Tony Bennett photo credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP/Getty Images

On Monday, March 19, Tony Bennett, the legendary seventeen-time Grammy Award winning artist, will be hosting the “Tony Bennett All-Star Tennis Event and Benefit Gala.” The two-part event will begin with a day-time Round Robin tennis tournament at The Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami. The event, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., includes a champagne reception with passed hors d’oeuvres, exhibition matches with the top stars where tennis enthusiasts will get the chance to play with Alejandro Sanz and tennis legends such as Novak Djokovic (#1 in the world), The Bryan Brothers (Twin Professional Tennis Players ranked #1 tennis team in the world), Caroline Wozniacki (#4 in the world), Mardy Fish (#8 in the world & #1 American), Kim Clijsters (US Open Champ), Ana Ivanovic (Former No. 1 in the WTA) and Ryan Harrison (18-Year Old who is considered by many to be the next great American men’s tennis player), Cliff Drysdale (Grand Slam Legend) & Darren Cahill (ESPN Analyst) among many others. Tony Bennett, a lifelong fan of the sport of tennis, will perform “God Bless America” at the tennis tournament. In the evening, Tony Bennett will host a gala at the historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens where guests will enjoy a seated dinner provided by Cristoforo Pignata (Puntino Italian Restaurants and catering, who is bringing in three of his top chefs from his 5-star hotels in Italy for the event), followed by live performances by Tony Bennett and Alejandro Sanz (multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy Award winning artist) who will join Bennett on stage to perform duets from Bennett’s #1 CD, DUETS II. The Bryan Brothers Band will also perform for invited guests, celebrities & professional Tennis players in attendance.The benefit gala event will be honoring Sean Wolfington, the chairman of The Wolfington Charitable Foundation which actively supports charities that serve the poor and defend the defenseless. Tony Bennett’s All-Star Tennis Event and Benefit Gala will benefit Exploring the Arts, Team Bryan and the Greater Miami Tennis Foundation. Tickets are open to the public and can be purchased by going to www.TonyBennettEvent.com.

Food Truck Lunch at Apollo Bank

Join Apollo Bank this Thursday, March 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the best lunch in town! Come mingle at the community bank and enjoy munching on all of the delicious food from some of Miami’s best food trucks. Food trucks include Ms. Cheezious, Gastropod, Sugar Rush, La Camaronera, and Cuban Cube. Free parking available.

**DUE TO THE WICKED WEATHER, FOOD TRUCK LUNCH HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL THURSDAY, MARCH 15!

The 3rd Annual Hearts and Stars Gala

South Florida’s premiere social and philanthropic events make its return on Saturday, March 10 at the waterfront estate Shangri La on Hibiscus Island. Benefitting the Little Lighthouse Foundation, the anticipated celebration will feature an evening of cocktails, delectable cuisine, fashion, and an incredible silent auction. For more information and to purchase tickets or VIP tables, visit www.heartsandstarsgala.com. Ticket prices are currently $125.00 for general admission and $175 for VIP access. All proceeds from Hearts & Stars Gala benefit The Little Lighthouse Foundation (LLF). www.thelittlelighthouse.org. For sponsorship information or for additional information, contact Jason Venger at info@thelittlelighthouse.org. 

March’s SAMBAHOUR Dedicated to Japan

SUSHISAMBA dromo continues its popular after-work affair, SAMBAHOUR, by celebrating the diverse cultural background and culinary inspirations of Brazil, Japan and Peru. This month, every Sunday through Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., SAMBAHOUR will showcase the distinct tastes of Brazil with food and drink specials as well as surprise entertainment from contests, lessons and holiday celebrations to unique, cultural performances. For more information and menu specials visit www.sushisamba.com. 

Blo Hosts an Evening with the Accessory Artists

Join Blo Brickell on Wednesday, March 14, to preview online retailer, Accessory Artists, who will be in-bar with a collection of fashion, fine and vintage jewelry. Marcy Roth, curator of AccessoryArtists.com is bringing fashion favorite labels Kara Ross, Vanessa Mooney, Zariin, Isharya, Rachel Reinhardt, Lee Angel, Deepa Gurnani cuffs, Pame Designs, Kelacala Q and Saily Kay, to name a few.  Jewels will be up to 50% off. The event runs from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.  For more information and to rsvp go to   blobrickell@blomedry.com. 

Dance NOW! Miami

On Saturday, March 17, Dance NOW! Miami returns to the Little Haiti Cultural Center. This stunning and newly renovated historic venue will host a concert for suitable for all ages. Dance NOW! has invited students from the Academy of Arts and Minds Dance Department to join the company presenting work choreographed by Directors Diego Salterini and Hannah Baumgarten. Tickets are priced at $10 at the door or online at www.dancenowmiami.org.

Rachael Ray and Tricia Johnson at Amstel Light Burger Bash

 Romero Britto and Ingrid Hoffman were each spotted at Mondrian South Beach Wednesday night – the two were at the hotel for separate, private events. The artist attended a private dinner with Bank of America executives while the chef and TV personality was the guest of honor at the BlackBerry Fan Night event attended by several of the brand’s top Miami fans. Guests were invited to delight in cocktails and tapas prepared by Asia de Cuba Executive Sous Chef Nicolas Walker while experimenting with the BlackBerry Playbook tablet’s cutting edge capabilities.  

Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the famous shoe designer, who owns Il Borro wines, hosted an exclusive wine tasting at Rachel Dominguez’s restaurant, The Dome Restaurant & Caviar Bar on Tuesday night. 

During the week Serendipity 3 on Lincoln Road had many surprise guests enjoying their renowned Frozen Hot Chocolate. First up,” Vanilla Ice Ice Baby” Robert Van Winkle was spotted enjoying chilly beverage along with a Cake Martini.  Also famed Chicago Chef and restaurateur Charlie Trotter and wife Rochelle indulged in the tasty treat; Food Network Star Rachael Ray and Tricia Johnson stopped by the Serendipity 3 pop-up counter at Burger Bash getting their brain freeze on with some of the chocolate deliciousness. 

“Ice” Van Winkle also dined at SUSHISAMBA dromo along with Chef-lebrity Guy Fieri.  The group celebrated the annual Brazilian Carnaval celebration. Fieri returned the following night with Food Network great, Emeril Lagasse, mentioning to manager Maxi Silva that had brought his friends to his favorite place BAM! Guy Fieri also joined the Mardi Gras celebration at WALL’s installment of Favela Beach Tuesday. 

Cleveland Cavaliers, Andreas Varejao and Anthony Parker were spotted at The Rooftop at The Perry South Beach. New Orleans Saints, Pierre Thomas and Lance Moore Soul Trained their way into the hearts of the ladies by the DJ booth;  The duo made Pretty Ricky’s “Grind on Me” the anthem of the day. 

Gary Nader welcomed renowned dancer, actor and photographer Mikhail Baryshnikovto Miami for his first solo photography

Gary Nader, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gloria, and Emilio Estefan

exhibition, “Dance This Way” on Thursday, February 23. Other invited guests included:  Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Romero Britto. Also in attendance were Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program Founder & President, Jennifer Valoppi and Board Member Karen Piazza, as well as Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent, Alberto Carvalho. 

Film star and wine enthusiast Antonia Banderas introduced Anta Banderas Wines at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. 

Will Ferrell dined at Edge, Steak & Bar on Wednesday evening. The comedic master is in town for the South Beach comedy festival.

Emeril Lagasse at The Q

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

The annual Bacchanal/gorge-fest otherwise known as the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) blew into town last weekend for a four day eating/drinking marathon, leaving our scale shaking its head and asking, “What have you done?” come Monday morning. SOBEWFF kicked off with Moët Hennessy’s barbecue bash named The Q on Thursday night hosted by larger-than-life personalities:  Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri.  Other festival highlights included Party Impossible, the Chefs’ After-party at the Dream Hotel, Diamond Dishes at the yet-to-be opened Marlins Park, Best Thing I Ever Ate Late Night Bites & Sweets and the festival’s closing party, Trucks on the Beach.  So now we fast and purge, after acting like Ms. Pac-Man with a tape worm for four straight days; and apologize to the liver, if we can find it- we are guessing it may have left the building. 

The Q

Hosted by Guy Fieri and Emeril Lagasse, The Q started the weekend revelry on Thursday night, a fitting replacement to the beloved, marquee event Bubble Q which was retired last year.  Just as much fun as Bubble Q, this party was our first SOBEWFF experience of 2012 and served as a reunion of local and national foodies and chefs, who imbibed in champagne and cocktails and filled up on enough barbecued meats to stumble out of the enormous tent with Gout. Read the rest of this entry »