Wednesday, August 24: 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 shrimp puttanesca spaghetti 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, August 24: Cru Cellars
$15 Wine Tasting Wednesday: 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
Wednesday, August 24: A Taste for Wine
At this tasting event, try a variety of wines from Italy's Piedmont Valley — located at at the foothills of the Alps in the northwest of the country and home to the highly valued, bold and long-lived grape Italy has to offer: Nebbiolo! $12; 6-8:30 p.m. 241 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-727-895-1623, tasteforwine.net
Wednesday, August 24: Parkshore Grill
Chef Tyson Grant and his crew will be whipping up a four-course feast paired with Pine Ridge wines for this wine dinner benefiting Ronald McDonald House. Call to RSVP. $79 (plus tax and gratuity); 6:30-9:30 p.m. 300 Beach Drive NE, St. Pete, 727-896-9463, parkshoregrill.com
Wednesday, August 24: Pour House
Join the Pour House for the hoppiest night ever at 'If It's Not Double IPA, It's Crap Keep the Pint Night' featuring a slew of Double IPAs on draft. Taps to include: Stone 15th Anniversary Imperial Black IPA, Dogfish Head 90 Minute, Florida Beer Swamp Ape, Southern Tier Unearthly, Stone Ruination, and more. Free event with purchase; 7:30-10:30 p.m. 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd. Suite #112, Tampa, 813-402-2923, pourhousetampa.com
Thursday, August 25: Bella Brava
To say "thank you" to their loyal fans, Bella Brava is giving out free glasses of Prosecco from 5 p.m. until close to all guests (21+). Free event; 5 p.m.-close. 204 Beach Dr NE, St. Pete, 727-895-5515, BellaBrava.com
Thursday, August 25: Empress Tea Room and Bistro
To celebrate their grand reopening in Carrollwood after having relocated from Temple Terrace, The Empress Tea Room and Bistro will be hosting an open house event where guests can sample gourmet tea and scones, as well as learn the 'ins and outs' of high tea and watch "tea house style" cooking demonstrations. Free; 6-9 p.m., 12924 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 813-988-9027, empresst.com
Thursday, August 25: Total Wine & More – St. Pete
This exciting tasting class on Italian wines will include refreshing whites from prestigious winegrowing areas in the north and then transition into some of the most renowned red wine appellations within Italy, including Barolo and Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG. 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
Thursday, August 25: Aspirations Winery
Enjoy live music, food, door prizes and wine discounts at this 'Last Thursday' tasting. $1 per sample; 7-9 p.m. 5116 E Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-988-2010, aspirationswinery.com
Friday, August 26: World of Wines of South Tampa
Since bubbles make everything better, WoW is holding this 'Sultry Summer' sparkling tasting which will feature several sparklers from Caposaldo, Cristalino, Zazo and more. $10; 6-8 p.m. 3431 South West Shore Blvd., Tampa, 813-835-9463, worldofwinesofsouthtampa.com
Friday, August 26: The Roosevelt 2.0
Join like-minded, food-loving folks who are passionate about where their food comes from at this second screening of Farmageddon — a documentary exposing the battle between big agribusiness and the small family farms who are threatened by misguided bureaucracy and government regulations. event will have live music, local farmers and food rights organizations prior to the film. At the close of the film community members can participate in the inauguration of Farm Circles, an ongoing discussion about food issues hosted at The Roosevelt 2.0. For more information about the film, visit: farmageddonmovie.com. Purchase advance tickets at: www.wepay.com/tickets/Farmageddon_TheRoosevelt2.0. 6 p.m. Admission: $10, $6 for seniors, students and those on fixed incomes. 1812 N. 15th St., Tampa, creativityincommerce.com.
Friday, August 26: Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits
At this Crush Hour tasting, sample highly-rated California Cabernet Sauvignons. Call to RSVP. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-9463, bernsfinewines.com
Friday, August 26: Vintage Wine Cellars
Sample the nine varying wine regions of California (excluding Napa) at this week's tasting event. RSVP required; call or email tastings@vintagewinecellars.net. $10; 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Friday, August 26: Whole Foods Market
Learn to create delicious raw creations at this raw foods "cooking" class. Enjoy food in its natural raw state with great recipes that are fun and easy. Please register by the exit lobby or by emailing Curtis.Whitwam@wholefoods.com. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Saturday, August 27: The Salvador Dali Museum
Formerly called Z-Grapes and now dubbed The Birth of Liquid Desires, is the Dali Zodiac Group's annual tasting, art auction and largest fundraiser. Experience The New Dali indoors and out at this event. Featuring tapas by Ceviche, tastings of fine Spanish wines and local craft beers, live music and more. Purchase tickets at www.thedali.obsres.com. $50-75; 7-10 p.m. One Dali Boulevard, St. Pete, 727-823-3767, thedali.org/zodiac
Saturday, August 27: T. W. Curtis Art Studio & Gallery
It's a night of wine, piano and art at The Abilities Foundation's Una Notte de Vino e Pianoforte Arte event. Patrons will be among the very first to experience T. W.’s new studio and stunning artwork as they savor the art exhibit and enjoy food from St. Pete Brasserie and Parkshore Grill, Zonin Italian Wines, live piano music and more. Proceeds support job placement services for disabled veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. To RSVP, call Lisa Johnson at 727-538-7370×234. $40, $75 per couple; 7-9:30 p.m. 1663 1st Ave S., St. Pete, abilitiesfoundation.com
Saturday, August 27: Peninsula Inn & Spa, Gulfport
Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore… To kick off Gulfport's 11th annual Gecko Fest, the Peninsula Inn & Spa will play host to the "Lizard of Oz" themed Gecko Ball. This funky soiree is very fitting of the artsy and eclectic nature (and residents) of Gulfport, and this year's theme will evoke the fun, larger-than-life feel of the Land of Oz. Partygoers will enjoy a dinner buffet as well as drink specials, like the Geckotini and Ruby Slipper, and Oz-related characters and activities will offer surprises throughout the evening. Silent auctions will also be held during the Ball, featuring gift certificates, art work and merchandise from local businesses and artists. Get decked out and enter the costume contest (though they're not mandatory) and boogie the night away. Tickets can be purchased at select local businesses (visit geckofest.com) or at GulfportMA.com. $25; 7-11 p.m. 2937 Beach Blvd., Gulfport, geckofest.com/ball
Saturday, August 27: Willard's Tap House
It's 'Keep the Pint Night' at Willard's, featuring some fine, local drafts from Dunedin Brewery. Purchase a Dunedin beer and keep the logo emblazoned pint glass. They'll be tapping a firkin of I.P.A. Chronicle 3: ABC, and will have Biere De Cafe, Local Honey, Imperial Bohemian Pilsner and Dunedin Red Red Head on tap. Free with purchase; 9 p.m.-close. 12500 Starkey Road, Largo, 727-581-8600, Willardstaphouse.com
Sunday, August 28: Seminole Heights
This monthly installment of the PBR (as in, the canned beer) Pub Bike Ride will allow participants to enjoy a leisurely bike ride through The Heights and stop at a few local bars to wet their whistles. The ride will start at Vélo Champ Bike Shop, and make stops at Ella's, Cappy's and The Front Porch. Post-ride festivities will be taking place at Pin Chasers bowling alley. Front and rear lights are required and it is highly recommended all riders wear helmets. For more info, contact Matthew Bennett at bennett@pabstblueribbon.com. Free; 3:30-7:30 p.m. 6112 N. Central Ave, Tampa, 813-374-2424, velochamp.com
Sunday, August 28: Ciro's Speakeasy and Supper Club
Attend Ciro's 'French Riviera Summer Holiday Party' to indulge in Chef Ted's Mediterranean fare and sip French Riviera-themed cocktails. All-inclusive; RSVP required. $50; 5-11 p.m. 2109 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa, 813-251-0022, cirosspeakeasy.com.
Monday, August 29: The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge
Join the Slow Food Tampa Bay chapter for this general membership meeting that includes a showing of the film The Vanishing of the Bees, a documentary about Colony Collapse Disorder, a serious problem affecting agriculture world wide. To provide a local focus, beekeeper Andy Wolf of Taste of Freedom Farm will be on hand to lead the discussion about issues raised during the film and discuss the joys and challenges of beekeeping. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Current members of Slow Food USA, and anyone interested in learning more about the Slow Food Movement, are invited to attend. $5 suggested donation; 7 p.m. 540 1st St. S., St.Pete, 727-823-7767, thehangarstpete.com, slowfoodtampabay.org
Tuesday, August 30: Ruth Eckerd Hall
Take a trip to North Pinellas to get a sampling of the great eateries that Clearwater has to offer at the 22nd annual 'A Taste of Clearwater' event at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Restaurants serving up some of their best dishes will include Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant, SHOR American Seafood Grill, Island Way, Salt Rock Grill, Frenchy's, Marlin' Darlin', Rumba Island and many more. Entertainment to include live music and a chef cook-off challenge. Come hungry. For tickets, call 727-461-0011 or visit clearwaterflorida.org. $30 for general admission, $25 for chamber members, $25 for seniors, or only $20 per ticket if you purchase 5 or more; 5:30-8:30 p.m. 1111 N McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater
Image via devinewinebarreldesigns.com
This article appears in Aug 18-24, 2011.