My husband and I had the most incredible date night at the Epicurean Theatre! We attended the…read more"Dinner with a Master Chef" class on Friday, July 18th 2014. Our instructor was celebrity chef, Whitney Miller, winner of Master Chef (season 1). The Epicurean Theatre is a gorgeous and very modern culinary classroom in the Epicurean Hotel in South Tampa. The culinary classroom has a kitchen in the front of the theatre for the instructor/ chef and stadium-style seating for the students. (If you want a seat near the front of the class arrive early!) Flat screen televisions are located in the front corners of the classroom to display close-ups of the food as it is being prepared. The layout of the classroom allows participants to eat and drink while watching a cooking presentation. After the chef completes each course of the meal the Epicurean's wait staff serves the dish. Whitney Miller was so charming and entertaining throughout our class. I loved her stories about growing up in Mississippi and being a contestant on the Master Chef. Her menu in our class included some of her favorite Southern dishes: First Course: Arugula Salad with Grilled Figs, Homemade Buttermilk Ricotta Cheese, Crispy Prosciutto and a Citrus Vinaigrette (Wine Pairing: Schiopetto Pinot Grigio) Second Course: BBQ Shrimp and Cheese Grits (Wine Pairing: Black Bird Rose) Third Course: White Chocolate Bread Pudding (Wine Pairing: Rosa Regale) Everything was so delicious and I cannot wait to make these dishes at my home! Confession: I probably won't make my own ricotta cheese for the arugula salad because who has time for that?! We received so many great cooking tips from the class and I plan on purchasing Whitney's cookbook so I can introduce my husband to more Southern cooking. If you are interested in taking a class at the Epicurean Theatre I highly recommend it! They offer a variety of classes from cupcakes to cooking to wine or even speaking a foreign language. They even offer brew bus tours! The classes range from $45-$125. Our Master Chef class cost $65 per person which wasn't a bad deal in my opinion considering we received a two hour demonstration from a celebrity chef, a three course meal, and three wine tastings. Can't wait to take my next class at the Epicurean Theatre!

I went to a great event here called Cupcakes and Cocktails held by Chef Beth Lukens, who owns and…read moreoperates the local company Cloud 9 Confections. Everything about this event was fun. Just like you see on cooking shows, Beth stood in front of the 3-tiered seating area, with a camera on her, and a camera overhead showing inside the pot she was cooking in. Beth is an experienced baker, and I loved that in addition to demonstrating how to make the Bourbon Chocolate Pecan cupcake, she also gave us helpful tips for substitutions and shortcuts. In addition to cupcakes, the event included 3 cocktails, specially designed to compliment the cupcakes we would be taking home. Pumpkin Prosecco - made of champagne and pureed pumpkin, Hard Apple Cider - made with gin, cider, and fresh crushed grapes, and a Bourbon Cocktail - but after the first two drinks, I have no recollection of what went into this last one. It was great, though! :-) Roger, the bartender from the hotel restaurant Élevage, came in each time to explain his concoction, which was really a nice personal touch. After Beth demonstrated how to make the first cupcake, all the participants went down to group stations where we got to frost our own cupcakes. She had all the different cupcakes lined up for us, as well as the different bags of frosting. First we did our own Bourbon Chocolate Pecan cupcake - by scooping out the inside to fill it with pecan filling, then frosting it with a thick bourbon chocolate buttercream, and sprinkling roasted pecans on top. Next was the Hard Apple Cider cupcakes with cinnamon buttercream. And finally we did the Pumpkin Spice cupcake, with a sweet cream cheese frosting. I have to admit, there was a LOT of taste-testing the frosting, even after the cupcakes were all frosted. Beth even provided plastic cupcake containers, so our 6 masterpieces (2 of each flavor) could travel in safety and comfort. I would definitely do another event here - it was very well organized, and in addition to the promised take home cupcakes, we were also provided with recipes on how to make the different cupcakes and frosting. The only thing that wasn't cool, and wasn't mentioned ahead of time, is that you had to pay $5 for valet, which also meant tipping too. I think the Epicurean Hotel needs to include this in the cost of the class, or let people self-park in the spots they have available for the wine store or bakery. Other than the parking, an A+ event from start to finish. Support local small businesses and go check out Beth's webpage, too - yum!

Grace really knows what she is talking about when it comes to wine, and she makes wine tasting so…read moremuch fun! Definitely recommend her services for any type of event that involves wine. She is professional, charismatic, and fashionable to boot!

Grace hosted a wine tasting for a goodbye party work event. She is so knowledgable about wine and…read morekept our rowdy crew of nurses very entertained. We really enjoyed the selection of wine she provided. Highly recommend and would hire her again!!

Went here for the Blueberry Festival! A lot of the event was super lively; people could shop from…read morevendors, pick blueberries, drink blueberry adjacent wines and beers, and have foods with a blueberry twist on them. Luckily there was a lot of outdoor seating, so it wasn't too difficult to find a seat. I ended up getting the sweet blueberry wine, blueberry flatbread (had caramelized onions, arugula, and prosciutto with a blueberries glaze drizzle), and the blueberry shortcake. The wine was lightly sweet and not dry. The blueberry flatbread tasted more of the caramelized onions and the blueberry drizzle added a little hint of sweetness and tartness. My favorite though was the blueberry shortcake. It was soft and the blueberry compote was absolutely delicious. Although it was rich, it didn't feel heavy. I wish I had gotten another slice. In general, I've been here before and it's nice and cozy inside with great service! I love trying all the flavors available with their wine and beer flights (some are seasonal). Honestly, sometimes I buy their wine by the bottle in stores because it's actually just that good.

Continues to be my favorite winery around. Made reservations with hubs to have a wine lunch then…read morestrawberry shortcake down the road. We chose to sit out on the patio. Service was great and so was the food. I got the sangria and the wine burger. Hubs got the tacos. Love their French fries too! The crispiness and the seasoning on them is just plain good. The wine burger was delicious and probably my fav entree they have.

I recently hosted a networking event at Cheeseology, and I cannot recommend it enough! From start…read moreto finish, the experience was absolutely seamless, thanks to Kelly, who was amazing throughout the entire process. From booking to the end of the event, her attention to detail and professionalism made everything so easy and enjoyable. The atmosphere at Cheeseology was perfect--warm, inviting, and ideal for fostering connections. Everyone who attended had such a fantastic time! The instructors were phenomenal, bringing energy, expertise, and fun to the event. It was clear they were passionate about what they do, which made the experience even more memorable. One of the standout aspects of Cheeseology is their commitment to sourcing ingredients from local suppliers. It's such a thoughtful touch that adds to the quality and authenticity of the experience. If you're looking for a unique venue with a great vibe, exceptional service, and a focus on supporting the local community, Cheeseology is the place to go. I can't wait to host another event here!

Cannoli making class was fun…read more So the 3 stars is based on their customer service & how we were treated. 7 of us signed up for a week night class. We arrived late because we thought the class was 30 mins later than it was but we text them we were on our way. They were visible annoyed when we walked in & we did not get a warm welcome. I have to say there was only 2 people, a couple, in the class so it wasn't like we interrupted a big class. We were bringing the big class. And they had only poured milk into a pot & letting it warm up when we arrived so we had not missed anything. The whole class the women that worked there were not giving warm fuzzy vibes. It lacked fun & enjoyment honestly. We felt like we were treated like a nuisance & like we couldn't even laugh. The cannolis were good & we learned a lot.

Such a hidden gem! We stumbled upon this new wine shop tucked inside the Glass of Life stained…read moreglass studio, and it was the perfect find. It's female-owned (love supporting that!), and the wine selection is incredible -- bottles from all over the world, with a nice mix of unique picks and familiar favorites. We grabbed a couple chilled bottles and a cheese plate to-go, and ended up having a super relaxing picnic in the round lake just across the street. Everything was delicious, and the whole experience just felt thoughtful and well put together. This spot has a lot of heart -- whether you're into wine, art, or just want to try something different, definitely check it out.

From the owner: We are a sommelier-curated wine shop within a stained glass studio located across the street from…read moreRound Lake in Historic Uptown. We are a great spot for activity dates, family & friend celebrations, and group team building offsites, and we offer custom packages to accommodate groups of 6 - 12 adults. Adult Therapy Wine is our wine shop, and we host weekly wine tastings and pairing workshops, creative workshops like our DIY food preservation workshop the 1st Saturday of the month, and we also host an interactive themed murder mystery pop-up, catered by Drift Kitchen. In addition to our 2nd & 4th Tuesday Somm Selects Champagne & Cellar Series tastings, we also offer private wine tastings by appointment. Glass of Life is our stained-glass studio where we teach workshops and classes for individual adults and groups. Together, we collaborate to create a welcoming makerspace with wine and food packages available.

I really enjoy going to Fine Wines and Tastings on Main St in Lakewood Ranch. Scott and his mom…read morehave created a wonderful atmosphere for buy wine by the bottle or by the glass. They have a revolving selection of well known and under the radar wines for you to enjoy. They also offer a small selection of fantastic light snacks to eat while sipping good wine. Additionally, they have a couple of beers and seltzers. If you find yourself wanting a nice glass of wine, please give Fine Wines and Tastings a chance. I promise you will love it.

We went in after a full day of working on our boat and we were headed to Trader Joe's to do our own…read morecharcuterie board. I hopped on yelp while on the way to Home Depot and this place popped up. We love charcuterie and thought for the price point we would give it a try. The sommelier was extremely helpful and after our food order, recommended this fantastic French wine which pared perfectly. We will be back as they also had Justin Isosceles in stock on shelf next time we are cooking steaks on our boat

Updated review! My second time visiting I was able to taste the cheeses and meats with my wine…read more The service from the bartender was prompt and vibes are relaxed, both times I've come in, there's not a crowd which is nice. Intimate and cozy.

Cute place with lots of great options! Service was good! They have very tasty grilled cheeses among…read moreother items! Great place to stop at for after work drinks too! I had a pistachio martini that was delicious but I didn't take a picture.

"It's not just Wine It's an experience" If you're in downtown Orlando, make sure you check out Wine…read moreand Corks on Church Street. The shop is cozy and welcoming. You can tell the owners put love into every detail including picking their wines locally and internationally. You can stop by any day of the week, load money on a card and taste 16 different wines from a self serving tap. My personal favorites were Rioja, Sangue Di Giuda and the Chardonnay. The Rioja is similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, but it also has a fruity character. If you love Cabernet but are also looking for the dominant cherry flavor, this is the perfect wine for you. The Sangue Di Giuda, which means "Blood of Judas", is more of a deep, slightly sparkling and delectably sweet red wine. Chardonnay is my go to when I want a nice glass of wine after work. Although it typically has fruit flavors, it's a dry white wine. It pairs perfectly with seafood or baked chicken. We purchased a bottle of Lumbrusco and we sat and enjoyed the atmosphere and great conversation with the owner. They were right, they made us feel at home. Make sure you check out their website and sign up for their mailing list to be updated about future events.

I've been to many wine stores before, but never have I been so interested to visit one over and…read moreover than this one. Phillip is a wealth of knowledge and I've learned so much more about wine when I leave the store each time. A lot of great selections, majority from Italy at great prices. The ability to taste the wine on a guided tour of the notes makes the experience even more enjoyable. Worth a stop by to check out, great spot close to lake eola.

We booked the Winter Park restaurant tasting tour for an afternoon company outing and loved it! It…read morewas a unique experience and the food was tasty (received more than expected). We had 18 people in our group, but this type of tour would also be conducive to smaller groups as well. The tour guides were knowledgeable but not intrusive, and they kept things on track throughout to ensure we got the most out of each of our 3 stops.

Savor our City was awesome this week in setting up a client event for me in Orlando. The service…read morewas responsive. Very easy to work with Denise. She will take the time to understand your needs and tailor a plan that meets your needs depending on the headcount, location constraints and make it real fun. Will definitely do business again with Denise next time in Orlando

Me-this is one of the best Italian meals I've had in years…read moreMy wife-except for Rome Me- noo ... I didn't say that. We didn't really do fine dining in Rome and this was better than anything we ate. It's not Spiaggia, or trying to be Michelin style, but just amazing food. Pappardelle with veal pounded thin, mushrooms, and I think some truffle in the sauce. Mixed green salad with burrata. With only 16 seats, we got takeout. Me and grandpa split the dish and didn't finish it. I think it was 46$. Salad for three came with 4 burrata ( is there a plural form) which was less I think grandpa said $25 but that's a guess either way. I can't believe how affordable this was. In Jupiter Fl where I live it would have been 50% more and not nearly as good. Sorry Jupiter-your rent is too high. I can't believe our Airbnb is a block away.

Probably one of the best meals I've had in Tampa. Little place - maybe 5 tables in it.read more