News Bites

-- Grand Roasters Ltd., Tim Firnstahl's latest endeavor (Firnstahl co-founded Jake O'Shaughnesseys, F.X. McRory's, the Kirkland Roaster and others with former partner Mick McHugh), is poised for major expansion. Firnstahl plans 10 new franchises in the Northwest by the end of '97. Key is a new, radiant, slow-roasting process for prime roast beef - 18 hours at low temperatures. I've tried it. Beef comes out quite rare but completely cooked. Available now at the Everett Roaster, 3105 Pine St., Everett (339-3333), and Sharp's Roaster, 18427 Pacific Highway S. (241-5744), among others. -- They're not exactly mad at Mad Pizza, 3601 Fremont Ave. N., just a bit frustrated. Owners Brett Chatalas (of Cactus in Madison Park), Adrian Hanhauer and Bill Tamiesie were supposed to open the new spot at the end of February. Construction delays forced postponement to a date still uncertain. "Can you say spring?" asked Tamiesie, who used to flip dough at Coyote Creek Pizza in Kirkland. Now hoping for an end-of-March opener. -- Sick of your wife's smelling up the house with her stogies? Pack her off to the First Annual "Power Women's" Cigar and Wine Dinner, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Lakeside Coastal Grill, 2501 N. Northlake Way (547-3961). A power woman is defined by Eileen Mintz as "a woman who never worries about money, she earns it." Gary Hogue co-hosting with Lakeside partners Cecily Sandal and Mary White-Sarko. The $50 tab includes wine, cigars and a four-course meal (with caviar and tenderloins) by chef Bruce Trathen.