Photo: adactio/Flickr

Abby Conway

O.N.C.E. Brunch: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
There are a few seats left for the O.N.C.E. “Sproing” Brunch happening Sunday, March 21, 11 am. Reserve a place at their so-abundant table and get the deets on the eats at Cuisine en Locale.

Kick-Ass Cupcakes
Out strolling on a beautiful Spring day? Need a treat? Every day is a new flavor day at Kick-Ass Cupcakes in Davis Square and Wellesley (today: German Chocolate) and they offer gluten-free cupcakes as well. So what if you’re not alone. They make pup cakes and kittycakes, catnip of course, to bring home.

Cape Ann CSF
The gals at North Shore Dish recently blogged about their own experience with the Cape Ann Fresh Catch. The stated pros, cons and readers’ comments show the complexity of the issue of real sustainability and how to achieve it.

Massachusetts State Senators Vote for Healthier Schools
Late last week the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a bill that bans the sale of unhealthy snacks and high-calorie sodas in public schools. The bill requires the Department of Health and the Education Department to work together to develop nutrition standards for all foods sold in public schools. In addition, schools must sell fresh fruits and veggies (preferably locally grown), ban deep fried foods and educate students on nutrition and exercise. These standards must be in place by the start of the 2012-2013 academic year. This is great news for First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign, launched earlier this year.

This Isn’t Your Mama’s Grilled Cheese
The simple grilled cheese is a sacred tradition for many but Restaurant Dante is taking it up a notch. Every Tuesday through April 4th Dante will offer $2 grilled cheese at their bar and lounge from 5:30p to close. The twist: each week’s creation is inspired by a favorite Italian film. Here’s a list of their upcoming creations; more info at their website:

• Tuesday, March 23rd – La Dolce Vita: Aged vermont cheddar, pancetta, honey crisp apples and sage
• Tuesday, March 30th – Under the Tuscan Sun: Buffalo Mozzarella, roasted tomato and pistachio pesto
• Tuesday, April 6th – Roman Holiday: Petit jesi, robiola and peperoncini

Starbucks: frills if you want ‘em, no wait if you do
Starting this summer Starbucks will allow customers to customize their frappuccino orders. Starbucks hopes the sales of what they are calling the ‘however-you-want-it frappuccino’ will help offest the seasonal slow down in hot-coffee sales (personal aside: I’m just hoping it won’t make the line longer. During my short stint as a barista I learned quickly that frappuccinos are time intensive and always slowed down my line). Starbucks says they’re teaching their baristas a more efficient production process and installing more efficient blenders. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Annie Young-Scrivner, global chief marking officer for Starbucks, said the further customization of the beverage “should not increase” wait-time for drinks. Wahoo!

March Munch Maddness
Not a fan of college basketball? Feel like your missing out on the fun as those around you fill out their March Madness brackets? Fear not, Boston.com has the answer for all you foodies out there, and they’re calling it Munch Maddness. The first round of voting is happening through tomorrow, March 19th. Log on and have your say in which Boston restaurants go to the final four and who wins the title of Munch Maddness Champion.