Check out our Easter Dining Guide for a list of local restaurants serving all-you-can-eat buffets and special menus this Sunday.
Thursday, April 21: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits – St. Pete
Another installment of ABC’s tastings which feature over 50 wine selections from around the globe and cigars. Each guest receives a souvenir wine glass and a coupon for $5 off any purchase the night of the event. $5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 6398 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Pete. 727-527-1579, abcfws.com
Thursday, April 21: Whole Foods Market
Love it or hate it, blue cheese is here to stay. These pungent, delicious cheeses are marked with blue mold, introduced when mold spores are injected or added to the cheese. Taste the spectrum of blues this month at Erik Woody’s cheese class. This class is limited to 30 people; register by the exit lobby or by emailing Maria.Gumina@wholefoods.com. Free; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Thursday, April 21: The Pour House
It's "Drink Local!" night at the Pour House. Featuring homegrown breweries like Cigar City, Dunedin and St. Somewhere, and throwing Swamp Head from Gainesville into the mix. Drink specials all night on the featured brews, plus live music by Shane Meade. Free event; 7:30-10:30 p.m. 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd. Suite #112, Tampa. 813-402-2923, pourhousetampa.com
Thursday, April 21: Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds
The Bay Area Renaissance Festival is presenting the "Brew & View" events, where guests can watch a movie and enjoy a cold beer for free! Guests will receive free admission to the events, a ticket for a free beer upon entering and a free ticket to the Bay Area Renaissance Festival’s themed weekend events before enjoying a movie under the stars. There will also be door prizes and festival tickets given away every 30 minutes. Free; 7:30 p.m. 11315 N. 46th St, Tampa (across the street from MOSI). BayAreaRenaissanceFest.com
Friday, April 22: EVOS – All Bay area locations
Earth Day is upon us once again, a day to celebrate Mother Earth and to highlight ways to improve our planet. It’s also the day synonymous with getting free milkshakes at EVOS. Patrons can choose from vanilla, chocolate or (my personal favorite) cappuccino shakes that contain USDA-certified, organic milk and served in biodegradable cups made from plant-based ingredients. Free; all day (see store hours). 2774 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa; 2631 4th Street N, St. Pete; 157 Westshore Plaza, Tampa; 609 S. Howard Avenue, Tampa. evos.com
Friday, April 22: The Grapevine at Westchase
Join The Grapevine for a free tasting featuring Bearboat and Piper Sonoma wines. Free event; 4-8 p.m. 12125 W. Linebaugh Ave, Tampa. 813-818-9463, grapevineliquors.com
Saturday, April 23: Organic Living
Learn how to make ice cream with natural, organic milk at this workshop. No ice cream machines to crank, no ice and no salt needed. Please RSVP. $15; 11 a.m.-12 p.m. 1612 Gentry St, Clearwater. 727-433-1661
Saturday, April 23: The Fresh Market – South Tampa
Stop by The Fresh Market for a free Fresh Flavors Cooking Demonstration. Guests are invited to drop in any time during the event and learn how to prepare Mediterranean Meatballs with Nicoise Style Tuna Salad and Grape Lime Cooler. Free; 3-6 p.m. 3722 Henderson Boulevard, Tampa. 813-875-7400, thefreshmarket.com
Saturday, April 23: Whole Foods Market
For an artsier take on Earth Day, head over to Whole Foods Market in Tampa for EcoExpression: Recycled Art Exhibit and Craft Show. This event will showcase works by local artists who create treasures from trash in the form of recycled crafts, jewelry, sculptures, pottery and then some. Guests can enjoy compimentary wine and appetizers and can cast a vote for their favorite piece of art, the winning artist receiving a permanent home at Whole Foods Market. Free event; 5-8 p.m. 1548 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com.
Saturday, April 23: The Dali Museum
The Zodiac Group at the Dali Museum is hosting their 10th Annual Musical Chairs Dinner where guests can enjoy a three-course meal with beer and wine from Café Gala, moving to a new seat for each course while playing parlor games meant to evoke the Surrealist spirit. In addition to dinner, there will be tarot card readings, Surrealist Mad Libs and more party games. Proceeds benefit the Dali Museum. RSVP early; purchase tickets online at www.thedali.obsres.com (Click "Events"). $40 for Zodiac members, $50 for non-members; 6:30-9 p.m. One Dali Boulevard, St. Pete. 727-623-4713, thedali.org/zodiac
Saturday, April 23: Cru Cellars
Attend Cru's "Wine Prom" to benefit high school girls who are unable to afford formal dresses this prom season. Guests are asked to dress for the occasion and also bring as a donation new or slightly used prom, homecoming, cocktail and party dresses or shoes, jewelry, purses and accessories. All of the items collected will be donated to the Belle of the Ball Project and Dream a Dress. $30 per person or $55 per couple; 7-10 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave, Tampa. crucellars.com
Wednesday, April 27: Grand Kitchen & Bath
Chef Elizabeth Dougherty from Food Nation Radio Network™, will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo-themed cooking demo. The menu will include homemade tortillas, salsa verde, red salsa, shredded pork tostadas with black beans and cotija cheese, and other surprise treats. Free event; 5-7 p.m. 2600 4th St N, St. Pete. 727-327-3007, grandkitchen.com
Wednesday, April 27: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits – Largo
Another installment of ABC’s tastings which feature over 50 wine selections from around the globe and cigars. Each guest receives a souvenir wine glass and a coupon for $5 off any purchase the night of the event. $10, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 1603 N Missouri Ave, Largo. 727-581-4642, abcfws.com
Weekdays: Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar
Monday- College Night: 2-4-1 happy hour with college or faculty ID, 5 p.m.- close; Tuesday- Half-priced wine bottles, 5 p.m.- close; Wednesday- 2-4-1 glasses of wine. 5p.m.- close; Thursday- $12 unlimited drafts, 8-10 p.m. 2822 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa. 813-341-2900, wood-firedpizza.com
Mondays: Peabody’s
Penny pitchers! Buy one pitcher get the second for a penny, including well liquor pitchers and select draft beers. 15333 Amberly Dr., Tampa. 813-972-1725, peabodysbilliards.com
Tuesdays: Cafe Alma
Who needs a Friday or Saturday date night? Get out on a Tuesday to indulge half-priced bottles of wine and tapas all evening, starting at 4:30 p.m. Being frugal never tasted so good. 260 1st Avenue S., St. Pete. 727-502-5002
Tuesdays: St. Pete Brasserie
Happy hour prices, prixe fixe deals and $5 apps all night! 539 Central Ave, St. Pete. 727-823-3700, stpetebrasserie.com
Tuesdays: MacDinton’s
Specials from 7-close, including: $2 Sam Adams Seasonal drafts, $2.50 Smirnoff vodkas, and $4 Smirnoff shots, and $3 build-your-own-burger. And free karaoke makes this night even better. 7 p.m.-3 a.m. 405 South Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-251-8999; macdintons.com
Wednesdays: World of Beer (all locations)
Half-off select drafts and, if you kill one of the kegs, you’ll be the lucky winner of a $10 gift card to spend on even more beer at WOB. Open-close. www.wobusa.com
Thursdays: Kon Tiki at The Tahitian Inn
$5 SKYY martinis and half-priced bottles of wine. 601 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 800-876-1397, tahitianinn.com
Fridays: Taps Wine and Beer Eatery
Ladies receive $4 martinis from 5-10 p.m. 777 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. 813-463-1968, www.tapswineandbeer.com
Tampa Bay Fresh Markets: Click here to see a list of weekly markets in Tampa Bay.
This article appears in Apr 14-20, 2011.
