Before and after you've had your fill of margs, including bacon and apple cinnamon variations, at this weekend's Tampa Bay Margarita Festival, here's where to go.
In Brandon, Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium's latest installment of the “A Taste of…” food and wine pairing will offer a variety of Southern favorites for home cooks. Pimento cheese grits with greens and bacon, honey butter grilled chicken thighs and chocolate pie are among the planned items at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Advance registration is required. $50. 2080 Badlands Drive, Brandon, 813- 653-2418.
Between 6 and 10 p.m. Saturday, dine and drink under the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks while listening to live Latin music from Tampa Bay’s own Orquesta Infinidad and DJ Mike Sensation. Show up early enough to Salsa on the Docks and get a free dance lesson. Free, money for food and drinks. 20 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs.
Venture down the rabbit hole for local art, adult beverages and more at Bloom Art Center in St. Petersburg from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday. The gallery is set to host a celebration, featuring art installations in an interactive setting, for the film Alice Through the Looking Glass. Artists like Andrea Pawlisz, Andres Taborda, Ashley Sweet, Boo Ehrsam and Brandy Stark will be on display; attendees will sip beer and wine and listen to a live DJ while exploring wonderland. $5. 910 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-300-1710.
Inside the Pinellas Park Auditorium, hibiscus flowers of all sizes, shapes and colors will be showcased throughout the Tropical Hibiscus Show & Sale, which begins at 10 a.m. Sunday. Guests can pick the brains of experts for tips on how to care for tropical plants, and the show runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Free. 7690 59th St. N., Pinellas Park.
From 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, make the drive to Sarasota's JDubs Brewing Company for the Taco Showdown. This cook-off will feature unconventional taco chefs (from Angry Mike's Fine Food, Busted Chef and World Bites Kafe) cooking up two offerings each — one taco must highlight a secret ingredient. The crowd will crown the People's Choice, and a panel of local judges will also decide a winner. $2 per taco. 1215 Mango Ave., Sarasota, 941-955-2739.
This article appears in May 26 – Jun 2, 2016.
