Food File
A look at what's happening.
By PEGGY ANDERS
Published March 15, 2006
Special events and food tastings
DINNER IN THE RAW: 6-9 p.m. Sat., Natural Health Hut Clinic and Herb Farm, 26403 Chianina Drive (off State Road 54 and Interstate 75), Wesley Chapel. Herbalist Rose Kalajian prepares Candlelight Dinner in the Raw, an all organic and raw food meal; $25. Call (813) 991-5177 or toll-free 1-877-547-9888 for reservations.
BEST BOUTIQUE WINES: 6:30 p.m. March 23, Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, 1002 Howard Ave. S, Tampa. Six course global cuisine pairs with Robert Parker Australian wines; $99.91, inclusive. Call (813) 250-9463 for reservations.
ON THE RUM TRAIL: 6-9 p.m March 23-25. Sample cane spirits and rums from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Barbados and around the world in Rum Trail at various Ybor City bars and restaurants, $30; or Rum Fest International Cane Spirits Tasting, 2-6 p.m. March 25, with one-stop sampling of rums not usually available in the United States, Lions Eye Institute Transplant & Research facility, 1410 N 21st St., Ybor City, $30. Call (727) 812-6005 or go to www.polishedpalate.com for tickets.
SAVANT WINE DINNER: 7 p.m. March 25, Savant Fine Dining, 2551 Drew St., Clearwater. Menu includes cedar-planked beef Wellington, prosciutto-wrapped figs, blueberry souffle, 2004 Conundrum, Lyeth meritage 2003 wines; $100, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: (727) 421-9975.
Wine and beer tastings/classes
BONNY DOON, CALIFORNIA REDS: A Wine Experience, 149 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg, presents:
Varietals from Bonny Doon Vineyards, 6-8 p.m. today; $10.
Red varieties from California's Marietta Cellars, 6-8 p.m. March 22; $10.
Call (727) 894-2255.
VINTAGE TASTINGS: Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, presents:
Class explores wine regions of Italy, samples red, white and sparkling varieties, 6:30-9 p.m. today; $30.
Green With Envy St. Patrick's Day event, samples wines and beers, 7-9 p.m. Fri.; $10. Call (813) 879-2931 for reservations.
WINE THINK TANK, FRANCE #101: Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, 1002 Howard Ave. S, Tampa, presents:
Think Tank discussion for wine lovers focuses on grape varietals' interaction with basic flavors like sweet, sour, salty and bitter, 6:30-8:30 p.m. today; $25, plus tax.
France #101 explores the basics of France's wine-growing regions from Champagne to Burgundy and Bordeaux with wines that illustrate differences in tastes, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mon.; $25.
Call (813) 250-9463 for reservations.
ART & WINE: 6-7:30 Thur., Selby Gallery at Ringling School of Art & Design, 2700 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Art & Wine tasting event combines exhibiting artists' works with wine review, hors d'oeuvres; $20. Call (941) 359-7563 for reservations.
WINES OF THE WORLD: 6-8 p.m. Fri., American Spirits, 280 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. Wines from around the world; free. Call (727) 895-8700.
WINES FROM WASHINGTON: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Washington state wines; $10, includes souvenir wine glass, benefits Campbell Park Marine Science Center PTA. Call (727) 892-9463 for reservations.
IRISH TO ITALIAN: Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa, presents:
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Irish stew, stouts and beers, 7:30 p.m. Fri.; $15 advance, $20 at door.
Try boutique wines from California's Napa and Sonoma regions, paired with wine country cuisine, 7:30 March 24; $15 advance, $20 at door.
Wine, Dine & Learn series combines three-course dinner with wine, talk and tips on choosing wines (this month's focus is Italian wines and cuisine), 7:30-9 p.m. March 25; $35. Call (813) 250-1967 or visit www.charlieswine.com for reservations.
TREASURE ISLAND TASTING: 5-7 p.m. March 23, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, 204 107th Ave., Treasure Island. Featuring more than a dozen varieties from around the world, plus liqueurs, beers and light accompaniments; $5, includes wine coupon, souvenir wine glass. Call (727) 360-6153.
PORTS IN A STORM: 9-11 p.m. March 24, Ybor City Museum Courtyard, 1818 E Ninth Ave., Ybor City. Sample six ports, from ruby to tawny, paired with chocolate desserts and a cigar; $25 advance, $30 at the door, benefits Ybor City Museum. Visit www.tampabayuncorked.org for tickets or more information.
OLD AND NEW WORLD: 4-6 p.m. March 25, Tampa Wine Institute (at West Palm Wines), 2009 N 22nd St. (22nd Street and Palm Avenue), Ybor City. Wine class compares and contrasts varieties and styles from old and new world growing areas, eight wines served, plus accompaniments; $35. For reservations, call (813) 241-8587.
Cooking classes
STOCKS AND SAUCES, KNIFE SKILLS: Rolling Pin at Famous Tate Appliances, 1015 E Brandon Blvd., Brandon, presents:
Stocks and Sauces class: makes white chicken stock, veal stock, sauce classics like bechamel, hollandaise, veloute, 6-8:30 p.m. Fri.; $40.
Learn how to debone meat, filet fish, shape vegetables, create garnishes in Knife Skills class, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat.; $30.
Call (813) 653-2418 for reservations.
CULINARY SKILLS: 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays, La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Nine-week culinary skills course teaches knife skills, sauces, soups, cooking methods and more; $595, plus tax. Call (727) 736-3070 to reserve a spot.
CAKE DECORATING: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Tues., Let Them Eat Cake, 3805 S West Shore Blvd., Tampa. Create a decorated cake for any occasion; $60. Reservations required: (813) 837-6888.
CONVERSATIONAL CUISINE: 6-8 p.m., beginning March 22. Learn beginner's conversational Italian, culture and customs in five-week dinner course, at Bellini Restaurant, 487 Main St., Dunedin; $225 per series. Advance registration required. Call (727) 866-6892 or go to www.LearnItalian.us.
SEAFOOD ON THE GRILL: 6:30- 7:45 p.m. March 23, Outdoor Kitchen Store, 3925 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Learn how to cook seafood on the grill; $35. Call (813) 875-3447 for reservations.
NEW PASSOVER TRADITIONS: Apron's Cooking School at the Shoppes of Citrus Park Publix, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, presents:
Class with new preparations for Passover dishes, 6:30 p.m. March 23; $35.
Call (813) 926-4465 or visit www. publix.com/aprons/schools for reservations.
PIONEER COOKING: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 25, Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N, Largo. Step back in time and cook lunch over an open fire using traditional pioneer techniques; $30, includes lunch, supplies and recipes. Registration required. Call (727) 582-2426.
MACROBIOTIC COOKING: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. March 25, Natural Health Hut Clinic and Herb Farm, 26403 Chianina Drive (off SR 54 and I-75), Wesley Chapel. Learn basic macrobiotic cooking techniques from chef Karen Dunton, using seaweed, lunch follows; $27.50. Call (813) 991-5177 or toll-free 1-877-547-9888 for reservations.
IN-DEPTH ITALIAN: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 25, La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Make Italian canapes, baked spinach lasagna, hunter's wife's chicken, tiramisu and more in hands-on Italian class; $80, includes a goodie bag and one-year subscription to Saveur magazine. For reservations, call (727) 736-3070 .
Send news of coming events at least two weeks in advance of the publication date to Food File, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.