Daily Loaf

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Wednesday, October 14: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits
Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping in for SideBern’s gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one-stop wonder is cassolette with pork belly, lamb, white beans and an herb crust . $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Wednesday, October 14: Cafe Dufrain
New Twist Vodka Tasting. Most of us need a little pick-me-up by mid-week, and this free tasting, featuring Hangar One vodkas,  is just what the doctor ordered. Free. 6-7:30 p.m., 707 Harbour Post Dr., Tampa (813-275-9701)

Wednesday, October 14: Rigatoni Tuscan Oven
Wild Tuscan Wednesdays. Indulge in decadent seafood at dirt-cheap prices on high-end items like all-you-can-eat Alaskan snow crab and oysters, along with beer and pasta specials. $7-$22. 5-10 p.m., 3437 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-879-7000)

Thursday, October 15: Restaurant BT
Organic, Shaken and Stirred. Pick up your autographed copy of Organic, Shaken and Stirred: Hip Highballs, Modern Martinis, and Other Totally Green Cocktails, along with two tickets for drinks detailed in the book. $30, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa (813-258-1916)

Many more events after the break:

Thursday, October 15: Sidebern’s
Autumn Celebration. Executive chef Chad Johnson flaunts the flavors of fall at this seasonal wine tasting and feast, and Wine Director Kevin Pelley selects the perfect accopmaniment to each course. Traditional autumn tastes are complemented by unexpected flavors, and the menu includes: roasted monkfish with salsify, green apple, lovage and powdered dijon; pheasant with savoy cabbage, foie gras and potato cream; matsutake mushroom with jamon iberico, maple and smoldering spices; autumn squash with pork cheek, porcini and blis elixer; elk striploin with aged gouda, smoked parsnip, brussels sprouts and horseradish; and pear clafouti flavored with almond, cranberry and sage. $125. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2208 S. Morrison Ave., Tampa (813-258-2233)

Friday, October 16: World of Wines South Tampa
Who Let the Dogs Out? Proceeds from this Mutt Lynch wine tasting (hosted by the winemaker himself, Chris Lynch) benefit the No More Homeless Pets organization. $10. 6-8 p.m., 3431 South West Shore Blvd., Tampa (813-835-9463)

Friday, October 16: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits
Southern Rhone Crush Hour. These weekly tastings have been selling out like crazy which, in an economy where luxuries are limited, should tell you how fantastic they are. Tonight, try several selections from Châteauneuf-du-Pape paired with five cheeses from the Bern’s Cave du Fromage. Tonight’s pours include: 2007 Roger Sabon “Reserve”; 2007 Domaine de Marcoux; 2007 Domaine Giraud “Tradition”; 2007 Roger Sabon “Les Olivets”; 2007 Domaine La Garrigue Vacqueyras; 2007 La Granacha Cotes du Rhone Villages; 2007 Château Pesquié “Terrasses”; and 2007 Andezon Cotes du Rhone. $25. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Friday, October 16: Uncorked Fine Wine and Spirits
Pacific Northwest Wine Tasting. Sample Pinot Noirs from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, powerful Cabernets from Washington’s Yakima Valley and Bordeaux-style blends from the Rogue Valley paired with light hors d’oeuvres. $10. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2706 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)

Friday, October 16: Vintage Wine Cellars
Oktoberfest Wine and Beer Tasting. October is generally dedicated to a celebration of the suds, but why not sample these six festive wines from the Moselle and Rhine River Valley to get you in the mood? Vintage also offers six seasonal brews that are fantastic for fall. $10. 7-9 p.m., 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa (813-879-2931)

Friday, October 16: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Rob Nelson. The founder of Wild Bar Brewing Co. prepares a beer-friendly menu that includes: citrus goat cheese salad paired with Ayinger Brau-Weisse; red curry steamed mussels paired with Samual Smith India Pale Ale; braised short ribs and mashed potatoes paired with Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock; and oatmeal stout chocolate cake with chocolate framboise ganache paired with Lindemans Framboise-Lambic. $45. 6:30 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Friday, October 16: Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Weekly Tasting. Savor the vinos of Veneto, including Valpolicella Ripasso and Soave Classico. Free. 1-5 p.m., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-312-2400)

Saturday, October 17: Sweetwater Organic Community Farm
Planter’s Ball. Open to the entire Tampa Bay community, the seventh annual Planter’s Ball is Sweetwater’s annual potluck fundraiser event and official start of the growing season – a pleasant evening outdoors with great food, great entertainment provided by the Urban Gypsies, with dining and dancing under the stars.  Bring your family, a covered dish to share, and enjoy a farm-fresh, organic salad and bread provided by Sweetwater. Contact: events@sweetwater-organic.org to RSVP. $10, children 6-12 $5, children under 6, free. 5:30-10:30 p.m., 6942 W. Comanche Ave., Tampa (813-887-4066)

Saturday, October 17: Ed’s Fine Wines
Labra-Wine Tasting. Proceeds from this pet-friendly event (a rare treat in the world of wine, unless you’re in France) benefit the Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida.  Sample some wine, munch on appetizers, and rub elbows with the winemaker of Sonoma’s Mutt Lynch Winery (and a few friendly pups, too). $10. 1-4 p.m., 2454 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater (727-791-9551)

Saturday, October 17: Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Saturday Sampler. This week’s theme is “Classic California,” and the wine list includes Cakebread, La Crema and Cambria. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-312-2400)

Saturday, October 17: Nature’s Food Patch
Raw Foods Class. Chef Joseph Custer presents “Living Foods Made Easy,” with includes tasty recipe demonstrations like Tuscan tart and spinach pesto. Free. 11 a.m., 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater (727-443-6703)

Saturday, October 17: Cork and Olive Carrollwood
Corktoberfest. This beer and wine tasting (what October would be complete without a sampling of suds) is accompanied by a menu that includes: beef brisket with a mushroom stout demi glaze; potato and cheddar pierogi with caramelized lager onions and sage sour cream; warm German potato salad with sweet and sour bacon dressing; and roasted red pepper beer cheese dip with fresh bread and pretzels. Register at lokocuisine.com. $20. 7-9:30 p.m., 10019 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-868-3733)

Monday, October 19: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits
French Wine Class. This week, learn about the mysteries of Burgundy. Dispel the myth and uncover the surprising truths about a sneaky little region that produces palatable whites and reds in abundance. $40. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Wednesday, October 21: Rigatoni Tuscan Oven
Wild Tuscan Wednesdays. Indulge in decadent seafood at dirt-cheap prices on high-end items like all-you-can-eat Alaskan snow crab and oysters, along with beer and pasta specials. $7-$22. 5-10 p.m., 3437 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-879-7000)

Thursday, October 22: Carrollwood Cultural Center
Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “the art of blind tasting.” E-mail timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)

Wednesday, October 28: Rigatoni Tuscan Oven
Wild Tuscan Wednesdays. Indulge in decadent seafood at dirt-cheap prices on high-end items like all-you-can-eat Alaskan snow crab and oysters, along with beer and pasta specials. $7-$22. 5-10 p.m., 3437 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-879-7000)

Thursday, November 5: Carrollwood Cultural Center
Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “food, cheese and dessert wine pairings.” E-mail timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)

Thursday, November 19: Carrollwood Cultural Center
Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “elements of terroir on wines.” E-mail timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)

Sunday, November 22: Gateway Organic Farm
Gateway Organic Farm Dinner. Some of the Bay Area’s most well-known chefs — Tyson Grant of Parkshore Grill in St. Pete, Matt Tracy from the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, and Chris Knowles from Sea Sea Riders, to name a few — create a six-course charity dinner with food taken straight from the Clearwater farm and from other local producers. The chefs prepare and serve fresh organic vegetables, along with local and organic meat, fish, and wines in the Gateway Organic Farm garden. The chefs request that all attendees “Please bring your favorite dinner plate to add to the conversation as you dine with local farmers, artisan, and chefs.” A pre-dinner reception includes hors d’oeuvres, wine and a farm tour. Proceeds from the event benefit Edu-kitchen, which teaches families the benefits of community sustainable agriculture. Vegetarian dishes available — please ask. $150 per person or $250 per couple. 4 p.m., 6000 150th Ave. N., Clearwater, (727-244-0724)

(Want to follow all of CL’s Food, Drink and Restaurant news? Bookmark the food section of the blog, add the CL Food RSS feed to your reader of choice, follow @BrianRies on Twitter, or check out the Food Section page multiple times daily.)

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