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Food file

By PEGGY ANDERS
Published February 2, 2005

Special events and food tastings

NAPA VINTNERS TASTING: 6:30-7 p.m. VIP tasting, 7-9 p.m. Grand Tasting today, Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Abilities Foundation hosts Napa Valley Vintners Association tasting with 75 premium wines from BV, Schramsberg, Cuvaison, ZD Wines, Mount Veeder and more, paired with culinary tastes from local restaurants; bid on rare Napa wines in silent auction; live entertainment. Tickets: VIP tasting, $175 (includes Grand Tasting admission), Grand Tasting, $125; proceeds benefit the Abilities Foundation. Call (727) 538-7370, ext. 345.

"NIGHTLIFE NAPA VALLEY": 9:30-11:30 p.m. today at SideBern's, 2208 Morrison Ave., Tampa. Followup tasting to Napa Vintner's Tasting see above, geared toward 20- and 30-somethings; Napa Valley winemakers present wines to pair with Jeannie Pierola's cuisine; $20, plus $10 suggested Abilities Foundation donation. Buy tickets at www.sidebernsevents.com by calling (813) 253-0358 or at door if available.

SIX TABLES WINE DINNER: 7 p.m. Thur., Six Tables Restaurant, 118 West Bay Drive, Largo. First wine dinner of the 2005 season features wines from Stachole Fine Wines, presented by Michael Degnan, paired with Six Tables courses; $85, plus tax and gratuity. Call (727) 518-1123 to RSVP.

FRENCH REGIONAL FAVORITES: 7 p.m. Thur., Le Bouchon Bistro, 796 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs. Regional wines from France, paired with goat cheese and fig tartlets, braised lamb shank in rosemary and garlic, shrimp beignet with smoked salmon remoulade, praline cappuccino cups and more; $43.50, plus tax and gratuity. Call (727) 585-9777 to RSVP.

SUPER BOWL SAMPLINGS: noon-4 p.m. Sat., Whole Foods Market, 1451 First St., Sarasota. Stock up for the big game with snacks and goodies to please any fan at free sampling of chips, dips, salsas and other light snacks; call (941) 955-8500.

MARDI GRAS DINNER: 6:30 p.m. Tues., Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 4322 West Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa. Celebrate Mardi Gras in South American style with five courses including yucca stuffed with spicy chicken, shrimp bisque, pork osso bucco, tenderloin of beef with crawfish sauce, paired with wines from Uruguay including 2000 Vina Progreso gran reserva, plus wines from Chile and Argentina, paired with menu in a festive setting; $85, plus tax and gratuity. Call (813) 874-9463 to RSVP.

"A TASTE OF ITALY": 6:30-9 p.m. Tue., Gratzzi Ristorante at BayWalk, 199 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Taste the flavors of Italy in wine and dinner pairing; silent auction to benefit Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay; $75. For reservations or more information, call (727) 822-7769.

CHOCOLATE FANTASY STROLL: 6-8:30 p.m. Feb. 11, at shops along Antique Alley, 580-596 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs. Stroll through the alley shops by candlelight and enjoy treats in each shop during first Chocolate Fantasy Stroll; free. Call (727) 584-4799.

MAKE A SPLASH: Noon Feb. 19, Splash! An Ocean Grill, 3973 Van Dyke Road, Lutz. Tampa Bay Culinary Club meets for demonstration and sampling of the restaurant's seafood and other dishes by chef Griffin Lohrman; $10. RSVP required by Feb. 16; call (727) 789-2605 to attend.

Wine and beer tastings/classes

FRESH MARKET WINE GALA: 7-9 p.m. today, The Fresh Market, 25961 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater. Join the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin for its cookbook kickoff, with tasting of wines from around the world, hors d'oeuvres, entertainment; $25. Call (727) 738-5523 for ticket information; benefits Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin.

GOT WINE?: Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin, presents tasting of newly arrived wines, including Tannat Vina Progresso from Uruguay, L de Lyeth cabernet and meritage from California and more, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., free; tasting to benefit tsunami victims; 7-11 p.m. Sat. features Fetzer Five Rivers Ranch cabernet, Fetzer syrah rose and more, free; any donations benefit the Downtown Merchants Association of Dunedin's tsunami relief fund. Call (727) 736-4077.

FLORIDA ESTATES WINE FESTIVAL: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Florida Estates Winery, 25241 State Road 52, 4 miles west of Interstate 75, near Land O'Lakes. Sample wine; browse fresh market; handmade crafts for sale; live music. Free admission. Call 813 996-2113 or visit www.floridaestateswines.com

WARMING CABERNETS: 6-8 p.m. Tue., A Taste for Wine, 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Warm up with cabernet flight of California varieties, perfect for crisp winter evenings; $18. Call (727) 895-1623 to reserve.

VIP TASTING: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 9, Pic Pac Fine Wine, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. VIP tasting of fine wines, both domestic and worldwide, plus accompaniments from O Bistro; $20. Portion of proceeds benefits the Abilities Foundation. Call (727) 347-0743.

WINES FOR VALENTINES: 5-8 p.m. Feb. 10, Pasadena Liquors and Fine Wines, 1100 Pasadena Ave. S, South Pasadena. Valentine's Day tasting of wines paired with hors d'oeuvres by Emerson Catering; $15 per person. Call (727) 347-9607.

WINES FOR LOVERS: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11, Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Bring your valentine for tasting of sparkling wines and sultry pinot noirs; $10. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics of Pinellas County. Call (727) 892-9463.

VALENTINE PASSION WINE: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 12, Florida Orange Groves Inc. and Winery, 1500 Pasadena Ave. S, Pasadena. Open house with sweets, treats and tours of the winery; sample unusual flavors that include passionfruit and chocolate wine; 28 kinds of wine, paired with hors d'oeuvres; free. Must be over 21. Call (727) 347-4025.

BORDEAUX TREASURES: 5-7 p.m. Feb. 12, Tampa Wine Institute (at West Palm Wines), 2009 N 22nd St., Ybor City. Find excellent wines at great prices in tasting of "unclassified" Bordeaux wines; 6-8 wines served, plus foods to accompany; $30. Seating limited; to RSVP, call (813) 241-8587.

Cooking classes

MAIN COURSE MUSHROOMS: 7-8 p.m. today, 10-11 a.m. Thur., Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Use mushrooms to make savory dishes in vegetarian class led by Debby DeGraaff; free. Call (813) 873-7428.

COOKING AT APRON'S: Apron's Cooking School, at Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, presents: All About Soy, with soy butternut squash soup, 10 a.m. Sat., $30; Flash in the Pan quick sauteing lessons, 10 a.m. Feb. 10, $40; Wisdom of Wolfgang, with Wolfgang Puck-inspired dishes such as pork and dried-fruit pot stickers, chinois chicken salad, smoked salmon and caviar pizza, Spago cheesecake, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11, $40; Valentine Confections, with molten chocolate lava cakes, 10 a.m. Feb. 12, $25; Call (813) 926-4465 to reserve.

SOUTHERN, CLASSIC CRACKER CUISINE: La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Southern Brunch class, with cornmeal raisin scones, chicken hash, candied bacon, warm cakes with guava syrup, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sun., $29.50, includes glass of champagne; Classic Florida Cracker cuisine class, based on Marjorie Rawlings' Cross Creek Cookery , makes Florida Backwoods biscuits, bacon-crusted catfish with cheesy grits, Cross Creek orange cake, 6:30-9 p.m. Feb. 9, $45. Call (727) 736-3070 to RSVP.

CARIBBEAN CUISINE: 6:30-8 p.m. Mon., Saffron's Caribbean Cuisine Restaurant, 1700 Park St. N, St. Petersburg. Chef Edyth shares secrets of her award-winning Caribbean cuisine and cooks up tropical treats in monthly cooking class: $25, includes dinner and beverage, gratuity is extra. Call (727) 345-6400 to reserve.

HEART-HEALTHY COOKING: 5:30 p.m. Mon., classroom D, first floor at St. Anthony's Hospital, 1200 Seventh Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Chef Nathan Rich of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and registered dietitians share helpful cooking and menu tips to create heart-healthy dishes. Cost: $15. Tickets must be purchased by Thur. Limited seating; call (727) 820-7910.

VEGETARIAN VALENTINES: 7-8 p.m. Feb. 9, 10-11 a.m. Feb. 10, Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Learn to prepare a sensuous vegetarian Valentine dinner in class led by Debby DeGraaff; free. Call (813) 873-7428.

PRESIDENTIAL PASTRIES: Apron's Cooking School, at Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Roland Mesnier, former White House executive pastry chef for 25 years (beginning with President Jimmy Carter), shares his expertise in creating elegant desserts for Valentine's Day and other special occasions, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10; $40. Call (813) 926-4465 to reserve.

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 February 1, 2005, 14:21:02]