Saturday and Sunday, September 4-5: Crabby Bill's (4th St. location)
Don't feel like cleaning off the grill and having your own cookout? Then head over to the Crabby Bill's Labor Day Weekend BBQ at their newest location on 4th Street in St. Pete. Besides a seafood barbecue, they'll have bounce houses for the kids and raffles. This event is also a benefit for Tampa Bay Watch. Crabby's is collecting donations of dish detergent and old towels to benefit a Louisiana bird conservatory. Crabby Bill’s will donate $1 for every crab cake dinner entrée and Crab Trap specialty drink sold at all five restaurants on Saturday and Sunday. Beginning at 11 a.m. both days. 9900 4th St. N., St. Pete. (727-362-5507)
Wednesday, September 8: Brio Tuscan Grille
Meet fellow green-minded folks at this monthly networking event hosted by Green Drinks Tampa Bay, a non-profit group aimed at bringing together folks who work in the environmental field (though anyone is welcome to attend). Free event; 6 p.m. Brio Tuscan Grille- International Plaza Mall on Bay Street, Tampa. Please contact Advait Mantri with any questions 813-453-0242 or [email protected].
Wednesday, September 8: Tampa History Center
The Tampa Bay History Center and the Columbia Cafe are partnering for 'A Taste of History', a hands-on culinary workshop series exploring classic recipes from Florida’s oldest restaurant. Beginning September 8th, three culinary workshops will explore the origins and stories behind several of the Columbia Restaurant's signature dishes. Under the direction of the Columbia Cafe's Executive Chef, you'll then build your own Cuban Sandwich, mix your own 1905 Salad™ and stir your own batch of red sangria. CL's own Food and Drink contributor and food historian, Andy Huse, will educate participants on the history of each dish and how it evolved over time. The first event will be held on September 8. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Each session $35 for members and $40 for non-members; the three-workshop series is $95 for members and $110 for non-members. 6 p.m. TECO Hall- 801 Old Water St., Tampa. For more information, please contact Visitor Services at (813) 228-0097 ext. 0.
Wednesday, September 8: Bella Vino Wine & Cheese Market Can you taste the differences between California and French wines? Put your palate to the test at this tasting that will pit the Old and New World wines against one another. Register online here. $39; 6:30 p.m. 100 Indian Rocks Rd., Belleair Bluffs. (717-584-5552)
Tuesdays: Cafe Alma
Who needs a Friday or Saturday date night? Get out on a Tuesday to indulge half priced 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)
Wednesdays and Thursdays: The Toasted Pheasant Bistro
Every Wednesday and Thursday during Happy Hour, enjoy half priced house wines as well as one free appetizer plate per table (with purchase of entrée) all night. 14445 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-265-6700)
Monday – Thursday: The Havana Room
Coffee Crazy. The Havana Room runs a range of weekly specials to drum up fans for their specialty java (and who wouldn’t love an establishment that serves all our favorite vices in one spot — from a full liquor bar to Cuban roasted drip coffee, all with free WiFi and flat panel HDTVs? Actually, I’m wondering why I’m not working from The Havana Room right now…) At any rate, you can get your caffeine fix for free with these weekday incentives: Mondays, get a free coffee with the purchase of any pastry; Wednesdays, get a free coffee when you stop in for a copy of the tbt*; and Thursday is Bring a Friend Day — buy one drink and get another for free. 15 Third St. N., St. Petersburg, facebook.com/havanaroomcafe. --FW
September: Avenue Gourmet
Visit any store on Corey Avenue on St. Pete Beach and receive a coupon redeemable for a free homemade cookie from Avenue Gourmet. It's Bob Blatchford's, owner of Avenue Gourmet, way of saying "thanks" for patronizing the wonderful merchants on Corey Avenue. Bob is also sweetening the deal of purchasing from his eatery: make any purchase and receive two free cookies. 338 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach. (727-498-6466)
August: Carrollwood Deli
Featuring specials throughout the month, including the "Deli Dog": a combination of corned beef, pastrami and Swiss cheese for $6.95; Half portion of chicken or tuna salad with choice of soup for $6.50; Cheddar BLT on a freshly baked kaiser roll for $5.50. Call for daily soup specials. 11606 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. (813-964-9008) carrollwooddeli.com
Tampa Bay Fresh Markets Even in the heat of the summer, these local markets offer fresh, organic produce and handcrafted goods:
Summer SidewalkMarket.The now-annual market returns with more fresh produce, plants and flowers, crafts, foods and live music (10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sundays, Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach, coreyave.com)
Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market. This year-round market offers fresh produce and seafood, artwork and live entertainment. (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday on Beach Blvd., in Gulfport’s Florida Waterfront district
Winthrop Town Center Farmers Market. Complete with more handcrafted goods, fresh fruits, veggies, and boiled peanuts than you can shake a stick at. (Begins at 8 a.m., Saturdays, 11109 Winthrop Market St., Riverview, 813-601-3129)
Safety Harbor Farmer’s Market. The summer season kicks off with a local market boasting fresh produce, meats and seafood, cheese, breads, sauce and more. (Every third Saturday through Sept. 18, John Wilson Park, 401 Main St., Safety Harbor)
Dunedin Green Market. Fridays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (Oct.-April); Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (Oct.-April); Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (May-July). (Pioneer Park, corner of Main Street and Douglas Avenue, Dunedin)
Wednesday, September 1: Cassis American Brasserie
Attend Cassis American Brasserie's first monthly wine dinner to get a "taste of France" in their private dining room. The five-course dinner will include dessert and wine pairings for every course. The following wine dinners will be on the first Wednesday of every month. Call for price and to RSVP. 170 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. (727-827-2927)
Thursday, September 2: Sidebern's
Grill and Chill: Sierra Nevada and Florida Seafood. Sidebern's showcases sustainable Florida seafood at this month's 'Grill and Chill' event on their patio, each course being paired with a different Sierra Nevada brew. Register online or on the day of the event (no online sales after 3 p.m.). $45; 6:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa. (813-250-9463)
Thursday, September 2: Whole Foods Market
Join Whole Foods Market's Michael Palese for a free wine class and tasting. The event is limited to 30 people, so sign up quickly! Registration required at [email protected] or store exit lobby. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Whole Foods Market- 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. (813-874-9435)
Friday, September 3: Whole Foods Market
Learn how to utilize gluten-free products to create great wheat-free meals for the family, like chicken nuggets, chicken and rice casserole, macaroni and cheese, and cookie ice cream sandwiches. This event is limited to 30 adults. Reservations are required and can be made at [email protected] or at the store exit lobby. Free event; 6:30-7:30 p.m. Whole Foods Tampa- 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. (813-874-9435)
Friday and Saturday, September 3-4: The Toasted Pheasant Bistro Celebrate Labor Day Weekend with a truly American Low Country boil, packed with clams, mussels, shrimp, grouper, scallops, corn, potatoes, and sausage. $17.99 per person. 14445 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-265-6700)
