By Nanette Wiser
BEST HOLIDAY BUBBLY
St. Pete’s favorite mermaid and former DTSP boutique owner keeps hitting home runs with her Mermosa wines nationally. “Wine Enthusiast named TWO of my wines as BEST BUYS for 2021 with 90 ratings – Mersecco and Celestine Rose’! I’m over the moon!” says Mermosa’s Desiree Noisette. Sip it at Elizabeth’s Grapes Wine Cafe on Corey Ave. and take some home from there as well as Book+Bottle, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Total Wine. It even comes in cans! Mermosa was inspired by her family’s original mermaid, Celestine Noisette, whose siren-song set her free and inspired generations of strong voices and unstoppable spirit.
In addition to drinking local, stock up on these 2021 holiday faves for an auld lang syne toast! Moet & Chandon Imperial, Bollinger Brut Special Cuvee, Pol Roger Brut Champagne, Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label, Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve, Taittinger Brut Champagne, Dom Pérignon Plenitude Vintage 2003 and anything from Sonoma’s Schramsberg. What’s trending? Winter rose and South African wines as well as alternative sparklers such as Cava and Prosecco.
SPIRITED TOASTS Recently tasted at the Floridian Social Club, Brugal 1888 Doblemente Añejado is a truly exceptional rum, produced in the Dominican Republic and combining the rich flavours of bourbon and sherry casks through a double-ageing process. With notes of vanilla, red fruits and toffee intertwined with cocoa and natural oak spice. On New Year’s Eve, embrace the Spanish tradition of peeling and eating 12 grapes for good luck! Don Nano’s Favorite: Freeze coconut water in ice cube tray. Pour 50 ml Brugal 1888 over coconut ice cubes and enjoy!
HAPPIEST HOURS Thursday is my favorite day to explore happy hours. I usually start downtown at Flute and Dram for live music, charcuterie and drink specials and head over to Copper Shaker or Sauvignon for half-priced pasta and cocktails/wine 4-6pm. Gratzzi serves three-course prix fixe 4-5pm for $20 with $4 house wines. The Hollander Hotel happy hour 3-6pm Mon.-Fri. is a deal and great people watching. The Canopy and Birch + Vine serve happy hour Mon.-Fri. 4-7pm with half-price signature cocktails and selected wine/beers. Stop in at Bacchus daily 3-6pm for $4.50 small plates or bubbly/wine/beer/rose. Ceviche hosts Tapas Tuesday and happy hour daily 3-6pm with $6 bites and bar (Vino Blanco, Vino Tinto, Single Well Cocktails), $7 sangria and bites or go big for $8: Caipirinha Cachaça (lime, sugar, Mojito Brugal 5yr Anejo Rum, mint, lime); Paloma Exotico Tequila (agave, ruby red grapefruit) and nibble on Ceviche Casa (shrimp, scallops, squid, market fish, garlic, cilantro, onions,tomatoes, peppers), Queso de Cabra (spicy goat cheese, tomato sauce) or Albondigas with Manchego cheese. On the beach, happy hours abound and we like to head to Clear Sky in Clearwater and Dunedin for happy hour wines, beers and signature cocktails 2-6pm daily. Salt Rock Grill and Sea Salt both have tremendous early bird dining specials and drinks.