The following is just a taste of the many food and drink happenings going on in Pinellas this December. I hope you're hungry!
Get A Taste of the Morean on Fri., Dec. 2, at this diverting holiday event at The Morean Arts Center, featuring food, drink and art, of course. Guests will have the opportunity to view students' work, sample a few of the classes for themselves, purchase unique holiday gifts and sample bites from Spice Routes, as well as beer and wine. Be sure to check out their newest exhibition, Upcycled! Purchase tickets on their website. $15; 5:30-8 p.m. 719 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-822-7872, moreanartscenter.org.
Sure, you can make pancakes at home or head to your nearest IHOP, but enjoying a pancake breakfast with Santa would be the icing on the proverbial gingerbread house. The Dunedin Community Center is hosting Breakfast with Santa on Sat., Dec. 3, where you can not only meet with Santa and tell him what's on your list, but get a piping hot stack of pancakes to boot. Oh, and bring the kids along, too, if you so choose. Call to RSVP. $8; 9 a.m. 1920 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin, 727-812-4530.
For some sweet holiday treats and plenty of twinkly lights, attend the Holiday Stroll in Largo Central Park on Sat., Dec. 3. Over a million LED lights will light the way as revelers stroll through Storyland while enjoying hot chocolate, cider and festival fare offerings. The tree lighting will take place at 7 p.m. and live entertainment will include aerial acrobatics, dancing, singing and puppets. Free event, $5 on-site parking, free offsite parking; 5-9 p.m. 101 Central Park Drive, Largo, 727-587-6740 ext. 5014, largo.com.
If chestnuts roasting by an open fire is more your scene, head over to Safety Harbor's Whistle Stop Grill on Sat., Dec. 3, for their 12th annual Chestnut Roast. Roasted chestnuts are free while they last (with food and drink purchase). They'll also be serving up Drunken Chestnuts, chestnut soup and plenty of food and drink specials. Live music from 7-10 p.m. Free with food and drink purchase; 5:30-10 p.m. 915 Main St., Safety Harbor, 727-726-1956, whistlestopgrill.com.
Meet at Bella Vino Wine and Cheese Market for their 6th Annual Holiday Wine Tasting on Fri., Dec. 9. This year's theme is "Tiny Bubbles & Big Reds," which will feature over 30 Champagnes, sparkling wines and big reds, including Piper Heidsieck, Domaine Carneros, Cakebread and more. Get special bottle and case pricing at event. Limited to the first 60 guests. $25 at the door; 5-7:30 p.m. 100 Indian Rocks Road, Bellair Bluffs, 727-584-5552, bellavinowinemarket.com.
Come thirsty and don your tackiest sweater at International Cellar Wine Shop & Wine Bar's Holiday Tasting and Ugly Sweater Contest on Fri., Dec. 9. Sample their newest selections of Champagne, sparkling and dessert wines, then participate in the ugly sweater contest. All sweaters will then be handed over and donated to a charitable organization in Pinellas County. Bonus: Attendees will get a live demonstration on how to sabre a Champagne bottle (aka: take off the cork with a big sword). $10; 6:30-9 p.m. 3689 Tampa Road, Suite 304, Oldsmar, 813-855-8099.
The food trucks are coming! The food trucks are coming! The St. Pete Holiday Festival at Spa Beach Park downtown will be hosting the St. Pete Food Truck Rally on Sat., Dec. 10, with a lineup of trucks and trailers offering a smorgasbord of tasty fare all day long. Fire Money, Wicked 'Wiches, Michelle Faedo's on The Go, Flying Sliders, La Creperia Café and many more will be in attendance. Bring cash and an adventurous palate. Festival admission: $5 adults, $3 12 and under; 12-10 p.m. Spa Beach Park: 615 Second Ave. NE, St. Pete, stpeteboatparade.org.
Also part of the St. Pete Holiday Festival, the St. Pete Chili Challenge on Sat., Dec. 10 will pit local restaurants against one another to see whose bowl o' red reigns supreme. Holiday Festival attendees can taste all submissions and vote for their favorites from 3-6 p.m. At 6:15 p.m., all winners will be announced. Taste offerings from 400 Beach, Crowley's, Moon Under Water and more. Free with festival admission: $5 adults, $3 12 and under; 3-6 p.m. Spa Beach Park: 615 Second Ave. NE, St. Pete, stpeteboatparade.org.
Taste over 35 rare and renowned sparkling wines from around the world during Carmel Cafe's Holiday Champagne Tasting event on Sat., Dec. 17. Bubbly selections include Roederer Brut Premier, Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut, Pommery Brut Royal and more, paired with Carmel's "Mod Med" small plates. Call to RSVP. (Available at both the Clearwater and Carrollwood locations.) $35; 1-3 p.m. 2548 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-724-4228, carmelcafe.com.
Join the North Pinellas Pub Riders for their Tacky Christmas Sweater Party Ride and Santa Swap on Sat., Dec. 17, in Dunedin. Grab the "most hideous bedazzled Cosby nightmare of a cardigan" you can find — either in your closet or from the thrift store — bring a $5-$10 gift to put in Santa's sack for the gift exchange and hop on your bicycle for a festive pub crawl (of sorts). The ride will begin at Dunedin House of Beer, head to Original Pinehurst Pub, then Flanagan's Irish Pub and end at Jolli Mon's Grill. Be sure to stay toasty and not get too toasted, as you can get a DUI for riding a bike under the influence. See website for more details; food and drink sold separately at stops. 5:30 p.m. Dunedin House of Beer: 927 Broadway, Dunedin, 727-216-6318, pinellaspubride.info.
If craft beer tickles your fancy, then spend New Year's Eve at The Ale and the Witch for the Witch's New Year's Eve on Sat., Dec. 31. Imbibe from an open bar with 32 drafts, bottled beers and wines to choose from, and nibble on some fancy hors d'oeuvres while listening to the live music. Admission also includes a pass to the Downtown St. Pete First Night activities. $66 (all-inclusive); 8 p.m.-2 a.m. 111 Second Ave. NE, St. Pete, 727-821-2533, thealeandthewitch.com.
This article appears in Dec 1-7, 2011.