CHEAP EATS...Dining out in California just became more affordable with the debut of the DINE CALIFORNIA CARD. Discounts up to 20 per cent off regular prices are available at participating restaurants throughout the state.

The special discount program, designed to encourage Californians to visit restaurants from Sunday through Thursday, is a cooperative promotion between the California Travel and Tourism Commission, The California Restaurant Association and Mervyn''s. Dine California Cards were distributed to 1.7 million Mervyn''s credit card customers and can also be downloaded from the California Tourism Web site www.visitcalifornia.com. Click on "Dine California" to find specifics for each participating restaurant. They are categorized by region and will be updated as new members sign on to the program.

California Restaurant Association President and CEO John Dunlap remarked, "With many California restaurants reporting sluggish business, the Dine California card couldn''t come at a better time. We hope Californians and visitors alike will be motivated by this special offer to try some of the many excellent participating restaurants."

Here on The Peninsula (listed under the heading of Central Coast on the Web site) the participating restaurants are: CAFE FINA and OLD FISHERMAN''S GROTTO on the Wharf, CLAWDADDY''S and FISH HOPPER on Cannery Row, THE SARDINE FACTORY up the block, LENNY''S DELI and PLAZA CAFE in the shopping center on Junipero and Ocean in Carmel, FORGE IN THE FOREST up Junipero and TOOTS LAGOON down Ocean a piece.

Special Dine California discounts and incentives include: VIP table--Dine California guests will receive table reservations during peak dining hours; complimentary appetizer or desert (or is it dessert--if you order Tiramisu at the Phoenician in Scottsdale is that dessert in the desert or vice-versa?); two for one appetizer, entree or dessert; or 20 percent off the total check, less tax, gratuity (tip on the un-discounted amount please) and alcohol.

Dine California offers are valid through June 30th, 2002 and, naturally, some restrictions apply. One restriction I can think of is that bottom feeders who spend their lives trying to squeeze every last dime out of a transaction should be restricted.

I don''t know how much good this will do for our state''s restaurant industry but it certainly can''t hurt to try it.

B&W GALA...For those of you who really want to treat yourselves, shuffle over to the 3RD ANNUAL TRUFFLE DINNER AT BERNARDUS LODGE. For a meager $225 per person you can indulge in the decadent black-and-white truffle-laden cuisine of CAL STAMENOV paired with wine selections from Bernardus'' award winning wine list as chosen by MARK JENSEN. I can lend you thirty-five cents to call for details.

PEER REVIEW...or details about another great meal, check out the email I got from DOROTHY MARAS-ILDIZ, the High Priestess of The Peninsula dining scene and driving force behind THE OLD BATH HOUSE in PG:

Hey Ray-Man,

Saw your blurb about the new chef at Pacific''s Edge in the Weekly and wanted to let you know that this guy rocks! Had dinner there last night and it was top-notch from start to finish; no holds barred. The wine dude, Bernabe, knows his craft and his place in the scheme of things. Service was knowledgeable and proper and the food...well, let''s just say that if they handed out Michelin stars in the US of A, they would have at least two, in my estimation. Get out there and splurge. It will be well worth every cent (and you''re gonna spend more than a few there).

Dorothy.

Maybe

JIM FOLGER, of Lockwood Vineyards, will treat himself to dinner there for his birthday on December 1. I think he''ll be finally turning 21 so he can legally order a beer or nice glass of cider.

PS. If you haven''t yet seen Harry Potter, shame on you. See ya.

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RAYMOND NAPOLITANO

RAY@COASTWEEKLY.COM