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!

First time visiting Keel Farms and overall, we had a good experience!…read more I really liked the atmosphere. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and we chose to sit outside where the live music was playing. It was comfortable and well ventilated, and as the evening went on, it actually cooled down nicely. They have live music on the weekends, but I thought the volume was just right -- we could still easily carry on a conversation without having to talk over the music. I ordered the NA Rose, which I thought was delicious! It was a little on the sweeter side for me, but I still really enjoyed it. For an appetizer, I got the Southern Board and it was SO good! There were several delicious options, and I especially enjoyed all the pickled items. It was very plentiful and definitely shareable, but honestly, there was enough that it could easily be a meal on its own. For my main, I ordered the Keel Salad. I really enjoyed it, and the pork belly was such a good addition and made it a little different from your typical grilled chicken Cobb salad. The vegetables were fresh, and I would definitely order this again. The only downside for us was the wait for our food. We waited well over an hour for our entrees. Our waiter was good about keeping us updated and explained that the kitchen/tickets were backed up. He continued to reassure us that our food was coming, which I appreciated. We did get our appetizer first, but there was still a pretty long wait before our mains came out. That being said, I really enjoyed the food, atmosphere, outdoor seating, and live music. Hopefully the long wait was just an unusually busy night because I would definitely come back and give Keel Farms another try!

We had a really great time here! We didn't have a full grasp on all the options before we showed up…read morebut man there is a lot! We ended up doing wine tasting with Marshall and also a tour with Ryan and both of those experiences were great. They definitely get very busy so if you plan to eat there make a reservation.

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.

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!

I have been to many wine tastings and pairings. The selection provided was Spanish Wines paired…read morewith several cheeses and chocolate. I much preferred the whites over the reds, but the experience the 2 ladies who walked us through the experience were awesome. We were fortunate to be in the front row so we had some additional interaction with the ladies. Very personable and relatable. Great experience!

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.

If you're a wine lover and enjoy free tastings, Florida Orange Groves Winery is definitely worth a…read morevisit. This location offers a huge variety of wines made right on-site, with unique flavors like key lime, peach, strawberry, passion fruit, and more. Their Hurricane wine is their bestseller and for good reason. I did the tasting flight with 4 flavors for $17, and it was a great way to sample different wines. They also offer complimentary tastings, wine slushies, flavorful spreads, and cute trinkets throughout the shop. There's even a cozy lounge area in the back where you can relax and enjoy your drinks. The customer service was excellent, and the staff was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about all the wines. I make it a point to stop by every time I'm in the area. Bonus: you can also order wines for shipping directly from their website

I absolutely loved the Florida Orange Groves Winery. The customer service was top-tier. We stopped…read morein after the beach and decided to stick around for the wine tasting that was starting shortly. We got to try several different Florida wines that are made in house at the winery. Some of my faves were the hurricane and I enjoyed each one of the wine slushy's including the strawberry banana, the hurricane, and the best of all was the orange Creamsicle slushy. I decided to purchase some of the orange Creamsicle wine slushy mix to take home and make orange Creamsicle mocktails and received some of the cute little wine bottle greeting cards. They also have military discount.

I like cheese. As I have learned through experimentation, not every cheese is a winner. The…read moreArtisan Cheese Company had a wide variety of cheeses in a wide variety of prices. They also offer additional offerings that look great and seem priced equitable. The staff is wonderful. They have provided education and cheese insight with no pressure tactics and a seemingly sincere desire to be helpful.

A RaRe "EDIBLE...WHERE have you been all my LiFe!" Rating!…read more ++ Ambiance is clean, upscale deli market located in the artsy Rosemary District. It's my new favorite gourmet store / resto in SRQ. The Artisan Cheese Company is a woman owned epicurean food shop. We visited on a weekday afternoon and it had a steady stream of locals. The space isn't huge, but inside is bright with big windows filled with goodies strewn about. In the rear is the order counter behind the cured meats and cheeses. There are few dining tables next to the patio as well as a handful of tables on their patio. +++ The ACC seems to specialize in harder to locate artisan cheeses, butters, gourmet goodies for pantries and has a limited rotating lunch menu. They have so many of my favorites that are difficult to locate, it was impressive. I found Ploughgate cultured butter for the first time in several years, Jasper Hill, Monista teas, Spanish Marconas and even Meridith Dairy marinated cheese here!! DelightFuL to find such a well stocked market! They also serve interesting and comforting light lunches and offer beautifully prepared charcuterie boards. Everything we tried was delicious! We had their open face grilled cheese, tomato soup and tacos which seemed more like tostadas with interesting toppings. This is a perfect place for easy party boards, hostess gifts for those with discerning palates and satisfy your cravings. = Price is high...nothing has a price tag ++ Service is quite good and the staff are knowledgeable! + Parking is street and was easy. This is a non-touristy art district. It is an excellent gourmet shop and sure wish this ACC was in Atlanta! MY RATINGS - - - Inhumane - - Disgusted - Don't bother = Missed the Mark + Good ++ Better +++ EDIBLE...WHERE have you been all my LiFe!

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 was thoroughly impressed by AJ's Kitchen Drawer. Everything was exceptional--the instruction,…read morefood, people, and ambiance. I attended a work event where we were fortunate to have Chef Keith Simpkins. It's evident that Chef Keith is passionate about his work, and his enthusiasm is contagious. Chef Keith taught us how to make tiramisu, pasta, and pesto, which are all among my favorite dishes. I'm pleased to say that I left the dinner with improved cooking skills.

The absolute best experience ever. Third time here and it just keeps getting better! Came for the…read moreValentine Date Night and it was incredible. Chef is a great teacher, helpful and funny. Food is delicious and plentiful!! Perfect night out. Will be back again soon!