Tuesday, December 8: NoHo Bistro
Cigar City Beer Dinner. It’s time to break out the big, hearty, spicy suds to compliment sturdier winter meals (even if winter really just means temps in the mid-60s). Tonight’s pairing does just that, with a menu that includes: wild mushroom spanikopita with ricotta, thyme and smoked tomato sauce paired with Maduro Brown Ale; spinach and roasted pear salad with gorgonzola and port vinaigrette paired with Jai Alai India Pale Ale; honey roasted chicken with pumpkin polenta, sautéed urban oasis greens and walnut pesto paired with Calabaza Marron Pumpkin Spice Brown Ale; a dual dessert of toasted pound cake with seasonal fruit compote paired with Sugar Plum Fairy Brown Ale; and momemade Florida citrus fruitcake paired with Warmer Winter, Winter Warmer Old Ale. The evening’s beginning brew is Vanilla Maduro Brown Ale, and a parting gift includes Joey’s favorite chocolate Mayan cookie and Bourbon Barrel Aged Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout. $45 .6:30 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)
Wednesday, December 9: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Fondue for You. You can’t do wrong with glorious, gloppy, ooey, gooey, melty cheese — but fondue is no one-trick pony. Today’s class offers a few simple and easy methods in making sweet and savory fondue for a a full menu with only a few hot pots. $35. 6 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)
Wednesday, December 9: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits
Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping by for gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one pot wonder is Tuscan shrimp and grits, with soft polenta, rosemary and pancetta. $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)
Thursday, December 10: New World Brewery
Annual Holiday Ale Tasting. Sample a selection of more than 50 seasonal ales. $15. 7:30-10:30 p.m., 1313 Eigth Ave., Tampa (813-248-4969)
Friday, December 11: Uncorked Fine Wine and Spirits
From Apertif to Digestif. If the words you just read look more like gobbledy-gook than English (well, we guess they actually aren't English), then this is the wine class for you. Learn the basics of the art of wine from start (a sparkling wine) to finish (a lovely dessert wine) along with several delightful in-between wines. If you're really into multi-tasking, the Uncorked folks urge you to "bring your gifts and we'll make a gift wrapping party of the night. No joke!" $10. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2706 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)
Many more events after the break:
This article appears in Dec 2-8, 2009.