Fashionably Conscious Turns 10! Read the rest of this entry »

SUGARCANE Raw Bar Grill Presents CANVAS

SUGARCANE raw bar grill CANVAS Initiative Brings Renowned Chef recipes to Miami to help Raise Awareness for Childhood Hunger

Chef/Owner of Vetri Ristorante, Osteria, Amis, and Alla Spina Marc Vetri Announced as March Chef

Throughout the month of March patrons who visit SUGARCANE raw bar grill can order CANVAS guest chef Marc Vetri’s famed Wild Boar Ragu. Vetri is the Chef/Owner of Vetri Ristorante, Osteria, Amis, and Alla Spina all located in Philadelphia. Proceeds of the dish benefit Share our Strength’s No Kid Hungry initiative. CANVAS is SUGARCANE raw bar grill’s virtual guest chef series that supports Share our Strength’s No Kid Hungry initiative, activating chefs from across the country to virtually participate in a month-long program that highlights a unique and inspiring dish created by using a bowl as a blank “canvas.” CANVAS is also part of a larger dedication by the restaurant and Chef Timon to raise awareness of food insecurity nationally and specifically in the South Florida and Las Vegas markets, where he currently has restaurant concepts. Timon has also just been appointed South Florida Chair of Share our Strength’s Taste of the Nation, one of the nation’s premier culinary benefits to end childhood hunger in America. CANVAS will continue throughout 2017, with April’s Guest Chef “JJ” Johnson, who will be featuring Afro Asian American Gumbo, followed by Chef Pichet Ong in May, who will be serving up Prawns in Clay Pot. Additional chefs for CANVAS to be announced.

Miami Music Week at Nikki Beach

Located at the prestigious address of 1 Ocean Drive, Nikki Beach Miami Beach has established itself as a quintessential South Beach landmark since its inception in 1998. This year, Nikki Beach rolls out the red carpet for the hottest lineup for Miami Music Week 2017. Nikki Beach is comprised of a large oceanfront complex that features the brand’s signature beach club, an award-winning restaurant & cabana bar, a second floor nightclub and a lifestyle boutique. Open daily, Miami locals & visitors alike along with international jet-setters & celebrities flock to Nikki Beach to enjoy a day of soaking up the South Beach sun and unparalleled entertainment & music while indulging in lunch, dinner and refreshing libations. https://www.miamimusicweek.com/venue/nikki-beach

Fashionably Conscious for Coconut Grove Cares Barnyard Community Center

On behalf of Fashionably Conscious for Coconut Grove Cares Barnyard Community Center, take a moment this weekend to pull 1 gently used purse or accessory to donate for the 10th Annual fundraising sale. 100% of proceeds from the sale of your donation will go toward helping create a safe haven and supportive environment for 250+ children and families in the West Grove community. Your donation is tax deductible. Contact fashionablyconscious@gmail.com to schedule a pick up of your donated item. It will be greatly appreciated.

Cochon555 Miami

Cochon555 is a nose-to-tail competition for a cause in which five all-star chefs cook five heritage breed pigs for a chance to be crowned the “Princess/Prince of Porc” – selected by both audience and judges. Chefs from DB Bistro Moderne, The Bazaar by Jose Andres, Artisan Beach House, Pinch Kitchen, and Jimmy’z Kitchen will be competing in the Miami event. In addition to the pork dishes, guests will enjoy other chef-curated tastings and sip on a variety of boutique wines, craft cocktails, and artisanal brews.

To kick off the event a special dinner hosted by Jose Mendin of The Pubbelly Group will take place on Saturday, March 25 at 7:00PM, at Pubbelly Noodle Bar.  Chef’s Course BESPOKE: An Evening of Culinary Modernity, will feature guest chefs Diego Oka of La Mar by Gaston Acurio at Mandarin Oriental and Michael Beltran of Ariete. The evening will take as its theme “Culinary Modernity,” with each chef creating one course that embodies their own conception of the night’s core ideas. The final course will be a group collaboration, in which all four chefs will cook one family-style course representative of what they believe to be modernity. Premium wine and cocktail pairings will accompany the five course meal following a pre-dinner cocktail reception with passed appetizers presented by House of Angostura. To close the evening, Chef Maria Orantes of Pubbelly Noodle Bar will prepare a pastry course featuring Perfect Puree of Napa Valley. Evan Benn of the Miami Herald, along with Piggy Bank founder Brady Lowe and Communications Director Robert McKeown will be in attendance as guides of sorts – our own culinary Virgils – illuminating for all in attendance the ideas which define our culinary time and inspire Cochon555 events. Tickets for the dinner are $125 and can be purchased online. Seats are $125 each, to purchase tickets visit link here or visit www.pubbelly.com.

This year, Antica Napa Valley is the official wine of the Tartare Bar and Chef Timon Balloo of SUGARCANE Raw Bar & Grill will be creating a special beef tartare dish to pair with the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (we’ll also be serving our Antica Estate Chardonnay). The event will be held at the Ritz Carlton South Beach on Sunday, March 26^th from 4pm-7:30pm. The tickets are first come first serve.  Visit: http://cochon555.com/2017-tour/miami/.

-PHOTO by: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com

By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore and Maryanne Salvat

The nation’s biggest food festival got an upgrade for its 16th year with events that brought a fun, club-like atmosphere- drawing in club kids from yesteryear and today. The Dave Grutman Experience on Sunday, February 26 at the Grand Tasting Village had revelers dancing and jumping around on the sand, leaving us to wonder whether it was 3:00 PM or 3:00 AM, and how and when this wine and food festival had become a mini-Ultra. Another terrific new addition was the Bacardi and Beats on the Beach- a late night party featuring none other than Run DMC’s Rev Run- in all his glory, accompanied by DJ Ruckus on the ones and twos. Needless to say, that was one heck of a party- with the quintessential party foods (think Shake Shack fried chicken sandwiches and croquetas from Versailles) and libations galore to fuel the energetic party goers who showed no sign of stopping long after the party officially ended. In all, the party atmosphere made this year’s festival even more of a blast than it always has been and drew a crowd of party people who came to play more than just to eat or drink. Below find some our favorite events of the magnificent weekend. Read the rest of this entry »

Always a star-studded event, Veuve Clicquot Carnaval was hosted by Grand Marshall Adriana Lima and attended by Ana de Armas, Eiza Gonzalez, Karolína Kurková, Daniela Botero, Tyson Beckford, Eugenio Siller, Rocky Barnes, Francisco Lachowski, Gabriel Coronel, Natalie Suarez, Emanuela de Paula, Adam Gallagher, Asiyami Gold, Amelia Ochoa, Elisa Ochoa, Christian Bendek, Harley Viera Newton, DJ Rascal and many more.

 Attendees enjoyed traditional Carnaval celebrations and performances, including samba dancers, drummers, capoeira and live music, all led by the Grand Marshal Adriana Lima who joined in on the samba dancing and invited guests to celebrate and make the day a memory. DJ Harley Viera Newton kicked off the day on the turntables while Miami’s own DJ Rascal kept the beats going throughout the afternoon.

 It was a fun afternoon for the girls with Adriana Lima, Karolina Kurkova, Eiza Gonzalez, and Ana de Armas snapping a festive celebratory photo while Tyson Beckord, Eugenio Siller, Francisco Lachowski, and Garbiel Coronel, soaked in the Miami sunshine and danced along to the festive tunes. All attendees enjoyed Veuve Clicquot Rich and Veuve Clicquot Rich Rosé, which are the newest champagne offerings from the House. Veuve Clicquot Rich and Rich Rosé are inspired by mixology and designed to be served over ice and mixed with fresh fruits, vegetables or herbs.

**Aliette Gomez contributed to this post.

Garces Foundation presents Think Local, Give Local with tastings from the area’s brightest chefs and a food themed silent auction to benefit the lives of Philadelphia’s immigrant community. Chef Jose Garces has handpicked a group of local chefs to deliver an unforgettable epicurean experience, highlighting Philadelphia’s unique culinary talent.  Throughout the evening guests will enjoy cocktails made with local spirits, local beer, locally created décor elements and more. Entertainment will be provided by American Deluxe. Denise Fike will provide complimentary fashion illustrations of each guest. Guests will also enjoy a Tito’s Homemade Vodka Lounge. Petals Lane and Event FX will provide décor.  

 WHEN: Friday, March 24 VIP Preview 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. General Admission 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Chefs After Party 9:00 p.m. -midnight Stage program with remarks from Jose Garces will occur at 8:15.

 WHERE: Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia

  PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE:

Stations from Garces restaurants including: 24, Amada, Amada New York, Bar Volver, Buena Onda, Distrito, Distrito Moorestown, Garces and Sons coffee, Garces Events, Garces Trading Company, JG Domestic, The Olde Bar, Tinto, Village Whiskey, Volver

A Mano, Townsend Wentz
Abe Fisher, Yehuda Sichel
Aldine, George Sabatino
Alma de Cuba, Douglas Rodriguez
Baba’s Brew, Olga Sorzano
Bank and Bourbon, Thomas Harkins
Bing Bing Dim Sum, Ben Puchowitz
Bistrot La Minette, Peter Woolsey
Blackfish, Chip Roman
Brauhaus Schmitz, Jeremy Nolen
Capofitto and Capogiro, Stephanie and John Reitano
Cheu Noodle Bar, Ben Puchowitz
DiBruno Bros., Emilio Mignucci
Ela, Jason Cichonski
Fat Ham, Kevin Sbraga
Fork, John Patterson
Gilda’s Biscotti, Gilda Doganiero
High Street on Market, Ellen Yin
Hungry Pigeon, Pat O’Malley
Junto, MacGregor Mann
Kanella, Konstantinos Pitsillides
Kensington Quarters, Damon Menapace
La Calaca Feliz, Tim Spinner
Lacroix, Jon Cichon
The Little Bird Bakery and Cafe, Jessica Nolen
Mission Taqueria, Andrew Sabin
Osteria, Jeff Michaud
Pub and Kitchen, Eli Collins
Sampan, Michael Schulson
Spread Bagelry, Larry Rosenblum
Subarashii Kudamono Gourmet Asian Pears, Holly Harter
Townsend, Townsend Wentz
Vedge, Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby
Vernick Food & Drink, Greg Vernick
Vetri Family of Restaurants
Weckerly’s Ice Cream, Andy Weckerly
Whetstone Tavern, Jeremy Nolen
Will BYOB, Christopher Kearse
Wm. Mulherin & Sons, Marqessa Gesualdi
Zeppoli, Joey Baldino

  TITO’S HOMEMADE VODKA SUPPORTS THE GARCES FOUNDATION Leading up to the gala, Tito’s Homemade Vodka will be donating $1 per cocktail sold at each of the Garces restaurants as listed below to the Garces Foundation. The cocktails will featured with tastings in the Tito’s Lounge at the event….  

• Bad Education at Amada- Rotham and Winter Orchard Apricot Liqueur, Lemon
Bitters
• Texas Eagle at JG Domestic- St. Germain Liqueur,
Cucumber,
Lime
• Picante Pequino at Distrito- 
Jalapeño,
Cucumber,
Lime,
Spicy Chili, Salt Rim
• Atlantic Blue at Tinto and Village Whiskey- Thyme,
Blueberry,
Lemon,
Nocino Walnut
• Can It All Be So Simple?
at 24- Creme de Cassis,
Cranberry,
Lime,
Mint
• In Full Bloom
at Volver- Citrus Cordial,
Rose Water,
Lavender Bitters
• Vilaine at Garces Trading Company- 
St. Germain Liqueur,
Strawberry,
Lemon,
Sparkling Wine
• We Cara Cara ‘Bout You at The Olde Bar- Cara Cara Orange,
Dolin Blanc,
Egg White,
Himalayan Sea Salt,
Orange Blossom Water

TICKET INFORMATION: General Admission – $150 Early Admission – $200 VIP Admission – $250 receive exclusive access to the after party on the 33^rd floor and a preview tasting. Tickets: www.garcesfoundation.org/2017benefit/ Cocktail attire.

Model Beach Volleyball

The 8^th annual Model Beach Volleyball is happening on March 11 and 12. A battle that consists of a bracket-style competition where teams compete against each other in a round robin format benefits the Jack Brewer Foundation which aids women and children living in impoverished and underdeveloped communities by giving food, education and more. Bvddy, a local Miami based company will be sponsoring the Model Beach Volleyball tournament and giving people the opportunity to ‘buddy up’ with some of Miami’s hottest models. They will have tug of war, rock climbing and even a cooling station. For more information click on the link above.

Matchboxfoodgroup and No Kid Hungry

This year, matchboxfoodgroup is making every meal count by joining thousands of restaurants nationwide to raise funds for No Kid Hungry^®. From March 8, 2017, to March 8, 2018, matchbox American Kitchen + Spirit and Ted’s BULLETIN will donate 10 cents from every matchbox pizza and 10 cents of every Ted’s BULLETIN Ted’s Tart sold (up to $75,000) at all locations to help the fight against childhood hunger. Funds raised by matchboxfoodgroup will support No Kid Hungry’s work to connect vulnerable children to effective nutrition programs like School Breakfast and Summer Meals, creating public-private partnerships that work together to identify and break down barriers, allowing children access to meals, and teaching low-income families how to stretch their food budgets and cook healthy, affordable meals. For more information on matchboxfoodgroup visit www.matchboxfoodgroup.com, follow the team on Twitter or Instagram (@matchbox369).

6^th Annual Wine, Women, and Shoes

On Friday, March 17, nearly 700 of South Florida’s most fashionable women will come together at the 6th Annual Wine, Women & Shoes (WW&S), one of the largest women’s fundraising events nationwide, to support the children and families at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. The event, presented by Faena Rose and Christina Getty, has raised nearly $2.5 million since 2012, and it’s one of the highest revenue making Wine, Women & Shoes events from over 175 in the country. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. at SOHO Studios. For more information contact Marilen.marnett@mchf.org.

The Little Lighthouse Foundation Hearts & Stars Gala

The Little Lighthouse Foundation’s (LLF) Hearts & Stars Gala Weekend will take place March 16 to 18, 2017 culminating with the Hearts & Stars Gala: Mystic Dreams, which will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at a private waterfront mansion on Star Island in Miami Beach, Florida. LLF assists children and families in South Florida who struggle with educational, financial, and medical hardships. The Hearts & Stars Gala is a black tie optional, fantasy themed party. Guests will enjoy a top shelf open bar featuring Ketel One Vodka, Italian sparkling wines from Tita Italia Wines & Delicatessen, and food tastings from some of South Florida’s top restaurants and caterers. In addition, guests will enjoy FIJI water and La Croix sparkling water. Music will be provided by Marcos Noel, Patrick Pizzorni, and Willy Monfret. Information about the Hearts & Stars Gala Weekend can be found at www.heartsandstarsgala.com or by contacting Jonathan Babicka at Jonathan@TheLittleLighthouse.org or 305-401-3949.

FemCity Miami Cocktail 

FemCity Miami, a networking community dedicated to helping and arming women with the tools they need to grow their business and live a happy life, invites you to enjoy an evening of cocktails, sweet treats and a carefully curated pop-up marketplace on Thursday, March 30 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm at the historic Coco Plum Woman’s Club located at 1375 Sunset Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33143. In its inaugural event and created for women who enjoy great style, shopping and fine cocktails, this is a great opportunity for women to join together for an evening of shopping and fun with the common purpose of supporting and giving back to the community. Ten percent (10%) of the funds raised from the ticket sales will be donated to the non-profit organization Lotus House, to help support the lives of homeless women and children. For additional information to purchase the early bird ticket price of $15, vendor and sponsorship information, visit http://www.femcity.com/events/femcity-girls-night-miami/