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.

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/

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.

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.
Read the rest here »

WICKED, the Broadway sensation returns to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing ARTS. Looks at what happened in the Land of Oz but from a different angle long before Dorothy arrives; there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin — smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships — until the world decides to call one “good” and the other one “wicked.”
From the first electrifying note to the final breathtaking moment, WICKED — the untold true story of the Witches of Oz — transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story that USA Today cheers is “a complete triumph! An original musical that will make you laugh, cry and think.”
WICKED runs until March 5,2023.
For tickets visit: https://www.arshtcenter.org/

Paperfish Sushi brings its popular Japanese-meets-Peruvian flavors to historic Española Way on South Beach after achieving great success with its award-winning Brickell location. Neatly tucked away amid pastel Mediterranean-style buildings, Paperfish South Beach presents its signature, creative flavors to visitors of the vibrant pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare. Rooted firmly in Japanese culture, while offering a bright, buzzy appeal, Paperfish invites diners to enjoy seasonal sushi, small plates, and specialty cocktails. 

Attention to detail, a tenet of Japanese tradition, is prevalent from Paperfish’s clean, contemporary style to its artfully crafted dishes. A soft glow emanates from the bar and sushi counter, embracing the dining room, which flaunts a palette of natural materials and handcrafted ceramics, offset by towering pink cherry blossom trees. Outdoors, a terrace adorned with Japanese street signs and string-lit trees offers an idyllic backdrop for a program of delicate and specialized cuisine, artfully combining old and new world appeal. The decor, dishes and cocktails beckon a multitude of Instagram posts!

Unique to the South Beach Paperfish location is Executive Chef Michael Asalie’s Ichiban Sando which won the 2022 South Beach Seafood Festival’s “Battle Sushi.” The Ichiban Sando (#1 sandwich) is comprised of  “bread” made of crispy rice- filled with spicy tuna, avocado, crab salad, and clarified garlic butter- crafted with Chef Michael’s wizardry, which makes its sum so much more than its parts. This dish is an absolute must- as is the Miso Black Cod, which is freshly caught and marinated for  48 hours in a house-made miso sauce.

Read the rest here »