By: Maryanne Salvat

Larios on the Beach Unveiling 

Larios on the Beach has been known as Miami Beach’s go-to destination for authentic, award-winning Cuban cuisine, world famous mojitos and a stunning view of South Beach’s Ocean Drive. Having undergone a complete renovation to its interiors, Larios on the Beach will to re-open to the public this Friday, May 16. In collaboration with the restaurant’s Executive Chef, Odell Torres, the Estefans have created a tempting new menu featuring traditional favorites as well as Cuban-inspired specialties including a “Calorie Conscious Cuban” – a selection of delicious, guilt-free Cuban staples created by Gloria herself; Valet parking available. For reservations or more information call 305.532.9577 or go to www.lariosonthebeach.com.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 12th Annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala  

On May 17, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® will celebrate its 12^th annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars gala, co-founded by Daisy Fuentes at the JW Marriott Marquis in downtown Miami. The Angels & Stars Gala sheds light on how the hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other deadly diseases; creating a positive environment for families to care for their children without financial burden. The dinner program will include a cocktail hour, fine dining, a silent auction and live performances by recording artists Willy Chirino and Jencarlos Canela. Also attending the star-studded event, which celebrates diversity, will be well-known presenters for their broadcast work in television and radio, including: Ana Maria Canseco, Raul Gonzalez, Alberto Sardiñas, Pamela Silva Conde, Jon Secada, Charytin Goyco, among others; For more information about tickets, sponsorships and auction items, visit stjude.org/miamigala or contact Carolina Masri at (800) 278-3383 or carolina.masri@stjude.org.  

Booze, Brunch & Boobs

Giorgio Rapicavoli of Eating House/Taperia Raca, Alberto Cabrera of Bread + Butter |pan con mantequilla and Jose Mendin of The Pubbelly Group – are joining forces with FMCancer, a public charity organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to young adults fighting cancer, to host a special charitable brunch on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at PB Steak in Sunset Harbour on South Beach. Dubbed Booze, Brunch & Boobs, Saturday’s event will directly benefit local Hilarey Reader Duarte, this quarter’s FMCancer beneficiary, who was diagnosed with Stage 3C breast cancer last October, just five weeks before her wedding. Reservations are required, as there are only two seatings – noon and 2:30 p.m. With spirits high, Reader Duarte and fellow brunchers lucky enough to snag a seat will feast on a six-course family-style tasting menu, created by all three cutting-edge chefs. The boozy brunch is priced at $50 per person, with the option of $20 Bottomless Zonin Prosecco Mimosas or $28 Bottomless Bloody Mary’s, Zonin Prosecco Mimosas, Sangria, & Micheladas.
PB Steak, located at 1787 Purdy Avenue in the Sunset Harbour area of Miami Beach, serves dinner seven days a week from 6 p.m. – midnight; lunch, via the Taco Belly pop-up Monday – Friday, from noon to 3 p.m., and Brunch Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., Reservations are accepted and can be made through www.pbsteak.com or The Food Network’s cityeats.com; Valet and plenty of municipal parking available. Telephone: 305 695 9550. www.pbsteak.com. 

Miami PULSE

On Saturday, May 17 at 10:30 p.m. at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami’s newest group of elite, young professionals are celebrating the culmination of their annual campaign with the Miami PULSE Party – a benefit of the American Heart Association.  Miami PULSE is chaired for the second consecutive year by Danny Mendoza and Evelyn Torres. Guests will enjoy unlimited drinks and cocktails provided by the official Liquor Sponsor, Southern Wine and Spirits, and indulge in catered bites and live entertainment for only 65.00, brought to you by Anthony Dardano (aka DJ ShobuPrime).  To purchase tickets, please visit:www.miamiheartball.ahaevents.org and click on the PULSE tab.   For more information, please call: 954.364.5015.

Jazz Brunch Gala Benefitting the Footprints Foundation

Celebrated mystery novelist and longtime Miami Judge Barbara Levenson has been named among the featured authors for this year’s literary gala benefiting the Footprints Foundation. Levenson, along with New York Times best-selling author Patricia Schultz (1000 Places to See Before Your Die), Betsy Chasse (Tipping Sacred Cows), Victoria Moran (Main Street Vegan), and Elsie Augustave (The Roving Tree) will appear at the Footprints Foundation Jazz Brunch on Saturday, May 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove. The Jazz Brunch Gala, which will feature an elegant brunch and music by the Les Haber Quintet, benefits the Footprints Foundation, an organization founded to reduce the mortality rates of mothers and infants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jamaica, and Somaliland. Founded by Lorna Owens, a renowned nurse, mid-wife, life coach and attorney, The Footprints Foundation works to train skilled midwives and traditional birth attendants in the essentials of maternal and newborn care. Tickets for the Jazz Brunch Literary Gala are $130 per person in advance of the event, or $190 per person at the door. For more information, visit www.footprints-foundation.org.

Chef’s Round Table  

In true royal form, Mango king and Taste of the Nation South Florida event chairman, Allen Susser, has selected some of South Florida’s most talented chefs and honored them with a metaphorical seat at this year’s Chef’s Roundtable. This elite group of culinarians is responsible for selecting over 50 of the city’s most prolific restaurants, chefs, sommeliers and mixologists to participate in this year’s Taste of the Nation South Florida and to celebrate this year’s amazing lineup and most anticipated gastronomic event, the Chef’s Roundtable will be hosting a pre-event party at Tongue & Cheek restaurant on Miami Beach on Monday, May 19 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The night will feature comfort dishes reminiscent of each of the chefs’ childhood. Members of the Chef’s Roundtable include: Timon Balloo of Bocce Bar and SUGARCANE raw bar grill and Taste of the Nation’s restaurant chair; Todd Erickson of HaVen and Huahua’s Taqueria; Jamie DeRosa of Tongue & Cheek; Jessica Rothschild of Rock Star Pastries; Bret Pelaggi of Uvaggio; Paula DaSilva of 3030 Ocean and Frederick Delaire of Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Cocktails provided by Tito’s Vodka. Tickets for the pre-event are priced at $100 per person; $25 only when purchased with a Taste of the Nation VIP ticket ($250). One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength; Valet and street parking available. Seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance via http://bit.ly/1j8kSjq.

By: Maryanne Salvat 

One Split Second Benefitting the Christopher Reeve Foundation 

The second annual One Split Second fundraiser benefitting the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation will be held on Saturday, May 10 at the Gibson Guitar and Art Showroom.  Join Alan Roth and Alan Brown for an exclusive event including an acoustic set by Matisyahu, full bar, food, and art for sale from 7:00 to 11:00p.m. For more information, visit:  www.christopherreeve.org/onesecond; Event tickets are $100. 

Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce 92^nd Annual Dinner Gala

The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce will honor four pillars of the community while celebrating another year as an organization at its 92^nd Annual Dinner Gala and Silent Auction hosted by media personality Ana Quincoces and Chamber Chairman and SVP of Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust Michael S. Goldberg.  The honorees include: Dr. Mark Rosenberg, President of Florida International University, as the Lifetime Achievement honoree; David Wallack, Owner of Mango’s Tropical Café, as the Excellence in Tourism honoree; Jimmy Morales, City Manager of the City of Miami Beach, as the City National Bank Hi-Tides Outstanding Achievement Honoree; and Adolfo Henriques, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust, as the Distinguished Service honoree. For more information on the Gala contact Danny Diaz at 305.674.1300. To purchase tickets and/or inquire about sponsorship opportunities contact Valerie Roy at 786.683.6397.

13th Annual Lou Gehrig’s Disease 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk 

This year’s Lou Gehrig’s Disease 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk will take place Saturday, May 10, at 7:30 a.m. in Coconut Grove, at 3500 Pan American Drive. The cost to participate starts at $30 and varies depending on participants’ ages and desired activities.  Race proceeds go towards assisting patients living with ALS to obtain the proper care and equipment. For more information, visit:  http://www.alsrecovery.org. 

Flo Rida at the Fontainebleau  

Kick-off Mother’s Day weekend with hip hop artist Flo Rida on Friday, May 9, as part of the fontainebleau Hotel’s BleauLive entertainment series. Flo will perform his popular hits “Club Can’t Handle Me,” “Right Round,” and “Wild Ones,” as well as his latest single “How I Feel.” Following the artist’s performance in his namesake state, guests can enjoy the rest of their weekend throughout the hotel. “BleauLive moves beyond a traditional concert by crafting a immersive weekend where, in addition to watching Flo Rida perform, guests may enjoy a number of delightful moments, including two hour open bar and dinner at one of Fontainebleau’s signature restaurants.” Fontainebleau BleauLive Flo Rida packages may be purchased online at BleauLive.com or call 1 800.548.8886. 

Get your Coffee Fix at Dadeland  

From now through May 18, head to Dadeland mall to get a complimentary cup of Nespresso’s signature coffee while trying out the new state-of-the-art VertuoLine machine-which doles out the delicious creamy Nespresso coffee in a tall (8oz) cup serving. The pop-up coffee shop is part of a 108 day, multi- city tour.  For more information, visit: http://www.nespresso-us.com/events.

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and with so many choices we have narrowed the list down to some of our favorite options that will also give back to communities in need.

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By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Miami’s elite gathered at the gorgeous Juvia, in the critically acclaimed Herzog & De Meuron-designed 1111 Building on Lincoln Road on Saturday, April 26, for the Miami Symphony Orchestra’s (MISO) first annual Blues & Brunch. The beauty of the restaurant, with sweeping views of the city and ocean was rivaled only by the chic crowd, who dressed to the nines in hats, fascinators, bow ties, pin stripes and spring finery- as per the invitation.  Yet the most spectacular sensory inspiration came courtesy of MISO’s musicians, who performed throughout the beautiful afternoon, as Champagne and cocktails flowed freely. Guests feasted on a four-course brunch, served family-style. 

The dashing Rafael Diaz-Balart, who serves as MISO’s Chairman of the Board, lauded the efforts of MISO’s Conductor, Eduardo Marturet, praising his extraordinary charisma, vision and talent. “There is no one like him- what he has done for this orchestra and for this city is beyond words.”  Read the rest here »

The Billboard Latin Music Conference, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last week, returned to the JW Marriott Marquis Miami where an array of Latin mega stars were spotted during the three-day conference. Those in attendance included Spanish-American singer-songwriter Enrique Iglesias; rock artist Juanes; actor and top selling tropical salsa artist of all time Marc Anthony; Grammy Award winner Carlos Vives; Billboard Latin Music Award winner David Bisbal; Singer-songwriter Luis Fonsi; alternative-soul singer David Correy; Cuban American actor and award-winning singer-songwriting musician Jencarlos Canela; Italian pop singer-songwriter Laura Pausini; American-born Puerto Rican Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning Merengue singer Elvis Crespo; and Latin Grammy nominated Reggaeton duo from Puerto Rico Alexis y Fido. 

Last Thursday night, Hennessy V.S and Universal Music Latin Entertainment, hosted an exclusive “Fire & Ice” after party for the Billboard Latin Music Awards at Bamboo nightclub. The star-studded celebration was attended by Latin music masters, including superstar Enrique Iglesias, Colombian rocker Juanes, David Bisbal, Luis Fonsi, Kimberly Dor Ramos, Los Rakas, Play N Skillz, DJ Duo AtellaGali, Lennox from Zion Y Lennox, and many others. 

Grammy-award nominated Mexican pop singer Christian Castro was spotted dining at Villa Azur with his girlfriend, on Thursday, after his appearance at the Latin Billboard Awards. 

International superstar Sean Paul dined at SUGARCANE raw bar & grill late Thursday night. The rapper dined with friends and looked to be enjoying himself after his sizzling performance of “Baby Danger” at the awards show.   

Brit Week honoree and former heavyweight champion of the world, Lennox Lewis and actor Christian Slater and his wife Brittany Lopez Slater, attended Haute Living magazine’s annual Haute 100 event at the Pérez Art Museum Miami on Saturday night.

Annual Kentucky Derby Party at BOURBON Steak

Triple Russians at MISO

An Arthur Rubinstein prize-winner from The Julliard School with a knack for “making the piano sing with beautiful clarity and expression,” Konstantin Soukhovetski rejoins Conductor Eduardo Marturet and The Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO) in “Triple Russians” on May 4, at 8:00 p.m. in the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Knight Concert Hall. Soukhovetski has been rapidly earning a reputation as a “young pianist who captivates” with his “distinctive lyricism and immaculate technique,” and last performed alongside MISO during the 2012- 2013 “Grand Season Opening,” where he had “little difficulty with the [Rachmaninov Third] concerto’s rapid, fistful of notes.”1 Soukhovetski will perform Rachmaninov’s Concerto No. 2 in C minor this coming weekend, an imaginative work ecstatically received at its World Premiere in 1901 and still a heroic staple of the modern-day concerto repertoire.Tickets available by calling (305) 275-5666, or by visiting themiso.org.

HCOA Fitness For Women Energy Challenge

Enjoy Sushi with a Peruvian & Caribbean Flair at Ikura Sushi Lounge

Ikura Sushi Lounge a new fusion restaurant, located in the middle of restaurant row in Coral Gables will open its doors on Wednesday, April 30. The new innovative sushi restaurant taps into flavors inspired by the Caribbean and Peru. Ikura allows for an escape from your everyday sushi joint, giving dishes a special twist with mouthwatering ingredients. Guest will experience a culinary adventure starting with their best selling appetizer, The Kanikama Crunch appetizer; which fuses Kani salas, tobiko and crunchy flakes for a mouth-watering dish. Staying true to their cuisine guest can also enjoy, the Uramaki Mango a local favorite, made with salmon, shrimp, avocado, cilantro, tobiko mix, glazed mangos and ahi armadillo sauce.