Chef Fabio Viviani Credit: ChefFabioViviani/Facebook
Chef Fabio Viviani has been hosting sold-out cooking demonstrations for a few weeks now, and he continues the practice this weekend at the St. Petersburg location of his Taverna Costale concept.
Organizers for a weekend lunch at 200 Central Ave. and demo said that guests will get a glass of prosecco and special three-course prix-fixe lunch. While the menu includes a caprese salad, shrimp orecchiette, and tiramisu—all paired with libations—don’t be surprised if a meatball makes an appearance.
“There is never an instance that you show up at Costale and you’re not gonna get meatball,” Viviani, a 47-year-old “Top Chef” fan favorite, recently told WTSP’s “Great Day Live.”
Jovial as all get out, Viviani told hosts that a proper meatball will ruffle feathers because it will only have beef.
“I don’t care what grandma says. If you put pork or veal, you’re doing a meatball a disservice,” he argued saying beef is flavorful, including the fat. “If anyone tells you that you have to use lean beef, I automatically disqualify them, OK? Meatball has to have a little fat component. If they ask you for the lean meatball, they’re probably into Pilates, too, so they’re not a reliable source for meatball.”
The event is just one of many from Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s user-submitted events calendar, which is free to use and read. See more food and drink events coming to the Bay area below, along with bulleted bits of local food news.
St. Petersburg Distillery has launched its first ready-to-pour bottled cocktail collection, the 31 South line, debuting with an Espresso Martini, Old Fashioned and Maple Old Fashioned — each $35 for a 750 mL bottle yielding seven to eight cocktails, available exclusively at the distillery’s Welcome Salon (800 31st St. S). A press release says the collection “lets us take some of that experience beyond the speakeasy.”
Andy’s Frozen Custard: National Frozen Custard Day Coozie Giveaway Saturday, Aug. 8. 11 a.m.-midnight. With purchase. Nine locations across Tampa Bay
The Art of Coffee: A Tasting Journey Featuring Mission Grounds Coffee Friday, Aug. 7. 10 a.m. $7.18 & up. Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg. imaginemuseum.com
Bad Moms Brunch Monday, Aug. 10. 10 a.m. Shuffle, Tampa. shuffletampa.com
Let Us Cook Tuesday, Aug. 11. 11 a.m. No cover with RSVP. Palm Harbor Library, Palm Harbor. palmharborlibrary.org
Blind Wine Tasting Battle Wednesday, Aug. 12. 5:30 p.m. Sold out. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com
R&B Ink & Sip Night (Beginner tattoo experience and wine tasting) Friday, Aug. 21. 6:30 p.m. $104.07 & up. Vino Ghvino 21, Tampa. vinoghvino21.com
Ice Cream Stroll Saturday, Aug. 22. 2 p.m. $10. Tarpon Springs Downtown District, Tarpon Springs. thegildedpagebookstore.com
I Like It HOT! Festival Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 12-13. 10 a.m. No cover. England Brothers Park, Pinellas Park. saucyqueen.com
Wines of Spain: An Evening of Spanish Wine & Culture Friday, Oct. 16. 6 p.m. $108.55 & up. Centro Asturiano de Tampa, Tampa. centroasturianotampa.org
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This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 05, 2026.
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