Wednesday, October 26: Bianchi's Enoteca
It's "Pasta Wednesday" at Bianchi's and that means they're serving up yet another pasta special. This week, get a dish of Hawaiian purple yam ravioli with crushed tomatoes and a glass of wine for $19.95. The catch: only 10 orders will be made and it's first come, first serve. 6-8 p.m. 3215 S MacDill Ave. Suite G, Tampa, 813-837-2233, bianchisenoteca.com
Wednesday, October 26: Bistro Bleu
At this Mountain View Vitners wine dinner, guests will enjoy five wines paired with four courses from the Bistro Bleu kitchen. RSVP required. $50; 7 p.m. 2402 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-514-0691, bistrobleutampa.com
Wednesday, October 26: Whole Foods Market
If your budget is a little tighter these days, that doesn’t mean you have to give up healthy, nutrient-rich, and organic foods! Discover hidden savings and ways to get the most value for your money. Let Curtis Whitwam, WFM Healthy Eating Specialist, show you cost effective ways to shop smarter while still eating healthier. Please register by the exit lobby or by emailing Curtis.whitwam@wholefoods.com. Free; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Wednesday, October 26: Cru Cellars
It's another "pop-up" dinner event at Cru, celebrating the flavors of the fall seasons with food from In Bloom Catering. Guests will enjoy a four-course meal paired with Cru's small-production wines. RSVP to Jen at 813-831-1117 or jen@crucellarstampa.com. $95 (not including tax and gratuity); 7-9 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com
Thursday, October 27: Straz Center for the Performing Arts
The annual Wine, Women & Shoes' Signature Event where attendees will be able to taste an array of wines and talk with participating vintners, shop the boutiques, bid on one-of-a-kind items in a live auction and watch the event's fashion show. Proceeds to benefit The Children's Dream Fund. $125; 5-9 p.m. 1010 N. WC MacInnes Place, Tampa, winewomenandshoes.com
Thursday, October 27: SideBern's
It's SideBern's first bourbon dinner, featuring the Beam Global portfolio of bourbons and their acclaimed R(i)1 rye whiskey. Chef Chad Johnson has planned the menu around the diverse profiles of the six offerings and paired each with a different dish. Guest speaker Jennifer Johnson will present each whiskey and discuss the methods of distillation and aging techniques unique to each bottle. Purchase tickets here. $125 (all-inclusive); 6:30 p.m. 2208 W Morrison Ave., Tampa, 813-258-2233, SideBerns.com
Thursday, October 27: Max & Sam's Bar and Grill
Learn to paint a masterpiece while sipping on some fabulous wines at Watercolors and Wine. Award-winning artist and teacher Colleen Cassidy will guide beginners or advanced painters (no experience needed) with easy step-by-step instructions. Call 941-924-1200 to reserve a space or for more information. $30; 6-8 p.m. 1700 Park Street N., St. Pete.
Thursday, October 27: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits – Hudson
It's another installment of ABC's tastings featuring 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, 6-8 p.m., 14248 US Hwy 19 N., Hudson, 727-869-3003, abcfws.com
Thursday, October 27: Whole Foods Market
Learn to prepare easy vegetarian dishes that look and taste like they were prepared at a fine-dining restaurant at this free cooking demonstration. Please register by the exit lobby or by emailing Maria.Gumina@wholefoods.com. Free; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Thursday, October 27: St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club
The Salvador Dali Museum's Zodiac Club is once again hosting their annual "Surreal Pumpkin Carving Contest." Held at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, this year's event welcomes attendees to bring their best pumpkin carving skills to enter the contest, with prizes awarded for the most surreal-looking gourds (and a chance to win a Zodiac Group annual membership). Included with admission is a pumpkin, seasonal beer and wine, and light hors d'oeuvres. Pre-purchase tickets at thedali.obsres.com. Email membership@thedali.org with questions. $25; 7-9 p.m. 559 Mirror Lake Drive N., St. Pete, 727-823-3767.
Friday-Sunday, October 28-30: John's Pass Village and Boardwalk
The John's Pass 30th Annual Seafood Festival will feature tons of fresh local seafood, fine art and Craft Show with 60 local and regional artists, an environmental area, live music throughout the village, a street dance, fiddler crab races and a children's area. Parking within John’s Pass Village is accessible from the 129th and 131st Avenue entrances to the Village. Free additional parking is available at Madeira Beach Middle School with free shuttle service to and from John’s Pass Village. Free; Friday: 4-9 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Village Blvd., Madeira Beach, johnspassfestivals.com
Friday, October 28: IHOP – all locations
This Friday, IHOP will celebrate Halloween early and give trick-or-treaters 12 and under a free Scary Face Pancake all day (no purchase is necessary). Plus, guests will have a chance to donate to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to help kids in the Tampa Bay area. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. ihop.com
Friday, October 28: Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach
Head out to St. Pete Beach for the Corey Area Business Association's 3rd Annual Halloween Bash. There's a "ghost-load" of fun to be had at this block party: pet costume contest (sponsored by Gone To The Dogs Pet Boutique; call 727-363-3200 for details), painted face/costume contest for kids and adults, carved pumpkin contest (bring your carved pumpkin and enter to win), safe trick or treating at participating Corey merchants, and wine samplings and snacks for the adults. Free admission and parking; 5-9 p.m. Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach, 727-498-8778, coreyave.com
Friday and Saturday, October 28-29: Taste Cafe Safety Harbor
Enjoy the cooler weather, beer and wine tastings and live music at Taste Cafe's "beer garden" every Friday and Saturday evening throughout the fall season. Call for more information. 5-7 p.m. 500 Main St., Safety Harbor, 727-723-1116, tastesafetyharbor.com
Friday, October 28: Cheese Please
Taste seven to eight new cheeses each week at Cheese Please's Friday night tastings. This week they'll be pairing cheeses with wine and condiments for this Halloween themed tasting. RSVP required. $20; 7 p.m. 4213 S Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 813-766-0060, cheesepleasetampa.com
Friday, October 28: Vintage Wine Cellars
It's a night of Paso Robles wines at this special tasting, including selections from Robert Hall, Villa San Juliette, Four Vines and more. 15 wines in all to taste and guests will receive a $5 coupon good for any tasting wines purchased that night. RSVP appreciated: 813-879-2931 or tastings@vintagewinecellars.net. $15; 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Friday, October 28: Whole Foods Market
Learn to create delicious raw creations at this free cooking demonstration. Enjoy food in its natural raw state with great recipes that are fun and easy. This class will be held in the store café. Please register by the exit lobby or by emailing Curtis.Whitwam@wholefoods.com. Free; 7-8 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Saturday, October 29: Safford House
Watch Katerina Zaronias demonstrate how to prepare Kalymnian Mououri (stuffed lamb) and Loukoumades (Greek donuts) at this Tarpon Springs Cultural Treasures cooking class. Registration required. $20; 12-2 p.m. 23 Parkin Court, Tarpon Springs, 727-942-5605, tarponarts.org
Saturday, October 29: Whole Foods Market
Bring the kids to Green Halloween at Whole Foods Market and learn some fun and healthy ways to enjoy the holiday. They'll have a kids costume contest, local eco-friendly businesses and vendors, and trick-or-treating tours around the store. For more information, visit: greenhalloween.org/tampa or contact Maria.Gumina@wholefoods.com. Free; 3-6 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Saturday, October 29: Sacred Lands
The Suncoast Sierra Club is throwing a Halloween bash for the whole family that's a deeper shade of green. Dress up in your best eco-themed getup to enter the environmental costume contest and enjoy food, live music, dancing, raffles and "Sweets by Sierra" goodies. Dinner and dessert to be served from 6:30-9 p.m. and drinks are BYOB. This event is a fundraiser for the Suncoast Sierra Club. Contact fundraising Chair Kira Barrera for more information: 727-686-9631 or kbarrera777@yahoo.com. $20 (at the door); 6 p.m.-12 a.m. 1700 Park St. N., St. Pete. florida.sierraclub.org/suncoast/suncoast.html
Saturday, October 29: Palm Harbor House of Beer
Party like the undead at Palm Harbor House of Beer's Zombie Halloween Party this weekend. The festivities to include a costume contest with prizes, party games, live music by DJ Evan and, as always, 50 taps of delicious craft beers. No cover; 8 p.m.-3 a.m. 34970 US Hwy 19 N., Palm Habor, 727-784-2337, palmharborhob.com
Sunday, October 30: Historic Sand Dollar Motel, Ozona
Indulge in a Halloween beer and wine Tasting, featuring 19 styles of beers from around the world and 19 premium wines, at the Historic Sand Dollar Motel. There will also be food from two local restaurants and live music by Jayne Kelli. This tasting event will benefit Dunedin Doggie Rescue. Adoptable dogs from the organization will be on hand at the event, dressed in Halloween costumes. To RSVP, e-mail kk@dunedindogs.com. Tickets for the wine tasting are $25 and include a tasting glass, tickets for the beer tasting are $40 and feature a tasting glass and two pints of Red Brick Brewing Double IPA along with two-ounce samples of the other brews. 2-5 p.m. 348 Bay St., Ozona, dunedindogs.com
Monday, October 31: Chipotle Mexican Grill – all locations
Guests who visit their local Chipotle Mexican Grill (in the U.S., UK and Canada) from 6-10 p.m. on October 31 dressed in a costume inspired by the family farm, can purchase a burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos for just $2. All proceeds, up to $1 million, will benefit Farm Aid and Chipotle Cultivate Foundation’s efforts to support family farms. 6-10 p.m. chipotle.com
Monday, October 31: The Tampa Independent Bar & Cafe
Spend Halloween night at The Independent Bar and Cafe and get scared with a double movie feature presentation of the original 1978 Halloween and Night of the Evil Dead 2. There will be a costume contest, as well as food and drink specials all night long. Free; 7-10 p.m. 5016 N Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-341-4883, independenttampa.com
Tuesday, November 1: Maggiano's Little Italy
Maggiano's is kicking off their new happy hour with complimentary appetizers in the lounge on Monday. Free; 3-6 p.m. 203 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, 813-288-9000, maggianos.com
Tuesday, November 1: Dunedin Smokehouse
Enjoy a five-course dinner paired with Widmer Brothers craft brews at the Dunedin Smokehouse. Dishes to include lemon-pepper scallops with smoked bacon vinaigrette, PEI mussels with spicy ginger butter, rabbit pot pie and more. Call for times and more info. $45, 471 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-2BBQ, thedunedinsmokehouse.com
Tuesday, November 1: MOSI
Beginning on November 1st and continuing on the first Tuesday of every month, MOSI will be hosting "MOSI After Dark" — an adults only soiree with food available for purchase from local food trucks, drink specials, games and live music. Don't put your costumes away just yet! Enter the Halloween costume contest with prizes for the best costume. Check in to the event on Facebook for a free Imperia Vodka Cocktail (valid I.D. required) or a 20 oz. bottled soft drink. $10; 7 p.m.-12 a.m. 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-987-6000, mosi.org
Tuesday-Saturday, October 1-5: The Melting Pot – Tampa Bay area locations
Four five nights only, the Melting Pot restaurants will host the Chocolate Lovers Ladies Night Out, complete with a four-course menu of cheese fondue, salad, entrée and chocolate fondue — all themed entirely around chocolate! See the menu on the Melting Pot website. 13164 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 813-962-6936; 2221 4th Street N., St. Pete, 727-895-6358, meltingpot.com
Wednesday, November 2: Lykes Gaslight Park
Join Tampa Mayor Buckhorn downtown on the first Wednesday of every month for a lunchtime Food Truck Fiesta. In attendance each month will be a variety of local food trucks, like Taco Bus, Wiched ‘Wiches, Fire Monkey and more. Free event; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Franklin between Madison and Kennedy, Tampa, 813-274-8497, tastingtampa.com
Wednesday, November 2: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits – University Area
Taste a wide selection of craft beer from around the world including aged selections and a homebrewing demonstration. Food from local restaurants will also be provided. Admission gets you a souvenir pint glass and a coupon to use the night of the event. $10; 6-8 p.m. 2330 Fletcher Ave E., Tampa, 813-971-2122, abcfws.com
This article appears in Oct 20-26, 2011.