Dine, Wine & Food Finds in Tampa

Apr 15th 2011 10:38AM / by Nanette Wiser

In addition to Festa Italiania and Taste of South Tampa this weekend, spring festivals, wine and beer tastings bloom all over town. Sample the grape every Friday at Pic Pac Fine Wines & Liquors, Sunken Gardens, American Spirits Fine Wine & Liquor, Total Wine & More and Uncorked.
Barbecue Bedlam: Sample yet another barbecue cook-off, take a tractor hayride and play some family games at Pinellas Pioneer Settlement Saturday (April 16) from 10am-4pm. Free parking/admission, $5/tasting wristband.
2900 31st St. South, St. Petersburg; 727-893-7326
Gulfport Spring Fest: Two live music stages, kids games and face painting, Easter bonnet parade, butterfly exhibit and endless food booths beckon at this annual celebration Saturday (April 16) from 10am-8 pm Enjoy specials at the neighborhood restaurants, from O'Maddy's to Neptune's Grille.
Beach Boulevard, Gulfport; 727-344-3711
Get Raw: Sweetwater Organic Farm is ground zero in Tampa Bay for everything organic and on Saturday (April 16) from noon-5 pm, you can sample raw food, get recipes, meet vendors and buy organic fruits and veggies, a perfect way to support Mother Nature. Wear a sunhat, bring a basket and find new Sunday supper ideas.
6942 W. Comanche Ave.; 813-887-4066
Two Wheeled Tastings: RSVP by April 21 for this mobile feast Saturday (April 23) from 3-6 pm. Mount your steed at the Trek Bicycle Store, and put the pedal to the metal to free samples purveyed at Tour de Pizza, 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House, the new Taco Bus, Grand Central Perc, the Hanger and Harvey's 4th St. Grill.
3169 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg; 727-498-8655
Let's Eat: Apron Cooking classes perk up your culinary IQ at Publix with this Saturday's Fruity Desserts, Sassy Souffles (April 19), French Riviera Cuisine for Couples (April 22) and Veggie Spring Rolls (April 23). Follow up with progressive dinner parties (appetizer one house, entree another house and dessert at the third), all the rage among foodie twenty-somethings.
7835 Gunn Hwy.; 813-926-4465