Wednesday, September 14: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits – Brandon
At this special tasting, sample over 60 craft beers from around the world, plus, get a coupon good on the night of the event and a souvenir beer glass. $10; 6-8 p.m. 1405 E Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 813-685-4832, abcfws.com
Wednesday, September 14: 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 leek and shrimp liguine 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, September 14: Vintage Wine Cellars
Join Vintage Wine Cellars as they host Mark Sharp, the North American Importing Manager for Eurovin and represents CVNE ("Cune") in the U.S. He will be sharing five stars from his CVNE portfolio — a prestigious family-owned winery nestled in the Rioja region of northern Spain. Samples will include one white and four well-aged reds. RSVP required; call or email tastings@vintagewinecellars.net. $5; 6:30-8 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Thursday, September 15: Pollo Tropical
Since September 15 just so happens to be National Chicken Lover’s Day (as in, loving the act of eating chicken), Pollo Tropical is giving away free quarter chicken meals, complete with rice and beans, to anyone who comes into one of their Tampa Bay locations dressed from head to toe in yellow and clucks like a chicken. The offer stands from 2-7 p.m. this Thursday. 900 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park, 727-362-9600; 3285 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 813-319-1850; 6276 West Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-319-6360; pollotropical.com
Thursday, September 15: Centre Club, Tampa
Join the experts from the Jim Bean Distillery to sip some premium blends of their bourbon offerings while playing blackjack and craps in this casino-style networking event. A portion of admission cost will benefit the brave wounded warriors helped by Operation Homefront. RSVP required: contactus@centretampa.com or 813-286-4040. $15; 6-9 p.m. 123 S Westshore Blvd. 8th Floor, Tampa, clubcorp.com/Clubs/Centre-Club
Thursday, September 15: The Ale and the Witch
The Ale and the Witch is kicking off the fall season with a night of Harpoon Brewing. They'll be featuring six draft selections from the Boston-based brewery, offering a flight of all six paired with a cheese plate from Mazzaro's Italian Market, and raffling off prizes every 15 minutes from 6-9 p.m. Live music begins at 9 p.m. with local guitar legends Rob Tyre and Kirk Adams. Free event; 6 p.m.-close. 111 2nd ave NE, St. Pete, 727-821-ALE3, thealeandthewitch.com
Thursday, September 15: Whole Foods Market
Learn the basics of cheese with WFM's cheese expert Erik Woody. This month your taste buds will take you on a journey to Spain, with a full-flavored range of Spanish cheeses, Spanish wines, and unique Spanish accoutrements like membrillo and Spanish cocktail mix. 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, September 15: Toasted Pheasant Bistro
Guests at this exclusive wine dinner will be able to meet and chat with winemaker Michael Resseguier from the Cahor region in France, as well as enjoy his wines and others alongside a 5-course dinner. Call to RSVP. $55; 7-10 p.m. 14445 N. Dale Mabry Blvd., Tampa, 813-265-6700, toastedpheasantbistro.com
Friday, September 16: Cigar City Brewing
CCB will be tapping their firkin (small barrel) of Guava Groove aged in a Calvados barrel that originally housed the 2009 J.W. Lee's Harvest Ale. Get it before it's gone! 2 p.m.-close.
3924 W Spruce Street Suite A, Tampa, 813-348-6363, cigarcitybrewing.com
Friday, September 16: Sono Cafe at the Tampa Museum of Art
Love the arts and great food? Then attend FEAST — a meal-based microfunding program that gives attendees the chance to review and select cultural grant recipients during a gourmet meal provided by Sono Cafe. Enjoy a cocktail hour with the artists, a three-course meal and optional wine pairings. Purchase tickets here. $40, $50 with wine; 5:30 p.m. 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, 813-421-8367, tampamuseum.org
Fri., Sept. 16: Clearwater Brew Garden
Attendees at this upcoming beer social will enjoy live music, a silent auction and 2-4-1 on selected beers. All proceeds to benefit All Around Kids, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization that provides funding so that underprivileged and at-risk children may participate in the extracurricular activities of their choice. $10; 6 p.m. 904 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-379-2139, thebrewgarden.com
Friday, September 16: Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits
At this Crush Hour tasting, sample the the wines of Faiveley & Olivier Leflaive of the Burgundy region of France. Call to RSVP. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-9463, bernsfinewines.com
Friday, September 16: Vintage Wine Cellars
For this special tasting event, try a variety of wines rated 90+ points. RSVP required; call or email tastings@vintagewinecellars.net. $10; 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Saturday, September 17: Bayanihan Arts and Events Center
Since the Tampa Bay area is such a cultural and culinary melting pot, it's only fitting that the first annual Tampa Bay International Curry Festival take place here. This Saturday, attendees will be able to enjoy the sights and smells of curry cuisine from all over the globe — India, Africa, the Caribbean Islands, Asia, the Middle East and more. The festival will also showcase a curry cook-off for professionals and amateurs, over 50 vendor booths as well as music and entertainment by Mr. Majestic, Danger Powaz, Sonna Rele, headliner "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard and many more. Beer and wine tastings will also be taking place in the VIP tent at the festival (register on the festival website). Free admission from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., $10 admission from 3-9 p.m. Bayanihan Arts and Events Center: 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa, tbicf.com
Saturday, September 17: The Fresh Market – Clearwater and South Tampa
Watch Fresh Market chefs prepare (and get to sample) Italian Style Sausage Hoagies with Italian Style Pasta Salad at this month's Fresh Flavors Cooking Demonstration. Free; 3-6 p.m. 25961 U.S. Highway 19, Clearwater, 727-669-6111; 3722 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-875-7400, thefreshmarket.com
Saturday, September 17: Dunedin
It's back! The second annual Dunedin Beer Festival, hosted by the Dunedin House of Beer, will be offering attendees samples of over 70 different drafts and bottles (including many rare and hard-to-find brews) at this all-you-can-drink affair. To help soak up all of that beer, Local Dunedin restaurants will be offering a wide range of choices to please every palate. There will also be live music by The Black Honkeys, a family area, and, to keep the kiddies occupied, there will be a bounce house (sorry, for the kids only). Proceeds from the event will benefit the Dunedin Doggie Rescue and the Dunedin Brewers Guild. Tickets can be purchased at The Dunedin House of Beer and the Palm Harbor House of Beer. Leashed pets are welcome. $25 in advance and $30 at the gate for drinkers 21+, $5 for 18+ and non-drinkers at the gate, Kids under 18 are free; 4-8 p.m. Our Lady of Lourdes Church: 750 San Salvador Drive, Dunedin, dunedinhobbeerfest.com
Saturday, September 17: The Ale and the Witch
Volunteers from "BRA" (Bikers Raising Awareness) will be at The Ale and the Witch this Saturday raising awareness and money for the fight against breast cancer. Proceeds from the sales of Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat pints, as well as raffles and a bake sale will benefit local St. Pete folks battling this disease. Live music by Garrick Aden-Buie at 6 p.m. and Mike Chinn and Terry Mooney at 8:30 p.m. Free event; 5-10 p.m. 111 2nd ave NE, St. Pete, 727-821-ALE3, thealeandthewitch.com
Saturday, September 17: Cru Cellars
$15 Wine Tasting Wednesday has moved to Saturday! Taste through five wines and then enjoy a glass of your favorite! Get a 10% discount on the featured wines. Email Jen at jen@crucellarstampa.com to RSVP or call 813-831-1117. $15; 6 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, crucellarstampa.com
Sunday, September 18: The Columbia Restaurant – All Bay Area locations (except The Columbia Café)
To say thanks to the many customers who have made them a success, the Columbia Restaurants are holding their annual "1905 Day" once again, offering guests menu favorites at rock-bottom prices (like in the good ol' days) — Chicken & Yellow Rice “Ybor”, the famous "1905 Salad", flan and more. Sangria at 95 cents a glass? Sign me up! 12-7 p.m. 1241 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater, 727-596-8400; 800 2nd Ave NE, St Pete, 727-822-8000; 2025 E 7th Ave, Tampa, 813-248-3000; columbiarestaurant.com
Sunday, September 18: Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar – Clearwater and Tampa locations
Continuing their monthly wine series, Carmel Cafe will be hosting "An Evening With Quintessa", serving two flights of Quintessa wines accompanied by dishes specially selected by Carmel Café Executive Chef Steve Cook. Wine dinners are hosted either the third or fourth Sunday of each month at both Carmel Cafe locations. Call to RSVP. $59.95; 6-8 p.m. 2548 McMullen Booth Road (Northwood Plaza), Clearwater, 727-724-4228; 14306 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, carmelcafe.com
Wednesday, September 21: Cru Cellars
Get the chance to taste some amazing wines from Russian Hill at this event, including their ever-popular Pinot Noir. Each wine will be paired with a cheese in this sit-down tasting event. RSVP required: jen@crucellarstampa.com to RSVP or 813-831-1117. $25; 6:30-9:30 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, crucellarstampa.com
This article appears in Sep 8-14, 2011.