Looking to take it relatively easy on your wallet? Can’t go wrong with five of CL’s favorite food and drink picks this weekend.
On Friday, celebrate Belgian Independence Day. In Seminole Heights, Independent Bar and Cafe offers specialty Belgian drafts and bottles, alongside mussels and pomme frites, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. St. Petersburg’s TapHouse 61 turns its 4 to 8 p.m. happy hour into a showcase of the goods from Rodenbach and Palm. And Brandon’s Brass Tap has beloved brews like Delirium (plus swag), Palm and Rodenbach Vintage planned for guests from 7 to 9 p.m. (Brasserie Saint Somewhere is putting on Saturday’s Belgian Beer Festival in Tarpon Springs — in case you’re looking to observe National Belgian Beer Week, too.) Free, money for beer. Independent: 5016 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-341-4883. TapHouse 61: 2061 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-800-2971. Brass Tap: 775 Brandon Town Center Drive, Brandon, 813-654-4712.
There’s a complimentary Raw Foods Class set for Nutrition Smart’s Carollwood location on Friday as well. From 6 to 7 p.m., participants learn to make a raw, vegan mayo mango wrap. Samples are provided, and attendees are free to stay and shop the organic grocer afterward. Free. 14847 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 813-908-9500.
Free Waffles? Yup. On Saturday, locals can score two waffles per person on the house, in any flavor they’d like, from Tampa-based RyRy’s Chicken & Waffles. Flavors include Nutella, salted caramel and bacon, but don’t forget about the late-night food truck’s house-made syrups, either — honey Sriracha maple, watermelon and honey maple, to name a few. The offer’s available from 8 p.m. to midnight. Free. 11124 N. 30th St., Tampa, 813-308-7979.
Help Bootleggers Brewing Co. ring in one year with Tampa Bay on Saturday. The young brewery’s 1 Year Anniversary Bash, hosted from noon to midnight, spotlights pints of Mango Shake, Orange Dreamsicle and Strawberry Kiss (a milkshake IPA), as well as live music worth jamming to. Food trucks are set to round out this taproom party. Free, money for beer and food. 652 Oakfield Drive, Brandon, 813-643-9433.
Finish off the weekend with what’s sure to be a much-needed Hangover Cure Brunch at The Raven. Diners relax and recharge with menu items such as biscuits and gravy, “French Toast Ala Hefe” with blueberry compote, and an omelet featuring pork belly, triple cream brie, baby heirloom tomatoes and chive pesto drizzle. The finale to Barley Mow Brewing Company’s five-year birthday celebration, brunch runs from noon to 4 p.m. Free, money for food. 2535 E. Bay Drive, Largo, 727-507-0823.
