Now's the time, if you're a meat-and-potatoes sorta person, to give that veg-head friend of yours a call. This weekend roundup has food and drink activities for the both of you to get into.
On Friday, don't miss the Grand Opening of Michelle Faedo's Tampeño Cuisine, the newest brick-and-mortar restaurant from wife-and-husband duo Michelle and Robert Faedo. Guests can expect menu items like deviled crab and Cuban sandwiches at the Encore!, a mixed-use development, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free, money for food. 1218 Ray Charles Blvd., Tampa, 813-784-6933.
Learn how to grow your own Florida-friendly veggie garden with sub-irrigated planters. Brian Neimann, a UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Agent, plans to discuss several planter designs during Friday's Vegetable Gardening workshop, hosted between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. at Weedon Island Preserve. Five-gallon planters can be purchased online in advance through Eventbrite; these planters are only available at the class, and pre-payment is required upon registration. Free, with optional planter purchase. 1500 Weedon Island Drive, St. Petersburg, 727-453-6500.
Starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, down some huge ribs — which weigh in at one pound each — from UNION72. The Shops at Wiregrass barbecue joint hosts Beef Ribs Saturday every month, and diners are welcome to chow down till they're gone. Free, money for food. 2000 Piazza Ave. #150, Wesley Chapel, 813-575-9999.
This food editor isn't big on Seinfeld, but our A&E editor sure is. Check out her weekend recommendation: Oh, George. You were the funniest of the four, always. I, too, always wanted to pretend to be an architect. I, too, don't think that there's anything wrong with that (absolutely not!). And at that moment, George, yes, you were a marine biologist. If these things made no sense to you readers, well, don't head to Rapp Brewing Company's Seinfeld Trivia Night on Saturday, but if they did, well, your moment to shine begins at 6:30 p.m. Extra points for best Seinfeld costume. I'm picturing a bunch of puffy shirts at the bar. Free, money for beer. 10930 Endeavor Way, Seminole, 727-544-1752. —Cathy Salustri
A farmer meet-and-greet is part of the informative Farm Tour of Sweetwater Organic Community Farm. From 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, topics include what's in season and how the small-scale farm operates. Bring a drink and closed-toe shoes. Supervised children are welcome, as are well-behaved, leashed dogs. RSVP via email to programs@sweetwater-organic.org. Free. 6942 W. Comanche Ave., Tampa, 813-887-4066.
This article appears in Jan 4-11, 2018.