Tuesday, July 13: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits
Stag’s Leap Wine Dinner. Wine rep Kimberly Jones hosts tonight’s five-course, wine-paired dinner, starring Stag’s Leap wines — which pioneered the American wine tradition with its inception in Napa Valley more than three decades ago. $125. 6:30-9:30 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)
Wednesday, July 14: Le Bouchon Bistro
Bastille Day. Francophiles celebrate the storming of the fortress with a taking of the tastebuds. Tonight's menu includes: Madiran et Casoulet; Cote du Rhone Blanc et Moules Frites (Cote du Rhone with mussels and fries); Chateau David et Steak Frites Bordelaise (Chateau David with steak and fries); and Blanc de la Maison et Poisson du Jour (house wine with the catch of the day). $19.50-$22. 796 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs (727-585-9777)
Wednesday, July 14: The Toasted Pheasant Bistro
Bastille Day. Both sides of the Bay are showing off their France-ified menus today. Try a few classic that would make Julia Child proud, from three-cheese French crepes to Coquille St. Jacque, frog legs, escargot, Coq Au Vin, Beef Bourguignon, Grouper Nicoise, Seafood Bouillabaisse Capellini, and Chateaubriand with Béarnaise. Appetizers, $4.99-$9.99; Entrees, $14.99-$25.99. 4-10 p.m., 14445 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-265-6700)
Thursday, July 15: SideBern’s
Grill & Chill BBQ. Messy, sticky, down-home cooking probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of SideBern’s, the hot younger sister of world-renowned steakhouse, Bern’s. But SideBern’s chef Chad Johnson isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty: he’s serving up Deep Creek Ranch grass-fed, Florida-bred beef, paired with Bell's Brewery beers from Michigan. $45. 7-9 p.m., 2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa (813-258-2233)
This article appears in Jul 8-14, 2010.