London Calling

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On May - 27 - 2010
India_Hicks,_Carlos_Suarez,_Sarah_Harrelson_&_Craig_Robins

India Hicks, Carlos Suarez, Sarah Harrelson, and Craig Robins

London-born, model/designer/author, India Hicks, who happens to be Prince Charles’ Goddaughter, you know…the Prince of Wales…the one who married Diana (let’s take a moment)…THAT “Prince Charles” hosted a midweek soiree at  the ultra-chic ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa in celebration of Whitehaus Media Group and Bal Harbour magazine’s spring 2010 issue. No stranger to chic soirees, Hicks who is of blue blood and was a bridesmaid at Charles and Diana’s wedding, must have felt a bit at home at ONE Bal Harbour, where an A-list crowd enjoyed cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose and smooth sounds from harpist, Robert Pereira.  On-hand at the party were Bal Harbour magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Harrelson, ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa owners, Jorge and Juan Arevalo, Alejandra Torres, D. Ashlee Harrison, Belkys Nerey, Carlos Suarez, Craig Robins, George Lindemann, Hernan Arriaga, Jillian Jacobson-Altit, Leticia Grendene, Mike Batt, Oscar Seikaly and Yolanda Berkowitz

Zuma at Epic

Another sort of British invasion came by way of London’s award-winning restaurant, Zuma which officially opened at EPIC Hotel and Residences this week, its first location in America, bringing its internationally acclaimed style of modern Japanese cuisine to downtown. The brainchild of German chef Rainer Becker, Zuma offers sophisticated Japanese cuisine in an informal Japanese dining style called Izakaya.  Becker honed his skills and developed the concept behind Zuma during his six year tenure in Tokyo, before launching the first Zuma restaurant in London’s Knightsbridge.  Such was the enormous success of the restaurant with London’s international clientele, that demand supported the development of additional Zuma restaurants across the globe.  Since then, Becker has opened Zuma restaurants in Hong Kong, Istanbul and Dubai before bringing it to Miami. 

Zuma Miami promises the same success. The restaurant is sleek, stylish and spacious, the menu is categorized to satisfy the pickiest palate, and the servers are well-versed when interpreting the chef’s specialties.  The best thing on the menu, by far is the marinated black cod wrapped in a hoba leaf.  Even those, who, like us, are NOT fish fans are sure to find the cod, to quote SNL’s iconic, Linda Richman to be “Like Buttah!’”  “Discuss!”  Other favorites include: Gyu no tataki or seared beef with soy, ginger, lime and coriander; Gyuhire sumbiyaki karami sauce zuke or spicy beef tenderloin with sesame, red chilli and sweet soy; and the sushi, which is outstanding.  The desserts at Zuma seem to have been inspired by the name of the building, as they are “epic.”

Enjoying Zuma’s atmosphere and delicious food last week were several local VIPs, including:  Tui Pranich, Gary and Dana Shear, Walid and Susie Wahab, Gisela and Diego Lowenstein, the Dascal family, Gabriella Arango and family, Elizabeth and Mitchel Taylor, Belkys Nerey, Frank Amadeo, Ingrid Casares, Deborah Wecselman, Norma Quintero, Maria Celeste Arraras, and Louis Aguirre. Internationally, Zuma has a significant celebrity following, including regulars such as: Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin, Lady Gaga, Tony Blair, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Victoria and David Beckham, Sarah Ferguson, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Antonio Banderas and Keith Richards among many others. To make reservations for Zuma, call: (305) 577-0277.

Osklen Opens and Bright Young Things

Oskar Metsavaht celebrated the opening of the Brazilian-based Osklen boutique on Lincoln Road on Wednesday night.  The founder and creative director was joined by hosts Daniella Sredni, Katya Segovia and Marcus Panthera. Over 350 guests enjoyed bites provided by Parisian restaurant, Caviar Kaspia while mingling and sipping Cabana Cachaça cocktails. DJ Blaze provided the perfect soundtrack for the cocktail with upbeat Brazilian beats, as guests browsed through the store admiring Osklen’s casual yet trendy Samba collection. 15% of the evening’s proceeds benefitted the Bass Museum of Art. Notable  guests in attendance included Brazilian personality Hello Campos, Jilian Sanz, Lolo Sudarsky, Brian Elias, Natalia Sanchez, Lizzy Dascal, Frederic Dechnik, Romain Cohen and Erika Sussman Cohen, pop artist Stephen Gamson, Susanne Birbragher, Candela Ferro, Nicola Siervo,  and Oskar Metsavaht’s wife, Nazare, and Erin Newberg, among many others.

Lauren_Gnazzo_and_Meredith_Mulligan_at_Osklen_Opening

Lauren Gnazzo and Meredith Mulligan

Also on Wednesday night, Ocean Drive magazine threw a party at Mokai in honor of the May/June health and beauty issue along with featured “Bright Young Things” Lauren Gnazzo, Caroline Geys, Jordan Weinkle, Elaine Spottswood, and Leonardo Corredor.   According to Gnazzo, “It’s an honor to be chosen as a Bright Young Thing for Ocean Drive.  Working with industry greats such as Marc and Jochy was an absolute privilege.  The Health and Beauty celebration at Mokai was a great success; it was amazing to see so many people show support to Ocean Drive and the B.Y.T.’s. “  Lots of fellow BYTs showed up to play, including Gnazzo’s boyfriend, Tito Gaudenzi, D. Ashlee Harrison, Jochy Ortiz, Nick D’Annunzio, Jamie Jo Harris, newlyweds, Marysol Patton and Philippe Pautesta, and Jilian Sanz.

One Response to “London Calling”

  1. Lav Hiwcecvaf says:

    good info thanks for taking your time to write this

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