Opening soon at the West Broad spot is Shahi Kitchen, which will serve Indo Pak cuisine.

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Morton's The Steakhouse is celebrating 30 years in the business with a turn-back-the-clock priced prime sirloin burger for $19.78.

The special is available Sundays through September; $5 from each hamburger and fries entrée will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Richmond Morton's is at 111 Virginia St. near the Canal Walk downtown.

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Manakin Grill will hold a special wine-tasting dinner July 26 at 7 p.m.

Rob Bickford, eastern regional manager for Foster's Wine Estates, is the scheduled guest speaker.

The wine pairings and four-course meal (plus dessert), which includes pepper smoked beef tenderloin and pan seared scallops over sweet corn risotto, will cost $80 per person.

Reservations are required. Call (804) 784-0544. The full menu can be viewed under "Special Events" at www.manakingrill.com.

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Another birthday -- with free stuff: 7-Eleven turns 81 this year, and today, participating locations will give away free Slurpees in special cups. Also new at the chain this month is Black Ice, a Monster Energy Slurpee.

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May we recommend: If you haven't yet discovered Ray's Italian Water Ice, well, first of all, what are you waiting for? And secondly, as flavorful and refreshing as the ice is (mango and pear are personal favorites), you might want to bypass it and go directly for the Boardwalk waffles with frozen custard.

They're a Jersey shore tradition, these freshly toasted waffles with a heaping swirl of vanilla, chocolate or twirled custard smushed between them, and a hearty snack.

The two Ray's locations 8023 W. Broad St. and 3039 Lauderdale Drive -- are open daily until 10 p.m. through Aug. 31.

For a look at the complete menu, visit www.raysitalianwaterice.com.