Do you love wine but struggle to make a great selection when going to a giant wine store? Yep, me…read moretoo! At www.CorkQueen.com owner Karen Koch ("Cook"). a.k.a. the "WineQueen", teaches you about wine from "the ground up". Starting with the top wine growing regions around the world, she educates you on the types of grape vines grown in each locale, the vines history and the types of soil they are grown in. Karen then teaches how those soils and the climate in each region work together to bring out the wine "nose" and "flavors" you will smell and taste. You will learn how to identify these smell and taste attributes that you prefer and how to match the wines from other countries and regions that will have similar attributes so you can easily make great wine selections on all of your future wine purchases. Some of this information in on the website but the best way to truly learn about wine is by attending one of the WineQueen events. Choose from her weekly Wine Down Wednesday, Wine Frenzy Friday or set up a private or group "Wine 101" private wine tasting event to celebrate a birthday or anniversary at the WineQueen CQ's Wine Works location, your home or business. The CorkQueen is not a classic brick and mortar wine store. It's more of a wine club. All purchases are made online. You can pick up your order at the CorkQueen CQ's Wine Works location or have your wine delivered. By creating her business this way the CorkQueen is able to offers thousands of different wines from every region around the world. Plus, for you beer lovers out there, the CorkQueen loves you too! You will find beers from around the world at www.CorkQueen.com that will both pleasantly surprise and delight your taste buds! Private Wine Events are available for booking now. Online wine and beer ordering and weekly Wine Down Wednesday and Wine Frenzy Friday events are scheduled to officially launch April 1, 2020 - April Fools Day! Be sure to check back on April 1, 2020 for the CorkQueen Launch Specials! The CorkQueen is looking forward to seeing you!

What a fabulous gem! The owner (The Cork Queen) has a deep knowledge of wine. Tell her what you…read morelike and she will make a fantastic recommendation! And take the time to educate yo on what to pair the wine with! There are events - wine tastings & education events. Lots of price points to choose from and lots of opportunities to try fantastic wines. Prices are also better than the big shops. And delivery locally in a gift bag, with a note. Great service. Can't recommend highly enough!

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!!

Great experience! Good memories made. Worth it!!! Great location and atmosphere,nice peopleread more

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!

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.

One of my favorites while living down in SRQ.. has the best selection, pricing, staff, and light…read morebites (charcuterie board, and popcorn with balsamic!) Craig was very helpful in selecting wines based on what we told him we were looking for. They also host wine walks every few months that are Halloween themed, spring, etc., and they are amazing!! Absolutely recommend for a glass, or a few, alone or with friends/family.

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.

PHENOMENAL!! I've lived here four years and never once walked through the door. The nights of…read moreindulgence I've missed are honestly shameful. Upon entering, I was struck by how small the space was, but it's cozy and intimate, and I understand exactly why it's been voted the most romantic restaurant around. It was our wedding anniversary, and we were acknowledged for 22 years of marital bliss. We were seated in the back left corner booth - THE prime table for two, right next to the sommelier station. We were promptly greeted by Sean, our server. There are some people you just know, from the moment they greet you, will take great care of you all evening. Sean has that rare tableside manner that blends personality, hospitality, and professionalism that exemplify the truly elevated dining experience. His presentation of the menu was practically an oration, painting a vivid picture of each dish, activating the cephalic phase of digestion. We started with his recommendation, a goat cheese bite for hors d'oeuvres. I'm still not sure what the base was, but it set the tone as the catalyst for every flavor that followed. For starters, my wife and I both chose the bisque: an onion-and-potato-based delight. I honestly don't remember what was in it, and honestly, I didn't care; it was perfection. From there, my wife went with the Black Pearl salad while I opted for the Caesar, curious to try their take on the classic. Her choice was the clear winner. The Caesar was generous and beautifully plated, but not the standout of the night. During his presentation, Sean claimed the filet was the best in Tampa Bay. Naturally, we had to find out for ourselves. Served Pittsburgh style, it did not disappoint - the heavy char deepened the juicy, flavor-packed bite with every cut. Best filet in Tampa Bay? It has my endorsement! Finally, dessert. We finished strong with the Banana Foster, a recipe with origins from the owner's grandmother. We also went with the Tarte Tatin, reportedly the most popular dessert on the menu for the past 18 years, per Sean. Once again, extraordinary. We're used to heading into Tampa or St. Pete for elevated dining. So happy we found this "pearl" right in our own backyard. Take my money!

Wow! Incredible! Perfection! Amazing experience! I would…read moregive more than 5 stars if possible! This is a very small venue with limited tables so make sure you get a reservation. You get very personal service and luxury experience. We had hors d'oeuvres, wine service, appetizers, bread service and our main meals. We also ended with desserts we all shared. Absolute 5 star food and service! Cannot recommend highly enough! What an incredible find!

I've been here a few times with different friends and family, and every visit has been a great…read moreexperience. The service and hospitality are always excellent, and I really love the ambience. During the day it has a cute, relaxed vibe, while at night it feels much more intimate and cozy. I've also tried the food before and thought it was really good. Overall, it's a great spot for both casual outings and special occasions.

Popped in this past weekend for an app and cocktails and I wasnt disappointed…read more I sat at the bar and got to try one of their halloween cocktails before they switched to Christmas. It was really good, little pricey but good. We also got the ahi tuna poke - it said it was yellowtail but Im pretty sure it was ahi LOL I didnt care bc it was delicious. Id come back just for that. Service was great, Mal took care of us. Very nice, attentive, and had great recommendations. Their happy hour menu is awesome as well. I plan to come back in December to see their holiday overlay. Highly recommend this spot for apps and drinks.

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.

The wines! The wines! This establishment has everything from wine trinkets to wine glasses. It's…read morefestive and the owners/brothers are and knowledgeable. Not only do they over a variety of wines but they make the most exquisite gift baskets. I think the only thing missing is tasting but with so many wines, to see, I don't think you'd miss it.

Great wine store managed by friendly and knowledgeable owners. Great selection of wines at all…read moreprice points. Convenient location for those in South Tampa. Get on their email list for tastings, seminars, sales and more. Nice place to stop in for a quick chat, grab a bottle from the shelf or cooler and go home for dinner. Definitely recommend adding this location to your wine stores for shopping