There are quite a few changes going on at Manchester’s smoothie shop, All Juiced Up. Owner Melissa is teaming up with her mother, owner of Heavenly Fodder, to provide juice guzzlers with more natural meal options (Heavenly Fodder’s products are free of gluten and artificial additives). Frequent buyer cards will soon be available for use at both eateries, as well as gluten-free muffins (like the low sugar cinnamon orange), and bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches made with all natural meat and cheese. Additionally, All Juiced Up has added soup to their menu to get us through this chilly weather - I suggest getting half a sandwich with a cup of soup, like AJU’s Quinoa Chickpea Panini on grilled sourdough and topped with alfalfa sprouts, tomato, red onion, and ginger lime dressing. Perfect cure for the common cold weather.

If you still haven’t tried the grub at La Carreta, stop reading and go there. Seriously. No local Mexican restaurant’s food is this good. With locations in Nashua and Manchester, I brought my out-of-town cousin to the Nashua location the other night, and although the bartender pretended we didn’t exist while we waited for a table, we were fortunate enough to be seated within 10 minutes. Our smile-less waiter was at least attentive, and the food was flawless. The complimentary tortilla chips were perfectly warm and salty, and the salsa had just the right amount of spice. Of course, we got some guacamole as an appetizer because you cannot visit La Carreta and not have their guacamole. Made with big, fresh cilantro leaves and the freshest, creamiest avocados on the East Coast (I’ll bet on it), the guac was an ideal accompaniment to my original margarita on the rocks. For dinner, I ordered the veggie fajitas, which came with two warm tortillas, an army’s worth of perfectly cooked veggies, refried beans, sour cream, and more guac. I also got a side of rice, which was cooked to the ideal “fluffiness” that even the most experienced chefs try to achieve. Overall, it was a great meal, despite the OK service. Which local Mexican spot is your favorite, and why?

25 years is a long time, so why not celebrate such an achievement for an entire 12 months? Well, T-Bones and Cactus Jack’s have done just that. The local chain continues to celebrate its quarter century anniversary by allowing all kids under the age of 12 to eat free at their restaurants the last week of summer. Starting August 23rd and ending August 30th, participating locations include T-Bones in Bedford, Derry, Salem, Laconia and Hudson, as well as Cactus Jack’s in Manchester and Laconia. Items on the kid’s menu include the standard grilled cheese, hot dogs and the kid’s cheeseburger, as well as a roast turkey dinner for those with bigger appetities.

Manchester’s got another new restaurant, but this time, it’s a pizzeria. North Side Pizzeria is now open at 108 Webster Street, and this joint is not offering any fancy “extras.” Thankfully. No, you won’t see American chop suey or shepherd’s pie on this menu - North Side simply offers pizza, calzones, subs (hot and cold), salads, and a few sides. Cheese and pepperoni pizza are available by the slice, and North Side has enough of a variety of toppings and specialty pies to make anyone happy. Everything from bacon to banana peppers to eggplant can be plopped on a pie, and gourmet pizzas include buffalo chicken and four cheese. Don’t feel like driving there? Free delivery is available with a $10 minimum order.

Manchester’s got another new Mexican restaurant, but this time with a more authentic twist. Empanadas, at 168 Amory Street, is serving up traditional Mexican eats, as well as some popular Spanish fare. The eatery is take-out only, and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The cultured joint is cooking up the usual fajitas, nachos and tacos, but will also be treating locals to more Spanish-inspired meals, like their empanadas (hence the name of the place), which are pastries filled with cheese, meat and/or veggies). Pasteles, stuffed meat pastries wrapped in masa (made of green bananas, plantains, and yautia root), also grace the menu. Not authentic enough for you? Empanadas also serves paella on Fridays, and even has dessert empanadas, like the Cherry-filled and the Cinnamon Apple Tart Empanada. For your convenience, visit their website to place your order.

I went to Cotton in Manchester this past week to try their innovative summer mojito for the next 5 & Dine, and ended up staying for dinner. Believe it or not, I had never been to the Cotton before, and was surprised at how small the restaurant is, and how busy it was for a rainy Wednesday night. After I ate, however - I was surprised there wasn’t a line out the door. One of their specials on Wednesday was pistachio-crusted haddock with red pepper couscous for $16.50, and although I feared the combination between the sweet & salty pistachios with the spicy couscous might not be the best combination, I gave it a try. The combination ended up being sensational. The haddock was perfectly cooked and fresh, falling apart with the touch of my fork, and the couscous floated underneath the fish like plump, flavorful pearls that were also cooked to near perfection. The mojito wasn’t half bad, either. Check back in August’s 5 & Dine for that review.

Margarita’s may not serve true, authentic Mexican fare, but their food is nonetheless delicious. Lucky for Marg fans like myself, the local chain has a new Fiesta Zone Menu, served in the bar from 4-6 p.m. and then again after 9 p.m. for a limited time. The Market Burger smothered in chipotle mayo, lettuce and pickled jalapenos is just one item to grace the menu at the tiny price of $5.99, as well as the Island Baby Chimis for $4.99, which are packed with shrimp, pineapple salsa and cream cheese. Sounds like summer deep fried and coated in Mexican flavors - I like it. Oh, and who needs the drive-thru anymore when you can get their new Street Tacos for 99 cents each, with your choice of chicken, pork, ground beef or steak? Wash it all down with one of their new margarita flavors, like the Icy Spicy Margarita, made with habenero and chipotle flavors. Only catch: you have to be 21 or older (or accompanied by an adult) if you want to enjoy these specials, and you must dine-in.

Another new restaurant alert, this time in Manchester: Mint Bistro, offering upscale fusion fare to the city. The globally-inspired eatery opened its doors on June 8th, with a grand opening celebration on the 12th. Reasons to go: rumor has it the Bistro offers a full bar with an extensive boutique wine list, sushi and tapas; the herbs used in each dish are apparently hand-picked; and all entrees are seasonal and fresh. Brunch is also offered Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (bring dad there this weekend), and the restaurant’s open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Have no plans Friday night? Mint also has entertainment every T.G.I.F., this week being Boston’s DJ Sis Chong. Sounds like a chic new place to enjoy a trendy meal, good wine, and live music.