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Food

Food File

A look at what's happening around the bay area.

By PEGGY ANDERS
Published November 8, 2006

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fall Favorites Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Thur. , the Pepper Mill Restaurant, 1575 S Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater. Autumn menu includes pumpkin ravioli, short ribs with apricot chutney, paired with wines; $49. Call (727) 449-2988 to register or view menu at www.peppermillofclearwater.com.

PHENOMENAL PHELAN SEGUR DINNER: 6:30 p.m. Thur., Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits, 1002 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Dinner pairs chef Jeannie Pierola's cuisine with wines from Chateau Phelan Segur; $99.91, inclusive. Call (813) 250-9463 to register.

Fisherman's Ball: 6:30-10:30 p.m Fri., Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. Taste treats from area restaurants plus wine at Fisherman's Ball; $150, benefits pediatric cancer research. Call (813) 269-0955.

TAMPA BAY CULINARY CLUB: 2:30 p.m. Sat., Greek Islands Restaurant, 1501 Clearwater-Largo Road, Largo. Tampa Bay Culinary Club members meet for culinary demonstration of menu favorites with chef John Poulakis; $10. Registration required by today. Call (727) 789-2605 to register.

RIBFEST: Starts at 11 a.m. Fri.-Sun., Vinoy Park, Fifth Avenue at Bayshore Drive NE, downtown St. Petersburg. Ribs from Texas to Australia, concerts, car show; $6 advance, $10 at door, kids 12 and under free, benefit All Children's Hospital. Call (727) 528-3828 or go to ribfest.org for more information.

Dunedin "Wines the Blues": 5-11 p.m. Sat., Main Street and Broadway, downtown Dunedin. Food, wines and beers with music; free, charge for food and beverages. Call (727) 421-3031.

Apple Cookoff, Open House: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Pinellas County Extension Service, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. 4-H Open House includes Apple Cookoff contest for best apple recipe (deadline to register is Thur.), Extreme Gingerbread House Building contest, cake decorating workshop; free. Call (727) 582-2263.

DECADENT DESSERTS: 2-6 p.m. Sun., Clearwater Community Sailing Center, 1001 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater Beach. Indulge in desserts and appetizers in event to benefit SPOT (Stop Pet Overpopulation Together); $25, $35 day of event. Call (727) 545-3463 or go to spotusa.org.

Sushi and Pinot: 6:30 p.m. Tues., Pacific Wave Restaurant, 211 Second St. S, St. Petersburg. Six courses of sushi with pinot noir wines; $65. Call (727) 822-5235.

Top-Rated Tastes: 6:30 p.m. Tues., Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 4322 Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa. Award-winning wines rated 90+ pair with Fleming's menu in wine dinner; $95, includes Wine Spectator subscription. Call (813) 874-9463 to register.

Chefs' Pairings: 6:30 p.m Nov. 15, Mattison's Steakhouse, 525 Bay Isles Parkway, Longboat Key. Chefs Paul Mattison and Chris Ponte create five-course winemaker dinner paired with reserve varieties to benefit Abilities Foundation; $125. Call (727) 538-7370, ext. 349.

Spanish Cuisine and Wines: 7 p.m. Nov. 16, Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Spanish winemaker dinner with varieties from Miguel Torres Family; $75, Reserve by Nov. 15. Call (813) 248-4961.

Thin Mint Magic: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17, Westin Tampa Harbour Island, 725 S Harbor Island Blvd., Tampa. Chefs make desserts using Girl Scout cookies, plus entrees. Benefits Girl Scouts; $150. Call (813) 262-1688.

Plant City Pig Jam: 10 a.m- 5 p.m. Nov. 18, Randy Larson Softball Four-plex, 1810 E Park Road, Plant City. Sample barbecue from among the more than 40 teams; free admission, charge for food, beer. Call (813) 754-3707.

Gingerbread Fundraisers: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 2, Fletcher Lounge, 401 Kennedy Blvd., University of Tampa, and 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5, Don Cesar Beach Resort, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Create gingerbread house for prizes; supplies provided. Food and drink included. Tickets for Tampa event are $65 for adults, $50 for children under 15. To reserve, call (813) 348-4820, ext. 869. Tickets for the St. Pete Beach event are $75. To reserve, call (727) 898-3111. Proceeds benefit the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross.

WINE TASTINGS/CLASSES

"V.I.P." Tasting, Pacific Pleasures: Pic Pac Fine Wine, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Call (727) 347-0743.

- V.I.P. Grand Tasting with champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world, portion benefits Abilities Foundation, 6-8 p.m. today; $25.

- Pacific Northwest wines, 6-8 p.m. Fri.; $5.

Complex Components: 6:30-9 p.m. today, Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. "Component tasting" explores how wine flavors change when paired with differing foods; $25. Call (813) 879-2931.

"Wicked Wines": 8 p.m. Thur., Don Leoncio Cigars & Lounge, 340 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. American wines plus light appetizers; $5. Call (727) 895-3402.

FALL WINES: 7-9 p.m. Thur., Surf & Turf Market, 3235 Tampa Road, Shoppes at Cloverplace, Palm Harbor. Wine tasting of domestic and international wines, plus hors d'oeuvres, including "turducken"; $15. Call (727) 785-6758.

Blends, High End Finds: A & L Fine Wines, Palm Harbor Plaza, 35249 U.S. 19 N:

- Red and white blends from Italy, France, Australia, Argentina and U.S. in free sampling, 5-8 p.m. Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat.

- High-end wine tasting includes Conundrum, those from Duckhorn, Sag's Leap, Silver Oak, with appetizers, 5-8 p.m. Sat.; $15.

Mainly Malbecs: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, 1002 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Crush Hour tasting of highly-rated Malbec wines from Argentina; $25. Call (813) 250-9463 to register.

Wrap it Up: 7 p.m. Fri., Cafe Denali, 1327 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Try reserve wines packaged for holiday gift-giving; $25. Call (813) 287-9717 to register.

Fiesta Friday: 5-9 p.m. Fri., Florida Estates Winery of St. Petersburg, 3101 37th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Sample winery's offerings, including dessert wine paired with chocolate, plus accompaniments; $6. Call (727) 526-2113.

Beers, Brews and Wine: 5-9 p.m Fri., 688 Fine Wine & Spirits, 14590 Walsingham Road, Largo. Microbrews and beers from Dunedin Brewery and others, Charles Creek Vineyard wines, bratwurst, cigars; $10, includes $5 purchase disc. Call (727) 596-8902.

Boutique Bests: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa. California boutique and small production wines paired with sushi; $15 advance, $20 at door. Call (813) 250-1967 or go to www.charlieswine.com.

Thanksgiving Wines: 5-8 p.m. Nov. 15, Vino 100, 5056 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Wines to pair with Thanksgiving menus include Chilcas organic pinot noir, Arcturus Napa meritage; free. Call (727) 522-8466.

ABC Tasting: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, 204 107th Ave., Treasure Island. Wine tasting, plus hors d'oeuvres; $5, includes glass and coupon. Call (727) 360-6153.

Beaujolais Preview: 10 p.m.-midnight Nov. 15, Publix Supermarket, 200 37th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Late-night tasting of new beaujolais releases, paired with foods; free. Call (727) 895-1670.

Grand Holiday Tasting: 3-6 p.m. Nov. 19, B-21 Fine Wine & Spirits, 43380 U.S. 19 N, Tarpon Springs. Sample wines to bring holiday cheer; $25, limited availability. Reserve by Nov. 17. Call (727) 937-5049, then press 1.

COOKING CLASSES

Holiday Class: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tues., Margaret Ann's Catering, 5625 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Create holiday brunch and cocktail buffet menus; $40. Call (727) 525-3983 to register.

"Eat to Live": 7-10 p.m. Thur., Harborview Center, 300 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Lecture with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, author of Eat to Live, shares how nutrient- and antioxidant-rich foods can help improve health; free. Call (727) 443-6703.

Traditional Thanksgiving: noon-1 p.m. Thur., Clearwater Main Library, 100 N Osceola Ave. Chef Bil Mitchell of Apron's Cooking School demonstrates sage and roasted garlic brined turkey, other Thanksgiving dishes; free. Call (727) 562-4970, ext. 5284.

Mealtime Manners: 6-8 p.m. Thur., Verona at Ritz-Carlton, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota. Class on manners and table etiquette for children ages 6 to 12 includes three-course meal; $48. Call (941) 309-2008 to register.

Holiday Brunch, Vegetarian Cuisine: Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Call (727) 443-6703.

- Debby DeGraaff makes vegan holiday brunch with polenta vegetable quiche, apple cinnamon muffins, 11 a.m. Sat.; free.

- Free fine vegetarian cooking demonstration, 6-8 p.m. Nov. 15.

Conversational Cuisine: Four- week classes on Italian language, cuisine and culture, 6-8 p.m. Mon. at Jo-Jo's in Citta, 200 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; 6-8 p.m. Tues. at Castellano & Pizzo Italian Gourmet Foods, 4200 S Henderson Blvd. , Tampa; or 6-8 p.m. Nov. 15 at Bellini Restaurant, 487 Main St., Dunedin. Cost: $205 for each four-week series. Classes include materials and dinner. Registration required. Call (727) 866-6892 or go to www.LearnItalian.us.

Healthy Feast, Holiday Hors d'oeuvres: Apron's Cooking School at Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Call (813) 926-4465.

- Vegetarian Feast makes stuffed eggplant, lemongrass quinoa, 6:30 p.m. Tues; $35.

- Holiday Hors d'oeuvres class makes elegant party appetizers, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15; $40.

Tropical Tastes: 6:30-8 p.m. Mon., Saffron's Caribbean Cuisine Restaurant, 1700 Park St. N, St. Petersburg. Caribbean cuisine cooking demonstration features Chef Edyth James' tropical treats; $35, includes dinner. To register, call (727) 343-5410.

Seafood Demonstration: 6 p.m. Nov. 16, Reef Seafood Market, 17811 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores. Guest chef Gui Alinat's culinary demonstration includes wine tasting, live music; $35. Call (727) 391-2000 to register.

Compiled by Peggy Anders of the Times. Send news of coming events at least two weeks in advance to Food File, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

[Last modified November 7, 2006, 10:47:59]