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
Wednesday, April 27: Bin 27 Bistro
Attend a complimentary wine tasting at Bin 27. Call for more info. Free; 6-8:30 p.m. 2702 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-878-2700, bin27bistro.com
Friday, April 29: World of Wines of South Tampa
It's the 'Fabulous Friday' Wine Tasting with Cate. Taste wines from Beaucanon, Yllum, Red Tree and Palarea along with taste-tempting hors d'ouevres. $10; 6-8 p.m. 3431 South West Shore Blvd., Tampa, 813-835-9463, worldofwinesofsouthtampa.com
Friday, April 29: Vintage Wine Cellars
Sample sample 10 reds and whites from Napa's best valleys like Carneros, Russian River and Alexander at this tasting. Reservations are appreciated. $10; 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Saturday-Sunday, April 30-May 1: Keel & Curley Winery
Celebrate the beginning of blueberry season at Keel & Curley Winery's 4th Annual Blueberry Festival. Pick your own blueberries ($3/lb.); indulge in blueberry shortcake, blueberry smoothies and blueberry pies; sample the winery's exclusive blueberry wines; listen to the live music and more! Free; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City, keelandcurleywinery.com
Saturday, April 30: Safford House Tarpon Springs
Several excellent community cooks will offer classes in the delicious regional cuisine of the Dodecanese Islands — the area from which most of Tarpon Springs’ Greek residents came. This week's class will be led by Maria Pantelis who will educate participants on baking with filo dough and demonstrating how to prepare bakalava and pites. Space is limited; please call 727-942-5605 to register for classes. $10; 12-2 p.m. 23 Parkin Ct., Tarpon Springs.
Saturday, April 30: Taste Cafe
Join Taste Cafe and "Tampa Wine Woman" Jodi Fritch to get to know the Big 6 red wines at this educational tasting. Jodi will walk you through the ins and outs of pinot noir, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Free; 2-4 p.m. 500 Main St., Suite E, Safety Harbor, 727-723-1116, tastesafetyharbor.com
Wednesday, May 4th: The Refinery
Indulge in locally grown delights at The Refinery's Farm to Fork Dinner. Dinner will include a five-course prixe fixe menu featuring food from local farms and the farmers who grew the food (in person, not on the plate). RSVP required. $55; 5-9 p.m. 813-237-2000, 5137 North Florida Ave., Tampa, thetamparefinery.com
Thursday, May 5: Studio@620
Enjoy a potluck dinner and presentation by author, historian and university professor Gary R. Mormino Ph. D. with the Slow Food Tampa Bay group. Mormino will discuss the impact of Italian immigrants on Florida’s culture and culinary heritage. Anyone who wants to bring a dish to share may contribute to a potluck dinner that begins at 6 p.m. Current members of Slow Food USA, and anyone interested in learning more about the Slow Food Movement, are invited to attend. Free; 6 p.m. 620 First Ave. S., St. Pete, slowfoodtampabay.org
Thursday, May 5: Red Mesa Cantina
Red Mesa Cantina is once again hosting an all-day fiesta of epic proportions, with live music, party games, tasty Mexican fare, and of course, plenty of tequila and mezcal to go around. Free admission, 21+; 11 a.m.-3 a.m., 128 3rd Street S, St. Pete, 727-896-8226, redmesacantina.com
Thursday-Saturday, May 5-7: Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds
Over in Tampa on the Renaissance Festival grounds at MOSI, guests can enjoy a three-day festive Cinco de Mayo carnival with rides, Latin music and dancers, salsa dancing lessons, food and cerveza. Get a free beer during Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. $5 for adults, kids under 12 are free; 3-10 p.m. 11315 N. 46th St, Tampa.
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
This article appears in Apr 21-27, 2011.