Thursday, April 26: Cru Cellars
Fly on down to Cru Cellars for Food Flight Night Thursday. The chefs and sommeliers will use their imagination and select a variety of small bites items (three to be exact), along with the most complementary wine for these bites. $20; 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com.
Thursday, April 26: Dining out for Life
If you're planning to dine out this week, make it this Thursday. Dining out for Life is an annual fundraising event through which restaurants donate at least 25% of meal proceeds to HIV/AIDS service organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. In Tampa Bay, ASAP (AIDS Services Association of Pinellas, Inc.) is the beneficiary. Dining Out for Life originated in 1991 in Philadelphia, where a volunteer for ActionAIDS launched the event. It has since snowballed to more than 55 cities throughout the United States and Canada, with an average five to six cities added each year. Over 40 Tampa Bay eateries are participating this year. Tampa destinations include such popular places as Datz, Cupcake Spot, Wimauma, The Refinery and Hamburger Mary’s. In Pinellas, the selection is even more extensive with Blue Heron Café, Bowled, Café Alma, Peg's Cantina, Georgie's Alibi and many more. Visit diningoutforlife.com for the full list to see where you can eat breakfast, lunch and/or dinner for a great cause. Diningoutforlife.com.
Friday, April 27: Bella Vino
It will be a showdown between two wine regions, at this Napa vs. Sonoma tasting. Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley’s finest wines will be featured, including wines from Kenwood and St. Supery. Snack on hors d’oeuvres and Bella’s Artisan cheeses. RSVP by phone. $15; 5:30 — 7:30 p.m., 100 Indian Rock Road N, Belleair Bluffs, 727-584-5552, bellavinowinemarket.com.
Friday, April 27: Corey Avenue Food Truck Festival and BBQ Smoke-Out
Get your weekend off to a smokin’ start by heading to 4th Friday Food Truck Festival and BBQ Smoke-Out. BBQ trucks like Mr. I Got ‘Em BBQ and Just Smokin’ BBQ will be parked, as well as other favorites, like Americanwiener and Keepn It Reel. Watch the Lucky Brand and True Religion Fashion Show between bites. 5:30 — 9:30 p.m., free parking, within walking distance. Located just off Gulf Boulevard, between Blind Pass Road and Boca Ciega Drive in Downtown St. Pete Beach, 727-498-8778, coreyave.com.
Saturday, April 28: Fresh Market
Whichever side of the bay you’re on, you’ll be able to attend this Fresh Flavors Demo, because it’s in two locations. The featured selections include angel hair with tuna and capers, and Mediterranean deviled eggs, which will bring out both the angel and devil in you. 3-6 p.m., 2900 4th St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-822-4913; 13147 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-964-8001, freshmarket.com.
Saturday, April 28: Safford House
Head to the house for week five of this cooking class series. Soup for you, specifically, an egg and lemon soup named avgolemono. Papoutzakia (stuffed eggplant) is also on the agenda. Sponsored by City of Tarpon Springs. Register via phone or website. $20; 12 — 2 p.m., 23 Parkin Court, Tarpon Springs, 727-942-5605, tarponarts.org/folklife.
Saturday, April 28: Total Wine and More
If you’d rather sip tequila instead of wine, check out this Patron XO Café tasting and medallion engraving event. Patron XO Café is a blend of Arabica coffee and Patron Silver, which combines happy hour and coffee break. For a personal touch, get your name engraved on a medallion to hang over the bottle you purchase. Free; 1 — 4 p.m., 1720 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-350-9601, totalwine.com.
Saturday, April 28: Ulmer Park’s Wine and Food Truck Tasting
Be a part of Largo’s 1st annual wine and food truck tasting, Largo Live. You’ll have 100 wines to choose from ($3, $5 or $7) and bites from ten food trucks and various local restaurants. Leaf will provide live entertainment. Vendors will be there as well, selling crafts and other goodies. Proceeds will go to disabled veterans. Free; 5-10 p.m., 301 West Bay Drive, Largo, abilitiesfoundation.com.
Saturday, April 28: Ybor Saturday “Rallket”
At this Saturday’s Market, you’ll get to enjoy the market and a food truck rally simultaneously. This “rallket” will feature several favorite food trucks in addition to the usual gourmet foods, produce and gifts available at this weekly market. 11 a.m. — 3 p.m., 1800 E. 8th Ave., Tampa, tastingtampa.com.
Sunday, April 29: Publix Apron’s
Hey cupcake…get the 411 on cupcakes at this Cupcake 101 hands-on class. Learn the best way to bake them, and several decorating techniques. Buttermilk cupcakes will be frosted with chocolate ganache, vanilla, Swiss meringue and seven minute frostings. Sweet! $40; 6 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, 813-926-4465, publix.com/aprons.
Monday, April 30: Foodies
If you have never been to a Hen Party, here’s your chance. Foodies is hosting a Hen Party, where hens will be on the agenda. This cooking class will feature orange ginger hens with cranberry salsa, white chocolate Brandy Alexander and more. Register via phone or online registration form. $45; 6:30 p.m., 3462 Bayshore Blvd. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-216-9546 or 727-209-1418, foodies.net.
Monday, April 30 — Tuesday, May 1: Red Mesa Cantina
If you don’t want to wait until Saturday to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, get an early start by heading to Cantina’s 4th Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, where the fiesta is six days long. Enjoy drink specials, such as $2 Tecate, Don Julio tequila shots and $8 Cadillac margaritas. Participate in the raffles and win prizes like a Kindle Fire. 7 p.m., 128 3rd St. S, St. Petersburg, 727-896-8226, redmesacantina.com.
Thru May 5
Tuesday, May 1: Panchero’s Mexican Grill
If your name is Robert, today is your lucky day at Panchero’s. As a tribute to their burrito mixing tool named Bob, all patrons with the name Robert, or variation of Robert, will eat for free. This event is to bring the name Bob back with a vengeance (seriously). 3700 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, 727-571-3111, savebobs.org.
Tuesday, May 1: World of Beer (Downtown St. Petersburg)
It will be beer utopia at this Rogue Brewery Beertopia event. Over ten Rogue brews will be featured, including JJ Jupiter Pale Ale and Double Dead Guy. This Oregon brewery dates back 300 years, so you know the brews will be bodacious. 6 p.m., 100 4th St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-823-2337, downtownstpete.wobusa.com.
Wednesday, April 25 — Tuesday, May 1: Chelsea Nightclub
Need one more reason to kick your butts to the curb? Chelsea just opened a smoke-free bar, where it’s buy one, get one on all drinks. The “be who you are bar” opens daily at 4 p.m., and has plenty of free parking. 1502 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-228-0139, chelseanightclub.com.
This article appears in Apr 19-25, 2012.