All events and meals take place on Thanksgiving unless otherwise noted.
the 4 three nine Join the St. Petersburg Wine Lovers meetup group for some post-Thanksgiving drinking on Black Friday. See friends and make new ones while kicking off the holiday season. 5-8 p.m. 439 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-317-5858, facebook.com/the4threenine/.
11th Annual ThanksVegan Held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa by Florida Voices for Animals, this Thanksgiving social and potluck tradition welcomes all — including non-vegans. Every dish that's contributed must be vegan, and guests bringing food for the potluck must bring a serving utensil and ingredient list. Admission fees in the form of cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. Newbies should peep the Facebook event page for more details on how to RSVP. Parking and space are limited. $7 with a vegan dish that feeds 8-plus people, $19 without a dish; kids, students and seniors can get in by donation. 1:30-5:30 p.m. 11400 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa, facebook.com/thanksvegan.
Bizou Brasserie Skip the clean up and head to downtown Tampa's Bizou for a turkey dinner. Sliced oven-roasted turkey, mashed sweet potatoes with cranberries and garden vegetable casserole will be the evening's special. For the full holiday experience, a family-style dinner is offered to groups with a minimum of eight people. Reservations must be made over the phone by Nov. 20. Family-style dinner: $20 for adults, $15 for kids age 10 and under; Special: $27. 3-8 p.m. 601 N. Florida Ave, Tampa, 813-227-9555, bizoutampa.com.
Caretta on the Gulf A combination of hot and cold items (think sushi rolls and wild rice pilaf), as well as dinner and breakfast options (think omelets, mini waffles and duck confit), will be showcased at the Sandpearl Resort's fine-dining restaurant for Thanksgiving brunch. A kid's buffet, plus unlimited Champagne, mimosas and bellinis, will be on hand. Call or go online for reservations. $64 for adults, $19 for kids ages 3-12. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach, 727-441-2425, sandpearl.com.
Cassis American Brasserie Join the Cassis crew for a holiday-inspired meal. Guests will kick back and relax at this all-day affair showcasing $5 mimosa and Bloody Mary specials. On the food side, brunch will be available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., while a special bill of fare with Turkey Day favorites is set for 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call for reservations. 8 a.m.-9 p.m. 710 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, 727-827-2927, cassisab.com.
District Tavern At its Thanksgiving Eve Bash, this Channel District watering hole will celebrate with an extended happy hour offering $5 cocktails, $4 shot specials and $2 Bud Light or Yuengling from noon till 9 p.m. Andrew Ricker will provide the live sounds all day, followed by dance music from Little Big Show. Nov. 23, noon-3 a.m. 116 N. 12th St., Tampa, 813-434-3794, districttaverntampa.com.
Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe Ever bowled with a turkey? Now you can at the Second Annual Turkey Bowling Extravaganza, presented by Brokenmold Entertainment and Ella's. S'mores on the fire pit, live music and great prizes for the best turkey bowlers will be showcased. Nov. 23, 7 p.m.-midnight. 5119 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-234-1000, ellasfolkartcafe.com.
FarmTable Kitchen The farm-to-fork Thanksgiving feast at FarmTable, James Beard award-winning chef Michael Mina's farm-to-table restaurant inside Locale Market at the Sundial, will offer three courses, with the option to add wine pairings. A classic relish tray, roasted chestnut soup and pan-seared day-boat scallops are included on the lineup. Reserve a table in advance. $59, $25 extra for wine pairings. 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. 179 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-523-6297, localgourmetmarket.com.
FriendsGiving Hosted on the FarmTable Kitchen patio, this pre-Turkey Day community dinner is set to return to downtown St. Pete. The limited-seating meal — which helps fight hunger and kicks off FarmTable's monthlong campaign to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in South Pinellas — will feature special guest Jean-Charles Boisset of the award-winning Boisset Collection. Courses are family-style and paired with select Boisset Collection wine, and proceeds will go to Feeding Tampa Bay partner St. Vincent de Paul. $99. Nov. 18, 6 p.m. 179 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-523-6297, localegourmetmarket.com.
Mattison's City Grille Snag chef-owner Paul Mattison's "Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner to Go." $29.95 for adults, $12.95 for kids under 12. 1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-330-0440, mattisons.com.
Mattison's Forty-One Enjoy either a "dine-in Thanksgiving feast," featuring Joyce Farms whole oven-roasted turkey, or the "gourmet turkey dinner special" of turkey roulade with apricot-pecan stuffing, black pepper red wine gravy and maple-glazed acorn squash with house-made bacon. Reservations, which are recommended, can be made by phone or online. $29.95 for adults, $15.95 for kids 12 and under. 11 a.m. 7275 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-921-3400, mattisons.com.
O'Maddy's Bar & Grille This Thanksgiving spread at O'Maddy's will serve up soup or salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, turkey, and dessert — plus a 50/50 raffle and cash bar. Presented by the Michael J. Yakes Foundation, the dinner aims to raise funds for underprivileged kids and seniors in Gulfport. Advance tickets are required and can be picked up directly from the bar and grill. $20 for adults, $10 for kids. 4-8 p.m. 5405 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport, 727-323-8643, omaddys.com.
Ox & Fields Take a break from Black Friday shopping with the Ox. Build-your-own bowls (BYOB) for $5 kickstart the gathering, followed by 5 p.m. happy hour with $3 select bottles and drafts. The first 10 guests at happy hour will receive a free craft or draft beer. Nov. 25, 2 p.m. 7701 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-443-6125, oxandfields.com.
Pelagia Trattoria Choose from soup, salads, seafood, veggies, turkey and even vegan courses to create an ideal three-course smorgasbord from Pelagia, housed inside the Four Diamond-rated Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel. Reservations are recommended and can be made in advance online. $45. Noon-8 p.m. 4200 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa, 813-313-3235.
Pop Up Brunch 5 (Post-Turkey Day Edition) This Thanksgiving wind-down at Seminole Heights' Rooster & The Till will serve up a to-be-announced lineup for brunch, alongside tunes from DJ Blenda and beverages by guest bartender Josh Gonzalez of The Bricks. Check for menu updates via the event's Facebook page, and call for reservations. Nov. 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 6500 N. Florida Ave.,Tampa, 813-374-8940, roosterandthetill.com.
The Rusty Pelican Expect a Champagne buffet, titled Eat, Drink and Be Thankful, meant for family and friends. Traditional turkey and pumpkin pie as well as breakfast favorites and a raw bar are among the planned menu items. There will also be kids’ activities and a Bloody Mary bar. Make a reservation. $65 for adults, $25 for kids 5-12. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 2425 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, 813-281-1943, therustypelicantampa.com.
Sea-Guini Head to Opal Sands Resort for Sea-Guini's first Thanksgiving brunch and dinner services. An array of menu items, ranging from crab Benedict and pumpkin pancakes to butternut squash bisque and traditional turkey, will be featured. A la carte will be available, too. Brunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Dinner: 5-10 p.m. 430 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach, 855-335-1087, opalsands.com.
Selene A medley of traditional Thanksgiving specials will mix with Selene's full menu. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome as well. 4-11 p.m. 4945 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-317-2064, selenerestaurant.com.
TooJay's Make Turkey Day stress-free at home or the office with a made-to-order catering selection from TooJay’s. Holiday classics such as oven-roasted whole turkeys, cornbread stuffing and pumpkin spice cake are a few options. Locally, the New York-style deli chain operates in downtown Tampa and Sarasota. Orders must be placed by Nov. 21. 401 E. Jackson St., Tampa, 813-284-4102, toojays.com.
The UnThanksgiving Friendsgiving Come hang with the Brew Bus Brewing fam. Guests will enjoy seasonal brews alongside beloved Turkey Day fare prepared by the Seminole Heights brewery's in-housed restaurant, The Eatery. Nov. 23, 4 p.m.-midnight. 4101 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-990-7310, brewbususa.com.
Willard's Tap House Get to Willard's for a special barrel-aged beer event on Black Friday. Once the celebration begins, the bar will tap a rad selection of five beers: Goose Island Bourbon County Stout (traditionally released on Black Friday and aged in Jim Beam barrels), Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout (aged in bourbon and sherry barrels from Japan), Brasserie de Silly Barrel Aged Scotch Silly (Willard's will be the first time this one, aged in Burgundy barrels, seen taps in the states), Founders Backwoods Bastard 2015 ("cave-aged bourbon barrel goodness that we have been aging for the last year"), and Founders Backwoods Bastard 2016 (taste and compare it with the year before). Bring on the holiday season! Nov. 25, 2 p.m.-midnight. 12500 Starkey Road, Largo, 727-581-8600, facebook.com/Willards-Tap-House-279420914719/.
This article appears in Nov 10-17, 2016.