SOUTH SOUND DINING NEWS, NIBBLES AND BITS >>>

Happy Birthday Ivar: You'll be hard-pressed to find a meal for $1.08. You can't even buy freakin' coffee for $1.08. Tuesday, March 19 would have been Ivar Haglund's 108th birthday, he of Ivar's restaurant fame. Wait for it ... wait ... for ... it. Yes, the first 108 the walk through the Ivar's in Tacoma, Lakewood and Puyallup will receive a complimentary blueberry cake pop. If you utter the phrase, "Happy Birthday Ivar," then you'll receive an order of fish and chips for $1.08 if you purchase one at full price.

Hands-On Cinnamon Rolls Class: Nothing sates a cinnamon-roll craving quite like downing a fresh bun, still steaming from the oven. Thursday, March 21, the Bayview School of Cooking hosts a hands-on cinnamon rolls class at 6 p.m. According to school hype, "Beth offers hands-on instruction making her Giant Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting. In class, you'll make a tray of your own to take home and refrigerate or freeze until you're ready to bake them off. When you're done with your rolls, you'll get to have Beth's freshly baked rolls with a cup of tea!" Beth joins a string of famous mononymous people such as Sting, Bono, Madonna and Cher in ... wait, Best goes by Beth Storey. Never mind this story. Reserve your space at 360.754.1448.

Museum of Glass Slider Cook Off: The Museum of Glass presents its annual Slider Cook-off Saturday, March 23 at the museum. The gustatory gladiators are: Asado, Bite Restaurant and Bar, Boathouse 19, Brix 25, Dirty Oscars Annex, Social Bar and Grill, Maxwell's Speakeasy + Lounge and Marrow Kitchen and Bar. An impressive lineup to be sure. Tickets are $35 in advance ($30 for MOG members) and $40 at the door. Get in on the party here.

Wine Dinner: El Gaucho Tacoma hosts Tom Glase, winemaker for Beresan Winery for a five-course meal and wine pairing Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. According to el Gaucho hype, "a 5-course meal with a Hispanic flare including scallop ceviche, duck empanada, cabrito sopé, and New York mole.  "I'm excited about the mole and 2009 Carmenère pairing at this dinner," Tom said. (Click here for a full menu)." The cost is $95 per person. Call 253.272.1510 to reserve your spot.

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide