Wednesday, September 21: 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, mushroom and roasted tomato penne 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 21: The Living Room on Main
Head to The Living Room on Main for an evening featuring organic and biodynamic wines paired with a late summer menu by Chef Tony Bruno full of organic vegetables and local seafood and meats. RSVP required. $60; 6-9 p.m. 487 Main Street, Dunedin, 727-736-5202, thelivingroomonmain.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
Wednesday, September 21: Pour House Tampa
It's fall beer night at the Pour House, and that means they're pouring seasonal pumpkin and Oktoberfest style beers all night long. Free event with purchase; 7:30 p.m.-close. 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd. Suite #112, Tampa, 813-402-2923, pourhousetampa.com
Thursday, September 22: Max & Sam's Bar and Grill
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. Call 941-924-1200 to reserve a space or for more information. $30; 6-8 p.m. 1700 Park Street N., St. Pete.
Thursday, September 22: Cafe Largo
Help Cafe Largo celebrate their 25th birthday at this wine dinner with pairings from Chablis to Champagne. Call to RSVP. $74.50; 6:30 p.m. 12551 Indian Rocks Road # 18, Largo, 727-596-6282.
Thursday, September 22: Cru Cellars
Join Cru for a flavorful French pairing of food flights prepared by In Bloom Catering and hand-selected French wines. Includes a 'flight' of food paired with a wine flight. RSVP required; Email Jen at jen@crucellarstampa.com or call 813-831-1117. $25; 6:30 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, crucellarstampa.com
Thursday, September 22: Total Wine & More – St. Pete
This special class and tasting will feature Sauvignon Blanc from the wine growing regions where this grape thrives, including Sancerre and Bordeaux in France and the Marlborough region of New Zealand. The Cabernet Sauvignon selections will include notable appellations in California, including the Stag's Leap District and of course, the world-famous areas of Bordeaux's Left Bank. Class includes wine selections, tasting sheets, take home educational materials, and discounts on the wine presented in class. $25 per class. RSVP required. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 4880 Park Street N., St. Pete, 727-544-6018, totalwine.com
Thursday, September 22: Whole Foods Market
Learn to prepare easy vegetarian dishes that look and taste like they were prepared at a fine-dining restaurant at this free class. 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
Friday, September 23: Grapevine Liquors of Westchase/The Chase Club
Enjoy a free tasting, hosted by Terroir Wine Cellars, of Lobetia's organic wines. Free; 4-8 p.m. 12125 West Linebaugh Ave. Tampa, 813-814-2582.
Friday, September 23: Fleming's Prime Steakhouse
Taste 20 of Fleming's 100 new bottles on the menu and nibble on tasty small plates every Friday evening in September. See a full list of wines on website. RSVP required. $25; 5:30-7 p.m. 4322 W Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, 813-874-9463, flemingssteakhouse.com
Friday-Saturday, September 23-25: Tampa Theatre
This weekend brings yet another fabulous food and wine event to Tampa Bay — Tampa Theatre's 10th annual Wine Fest. The yearly, movie-themed fundraiser festival filled with food from local independent restaurants and plenty of wines from around the globe is back, bringing three days of food and fun to downtown Tampa's historic and iconic Tampa Theatre. This year's theme is "La Dolce Vino" (a play on the famous Fellini film, La Dolce Vita). Wine pairing dinner on Friday, grand tasting on Saturday and wine brunch on Sunday. See event website for ticket prices and more information. 711 North Franklin St., Tampa, 813-274-8982, tampatheatre.org, tampatheatrewinefest.org
Friday, September 23: Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits
At this Crush Hour tasting, sample wines of Portugal. Five cheeses from the Bern’s Cave du Fromage will be paired with the wines, along with housemade breads. Call to RSVP. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-9463, bernsfinewines.com
Friday, September 23: Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Sample wines and food from several premier area restaurants and wineries, bid on some sensational auction items, and then be treated to an amazing spectacle: a fun and funky performance by the Straz Performing Arts Center Cabaret Singers. Proceeds benefit The University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital's Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center $125 VIP; $75 for food, wine, and show; $50 for food and wine tasting; 6:30 p.m. 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, 813-229-7827, broadwayrockstampa.com
Friday, September 23: Cheese Please
Taste seven to eight new cheeses each week at Cheese Please's Friday night tastings. This week's features: blue cheeses paired with honey and beer. RSVP required. $20; 7 p.m. 4213 S Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 813-766-0060, cheesepleasetampa.com
Friday, September 23: Whole Foods Market
Learn to create delicious raw creations and enjoy food in its natural raw state with great recipes that are fun and easy at this free class. Please register by the exit lobby or by emailing Curtis.Whitwam@wholefoods.com. Free; 7-8 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Saturday, September 24: South Tampa
A flock of food trucks from Tampa (and a few guest trucks from Orlando) are gathering together for the first-ever Tampa Food Truck Rally in the parking lot of the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church in South Tampa. In addition to the food, there will be live music as well as free parking and childcare. Free event; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 1309 W. Swann Ave., Tampa (at the intersection of Swann and Willow), tastingtampa.com, facebook.com/TampaFoodTruckRally
Saturday, September 24: Cigar City Brewing
It's the event local craft beer lovers have waited all year for: the release of CCB's Barrel-aged Hunahpu! They'll be selling three different bottled barrel-aged variations of Hunahpu's Imperial Stout which will only be available at the brewery and will definitely sell out before the day is over. There is a one bottle limit per person for each beer. The bottles and growlers will be $25. Sales start at 1 p.m., but the Tasting Room will be open at 11 a.m. Free event; 1 p.m. 3924 W Spruce Street Suite A, Tampa, 813-348-6363, cigarcitybrewing.com
Saturday, September 24: The Ale and the Witch
Celebrating Oktoberfest by offering specialty Oktoberfest and Munich style brews from all over the U.S. — Avery's Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest, Cigar City Oktoberfest, Summit Oktoberfest, Rogue's Maierfest and more. Specials on beer all day long, traditional German fare available for purchase and live music by the Damon Fowler band at 8:30 p.m. Free event; 3 p.m.-close. 111 2nd Ave. NE, St. Pete, 727-821-ALE3, thealeandthewitch.com
Saturday, September 24: USF Botanical Gardens
Taste honeys from all over the world, foods made from honey and mead (honey wine) at this special event. There will also be beekeeper demonstrations and live jazz. Proceeds benefit the Botanical Gardens beekeepers. $20 for adult, $5 for kids 11 and under; 3 p.m. 12210 USF Pine Drive, Tampa, 813-974-2329, cas.usf.edu/garden
Saturday, September 24: The Fresh Market – 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. 13147 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 813-964-8001, thefreshmarket.com
Saturday, September 24: Glazer Children’s Museum
Come to the Glazer Children’s Museum for a Fun evening of Play and delicious cuisine for grown-ups only at the ——-. Top chefs from over 20 Tampa restaurants will prepare samples of their signature dishes. Ticket also includes beer, wine, champagne and games. Proceeds go to support the Museum's outreach and education programs. $50; 7 p.m. 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, 813-443-3805, glazermuseum.org/bbb
Saturday, September 24: The Dog's Bollocks
Socialize with other caped crusaders and arm-wrestle nemeses at the Tampa Superhero Bar Crawl 2011. Come dressed as a superhero, sidekick, villain or make up your own. Awards for manliest, sexiest, funniest and lamest costume will be presented. Rules: Come in costume, be 21 or older and bring ID to prove it, have a designated driver or take a cab, be nice to others, tip the bar staff, don’t ruffle up security, leave real weapons at home and take lots of pics. The event is free but donations will be accepted. All proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay. Free event; 7 p.m. 1704 East 7th Ave., Ybor, 813-247-4488
Saturday, September 24: Straz Center for the Performing Arts
It's a black tie affair at this Tuscan-inspired event, featuring plenty of food and drink and live and silent auctions. Benefiting the Greater Brandon Community Foundation. $75, $125 VIP; 7 p.m. 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, 813-229-7827, brandonfoundation.com/wine-food-gala-details.html
This article appears in Sep 22-28, 2011.