Red Lion Hotels go trans-fat free

The Red Lion is going on a heart-healthy diet.

The hotel chain, with several properties in the Inland Northwest, just announced it has zapped trans fats from menu items at its restaurants, lounges and banquet facilities.

Dishes on the menu have not changed, only the ingredients have, company officials say.

There are still fried foods, now they’re cooked in trans-fat-free oil. (Nobody would want the Lion to get too scrawny, would they?)

Red Lion Hotels Corporation is joining many processed food companies, fast-food restaurants and other local dining establishments in eliminating trans fats. Trans fats have been shown to raise cholesterol more than other types of fat, while at the same time lowering “good” cholesterol.

Wine and cheese at Cena

Cena, a meal preparation facility and wine shop on Spokane’s North Side, is hosting a wine-and-cheese tasting next week.

The event will feature wines from Walla Walla’s Ash Hollow winery along with cheese selected by Saunders Cheese Market in Spokane.

The tasting takes place next Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cena, 12501 Highway 395, No. 3. It costs $5 per person.

Cena opened in Spokane about three years ago. It now has more than 30 franchises around the country and has even expanded to Canada, says Tami Badinger, company president.

Cena customers can come in and make freezer-friendly entrees from already-prepared ingredients. They can also pick up pre-made entrees and purchase wine from an inventory of some 5,000 bottles.

For more information, log on to www.cenatogo.com.

Cowgirl Chocolate hours

An article in last week’s Food section said Cowgirl Chocolates is open by appointment on the weekends. The chocolate shop at 428 W. Third St. in Moscow, Idaho, is actually open Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (And also from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.)