Food File
A look at what's happening around town.
By PEGGY ANDERS
Published February 14, 2007
SPECIAL EVENTS
French Wines at the Palm: 7 p.m. Tues., the Palm Restaurant, 205 WestShore Plaza Drive, Tampa. Bordeaux and Burgundy wines pair with French-inspired menu; $110. Call (813) 849-7256.
Napa Wine Dinner: 7 p.m. Tues., Casa Ludovico Restaurant, 1710 Alt. U.S. 19, Palm Harbor. B-21 Wines and Greg and Petra Martin of Napa's Martin Estate wines present varieties paired with Italian menu; $75. Call (727) 937-5049, ext. 431.
DeLoach Dinner: 7 p.m. Feb. 22, Cabana Grill & Bar, 1590 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater Beach. Winemaker from DeLoach Vineyards presents its pinot noir, cabernet and more, with lobster pastillas, roast duck among courses; $75. Call (727) 595-1807.
Flan Fest: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 24, Ybor City's Saturday Market in Centennial Park, Eighth Avenue and 19th Street. Flan fans can sample an array of the Cuban custard and see which are judged best in appearance and best in taste; free admission, nominal charge for samplings. Call (813) 241-2442.
Bern's Winefest: Tickets for Bern's Winefest, April 27-30, now available at bernswinefest.com; popular events ($95-$250) sell out quickly and include Saturday Soiree, Grand Tasting, Winemaker Dinner; Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits, 1002 S Howard Ave., Tampa.
WINE TASTINGS/CLASSES
Australian Pairings: 7-9 tonight, , Clearwater Wine Company, 483 Mandalay Ave., Suite 113, Clearwater Beach. Valentine tasting of Australian wines, pair them with bistro menu items; wine sampling free, food prices vary. Call (727) 446-8805.
Chocolates and Wine Pairing: 7 tonight, Don Leoncio Cigars & Lounge, 340 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Sample wines from France, South America, California, paired with chocolates; $5. Call (727) 895-3402.
All About Bubbly: 6:30-9 p.m. Thur., Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Learn how champagne is created in wine sampling class; $25. Call (813) 879-2931. Registration required.
Paso Robles Tastes: 6-8 p.m. Thur., Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. More than 20 of California's Central Coast Paso Robles wineries showcase their varieties, plus food treats; $40, portion of proceeds benefits Centre for Women. Call toll-free 1-800-549-9463 or go to pasowine.com.
Pacific Northwest: 5-8 p.m. Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat., A & L Fine Wines, Palm Harbor Plaza, 35249 U.S. 19 N. Pinot noir, riesling, red and white wine blends from Oregon and Washington state among wines sampled in free tasting. Call (727) 781-4760.
Best Florida Beers: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Fri., Southern Brewing Supply, 1717 E Busch Blvd., Tampa. Sample handcrafted and homebrewed beers, ales and stouts, paired with creative cuisine at Try This! Beer & Food Pairing in conjunction with Best Florida Beer Championship; $20 advance, $35 per couple in advance, $25 at door. Call (813) 765-1289 or go to bestfloridabeer.org.
Italian Pairing: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Mamma Mia tasting pairs super Tuscans, barberas and chianti with Italian cuisine; $15 advance, $20 at door. Call (813) 250-1967 or go to charlieswine.com.
California Cruisin': 6-8 p.m. Fri., Pic Pac Fine Wine, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Cruise through Napa, Sonoma and other wine country areas in sampling of best of California wines; $5. Call (727) 347-0743.
Global Wines: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., American Spirits, 280 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. Try Australian sauvignon blanc, viognier, shiraz, other wines from around the world; free. Call (727) 895-8700.
Perfect Partners: 7-9 p.m. Fri., Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Try cabernets, chardonnays and more from one wine-growing region "matched" with one from another; $10. Call (813) 879-2931.
Organic Style: 5-8 p.m. Sat., WineStyles Belleair Bluffs, 2800 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs. Sample European organic wines; free. Call (727) 518-9463.
Wines & Fresh Market: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Sat., Florida Estates Winery of St. Petersburg, 3101 37th Ave. N (1 mile west of I-275). 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.
Pet Passion: 6-8 p.m. Sat., Sea Breeze Manor Inn Bed & Breakfast, Gulfport. Wine tasting benefits animal rescue and includes locally made wines, food tastes from local restaurants, live entertainment; $15; proceeds benefit local pet rescue groups. Call (727) 323-3892.
Wine & Gelato Tasting: 7-9:30 p.m. Feb. 22, La Casa Dolce Cafe, 406 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Try five flavors of sorbets, gelatos paired with wines; $10. Call (813) 259-0002.
COOKING CLASSES
All Greek, Chicken #101: Rolling Pin, 2080 Badlands Drive, Brandon, presents:
- Greek cuisine class ends with "zinful" poached pears with cardamom yogurt, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Fri.; $40.
- Sesame chicken salad, creamy chicken rollups among recipes in basics of cooking with chicken class, 6:30-9 p.m. Mon.; $45.
Call (813) 653-2418, then press 3, to register.
Mardi Gras Menu: 6:30 p.m. Sat., Apron's Cooking School at Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Make New Orleans-inspired Mardi Gras menu, including barbecue shrimp, banana pecan beignets; $45. Call (813) 926-4465 or go to publix.com/aprons/schools.
Organic Cooking: 5:30-7 p.m. Tues., Integrity Organics at First Unity Church's Cafe, 469 45th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Organic cooking class for novice and advanced home cooks covers basic nutrition, healthy dietary choices, recipes for whole family; $25 suggested donation or $35 per couple, includes take-home meal. Call (727) 209-0896 to register (required).
Vegetarian Cuisine: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 21, Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Learn to make healthy vegetarian dishes in free class. Call (727) 443-6703.
Conversational Cuisine: Four-week class on Italian language, cuisine and culture, 6-8 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Feb. 22, Castellano & Pizzo Italian Gourmet Foods, 4200 S Henderson Blvd., Tampa; $195, includes materials and dinner. Advance registration required. Call (727) 866-6892 or go to www.Learnalanguage.us.
Floribbean Flavors: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 24, La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Hands-on class makes tropical Floribbean dishes including conch fritters, guava glazed pork; $50. Call (727) 736-3070.
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