Wednesday, February 29: Carmel Café and Wine Bar
Bring your appetite for this five-course dinner, complete with a five-course wine accompaniment. These are not just random wines, either; they are top selections from Wine Spectator magazine. View and customize the menu and learn wine tidbits, courtesy of the customized iPad that will be available. Reservations are required. $59.95, plus tax and gratuity; 6:30-8:00 p.m., 2548 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-724-4228, carmelcafe.com.
Wednesday, February 29: Chick-fil-A
Eat chikin for free? Yes, if you visit a Chick-fil-A during breakfast hours. Receive a free order of Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis. These chicken nuggets are served in mini yeast rolls flavored with a honey-butter spread. At all participating Tampa Bay locations until 10:30 a.m., chick-fil-a.com.
Wednesday, February 29: Cru Cellars
Wine Tasting Wednesdays are back by popular demand. Relax at the wine bar while enjoying California wines, such as Tin Barn, Ca'Momi and Lone Acre. Choose your favorite, and receive a 10% discount on it. Reservations can be made phone or by emailing [email protected]. $15; 6-8 p.m., 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com.
Thursday, March 1: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits
Enjoy over fifty wines, accompanied by hors d'oeuvres chosen to complement those fifty wines. You will receive a souvenir wine glass to take home. Buy your favorite bottle of wine at a discount on your way out, with the coupon. $10; 6-8 p.m., 1603 N. Missouri Ave., Largo, 727-581-4642, abcfws.com.
Friday, March 2: Post Card Inn
Get the weekend started off right, by hitting the beach. Tampa Bay Uncorked is hosting a charity happy hour event, complete with appetizers, live music by Anchor Atlantic (a 93.3 FLZ favorite) and of course, wine. If you have a few too many, spend the night at PCI at a 20% discount. The event proceeds will benefit Children's Dream Fund. Online registration is recommended. $10; 5:30-8:00 p.m., 6300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-367-2711, tampabayuncorked.com.
Saturday, March 3: Kaleisia Tea Lounge
Get that loving feeling at this Gifts of Love Benefit Dinner. The vegetables served in this five-course buffet dinner will be provided by Sweetwater Organic Community Farm. Over one dozen entree options will be offered, including vegetarian. Enjoy live music by Algorhythm Sky, Gary Osborne and Anna Gavin. Participate in the raffle and silent auction. Ticket may be purchased online. $20; 6:30 p.m., 1441 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa, 813-887-4066, sweetwater-organic.org.
Saturday, March 3: Value Fair Market Food Truck Rally
Satisfy your food truck craving and pick up valuable market finds simultaneously. Tasting Tampa and Value Fair Market have organized a Food Truck Rally event to happen in conjunction with the market. Buy a bottle of water from local children's charity, I Matter Too, who will be in attendance.11:00 a.m.-3 p.m., 3951 34th St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-897-5695, tastingtampa.com.
Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4: Renaissance Festival (MOSI)
Arrgghh! Check out the Buccaneer Beer Fest at this weekend's segment of Renaissance Festival. Be festive and take advantage of the free beer tasting. Flex that bicep and compete in the arm wrestling competition, then watch the pirates scarf down Scotch Eggs in this eating competition. Participate in the pub crawl. Admission is $18.95, free parking; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 11315 N. 46th St., Tampa, 800-966-8215, bayarearennaissancefest.com.
Sunday, March 4: Cigar City Brewing
Break out of your usual brunch routine with Eggs and Kegs. Ballast Point Brewing, of San Diego, will provide limited editions of their brew. Tasting Tampa will provide the brunch fare via food trucks. 11:00a.m. - 2:00p.m., 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa, 813-348-6363, cigarcitybrewing.com.
Monday, March 5: World of Beer Carrollwood
Beer and cheese? Yes, please! It's true that wine is the usual accompaniment to cheese, but not at World of Beer Carrollwood's Beer n' Cheese Pairing event. The featured beers and cheeses will be a surprise. 12904 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-968-7300, carrollwood.wobusa.com.
Sunday, March 4: Allegro at East Lake
Feast on popular Indian cuisine items, including mango lassi, alloo tikki and mango mousse pie, at this Indian Cuisine meal. Items will be prepared by Chef Surinder Dhaliwal. Vegetarian options are available. Reservations are required. $45; 3:30 p.m., 1755 E. Lake Road S., Tarpon Springs, 727-667-8369, fineindiancuisine.net.
Monday, March 5: Café Largo
Expand your international cuisine repertoire at Cafe Largo's French Cuisine class. Chef Dominique Christini will prepare classic French dishes, along with pain de champagne, one of the best breads in Tampa Bay (the other located at Pane Rustica in Tampa). $37.50; 6:30p.m., 12551 Indian Rocks Road # 18, Largo, 727-596-6282, cafelargorestaurant.com.
Monday, March 5: Publix Apron’s School
It will be strawberries galore at this Strawberry Field Forever class. No, The Beatles will not be there, but strawberries definitely will be. This class will show you that strawberries are not just for dessert anymore. Strawberries will be incorporated into four dishes, including blackened pan-seared snapper and chicken roulade. $40; 6 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, 813-926-4465, publix.com/aprons.
Monday, March 5 - Tuesday, March 6: Mellow Mushroom
Bell's Brewing and Cigar City Brewing will provide ten taps of their limited edition and favorite brews. Cigar City Brewing will be there on Monday for the kickoff, and will raffle off a few items.10:00 a.m.-11 p.m. (regular business hours). 11955 Sheldon Road, Tampa, 813-926-3440, mellowmushroom.com.
Tuesday, March 6: Tampa Bay Brewing Company
Two local breweries, Tampa Bay Brewing Company and Cigar City Brewing, will team up to host Tampa Brewer's Beer Dinner, a multi-course meal with complementary brews. Further details will soon be revealed on their Facebook pages. Tickets may be purchased at either brewery. 7-10 p.m., 1600 E. 8th Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1422, tampabaybrewingcompany.com.
