Wednesday, July 13: Whole Foods Market
WFM Specialist Crissy LoSassao will show you how to prepare fresh, easy meals to keep your family satisfied and your friends impressed at this free class. This class will be held in the store cafe. Please 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
Thursday, July 14: Cassis American Brasserie
Celebrate Bastille Day at Cassis and enjoy a very French three-course prixe fixe meal which includes a complimentary glass of Marquis de la Tour wine. $40; 170 Beach Drive NE, St. Pete, 727-827-2927, cassisab.com
Thursday, July 14: Byblos Cafe
This month's edition of Tampa Bay Uncorked will be held at Byblos Cafe where participants can try an array of wines and complimentary appetizers, as well as get discounted wines by the glass. RSVP at tampabayuncorked.com. All tickets sold at the door, but reservation required. $5; 6-9 p.m. 2832 South MacDill Ave, Tampa, 813-805-7977, bybloscafe.com
Thursday, July 14: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits – Carrollwood
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. 14729 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 813-264-1881, abcfws.com
Thursday, July 14: SideBern's
SideBern's is firing up their "Grill & Chill" events again, and this time they're featuring Great Divide Brewing brews paired with Korean-style barbecue. This lineup of diverse beers that will challenge the spicy and sweet flavors of the Korean BBQ. See website or call to RSVP. $50; 6:30 p.m. 2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa, 813-250-9463, sideberns.com
Thursday, July 14: Total Wine & More – St. Pete
Take an enlightening tour through a flight of lesser known, often harder to find, beer styles. Experience flavors that might surprise you and will definitely help to expand your horizons of the flavor spectrum of beer from around the world. Class includes beer selections, tasting sheets, take home educational materials, and discounts on the beer presented in class. Class size limited to 30 people. Call to RSVP. $15; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 4880 Park Street N, St. Pete, 727-544-6018, totalwine.com
Thursday, July 14: Toasted Pheasant Bistro
Enjoy a French-themed wine dinner paired with wines. Five courses paired with wines from the Bordeaux region. $55, 7-10:30 p.m. 14445 N. Dale Mabry Blvd., Tampa, 813-265-6700, toastedpheasantbistro.com
Friday-Sunday, July 15-17: Total Wine & More – All Bay Area Locations
The wines of Australia and New Zealand offer complex flavors and great opportunities for new food pairings. Come for a free tasting of these wines along with additional selections, as chosen by the Wine Manager at your local store. Free; 12-6 p.m. 2528 State Road 580, Clearwater, 727-431-1010; 4880 Park Street N, St. Pete, 727-544-6018; 1720 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 813-350-9601, totalwine.com
Friday, July 15: Whole Foods Market
Watch this raw foods "un-cooking" class and learn how to create delicious and creative daily recipes using living foods. Experience the benefits of keeping your ingredients in their healthy, natural state and enjoy the vibrancy of whole foods. This class will be held in the store cafe. Please register by emailing Curtis.Whitwam@wholefoods.com or calling 813-874-9435. Free; 7-8 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Friday, July 15: Vintage Wine Cellars
At this special Bastille Day tasting, sample 4 whites and 6 reds from high-quality wine growing regions in France. $10; 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Saturday, July 16: Dunedin Brewery
Celebrate the Dunedin Brewery's 15th anniversary this Saturday by attending their very special birthday shindig. Attendees will get a chance to taste their exclusive 15th Anniversary Imperial Bohemian Pilsner and watch the brewing process during the day when they'll be brewing the latest batch of their I.P.A. Chronicle: ABC (a collaboration with homebrewer Bob Bridges). Food and beer specials to be had all day long and live music by Cypress at 9 p.m. Free; 11 a.m.-close. 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-736-0606, dunedinbrewery.com.
Saturday, July 16: The Fresh Market – St. Pete
Stop by The Fresh Market to see and sample during this free cooking demo. Learn how to prepare Tropical Grilled Shrimp with Curried Yogurt Sauce and Zesty Lemon, Fennel and Feta Salad. Free; 3-6 p.m. 2900 4th Street N., St. Pete, 727-822-4913, thefreshmarket.com
Saturday, July 16: Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club
In honor of fallen St. Petersburg Police officers Thomas Baitinger, Jeffrey Yaslowitz and David Crawford, the Vinoy and Johnny Damon are is hosting "Uncork for a Cause" to benefit the officers' families. Guests will enjoy a selection of hors d’oeuvres, fine wines, a silent auction with items fresh from spring training and samples from the very limited 2007 Johnny Damon red wine from Napa Valley. Purchase tickets on event's website. $60; 7 p.m. 501 5th Avenue NE, St. Pete, uncorkforacause.com
Sunday, July 17: Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)
Sunday is National Ice Cream Day, and Blue Bell Creameries is treating MOSI visitors to hand-dipped Blue Bell Ice Cream (while supplies last). Blue Bell will be serving the ice cream samples in the Grand Lobby. Plus, MOSI’s InterActors will demonstrate the science of freezing with their cryo freezing demonstration using liquid nitrogen, and MOSI’s retail store, Elements, will be selling freeze-dried astronaut ice cream. Free with MOSI admission; 12-2 p.m. 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-987-6000, mosi.org
Sunday, July 17: Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar
Learn how to create your own blends at this special tasting featuring Franciscan Oakville Estate Magnificant. Complete with wine kits and a wine guide to assist in your blending endeavors, as well as Carmel's "Mod Med" small plates to pair with it. $45 (all-inclusive), 6-9 p.m. 2548 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-724-4228, carmelcafe.com
Tuesday, July 19: Carrollwood Cultural Center
Attend week two of this international educational wine series and sample wines from Spain. Hosted by Time for Wine and AAA of Carrollwood, this four-part series will "tour" the wine regions of Tuscany, Spain, Argentina and Australia, as well as educate participants about the area, its culture, history and special sites to visit. Series runs Tuesdays from July 12th until August 2nd. Half of all ticket sales benefit the Carrollwood Cultural Center. Contact timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com for more information. $25, $20 for AAA and Cultural Center members; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (Meeting Room 2), carrollwoodcenter.org.
Wednesday, July 20: Grand Kitchen & Bath
Watch Chef Elizabeth Dougherty from Food Nation Radio Network™ and guest chef Dr. LindaJoy Rose, author of Raw Fusion: Better Living Through Living Foods, perform a free raw food "un-cooking" demonstration at the Grand Kitchen & Bath Culinary Showroom. Guests will sample raw food creations such as Portobello Pesto Pizza, Goldenberry Vinaigrette Salad and Honey-Orange Blossom Fruit Parfait. Beer, wine and refreshments will also be served. Space is limited; call to RSVP. Free; 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. 2600 4th Street N., St. Pete, 727-327-3007, grandkitchen.com
Thursday, July 21: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits – St. Pete
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, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 2855 66th St N, St. Pete, 727-345-6149, abcfws.com
Thursday, July 21: The Ale and the Witch
Celebrate the Bruery's three-year anniversary at The Ale and the Witch with tasty brews and drink specials. Enjoy drafts from this Placentia, CA, brewery like the Tradewinds, Autumn Maple and the very limited Cuir (clocking in at 14.5% ABV). Live music by Geri X at 9 p.m. Free; 6 p.m.-close; 111 2nd Ave NE, St. Pete, 727-821-ALE3, thealeandthewitch.com
Thursday, July 21: Total Wine & More – St. Pete
Napa Valley offers amazingly diverse climates and soils within its 30 mile stretch between Napa and Calistoga. Taste the difference between Stag's Leap, Diamond Mountain and Spring Mountain Districts at this exclusive wine tasting course. Class includes wine selections, tasting sheets, take home educational materials and discounts on the wine presented in class. Class size limited to 30 people; call to RSVP. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 4880 Park Street N, St. Pete, 727-544-6018, totalwine.com
Photo via: Columbus Underground.
This article appears in Jul 7-13, 2011.