Tuesday-Saturday, November 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 ofcheese 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: 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 linguine with clams 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, November 2: Cafe Dufrain
At Cafe Dufrain's complimentary wine tasting this week, try the NxNW Cab, Twenty Bench Cab and the Domaine de la Perriere "Sancerre" Sauv Blanc. Free; 6-7:30 p.m. 707 Harbour Post Drive, Davis Island, Tampa, 813-275-9701, cafedufrain.com
Thursday, November 3: The Ale and the Witch
Tonight's Brewery Night will feature Tampa's own Cigar City Brewing with the following offerings on tap: Smokabaga (a chili pepper version of their famous Tocobaga), Hotter than Helles, Good Gourd, Guava Grove, Jose Marti American Porter, Sugar Plum Brown Ale, Jai Alai. Minaret (Gold Medal winner of the 2011 Great American Beer Festival). There will also be specials on beer flights and live music by AppleButter Express at 9 p.m. Free; 6-11 p.m. 111 2nd Ave NE, St. Pete, 727-821-2533, thealeandthewitch.com
Thursday, November 3: Total Wine & More – St. Pete
Sample eight selections from the famous wine-growing region of Burgundy — Left Bank reds produced with Cabernet Sauvignon to the elegant Merlot-based reds of the Right Bank. Also included are some crisp and elegant whites of Bordeaux, produced primarily with Sauvignon Blanc. Class includes wine selections, tasting sheets, take home educational materials, and discounts on the wines presented in class. Call to RSVP. $25 6:30-8:30 p.m. 4880 Park Street N., St. Pete, 727-544-6018, totalwine.com
Friday and Saturday, November 4-5: The Fresh Market – all locations
Sample the many fully prepared holiday dishes that The Fresh Market will be offering for Thanksgiving and Christmas this weekend, including: turkey, ham and a variety of side dishes, standing rib roast, holiday pies and desserts, smoked salmon, crab dip and more. During the tasting event, customers can sample the options and place orders for holiday meals, making for a simpler holiday season. Free; Friday: 12-6 p.m., Saturday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 25961 US Highway 19 N., Clearwater, 727-669-6111; 13147 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 813-964-8001; 3722 Henderson Boulevard, Tampa, 813-875-7400; 2900 4th St. N., St. Pete, 727-822-4913; thefreshmarket.com
Friday, November 4: Total Wine & More – Clearwater
Join Total Wine for a complimentary tasting of wines from Austria, including selections from Hugl and Winzer Krems. Free; 12-6 p.m. 2528 State Road 580, Clearwater, 727-431-1010, totalwine.com
Friday, November 4: Smith & Associates Real Estate
The ladies of Vegan Housewives want to share gourmet vegan cuisine and spread the word about their newly launched vegan blog with the St. Pete community at this event. They're also going to be raising funds and awareness for SPOT, St. Pete’s low cost spay and neuter clinic. Fun for the whole family, this "yappy hour" will feature vegan cuisine, face painting, a silent auction, a smooch-a-pooch photo booth and the launch of SPOT’s 2012 “Local Hunks Promoting Spay & Neutering” calendar. Four-legged friends welcome. Free; 5:30-8:30 p.m. 330 Beach Drive NE, St. Pete, veganhousewives.com
Friday, November 4: World of Wines South Tampa
You're sure to find a wine that suits you just fine at this 'A Wine for Every Palate' tasting. $10; 6-8 p.m. 3431 South West Shore Blvd, Tampa, 813-835-9463, worldofwinesofsouthtampa.com
Friday, November 4: Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits
For this Champagne themed Crush Hour, guests can enjoy eight different bubbly selections from Nicolas Feuillatte — the oldest union of producers of Champagne. Call to RSVP. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-WINE, bernsfinewines.com
Friday, November 4: International Cellar Wine Shop & Wine Bar
Start your weekend off right with a tasting of wines from both domestic and international wineries while enjoying the sounds of "Big Joe" on the guitar. Cover charge can be applied to any wine purchase this evening. $5; 6:30-10 p.m. 3689 Tampa Road, Suite 304, Oldsmar, 813-855-8099
Friday, November 4: Airport Hangar 4 at the International Jet Center
Get a taste of the life of the jet-set at the 18th Annual ExTravelGanza, hosted by the Tampa Bay Hospitality Alliance. Attendees will get the chance to indulge in wine and spirit tastings, foods prepared by chefs from leading local restaurants and resorts and complimentary valet parking. Proceeds from admission and the live and silent auctions to benefit Florida Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts Program students through scholarships. Purchase tickets here. $60; 7-10 p.m. 4751 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa, extravelganza.org
Saturday, November 5: Safford House
Watch Maria Pantelis demonstrate how to prepare holiday sweets — Melomakarona (honey spice cookies) & Galaktoboureko (custard in filo) — 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, November 5: Pour House Tampa
It's "Drink Local Day" at the Pour House and they'll be featuring a whole mess of tasty, Florida made brews on tap. Support your local craft brewers and get some kickass beer by attending. Events include a meet-and-greet with the Cigar City and Dunedin Brewery head brewers, special cask tappings and more. See website for times and details. Free; 1 p.m.-2 a.m. 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd. Suite #112, Tampa, 813-402-2923, pourhousetampa.com
Saturday, November 5: Downtown Safety Harbor
Back for its 10th year, the Safety Harbor Wine Festival will be taking place this weekend, offering over 100 types of wines for $3 or $5 per glass. There will also be lots of food from local eateries, arts and crafts stalls and three stages with live jazz performances. Proceeds to benefit five local civic organizations and not-profits. Free; 5-11 p.m. Main Street, Downtown Safety Harbor (between Bayshore Boulevard and 8th Ave.), 727-724-1572.
Saturday, November 5: The Mermaid Tavern
Remember, remember the fifth of November — because it's The Mermaid Tavern's grand opening shindig! Party-goers can enjoy craft beers, wine, music by a live DJ and more. Free; 8 p.m.-3 a.m. 6719 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 727-475-0950.
Saturday, November 5: Jonny Reno's
Get out your bellbottoms and dust off those platforms because Jonny Reno's is hosting disco night. Groove and hustle to The Hunks of Funk and enjoy groovy drink specials, including sangria and select wines and bubbly for $3. Try one of Jonny's "cake shots" for a sweet liquid dessert-inspired treat. Call for times and more info. 800 2nd Ave NE (first floor of The Pier), Downtown St. Pete, 727-896-RENO, jonnyreno.com
Sunday, November 6: Carmel Café & Wine Bar – Clearwater and Carrollwood
Partake in a blind wine tasting and scoring — a la the 1976 Taste of Paris (a.k.a: "the Judgment of Paris") — with three chardonnays and three Cabernet Sauvignons from the storied vineyards that participated in the original Taste of Paris that put California wines on the map. Wines will be paired with three courses of Carmel's "Mod Med" creations. Call to RSVP. $49.95 (plus tax and gratuity); 6-8 p.m. 2548 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-724-4228; 14306 North Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-265-1415, carmelcafe.com
Tuesday, November 8: Whole Foods Market
Get a sneak peak of some special offerings from WFM's Thanksgiving Menu, like cornbread stuffing, honey baked mashed sweet potatoes, green beans almondine, and stuffed Bries, plus a selection of elegant holiday wines to pair with your perfect holiday meal. Choose your favorite dishes from the evening and place your order right at WFM's Holiday Table. No registration necessary. Free; 6-8 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Tuesday, November 8: Cru Cellars
Join along for Cru's monthly "Wine and Words" book club. This month, they'll be discussing "Everyday Etiquette” by Patricia Rossi. Patricia, Tampa Bay author and etiquette coach, will be attending the book club for a lively discussion. Admission includes a glass of wine and cheese that will be paired with the theme of the book. Email Jen at jen@crucellarstampa.com to RSVP. $15; 6:30-9:30 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com
Image via Western Springs Info.
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 2, 2011.