Archive for July, 2012

Celebrity Sightings:

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 26 - 2012

David Charvet and Brooke Burke were spotted at WALL on Thursday, with a small group of friends after attending a Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim fashion show. The entire crew danced the night away and kept the patron shots flowing.

On Friday night NFL players D.J. Williams (Green Bay Packers), Jon Vilma (Saints), Maurice Jones Drew (Jaguars,) and several others partied at STK for Williams’ birthday with a group of 30.

 

WALL’s three-year anniversary celebration on Saturday night with Alex Kenji drew a crowd including: Marie Claire fashion editor, Amanda Hearst, who made an appearance after attending the Chloe show at the Soho Beach House.

Antrelle Rolle of the NY Giants dined at STK on Saturday night with his girlfriend and two friends. The party of 4 sipped on vodka cranberries and dined on Lil Burgers, Buratta, Rib Eye and the Porterhouse. Miami Dolphins player, Cameron Wake, also dined with a group of eight at STK on Saturday night to celebrate his girlfriend’s birthday.

Angela Simmons snuck backstage to get a peek at the Luli Fama “La Dolce Vita Miami” 2013 runway presentation on Sunday where Moët Ice Impérial was flowing freely amongst the designers and models. During her preparation with more than 20 models running around in a frenzy to get dressed in their first looks, designer Lourdes Hanimian stopped to pose with Angela, where they both gestured “thumbs up” – a sign that they both approve of the 2013 designs. Shortly after, Angela (with two friends in tow) sat front row to watch models strut their stuff in Italian-inspired bikinis.

Following the L*Space by Monica Wise show,  Melissa and Joe Gorga, from the Real Housewives of New Jersey, dined at Zuma Miami. The couple had an intimate evening enjoying Zuma’s signature dishes.

On Sunday night, the L2 sisters, Melissa and Jessica Labbadia, attended the official L*Space swimwear after-party at STK, where they had dinner after the L*Space show at the Raleigh.  The sisters have scored 2 consecutive hits on the Billboard charts which have been featured on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Khloe and Lamar, Bad Girls Club, and Real World.

Great Eats in the Summer Heat- Part II

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 26 - 2012

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

CRAVE

CRAVE restaurant in the Village of Merrick Park in Coral Gables is known for its gorgeous 9,000 square-foot space, which includes an expansive dining room, sprawling outdoor terrace, vibrant atmosphere and terrific food. CRAVE’s fresh and innovative cuisine and impeccable wine selection compliment the chic, yet casual ambience with an extensive menu at a value-driven price point, with items ranging from a full sushi bar and Certified Angus Beef steaks to fresh seafood, pastas, salads and fire-baked pizzas that are continually re-mastered using the freshest seasonal ingredients.

One of the not-so-hidden secrets to Crave’s success is Hell’s Kitchen alum, Executive Chef Joshua Wahler whose resume includes work at Gramercy Tavern, Spice Market and Nobu and the (sadly) now defunct, Symcha’s.  Wahler’s passion, expertise and love of food are reflected in every dish- which he excitedly describes as if he were talking about a work of art. He is so charismatic and fun to be around that we repeatedly asked him to join our table. We wouldn’t be surprised to see him hosting a show on The Food Network.

Wahler creatively incorporates fine ingredients to create dishes such as a giant house made meatball, stuffed with mozzarella cheese, which must turn out perfect (without any oozing cheese) for it to make it to the table. Other standouts include: the Red Miso shrimp, grilled Ceviche, and Kogi beef tacos. The cashew crusted Mahi swimming in coconut curry and the perfect sliders were other favorites.  Read the rest of this entry »

 4th Annual To Live and Dine in Miami

MIAMI Magazine presents the 4th Annual To Live & Dine in Miami co-hosted by world-renowned Chef Daniel Boulud and benefiting Chapman Partnership. Restaurants include: db Bistro Moderne, Eating House, EDGE Steak & Bar, HaVen South Beach, J&G Grill at The St. Regis Bal Harbour, Katsuya by Starck, Paulina’s Pops, Scarpetta at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, SUSHISAMBA dromo, The Dome Restaurant & Caviar Bar, The Dutch at W South Beach, The Restaurant at The Setai Miami Beach, Toscana Divino and Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. Attendees will be the first to get a taste of soon-to-open establishments including Bloom, Florida Cookery and Swine Southern Table & Bar; Cocktail pairings courtesy of Herradura Tequila and Chambord Vodka, and refreshments by Stella Artois, Acqua Panna and S.Pellegrino.The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas takes over part of the Moore Building turning it into a pop-up lounge with sounds by DJ Mad Linx. Tickets are priced at $25 and can be purchased at http://toliveanddineinmiami.eventbrite.com.  Proceeds from the event will benefit Chapman Partnership.

 

Bowling for Rhinos

Bowling for Rhinos (BFR) 2012, an annual bowling fundraiser that benefits the South Florida Chapter of AAZK’S Rhino Conservation Projects, is sure not to leave you in the gutter. With its goal of helping rhinos worldwide, 100% of all funds raised by BFR benefits rhino conservation projects for four species of rhino, their habitats, and hundreds of other endangered plants and animals. BFR helps preserve the black, white, Javan and Sumatran rhinos. The AAZK and Zoo Miami invite everyone for a night of excitement at Bird Bowl. The $25 registration fee includes:1 ½ hours of bowling with shoes, raffle ticket, and pizza. Walk-ins are welcome if space is available. “Keep the Rhinos Horny” t-shirts will be offered at $15 for non-bowlers and $10 if you are registered to bowl! Open to the general public, teams of five to six bowlers may register for a night full of strikes and spares (hopefully!).  Bowlers are encouraged to get sponsors as 100% of all sponsor money goes directly to saving the rhinos. Remember every penny counts so no amount is too small. Please bring the sponsor money the night of the event. Please make checks payable to AAZK-BFR; for more information visit www.zoomiami.org.

 

Mayfair Hotel & Spa Launches Summer Sundays at the Rooftop Pool & Cabana Lounge

Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove announces the launch of its Summer Sundays, a series of pool parties for guests, visitors and locals alike. The Rooftop Pool & Cabana Lounge will offer a full bar, salads and a variety of pizzas, while DJ Ethics will provide the party’s soundtrack. ISA boutique will also be popping up every Sunday and showcasing their 2013 swim & resort wear collections. The series will kick off with a launch party on July 29 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Guests can enjoy a complimentary welcome mimosa and veggie smoothies throughout the day.

Beat the summer heat in style, with complimentary mini-manicures and 10-minute chair massages provided by the hotel’s Jurlique Spa, pineapple-mint infused water and suntan lotion. Cabana special includes Evian water mister, a bucket of domestic (five) beers, iced aromatherapy towels from the spa, frozen grapes and two liters of water (sparkling or still), for the full-day rate of $150. Valet will be offered at a discounted price of $5; for more information visit www.mayfairhotelandspa.com or call 305.441.0000. 

 

Chefs to Face $20/20 Minute Fill the Grill Challenge at Whole Foods Coral Gables

Foodies, grilling aficionados and food truck lovers are invited to Whole Foods Market – Coral Gables this summer to feel the heat during the food truck chef Fill the Grill cook-off. Renowned food truck chefs Jim Heinz (Latin Burger & Taco), Troy Thomas (The Rolling Stove), Alfredo Montero (Mr. Good Stuff) and Eileen Andrade (CUBANCUBE) will be given $20 and 20 minutes to speed shop for ingredients; then, the chefs will have an additional 20 minutes to prepare a delicious, affordable and creative summer meal using only a grill. Round one takes place on Thursday, August 2 followed by round two on Thursday, August 9; the finals are set to take place on Thursday, August 16. All challenges will begin at 6:00 p.m., are free and open to the public. A panel of judges will determine which chef goes to the next round.

 

Great Eats in the Summer Heat- Part I

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 19 - 2012

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Edge, Steak and Bar

Edge, Steak and Bar, at the Four Seasons Miami, is Brickell’s hottest new steakhouse, featuring the freshest seafood, paired with delectable sauces and steaks cooked to perfection.  Chefs Aaron Brooks and James King’s dinner menu showcases expertly prepared Creekstone Farm meats charbroiled at 1800 degrees in an infrared grill after being rubbed down with Edge’s signature “Cutting Edge Rub”. Tantalizing seafood fresh from local waters and sides made with the best farm-fresh ingredients round out the dinner menu.  Don’t miss the basil crusted corvina, the lobster corn chowder or the bone-in Tomahawk steak- worthy of Fred Flintstone.

Diners can enjoy the expansive dining room, sit at the stylish bar or lounge in the gorgeous outdoor terrace, overlooking Miami. The terrace provides a convivial gathering place to enjoy Edge’s cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails, while overlooking the stunning views of glistening Biscayne Bay and the hotel’s two-acre pool deck. Just as it did with Edge’s chic, modern interiors, James Beard Award-winning design firm, AvroKo created an outdoor “living room” that provides guests with a casual, yet intimate, retreat and varied seating options. Read the rest of this entry »

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim returns for its eighth year to celebrate all-things steamy, sexy and swim with five days of runway shows. The annual fashion showcase, which takes over the Raleigh from July 19-23, is the world’s leading swimwear designer platform-and it happens here, in our own backyard. While the shows at the Raleigh are private, the Perry South Beach is taking part in the festivities to bring you top-tier designer fashions. Other accessible shows, brought to you by Funkshion, will take place at the Setai. Visit http://funkshion.com/ for more information. For a complete schedule visit: www.MBfashionweek.com.

 

 

FUNKSHION: Fashion Week Miami Beach

On Wednesday, July 18, join Creators Aleksandar Stojanovic, Matt Heien and Alain Perez as they present the 17th season of FUNKSHION: Fashion Week Miami Beach. Since 2003, FUNKSHION has brought Miami to the forefront of the Fashion World, working with designers showcasing in New York City, Milan and Paris. FUNKSHION offers a fun, young opportunity for designer collections to come to life, merging the worlds of fashion and music. Bringing in celebrity DJs and bands, FUNKSHION provides the perfect soundtrack for the catwalk. Every year Funkshion produces runway shows every October, March and July. These events are open to the public, for a complete schedule and to RSVP visit: www.fashionweekmiami.com.

 

 

 

 

Style Saves’ 1 Year Anniversary

On Thursday, July 19 from 9:00 p.m. to midnight, stay stylish by giving back! Celebrate Style Saves’ 1 Year Anniversary at Style Saves’ 2nd Annual Summer Fashion Show Fundraiser! To kick off 2012 Miami Swim Week, Style Saves will host an exclusive event at SOHO Beach House featuring four designer fashion shows, sponsored open bar and live DJ. The runway show will showcase looks from Trina Turk, Atrium, Papi swimwear for men & iShine365 swimwear for women. Following the fashion show, the party will continue. Guests will enjoy cocktails and treats from Stella’s Sweet Shoppe while viewing the online auction hosted by charitybuzz featured on iPads throughout the space and capturing memories in the CapturePod photo booth sponsored by Atrium. Tickets cost $100 in advance, $125 at the door. To purchase tickets visit http://stylesaves.charityhappenings.org.

 

 

Lila Nikole Collection at Bamboo

On Friday, July 20, Lila Nikole Collection by designer Lila Nikole Rivera will debut the Spring/Summer 2013 collection during Miami Fashion Week as an off-site runway experience at the newly opened Bamboo Miami in conjunction with Red Bull Sound Stage, which will be highlighting two of its star artists, Bonnie Beats and DJ Rob Dinero. The “Electrika” line incorporates prints with wild graphics and neon tones of pink, blue, yellow and green monokinis, bikinis and one pieces all inspired by Ultra Music Festival.Each look will be modeled by the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders on a hydraulic stage with digitally mapped graphics, simultaneously playing on the elevated, custom-built LED screens to give a 3-D illusion. Sponsors for the evening include Red Bull and Paul Mitchell High Tech studio, which will be providing hair and makeup ready looks for the runway.

 

 

 

 

Fashion’s Fight Against Parkinsons 2012
On Saturday, July 21, in conjunction with Miami Swim Week, national philanthropic organization Fashion’s Fight will host a glamorous evening of fashion and philanthropy to showcase the season’s hottest swimwear collections while raising money to benefit the Wilkins Parkinson’s Foundation (WPF). Hosted by Fashion’s Fight founder and top-model, Shannon Rusbuldt, and International musical sensation, Henry Santos, the inaugural Fashion’s Fight Against Parkinson’s will feature a series of runway shows by celebrity swimwear designer AmbiKa (bika swimwear), local cult favorite Luba and other designers. Rusbuldt and Santos, along with Miami Heat dancer Stephanie Hettchen and other celebrities, will walk in the runway shows. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.fashionsfight.com.

 

 

 

SPF (Sand ▪ Play ▪ Fashion) at Nikki Beach Miami

What Women Want, Nikki Beach Miami’s signature monthly fashion series will present a special Swim Edition this month in partnership with Equinox. SPF (Sand ▪ Play ▪ Fashion) will be a fashion filled weekend featuring swim shows, the summer’s hottest beauty treatments, and environmental education and awareness. Throughout the 2 days, well-known designers from across the world will be showing off their newest swimsuit lines on the runway and afterwards will set up pop-up boutiques allowing guests to shop the looks immediately following the show. During SPF, guests will be able to purchase raffle tickets in which the winner will receive a package consisting of $1,800 worth of private sessions from Equinox, brunch for 2 at Nikki Beach, Nikki Beach VIP Gold Card, and a swimsuit from each designer. 100% of the proceeds from the raffle will go to Ocean Charity Partners which raises funds for One World One Ocean, Surfrider Foundation Miami Chapter and Blue Marble Project. This event is open to the public, for more information visit www.nikkibeachmiami.com.

 

 

Salon Allure Benefits Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation

On July 21 and July 22, Salon Allure, a four-day boutique tradeshow featuring more than 70 of the world’s most exclusive brands in swim, resort, and now accessories, marks its third anniversary at Swim Week by inviting the public to its first-ever designer sample sale fundraiser, net proceeds for the event will benefit Salon Allure’s charity of choice: Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation (MCHF). Chaired by Norma Jean Abraham, celebrity co-chairs Tracy Wilson Mourning and Lisa Pliner, and style blogger Ginger Harris of Electric Blogarella at the Perry South Beach, attendees will have access to the same luxury swim and resort wear worn by Hollywood A-listers, from Fergie to Rihanna, all at discounts of up to 50 percent off. Guests will also enjoy complimentary cocktails, DJ performances, and the chance to support Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation with each purchase. To learn more and offer support, visit www.mchf.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation®

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® the nation’s premier culinary benefit dedicated to making sure no kid in America grows up hungry brings together pioneers of modern American cuisine, national celebrity chefs and mixologists including Stephan Pyles, mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, Bravo’s Top Chef Tom Collichio, Michael Voltaggio and Stephanie Izard with one goal in mind: to raise critical funds needed to help end childhood hunger. 100% of ticket sales support Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger.

This year’s Taste of the Nation event in Miami will be held on Thursday, July 19th from 6-10 p.m. (VIP admission, tickets cost $250); 7-10 p.m. (general admission, tickets cost $125) at Turnberry Isle Miami. In honor of this year’s 25 anniversary, Turnberry Isle Miami is encouraging travelers to attend this incredible event and enjoy the resort’s spacious accommodations and Mediterranean style, world-class surroundings with a special Taste of the Nation room rate of $124. http://strengthflorida.org/get-involved/taste-of-the-nation/miami/.

 

Celebrity Sightings

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 12 - 2012

On Saturday at STK in Miami, Louisville coach Rick Pitino was joined by a party of eight.  NFL player Von Miller also stopped by the steakhouse on Saturday night with his girlfriend.

On Sunday night, Scottie and Larsa Pippen celebrated their 15 year wedding anniversary as well as Larsa’s birthday with a dinner at Hyde Beach at SLS Hotel South Beach. VIPs in attendance included Tommy and Michelle Pooch, Domenico and Julie Vacca, and Cliff and Mary Floyd. Scottie surprised Larsa with a special toast, declaring that being married to her has been “the best 15 years of his life and he’s looking forward to their next 15.”They were both surprised with a five tiered anniversary cake, each tier representing one of their four children, with the top tier symbolic of their unity with “LPS” written on it.

 

Singer-songwriter Cee Lo Green dined at Gotham Steak at the Fontainebleau last week as did various high profile athletes such as Donte Whitner from the San Francisco 49ers, Maurkice Pouncey, from the Pittsburg Steelers and Mike Pouncey, Miami Dolphins Center.  Evan Rock from the Atlanta Hawks dined at Gotham on the 4th of July.

TV personality Aubrey O’Day was at the Perry South Beach Hotel rooftop pool celebrating the 4th of July with some friends. Aubrey was recently a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice where she came in third after Clay Aiken and Arsenio Hall.

Straight off of a multi-city press tour, Dwyane Wade recently spent an evening at Café Prima Pasta for “date night” with girlfriend, actress Gabrielle Union. The couple sat outside, held hands and laughed as fans clamored for their attention, autographs and photos during their three-hour meal.

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