Going green means getting as close to the source of your food as possible - maybe even nose-to-nose. ...more

March 11, 2009

Rare, expensive foie gras from a beer-fed, hand-massaged goose? Try a can of beans and a few spices. ...more

January 9, 2009

A much-needed vacation to Club Med in Ixtapa, Mexico, and rum mojitos galore, help tickle the senses. ...more

October 24, 2008

Events BENZIGER CALIFORNIA WINE DINNER: Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, will host a wine dinner featuring wines from Benziger Family Winery of Sonoma County, Calif., 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday; $75. Guest of honor will be Erinn Benziger. Call (813) 248-4961. ...more

September 24, 2008

Events FUNDRAISER: Fine Wine & Spirits Warehouse will host a wine tasting to raise money for the Tampa Bay Lighthouse for the Blind, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The event will be held at the home of Mike Kwasin, 3613 S. Beach Drive, Tampa, and will feature wine and appetizers. Suggested donations are $25 per person, $40 per couple. Call (813) 837-8941. ...more

September 17, 2008

Events WINE AND CHEESE FOR CHARITY: Whole Foods Market, 1548 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, will host a wine and cheese tasting benefit for Metropolitan Ministries on Friday and Sept. 19. Tickets are $10 per person. All ticket sales will be donated to Metropolitan Ministries. For information, call (813) 874-9435. ...more

September 10, 2008

Events GRILL AND CHILL: SideBern's, 2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa, will offer a summer celebration of beer and barbecue on its patio, 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday; $45. Call (813) 258-2233, or register at www.bernsfinewines.com. ...more

September 3, 2008

Events DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: 400 Corey Ave., downtown St. Pete Beach. Merchants will host a free sampling of wine, beer and food from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday; free; (727) 363-6888. ...more

August 27, 2008

Events SPCA FUNDRAISER: Bella Vino Wine and Cheese Market, 100 Indian Rocks Road N., Belleair Bluffs, will host the Dog Days of Summer Benefit for SPCA of Tampa Bay, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The event will feature Chris Lynch of Mutt Lynch Winery and samplings of three Doggone Good Tail Wagging wines. Cost is $20, minimum donation; (727) 584-5552. ...more

August 20, 2008

We first met Francesco Lafranconi at the 2007 Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival. There he was, in white linen pants and a pink pinstriped tailored shirt, sleeves rolled up, relegated to an oak barrel just a stone's throw from the painted naked lady. He was mixing a heavenly concoction of Dom Perignon, rose nectar and fresh blueberries. Sweat poured from his European brow, thanks to the Florida humidity. ...more

July 15, 2008