When the new Courtyard Burlington Harbor Hotel opens this month, they won't have to scramble to find a caterer for their events. The hotel, which is the first to be built on the waterfront in three decades, recently signed an exclusive contract with Kate Hays of Dish Catering.

"They wanted to offer something . . . a little more upscale," explains Hays. It seems her food styling is compatible with the Marriott's decor. From what Hays has seen, the place has "a nice, slick, urban feel to it . . . the kind of thing you'd see in New York City."

But if you're throwing a private party this year, don't panic: Hays will still be available to cater other events. "Essentially, my business just doubled," she says.

On April 17, Mirabelles in Burlington will change the way it handles restaurant customers. Instead of waiting in line to order your pancakes or hash browns, you'll be invited to "take a seat." Owner Alison Lane confirms that the eatery is adding table service. Why? It will be "easier for everybody - for us and for the customers," Lane suggests. "We've gotten too busy. It's too hectic." Another update: The café will start serving on Sundays, too, as of April 22.

*******

Where's the beef? Two spots, actually. Burlington will soon have a pair of new steakhouses. A sign in the window suggests that Souza's Brazilian Churrascaria will be reincarnated as a steakhouse in the old Glori Nori space, on the corner of St. Paul and Main. Plus, rumors are flying about the Church Street restaurant formerly known as Miguel's. Employees at Three Tomatoes Trattoria let slip that their owners are opening a steakhouse there.