By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

When it comes to the restaurant business, Shareef Malnik can teach a Master class, after all, Malnik began working at his beloved Forge (now Forge I Wine Bar) at the tender age of thirteen.  So when he decided to close down South Beach’s oldest restaurant and most storied landmark to give it a $10 million extreme makeover, transforming the look, feel, philosophy, and menu, there was no doubt that the result would be “a good  thing,” to quote Martha Stewart.  And, in fact, it is a very good thing. 

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Carlos Gomez, Matt Passmore, Michelle Hurd, stars of The Glades

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

It’s not every day we get to party in a former orthodox synagogue, much less rub elbows with celebs, ogle luxury watches, enjoy premium cocktails and fabulous hors d ’oeuvres, erstwhile entertainers on stilts vie for our attention in said temple. A little on the “unorthodox” side, you might say. Add to that, the fact that we were almost run over by a sports car, being driven by the hunky Burn Notice star, Jeffrey Donovan INSIDE the former temple!!! Well such was the case last Thursday, as TAG Heuer, the stylish Swiss watch brand celebrated its 150^th anniversary and paid tribute to its pioneering spirit at an exclusive “Odyssey of Pioneers” private cocktail party and timepiece exhibition at the Temple House on Miami Beach (formerly the 1, 000 member Kneseth Israel Congregation). Two hundred of Miami’s crème de la crème received the VIP treatment, as they were greeted at the valet stop a few blocks from the Temple House and transported via luxury limo bus to the party. Read the rest of this entry »

Happy Birthday Lucky Strike!

by: Mary Jo Shore

One of the advantages of the slow summer months is that we get to enjoy local spots and events that often get overlooked during the busy social season. Take Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge, which just celebrated its fifth anniversary last Thursday. While South Beach is not typically hailed as a bowling destination, Lucky Strike has been attracting locals and celebs for half a decade, thanks to its cool vibe, great music, delicious food and excellent service.  Last Thursday’s party was a combination of all of the above, where more than 250 guests were treated to a ’50s pinup-themed party, which featured a photo booth, temporary tattoos by Ocho Placas, and old school tunes by DJ Di Marco spun old school tunes,  and of course, bowling. Read the rest of this entry »

by: Maryanne Salvat

Sushi 101 

Miami Beach’s favorite multi-cultural restaurant, SUSHISAMBA dromo, is offering Floridians and visitors alike an opportunity to sample sake and learn special culinary techniques from the sushi and sake experts of SUSHISAMBA dromo.  The class will be offered bi-monthly and will be conducted under the leadership of SUSHISAMBA dromo’s beverage director, Mackenzie Parks.  Sushi & Sake classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m.  The two-hour class offers an educational experience, which includes five flights of sake and a sushi sampler platter for the reasonable price of $75 per person (tax and gratuity not included). Classes will begin August 11, 2010.    To reserve a space for one of the upcoming classes or to learn more, call SUSHISAMBA dromo at 305.673.5337.

Dance for Best Buddies

On Friday, August 20, head to Arthur Murray Studio from 4 to 5 p.m. to learn some sizzling summer moves and help Best Buddies.  Best Buddies is a non-profit  organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Arthur Murray Studio is located at 1060 Brickell Avenue.   To RSVP contact: yailen@zakarinpr.com.

Bartender’s Challenge

 Leading Ladies 

The Leading Ladies League will be hosting a charity cocktail party at the Miami Institute for Age Management & Intervention (Four Seasons Hotel & Tower), on Wednesday, August   25, from 6 to 9 p.m. to benefit The Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation. Guests will enjoy light bites, cocktails, music, artwork, and cosmetic treatments.  For more information, visit http://www.miami-institute.com.

Social Miami and Segafredo Turn 10!

Join Social Miami, on Friday, August 27, as it celebrates its ten year anniversary at Epicure, with a grand fête featuring gourmet food and cocktails.  Music and entertainment   will be provided by Rudy Perez.   The festivities begin at 7 p.m. at Epicure Sunny Isles Beach, 17190 Collins Avenue.

On Sunday, August 29th, Segafredo on Lincoln Road, also referred to as “L’Originale,” will be celebrating its 10th year in business as the first Segafredo branch to open in Florida. As usual, this Miami favorite will be serving delicious meals and amazing beverages, but for their anniversary celebration they are going all out with a block party, where DJs Mr. V. and Miss Patty will be spinning their best tunes for all to hear.  The festivities begin at 5 p.m.

Idris Elba and Lia Ames

On Thursday night, Kathy Griffin from Bravo’s Life on the D List, dined at Zuma with Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

Actor Idris Elba, (recently known for his role as Michael Scott’s hunky supervisor on The Office), hosted a party at Play Nightclub on Friday night. He will be appearing in the movie The Takers, a 2010 release touted as a crime action and thriller film also starring Matt Dillon.

Porschla Coleman celebrated her engagement to NBA Basketball star Jason Kidd, of the Dallas Mavericks, on Saturday at Louis Bar. The happy couple toasted with champagne alongside Front Management’s Auggie Lasseter .    Fellow NBA Stars, LeBron James and Chris Bosh were spotted dining at Red, The Steakhouse in the front VIP room. 

Eric Milon and Joey Goldman celebrated their birthdays at SET on Friday with a huge bash.  Many local socialites, including Tony Schectman and Larry Schwartz turned up for the party.

Miami publicist turned author Buck Winthrop, who is summering in the Hamptons, mingled with Sex and The City’s Candace Bushnell, Jay McInerney, and Barbara Walters at Author’s Night, a benefit for the East Hampton Library chaired by actor Alec Baldwin last Saturday. Winthrop‘s debut novel Delusions of Grandeur is being launched on Kindle and in 12 countries including France, Germany and Japan on September 9th.

While house hunting on Friday, Chris Bosh spoiled his girlfriend, Adrienne Williams with a day of pampering and beauty at Femme Coiffure Hair Spa in the Ritz-Carlton on South Beach. Onlookers say Adrienne and her sister received the works – over $2800 worth of treatments ranging from changing their hair to a blonde and chestnut brown contrast, deep conditioning and a $500 haircut from owner and master stylist Raphael Reboh.

Scarpetta’s Top Chef, Scott Conant, was spotted dining at The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar on Friday night.   Chef Dewey LoSasso prepared different dishes for Conant to sample, including a specialty pasta dish that got rave reviews from the Food Network star. 

Also on Friday, Miami-based Grey Goose Vodka sponsored the first World Leadership Awards in Atlanta hosted by Usher and his New Look Foundation.  Grammy Award winner,  Ciara and pop sensation, Justin Bieber entertained guests with exclusive performances as VIP guests, including former President, Bill Clinton, sipped Grey Goose Vodka cocktails and enjoyed a special evening honoring key individuals and organizations for their recognition of youth as leaders