By Compiled by PEGGY ANDERS
Published April 9, 2003
Special events and food tastings
VISITING VENETO: 6:30 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner, today, Aldo's Italian, 3671 S West Shore Blvd., Tampa. Wine dinner pairs cuisine of Italy's Veneto region, such as beef carpaccio, with four single vineyard white wines, three Amarone wines; $50, plus tax and gratuity. Call (813) 831-0694.
CAFE DE FRANCE WINE DINNER: 7 p.m. Thur., Cafe de France, 15225 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach. French-themed wine dinner: salmon with Italian bacon and leeks, braised veal fricassee and roast peach with pistachios and caramel sauce, paired with sparkling vouvray, sancerre rouge Domaine Fouassier, Domaine Pascal Avril chinon; $49.95, plus tax and gratuity. Limited seating. Reserve: (727) 392-8627.
CHEF ROY AT ROY'S: 5:30-10 p.m. Thur., Roy's, 4342 W Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa. Founding chef/owner Roy Yamaguchi pairs his creations with Joel-Noel Fourneaux, owner of Chateau Potelle Winery varieties; includes Maine lobster and green apple poke, juniper berry marinated elk medallion, strawberry and cream cheese napoleon; $80. RSVP: (813) 873-7697.
BEST OF TAMPA BAY: 7-11 p.m. Sat., Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. The best of the best haute cuisine tastes from 50 restaurants, desserts, specialty coffees, wines and beers at annual fundraiser; $60 advance, $70 day of event. Call (813) 229-7827 or Ticketmaster.
EASTER TEA: 1-3 p.m. Sat., Ibis Bed and Breakfast, 856 Fifth St. S, Safety Harbor. Enjoy specialty and loose teas with scones, decorated egg cakes, tea sandwiches, savories and pastries; $18.50, inclusive. RSVP: (727) 723-9000.
TASTE OF ITALY: 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sun., Centennial Park, Eighth Ave. and 18th St., Ybor City. Experience Italian food, culture and fun as Festa Italiana presents markets and vendors with an old world Italian flair, tastes from area restaurants, grape stamping and kids activities. Admission $3, under 12 free, additional charge for food; proceeds benefit Italian Club Restoration Fund. Call (813) 342-3630 or visit www.festaitalianatampa.com
BUNNY TEA: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 19, Lobby Lounge of Ritz-Carlton, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota. Sip tea with the Easter Bunny and nibble on finger sandwiches and tea cookies; $39 adults, $32 kids. Limited seating. RSVP: (941) 309-2008.
TEMPTING TABLES: 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner, April 21, Six Tables Restaurant at the Peninsula Inn, 2937 Beach Blvd., Gulfport. Winemaker dinner to benefit Abilities Foundation features Turnbull wines paired with chef Tommy Sapp's creations, which include bronzed salmon with red wine demi glace, smoked duck and okra gumbo, herb crusted rack of lamb with rosemary jus; $100, plus tax and gratuity. Limited seating. Call (727) 346-9806.
Wine and beer tastings/classes
JUST JUSTIN: 5:30-6:30 p.m. today, Armani's at Hyatt Regency Westshore, 6200 Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa. Justin wines tasted, $10; stay for dinner and tasting fee is waived. Call (813) 207-6800.
HOLIDAY TASTING: 5-8 p.m. Thur., Pasadena Liquors and Fine Wines, 1100 Pasadena Ave. S, South Pasadena. Wine and spirits tasting celebrates Easter and Passover; includes wines from La Crema, Cambria, Hogue and Wild Horse; $10. Call (727) 347-9607.
FRESH ART AND NEW WINES: J.D. Ford and Ringling School of Art pair art from best new student artists with the best new wineries and newly released wines in tasting; 6-7:30 p.m. Thur., Selby Gallery, 2700 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $25. Call (941) 359-7652.
ITALIAN VARIETALS, SURPRISE TASTING: Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, presents tasting that focuses on Italian varietals and wine regions in the north and southern Italy, 6:30 p.m. Fri.; or an "Un" tasting where wine theme is not revealed until tasting starts, 6:30 p.m. April 18. Each tasting is $10, includes souvenir glass; portion of proceeds benefits PARC; (727) 892-9463.
REMARKABLE RIESLINGS: 6-8 p.m. Sat., A Taste for Wine, 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Taste acclaimed 2001 vintage rieslings; $16. RSVP: (727) 895-1623.
DELICIOUSLY DECADENT: 5-7 p.m. April 16, Mattison's, An American Bistro, 111 Second Ave. (the Plaza Tower), St. Petersburg. Taste wines paired with chocolate desserts by Mattison's pastry chef; $5. RSVP required: (727) 895-2200.
Cooking classes
TOTALLY TOFU: 7 p.m. today, 10 a.m. Thur., Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Learn how tofu can add healthful protein to your diet in free vegetarian class; (813) 873-7428.
OYSTERCATCHERS FAVORITES: Noon Sat., Oystercatchers Restaurant at Hyatt Westshore, 6200 Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa. Chef leads class from preparation to presentation of three-course meal; $50. Call (813) 207-6815.
COOKING WITH CHEF DOMINIQUE: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Cafe Largo, 12551 Indian Rocks Road, Largo. Chef Dominique leads class on a new culinary adventure each week, includes food and wine tastings; $28.50 per class, $100 for four classes. Call (727) 596-6282.
THAI TASTES: 6:30-9 p.m. Thur., La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Thai menu includes fish with sweet chili sauce, beef panang curry; $39.50. RSVP: (727) 736-3070.
KIDS CLASS: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sat., Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. "Science of Cooking" class teaches kids 8 and up easy techniques. Class fee: $25, $20 for members. RSVP: (813) 987-6000.
CHECK OUT CHICKPEAS: 11 a.m. Sat., Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Debby DeGraaff makes chickpea noodle soup, garbanzo tomato curry with basmati rice, and minted bean salad with sweet corn in free demonstration. Call (727) 443-6703.
VERSATILE YOGURT, EXTRAORDINARY EASTER EGGS: Apron's Cooking School, Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, offers classes on using yogurt in place of higher-calorie ingredients; make lasagna primavera and chocolate cheesecake with Stephan Hengst, 11 a.m. Sat., $40; kids can learn how to transform plain eggs into decorated eggs for Easter baskets, 6 p.m. Tue., $25. RSVP: (813) 926-4465.
INSPIRED BY EMERIL: 6:30-9 p.m. April 16, La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Make some of Emeril's kicked-up recipes; $39.50. RSVP: (727) 736-3070.
BETTER BREAKASTS: 7 p.m. April 16, 10 a.m. April 17, Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Start the day with breakfast ideas from Debby DeGraaff; free. (813) 873-7428.
TASTE OF TROPICS: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. April 16, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 S Palm Ave., Sarasota. Chef Paul Mattison creates tropical-themed lunch menu; $45. Sign up at (941) 366-5731, ext. 239.
IT'S ALL RICE: 6:30 p.m. April 16, Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Class on rice makes rice Alfredo sauce with rice flour, rice pasta with veggies and a rice dream banana split dessert. Call (727) 443-6703.
Send news of coming events at least two weeks in advance of the publication date to Food File, the Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.
[Last modified April 8, 2003, 10:17:21]
Elsewhere in today's Taste
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
