Wednesday, November 25: Vino 100
Thanksgiving Tasting. If you're anything like me, you've put off holiday preparations until the last minute. There's still cleaning to be done and meals to plan, but at least you'll know which wine will grace your holiday table after attending this tasting that pairs perfect seasonal wines with a selection of Thanksgiving favorites, so you can choose your ideal combo. Free. 5-8 p.m., 5056 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-522-8466)
Wednesday, November 25: Berns Fine Wines and Spirits
Happy Holidays. Bern's is offering a bite of holiday cheer: buy any wine or spirit and take your same-day receipt to the Sidebern's bar for a complimentary Chef's Choice bite from the lounge menu. 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)
Thursday, November 26: Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
ThanksVegan Feast. Thanksgiving should be an opportunity for all sorts of folks to get together and stuff themselves without recrimination, unless youre spending the holiday with your family. Why discriminate against people who shun the bird for more esoteric culinary fetishes? Join vegans, vegetarians, raw foodists and the veg-curious at the fourth annual ThanksVegan Feast. Its a potluck, so youll need to bring a covered dish thats free of animal products (even bacon), a massive appetite and a willingness to buck traditional foods while maintaining the true spirit of the season: gluttony, in all its cruelty-free glory. $5 (with a dish), $15 (without a dish). 1:30-5:30 p.m., 11400 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa, vegtampathanksgiving.com. Brian Ries
Thursday, November 26: The NoHo Bistro
Thanksgiving: To Cook, or Not To Cook? Instead of worrying about undercooking the turkey, runny mashed potatoes, or burning the pumpkin pie, take time to relax with the family (or attempt to avoid them), watch the Macy's Parade, and scream/cheer at the football games while NoHo Bistro does the work for you. Just follow their cooking instructions and within minutes, you'll be digging into their scrumptious seasonal meal includes: whole roasted turkey with herbed butter chestnut-cranberry Stuffing; maple-cured bacon sweet potato souffle with marshmallow crust; honey-glazed butternut squash; creamed peas with baby onions; and pumpkin praline tart. This ain't no Swanson's Turkey Dinner! $26.95 per person. 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)
Many more events after the break: