The 25th Anniversary of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival wasn’t just a milestone — it was a full-bodied, bass-thumping, truffle-scented reminder that nobody throws a food festival like Miami. And in case anyone forgot, February 22 was officially declared Lee Schrager Day, honoring the festival’s fearless founder Lee Schrager — the man who turned South Beach into the culinary capital of February.

Let’s get into the bites, the beats, and the beautiful madness.

Mike’s Amazing Burger Bash Presented by Schweid & Sons

If you didn’t leave Burger Bash with the meat sweats and a only a couple of Tums left in your pocket, did you even go? 

Under the night sky, smoke rising and grills blazing, the festival’s most carnivorous crowd gathered for the main event — and once again, Burger Bash proved why it’s the crown jewel of the week. The vibe was fun, energetic and loud and the burgers were  delicious- down to the last bite. 

Hosted by the always adorable Rachael Ray alongside Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, the stage had serious star power. And the judges’ table wasn’t playing around either: Gayle King, Ashley Graham, Bert Kreischer (yes, shirt on… we checked), and Miami’s own Matt Kuscher came ready to crown greatness. 

Judges’ Choice: Classic Done Right 

NFA Burger — tucked inside a humble Chevron station in Dunwoody, Georgia — walked away with the big win thanks to their no-frills showstopper, the Billy Burger, named after owner Billy Kramer. 

Beef patty. Mustard. Pickles. “Sassy sauce.” Martin’s Potato Roll. That’s it. 

And somehow? Absolute perfection. The NFA philosophy is simple: do one thing and do it right. The judges clearly agreed.

People’s Choice: Miami Loves a Little Drama 

Miami favorite La Birra Bar snagged the People’s Choice Award with their unapologetically extra Crispy Dubai. 

We’re talking wagyu beef patties, white American cheese, crispy onions, Argentinian chimichurri mayo, and shaved black truffle. It was rich. It was indulgent. It was the kind of burger you think about the next day… while recovering. 

Honorable Mentions (Because Choosing Is Hard) 

With so many heavy hitters, we forced ourselves to narrow it down to two that had us contemplating elastic waistbands. 

Skinny Louie’s x Samantha Schnur (@naughtyfork) – The Naughty Burger

Double wagyu smash patty. American cheese. Maple bacon onion “damn jam.” Garlic dijonnaise. Pickled jalapeños. Buttered brioche. Oh — and truffle mayo tater tots on the side. It wasn’t just a burger. It was a full-on flavor explosion. Zero regrets. 

Cowy Burger – The Cabrito

Spanish chorizo, fried sweet potato straws, honey, goat cheese, and Cowy’s signature green sauce. Sweet, savory, crispy, creamy — basically everything you want in one glorious bite. Add waffle fries and call it a win. 

Honorable Dessert Mention: Nightowl Cookies OG Sticky Rolls with Butterscotch dipping sauce. 

By the end of the night, belts were loosened, selfies were taken, and the meat sweats were very, very real. 

And honestly? We’d do it all again.

Coca-Cola Presents Tournament of Champions Hosted by Guy Fieri with a Special Performance by Rev Run

Some exhibitions are meant to be viewed. This one must be experienced.

After commanding reverence in Milan’s Palazzo Reale, Paris’s Grand Palais, and Rome’s Palazzo delle Esposizioni, From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana arrives at ICA Miami not as a traveling show — but as a consecration.

Curated by Florence Müller — one of the most respected voices in global fashion curation — this exhibition is less about garments and more about legacy. Müller, a graduate of the École du Louvre and former curator at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, has orchestrated more than 150 exhibitions worldwide. She does not curate fashion; she contextualizes it within civilization.

And here, she does so with first-hand intimacy. Müller has followed Dolce & Gabbana across decades of Alta Moda presentations — standing inside Sicilian cathedrals, along Venetian canals, within Roman ruins — witnessing not just the runway, but the ritual. She understands the ateliers — the expert hands that cut, stitch, drape, bead, and revive techniques that might otherwise vanish.

As Müller observes: “I believe Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are among the couturiers most inspired by Italian culture and art, and those who represent it most faithfully… the exhibition demonstrates one thing: that the past is not dead.”

The title itself is literal: ideas born in the heart, realized by the hands. Over 300 Alta Moda, Alta Sartoria, and Alta Gioielleria pieces unfold across immersive chapters, where the experience is total. Each gallery features its own custom soundtrack and signature scent, enveloping the visitor in an olfactory and auditory map of Italy.

The “Devotion” Hallway: A Pilgrimage of Craft

The “Devotion” room serves as the exhibition’s spiritual anchor, meticulously recreating the high drama of the 2022 Alta Moda show in Syracuse, Sicily. To experience it is to walk a long, narrow gallery carpeted in vibrant papal yellow, an architectural echo of the Piazza del Duomo where the collection first debuted.

The air here is heavy with the scent of sacred incense, while a grand projection brings the ritual to life: a solemn, theatrical procession of “cardinals” in crimson vestments and figures representing Mary and Jesus moving to the haunting strains of Cavalleria rusticana by Pietro Mascagni. On the opposing wall, the garments stand like icons — sculptural gold jackets adorned with 3D-molded cherubs, “tabernacle” coats encrusted in jewels, and black lace veils that honor the Sorrowful Mother. This corridor pulls the viewer forward, transforming a fashion display into a pilgrimage that leads, inevitably, toward a shimmering golden altar.

A World of Influence

The journey continues through the layers of the Italian soul. There is Sicily — not as cliché, but as bloodline. Ceramic motifs from Caltagirone and the painted heroics of Sicilian carts are reborn in sculptural coats. Rome appears not as backdrop but as empire; papal mantles shimmer in metallic embroidery while vestal silhouettes glide in white silk moiré. Venice glitters in Murano glass and Byzantine mosaics, reflected infinitely in mirrored rooms.

And then there is The Leopard (Il Gattopardo), directed by Luchino Visconti. The masterpiece becomes both metaphor and muse — tradition surrendering to modernity. The ballroom scene flickers across mirrored walls to the swell of Nino Rota’s original score, while Alta Moda gowns shimmer beneath.

The Opera Gallery: The Grand Finale

The journey culminates in a gallery where fashion surrenders entirely to the stage. Curated as a reimagined Italian opera house, the space is enveloped in crimson velvet and gold-leaf molding, echoing the grandeur of Teatro alla Scala in Milan.

Here, Müller displays the Milano Opera Collection, where the designers act as conductors of silk and organza. Voluminous capes and gowns are dedicated to the heroines of Verdi, Puccini, and Bellini — from the tragic fragility of La Traviata to the fierce exoticism of Turandot. The air is filled with the aroma of vintage theater wood and velvet, as iconic arias pull the viewer into the dramma all’italiana.

A Legacy Preserved

What Müller accomplishes at ICA Miami is significant. She places Dolce & Gabbana not inside the fashion calendar — but inside cultural history. Architecture, Renaissance painting, Catholic iconography, folklore, artisan guilds — all converging into garments that feel less worn than inherited.

And Miami — bold, baroque, unapologetically sensual — understands this language.

This exhibition is not about trend. It is about devotion. To craft. To region. To memory. To beauty so deliberate it feels sacred. In a fashion landscape chasing speed, Dolce & Gabbana choose permanence. In a culture obsessed with disruption, they choose preservation.

From the heart to the hands — and now, from Italy to Miami — where spectacle meets reverence and craftsmanship becomes destiny. From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana is not just about fashion — it is about legacy.

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Plan Your Visit

From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana

ICA Miami

23 NE 41st Street, Miami, FL

On View: February 6 – June 14, 2026

Hours

Sunday – Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM

Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM

Last entry approximately one hour before closing.

Tickets

Adults: $26–$27 Students/Seniors/Youth: $23–$25 Children (4–11): $14–$16 Under 4: Free

Timed-entry tickets are strongly recommended, especially on weekends.

Purchase official tickets here:

Tours

✔ Book a live museum tour if available (included with admission).

✔ If live tours are unavailable, add the official audio guide for a deeper, room-by-room immersive experience.

⏳ Allow 1–1.5 hours to experience the full exhibition.

The 62nd Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival, presented by First Horizon Bank, closed Presidents’ Day weekend with record-breaking sales, national attention, and collector momentum that reaffirmed its standing as one of the country’s most respected outdoor art events.

Fresh Talent, Powerful Sales

Forty percent of this year’s exhibiting artists were new to the festival, bringing fresh perspective and energy to the waterfront showcase. Across all three days, buying remained strong, with 95 percent of participating artists reporting they were very happy with their sales.

The weekend’s defining milestone was the official commemorative poster by Kenneth Kudulis. Sales reached an unprecedented $40,000, more than doubling the previous three-day average of $16,000. All proceeds directly support year-round art scholarships, funding access to arts education for emerging artists. Kudulis’ work now stands as the most successful poster in the festival’s six-decade history.

The festival’s influence extended beyond South Florida. The Mayor of Beverly Hills attended the event and met with Executive Director Camille Marchese to gain insight into the Grove’s sustainable, artist-centered model — a clear sign of the festival’s growing national stature.

Festival Winners

Awards were presented in signature Grove fashion: executive leadership and board members traveled booth to booth in golf carts, bagpipers in tow, personally congratulating each winner to the applause of festivalgoers.

Best in Show was awarded to Nathalia Toledo Barcia (Painting/Clay), who earned a perfect score of 30 from the judges along with a $5,000 prize.

Gold Ribbon recipients included Bobby Goldsmith (Drawing), Cali Hobgood (Photography), Carrie Pearce (Painting), Christopher Buonomo (Sculpture), Helen Gotlib (Printmaking), James Pearce (Wood), Kenneth Kudulis (Digital Art), Michael Hayes (Glass), Olga Nenazhivina (Drawing), and Oliver Hampel (Jewelry).

An additional 35 artists received Silver and Bronze ribbons and automatic invitations to return next year.

Beyond the Canvas

For the fifth consecutive year, Miami-based Loud And Live produced the festival, continuing its transformation through expanded programming and elevated guest experiences.

Festival partners added dimension throughout the weekend. NBC 6 South Florida and Telemundo 51 energized families with interactive activations, while Lincoln Motor Company and Ford Motor Company showcased their latest models across the festival footprint.

At The Stacks, presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, street artists transformed industrial shipping containers into bold works of art, including the striking “Mi Gente” mural by Carlos Solano and Paulina Guajardo. The space also served as a performance stage featuring KerreKe and Venezuelan-American violinist Daniela Padrón’s Latin GRAMMY®-winning Joropango, alongside programming from the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

A Cultural Cornerstone

Produced annually over Presidents’ Day weekend, the festival features 285 juried artists along Coconut Grove’s scenic bayfront streets. Managed by the Coconut Grove Arts & Historical Association and supported by Miami-Dade County’s Department of Cultural Affairs, proceeds fund impactful year-round initiatives including scholarships for Florida International University and Miami-Dade high school students, the Visiting Artists Program, and the Next Generation Emerging Artist Program.

With record sales, national recognition, and unwavering community support, the 62nd Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival once again solidified its role as a defining force on South Florida’s cultural calendar and a powerful champion for artists and arts education.

The Bass proved once again why its annual gala is among the most anticipated dates on the Miami art/social calendar. The Bass Ball: Kaleidoscopic brought out artists, fashion-forward philanthropists, socialites, and party people to honor the fabulous Cathy Vedovi—the collector and designer whose French roots and LA education have made her a true icon in our local arts scene.

The theme was “Kaleidoscopic,” inspired by the museum’s exhibition The Kaleidoscopic: Writing Histories Through the Collection. The evening reflected the multifaceted nature of storytelling through art, welcoming artists and art lovers into a richly layered visual experience. This wasn’t your average black-tie affair; the guests took the theme to heart with outfits that were pure creative genius. Everywhere you looked, there were bold prints, shimmering textures, and over the top accessories that turned the museum into a living, breathing art gallery.

Guests were immersed in lavish décor by Alejandro Muguerza, complemented by a dynamic lighting installation by artist MIKIHUMO that illuminated the museum’s façade and interior. Dinner by Le Basque was top-tier, as usual, but it was the outstanding music that really set the night apart. Things kicked off with smooth jazz by saxophonist Manuel Echazabal in the Social Assembly Lounge, giving everyone a chance to catch up in style.

But even before the dinner plates were cleared, the vibe shifted into high gear. The museum lobby transformed into the ultimate energetic dance party thanks to @DJCLAUDIOF aka Claudio Figueroa, the man behind the vibe at Casa Tua. He was on fire, spinning every genre imaginable—from global house beats to crowd-favorite anthems.

The music was so good it kept the gorgeous, fashion-focused crowd glued to the dance floor, keeping the energy electric well into the early morning hours. Let’s just say no one was ready to go once the “lights came on.”

All of the glam and fun supports a worthy cause, with proceeds going directly to the museum’s education programs and world-class exhibitions. Be sure to keep up with all of the happenings at the Bass on Instagram @thebassmoa and online at https://thebass.org.

Photos

Courtesy of the Bass Museum and World Red Eye.

This weekend, Soulection teamed up with Crown Royal Marquis to mark a major milestone—15 years of culture-shifting sound—with an epic 15-hour takeover at Club Space Miami. The marathon celebration unfolded across three immersive rooms curated by Soulection, featuring a global roster of tastemakers who kept the energy high from nightfall Friday well into Saturday afternoon.

Guests enjoyed signature Crown Royal Marquis cocktails throughout the night as a stylish, fully locked-in crowd filled the dance floors—moving nonstop, hands in the air, dancing through every set and staying energized well into Saturday afternoon. The momentum peaked on the Space Terrace, where Soulection founder, CEO, and creative visionary Joe Kay delivered a special anniversary set that had everyone dancing, seamlessly blending nostalgic favorites with forward-thinking sounds and keeping the crowd in motion from start to finish, after 6 am.

Over the past 15 years, Soulection has evolved into a worldwide movement, redefining the future of DJ culture and spotlighting genres from R&B and soul to afrobeats, jazz, house, and electronic music—while helping elevate artists like Brent Faiyaz, Snoh Aalegra, Daniel Caesar, and Kaytranada. The Club Space takeover was equal parts celebration and statement, honoring 15 years of impact while setting the tone for the next chapter of the Soulection movement and its partnership with Crown Royal Marquis.

At Casa Gianna golden-hour cocktails, flawless service, and unforgettable pasta make every meal feel like a celebration.

Tucked inside the chic Gale Miami Hotel and Residences, brings a touch of Italian glamour to the heart of Downtown Miami, with its golden glow, elegant bar, impeccable service — and a vibe that hits that perfect note between sophisticated and social. 

The moment you walk in, you feel it: the hum of conversation drifting from the marble bar, the smooth rhythm of clinking martini glasses, the warmth of a team that knows exactly what hospitality means. The management here sets the tone — gracious, polished, and genuinely attentive — the kind of service that turns dinner into an experience.

The dishes are generous, flavorful, and unapologetically delicious. The fennel meatballs are pure perfection — tender, saucy, with just enough fennel to supercharge the taste. The grilled octopus arrives well-charred , smoky and soft, brushed with olive oil and lemon. For something rich and decadent, the Pappardelle a la Rosa de Ricotta: lemon pappardelle with pistachio and truffle cream is a star — velvety ribbons of pasta layered with indulgence and just enough brightness to balance it out. For the main we recommend the pistachio-crusted lamb chops- cooked to perfection and simply outstanding.

The dinner menu as a whole is indulgence done right: chicken parm that’s crisp and comforting, several specialty home-made pasta dishes and a number of wood-fired pizzas that bridge Italian tradition and Miami flair. For those craving something heartier, the steak selections impress with prime cuts grilled to order. The branzino and other seasonal fish dishes bring a lighter touch, as do the specialty salads. The menu moves effortlessly from simple to refined.

Casa Gianna is glamorous without trying too hard — a restaurant that makes you want to stay for dessert and maybe one more round.

Aperitivo Hour: Italian Tradition

The bar alone is worth a visit — a gleaming statement of style and substance, with spritzes, Negronis, and cocktails crafted with precision. It’s the ideal setting for a pre-dinner drink, a post-work rendezvous, or an entire evening spent at the counter, soaking in the scene.

Weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. (4 to 6 p.m. on Fridays), aperitivo hour brings an authentic slice of Italy to Downtown. Expect well-priced wines, handcrafted cocktails, and small bites designed for grazing and gossip. It’s effortlessly cool — a place to unwind, flirt, and fall in love with the art of lingering.

When night falls, Casa Gianna becomes cinematic — candle-lit tables, glimmering wine glasses, and the kind of energy that makes for a fantastic evening.

Brunch: La Dolce Morning

Weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Casa Gianna transforms into a sunlit sanctuary of leisure. Think golden-hour lighting, laid-back elegance, and a menu that celebrates Italian comfort. Guests are encouraged to relax and sip espresso martinis and Mimosas, savoring dishes like eggs al forno, crisp salads, and — of course — those signature meatballs that somehow taste even better before noon.

With its flawless dishes, magnetic atmosphere, and genuine hospitality, Casa Gianna is more than just a dining destination— it’s an experience. The kind that lingers long after the last sip of limoncello.

Casa Gianna

601 Northeast 1st Ave,
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 605-2272
info@casagianna.com

https://www.galehotelmiami.com/dining#casa-gianna-italian-ristorante

Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.  Aperitivo Hour: Monday–Thursday 4–7 p.m.; Friday 4–6 p.m.  Lunch: Monday–Friday 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m.  Dinner: Nightly from 5 p.m. 

Step inside, sip something sparkling, and settle in — because at Casa Gianna, every hour is golden hour.