_ Food for Thought will unite hot local chefs for a worthy cause March 19 at Urban Outfitters at the Navy Yard in South Philly. The evening benefits ACHIEVEability, which helps poor, single-parent families gain self-sufficiency. CNN's Ali Velshi will emcee, and physician/author Dr. Ian Smith will be honored. The 13 chefs, each of whom will prepare an entrée or side dish, include Jonathan Adams of Pub & Kitchen, Dana Herbert (winner of TLC's "Next Great Baker"), "Top Chef" winner Kevin Sbraga, Michael Shulson of Sampan, Michael Solomonov of Zahav and Peter Woolsey of Bistrot La Minette. $250 (Young Friends age 40 and under, $150). 215-748-8804 or www.achieveability.org.
_ Davio's (111 S. 17th St., 215-563-4810) will pair four courses with wines from Tuscany's Villa Calcinaia for a special dinner at 6:30 p.m. March 9. Count Sebastiano Capponi, the 20th generation of the Capponi family to run the estate, will host. $99 (includes tax and gratuity). Reservations required.
_ Escape the winter blahs at Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti (212 Walnut St., 2nd floor, 215-238-0499), where the winter escape menu features five courses for two to share at $55, Sunday through Thursday. Pair wines with each course for $15 a person, or BYOB Sundays and Mondays.
E-mail food and restaurant news to Laurie T. Conrad, conradl@phillynews.com.
