A close-up outdoor photograph showing A Lost Coast Oyster, harvested in Terra Ceia, Florida. Captured in a first-person perspective on a boat, a hand holds a freshly shucked raw oyster in its shell, showcasing the clear brine and pale meat inside. In the background, black mesh floating aquaculture cages tied together float on the rippling open water along the edge of a white boat hull under natural daylight.
A Lost Coast Oyster, harvested in Terra Ceia, Florida. Credit: lostcoastoysters / Facebook

Sweet and savory gets a major upgrade this week in downtown St. Petersburg when the MFA St. Pete stays open late for “Art After Dark.”

Sundé—a Tampa songwriter that traverses R&B, folk, jazz and soul—handles the tunes and the menu is anchored by the geniuses at Café Clementine.

Every Thursday, the cafe presents its L’Apéro evening menu, which is a nod to the French habit of relaxing after work, but before dinner, with the Clementine team still doing some classics (read: that croissant), but adding savory items that incorporate bacon, brie, goat cheese, and even pestos, along with beloved sweets. Brian and Lindsay Rosegger—co-founders of Lost Coast Oyster Co.—cap off the absurdity by bringing Florida oysters shucked that morning to the party. And yes, docents will be on hand to give tours. 

MFA members get in free for Art After Dark with Sundé, Café Clementine and Lost Coast Oyster Co. happening Thursday, Oct. 8 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at MFA St. Pete. It’s $16 if you’re not yet a member. See a listing of the best food & drink events coming to Tampa Bay Oct. 1-8 below.

Sake Block Festival Thursday, Oct. 1. 6 p.m. $80 & up. Morean Center for Clay, St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org

Savor the Bay: A Chef’s Table Pairing Dinner Thursday, Oct. 1. 6:30 p.m. $95 & up. Birch and Vine, St. Petersburg. thebirchwood.com

The Art of Coffee: A Tasting Journey with Mission Grounds Coffee Friday, Oct. 2. 10:30 a.m. $10; $5 members. Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg. imaginemuseum.com

Brew Good Social: Casa Pinellas Friday, Oct. 2. 5 p.m. No cover to attend. Grand Central Brewhouse, St. Petersburg. casapinellas.org

Fall Y’all Festival Saturday, Oct. 3. 11 a.m. No cover. Coachman Park, Clearwater. saucyqueen.com

Freedom Fund Dinner Saturday, Oct. 3. 6 p.m. $145. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, Tampa. naacphillsborough.org

Piertoberfest: Oktoberfest Celebration Saturday, Oct. 3. 11 a.m. No cover. St. Pete Pier, St. Petersburg

Cars + Coffee + Donuts at Lucky Tigre w/Spaddy’s Coffee/Supernatural Donut Factory/EZ Auto FL Sunday, Oct. 4. 9 a.m. No cover ($5 per raffle entry). The Lucky Tigre, Tampa

Sips, Spirits & Sunday Football Sunday, Oct. 4. 12 p.m. $49. Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel, Tampa

Florida Orchestra Guild of St. Petersburg: Afternoon Tea Benefit Tuesday, Oct. 6. 2-4 p.m. $75 & up. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, St. Petersburg. fogsp.org 

Food Network’s Joe Sasto (Virtual talk) Tuesday, Oct. 6. 2 p.m. No cover to attend. Dunedin Public Library, Dunedin

Made in Market: Pumpkin Spice Espresso-tini Class Tuesday, Oct. 6. 6–8 p.m. $45. The Tampa Edition, Tampa. editionhotels.com

Spirit of Japan at Jekyll Hyde Park Tuesday, Oct. 6. 7 p.m. $150. Jekyll, Hyde Park

Best of the Bay Party Wednesday, Oct. 7. 7 p.m. $87.58 & up. The Coliseum, St. Petersburg. cltampa.com

October Blind Tasting Battle Wednesday, Oct. 7. 5:30 p.m. $30. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com

Pumpkin Painting & Sip Wednesday, Oct. 7. 1–3 p.m. Free. East Lake Community Library, Palm Harbor. eastlakelibrary.org

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This article appears in Oct. 01 – 07, 2026.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...

Josh Bradley is Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's calendar editor. He started as a freelance music writer in 2020 at the age of 18, and after spending years covering, announcing, and previewing concerts in...