Six men with a passion for craft beer and the art of creating bold, flavorful, balanced brews gathered in a small, dark German restaurant a decade ago. ...more

December 19, 2009

The craft brewing industry in Tampa Bay is growing despite Florida statutes that make it a challenge to run a successful brewery. ...more

December 2, 2009

Ray Rouse owns what are quite possibly the ugliest pants in the world. ...more

March 5, 2009

I love to cook. If my brothers were to remember our childhood, my current cooking skill might come as a shock to them. During my mom's last two pregnancies, I was often asked to cook, as she never felt very well when in the "family way." It seems two of my younger brothers asked Mother, "Can't you teach Rosie how to cook something besides hamburgers and chocolate chip cookies?" At the age of 12, I hadn't yet learned that variety is the spice of life, and that it works well in cooking, too. There were no peas, no carrots, and no salad in my meals - just meat and cookies. At my brothers' request, Mom taught me how to prepare pork chops. I then served pork chops and chocolate chip cookies at every opportunity. I still love pork chops Mom's way - thin, bone-in, floured with garlic and onion powders added, and fried. However, I only eat them occasionally now, instead of at every meal as I wanted to then. ...more

January 21, 2009

While the Ringling Bros. Circus left town earlier in the week, a different three-ring act rolled into town Thursday. ...more

January 16, 2009

"Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating," by Mark Bittman (Simon & Schuster, $25) ...more

January 11, 2009

"Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating," by Mark Bittman (Simon & Schuster, $25) ...more

January 4, 2009

"Wings," by Debbie Moose (Wiley, $16.95) With New Year's bowl games and the Super Bowl approaching, we're nearing the high holy days of chicken wing consumption. This book is a tasty guide for the novices who are inexperienced at cooking them as well as the pro who might be looking for new recipes/rubs/cooking techniques. The Indian-flavored vindaloo wings got our taste buds' attention, as did the recipe for Bloody Mary Chicks. ...more

December 21, 2008

A list of food-related books. ...more

December 16, 2008

It's hard to know what to make of Taps Wine & Beer Merchants. The new bar and restaurant opened in June on the ground floor of downtown's Skypoint condominium tower, catering to an upwardly mobile crowd with high-end booze and a hip menu. ...more

November 20, 2008