Thursday, November 11: Maestro’s Restaurant at the Straz Center
"A Wine Dinner in the French Countryside": Maestro's Restaurant will feature a four-course meal with wines from some of the best vineyards in France. Enjoy a reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres preceding dinner. See the full menu here. Reservations can be made by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay, in person at the Straz Center Ticket Office or online at www.strazcenter.org.
$75; 5:30 p.m. 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa.
Thursday, November 11: Fetishes Fine Dining
Enjoy a five-course dinner paired with various pinot noir wines. $100 per (all inclusive); 7 p.m. 6690 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-363-3700, fetishesrestaurant.com
Friday-Sunday, November 12-14: Vinoy Park
Yes, it's that time of year again: Rib Fest. If the name doesn't tell you enough about it, it's all about the ribs. Get some finger lickin' ribs from local restaurants, see the classic car and BMX shows and enjoy the family activities. On the main stage, The Doobie Brothers, Rick Springfield, Phil Vassar and others will be rocking out at this three-day event. See the website for more details. $11.50 in advance, $15 at the gate, free for active military and family with I.D.; gates open at 11 a.m. daily. 701 Bayshore Drive NE, St. Pete. ribfest.org
Friday, November 12: Whole Foods Market
Looking for a mouth-watering dessert this holiday season? Can’t choose between cake and pie? Whole Foods Market Tampa will be having their first ever ‘Holiday Dessert Tasting’. Cake, pie, brownies, cookies, tarts, and more will be served, as well as vegan options. This tasting is limited to 30 people. Registration is required at the store exit lobby or by emailing timothy.bennett@wholefoods.com. Free event; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa.
Friday, November 12: Tampa Bay Uncorked
"Racy Reds". It's a tasting with a twist: Guests are to bring their own bottles of red to sip and share and the person with the most creative label will win a prize. They ask that guests abstain from bringing “the usual suspects” of wine to ensure a varied selection, so that means Yellow Tail, Lindeman’s, Penfold’s, and Blackstone are blacklisted. Oh yeah, the "racy" part: Ducati motorcycles from Euro Cycles, exotic Ferraris from Ferrari of Tampa Bay, along with other makes and models will be on display to drool over at Vortex Motorsport in Central Tampa. Registration in advance required. $15 in advance, $20 at the door, plus one bottle per guest; 8-11 p.m. 5217 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. tampabayuncorked.org
This article appears in Nov 11-17, 2010.