If you've been trying to snag a seat at one of Chef Fabio Viviani's cooking demonstrations, here's your next chance. The beloved Top Chef personality is hosting a lunch and live demo at Taverna Costale, his St. Petersburg restaurant at 200 Central Ave., on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. — and reservations are still open at $75 per person.
Guests can expect a glass of prosecco on arrival followed by a three-course prix-fixe menu featuring caprese salad, shrimp orecchiette, and tiramisu, all paired with drinks. Viviani has hinted that his signature meatball will also make an appearance — because, as he put it, there's simply no showing up at Costale without one.
The 47-year-old chef has strong feelings about his meatballs, too. Viviani insists the only proper meatball is all-beef, with enough fat to give it real flavor. "If anyone tells you that you have to use lean beef, I automatically disqualify them," he said in a recent appearance on WTSP's Great Day Live.
Beyond the Viviani event, Tampa Bay has a packed stretch of food and drink happenings on the calendar. St. Petersburg Distillery just launched its 31 South bottled cocktail line — including an Espresso Martini, an Old Fashioned, and a Maple Old Fashioned, each priced at $35 for a 750 mL bottle — available exclusively at the distillery's Welcome Salon on 31st Street South. Other events include a Blind Wine Tasting Battle at Book + Bottle in St. Pete (Aug. 12, sold out), an R&B Ink & Sip tattoo and wine night in Tampa (Aug. 21), and the I Like It HOT! Festival at England Brothers Park in Pinellas Park (Sept. 12–13, free admission).
This roundup was originally reported by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
