History is OK, though you usually can't eat it. But there are a few food angles developing for Pittsburgh 250, the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the naming of this region in 1758.

Snyder of Berlin -- the Berlin in Somerset County -- has just come out with a commemorative potato chip bag. The black-and-gold bags, available across the region, feature 16 famous facts about regional achievements, such as the 1967 debut of McDonald's Big Mac here.

Of course, you can't eat the bag.

Downtown's Art Institute of Pittsburgh's Taste of Art restaurant, which is open to the public for lunch Monday through Wednesday, is marking the 250th by serving several historic Pittsburgh dishes on its spring menu. These include Italian Wedding Soup and pierogies, kielbasa and sauerkraut (of course), plus old favorites such as City Chicken Kabobs (actually pork) and the Turkey Devonshire sandwich, as well as, for dessert, an Isaly's Deconstructed Klondike (described as "fresh made vanilla and caramel ice cream, served with a chocolate ganache dipping sauce and crushed peanuts on side for dipping").

Restaurant manager and culinary instructor Roger Levine welcomes more ideas for Pittsburgh foods and the stories behind them to share with students and eaters alike; e-mail him at rmlevine@aii.edu.

For information and reservations (suggested), call 412-291-6532. See the full menu at www.artinstitutes.edu/pittsburgh/taste_of_art.asp.

-- Bob Batz Jr.