Christy Martin, Lili Sagebien, Lauren Harrington, Ani Buraglia, Daniela Swaebe, Eilah Beavers, & Sylvia Steyer

More than 600 women slipped into their stilettos to be a part of the 6th Annual Wine, Women & Shoes (WW&S) benefiting the children and families at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. The sold-out event took place at the SOHO Studios in Wynwood and generated nearly $700,000. This sophisticated gathering was emceed by Emmy award-winning journalist Belkys Nerey and included a fashion show by Neiman Marcus of Coral Gables who presented their 2017 collections and latest avant-garde designs. 

“We are so grateful for the tremendous generosity of the women in South Florida, and we are thrilled to have brought back this exclusive event to Miami,” said Tim Birkenstock, Interim President & CEO, Miami Children’s Health Foundation. “The support of this amazing group of ladies, as well as our committee members and our Event Co-Chairs, Criselda Breene, Susanne Birbragher and Yona Puri, allows us to come together to support the children and families we serve at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.” 

One of the event’s special moments included an emotional and touching speech by Milagros, a Nicklaus Children’s patient and the guest of honor. Milagros shared the story about her Lupus diagnosis and the health and emotional challenges that followed including kidney failure, dialysis and the death of her father in 2016. She closed her speech with a reminder that events like Wine, Women & Shoes give patients like her a chance for a healthier life. Click here to view her MCH Foundation Patient of the Month video.

Included among the sponsors that helped to make a difference were: High Heel Presenting Sponsor, Faena Rose; Style Sponsor Christina Getty; Platform Shoe Sponsor, Klaudia & Lewis Brown, Neiman Marcus of Coral Gables; Stiletto Sponsor, Zuma, Coya, DÔA, and La Petite Maison curated by Yona Puri; Ruby Slipper Sponsor, Karla Conceptual Event Experiences, Danielle Kronfle, Hundred Acre Wine, Duke Spirits; Glass Slipper Sponsor, Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables; Merlot Sponsor, Del Monte Fresh Produce, Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, Bertaud Belieu, Faith Family; Rosé Sponsor, Moncler, Moscato Sponsor, Avior Airlines, Shear Construction Co., Eighty Seven Park; Cabernet Sauvignon Sponsor, Casa Smiles; Ice Wine Sponsor, Brightline; Media Sponsor, MY93.9, Y100 (iHeart Media), Ocean Drive Magazine.

Just Spices

With a deep passion for food and cooking as well good taste, Just Spices brings their new concoctions to the U.S.  All natural ingredients will boost your food experiences with explosive flavors that will spice up your life. Just Spices offers gift sets that would make the perfect addition to any kitchen. For a complete listing of different varieties visit: www.justspices.com

Arcopédico Shoes

Arcopédico USA, the only U.S. distributor of high-quality, Portuguese-made women’s comfort and travel footwear, keeps the wanderer’s weary feet in mind with its spring/summer 2017 line of travel-ready shoes. Piloting feet safely from the airport security line to mile-high foot comfort, Arcopédico lightens the load with packable, lightweight, breathable, circulation supporting shoes for all day comfort. The new Easy Walk Experience® line featuring the Lolita ballerina flats crafted for the active lifestyle. Designed with Elstech® technology, this fabric flexes and forms to the foots natural shape. A blend of Lycra® materials offers a lightweight design; making them packable for weekend adventures. Lolita’s twin arch support sole provides all daysupport and comfort to keep up with the most demanding travel itinerary. (Shown left, MSRP: $69, available in Violet, Red, Yellow, Green, Black, Orange, and Blue-shown)

The Essential Summer Bag- Carmen Sol

The perfect bag is here!  Indulge yourself, your friends and that special grad with the bag that does it all. Whether they have a trip planned for this summer or just need a bag to bring home all their laundry in on the weekends, this water resistant jelly bag is durable enough to handle it all! Carmen Sol’s Italian made totes can make it from the beach to the office, the Charms Tote is an amazing multitasker. Sturdy, waterproof, and gorgeous to boot, it can be personalized with inspirational charms and is available in two sizes and multiple colors. Give your friends the perfect beach bag for the summer! For more information visit: 

http://www.carmensol.com.

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

When an Iron Chef invites you to dinner, you cancel all plans. When said chef happens to be Geoffrey Zakarian, you know you are in for the experience of a lifetime.  Needless to say that dinner at Point Royal at the newly renovated Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood Beach was nothing short of extraordinary.  While it goes without saying that the food is exceptional, the

coastal American restaurant, is as welcoming, elegant and larger-than-life as chef/partner  Zakarian himself. Picture an expansive, perfectly-lit space with a soothing color palate of earth tones, gold and gradient hues of blue, illuminated by enormous lanterns and filled with comfortable, cozy booths so well-positioned that there isn’t a bad seat in the place.

But the real star at Point Royal is the food. The menu features snacks, starters, items to share and a variety of meat, seafood and poultry dishes, including a daily catch and raw bar selections. For starters, the seafood is caught and served fresh daily, and only of the utmost quality. Start with one of the seafood towers and a few snacks. The 12 oz Alaskan king crab leg  crab croquettes with the “comeback sauce” will make you want to do just that.  The GZ butter poached lobster roll is the best we’ve tasted this side of Maine, complete with the specially-baked and buttered grilled bun and chunks and chunks of lobster dressed minimally with Coleman’s mustard- as it should be. The roasted Maine diver scallops were another favorite and beef lovers will enjoy the dry aged New York strip or the pomegranate glazed short rib. But the great news is that no matter what you order, you are sure to have an extraordinary experience. Save room for dessert. Standouts include chocolate budino and the key lime pavlova.

Don’t forget to sample some of the craft cocktails, as GZ is well-known for his expertise when it comes to creating creative concoctions, to which any fan of The Kitchen will attest.

Point Royal serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.  For information and reservations visit: 

http://www.pointroyal-fl.com.

Resorts World Bimini (RW Bimini)

By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Picture every shade of blue you’ve ever seen and a hundred more you can only imagine- to only begin to understand the beauty that is Bimini. The hashtag: #BiminiBliss is most fitting for this stunning island, located just 50 miles from Miami, where bliss is a lifestyle. Ask anyone about this magical place and you will be answered with a smile and a headshake which says, “You just have to go.” It’s hard to pinpoint just what makes Bimini so special. Is it the year-round sunshine, powder-white sand and turquoise sea? Or that this resort island still maintains a friendly, laid-back, rustic vibe despite its luxurious accommodations? Whether you seek a relaxing respite or a more adventurous experience, Bimini is the ideal vacation destination. Well-known for world-class diving and fishing, this seven-mile paradise is perfect for those who love to be on, in or near the ocean.

Stay: Resorts World Bimini
Resorts World Bimini (RW Bimini) is the ultimate Caribbean retreat encompassing a sprawling luxury beachfront complex, comprised of colorful private condos and villas and the new Hilton at Resorts World Bimini. The Hilton Hotel is a tropical haven featuring spacious, elegant, luxurious modern guest rooms and suites with three pools, six restaurants, a live-action casino, serenity spa, fitness center, and two beaches offering countless water sports and activities to thrill travelers of all ages. The staff throughout the entire resort is friendly and welcoming. VIP manager, Valnardo Dean goes above and beyond to make sure that every guest feels like a VIP.

Snorkeling 

Swim and Play
Because the resort has three expansive pools, guests have ample opportunities to swim and relax. Enjoy sweeping, panoramic views of the entire island from the Hilton’s rooftop Infinity Pool. Splash around with the kids at the wrap-around Lazy River Pool which includes a swim-up bar or lounge at the peaceful Sabor Pool.
Clock in some beach time at the gorgeous Paradise Beach, with crystal clear water and powder-white sand. Enjoy the multitude of exciting water activities offered by Under the Sun Watersports. Whether your fancy is glass-bottom kayaking, paddle-boarding, thrilling jet-ski rides, laying on a water hammock or pedaling a water bike- the experienced and friendly staff at Under the Sun will keep you safe while you create a lifetime of memories. Edward Reckley, who owns Under the Sun can arrange a variety of excursion packages and even assist with private island tours and souvenir shopping. Contact Edward at ereckley@hotmail.com.

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Sleek, Modern and Earthy Design Demonstrates the Mature Version of the Local Sushi Empire 

The newest location of Miami’s own hip and happening sushi empire, Sushi Sake—Biscayne, opened April 2017, across from the American Airlines Arena at 900 Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami is already packing the house and wowing guests. The 390-seat, 3,500 square foot indoor/outdoor locale unveils a sleek, new design for the concept within its impressive dining room with a large, seated sushi bar, wine cellar, communal table and wrap-around Oasis Terrace boasting incredible views of Biscayne Bay and the vibrant Miami skyline. The downtown location is also the first in the company to have a fully appointed bar with plans to institute a craft cocktail program in the works.

The original location of the late-night neighborhood sushi den revered for its tasty Japanese and pan-Asian cuisine, extensive sake list, excellent service and upbeat ambiance, opened eight years ago, to immediate success in a strip mall in Kendall. Since then, the family-owned operation has opened a total of 14 successful locations. “We are so thrilled to have opened our 14^th location in the heart of downtown Miami, right across from the home of our favorite team, The Miami Heat,” exclaims Owner Angel Aguayo.  “The downtown location is our largest and nicest yet, and we are psyched to show off our updated concept and sleek design. Sushi Sake fans will love our refreshed earthy, and modern decor, and new friends will embrace what so many have come to love over the last eight years.”

Revered for consistency of quality, the menu showcases hot and cold Meat and Vegetarian Appetizers ($5-$15) including Pork Gyoza, deep fried or steamed; Beef Tataki – lightly seared meat in ponzu sauce and scallions; Yukke – thin slices of raw beef in kimchee sauce; Ebi Ten – a combination of shrimp and vegetable tempura; Ika – deep-fried squid; and vegetarian options such as Cheese Maki – deep fried cheddar pastry; Sweet potato tempura; and Aged tofu – deep- fried soybean curd with a special sauce; as well as cold Appetizers from the Sushi Bar ($10-$16), such as Wahoo Tataki – lightly spiced seared wahoo served with ponzu sauce, scallions and sesame seeds; Spicy Conch – thinly sliced conch served with sweet vinegar kimchee sauce and sesame seeds; and Hamachi Jalapeno. Sushi, Sashimi ($4-$6/piece) include Unagi (EEL), Ebi (shrimp), Wahoo, Tuna, Salmon, Tamago (Sweet egg); and Hamachi (Yellow Tail). They also offer a 20-piece Chef’s Choice of sashimi for $36.00. Temaki and Hand Rolls ($5-$7) include California Eel, Salmon Skin, Spicy Tuna and JB, among others.

Signature and traditional Sushi Rolls ($5-$17, $25) are fun and frivolous showcasing nearly 40 choices including, the Black Jack roll – half tuna, half eel, with avocado, asparagus and masago; and the Spicy Conch – conch, asparagus, cucumber, masago, sesame seeds and spicy sauce; with odes to our neighborhoods such as the Calle Ocho – ham croquettes, avocado, asparagus, topped with sweet plantains and potato sticks served with eel sauce; and Kendall Roll – tuna, hamachi, salmon, white fish, krabstick, masago and avocado; as well as our sports teams, including Marlins – seared scallops, asparagus, and krab salad, topped with thinly sliced scallops, avocado and tempura crunch; Dolphins – fried white fish fillet, cream cheese, avocado and krab salad, topped with baked hamachi and served with eel sauce and tempura crunch; and Miami Heat – shrimp tempura, cream cheese, krab salad, topped with baked salmon, spicy mayo and crunch. A Chef’s specialty Lobster Roll – ($25) has lobster temp, asparagus, cucumber and avocado, topped with special crunch, tobiko, a touch of spicy mayo and eel sauce; and the Lobster Blast ($35) is a lobster three ways dish with lobster roll, fried lobster and lobster sautéed with mushrooms, served with eel sauce, spicy mayo, tobiko and tempura crunch.

Hibachi Specials such as scallop, seafood, teppanyaki (mushroom) and Deluxe Treat with filet mignon and cold water lobster tail; Katsu Dinners ($6-$19) featuring chicken, shrimp and fish; Teriyaki ($19-$26) with choices of salmon, steak, scallop, lobster, fish and more, along with Fried Rice and Noodle Specialties, as well as Salads, Soups and Desserts, round out the extensive menu.

A massive change from the dark, red and black interiors of the Sushi Sakes that have come before, Sushi Sake – Biscayne dons a more modern and comfortable décor. Clean, simplistic and light, the large dining room is awash in neutral colors with hints of slate and charcoal. Round Edison bulbs are draped over the hostess stand below the black, exposed ceiling. A sit-at sushi station allows diners to watch the sushi chefs at work, while a 20×20-foot wine cellar displays 600 bottles of red and white and bubbles. Buddha statues bless the room filled with light wooden tables and charcoal leather chairs. A walkup bar showcases the fully-appointed liquor selection, while vats of infused sakes decorate the black granite bar top. A communal, or VIP table, seating 10, is located along the small rear wall that is dressed in gold wall paper with blooming cherry blossom trees. Walls have been left mostly empty to make way for projector screens to show games, videos, etc. Floor-to-ceiling doors line most the corner restaurant, providing views to the lush wrap-around Oasis Terrace and twinkling lights of downtown Miami. Outside, eclectic tables and chairs sit among lavish foliage, providing privacy from the street without blocking the scenery of sparkling Biscayne Bay. Two large koi ponds flank the street entrance to the terrace and main restaurant doors, creating a truly tropical feel.

A Monday- Friday, 4-7 p.m. Happy Hour, offers select cocktails, beers, wine and sake at half price, as well as half off all hot appetizers and Thai donuts, and specials on select rolls. Plans to incorporate a Japanese-inspired craft cocktail program are in the works.

Sushi Sake – Biscayne, located at 900 Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami, serves lunch and dinner, Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m.- midnight and Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m.-5 a.m. Affordable valet parking is available with validation from the restaurant. Telephone: 305.285.3232, Website: www.sushisakemiami.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/sushisakemiami, Instagram and Twitter: @sushisakemiami.

Media Contact:

Ali Jeffries

Ali.jeffries@gmail.com

Palm Court Performance Series

Tomorrow evening at 5:00 p.m. the Miami Design District presents another successful installation of the Palm Court Performance Series. The event will feature a live performance from Emily Estefan. Fresh off tour in New York, Los Angeles, and Austin, the music soul child will be performing music from her critically acclaimed album Take Whatever You Want, that recently debuted on four Billboard charts (including R&B, Heatseekers and Indie).

FREE RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/palm-court-performance-series-produced-by-emilio-estefan-tickets-33533942926?aff=erelexpmlt

Via Emilia 9…Authentic Italian on South Beach

For one the most authentic Italian meals in town, head to Via Emilia 9, a family owned, charming restaurant near Lincoln Road, where all of the pastas are made by hand and you can watch the Sfoglina’s detailed process while you dine. She will even customize the filling of your stuffed pastas-assuming you stick to the regional ingredients.

The menu is authentic- only dishes  from  the Emilia Romagna region are served and all ingredients except for the  fruits, vegetables, flour and eggs are imported from Italy.  The dishes are hearty and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients.

Start with a plate of cured meats and cheeses and tortellini in broth, then delight in one of the tasty pasta dishes. Our favorites included: the Cappellacci do Zucca (pumpkin stuffed pasta) and the Tagliatelle al Prosciutto di Parma (Tagliatelle with Parma Ham). An assortment of Italian wines is available and offered at discounted prices during happy hour.

In the  tradition of true Italian cooking, Via Emilia’s open kitchen allows guests to view the pasta making and cooking process, which results in a delightful experience. The restaurant is chic and cozy and has a little market where you can buy authentic Italian products.

For more information visit:  http://www.viaemilia9.com.