Tampa Bay restaurant news and wine happenings

Crowded Wine Tasting Ah… ’tis time once again for Tampa’s wine tasting fundraiser season. For years, Abilities Wine Tasting (now in it’s 21st year) ruled the feast but many others wanted their turn at the table. Now, it’s a veritable smorgasbord where you could go broke. Now might be the time to brush up on your wine tasting etiquette.

If you missed MOSI’s Einstein on Wine last weekend, check out St. Pete Food and Wine Festival this Friday (and enter to win tickets until midnight 2/23) or see what Abilities Wine Tasting is up to next weekend, March 6.

Other upcoming food and wine fests:
Tampa Bay Uncorked WineRave, March 20
Bern’s WineFest, April 16-19 (hurry and get your tickets this week… rumor has it this event is almost sold out)
Florida Wine Fest and Auction, April 22-25
Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival, May 15-16

Restaurant Gossip and Deals:

The Deals:

Soho Tavern gives away a free Mimosa or Bloody Mary with their Sunday Brunch until 3 p.m.

Kona Grill has a pretty phenomenal happy hour food deal. Appetizers range from $3.25 sushi rolls to $5.50 pizzas. (Read my review)

Roy’s Restaurant just launched their Aloha Hour $5 menu. Appetizers in the bar from 5-7 p.m – including lobster California roll and Kobe beef sliders – as well as $5 wines by the glass. Are they competing with Fleming’s, who has virtually the same deal next door?
Know of a deal? Share it in the comments!

The News:

Taverna Opa, a new Greek concept, has opened up in the long-vacant Grille 29 space in Channelside.

Pane Rustica is expanding their seating area, taking over some space from Village Health Market next door. But they’re also building a bar, a much needed improvement. Construction should be completed by April.

As reported by the St. Pete Times, a new Persian-Mediterranean restaurant, Tangerine House of Kabobs, has opened on Kennedy Blvd, near downtown Tampa. Anyone been there yet? Please comment!