Lidia's in the Strip will have a wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. tonight, featuring foods of the Friuli region of Italy. Among the menu offerings are roasted pork shank, gnocchi with cheese sauce, gorgonzola flan, filled crepes and six Fruilian wines. Cost is $70. Reservations: 412-552-0150.

On Tuesday Lidia's will host 30 middle school students from Beaver County for lessons in etiquette and an insight into the restaurant business. After a tour of the kitchen, the youngsters will be served a three-course lunch.

California wines

The Carlton will have a California wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Chardonnay, cabernet and merlot will be paired with Butter Poached Lobster Tail, Filet & Brie Ravioli, Rack of Lamb and Rare Seared Ahi Tuna (reisling comes with Strawberry Cobbler dessert).

Cost is $119 per person. Reservations: 412-391-4099.

Staff expands

Derek Stevens, former chef de cuisine of Casbah, will rejoin big Burrito Restaurant Group as executive sous chef at the group's new restaurant (as yet unnamed) May 1 in the space previously occupied by Valhalla in the Strip.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., Stevens is currently sous chef at the Duquesne Club.

Food safety

Leftovers from Buca di Beppo restaurant now come with instructions on how to store and reheat take-home food. The move is designed to keep diners safe from foodborne illness.

-- Compiled by Nancy Anderson

Correction/Clarification: (Published Feb. 20, 2004) The Feb. 19 Dining Out contained an incorrect date for the wine dinner featuring foods of the Friuli region of Italy at Lidia's in the Strip. The event occurred last night.