News

Tastings, classes, food events

By Times Staff Writer
Published May 15, 2007

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Special events

Rioja Wine & Dine: 7:30 p.m. today, Belleview Biltmore, 25 Belleview Blvd., Belleair. Winemaker from Bodegas Montecillo in Rioja presents varieties to pair with beef carpaccio, chocolate flan; $85. Call (727) 373-3000.

Spanish Cuisine and Wines: 7 p.m. Thur., Columbia Restaurant at the Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Bodegas Montecillo wines from Spain, paired with Columbia's courses; $75. Call (727) 822-8000.

Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival: Thur.-Sat., Don CeSar Beach Resort, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Local chefs plus Food Network's Masaharu Morimoto. Events include Iron Chef challenge, wine tastings and culinary seminars. Tickets cost $40 to $250; proceeds benefit Abilities Foundation. Call toll-free 1-866-630-5615 or go to tampabaywine andfoodfestival.com.

Say Cheese: 1-5 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Mazzaro's Italian Market, 2909 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Sampling of sheep's milk cheeses from Italy, including "rustica" with red and black pepper; free. Call (727) 321-2400.

Vegan Indian Cuisine: 7 p.m. Tue., Angithi Indian Restaurant, 2047 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. Indian vegetarian buffet dinner $13, extra $2 for nonmembers; reserve by noon Sat. Go to www.tampabayvegetarians.org or call (727) 432-3327 or (813) 269-4665.

Bistro Pairing Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Tue., Lincoln Heights Bistro, 603 Elm St., Safety Harbor. Pecan-crusted chicken and chocolate truffles pair with chenin blanc, merlot, more; $55. Call (727) 726-4210.

Pate to Poached Pear: 7 p.m. May 24, Cafe Largo, 12551 Indian Rocks Road, Largo. Chef Dominique's French menu pairs with wines, including Bandol rose; $59.50. Call (727) 596-6282.

It's All About the Corn: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. May 25-26, 4253 Ponkan Road, off Highway 441, Zellwood. All the sweet corn you can eat, arts, crafts, rides, at Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival; $20 advance, $25 at gate, kids 12 and younger free with paying adult. Call toll-free 1-866-440-7880, (407) 886-0014 or visit zellwoodcornfestival.com.

WINE TASTINGS/CLASSES

Bistro, Cosentino Wines: Tastings, A Wine Experience, 149 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg:

- Sip assorted Italian bistro-style wines, 6:30-8:30 p.m. today; $10.

- Sample 30 wines from Napa's Cosentino Winery, 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 23; $10. Call (727) 894-2255.

Tapas & Tastes: 6:30-8:30 p.m. today, WineStyles Belleair Bluffs, 2800 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs. Benefit Tapas & Tasting, with wine and hors d'oeuvre pairings, music, silent auction; $25. Call (727) 585-7416.

Exploring Europe: 5:30-7:30 p.m. today, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, 1603 N Missouri Ave., Largo. Bordeaux, Chianti and tempranillo among European wines tasted, plus accompaniments; $10. Call (727) 581-4642.

Value Vintages: 5-8 p.m. Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat., A & L Fine Wines, Palm Harbor Plaza, 35249 U.S. 19 N. Budget-priced wines with big flavors; free. Call (727) 781-4760.

Global Libations: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., American Spirits, 280 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. Rums from Venezuela, Costa Rica, plus beers, ales, wines from around the world; free. Call (727) 895-8700.

Australian Originals: 7-9 p.m. Fri., Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Australian labels include Woop Woop, Penley Estate, Innocent Bystander; $10. Call (813) 879-2931.

Beer Basics: 5:30-7 p.m. Sat., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Topics of Beer Appreciation class include styles of beers, food pairings; $15, includes appetizers. Call (727) 892-9463 to register (required).

Release Me: 7-9 p.m. Sat., Tarpon Springs Castle Winery, 320 E Tarpon Ave. Release party for winery's newest varieties: tribbiani Italian dessert wine and shiraz; $5.50 to $7.50 a glass, includes catered snacks. Call (727) 943-7029 by Thur .

Carmenere at Charlie's: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Malbec and carmenere from Argentina, Chile, with regional cuisine; $15 advance, $20 at door. Call (813) 250-1967 or go to charlieswine.com.

Organic French: 5-8 p.m. Sat., WineStyles Belleair Bluffs, 2800 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs. Sample organic wines from France; free. Call (727) 518-9463.

Wines & Fresh Market: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Sat., Florida Estates Winery, 3101 37th Ave. N (1 mile west of I-275), St. Petersburg. Sample winery's varieties, browse fresh market with homemade foods, sandwiches, arts and crafts; free admission. Call (727) 526-2113.

South America, Old and New: WineStyles, 100 Main St., Suite 105, Safety Harbor, presents:

- South American red and white wines, 5-8 p.m. Sat.; free.

- Old and New World wines, 5-8 p.m. May 23; free.

Call (727) 669-9463, reservations preferred.

COOKING CLASSES

Italian Immersion: Four- and five-week classes on Italian language, cuisine and culture begin today, Mon., Tue., May 24 at various St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Sarasota, Tampa locations; $195 to $255, includes materials and dinner. Preregistration required. Call toll-free 1-888-386-5764 for times and locations.

Chef's Affair Cooking Class: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mon., Cafe Largo, 12551 Indian Rocks Road, Largo. Chef Dominique's class makes chocolate mousse and veal blanquette; $35. Call (727) 596-6282.

Fiesta Menu: 6:30-9 p.m. Tue., Rolling Pin, 2080 Badlands Drive, Brandon. Mexican menu includes beef and chicken fajitas; $45. Call (813) 653-2418, then press 3, 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 May 15, 2007, 17:44:32]

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