DINING BEAT : SUPER BOWL EASY AS PIE.

Byline: Larry Lipson

Super Bowl shenanigans reach new heights at Weber's Place, 19312 Vanowen St., Reseda, a week from today when two of the bartenders are betting a pie in the face.

JoAnne Roth will get to throw a ``big, thick and gooey pie'' in Cynthia Sheppard's face if Denver wins, and vice versa if Green Bay triumphs.

The special added attraction is that patrons also will have a chance to toss a pie in the visage of the loser.

Weber's promises food and drink specials all day (like a pound of shrimp and a pitcher of beer for $9.99). Money prizes for raffles and a football throwing contest also are on tap.

Weber's has 17 television screens (three are the big ones) and carries 180 American microbrews. Information: [phone].

Turning up the heat

The ongoing battle between the burger giants Burger King and McDonald's jumps from the latest flurry, a french fry tiff that has Burger King gunning strong with a batter-coated product, to a combo meal of a new, giant McPatty plus fries and a drink.

Though not a nationwide rollout and not available locally, McDonald's is testing its Big Extra or MBX meal in various markets around the country. In its advertisements, it claims to have 20 percent more beef than the Whopper of Burger King and 25 percent more fries than BK's Value Meal.

The new McMeal, selling for $2.99, has done very well in New Jersey, according to one franchisee there.

The MBX also is being test marketed in Tucson, Ariz.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Burlington, Vt.; Des Moines, Iowa; and both Watertown and Rochester, N.Y.

Burger King stoked the competitive fires not too long ago when it introduced its Big King to vie against the Big Mac.

Napkin notes

The premiere French restaurant locally, L'Orangerie, 903 La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, celebrates its 20th anniversary on Feb. 19 with a special dinner cooked by celebrated French chef Pierre Gagnaire, matched with the wines of California's Iron Horse Vineyards. Information: [phone]. ... Homestyle casseroles provide the latest innovation at your local Boston Market outlet. Beef shepherd's pie and chicken with wild rice are the two items (each with one side dish and cornbread) for $5.49 each. To find the closest Boston Market, call [phone].