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: Read the rest of this entry »

See "Sideways" for movie night at WineMall

(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.)

Wednesday, October 7: Cafe Dufrain
Wine Down Wednesday. Most of us need a little pick-me-up by mid-week, and this free wine tasting is just what the doctor ordered. Free. 6-7:30 p.m., 707 Harbour Post Dr., Tampa (813-275-9701)

Wednesday, October 7: 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 stuffed peppers with merguez sausage, caramelized onion and parmesan cheese . $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Wednesday, October 7: 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 8: WineMall
Movie Night. Sample a selection of wines (but no Merlot!) while drinking in a screening of Sideways, starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church (pictured),  Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen. Free. 6:30-9 p.m., 11246 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa (813-855-7711)

Thursday, October 8: West Palm Wines / Beaune’s Wine Bar
Manincor Wine Dinner. Cultivated with a combination of Italian and German influences, a collection of wines from Northern Italy’s Manincor region (including Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Cabernet, Merlot and more) are paired with traditional cuisine like duck with porcini mushrooms on endive; tirolese canederli, a Trentino soup made with speck dumplings in broth; roast pork with blueberry sauce and polenta; and cheese and chocolate trays. $50 in advance. 6:30 p.m., N. 22nd St., Tampa (813-241-8587)

Thursday, October 8: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
The Shoestring Gourmet. Learn creative cooking methods for making gourmet worthy, family-pleasing dinners that won’t drain the piggy bank of its last penny. The menu includes: grilled bruschetta with rosemary, white bean purée and heirloom tomatoes; chicken roasted with 40 cloves of garlic; pecan crusted skirt steak; baby yukon potato salad with shallots, chives, bacon and lemon vinaigrette; and bittersweet chocolate tart with salted caramelized pistachios. $35, 6:30 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Many more events after the break: Read the rest of this entry »