Bills in Olympia tied to menu labeling

A state Senate committee is scheduled to hear a trio of bills Thursday that could impact the number of Washington restaurants required to share nutrition information with customers, or delay the program's Aug. 1 start date.

Last summer, King County's health board voted to require all chain eateries with 10 or more outlets nationwide to specify the amount of calories, carbohydrates, fats and sodium within each item that stays on the menu for 60 days.

By Aug. 1, affected restaurants must list the information in menus or on the menu board. Many restaurants object to the requirement, calling it cumbersome and expensive. Health groups, including the American Heart Association, support it as a means of battling the obesity epidemic, since folks eat out more frequently.

Senate Bill 6505 by state Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, would expand the labeling requirement to chain eateries throughout the state. SB6659 by state Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, would change the affected eateries and allow more flexibility in how restaurants comply (a movement supported by a companion bill in the House of Representatives). SB6786 by state Sen. Rosa Franklin, D-Tacoma, would create a task force to study menu labeling throughout 2008. The Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care is scheduled to discuss all three at 10 a.m. in Olympia. Visit leg.wa.gov for more information.

A new stop for Snoose Junction

So far, neither snow nor rain nor gloom of night has kept the bicycling/strolling pizza- delivery team at Ballard's Snoose Junction Pizzeria (2305 N.W. Market St., Seattle; 206-789-2305) out of action.

Co-owner Mark Ball says Snoose will open a new location in Greenwood in spring, expanding its delivery area to encompass most of Seattle's northwest corner.

Snoose Junction Greenwood Crossing will stick with the original shop's railroad theme but will look more gritty subway than steam train, said Ball, with plenty of recycled steel from old bus shelters. An expanded menu to include pastas and calzone sandwiches will serve a 45-seat main floor and 40-seat mezzanine bar.

Martin Yan's plate will be full

Celebrity chef and PBS personality Martin Yan rings in Chinese New Year this weekend with a variety of cooking demonstrations and events as part of Tukwila's ongoing centennial celebration.

He'll meet fans, host an introduction to Chinese ingredients at the Great Wall Shopping Mall, demonstrate his skills at the Albert Lee Culinary Events Center and host a traditional Chinese meal at the Imperial Garden restaurant.

More information is available at www.tukwila100.com/martinyan, or call KCTS Cooks at 206-443-6788.

My vegan Valentine

Starting Feb. 7, Seattle's Cafe Flora will sell house-made chocolate truffles free of dairy and other animal products, packaged in recycled paper in flavors like mint julep, orange cappuccino, ghost chili and nibby gianduja (sweet cocoa nibs with hazelnut).

Karen Gaudette, Seattle Times staff writer