Throughout the week, Tampa Bay's food and drink scene experienced a bundle of neat happenings and announcements.
The region's holiday-themed grub gatherings kept on comin', Il Ritorno and Kelly's celebrated anniversaries, Locale Market premiered, Ulele was recognized by OpenTable, The Bourgeois Pig opened, Fodder & Shine revealed its new opening date and way more.
In case regionites are seeking more for their food and drink fix, here are three other noteworthy Pinellas spots to visit Sunday as the weekend winds down.
Stop inside the market portion of downtown St. Pete's Red Mesa Mercado, which debuted earlier in the week and faces 11th Street North, between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Patrons may down Kahwa Coffee drinks, Mexican breads, croquetas de jamón, breakfast empanadas and more.
Prepackaged and take-home items like Mesa-curated ceviches, dressings and spices — as well as house-made tortillas and marinated steaks, chicken and fish — are among the market's additional offerings.
Afterward, finish up what's left of those holiday shopping lists during a gift-making market, the latest Local Buds soirée, at the nearby St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club from noon to 5.
Eats will be offered by Maggie on the Move, and 13 vendors, including Steve's Gourmet Olives and the Pinellas Chocolate Company, will showcase their goods for last-minute shoppers.
Vendor-led DIY gift workshops will also be featured. There's one that begins at 2 and focuses on creating succulent arrangements, and another at 4 for those who want to craft a natural body scrub.
Though each class costs $30, a $50 package gets you access to both workshops. If any spots are left, marketgoers need to register and pay in advance by emailing oberryssucculents@yahoo.com.
Head brewer Andrew Posey of Urban Comfort, the brewpub concept from Urban Brew and BBQ, will pour samples of his hoppy red ale throughout the afternoon, too.
For more beer, head to Seminole's Rapp Brewing Company for its annual holiday potluck that runs from 3 to 8. The brewery will provide the main course, but bringing sides and desserts to share is recommended.
The Our Lady of Perpetual Pickles cannery will be on site with gift ideas like its Gose Rappickles and Bastard Mustard, which are inflected with Rapp brews.
This article appears in Dec 18-24, 2014.