Wednesday, June 8: Downtown Dunedin
Help out those affected by the natural disasters that ravaged parts of our country by dining and shopping in Dunedin for the "Chalice for a Cause: Waiting for Relief" event. Participating retailers and restaurants will be donating a percentage of their proceeds, salaries and tips to the American Red Cross toward this relief effort to aid victims of the severe storms that caused devastating amounts of damage and the loss of homes and lives. Participating businesses include The Living Room on Main, Dunedin Smokehouse, Flanagan’s Irish Pub, Kelly’s, The Chic-A-Boom Room, Blur, Casa Tina’s, Pan Y Vino, Cabana Cafe and more. Visit the Waiting for Relief Facebook page for more information or call Sarah at 727-736-5202.
Wednesday, June 8: Datz
For this week's Chef's Kitchen, keep your cool with these cold dishes. Learn how to make vegetable pops, soba noodles with chili ponzu sauce, and honey ice cream. Register online here. $20; 6 p.m. 2616 South MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-7000, datztampa.com
Wednesday, June 8: Whole Foods Market
Curtis Whitwam, Healthy Eating Specialist, will introduce you to the Health Starts Here program with a cooking demo and tour of the store. Learn how to use the ANDI score to identify the most nutrient-rich vegetables, meats, cheeses, fish and other products in the store. Curtis will demonstrate ways to creatively integrate these natural ingredients into your diet and prepare delicious, satisfying meals that enhance your health and wellness. This class is limited to 30 people. Register by the exit lobby or by emailing Curtis.Whitwam@wholefoods.com. Free; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Thursday, June 9: Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits
Meet, greet and dine with musical artist, producer and winemaker Denis Degher (a.k.a.: Sleepy Guitar Johnson) of Domaine Degher in Paso Robles, CA. Enjoy a six-course meal prepared by the chefs at SideBern's along with Degher wines. $125; 6:30-10 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave, Tampa, 813-250-9463. bernsfinewines.com
Thursday, June 9: Yuengling Brewery
Martin Schwartz invites you to come out for a night of complimentary beer, appetizers, and a silent auction as he attempts to raise bail money for the MDA North Tampa Executive Lock Up. His bail is set at $3200, which can send 4 children to the Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp or serve an individual for an entire year. $10; 7 p.m. 11111 N. 30th St., Tampa, 813-971-8529.
Friday, June 10: Whole Foods Market
Join this free class that will teach you techniques for oil-free cooking. Drop the empty calories, set the oil to the side and learn how wonderful food can taste when it’s not covered in fat. 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
Friday, June 10: Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits
At this week's Crush Hour event, taste a variety of varietals from California's Russian River Valley. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave, Tampa, 813-250-9463. bernsfinewines.com
Saturday, June 11: B-21
Attend this free tasting featuring Spanish tapas and wines from the Rioja region of Spain. Serving tapas until they run out, so get there early! Free; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 43380 US Highway 19 N, Tarpon Springs, 727-937-5049, b-21.com
Saturday, June 11: The Fresh Market – Clearwater and St. Pete
Local chefs will lead a free, step-by-step presentation at The Fresh Market. Guests are invited to drop in any time during the event and learn how to prepare Sautéed Tomato Basil Pork with a Bright Summer Salad and Berry Dessert Parfaits. Free; Clearwater: 1-4 p.m., St. Pete: 3-6 p.m. 25961 U.S. Highway 19, Clearwater, 727-669-6111; 2900 4th Street N., St. Pete, 727-822-4913; thefreshmarket.com
Monday, June 13: Lee Roy Selmon’s – Palm Harbor
Meet football great Lee Roy Selmon and other celebrities at the Grand Opening of his seventh Lee Roy Selmon’s restaurant in Palm Harbor while enjoying appetizers and an open bar. The event is a benefit for the Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy. Limited spaces. Contact Nancy Agnew at 727-726-8829 (ext. 209), or nancy@chichi.org for more information. $75; 6-9 p.m. 34200 U.S. 19, Palm Harbor, 727-216-6566, leeroyselmons.com
Tuesday, June 14: Tampa Bay History Center
The Tampa Bay History Center Culinary Workshop Series: Tampa Tribune food editor Jeff Houck and Andrew Huse, author of The Columbia Restaurant: Celebrating a Century of History, Culture, and Cuisine, and CL Food contributor will share the history and lore behind each delectable Columbia dish, followed by a cooking demonstration and tasting. This week: "1905" Salad™ and Sangria de Cava. Pre-registration is required. $30 for members; $40 for non-members for a single workshop; 6-7:30 p.m. 801 Old Water St., Tampa, 813-228-0097 (ext. 0), tampabayhistorycenter.org
Wednesday, June 15: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits – Tampa
Indulge in this special beer tasting, with over 60 craft beers from around the world to try. Participants receive a coupon good on the night of the event and a souvenir beer glass. $10; 6-8 p.m. 3015 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-876-5330, abcfws.com
Wednesday, June 15: Cru Cellars
Taste 13 offerings from the '$13 and Under Table'. Build your own “baker’s dozen” and receive 13% off. Email Jen at jen@crucellarstampa.com to RSVP or call 813-831-1117. $13 (plus tax); 6-8 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com
Thursday, June 16: Whole Foods Market
Learn the basics of cheese with WFM's cheese expert Erik Woody. Sample wines paired with the cheeses to bring out their flavor and richness. Register by the exit lobby or by emailing Maria.Gumina@wholefoods.com. Free; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Weekly Specials:
Weekdays: Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar
Monday- College Night: 2-4-1 happy hour with college or faculty ID, 5 p.m.- close; Tuesday- Half-priced wine bottles, 5 p.m.- close; Wednesday- 2-4-1 glasses of wine. 5p.m.- close; Thursday- $12 unlimited drafts, 8-10 p.m. 2822 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa. 813-341-2900, wood-firedpizza.com
Mondays: Peabody’s
Penny pitchers! Buy one pitcher get the second for a penny, including well liquor pitchers and select draft beers. 15333 Amberly Dr., Tampa. 813-972-1725, peabodysbilliards.com
Tuesdays: Cafe Alma
Who needs a Friday or Saturday date night? Get out on a Tuesday to indulge half-priced bottles of 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
Tuesdays: Tampa Tap Room
Karaoke night! Half-priced burgers until 8 p.m., $5 domestic and $6 craft/import liters.
13150 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 813- 961-BEER, TampaTapRoom.com
Tuesdays: St. Pete Brasserie
Happy hour prices, prixe fixe deals and $5 apps all night! 539 Central Ave, St. Pete. 727-823-3700, stpetebrasserie.com
Wednesdays: World of Beer (all locations)
Half-off select drafts and, if you kill one of the kegs, you’ll be the lucky winner of a $10 gift card to spend on even more beer at WOB. Open-close. www.wobusa.com
Thursdays: Kon Tiki at The Tahitian Inn
$5 SKYY martinis and half-priced bottles of wine. 601 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 800-876-1397, tahitianinn.com
Fridays: Taps Wine and Beer Eatery
Ladies receive $4 martinis from 5-10 p.m. 777 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. 813-463-1968, www.tapswineandbeer.com
Image: tacomacdouglasville.com
This article appears in Jun 2-8, 2011.