Le Club Lacoste at UNKNWN

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On March - 23 - 2023ADD COMMENTS

On Tuesday, March 21st, Lacoste and UNKNWN celebrated the debut of Le Club Lacoste, Lacoste’s annual takeover of the Miami-based streetwear retailer – together transforming UNKNWN’s Wynwood boutique into an immersive tennis hub in honor of the 2023 Miami Open.

Attendees, who included global tastemakers and tennis players, Camila Coelho, Daniil Medvedev, Rachel Love,Vale Genta, Carla Nuñez, Stef Williams, and more enjoyed DJ sounds by DZA and custom cocktails while bouncing in and out of a court-side tennis ball pit. Guests battled in a ‘Fast Serve’ competition on a specially-designed tennis court, replacing UNKNWN’s iconic basketball court, for a chance to win VIP tickets to the women’s finals.

Wicked Brings the Magic of the Emerald City to the Arsht Center

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On February - 23 - 2023ADD COMMENTS

By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Whether you’ve been spellbound before or are defying gravity for the first time – you will be delighted by Wicked at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts (@arshtcenter), which runs through March 5th. The widely acclaimed, highly-entertaining show continues to captivate audiences- who laugh and sing out loud throughout the stellar performances.

It comes as no surprise that Wicked is as “popular” now as it was 20 years ago, when it debuted on Broadway (IYKYK). The fantastical tale about love and friendship that turns everything you thought you knew about the Wizard of Oz upside down, mesmerized the audience in Miami on opening night, as it has on Broadway, where we first saw it almost two decades ago. Once again, the show left us wanting more and singing the brilliant songs days after we were enthralled by its magic.

Elphaba, played by Lissa deGuzman and Glinda (Ga-linda) played by Jennafer Newberry, commanded the stage, delivering impeccable performances. Their talent, passion and voices capable of melting the heart of a Tin Man with the poignant and, at times, heartbreaking lyrics of some of the most beautiful music ever written.

Wicked welcomed new cast member Christian Thompson in the role of “Fiyero.” Thompson, a Fort Lauderdale native, masterfully portrayed the dashing love interest of both sisters in the show. If you have yet to experience Wicked- now is the time to discover which lucky sister ends up with the fabulous Fiyero.

We couldn’t agree more with the Arsht Center’s Senior Director of Communications, Gino Campodonico, who shared,

“Wicked is a beloved classic for good reason. 20 years after its premiere, this Broadway blockbuster still continues to amaze new audiences and loyal fans with an inspiring story about the Witches of Oz and soaring score including “Popular,” “For Good” and “Defying Gravity” of course. It’s a show full of heart, bravery, friendship and love… a story to which all of us can relate.”

Currently the fifth longest-running show in Broadway history, Wicked has won over 100 international awards including a Grammy Award, three Tony Awards and six Drama Desk Awards. Since its inception in 2003, Wicked has been performed throughout 16 counties and in over 100 cities around the world.

Buy your tickets for an enchanting night of “Dancing Through Life” in the Emerald City- no doubt you will be “Changed for Good.”

For Wicked tickets visit: https://www.arshtcenter.org/

Foodies Rejoice! SOBEWFF Returns this Week

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On February - 23 - 2023ADD COMMENTS

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for those who love wine, food, fun, music, spirits, Chef-lebrities and all the joy that the annual 22nd annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) is sure to deliver! The beachside bacchanal will take place from February 23-26, 2023. Widely recognized as America’s favorite gourmet gathering on the beach, the four-day Festival returns to the sand with more than 100 events spanning Miami-Dade and Broward counties. For the 22nd installment, Food Network personalities, Grammy-winning musicians, and more than 450+ chefs and wine and spirit producers will come together for a celebration comprised of walk-around tastings, intimate dinners, late-night parties, brunches, lunches, master classes, wine seminars and more.

The Festival kicks off on Thursday, February 23 with iconic chef, restaurateur, television personality and cookbook author, Emeril Lagasse, as he hosts the 16th annual Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons® with a special performance by Grammy-nominated country music group, Midland. Sprawling several blocks on the sands of South Beach, the Festival’s two iconic open-air tasting tents – North Venue and Grand Tasting Village – return to showcase the nation’s most talented chefs and lifestyle personalities who are supported by more than 1,200 student volunteers from Florida International University.

Our favorite local DJ, Danny Stern, will once again keep us dancing and burning off some of the 100,000 calories in which we will indulge. Look for Danny at most of the signature parties.

Also keeping us jumping, dancing and carrying on, will be Party Master, Dave Grutman. On Sunday afternoon, grab a front row spot on the sand for the David Grutman Experience with live performances by DJ Khaled and Cedric Gervais. Enjoy Belvedere Vodka, Moët & Chandon Champagne, and bites by Komodo, Swan, Papi Steak, Strawberry Moon, The Key Club & Gekko. Think LIV at 4 am except during daylight hours. Vampires be sure to pack your sunglasses.

From Overtown to Wynwood to Hallandale Beach and the Miami Design District in between, the Festival has curated a series of events to showcase the vibrant local cuisine and culture of these neighborhoods and the profoundly important role they have had in shaping the South Florida we have come to know and love.

The complete line-up of events for the 22nd annual Festival is now available online at sobewff.org. Stay up to date all weekend long by following along with the #SOBEWFF hashtag on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Head to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On February - 17 - 2023ADD COMMENTS

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival, one of the most fun and artistic social events of the year, takes place this weekend, from Saturday February  18- Monday, February 20. Over 80,000 attendees from across the region will pass through the festival gates to experience one of the nation’s top outdoor, fine arts festivals, which dates to 1963. This iconic South Florida event will showcase 285 internationally recognized artists who were selected during a blind-jury process based solely on artistic merit. Fun for the whole family- this year’s festival promises to be the best one yet.

Dates:

Saturday, February 18: 10 AM 6 PM

Sunday, February 19: 10 AM 6 PM

Monday, February 20: 10 AM 5 PM

Location;

2700 S. Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL 33133

Tickets:

Tickets online from $20 per person per day; www.cgaf.com.

 

The Miami Design District welcomes back The Miami Symphony Orchestra, proclaimed the Official Symphony Orchestra of the City of Miami, for a community open-air concert outside the neighborhood’s 100-yearold Moore Building.
Taking place on Monday, February 20th and supported by Mayor Francis Suarez, the concert is produced by famed musician and producer Emilio Estefan and hosted by Dacra CEO & President, Craig Robins.
Kicking off at 6:30PM with opening performances by Jon Secada and The Tenors, the Miami Design District will be closing off NE 40th Street, paved by a signature red carpet, to make way for the celebration, which is free and open to the public.
Followed by the opening performances, Maestro Eduardo Marturet will recreate the original 1922 official concert repertoire in collaboration with Emilio Estefan. Built in 1921, The Moore Building is the neighborhood’s most historic venue and also home to renowned architect Zaha Hadid’s iconic site-specific installation, “Elastika.”
One hundred years into its remarkable history and now under the stewardship of hospitality company WoodHouse, The Moore Building is being reimagined as a restaurant, executive workspace, boutique hotel and private members club, known as The Moore.
Breathing new life into the Miami landmark, WoodHouse will transform The Moore Building into the new social home of the Miami Design District.

For more information, visit http://www.miamidesigndistrict.net

Self-parking is available at Palm Court, Paradise and City View Garages. Valet parking is available on NE 39th Street.

WHEN: Monday, February 20th at 6:30 PM

WHERE: Miami Design District 160 NE 40th St. Miami, FL 33137

Platea: Miami’s First Prime Peruvian Steakhouse

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On February - 17 - 2023ADD COMMENTS

By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Wunderkind chef/owner Fernando Salazar and lifelong friend-turned-business-partner, Andres Marmolejos recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of wildly successful Prime Peruvian Steakhouse, Platea Miami, the first of its kind in Miami. The talented pair parlayed a background in butchery into a unique take on the traditional steakhouse by sourcing only the highest quality USDA Prime beef, and incorporating distinctive Peruvian flavors, ingredients, and techniques into every dish on the menu.

The restaurant is sleek and welcoming, elegant yet family-friendly. The interior is dimly lit and features jewel tones, velvet and leather seating, and a living wall inspired by Chef Salazar’s home, alongside an open kitchen.

The menu boasts classic offerings with a Peruvian spin such as Fried Ceviche with hake, jalea crust, aji amarillo, creamy leche de tigre; Seared Scallops, aji amarillo, chalaquita; and fried choclo. Starters on the menu feature flavor-packed openers like Aji De Gallina Bites with dehydrated botija olives – a delicious take on classic croquetas; Tostones with Wagyu picanha saltado, aji amarillo topped with salsa criolla.

But the beef steals the show! Meat lovers can relish in the exceptional Prime graded selections including USDA Prime Filet Mignon, USDA Prime Porterhouse, and USDA Prime Dino-Rib (which would give Fred Flintstone pause). Each is prepared with an intricate technique incorporating Peruvian Ají Panca, the foundation for the marinade which in turn seasons the salt that becomes the rub for the meat.

Seafood offerings such as Stuffed Galapagos Lobster, King Crab, and Sea Bass are flown in daily. Vegetarians have a full selection of menu items from which to choose, as well.

We had the opportunity to chat with Chef Salazar who shared that after attending MIT, he worked as a profiler for Homeland Security, then went on to study at Le Cordon Bleu. Salazar lead and managed various restaurants at the corporate level including Darwin’s on 4th, Pisco Y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar, Dr. Limon, Bulla Gastrobar, and Ceviche 105, before opening Platea (all by the age of 29). We were so impressed with Platea and with Salazar’s talent and dynamic personality that we were urged to find out more about his upbringing, techniques, vision, and future plans.
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