Just in time for Spring Break and WMC, which hits our shores on March 23, are two new offerings in the club department:  Coco de Ville and Mokai 2010.  Coco de Ville, the LA transplant set up shop in the Gansevoort Hotel during Super Bowl weekend and has been getting lots of attention from cool kids and club rats ever since.  Coco De Ville’s Roy Alpert describes the vibe “like your hanging out at someone’s beach house. The programming is open format with more NY, LA style feel. The space is small so we keep the door pretty tight but if you show up with good energy and a good attitude them I am sure you won’t be hassled.”

Man-about-town, TARA, Ink. Principal, Nick D’Annunzio raves, “I love Coco De Ville. It’s the hottest spot in Miami, with the toughest door. You have to have a table or be genetically blessed to get in. I am not sure who is better looking, the crowd or the staff. And I am gaga over one of their signature drinks the Coco Cotton Candy. I die!”

 Up the street from Coco, Mokai re-opened last weekend with a new look and new ownership.  At the helm of Mokai 2010 is the Opium Group, which owns other South Beach hotspots, WALL, SET, Louis, Mansion, and Cameo, in addition to Opium Hard Rock and Prive up north.  The “new” Mokai’s facelift includes “eye popping cherry-red sofas, black lacquered walls, lipstick-pink panels, an ‘Alice In Wonderland’ array of custom-designed chandeliers, and a Baccarat-inspired chandelier pit – a modern take on a traditional fireplace –  Mokai’s design embraces modern New York sensibility and Miami joie de vivre,” according  to Vanessa Menkes, Opium Group’s vice president of communications. Mokai’s innovative music programming will include a mix of house music, open format, and electro formats.  Weekly parties will be announced soon.

Chef Colagreco

The W Hotel is known for its celebrity-packed parties and its over the top service, but recently we had the pleasure of enjoying an elegant luncheon hosted by Graffigna Wines of Argentina, featuring a beautiful (yes, the dishes were visually stunning) lunch prepared by world-renowned chef,  Mauro Colagreco of Mirazur located in Menton, on the Côte d Azur .  

With the aid of Victor Marcantoni, Graffigna’s enologist, each dish was paired with the perfect wine to best bring out its essence and flavors.

 The Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio 2009 was paired with the delectable oysters in a shallot cream with pears and garden cress and the giant prawns in an osetra caviar broth.

The Graffigna Grand Reserve Torrontes 2009, our personal favorite, was paired with scallops in cream with Vitelotte potatoes and Moroccan lemons. One of the prettiest and most delicious dishes we’ve had in some time.

Graffigna Grand Reserve Malbec 2006 and the Graffigna Centenario Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 complimented the pork belly with orange, lime, and wasabi.

The grand finale was  the ivoire chocolate millefeuille,   which we were unable to try.  If we ever find ourselves in Chef Colagreco‘s neighborhood in the lovely French Riviera, we’ ll make sure and drop by Mirazur for a taste of the decadent dessert.

Overall, the Graffigna luncheon was sensational, with a great mix of delicious wines and dishes and an interesting international crowd.  Graffigna Wines are available in select stores in Miami.  Colagreco is Graffigna’s chef ambassador as part of its commitment to “dare to be different” and based on the menu that I enjoyed and tasted they seem to be headed in the right direction.

Last Wednesday, Chef Michael White of Marea, Alto and Convivio in NYC and Ken Oringer of Clio, Uni, Coppa, Toro and La Verdad in Boston, both in town for the SoBe Wine & Food Festival, enjoyed dinner, margaritas and live music at El Scorpion’s Wednesday night Mexicali Blues party.  The next night, Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova had dinner at El Scorpion with a few friends ordering practically everything on the menu.  

Eva Longoria and Emilio Estefan joined power couple and BFFs, JR and Loren Ridinger for a power lunch at Bongos Cuban Cafe on Friday to meet about the creation of the American Latino Museum, as per President Obama’s appointment.  When asked about the lunch, JR Ridinger commented, “There was a special electricity in the room during the luncheon conference.  Eva and Emilio are both so amazing and people feel so great around them, because they are so down to earth and normal and they were gathered together for a common cause.” Loren Ridinger added, “It was great being with Eva and Emilio because they set an amazing example for Latinos and make sure their voice is heard.  I love them both because they work so many hours to do so much for so many people and they operate the same way when it comes to their friends.  There has never been a time where I couldn’t call on either for anything.”  We trust President Obama will concur.

Mr. Chow Miami served as a respite for top toques during SBWFF, including: David Burke, Sam Talbot, Daniel Boulud, and Todd English who dined at the South Beach hot spot.  

On Saturday night, a slew of celebs and VIPs turned up for The Blacks’ Annual Gala hosted by Lea and Roy Black, including Grammy Award-Winning Artist Natalie Cole, Paulina Rubio, and Rick Ross, all of whom performed.  Notable gala guests included Florida Governor Charlie Crist and first lady Carole Crist, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Bobby Flay, Ana Cristina, Helio Castroneves, Joe Francis, Lennox Lewis, Alonzo Mourning and wife Tracy Mourning, Evelyn Lozado, Romero Britto, Maria Conchita Alonso, Alto Reed, DJ Irie, DJ Tracy Young, EJ Viso and Ron Duprat.  Sean Penn dropped by LIV at the Fontainebleau for a bit, during the after party for the Black gala.  We promise a full-story and lots of gala photos for next week’s fix.

Feast with the Beasts

If your appetite has recovered from the SBWFF, consider going to the Feast with the Beasts (FWTB) this Friday.  The event benefits the Zoological Society of Florida’s wildlife education and conservation programs on behalf of Metrozoo.  Other than South Beach, this is one party where you can sample delicious bites from over 40 top restaurants among live tigers, snakes, alligators, monkeys and other wild things.  This year’s Feast starts at 8 p.m. at Miami Metrozoo (12400 SW 152 Street).  Guests are encouraged to wear Carnival-style beads, feathers and masks to this Feast, where they will be treated to great food, 8 open bars, wild animal encounters, live entertainment, and a dance party. Some of the entertainment lined up includes DJ Donny Michaels, the Miami Heat dancers, Pyro Fusion fire dancers, and Flowering Arts Movement belly dancers.  Limited general admission tickets to FWTB are available for $175 and Beastkeeper VIP tickets, which include a private cocktail reception at 7 p.m.  cost $225.   Those planning on attending should make advanced reservations.  Sponsorship packages are also available.  Visit www.fwtb.org or call (305) 255.5551 to purchase tickets or for more information. 

Hurray for Hollywood

Head to Smith & Wollensky (1 Washington Avenue) for the Oscar Night® America (ONA) party on this Sunday, March 7, at 6 p.m. and you will get a piece of the action. For the eight year in a row, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected Miami Beach Film Society’s Cinematheque host and be the beneficiary of the official celebration in Miami for Oscar Night® America, Miami Beach.  The red carpet and silent auction will be hosted by diva extraordinaire Miss Elaine Lancaster. Red carpet arrivals will begin at 6 p.m., where partygoers can catch a glimpse of evening looks courtesy of LUCA LUCA and Perry Ellis. Guests will then watch the Oscar^® telecast live from the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center^® in Hollywood starting at 8 p.m.   During the show, attendees will toast Oscar winners while enjoying Smith & Wollensky’s signature three-course dinner with Coppola Wines selections, while bidding on exciting items during the event’s silent auction. Oscar® fans will also be able to predict the night’s winners using a ballot system and become eligible to win great prizes! Oscar Night® promises an experience that exudes the classic glamour and luxury of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, complete with the Academy Awards^® show program booklet for all guests. All proceeds will benefit MBC’s upcoming move to City Hall this summer.

Tickets to the 2010 Oscar Night America Miami Beach are available for $150 or $125 for Miami Beach Film Society & Cinematheque and MIFF members.  Visit www.MBCinema.com for tickets.

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The ninth annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival has come and gone, leaving the South Beach sand wine soaked, the air tinged with delicious aromas and our scales tilting in the wrong direction.  This year’s festival boasted an unprecedented number of events, with more than 50, 000 attendees, and over $2 million raised for the Florida International University (FIU) School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center.

The Amstel Light Burger Bash kicked -off the four day festival on Thursday night. Bobby Flay, Daniel Boulud, Guy Fieri, Rachael Ray, and Michael Symon all under one tent is any foodies dream, and this year’s carnivorous romp made that delectable dream come true as chefs from all around our nation battled it out to see who could come up with this year’s People’s Choice Award for “Best Burger.” The party, held in a giant tent behind the Ritz Carlton, was a blast, the cool weather adding to the already high-spirits of SBWFF lovers, who didn’t seem to mind the smoke and barbecue “fragrance” which permeated their lungs, hair and clothing.  Last Year’s defending champ, Spike Mendelsohn, wore a heavyweight championship belt, boxing trunks, robe and gloves and had the Rocky theme song blaring from his section, while serving his classic burger with American cheese and bacon on a soft bun accompanied with a cotton candy milk shake (yummy!).  Masaharu Morimoto’s burgers were rumored to be among the best, as evidenced by the line of people waiting that spanned the length of the tent.  The Iron Chef won for best “toppings” and was awarded a Tiffany Heinz Ketchup Bottle.  The 2010 People’s Choice Award winner was Michael Symon of B Spot and his Swiss, pastrami, and coleslaw burger (Pepcid, anyone?).  Former champ, Mendelsohn graciously handed over his heavyweight belt to Symon to solidify the win.  Our very own, Michael Schwartz of Michael’s Genuine Food (who in our humble opinion makes the best burger in Miami) took top honors earning the Allen Brothers Golden Grill Award – the judge’s choice for best burger for his bacon cheeseburger on brioche with a side of crispy hominy with chili and lime. Other celeb-chefs spotted included Sandra Lee, Michael Chiarello, Sunny Anderson, Rocco DiSpirito, Jeff McInnis, Govind Armstrong, Tim Love, Carla Hall, Art Smith, Anne Burell, and Michael Schwartz among many others. The delightful dessert selections from Jeni’s Splendid Gourmet Ice Creams (almond brittle and Cocoa Zin and salty caramel-ooh la la!) and Levain Bakery’s 6 oz cookies (yes, almost half a pound) capped off a perfect evening. 

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 Situated in the heart of the Palms Hotel and Spa, Essensia is a jewel within a jewel.  Executive Chef Frank Jeannetti has created a four-course journey aptly named Jeannetti’s Indulgent Journeys: Culinary Creations from Farm to Table.  Known for his use of organic, sustainable, and seasonal components, Jeannetti’s menu embraces his culinary genius with locally grown ingredients; crafting a menu that is sure to please the palate.  The menu we sampled included heirloom tomato carpaccio with a micro green salad, poached Maine Lobster, pink peppercorn crusted prime beef tenderloin (my favorite) in a sensational Cabernet mushroom compote, and a citrus trio for dessert; a delicate Key Lime pudding cake.  Read the rest of this entry »