Food & drink: Upcoming events, plus a Peruvian restaurant in Columbia

Events

Dine & Donate at Persona Wood-Fired Pizzeria: On Thursday, April 21, Persona will donate 20 percent of proceeds on purchases to the AIDS Benefit Foundation. 1202 Main St. (803) 661-9096, www.personapizzeria.com

Beer & BBQ (and Lowcountry Boil): 4-10 p.m. Saturday, April 23 at Conquest Brewing Co. Join Conquest and Yellow Dog BBQ for beer, food and music. Tickets $37.92, at eventbrite.com. 947 S. Stadium Road.

Midlands April Food & Craft Swap: 7 p.m., Saturday, April 23 at Columbia Church. Swap homemade, homegrown or foraged items such as baked goods, pickles, spreads, honey, vinegar, granola, pasta, fruits and vegetables, backyards eggs, craft items and more. Items should be portioned and packaged in a way that protects the food. If possible, bring samples. Register at eventbrite, learn more at www.midlandsfoodswappers.wordpress.com or www.facebook.com/MidlandsFoodSwappers. 220 N. Royal Tower Road.

Gator Band Food Truck Rally and Movie Night: 5:30-10 p.m. Saturday, April 23 at River Bluff High School. This event will benefit the River Bluff Gator Band program. Enjoy live music, arts and crafts vendors and “Finding Nemo” on a big screen. Participating food trucks include Brain Freeze Italian Ice, Carol & Lorraine’s Grill on Wheels, Kona Ice, Pawley’s Front Porch, Poultry in Motion, Pizza in Motion, The Belgian Waffle Truck, The Coop, The Donut Guy, The Haute Dog Lady and Wurst Wagen. Tickets $5 at the gate. 320 Corley Mill Road, Lexington.

Peruvian flavor comes to Columbia

Columbia welcomed its first Peruvian restaurant with the recent opening of Paraiso del Inca at 506 N. Beltline Blvd.

Owners Ryan Dupree of Columbia, and Hanrry Paredes and Maria Segura, both of Peru, began planning the restaurant more than a year ago, said Paredes, who moved to Columbia from Peru 14 years ago.

“The main goal for us was to introduce the Peruvian flavor to the people of Columbia,” Paredes said. “And they are liking it.”

So far, one of the top menu items at Paraiso del Inca – which means Paradise of the Incas – is lomo saltado, a traditional Peruvian dish of beef, onions, tomatoes, peppers and spices served with fries and rice. Pollo asado, roasted chicken, is also a top menu item, along with fish or mixed seafood ceviche.

Paraiso del Inca is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m.

New hours at Za’s! Starting Sunday, April 24, Za’s Brick Oven Pizza will be open for lunch and dinner, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m., 2930 Devine St., (803) 771-7334, www.zasbrickovenpizza.com

Susan Ardis, sardis@thestate.com and Janet Jones Kendall, jjkendall@thestate.com

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 1:15 PM with the headline "Food & drink: Upcoming events, plus a Peruvian restaurant in Columbia."