LEAD OF THE STACK

For the morning sweet toothed-diner, the Hotel Murano serves an amazing gourmet gingerbread French toast. Six gooey cinnamon and ginger swirled slices arrive on a long plate topped with crème fraiche and powdered sugar. They're so soft you could sleep on them. Whipped butter and maple syrup standby if needed - although they are not necessary. It rings in at $11.

SPRING MENU

Pacific Grill's new spring menu includes a paella with steamed mussels, clams, scallop, shrimp, chicken, chorizo, griddled saffron rice, roasted red pepper and smoked paprika tomato broth. Just saying. Eat it at 1502 Pacific Ave. in downtown Tacoma.

TIGHTWAD TUESDAY

$2 beer, $2 wells, $2 tacos, every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to close at Hell's Kitchen, 928 Pacific Ave., in downtown Tacoma.

FILM

Tacoma Food Co-op presents a free screening of Fresh Saturday, May 22 at 6 p.m. inside Carwein Auditorium on the University of Washington Tacoma campus.

BENEFIT

Star Chefs on Broadway 2010 will consume the Pantages Theater Sunday, May 23 with live music, silent and live auctions and incredible cabaret performances under the direction of Kevin Joyce of Teatro Zinzanni. The event, which starts at 5 p.m., features dishes from Pacific Grill, Brix 25, El Gaucho, Affairs and several other South Sound restaurants. The charity event raises money for Broadway Center's arts education programs. The cost is $175 per person. To reserve your spot, call 253.591.5894.