Food File
A look at what's happening around the bay area.
By PEGGY ANDERS
Published December 13, 2006
SPECIAL EVENTS
Food, Wine & Song: 8 p.m. Sat. and Dec. 23, Bella Brava New World Trattoria, 515 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Enjoy live operatic performances from Die Fiedermaus along with Bella Brava's Italian cuisine menu and wines. Call (727) 895-5515 to reserve.
Holiday Pies: Uhuru Holiday Pie sale of fresh-baked apple crumb, pumpkin or sweet potato, $8-$12, available for pickup Sat., or Dec. 22-24 at St. Petersburg locations. Call (727) 824-5685 or www.apedf.org/pies to order; benefits community programs of African People's Education & Defense Fund.
Teddy Bear Tea: 11 a.m. Sat., Dec. 22, 23, Lobby Lounge at Ritz-Carlton, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota. Strolling storytellers and Santa join in holiday tea with finger sandwiches, cookies, hot cocoa; $50 adults, $42 for kids 12 and younger. Call (941) 309-2008 to register.
WINE TASTINGS/CLASSES
World Wine Tour, Napaw Gems: Tastings, A Wine Experience, 149 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg presents samplings:
- Take a taste tour of wines from France, Chile, Italy, Australia, in International World Tour tasting, 6-8 p.m. today Dec. 13; $10.
- Taste award-winning varieties from Napa's Rutherford, Sterling, Chalone wineries in Napa Gems sampling 6-8 p.m. Dec. 20; $10.
Call (727) 894-2255.
Best of Bordeaux: 4-8 p.m. Thur., Mediterranean Cellar, 305 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs. Enjoy French bordeaux wines paired with hors d'oeuvres from Cafe Largo; $10. Call (727) 581-0223.
Harr's Holiday Tasting: 7-9 p.m. Thur., Harr's Surf & Turf Market, 3235 Tampa Road, Shoppes at Cloverplace, Palm Harbor. Sample wines valued at $20 and up, plus sparkling varieties and champagnes, paired with hors d'oeuvres; $25. Call 727) 785-8873.
WineStyles Samplings: WineStyles Belleair Bluffs, 2800 West Bay Dr., Belleair Bluffs presents:
- Benefit tasting of holiday wines, plus hors d'oeuvres, silent auction; compimentary tasting, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thur., proceeds benefit Big Brother's Big Sister Foundation.
- Try South American wines from Casa Silva and other Chilean wineries, 5-8 p.m. Fri.; free. Call (727) 518-9463.
Festive Flavors: 5-8 p.m. Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat., A & L Fine Wines, Palm Harbor Plaza, 35249 U.S. 19 N., Palm Harbor. "Wines for the Holidays" tasting with pinot noir, zinfandel, cabernet, more for festive occasions; free. Call (727) 781-4760.
Champagne, Port Pairing: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Taste pairings include champagne with caviar, port with blue cheese and dessert wines with chocolate and fruit; $10 Call (727) 892-9463.
Florida Estates Festival: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Florida Estates Winery of St. Petersburg, 3101 37th Ave. N (one mile west of I-275), St. Petersburg. Sample from among winery's red, white, port, fruit, dessert and other varieties, browse fresh market with homemade foods, barbecue, arts and crafts; free admission. Call (727) 526-2113.
Sparkling Sampling: 6-9 p.m. Sat., The Wine Loft, 7813 Mitchell Blvd., Suite 102, Trinity. Champagne and sparkling wines shine at this tasting, along with hors d'oeuvres; $25 per person, or $40 per couple. Call (727) 375-9424.
VIP Tasting: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 20, Pic Pac Fine Wine, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Find wines for gift-giving at "VIP" sampling of premium varieties from around the world, accompanied by hors d'oeuvres, to benefit Abilities Foundation; $25. Call (727) 347-0743.
COOKING CLASSES
Food Allergies: 7 p.m. today, Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Talk on how food allergies can affect health, what diets are best for sensitivities; free. Call (727) 443-6703.
Caviar and Champagne Etiquette: 6-8 p.m. Thur., Ritz-Carlton, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota. Learn do's and don'ts of serving fine caviar and champagne, plus storage and presentation; sampling; $100. Call (941) 309-2008 to register.
Holiday Cookies: noon-1 p.m. Thur., Clearwater Main Library, 100 N Osceola Ave. Chef Bill Mitchell of Apron's Cooking School demonstrates an array of holiday cookie treats; free. Call (727) 562-4970, ext. 5284.
Raw Foods, Vegetarian Christmas: Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, has free demonstrations on:
- Raw Living Foods Made Easy, menu includes honey nut rolls and fruit cake, 11 a.m. Sat..
- Christmas Dinner with vegetarian courses including roasted chestnut soup, ginger cookies, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 20. Call (727) 443-6703.
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.