Neighborhoods

Hope Floats Sidewalk Sale

Every Fresh Market location will offer hot dogs, root beer floats and ice cream sundaes each for a $2 donation. Benefits JDRF, a global organization funding type 1 diabetes.

Price:Donations.

Fresh Market: 3722 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 33609

Epicurean Education

Classes on a variety of subjects from current trends to cooking.

Epicurean Theatre at the Epicurean Hotel: 1207 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606

Outside The Lines: Coloring for Adults

Relieve stress and boost creativity with art, fun, and mellow music to help you release your inner artist.

Price:Free.

Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library: 3910 S Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 33611

AARP Driver Safety

Refresh your driving skills and learn defensive driving tips to stay safer on the road.

Price:$20, $15 AARP members.

Memorial Hospital of Tampa: 2901 W Swann Ave., Tampa, 33609

MacDill Air Force Base

Join a docent from the Tampa Bay History Center and trace how Tampa’s unique history and location accounted for its selection of placing the base here.

Price:Free.

Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library: 3910 S Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 33611

B J's Alabama BBQ

South Tampa: 3307 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 33629

Bella's Italian Cafe

South Tampa: 1413 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606

Joanie Corneil and Bill Shumate opened the SoHo restaurant more than 25 years ago. At the time it was one of only a handful of restaurants between Kennedy and Bayshore. Years later, many times more restaurants have come to the area. The place has had two remodels in its lifetime and still manages to be comfortable but upscale enough to host date night elegantly. Servers are warm, portions are ample and the place shimmers with the patina of Tampa tradition.
The food at Bella's is geographically indistinct, more the idea of Italian food that we hold dear. And many people hold it dear. Regulars swear by the Confetti Spaghetti, a creamy basil tomato sauce dotted with bacon, tomato concasse, onion, basil and green peas creeping around a zillion strands of soft spaghetti. And with already reasonable markups on wine, Wednesdays make it a serious bargain with all bottles half off.

Read the full review here.

Bern's Steak House

South Tampa: 1208 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606

Naysayers can grouse, but there's no denying the fine meat and one of the world's best and cheapest wine lists. You can drink back through 20 years in Spanish, Italians, Rhones and zins for $75 or less. Lighten up and relax; just exploring the menu's new additions takes time. Dessert takes more.

Read Laura Reiley's 2008 review.

The bar scene: Obviously, this is first and foremost a restaurant, arguably the most famous for miles around. But it's also a good place to drink. In fact, we'd go so far as to say it's the best place to get a glass of wine anywhere in ... well, America. Because of its reputation -- and its ability to buy world-class wines -- Bern's offers a wine list extensive enough to make even the most tried and true oenophile swoon. But even without that killer cellar, the Bern's bar is still a destination in and of itself. It's a dimly lit, low-ceiling, bordello-feeling room where you can get a pitch-perfect mojito and one of those absolutely delish off-the-menu steak sandwiches. And if you're not that hungry, you can always head upstairs to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room for cheese, brandy or even a Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate. Order light, and you could get in and out for under $20. (Okay, maybe $50.)

Insider tips:

A tour is offered to each diner for free. Take them up on it if you can. Here's what you can expect.

They take dinner reservations up to three months in advance, starting at 8 a.m. the first day of each month. For example, on Jan. 1, reservations opened for March. Reservations for Valentine’s Day opened Dec. 1 and went quickly.

Related Bern's restaurant: Haven is a more casual dining spot and without a doubt the area's most encyclopedic and ambitious cheese program.

Bonefish Grill (Tampa, Henderson Blvd.)

South Tampa: 3665 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 33609

 Bonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, shareable dishes that don't require a lot of utensils. Something to nibble over drinks with friends, including a new American wagyu burger ($10.90), Bang Bang shrimp tacos ($8.90) and tempura-battered fish and chips ($10.90). As for the main entrees, Bonefish unfortunately hides its light under a bushel of sauces. But the concept is otherwise resoundingly contemporary. More affordable than many of the other upscale national chains, on a couple of visits it seemed to be a favorite girls-night-out destination, whole posses clinking wine glasses and spoon-fighting for a bite of very respectable creme brulee ($5.50). Its martini menu (most drinks hovering in the laudably reasonable $7.50 range) has stylish bells and whistles (house-infused pineapple tequila, Danish blue-stuffed olives, plenty of pomegranate juice), and a broad by-the-glass wine program is arranged lightest to most full-bodied, very user friendly.

Byblos Cafe

South Tampa: 2832 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 33629

The local rebirth of Middle Eastern cuisine gets its most stylish display thanks to smart Lebanese entrepreneurs. Yogurt, grape leaves and kibbe are deliciously fresh. Stay late and finish with intoxicating bellydancing or a dreamy draw on the water pipe (hookah).

Dubliner Irish Pub

South Tampa: 2307 W Azeele St., Tampa, 33609

Laid-back and charming, the Dubliner has been a SoHo favorite since 2002. It's on Azeele, just off South Howard, around the corner from its sworn enemy, MacDinton's. The Dubliner brims with charm, and serves 14 beers on tap, but it has one serious drawback: no liquor license. (A Dubliner that opened not long ago in Citrus Park does serve liquor.) A converted house decorated with beautiful Emerald Isle bric-a-brac, The Dubliner has a handsome deck and a total of four full bars including a tiki.

Four Green Fields

South Tampa: 205 W Platt St., Tampa, 33606

The oldest Irish pub of South Tampa's big three and the most prestigious in all of Tampa Bay, perhaps all of Florida, Four Green Fields proudly advertises itself as "America's only authentic thatched roof pub." There are also two wooden decks and a bar in the rear outside area. It's got no TVs, though for monster soccer matches, exceptions are occasionally made. Irish greats such as Tommy Makem, The Prodigals, The Corrs, and Sinead O'Connor have all played Four Green Fields, which has traditional Irish musicians perform every weekend. Perhaps the most Irish thing about Four Green Fields? Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has frequented Four Green Fields, and almost every staff member is from Ireland.

The Green Lemon

South Tampa: 915 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606

If your idea of a good night involves a shot or two - or 10 - of tequila, then the Green Lemon is the place for you. The restaurant/bar offers 45 kinds, including one that's $38 a swig. For those who prefer quantity over quality, check out the Friday and Saturday night happy hours, when tequila shots are a buck. (Jaegerbombs, margaritas and chicken nachos are $4 apiece.) Green Lemon serves Latin American fare for lunch and dinner. After that, it turns into a bar where a DJ spins everything from hip-hop to house. Green Lemon closes a tad early for the nightclub crowd - midnight - but is seeking permission to stay open longer. This outpost is one of several Tampa restaurants and bars in the group. Others include: Ciccio's, Daily Eats, Water and Lodge Restaurant and Bar.

Lodge Restaurant & Bar

South Tampa: 516 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606

A ton of failed restaurants have called this address home in the past. But at the Lodge, the fun doesn't seem to be stopping - especially on the menu. Tater tots! Beans 'n' franks! A Twinkie-tiramisu hybrid called the Twinkimisu! A Key Lime Pie martini that smokes like a volcano! The thing is, all this cheeky, kitschy humor stuff really works, giving the Lodge a vibe that hits somewhere between The Big Lebowski and A Christmas Story. With live music and an outdoor patio, it's affordable, loosey-goosey and packed on weekends.

Mad Dogs & Englishmen

South Tampa: 4115 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 33611

Mad Dogs and Englishmen has a sense of humor. Perhaps that explains its longevity. Its new menu sports the old joke: "Two cannibals eating a clown. One says to the other, 'Does this taste funny to you?' " Talking about things tasting funny on a menu? Is this a good idea? Co-owner Wilton Morley seems to do things his own way, and that has worked out just fine. This is a family place, a casual indoor-outdoor spot to meet for a pint and a nibble on the odd Tuesday night. The beer list favors Britain, the wine list is more global (prices very reasonable, by-the-glass pours very generous) and the servers and bartenders seem to be from all over the place. The menu features British pub staples (fish and chips, chicken curry) with some more eclectic offerings like red Thai curry and innovative housemade ice creams.

Read the full review here.

B J's Alabama BBQ

South Tampa: 3307 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 33629

Bella's Italian Cafe

South Tampa: 1413 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606

Joanie Corneil and Bill Shumate opened the SoHo restaurant more than 25 years ago. At the time it was one of only a handful of restaurants between Kennedy and Bayshore. Years later, many times more restaurants have come to the area. The place has had two remodels in its lifetime and still manages to be comfortable but upscale enough to host date night elegantly. Servers are warm, portions are ample and the place shimmers with the patina of Tampa tradition.
The food at Bella's is geographically indistinct, more the idea of Italian food that we hold dear. And many people hold it dear. Regulars swear by the Confetti Spaghetti, a creamy basil tomato sauce dotted with bacon, tomato concasse, onion, basil and green peas creeping around a zillion strands of soft spaghetti. And with already reasonable markups on wine, Wednesdays make it a serious bargain with all bottles half off.

Read the full review here.

Bern's Steak House

South Tampa: 1208 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606

Naysayers can grouse, but there's no denying the fine meat and one of the world's best and cheapest wine lists. You can drink back through 20 years in Spanish, Italians, Rhones and zins for $75 or less. Lighten up and relax; just exploring the menu's new additions takes time. Dessert takes more.

Read Laura Reiley's 2008 review.

The bar scene: Obviously, this is first and foremost a restaurant, arguably the most famous for miles around. But it's also a good place to drink. In fact, we'd go so far as to say it's the best place to get a glass of wine anywhere in ... well, America. Because of its reputation -- and its ability to buy world-class wines -- Bern's offers a wine list extensive enough to make even the most tried and true oenophile swoon. But even without that killer cellar, the Bern's bar is still a destination in and of itself. It's a dimly lit, low-ceiling, bordello-feeling room where you can get a pitch-perfect mojito and one of those absolutely delish off-the-menu steak sandwiches. And if you're not that hungry, you can always head upstairs to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room for cheese, brandy or even a Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate. Order light, and you could get in and out for under $20. (Okay, maybe $50.)

Insider tips:

A tour is offered to each diner for free. Take them up on it if you can. Here's what you can expect.

They take dinner reservations up to three months in advance, starting at 8 a.m. the first day of each month. For example, on Jan. 1, reservations opened for March. Reservations for Valentine’s Day opened Dec. 1 and went quickly.

Related Bern's restaurant: Haven is a more casual dining spot and without a doubt the area's most encyclopedic and ambitious cheese program.

Bonefish Grill (Tampa, Henderson Blvd.)

South Tampa: 3665 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 33609

 Bonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, shareable dishes that don't require a lot of utensils. Something to nibble over drinks with friends, including a new American wagyu burger ($10.90), Bang Bang shrimp tacos ($8.90) and tempura-battered fish and chips ($10.90). As for the main entrees, Bonefish unfortunately hides its light under a bushel of sauces. But the concept is otherwise resoundingly contemporary. More affordable than many of the other upscale national chains, on a couple of visits it seemed to be a favorite girls-night-out destination, whole posses clinking wine glasses and spoon-fighting for a bite of very respectable creme brulee ($5.50). Its martini menu (most drinks hovering in the laudably reasonable $7.50 range) has stylish bells and whistles (house-infused pineapple tequila, Danish blue-stuffed olives, plenty of pomegranate juice), and a broad by-the-glass wine program is arranged lightest to most full-bodied, very user friendly.

Byblos Cafe

South Tampa: 2832 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 33629

The local rebirth of Middle Eastern cuisine gets its most stylish display thanks to smart Lebanese entrepreneurs. Yogurt, grape leaves and kibbe are deliciously fresh. Stay late and finish with intoxicating bellydancing or a dreamy draw on the water pipe (hookah).