Celebrity Sightings:

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On September - 7 - 2011ADD COMMENTS

michael-jordan-1Basketball super hero turned Hanes undies spokesman Michael Jordan dined with friends at Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar in West Palm Beach over the weekend. Jordan chatted with excited fans while enjoying Rocco’s authentic Mexican cuisine.

Transformers’ director Michael Bay and football star Reggie Bush were spotted at LIV over the weekend, enjoying DJ sets by internationally renowned DJ Avicii over the weekend. 

Mega TV’s Maria Elvira Salazar was spotted at Cleber Lopez Salon in Coral Gables.

Splashy Bashes Bid Adieu to Summer

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On September - 7 - 2011ADD COMMENTS

DSC_6562By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Pitbull’s Fontainebleau Takeover

International recording artist and performer, Pitbull hosted an over-the-top Labor Day Bash at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach for the official launch of Voli light vodka. “Mr. Worldwide” formerly “Mr. 305” (talk about a super-sized status upgrade) produced a weekend long extravaganza designed to put Voli, his new liquor brand billed as the world’s first line of low calorie vodkas on the radar of partygoers from near and far.  The vodka is produced in Cognac, France, so what better place to launch it than at the Fontainebleau, no?  Yes, it seems, as the enormous hotel sold out (!) for the weekend which offered guests access to Pitbull’s invitation only events, offered exclusively to hotel guests and select VIPs, which may or may not have included Lindsay LohanRead the rest here »

Eyes Wide Shut- Appetites Open

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On September - 7 - 2011ADD COMMENTS
Lights Out! City Hall  (7)

Miami Socialholics

Veteran restaurateur, Steve Haas along with acclaimed chef, Tom Azar invited guests to City Hall, Haas’ new bustling eatery on Biscayne Boulevard for Lights Out Miami– a night of dining in the dark last Wednesday, to benefit Ability Explosion, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and bettering the lives of individuals with disabilities. Risk-taking diners at City Hall got the chance for a sneak “peek” of the large scale benefit to take place on October 20 with over 100 participating venues. 

Dark dining guests had only the cocktail hour to take in the beauty of the 6, 000 square foot eatery, which reminds us so much of WPA, back in the halcyon days of South Beach and “Glory Days” of our youth.  Perhaps it’s the 80 foot-long art deco mural, created by artist Andrew Reid– who also created the floor-to-ceiling mural depicting FDR’s Works Progress Administration for WPA, (the restaurant), which we spent many a night admiring; or the dark walnut and black varnished wood tables and chairs, comfortable leather banquets, original art and Art Deco accents that create the chic ambience at City Hall and make us feel right at home.  Read the rest here »

Fendi_FNO_Page_1FENDI, The Wolfsonian, and Fashion’s Night Out 

FENDI in partnership with The Wolfsonian–Florida International University invite you to celebrate Vogue Fashion’s Night Out, Atelier Fendi, and an exhibition of photographs by Karl Lagerfeld. Hosted by Susanne Birbragher and Lila Segal Battista, The Fashion Week 2011 ad campaign, recreates the studio of the Dutch painter, Cornelis Theodorus Maria van Dongen. He developed the lush colors of his Fauvist style gaining a reputation for his sensuous, at times garish, portraits. He was a fashionable portraitist with a touch of playful cynicism. He has been noted as stating that, “Painting is the most beautiful of lies”. Karl Lagerfeld is a German artist, fashion designer, and photographer based in Paris, France. He has collaborated on a variety of art and fashion related projects, most notably as head designer and creative director for the fashion house Chanel. Lagerfeld helms his own label fashion house, as well as the Italian house Fendi. The event will takes place Thursday, September 8, on Fashion’s Night Out from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at FENDI, Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Avenue. Twenty percent of the proceeds that evening will benefit The Wolfsonian–FIU. Confirm your attendance by calling 305.861.7114. Become a member, or change your membership level by contacting Ian Rand at 305.535.2631or ian@thewolf.fiu.edu.

 

 

fno_saks_imageSaks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour Invites You to Fashion’s Night Out 

Styleist along with Newborn and Jack and Jill’s Children’s Center Presents Fashion’s Night Out at Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., with 10% of the proceeds going back to the charity. Fashion’s Night Out is a global initiative created to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, and boost the industry’s economy. Footwear designer Edmundo Castillo will be the guest of honor, and personally sign his latest collection. A hi-tech photo booth will let you capture and upload your latest look to Facebook. Shoot your own cover of Bal Harbour Magazine with a hair and makeup artists on hand. Check in with AOL’s Styleist, the source for the latest fashion news and trends, to test your Fall Fashion IQ and win prizes. Play Roulette and Blackjack in our Men’s department casino. Enjoy cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka, beverages by Coca Cola and Smartwater, bites by ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa and MISTER COLLINS, as DJ’s spin throughout the store. 

 

Vanishing_Points_Opening_Invitation_1Vanishing Points at the Bass Museum of Art 

On Friday, September 9, the Bass Museum of Art will host an Opening Reception for its newest exhibition Vanishing Points: Paint and Paintings from the Debra and Dennis Scholl Collection. A members-only private viewing is scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m. A cocktail reception open to the public will take place from 8 to 10 p.m. While enjoying hors d’oeuvres courtesy of EDEN South Beach, Boru Vodka and Tierras Tequila cocktails, wine by Betts & Scholl and beats by DJ Le Commandant, attendees will explore the institution’s new exhibit. Organized by Miami-based artist and writer Gean Moreno, Vanishing Points presents 43 works by 27 contemporary international artists and explores how they interpret and how we perceive painting today. The exhibition highlights three viewpoints: Sweeping Horizontality and Aerial Views, The Painterly without Paintings and Impossible Task. Admission to the Opening Reception is complimentary for members and Bass Pass holders; $10 for non-members. For more information, visit www.bassmuseum.org, call 786.800.6302. 

 

 

hidalgoLeonardo Hidalgo Honors 9/11 at Cafeina  

Leonardo Hidalgo, internationally known pop artist based in Miami, will be telling the story of 9/11 from a unique and artistic uplifting perspective through his eye popping vibrant color large scale paintings.  The private opening reception will take place this Friday, September 9, in honor of The City Of Miami Firefighters who will be in attendance at CAFEINA | Wynwood Exhibition Center  from 7:00 to 11:00p.m.          

Hidalgo has created a visual feast of 12 large-scale paintings exploring the meaning of good and evil, freedom, liberty, the force of divine justice and superheroes.  In these painting he wants to honor the memory of the lives lost in the attacks of 9/11, the firefighters, police rescue units and the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives to defend our liberty.  Hidalgo says, “I think it will be a very special moment to be together that night with the firefighters, our true heroes, and honor them while REMEMBERING a moment in history that changed the world forever. I hope that with my art I can make people feel and believe in liberty, justice, and spread some heroic virtues in the consciousness of society.” Guests will enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails by Mandarine Napoleon until 8:00p.m. Email rsvpmiamiart@gmail.com to attend the private reception; the exhibition will be on view from August 29 through September 15. Call 786.217.0130 for a private tour.

 

Miami Children’s Hospital Fundraiser at the Well Miami Beach Attorney and Miami Children’s Young Ambassador (MCYA) Leadership Committee Member Michael Grieco and WSVN’s Louis Aguirre are hosting a fundraiser to support Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH) on Friday, September 9 at 7 p.m. at The Well on Miami Beach. MCYA is a membership organization for young professionals between the ages of 22 and 45 who have a strong commitment to improving the lives of children in our community and beyond. Members have the opportunity to network with prestigious business and community leaders, meet with key Miami Children’s personnel and determine how their donations can best be used to benefit the patients and families at MCH. With goal of helping children with medical needs and raising awareness for MCH, the fundraiser is open to the public and guests are encouraged to make a monetary donation at the door.  To attend, contact Stephanie Cofino at Scofino@mchf.org or call 786.268.1719.  

  

worstCasting Call for Worst Cooks in America with Bobby Flay 

Despite what Ari Gold thinks, Bobby Flay, (who has a recurring role on this season of Entourage) is one of our most celebrated chef’s and now he’s joined the Food Network in search of the “Worst Cooks in America”. This Miami Casting at Epic on September 16 and will be televised on the network. If you’re interested sign up today as space is limited. Sixteen of the country’s most hopeless cooks attempt to transform from kitchen zeros into kitchen heroes as they compete in a grueling culinary boot camp and led by Food Network stars Bobby Flay and Anne Burrell.

Email us at worstcooks@theconlincompany.com, tell us why you are the most disastrous cook in the country. Include name, age, hometown, occupation, contact phone number and a recent photo.
Additional info & application available at www.theconlincompany.com

The 10th Annual Miami Spice Restaurant Program Spicier Than Ever

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On September - 5 - 2011ADD COMMENTS

spice_art_2011

 

 

  

 

 

Culinary Event Features 42 New Participating Restaurants & Enticing Upgrades

Miami Spice – organized by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) and presented by American Express, Stella Artois, Acqua Panna, S. Pellegrino and Moet Hennessy USA – is spicier than ever with a record-breaking number of participating restaurants, 142 including 42 new restaurants; all of which are offering specially priced three-course lunches at an affordable $22 and three course dinners for $35 (tax & gratuity not included). 

 To complement this amazing summer promotion and keep Spice consumers coming back for more, a slew of participating restaurants have recently introduced enticing upgrades to their Miami Spice menu offerings, ranging from allowing patrons to substitute menu items, discounted wine pairings, and complimentary valet parking, among other not-to-be-missed offers. 

 Below is a sample list of Miami Spice themed restaurant promotions, available now through September 30, 2011:

BLT Steak at The Betsy:  Miami Spice diner patrons are greeted at their table with the restaurant’s legendary BLT gruyere cheese popovers, complimentary pâté, and petit fours for dessert.

Blue Door Fish at Delano: Specially-priced red, white, and sparkling wine offerings.   City Hall – The Restaurant: Patrons have the option to substitute their appetizer or dessert for a specialty martini, house beer, or wine by the glass.

Essensia Restaurant & Lounge: Specially-priced red, white, and sparkling wine offerings.

Kane Steakhouse: Offers diners a complimentary side dish with each Miami Spice menu order.   Peacock Garden Café: Instead of the traditional three-course Miami Spice menu, the restaurant offers diners a four-course menu, including a complimentary cocktail.

Red, The Steakhouse:  The restaurant offers weekly Miami Spice themed menus and allows diners to upgrade their appetizer and/or entrée selection.

Scalina: Weekdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., the restaurant’s bar offers half-priced cocktails and 20% off wine lists on the days that the Miami Spice menus are offered.

STK: Offers specially priced bottles of wine and sparkling wine as well as the option to upgrade their meal with a 16 oz. sirloin and signature STK side.

Shula’s Steakhouse at The Alexander Hotel: Discounted sparkling, red or white wine by the glass.   Shula’s 347 Grill: Discounted specialty cocktail and select bottles of wine on offer.

Talavera Cocina Mexicana: Instead of the traditional three-course Miami Spice meal, the restaurant offers diners a four-course menu, including a complimentary cocktail.

Tantra Restaurant and Lounge: Discounted valet parking and wine bottles, nightly. On Saturday nights, Miami Spice dinner patrons can enjoy discounted bottle service.

The Restaurant at The National Hotel: Complimentary valet parking for Miami Spice patrons and discounted bottle selections.

Trio on the Bay:  The restaurant allows diners to choose one entrée, one entrée, and one dessert from the regular dinner menu for $35 per person.

Vita Restaurant & Lounge: Every Monday, wine and Champagne bottles are offered at a 50% discount.

For details and updates on participating Miami Spice restaurants, menus and events, check out the website www.iLoveMiamiSpice.com.  Follow Miami Spice on Twitter:  @MiamiandBeaches

Two Virgos Pretty in Pink Party

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On September - 1 - 2011ADD COMMENTS

Elaine Lancaster and Kitty Meow Birthday (8) Elaine Lancaster celebrated her birthday with fellow Drag Diva extraordinaire, Kitty Meow (a fellow Virgo) at Bongos Cuban Café at the Hard Rock Hotel.  And while it’s uncommon for any Diva to share the spotlight, these two decided to celebrate together, as they have been dear friends since way before La Lancaster swam ashore on our Golden Beaches. 

Lancaster was a frequent visitor to Miami Beach back in the day, when Kitty was one of the Queens of everything nightlife. The two were destined to become friends says Elaine. “We were both so full of life and light that it would either be ‘best of friends’ or worst of foes.’” Fortunately, they hit it off instantly and have remained very close to this day. Read the rest here »

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