On South Beach, where steakhouses abound, Red, The Steakhouse stands strong as THE place to get a perfect steak cooked to perfection.  While several other SoBe steakhouses are bigger on scene than on steak, (including brand-new, fellow 3-letter contender which shall remain nameless), Red is all about the food, not that the excellent service and wine selection (over 500 varieties) are anything to scoff at.   If you want a perfect steak, go to Red, period.

Tucked away in the South of Fifth neighborhood, Red exudes owner, Brad Friedlander’s zeal for perfection in the kitchen, which is exceeded only by his intense passion to please his guests.  “We’re passionate about what we serve. We are consistently dreaming up ways to exceed our guests’ expectations and thrilled to bring our unique style to an exciting and vibrant city like Miami.”   That “style” includes a décor that is anything but stuffy, right down its polished wood floors, red banquettes, black bar, white brick walls and glass-enclosed private dining room.  There’s also a rooftop area perfect for watching fireworks on July 4 and New Year’s Eve and throwing a bash or two. Read the rest of this entry »

H&M Pop Shop on Lincoln Road photo: Alex Tamargo

“Forget the rules, if it makes you happy, wear it!” reads the sign on the wall at the fantastic, brand new H&M pop-up shop just off of Lincoln Road.  It seemed like a delightful figment of our imagination as we approached the store last Thursday morning and saw the famed bright red letters “H & M” on the rooftop.  “Happy” was just the mood inside the store for the private preview- “ecstatic” actually. Partly because the select few who were invited to this “fashion field trip” for a sneak peek of Swedish global retailer  Hennes and Mauritz’s latest fashion forward outpost were among our most fashionable friends, who were like kids in a candy store, and also because we were drinking champagne at 11 a.m. on a stormy Thursday.  In case you didn’t notice, we used the word “fashion” three times in that last sentence- that’s because it’s all about trendy, affordable, fashion (there’s that word again) at H& M. Read the rest of this entry »

Jenny Wilensky, Josh Fein, and Jillian Sanz

The Design Center for the Americas (DCOTA) was aglow in purple light on Thursday, May 19, for the highly anticipated, inaugural, Flare for Design, (intentional spelling) which merged the elements of high fashion and design to benefit the Southeast Florida Chapter of The Lupus Foundation of America.  A chic crowd gathered at the center to bid on one-of-a kind auction items, sip cocktails and Veuve Clicquot champagne, nibble on gourmet food by Lyon & Lyon and Blade Sushi and enjoy an animated fashion show narrated by Haute Living’s National Fashion Director, Jilian Sanz, who looked “pretty in peach” in a floor-length, Luca Luca gown.  The fashions, modeled by people living with Lupus, included designs donated by 100% Capri, Alice & Olivia, Elie Tahari, Luca Luca, Malo, Max Mara, Noble Experiment, Trina Turk and Valentino that were sold at a silent auctioned following the event. Guests were also treated to a musical performance by Rees Bridges from the Grammy Award winning band Dirty Vegas. Jenny Wilensky of Creative Fashion Agency Istylie, who lost her mother to Lupus last year, founded A Flare for Design in an effort to educate our community about the disease. Read the rest of this entry »

The 7th Annual AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup

The 7th Annual AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup presented by Nespresso returns to South Beach from April 21 through April 24 between 20th and 22nd streets on the sands behind the Setai Hotel, featuring South Florida native veteran Polo player and renowned presenter of America’s Most Wanted, John Walsh.  AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz, returns for the second year as title sponsor and is displaying a stable of its own high performance vehicles alongside the well-trained thoroughbred horses.  Guests will also enjoy specialty cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose vodka. For this year’s AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup, AMG-Mercedes has formed a unique partnership with designer La Martina for the creation of a special edition commemorative polo shirt for the tournament that will be on sale at the La Martina retail tent over the four days of the tournament.  All proceeds from the sales of the polo shirt as well as a portion of funds raised from this year’s ticket sales will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, the tournament’s official partnering charity organization. To purchase tickets and a complete listing of events visit or call www.miamipolo.com or 305-538-3809.

“GreenRaiser” by ECOMB on Earth Day

The Environmental Coalition of Miami & the Beaches (ECOMB) will host its annual “GreenRaiser” on Thursday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m. As the preeminent environmental organization leading sustainable initiatives for the community, ECOMB, along with NBC’s Jeff Burnside, will present not only the most “eco-chic” event of the season, but also serve as the biggest fundraising effort for the preservation, protection and restoration of our community’s local ecosystem.  After arriving in SWOOP electric transport or receiving a discount to valet park hybrid cars, guests will be welcomed at the Sagamore Hotel by eco-fashion presentations by Art of Shade and Elite Models.  Hosts include: Audie Apple, Michael Capponi, Michael Gongora, Tony Cho, Ali Codina, Karla Dascal, Claudio Faria, Jeff Feldman, Stacey Glassman, Eric Hecht M.D., Lisa Liotta, Jonathan Marcoschamer, Nikki Novo, Chad Oppenheim, Brian Scheinblum, Ashley Turchin, John Turchin and Liza Walton.  Tickets are priced as follows: VIP reception $150 (VIP Couple $250); Sustainable Celebration $75, ECOMB Members $50 in advance and $100 at the door. Tickets are available through ecomb@ecomb.org or by calling 305-534-3825.

Race to Nowhere

First United Methodist Church (536 Coral Way) will be hosting two screenings of the educational documentary, Race to Nowhere, a film by Vicki Abeles on Tuesday, April 26 at 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.  The film is about America’s achievement culture in education. Following the film, a panel of professionals will engage in discussion with the audience.  Tickets can be purchased at www.fumccg.org for $10.  Contact Julie Hoyt for more information at Hoytjulie@aol.com.

Dining Out For Life

Care Resource is proud to host its sixth year of Dining Out for Life (DOFL) in South Florida on Thursday, April 28, with spokesperson, Executive Chef Paula DaSilva of 1500°, the farm-to-table eatery located in Miami Beach’s Eden Roc Renaissance. DOFL is a one-day international fundraiser, co-hosted by The Miami New Times, benefiting non-profit service agencies in over 55 metropolitan areas across the United States and Canada. On April 28, thousands of supporters will dine together with friends, family members and coworkers in support of the fight against HIV/AIDS. Participating restaurants will donate a portion of their sales that night to HIV/AIDS organizations allowing for continued services and programs to families and individuals infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. For a full list of participating restaurants in South Florida, visit www.diningoutforlife.com/miami/participating.

A Night at the Museum

The Bass Museum of Art (2100 Collins Avenue) will host its annual fundraiser, “A Night at the Museum,” on Thursday, April 28 from 7-10 p.m. No word on whether fans of the movies by the same name will be treated to sightings of Amelia Earhart or Teddy Roosevelt, but they will definitely get to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, Grey Goose vodka cocktails and beats by ESS & EMM.  In addition, attendees will have the chance to explore the museum’s new exhibit, “An Invitation to LOOK/Selections from the Permanent Collection of the Bass Museum of Art,” featuring more than 40 works from its permanent collection, including portraits spanning 300 years, painted in varying styles by English, American, Dutch, French and German artists. Admission costs $125 for two and includes a Sustaining Membership to the Bass Museum of Art for one year. To RSVP email rsvp@bassmuseum.org, visit www.bassmuseum.org, call 786.800.6302 or visit the museum.

Rally for a Cure

JR and Loren Ridinger will join forces again this year with honorary chair Eva Longoria and a multitude of celebrities to co-chair the second annual Rally for Kids with Cancer Scavenger Cup in Miami, hosted by Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach to benefit the Rally for Kids with Cancer Foundation, with the goal of raising much needed funds for fiscally responsible pediatric cancer organizations within the Miami area.

Here’s how it works.  Each participating team must raise a minimum of $25,000 online to enter a personal car in the rally.  Next, each team gets to draft a “Celebrity Navigator” from a star-studded pool during the Qualifiers Celebrity Draft Party on Friday, April 29.  Each team’s fundraising total determines its draft position.  Sounds like fun, huh?  This year’s pool includes:  Eva Longoria, Sofia Milos, Bai Ling, Bridget Marquardt, Christina Milian, Eric Roberts, Greg Vaughn, Ivan Sergei, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Jessie Camacho, John Salley, Michael Yo, Winsor Harmon, Matt Goss, Eric Roberts, Dr. Bill Dorfman, Jaime Camil, Joanna Krupa and Maria Conchita Alonso,and several yet-to-be named stars. The day of the actual Scavenger Cup Rally will begin with the “Start Your Engines” brunch on Saturday, April 30, where participants will receive a Driver’s Manual filled with maps, tips and their first clue, as well as all-access passes to the worlds of sports, food, media, entertainment, travel and fashion in up to seven unique pit stops throughout the Miami area.

Later that night, The Winner’s Circle gala dinner, “Jeans & Jewels,” will feature a live auction, extravagant dinner and world class entertainment. For more information visit www.rallyforkids.com http://www.rallyforkids.com/ and click on “Miami.”

Lea Black

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Lea Black worked the room like a “hundred thousand dollar hooker” (her words) during the animated auction at the Blacks’ Annual Gala at the Eden Roc Renaissance on Saturday night –the party of parties- which gets bigger and better every year.  While the event is technically hosted by Lea AND Roy Black – Roy admiringly introduced his wife prior to her taking the stage by admitting that he is just a “Househusband.” Who ever thought we’d see the day?  A beaming Roy looked on as Lea- stunning in a low-cut, sparkly, black Versace gown which showed off her newly trim and toned “everything” worked the room like only she can. And what a room it was…wall to wall rectangular tables covered in silk silver tablecloths, surrounded by Miami’s who’s who, enjoying a gourmet meal served family style.  Recent Celebrity Apprentice alum, Grammy Award winning artist/actress/Diva Dionne Warwick wowed the crowd with a mini-concert of her most famous songs, including “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” and “That’s What Friends Are For,” which had some guests singing along arm-in-arm.  Warwick departed abruptly, perhaps to get some beauty sleep, the reason for her firing from Celebrity Apprentice.

After dinner, guests were escorted into the Pompeii Ballroom, for the “Nightclub Experience,” where DJ Irie spun great dance music until after midnight, when Grammy Award winning singer/record producer, Pharrell took to the stage to perform and work the crowd into a frenzy. The feisty and seemingly tipsy, Brazilian wild child, Adriana de Moura joined Pharell on-stage, dancing with the rapper, and with Roy Black, who was also up there, with a  gaggle of gals. Read the rest of this entry »

Lara and Fati Rosenberg

By: Maryanne Salvat and Mary Jo Shore

msalvat@miamisocialholic.com

MIYO Home owners, Fati Rosenberg and Stephanie Jourdan, opened their hearts and the doors to their fabulous showroom last Thursday to host a chic event to benefit the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation. The MIYO Home “Chair-ity” joined forces with eight local artists, including Iran Issa-Kahn, Seth Browarnik, Hillary Scrutis, Briggs Solomon, Fernando Wong, Robert Zemnickis and Thom Filicia, each of whom decorated a MIYO Home Chair with his own unique vision, using the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation for inspiration.  The one-of-a kind pieces were auctioned off at Thursday’s cocktail to raise over $30,000 for the foundation.

Well-heeled guests braved the decorative rocks in MIYO’s Zen Garden to admire the creative works such as the Patton Group’s, “Miami Housewives” chair, covered top to bottom with a collage of decoupage newspaper clippings and accentuated by a rhinestone pink flamingo in the middle, signed by the RHOM “fab four:” Lea Black, Alexia Echeverria, Adriana de Moura, and of course Marysol Patton, each of whom spent a good deal of time delighting in their carefully positioned press cut-outs.  Iran Issa-Khan’s chair incorporated her famed coral formations and included a list of well-known actors and artists suffering from the debilitating disorder. Celebrity photographer Seth Browarnik’s creation was positioned on a swatch of red carpet.  How apropos!

Fati Rosenberg, a long-time supporter of the cause said, “The Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation is very near and dear to me. It’s the first charitable organization fully committed to furthering the study of early-onset bipolar disorder. I am appreciative to have the support of the artists who’ve contributed their talent and effort to help me draw awareness and educate our community about this debilitating condition.”  Read the rest of this entry »