Wednesday, July 27: A Taste For Wine
Try an eclectic mix of their wine finds over the past year, plus a steal or two from their private stash. $10; 6-8:30 p.m. 241 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-895-1623, tasteforwine.net
Thursday, July 28: BRIO Tuscan Grille
BRIO is paying tribute to National Lasagna Day by offering guests its mouthwatering, housemade Lasagna Bolognese Al Forno dish at half price. Originally priced at $17.25, the Lasagna Bolognese Al Forno will be offered for only $8.63 on July 28 at BRIO at International Plaza. All day; 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa, 813-877-3939, brioitalian.com
Thursday, July 28: Total Wine & More – St. Pete
Learn to paint a masterpiece while sipping on some fabulous wines at Watercolors and Wine. Award-winning artist and teacher Colleen Cassidy will guide beginners or advanced painters (no experience needed) with easy step-by-step instructions. Complete an original watercolor painting during a two-hour session. Everything is included: Instructions, watercolor paper, use of brushes, palette and paint. The wine and cheese are complimentary. RSVP required: Call Lisa at 941-924-1200. $30; 6-8 p.m. 4880 Park Street N, St. Pete, 727-544-6018, totalwine.com
Thursday, July 28: Cru Cellars
Attend a special tapas and wine tasting event as part of Cru Cellars' first anniversary week of celebratory events. Enjoy a flight of tapas paired with a flight of wine. RSVP required: jen@crucellarstampa.com, or call 813-831-1117. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa. crucellarstampa.com
Thursday, July 28: Whole Foods Market
Learn to prepare easy vegetarian dishes that look and taste like they were prepared at a fine-dining restaurant. RSVP required; 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 28: Willard's Tap House
It's 'Keep the Pint Night' at Willard's! Buy a Victory brew and keep the pint glass. Victory beers on tap: Headwaters Pale Ale, Golden Monkey, Scarlet Fire, Summer Love and Hop Devil. Free event; 7 p.m.-close. 12500 Starkey Road, Largo, 727-581-8600, Willardstaphouse.com
Thursday, July 28: Pour House Tampa
For the Pour House's quarterly 'Drink Local' event they'll be featuring over 15 taps from local brewers, including Cigar City, Dunedin, Cold Storage, Saint Somewhere and Swamp Head. Guests will get a free Dunedin or Cigar City pint glass when the order a locally-made draft. Also featuring local wines from Keel and Curley in Plant City. Free event; 7:30-11:30 p.m. 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd. Suite #112, Tampa, pourhousetampa.com
Friday-Sunday, July 29-31: Mise en Place
Join Mise en Place in celebrating 25 years of success in Tampa during their weekend blowout birthday bash. Wine tastings, birthday soiree, brunch and more. See the full list of events and get ticket information here. 442 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, 813-254-5373, miseonline.com
Friday, July 29: The Wine Shop
Favorites Under $25 Tasting: Sample over 20 wines from various distributors that are all $25 or under during this special tasting event. Complimentary nibbles included. RSVP required. $10; 6-8 p.m. 3157 4th St. N., St. Pete, 727-363-WINE, bbwineshop.com
Friday, July 29: Bern's Fine Wines and Spirits
This week's Crush Hour tasting will feature wines that are rated 90 points or higher and priced $20 or less. Sample whites and reds from around the world from Spain, California, Chile, Argentina and Australia. Five artisanal cheese selections and house-made breads will be paired with wines. RSVP requested. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-9463, bernsfinewines.com
Friday, July 29: Vintage Wine Cellars
$99 Case Tasting: Sample 13 new arrivals to Vintage's $99 case inventory. 'Try before you buy' from their wine collection then mix and match 12 of your favorite types of wine to make a case for only $99. They're even throwing in an extra bottle to make it a baker's dozen if you purchase a case during this tasting. RSVP required. $10; 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Saturday, July 30: The Cheesecake Factory — all Tampa Bay locations
This Saturday, July 30, is National Cheesecake Day and The Cheesecake Factory is celebrating by offering "Any Slice at Half Price." Guests dining in can choose from more than 30 flavors or be among the first to try the new Hershey’s Chocolate Bar Cheesecake — silky smooth Hershey’s Chocolate Cheesecake between layers of moist chocolate cake and ganache, finished with creamy chocolate frosting and chocolate chips. 781 Brandon Town Center Mall, Brandon, 813-571-5599; 2223 N West Shore Blvd, Tampa (at International Plaza Mall), 813-353-4200; thecheesecakefactory.com
Saturday, July 30: Cru Cellars
As part of their first anniversary week of shindigs, Cru is offering their "Favorite Things" wine and cheese tasting. Fans can cast their vote for their favorite wines and cheeses that Cru offers and those will be served for the tasting — 3 cheeses and 3 wines for $25. 5-9:30 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa. crucellarstampa.com
Saturday, July 30: Canvas Zoo
LocalShops1.com and Intensity Academy are hosting the first ever Top (Local) Chef Competition where six professional and six amateur chefs will compete against each other (in their respective categories) by creating a dish using the limited-edition 'LocalShops1 Girl' hot sauce developed by Intensity Academy. The dishes will all be served during a reception at Canvas Zoo in Clearwater. Judges will choose the Top Sauce based on taste, originality and presentation. Tickets are free and available on LocalShops1.com, under the 'Events' tab. For information, e-mail events@LocalShops1.com or call 727-637-5586. Free; 6-9 p.m. 1750 North Hercules, Clearwater, LocalShops1.com.
Monday, August 1: Timpano Italian Chophouse
Witness the action of the Bombay Sapphire/GQ Magazine's 'Most Inspired Bartender Competition' firsthand at Timpano. Thirty-eight bartenders will compete for a spot at the national competition in Las Vegas and inclusion in GQ Magazine’s December 2011 'Men of the Year' issue. Timpano’s own Kim Kraimer, a 15-year bartending veteran and founding member of the Tampa's chapter of the United States Bartender’s Guild, will be among those competing. Free event and open to public; 6 p.m.-12 a.m. 1610 West Swann Ave., Tampa, 813-254-5870, timpanochophouse.net
This article appears in Jul 21-27, 2011.