By Nanette Wiser
What am I drinking this summer? Trader Vic’s 1972 Tequila Matador! Shake 1oz. tequila (Milagro Silver) with 2oz. pineapple juice and juice of 1/2 lime with shaved ice then strain into a cocktail glass. Also, Grey Goose vodka, pink lemonade, club soda on ice. At Coco Wood Grill, I discovered RumHaven, a coconut rum made with coconut water and pure cane sugar in the Tide Turner, a refreshing cocktail made with 2oz. rum, 2oz. pineapple juice, 1oz. coconut cream and ½ oz. fresh lime juice.
For happy hour with friends, RumFish Grill Tuesday 4-5pm in the bar for ½ off small plates (three dips, firecracker shrimp, calamari, parma flatbread, blue cheese chips) paired with $3 drafts (3 Daughters Beach Blonde Ale) or $5 house cab or chardonnay plus other sips. Stan’s Tapas Lounge has wine/beer and a couple ½ price tapas specials during the week and Fri. 4-6pm and food is 20% off with a drink.
Downtown, Ceviche’s 4pm-close Tapas Tuesday with $6 white or red Sangria, $4 marinated olives or deviled eggs and more tapas $5-$12. Check out their Happy Hour daily 3-6pm are sensational with $6 (well, white or red wine) or $7 bar and bites. Rococo Steak’s Happy Hour 4-6 pm daily offers chic drinks and delectable eats including Martin Ray Chardonnay, Lucas & Lewellen Pinot noir and a ruby red grapefruit mojito, best sipped with the salmon sliders.
Oktoberfest kicks off in September at local craft brewers and bars. Best of show is the German American Society party 9/30, 10/1, 10/8, 10/14-10/15 @5pm with dancing, drinking, singing and food. Get a head start with a full bar, German dishes, live music, dance lessons and dancing every Sat. night 7-10, 8098 66th St. N in Pinellas Park. For Oktoberfest, check out the German Knodle, 3 Daughters, Green Bench and Big Storm for events/specials. Sept. 24 is the 20th Annual Dunedin family/dog friendly Oktoberfest 5K at HOB Brewing Company in downtown Dunedin.
A celebratory toast to Sea Salt St. Pete, Parkshore Grill, Bascom’s Chop House, Ceviche, Birch & Vine, Rococo Steak, Salt Rock Grill, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa and others for their Wine Spectator Restaurant Award 2022.