GOOD TASTES.

NEW AND NIFTY: Now you can avoid plastic wrap frustration and that traditional serrated cutting edge, because finally there's a package of plastic wrap that's easy to tear. Reynolds is now offering clear plastic wrap packaged with an EZ Slide Cutter inside the box.

It's a breeze to use. You simply move the blue-colored cutting tab to either side of the track in the box, pull out the desired amount of wrap, place it over the bowl or container you're covering, then slide the tab across the track and plastic wrap. Voila - a smooth, evenly cut piece of plastic wrap, hassle free, in no time. Plastic wrap has never been so easy to handle.

In Reynolds research, more than 40 percent of consumers noted that plastic wrap wasn't easy to tear off the roll. Dilemma solved. Look for a 100-square-foot roll of plastic wrap with the cutter at most major grocery stores. Suggested retail price is $2.99.

- Natalie Haughton

NEWSLETTER: The Culinary Institute of America is offering a new monthly newsletter, Kitchen & Cook, for food enthusiasts with tips and techniques from the pros. In addition to articles focusing on a wide range of culinary, baking and pastry, wine and hospitality subjects, each issue will feature regular columns like Ask the Editor and Culinary Concepts.

The December issue included features on duck, wild rice, vanilla sauce, the joys of fungi, flour power, bollito misto and more. The newsletter is available by mail only for an initial subscription price of $19.97 for 12 issues. To subscribe, call [phone].

- Staff and Wire Services

DINING OUT

Don't ask for Damon or Pythias at the new restaurant of the same name - Damon & Pythias - in Calabasas, because they are mythical Greek heroes.

Their current counterparts are a couple of college pals who conceived this casual cafe, this the second location, the original in Westwood.

Valley residents Steven Brower (Tarzana) and Jeff McNeal (Encino) are the pals in question. Their restaurant specializes in mix-and-match salads and sandwiches plus a seafood catch (e.g.: orange miso glazed salmon with a choice of two side dishes for $11.95), tropical mojito baby back ribs with garlic fries (half rack $9.95, full rack $14.95) and a mixed grill plate ($10.95).

Soups ($3.50) such as Tuscan bread soup or shrimp and andouille sausage gumbo are featured daily.

Salad-creating customers choose from romaine, mixed greens and spinach along with five added ingredients from a list of 21 possibilities. A half-size order is $5.50; regular is $6.25.

Sandwich-makers pick either focaccia or grilled sourdough and stuff them with roast turkey, marinated flank steak, marinated chicken breast, low-fat chicken-apple sausage or the daily featured sausage selection. They can add mixed baby greens, sliced tomatoes, caramelized onions, honey mustard and/or garlic aioli. These sandwich creations cost $5.75.

Desserts that change daily range from $1.65 to $1.95.

Damon & Pythias, 4719 Commons Way, Calabasas, also serves beer and wine. Information: [phone].

- Larry Lipson

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) no caption (Reynolds' Plastic Wrap EZ Slide Cutter)

(2) no caption (newsletter: ``Kitchen & Cook'')