Wednesday, November 30: The Ale and the Witch
The Witch will be featuring a gluten-free cider and food pairing in honor of Celiac Disease Awareness. They'll be pouring Crispin ciders, including the newly released whiskey barrel aged Stagger Lee. Raffles start at 6:30 p.m. and will include a 4-pack of glassware and a bottle of the featured ciders every 30 minutes until 9 p.m. No RSVP necessary. 6-11 p.m. 111 2nd Ave. NE, St. Pete, 727-821-ALE3, thealeandthewitch.com
Wednesday, November 30: 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 sausage and broccoli rabe penne pasta and a glass of wine for $19.95. The catch: only 10 orders will be made and it's first come, first served. 6-8 p.m. 3215 S MacDill Ave. Suite G, Tampa, 813-837-2233, bianchisenoteca.com
Thursday, December 1: The Ale and the Witch
For this Brewery Night installment, they'll be featuring selections from San Francisco's Anchor Brewing, as well as the new Christmas Ale, for $4 a pint. Raffles start at 6 p.m. and guests can receive a free cheese pairing with purchase of a pint of Christmas Ale. Free event with purchase; 6-11 p.m. 111 2nd Ave. NE, St. Pete, 727-821-ALE3, thealeandthewitch.com
Thursday, December 1: Kuba Cigars
For this month's tasting, taste budget-friendly, easy-drinking whites to bold, spicy reds. Snacks, live music and more. $10; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 243 E Davis Blvd., Tampa, 813-258-8191, kctampa.com
Thursday, December 1: Palm Harbor House of Beer
It's a gluten-free party at the HOB, with plenty of gluten-free beer options and free raw vegan food from Rawk Star Cafe. Free; 6:30-9 p.m. 34970 US Hwy 19 N., Palm Harbor, 727-784-2337, palmharborhob.com
Thursday, December 1: Total Wine & More – St. Pete
Nothing says "festive" more than a bottle of bubbly. This tasting and seminar is perfect for those looking to discover a sparkling wine that best suits their budget and palate. Eight sparkling wines will be tasted, including a Cremant de Bourgogne, Cava, California sparkling and four stunning selections from Champagne. Class includes wine selections, tasting sheets, take-home educational materials, and discounts on the wine presented in class. Limited seating; RSVP required. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 4880 Park Street N., St. Pete, 727-544-6018, totalwine.com
Friday, December 2: Pour House Tampa
Patronize the Pour House this Friday to help support the USF Study Abroad scholarship programs at "Picture the Journey." Prints from local photographers will be featured in a silent auction from 3 p.m. until midnight, the sales of which will go toward the aforementioned scholarship programs, as well as half of all bar sales. Get more info here. Free event; 3 p.m.-12 a.m. 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd. Suite #112, Tampa, 813-402-2923, pourhousetampa.com
Friday, December 2: Castellano & Pizzo Market
Attend this free holiday open house and wine tasting of vino from around the globe and light bites from Castellano and the adjoining neighbors, Adventures Under the Sea and Speaker Tech and Audio Laboratories. Free; 5-7 p.m. 4200 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-289-5275, castellanoandpizzo.com
Friday, December 2: Morean Arts Center
This Friday's "A Taste of the Morean" will feature food, drink and art, of course. Guests will have the opportunity to view students' work, sample a few of the classes for themselves, purchase unique holiday gifts and sample bites from Spice Routes, as well as beer and wine. Be sure to also check out their newest exhibition, Upcycled! Purchase tickets on their website. $15; 5:30-8 p.m. 719 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-822-7872, moreanartscenter.org
Friday, December 2: SideBern's
For their third Scotch dinner, SideBern's will be pairing selections from Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whiskeys with dishes by Chef Chad Johnson. Register online here. $125 (all-inclusive); 6:30-10:30 p.m. 2208 W Morrison Ave., Tampa, 813-258-2233, sideberns.com
Friday, December 2: International Cellar Wine Shop & Wine Bar
Stop by to taste some best-sellers and new wines from unique producers from around the globe and jam to the sounds of the jazz trio, In2Rhythm. Admission includes a $5 credit toward any purchases. $5; 6:30-10 p.m. 3689 Tampa Road, Suite 304, Tampa, 813855-8099
Friday, December 2: Cheese Please
Taste seven to eight new cheeses each week at Cheese Please's Friday night tastings. This week they'll be featuring the "softer side of cheese" with Bries, triple cremes, Camembert and more. RSVP required. $20; 7 p.m. 4213 S Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 813-766-0060, cheesepleasetampa.com
Saturday-Sunday, December 3-4: Simmons County Park, Ruskin
Celebrate all things tomato at the Ruskin Heritage and Tomato Festival, featuring tons of vendors, arts and crafts, entertainment, diversions for the kiddies, and free tomato tastings and seedlings. Be sure to check out the farmers' market and find out who will be this year's Tomato Queen. $5 admission (includes parking); 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (both days) 2401 19th Avenue, N.W., Ruskin, 813-671-7655, ruskintomatofestival.org
Saturday, December 3: BRIO Tuscan Grille
Bring the kids to brunch with Santa this weekend at BRIO and enjoy a breakfast buffet, coloring contest, a goodie bag for each child and more. Attendees who bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots will have the chance to win a Nintendo DS or many other great prizes. Plus, BRIO is donating a percentage of the event’s proceeds to Make-A-Wish Foundation. RSVP required. $10.95 per adult, $5.95 per child; 8:30-10:30 a.m. 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa, 813-877-3939, brioitalian.com
Saturday, December 3: Dunedin Community Center
Sure, you can make pancakes at home or head to your nearest IHOP, but enjoying a pancake breakfast with Santa would be the icing on the proverbial gingerbread house. The Dunedin Community Center is hosting Breakfast with Santa where you can not only meet with Santa and tell him what's on your list, but get a piping hot stack of pancakes, to boot. Oh, and bring the kids along, too, if you so choose. Call to RSVP. $8; 9 a.m. 1920 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin, 727-812-4530.
Saturday, December 3: Largo Central Park
For some sweet holiday treats and plenty of twinkly lights, be sure to attend the Holiday Stroll in Largo Central Park this weekend. Over a million LED lights will light the way as revelers stroll through Storyland while enjoying hot chocolate, cider and festival fare offerings. The tree lighting will take place at 7 p.m. and live entertainment will include aerial acrobatics, dancing, singing, and puppets. Free event, $5 on-site parking, free off-site parking; 5-9 p.m. 101 Central Park Drive, Largo, 727-587-6740 ext. 5014, largo.com
Saturday, December 3: Whistle Stop Grill
If chestnuts roasting by an open fire is more your scene, head over to Safety Harbor's Whistle Stop Grill for their 12th annual Chestnut Roast. Roasted chestnuts are free while they last (with food and drink purchase). They'll also be serving up Drunken Chestnuts, chestnut soup and plenty of food and drink specials. Live music from 7-10 p.m. Free with food and drink purchase; 5:30-10 p.m. 915 Main St., Safety Harbor, 727-726-1956, whistlestopgrill.com
Saturday, December 3: Dunedin House of Beer
The Dunedin Brewers Guild is hosting the 4th Walk the Line on Barley Wine Festival and annual homebrew competition this weekend at the Dunedin House of Beer. Attendees will be able to taste barleywines from all over the globe, including Italy, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the good ol' US of A. There will also be an awards ceremony for the Walk the Line Homebrew and Commercial competitions. Ticket price includes a flight of 20 barleywines, tasting glass, as well as cheeses and hors d’ouvres and raffle prizes; only 60 tickets available (purchase here). $30; 6-9 p.m. 927 Broadway, Dunedin, 727-216-6318, dunedinbrewersguild.com
Saturday, December 3: A Taste For Wine
It's a Champagne and port extravaganza at A Taste for Wine's holiday event. Sip them along with perfectly paired appetizers and listen to the sounds of musician Stacey Knights. RSVP. $48 (pre-pay); 6-8 p.m. 241 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-895-1623, tasteforwine.net
Sunday, December 4: Love's Artifacts Bar & Grille
Head over to Love's for a lovely, all-you-can-eat Sunday picnic filled with barbecue, street food, beer, mimosas and Bloody Marys. In addition, attendees can enjoy live music and participate in a scavenger hunt. $16.95; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 4914 S. MacDill, Tampa, 813-831-3273
Sunday, December 4: Don Vicente Historic Inn
To celebrate the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Tampa's Left Coast Bar Guild will host the Repeal Day Party at the Don Vicente, featuring retro drinks, food from local eateries, live music, burlesque performances and a swingin' good time. Guests can order pre- and post-Prohibition Era cocktail offerings from five different bars and jive to the sounds of live jazz tunes from the 1920s to the 40s. Purchase tickets online at www.repealdayparty.com or from a Left Coast Bar Guild member. $75 (all-inclusive); 8 p.m.-12 a.m. 1915 Avenida Republica De Cuba, Ybor, repealdayparty.com, leftcoastbarguild.com
Monday, December 5: Cigar City Tasting Room
Stop by Willard's for a free helping of Paul Unwin's fantastic Cajun fare from Cajun Cafe on the Bayou in Pinellas Park, then wash it all down with one of Cigar City's craft brews on tap. Free; 6-9 p.m. 3924 W Spruce Street Suite A, Tampa, 813-348-6363, cigarcitybrewing.com
This article appears in Nov 24-30, 2011.