Wednesday, April 4: Lykes Gaslight Square Park Food Truck Fiesta
Head to the park on your lunch break, and satisfy your food truck craving at Mayor’s Food Truck Fiesta. Mayor Bob Buckhorn will participate in this fiesta. Favorite food trucks like Wicked Wiches and Taco Bus, as well as newbies like Cuppin Cake, will be parked. Free; 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 410 Franklin St., Tampa, tampagov.net.
Wednesday, April 4: Palm Harbor House of Beer
Head to Stone Brewing Company Night and have a few brews. Choose your favorite glass (there will be four to choose from) and take it home as a souvenir. Enjoy samples of Stone Smoked Porter, and taps such as Stone Ruination IPA and Arrogant Bastard Ale. 7 p.m., 34970 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor, 727-784-2337, palmharborhob.com.
Wednesday, April 4 – Tuesday, April 10: 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.
Friday, April 6: Total Wine and More
Start your Easter weekend off right, with some bourbon. Instead of the usual wine tastings, Total Wine is holding an Angels Envy Bourbon Tasting. Angel’s Envy is a new, small-batch artisan bourbon, and is perfect for angels like you. Free; 4-7 p.m., 1720 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-350-9601, totalwine.com.
Saturday, April 7: Cheese Please
If you are hoping for a cheesy Easter, the Easter Cheese tasting event will be plenty cheesy. Eight of the Easter Bunny’s favorite cheeses will be paired with complementary wines, condiments and chocolates. Pre-paid reservation required via website or phone. $25; 7-9 p.m., 4213 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 813-805-BRIE or 813-766-0060, cheesepleasetampa.com.
Saturday, April 7: Foodies
If the thought of homemade pasta and sauces makes your stomach rumble, this Fresh Pasta 101 class is for you. Chef Dawn will prepare linguine and spaghetti from scratch, and will pair them with sauces such as lemon and fennel, alfredo, chorizo and of course, tomato. Registration is required via website or phone. $45; 6:30 p.m., 3642 Bayshore Blvd. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-209-1418, foodies.net.
Saturday, April 7: Safford House
Head to the house for week two of this cooking class series. Go Greek and prepare briam (not Brian) roasted vegetables. Christian guys and gals with a sweet tooth will especially enjoy the ravani or samoli Lenten Cake. 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 8: 400 Beach Seafood
Get stuffed silly at the Easter Buffet. Enjoy many selections, including breakfast items, omelet and carving stations, seafood, ham and lamb. If you’re sweet on desserts, you’ll be in heaven in the Dessert Room. $27.95 for adults; $12.95 for children; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 400 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, 727-896-2400, 400beachseafood.com.
Sunday, April 8: Bon Appétit Restaurant and Marina Cafe
Enjoy a four-course dinner from a choice of six entrees, or the Easter buffet, perhaps after a day at Honeymoon Island. Bon Appétit is the perfect destination for those seeking a sophisticated holiday refuge with a waterfront view. $45 for four-course dinner; $40 for buffet; 150 Marina Plaza, Dunedin, 727-733-2151, bonappetitrestaurant.com.
Sunday, April 8: Columbia Restaurant
Choose from Roast Leg of Lamb “Dali” or baked Virginia ham. The dinner menu is available if you’re not in a hammy (or lamby?) mood. $19.95; 2117 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, 813- 248-4961; 800 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-822-8000; 1241 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater, 727-596-8400, columbiarestaurant.com.
Sunday, April 8: First Watch
Select some of First Watch’s new menu items, which will be available for Easter brunch. Items include Crepegg, skillet hashes and omelets. For those of you glued to your laptop even on holidays, take advantage of the WiFi. 1648 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, 813-929-3947; 2726 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-975-1718; 520 N. Tampa St., Tampa, 813-307-9006; 13186 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-961-4947, firstwatch.com.
Sunday, April 8: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
Fleming’s is a fine choice for “Grade A, top choice meat,” and seafood on a special occasion, such as Easter. Enjoy the Easter brunch, which includes selections such as Filet Mignon Benedict. The three-course brunch will be available for adults. Children twelve and under may select the children’s brunch. Patrons not in a brunchy mood may enjoy the regular menu options. $34.95 for adult brunch; $16.95 for children’s brunch; 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., 4322 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, 813-874-9463, flemingssteakhouse.com.
Sunday, April 8: Fresh Harvest at Seminole Hard Rock
If you can’t stay away from the slot machines on holidays, take advantage of Fresh Harvest’s Easter brunch menu. Enjoy sushi and dim sum selections, grilled items, made-to-order omelets and pastas, American and Italian items, salads and sweets a la mode. The menu will be available for twelve hours, so in between bites, you can gamble the day and night away. $27; 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., 5223 N. Orient Road, Tampa, 813-627-7625, seminolehardrocktampa.com.
