Ice, Ice, Baby                   

Remember when SpaghettiOs rocked and Pop Tarts were hot? Recall the era when obscenely large muffins ruled, and frozen yogurt was born? Still in mourning for the way power drink juice bars have rudely replaced Dairy Queen and its Blizzards?

Remember when smoothies were hot?  Oh, yeah, they still are.

Emerald City Smoothie will open a new franchise in the Lakewood Towne Center April 14. Blueberries here, raspberries there; Lean Out, Guava Sunside, Berry Berry and Fruity Supreme everywhere. — Suzy Stump

[Emerald City Smoothie, April 14, 6020 Main St. Suite K, Lakewood, www.emeraldcity smoothie.com]

Nibbles

The Pacific Grill will introduce it’s new spring menu April 17.  Check it out at 1502 Pacific Ave. in downtown Tacoma.  Call in a reservation at 253.627.3535 and try to be the first. >> Tempest Lounge has introduced a new happy hour menu: 4 for $4 at 4 p.m.  They have four new drinks, four new appetizers, 4 to 6 p.m.  Tempest is at 913 Martin Luther King Jr. in Tacoma.  You can reach them at 253.272.4904. >> Vin Grotto Café and Wine Bar will host a Belgian beer and cheese tasting May 7, 5-8 p.m.  The cost is $30 per person in advance by calling 253.722.5079. >> El Gaucho in Tacoma hosts Vodka Thursday — 27 different martini concoctions with four different vodka representatives and paired foods — May 3 5:30-8 p.m.  Cost is $40. For more information, call 253.272.0521. — Jake de Paul