McDonald's launched its Go Active! Happy Meal last week. Designed to promote the importance of balancing food and energy, the meal includes a premium salad, bottled water or fountain drink, and a Stepometer pedometer that a person can wear to track the number of steps taken throughout the day.
The company's Fiesta Salad was also launched last week. It's made of mixed greens, warm seasoned beef, cheddar-jack cheese, crispy tortilla strips and sour cream or Newman's Own salsa on the side.
As part of the Go Active! launch, fitness expert Bob Greene is leading a five-week cross-country walking and cycling event that started April 20 in Los Angeles and ends May 25 in Washington, D.C. To track Greene's progress, or learn how to be more active, check www.goactive.com.
Downtown restaurants are already making plans for a second Downtown Dine O'Round, where fixed-price dinners will be available at bargain prices. This one takes place Sept. 10-30. For more information, e-mail karen@themetropolitan.com.
Martine, 22 E. 100 South, has opened an art gallery in the mezzanine space above the restaurant. Local artists' work is exhibited during the restaurant's regular business hours, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The gallery/mezzanine is available for private parties of 10 to 40 guests.
Martine is in what's now known as the Brownstone Building, built in 1888 to house the Utah Commercial and Savings Bank. It was designed by R.A. Kletting, architect of the Utah State Capitol and the original Saltair. (363-9328)
Ichiban Sushi, 336 S. 400 East, has opened a new outdoor patio. The 32-seat patio is on the east side of the restaurant and is open seven days a week, from 4-11 p.m., as weather permits. Ichiban Sushi, owned by Peggi and Clint Whiting, opened in Salt Lake City in 1998 after being in Park City 11 years. The restaurant is located in a 110-year-old Lutheran Church.
Olive Garden's 10th annual Pasta for Pennies campaign raised $110,383.91 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Desert Mountain Chapter in Utah and Arizona. During the three-week fund-raiser, schools in Utah's Davis and Salt Lake counties participated with Arizona schools. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funds blood cancer research, education and patient services.
Wendy's is currently test-marketing its Meals for Carb Counters in Salt Lake City. They feature either a bunless cheeseburger or grilled chicken breast on a bed of romaine lettuce, a Caesar side salad and a medium Diet Coke. The cheeseburger meal has six grams of carbs and the grilled chicken meal has eight. The five test-market cities are Virginia Beach, Va.; Kansas City; St. Joseph, Mo.; Tulsa and Wichita. www.wendys.com
Submit restaurant announcements to Valerie Phillips, Food Editor, Deseret Morning News, 30 E. 100 South, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110; by fax to 801-237-2550; or by e-mail to vphillips@desnews.com.