Daily Loaf

Tuesday, September 29: Datz Deli
From Tree to Bottle: The Flavors of Olive Oil. It’s not just for frying — olive oil has a flavor all its own, and this course covers the essentials. What elements should be present for dipping? baking? sauteing? Chefs on the Loose guide the class through an oil tasting, followed by a menu of dishes inspired by the golden stuff, like a tomato ciabatta stack with arugula, mozarella and spicy olive oil; goat cheese laced with floral olive oil; red snapper tepanade with potatoes mashed with olive oil and lavender; flank steak marinated with olive oil, balsamic syrup and garlic aioli; and olive oil cake with strawberry, olive oil gelato. $55. 6:30 p.m., 2616 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa (813-831-7000)

Tuesday, September 29: blu figs
Beer Gourmand Dinner. Tis the season to drink hearty (it’s Oktoberfest, after all), and this tasting allows you to do just that. Executive Chef Alex Knezevic shares the secrets behind tonight’s pairings, which begins with brie on baguette with peppered honey and citrus caviar paired with Amadeus Biere Blanc; followed by grilled triple tail sea bass with salsa verde and mustard gnocchi paired with Drop Top Amber Ale; seared tenderloin filet with carrots, roi trompette champignons arugula pistou, and blue cheese bubbles paired with Fire Rock Pale Ale; and chocolate souffle and raspberry sorbet paired with Black Wattle Seed Ale. $60. 7 p.m., 15463 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Northdale (813-963-3447)

Tuesday, September 29: The NoHo Bistro
Tapas and Tastings. This benefit for the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital includes a deliciously decadent array of cuisine, accompanied by a variety of wine and beer selections. $25. 6-9 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)

Wednesday, September 30: A Taste for Wine
Fall Festival Tasting. Start the new season off right — there’s no reason not to get a little toasty, even if it’s still pretty toasty outside. Tonight’s selections include: a German Riesling; an Oregon Pinot Noir from Henry Estate; a French Chardonnay; Heidsieck Monopole Rose Champagne; and 2004 Arrowood Cabernet. $15. 6:30 p.m., 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-895-1623)

Wednesday, September 30: 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 spaghetti carbonara with pancetta, zucchini and soft egg. $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463) Read the rest of this entry »

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, when buxom lasses and dudes in lederhosen lift steins to praise the amber liquid that will sustain us through the cold, cold winter — Oktoberfest! But how will you be able to take advantage of the two simultaneous brew celebrations next weekend? No worries, you won’t have to.

Do you like the crisp and simple taste of American and international macro-brews, sampled in refined comfort while sharks and rays look on in jealous hunger? Head to the CL-sponsored Brews By the Bay: Oktoberfest 2009 at The Florida Aquarium. Along with the full repertoire of Anheuser-Busch, you’ll be able to sample beers from Magic Hat, Boddington’s, Stella Artois and many others, all while noshing food from restaurants like Datz Deli. Smoke, and more.  Next up, OktoBEERfest. Read the rest of this entry »