Wednesday, April 18 – Monday, April 23: Mitchell’s Fish Market
If you love lobster and crustaceans in general, head to Mitchell’s for the Annual Crustacean Celebration. (Lobster being in season is the reason for the celebration.) Choose from lobster and shrimp-stuffed cod ($19.95), lobster and shrimp cakes ($24.95) or lobster tail with lobster and shrimp cake ($29.95) entrees. 204 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, 813-289-3663, mitchellsfishmarket.com.
Wednesday, April 18 – Tuesday, April 24: Chelsea Nightclub
Need one more reason to kick your butts to the curb? Chelsea just opened a smoke-free bar, where it’s buy one, get one on all drinks. The “be who you are bar” opens daily at 4 p.m., and has plenty of free parking. 1502 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-228-0139, chelseanightclub.com.
Thursday, April 19: Carmel Café and Wine Bar
This four-course wine dinner will spotlight Conn Valley Vineyards of Napa Valley. Customized MenuPads offer attendees customized service and display photos and facts about the dishes and wines, to enhance the experience. Reservations are required. $79.95 plus tax and gratuity; 6:30 – 8 p.m., 14306 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-265-1415, carmelcafe.com.
Thursday, April 19: Flicks and Food Trucks
Watch independent short flicks, listen to world music by Rob Irie, and of course, eat. Fill your belly with your favorite food truck selections, and wash it down with microbrews. Keep’n it Reel is now included in the food truck lineup, for your taste buds’ pleasure. 6-10 p.m., 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, tampabaymarkets.com.
Thursday, April 19: Pelagia Trattoria
Attention Amaretto fans, it’s National Amaretto Day! If you enjoy the almond-flavored Italian liqueur Amaretto, you’ll go nuts over Pelagia’s three-course menu where almond-flavored selections will be featured. Order all three or just one or two. Selections include Amaretto-glazed sea scallops, almond-laced redfish and chocolate-dipped Amaretto gelato lollipops. Reservations are required. 4200 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa, 813-313-3235, pelagiatrattoria.com.
Thursday, April 19: Roosevelt 2.0 – Farm to Fork Dinner
Grab a fork and head to this farm to fork dinner and simulcast chat, featuring Joel Salatin as the guest of honor. This event is part of his book tour for his book, Folks, This Ain’t Normal. Learn about his farming experience and wisdom and his vision of food’s future in the U.S. He will be coming all the way from his farm in Virginia, Polyface Farms, so do not miss this event. Proceeds will support local food systems and organizations. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6:30 p.m. $100 for ticket, $25 for simulcast; 5:30 p.m., 1812 N. 15th St., Tampa, 813-248-1904, wepay.com/events/salatin-on-the-suncoast.
Friday, April 20: Dunedin House of Beer
Party on at this 420 Party celebrating April 20 (because it's well, 4/20). Specials include brews from Bluepoint Brewery. Live music starts at 9 p.m. Party details are a bit fuzzy, but partying, great brews and tunes will be definite. Free; 7 p.m., 927 Broadway, Dunedin, 727-216-6318, dunedinhob.com.
Friday, April 20: Whole Foods
Get your weekend off to a green start by attending this Earth Day-inspired EcoExpression: Recycled Art Exhibit and Green Expo. See the works of community artists who make masterpieces out of reused, recycled and re-purposed materials. Take in their crafts, jewelry, sculptures, etc. and perhaps purchase a masterpiece (at front entrance). A wine and appetizer tasting will also occur, featuring selections from the Specialty and Prepared Foods departments. A $5 is encouraged for the tasting, to benefit Whole Planet Foundation. Free; 5 – 8 p.m., 1548 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-874-9435, wholefoods.com.
Saturday, April 21: Courigan’s Irish Pub
Let down your hair and make your way over to Courigan’s for this charity Rockers Pub Crawl. Four downtown destinations will be on tap, where you’ll receive select shots, free beer or free grub. Proceeds go to Carillon Relay for Life. $20; 2:30 p.m., 1 Beach Drive SE, St. Petersburg, 727-567-3109.
Saturday, April 21: Fresh Market
Whichever side of the bay you’re on, you’ll be able to attend this Fresh Flavors Demo, because it’s in two locations. The featured selections include angel hair with tuna and capers, and Mediterranean deviled eggs, which will bring out both the angel and devil in you. 3-6 p.m., 25961 U.S. 19, Clearwater, 727-669-6111; 3722 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-875-7400, freshmarket.com.
Saturday, April 21: Safford House
Head to the house for week four of this cooking class series. Have some balls and prepare Keftedes (Greek meatballs). Fried Pines (shellfish, not trees) and potatoes in tomato sauce are also on the agenda. Sponsored by City of Tarpon Springs. Register via phone or website. $20; 12 — 2 p.m., 23 Parkin Court, Tarpon Springs, 727-942-5605, tarponarts.org/folklife.
Sunday, April 22: Total Wine
For a green, buzz-inducing Earth Day, check out this Celebrate Earth Day tasting. Organic wines will be featured, such as Terramore Organic Nero d’Avola and Releaf Organic Cabernet. Purchase your favorite wine with the coupon you’ll receive. Although it would be an interesting sight, the wines won’t physically be green. Free; 12 – 5 p.m., 4880 Park St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-544-6018, totalwine.com.
Monday, April 23: Café Ponte
For a magical, charitable evening with six courses of fine food, head to Café Ponte for the 2nd Annual Evening of Culinary Arts and Illusion. Proceeds will go to Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf. While you devour your six courses, prepared by Chef Chris Ponte, you’ll be entertained by magicians. Reservations can be made at dining@cafeponte.com or via phone. $95 plus tax and gratuity; 6:30 – 9 p.m., 13505 Icot Blvd., Clearwater, 727-538-5768, cafeponte.com.
Sunday, April 22: Salvador Dalí Museum – Los Vinos de Dalí
Live La Vida Loca by attending Los Vinos de Dalí. If you prefer food with your wine, you will get your fill of fine foods in addition to the wines. Vinos from some of Spain’s boutique wineries will be poured, in honor of Dalí’s heritage. Many other wines from around the world will be poured as well, including productions from European Cellars and Bell Cellars. One you have your wine, get ready to dine on selections from upscale restaurants such as Marchand’s (at Renaissance Vinoy Hotel) and Café Ponte. If you’re hungry and thirsty for Dalí’s art (which you should be), take advantage of the after-hours private tours of Dali Museum’s galleries, which spotlight Dali and cuisine. Calypso Sound Steel Band will provide live tunes from the waterfront Avant-Garden. This will be Dalí Museum’s first event of this type, so don’t miss out. Purchase tickets via http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3161422901. This event is expected to sell out, so don’t procrastinate. Proceeds will go toward Dalí Museum’s educational programs. Located in the Raymond James Room and waterfront Avant-Garden areas of the Dalí Museum. $75 with free museum parking; 3-6 p.m., 1 Dalí Blvd., St. Petersburg, 727-823-3767, thedali.org.
This article appears in Apr 12-18, 2012.