On Feb. 12, the In Vino restaurant will be hosting a presentation by the Moscow Gastronomic University. The university's supervising council will include envoys from countries representing some of the world's major types of food: Italy (Italian), Tunisia (Arab), Singapore (Asia-Pacific) and France (French).

On the same day, Feb. 12, there will be an opening party for the university's first department, the Oyster Department, which will be attended by representatives from the world's major suppliers of oysters. The party's guests – from politician Konstantin Borovoi to pop singer Vitas – will take courses in oyster shucking while actress Olga Budina and ORT TV host Aida Nevskaya take part in an oyster fashion show. Finally, there will be a tasting of nine varieties of oyster and Chablis wine.

A new, classically styled Italian restaurant has opened in Moscow. Pinocchio is located at 4 Kutuzovsky Prospekt; Metro: Kievskaya; Tel: 243-5688. The restaurant is especially remarkable for its original Italian chandeliers and a huge plasma-display monitor. The restaurant offers a choice of 120 Italian wines, eight varieties of beer, 25 whisky brands and a number of cognacs. Predictably, the average bill will not be less than $60 per head.

Now, at the peak of oyster season, the restaurant Hotel (58 Prospekt Mira; Metro: Prospekt Mira; Tel: 280-9679) is inviting patrons for oyster parties with genuine Moet et Chandon French champagne. It is well known that oysters are best served with champagne or dry white wine, like Chablis Premier Cru. Those who order half a dozen oysters will receive a free glass of champagne, and a whole bottle goes to those who buy a dozen or more of these delicious shellfish.

The Chinese restaurant Silk (29 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya Ul., Bldg. 1; Metro: Belorusskaya: Tel: 251-4134) has radically expanded its menu, adding the famous musty-smelling black-duck eggs and thick lamb soup. Vegetarians can now enjoy green peas fried with spices, carrots and mushrooms and celery sprouts fried in sesame oil with carrots and nuts.

Moscow-Rome (12 Stoleshnikov Per.; Metro: Teatralnaya, Okhotny Ryad; Tel: 229-5702) is no longer just a cafe, but a restaurant. Its menu now includes such delicacies as oysters in sauce on a bed of spinach, lobsters stuffed with vegetables and baked with cheese and much more.