On the eve of New Year’s Eve, Beyoncé, Jay Z , Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan dined at Seasalt and Pepper on the Miami River. Chef Alfredo Alvarez sent over pappardelle, lobster risotto and seafood casserole at the couple’s request thereby ending their 22 day vegan challenge. 

The same night, French chef, restaurateur and TV personality Eric Ripert was seen at The Raleigh dining at Restaurant Michael Schwartz. 

Ryan Phillippe and girlfriend Paulina Slagter rang in the New year at Wall nightclub at the W hotel. The pair was seen kissing and cuddling before the countdown. 

Belvedere Vodka celebrated New Year’s Eve in Miami at SLS Hotel South Beach with Robin Thicke and musician Skylar Grey. According to our source, “The dapper Mr. Thicke arrived solo dressed in a festive black suit rocking sunglasses. Wife Paula Patton was noticeably absent on the carpet and throughout the performance although she was seen around the hotel and spotted having a private pre-event dinner with her hubby.  Guests rang in the new year with the Gatsby themed party complete with Thicke’s live performances including hits Blurred Lines and his rendition of Give it 2 U.” The event also marked the launch of Belvedere Vodka’s Silver Saber, the first laser cut bottle with light-up LED technology. 

On New Year’s Day, Beyoncé, Jay Z and Kelly Rowland went for a post NYE brunch at Cecconi’s. They ordered a la carte and had calamari, octopus, truffle pizza and truffle pasta. The rest of their crew enjoyed the New Year’s feast. 

That night, Ryan Phillipe took Paulina Slagter to Seasalt and Pepper for dinner. Again Chef  Alvarez was more than happy to send over dishes for the couple, who was also seen at the SLS. 

photo credit:Twitter

English glamour model, Maria Fowler dined at Villa Azur on Thursday, January 2 with friends. She is best known for her TV show The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) the award-winning reality TV show based in England.  Fowler was with 13 friends at one large table in the center of the garden and wore a beautiful orange bandeau dress. She seemed very happy and danced around the table with friends after dinner. 

Actress Katie Holmes dined at Hakkasan at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach with a lady friend last Thursday.   

Bob Sinclar was spotted dining at Seasalt and Pepper on Saturday before spinning at Wall. 

This past Tuesday evening Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland surprised fans at Sing Sing Miami joining in on some Karaoke fun.  

By: Maryanne Salvat

msalvat@miamisocialholic.com 

Benihana Passport Challenge 

Join Benihana for their yearlong Passport Challenge promotion celebrating their 50^th anniversary! Guests who visit the most Benihana locations during the calendar year will be eligible to win a grand prize trip to Tokyo, Japan! Other prizes include a trips to the Benihana location of choice within the United States and over $10,000 in gift cards. Readers can register to participate at www.Benihana.com and earn additional entries by uploading a digital photo taken when they visit any participating restaurant in 2014. 

Whitney Linen Resort Wear Trunk Show 

This weekend Whitney Linen will launch their second exclusive Resort Wear Trunk show. The Mediterranean-inspired pieces will be showcased at Canyon Ranch Miami on Friday and Saturday, January 10 and 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The Linen home collection will also be presented alongside the luxurious women and menswear; for more information visit www.whitneylinen.com or contact whitney@whitneylinen.com. 

Dinner in Paradise with Chef Dewey LoSasso 

Chef Dewey LoSasso of Acqualina Resort & Spa’s presents Dinner in Paradise at Paradise Farms (19801 SW 320th St, Homestead) on Sunday, January 12 starting at 5:00 p.m. Proceeds will benefit local charity “Learning in Paradise” an outreach program that will host children’s field trips to the farm. Chef LoSasso will be cooking alongside Chef Wolfgang Birk and Chef Nicolas Cabrera. Tickets are $165.50 per person plus tax and processing. To purchase tickets visit:  http://paradisefarms.net/dinner-in-paradise/.

YoungArts Week

Beginning this week through January 12, The National YoungArts Foundation will host YoungArts week. A select group, 171 to be exact, of the most talented blooming artists will participate in the life-altering competition that will award a series of cash prizes ranging up to $10,000; master classes and workshops with internationally renowned artists such as Frank Gehry, Irving Sandler, Rita Moreno, Andrew Rannells, Shelly Berg, Shalita Grant, Lourdes Lopez, and Judith Hill and much more. The YoungArts finalists will have the opportunity to wow audiences with public performances, readings and a visual arts exhibition at venues including the New World Center, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and the National YoungArts Foundation Campus. Tickets are available starting at $10 and can be purchased here via the YoungArts website. Ticket Information: gala@youngarts.org or 305.377.1140. Event Website: http://www.youngarts.org/gala.

Les Dames D’Escoffier Miami Host Giant Gourmet Garage Sale 

Mark your calendars, on Saturday, January 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Les Dames D’Escoffier Miami   (LDEM) will present their annual Giant Gourmet Garage Sale at the Galleria of the Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue in Coral Gables.  LDEM is  a non-profit organization comprised of female culinary, wine, hospitality and farming professionals dedicated to funding scholarships for young South Florida women, supporting regional agriculture and funding organic school vegetable gardens, nutrition and cooking educational programs for area youth and South Florida’s farm labor force. The event is free and open to the public and proceeds from sales will help underwrite Les Dames projects; for more information, www.lesdamesmiami.org. 

Drink Around The World Festival to Benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® of South Florida 

On Saturday, January 25, the first annual Drink Around the World Festival fundraising event will celebrate the diverse wines, spirits, and microbrews of the world in the Moore Building in the Miami Design District. Proceeds from the event benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of South Florida, whose mission is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children in South Florida. The fundraising event will showcase 100+ libations from around the world, all for sampling under one roof. Designed to give every guest a VIP Experience, Drink Around the World event goers will enjoy unlimited samplings of hand-picked wines, vodkas, rums, tequilas, whiskeys, gin, microbrews and more from all corners of the world. For complete listing of participating wines and spirits, visit and like them on Facebook facebook.com/DrinkAroundWorldFest.

To purchase tickets,visit: www.drinkaroundtheworldfestival.com. This event is for patrons 21 and older. 

ASSASSINS

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Zoetic Stage are proud to present the Miami premiere of ASSASSINS, Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning revue-style musical based on the men and women who have attempted, successfully or not, to assassinate American presidents. Playing January 30 – February 23, 2014 in the intimate Carnival Studio Theater (Ziff Ballet Opera House), ASSASSINS continues the Arsht Center’s highly acclaimed 2013-2014 Theater Up Close Series which features artistic collaborations from stellar local theater ensembles and nationally acclaimed theater companies.  ASSASSINS is made possible with support from Jerry and Adrianne Cohen.Tickets to ASSASSINS are $45*, and may be purchased now through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling 305.949.6722 or online at www.arshtcenter.org.