Find deals during lean dining out month of January

Between wintry weather, New Year diet resolutions and tightened post-holiday purse strings, January is typically a slow time for dining out.

So watch for eateries to host specials — typically set for midweek, when restaurant business can be especially slow.

Two midweek specials that have come to our attention are at Molinari’s in Mentor and The Cabin of Willowick.

At Molinaris, 8900 Mentor Ave., Tuesdays and Thursdays will showcase freshly made pasta with giant meatballs priced at $15 a plate. Call 440974-2750.

And Tuesday is Burger Night at The Cabin of Willowick, 28810 Lake Shore Blvd., where nine burger creations ranging from $6 to $11.75 include the Cuban, with beef patty, ham, pork loin, mozzarella, swiss, pickles, mustard, on a brioche bun; the Cowboy, with bacon, wild mushrooms, onion and horseradish sauce; the Russian, with a beef patty, vodka sauerkraut, swiss, fried pickles and Russian dressing; and Papa Pig, with a chorizo patty, bacon, cheddar, red onion, tomato, pico de gallo and chipotle mayo.

Call 440-943-5195.

Love Italian style

Loretta Paganini has combed through her recipe repertoire for An Italian Love Affair class at 6 p.m. Jan. 23 at her Loretta Paganini School of Cooking, 8613 Mayfield Road, Chester Township.

Menu for the 2.5-hour demonstration class will include crab strudel with fonduta sauce, cheese tortelloni pasta with pink sauce, citrus-marinated pork loin, oven-roasted fingerling potatoes, swiss chard and prosciutto gratin and an Italian chocolate trifle for dessert.

If you are planning to host a Valentine dinner, this $55 class will give you some great ideas. Register: 440-729-1110; www.lpscinc.com.

Cooking with honey

Cooking with honey will be the focus in a two-hour class from Judi Strauss at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at the kitchen at Wildwood Cultural Center, 7645 Little Mountain Road, Mentor.

An ingredient that never goes bad and contains antioxidants, vitamins, mineral and other good things, honey is ideal for baking, savory dishes, beverages and a lot more.

The class costs $17, with a $3 discount to Mentor residents, plus a $9 food fee payable in cash to Strauss on class night.

Call 440-974-5735 to register.

Red wine dinner

Take your wine tasting to new levels on Jan. 24 with a wine dinner framed around powerhouse reds at Sapore, 8623 Mayfield Road, Chester Township.

A collaboration between wine educator Gary Twining and Sapore owner Loretta Paganini, the evening will include Bethel Estate Pinot Noir (Oregon); Choupette Cotes de Nuits Villages (Burgundy); Chateau Trimoulet (St. Emilion — Merlot); L’Ecole No 41 Seven Hills Merlot (Washington); Star Lane Cabernet (Santa Ynez) and Andrew Will Cabernet (Washington) wines poured to taste with prosciutto, taleggio and fig flatbread; warm wild mushroom salad; veal ragout over pappardelle; roasted prime rib with horseradish mashed potatoes; grilled asparagus; and a chocolate truffle torte.

It’s $109 per person, including tax and service. Reserve: 440-729-1110.

Local Flavors Janet Podolak