photo credit: World Red Eye

By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
“Neon or Nothing” was the theme of a party that would have been more aptly dubbed “Neon and Everything” for the copious amounts of fun it brought to Miami on a rainy August night.

TARA, Ink. principal and man-about-town, Nick D’Annunzio, well known for throwing over-the-top themed bashes (a hoedown, luau, burlesque and 1980s dance-a-thon about which we are still raving). For this year’s party, 300 of D’Annunzio’s closest friends traveled from near and far, dressing in their brightest neon, while braving a torrential summer rainstorm on Saturday, August 15 for NEON OR NOTHING NIGHT SWIM at Thompson Miami Beach.

VIPs ducked into a cabana and gathered around the The Thompson’s beautiful pool area, which had been illuminated with bright pink, blue and green lights, Read the rest of this entry »

Maryannesalvat@aol.com

Now on its 14th year, the Miami Spice Restaurant Program, the popular restaurant promotion organized by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), offers diners an accessible way to experience more than 190 of the finest restaurants in the region, including 54 new 2015 participants. Miami Spice kicked off in August with dining deals that include lunch priced at $23 per person and dinner priced at $39 per person. Prices include an appetizer, entrée and dessert, and exclude alcohol, tax, tip and service charges. The celebrated restaurant program will continue to bring the heat up through September, presenting savvy diners with tempting culinary experiences at unbeatable prices. Miami Spice is proud to partner with Citibank, Stella Artois and Terrazas de los Andes on this year’s program. New participating restaurants include Tom Colocchio’s Beachcraft, CENA by Michy, Cleo, Corsair by Scott Conant, Coya, El Cielo, Fooq’s, Izzy’s Fish & Oyster, Klima Restaurant & Bar, Marion, Market at Edition, Morimoto, Piripi, Prime Fish, Quality Meats, the Redlander Restaurant at Schnebly Winery, Seagrape at Thompson Miami Beach, the Social Club, Stripsteak by Michael Mina, Tantalize Miami, Tamarina, Vagabond Restaurant and Bar, Via Verdi Cucina Rustica and Vintro Kitchen & Bar.

Additionally, the GMCVB has partnered with OpenTable, a leading online restaurant reservation site, throughout September to promote Miami Spice and the participating restaurants in Greater Miami and the Beaches. Residents and guests can visit the GMCVB’s dedicated website – www.iLoveMiamiSpice.com – which serves as a one-stop shop for additional information on the various dining experiences by neighborhood, restaurant menus and participating days, hotel packages culinary events and more.

Kone Spiced Up Menu

For those who want to take advantage of an even better price than that of Miami Spice- head to Downtown Miami’s Kone sushi restaurant. Throughout September, Kone Sushi will offer a special “Spiced Up Menu” for only $30 per person. The special will include five mouthwatering courses, including appetizers such as Miso Soup and/or House Salads and fan favorites: Rock Shrimp, Fish Carpaccio, Master Ohata Roll (Mo Roll- shrimp tempura, avocado, cream cheese, scallions topped with roasted salmon masago and cusabi sauce.) in addition to the MO roll- we recommend ordering our favorites- the Crunchy Monster and the Shaggy Dog. Don’t forget dessert- three sweet little kones or Nutella Pie. Yummy! Voted Miami Beach’s “Best Sushi” for two years in a row, the Brazilian inspired restaurant will have your taste buds tingling with excitement. Don’t miss this phenomenal opportunity to enjoy this great meal with family and friends until September 30. For more information, visit: http://konesushi.com/come-try-our-kone-spiced-up-menu/

Swine Serves up Southern Hospitality and Spice

Upscale southern restaurant, Swine Southern Table & Bar has debuted 3-course Miami Spice menus for both lunch and supper, featuring seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients in dishes that showcase their signature Southern cuisine. Highlights on the dinner menu include: 1855 Black Angus Burnt Ends -creamy cornbread, Swine BBQ sauce, spiced corn nuts; Low & Slow Ribs – competition rub, cider vinegar mop, homemade pickles, and the decadent Death By Chocolate – rich chocolate brownie, chocolate pudding, chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce, Coco Puffs- all for only $39 per person, Sunday through Thursday. Lunch favorites, proved at $23 Monday-Friday include: Fried Green Tomato or Crispy Pork Caesar Salad; Swine Burger – (one of the best burgers in town) short rib, brisket, and smoked pork blend, thick-cut house-smoked bacon, pickle, lettuce, tomato, American cheese, Swine special sauce, and Jack & Cookies – freshly baked cookies, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee honey milk.
Additionally, in conjunction with the Miami Spice menus, Swine is also offering their Summer of Wine specials, featuring an exclusive list of wines $30 and under, through September. These wines serve as a great complement to the Miami Spice menu and are available to guests dining with the regular menu, as well. To see the full Swine Miami Spice menus, visit: http://www.runpigrun.com.

River Seafood & Oyster Bar

If you haven’t been yet, now is the perfect time to plan your trip to Chef Bracha’s River Seafood & Oyster Bar as this year’s Miami Spice event is well underway! The iconic downtown Miami seafood restaurant has stood its ground since 2003 serving loyal patrons seven days a week. The River Oyster Bar uses the freshest product available to create a menu of dishes reflecting Chef Bracha’s decidedly modern twist on classic seafood cuisine. The restaurant has earned critical acclaim and has become a major downtown Miami dining destination.

The River and other Miami hotspots will be offering three-course lunch and dinner special meals until September 30th with lunch priced at $23 and dinner $39. A sneak-peak at the dinner menu includes: a Creamy Sea Urchin Polenta, Spiny Lobster Flatbread or Oyster Ceviche for appetizers; Sea Scallops a la Plancha, Fisherman’s Grouper Stew, Large Braised Shortribs for entrée, and the New York strip-priced at just $30 that rivals those served at the best steak houses in town; and for dessert, the Meyer Lemon Cheesecake, A Slice of Summer Sundae or Peanut Butter Mousse. These mouth-watering choices offer a diverse selection of some of the River’s favorite dishes.

Maryannesalvat@aol.com

Capretto Shoes Hosts Jerome Rousseau

Capretto Shoes will host talented footwear designer, JeromeRousseau on September 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will preview Jerome’s latest visions from his exclusive Pre-Fall 2015 collection. Jerome will be signing any pairs bought on that day. The event will preview Jerome’s latest visions from his exclusive Pre-Fall 2015 collection and he will be signing any pairs bought on that day. On Wednesday September 2, Jerome will be joined by model, blogger and contributing editor of Vogue Mexico, Jenny Lopez as they host Fashion for Breakfast from 9:30 – 11:00 am at the SoHo Beach House in Miami Beach. Haute Living Magazine Contributing Editor and RAC owner, Regina Arriola Cauff, will moderate the trendy panel.

Ball & Chain Celebrates 80 Years!
Ball & Chain, the notable and world famous live music venue located at 1513 Southwest 8th Street, is thrilled to present their first annual three-day music festival in honor of the venue’s 80th Anniversary this Labor Day Weekend in September, Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6, 2015 . The historical hotspot originally opened its doors in September 1935 as a live jazz music venue closing its doors in the 1950s. The retro jazz bar on Calle Ocho was reopened with an authentic Cuban flare meticulously redecorated in iconic 1950s Miami style by new ownership Ben Bush, Zack Bush and Bill Fuller in September 2014. This is the first multiple-day musical driven event to celebrate the venue’s 80th birthday. The anticipated live performances will start on Friday at 10:00 p.m., Saturday at 10PM and Sunday (13 Shows) from Noon to 3:00 a.m. Special 80th Anniversary cocktails will be added to the menu and available for purchase during the festival. All attending guests will be eligible for exclusive giveaways and raffles; For additional information about Ball & Chain please visit www.ballandchainmiami.com. This is event is free and open to the public.

The Salon by InStyle

JCPenney and InStyle magazine have partnered to open The Salon by InStyle, a new cutting-edge salon concept reinventing the traditional salon experience with contemporary aesthetics including modern wall textures and colors, new décor elements and state-of-the-art styling equipment. JCPenney and InStyle also teamed up to create the Salon by InStyle Trend Book which showcases signature styles and the latest, fall runway trends curated by JCPenney stylists combined with the insight of the hair and beauty editors at InStyle. The Trend Book is available on jcpenney.com and on display at Salon by InStyle locations. The Salon by InStyle inside JCPenney opened its first 15 locations on July 17th across the greater areas of Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and Dallas. The remaining 825 JCPenney salons will undergo a national rebranding in 2016. The Salon by InStyle locations in greater Miami include: JCPenney inside the Boynton Beach Mall in Boynton Beach, Pembroke Lanes Mall in Pembroke Pines, and Dadeland Mall in Miami.

photo courtesy: MiamiSocialholic.com

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

South Beach came alive once again this July, as the swimwear industry’s most highly anticipated event, Swim Week Miami, returned for an action-packed four days and nights of designer runway shows, presentations and parties from Thursday, July 16- Sunday, July 19 at various hotels and venues throughout Miami Beach. Sexy styles were mixed with more functional pieces, color palates ranged from bright, to bold to lots of black, cut-outs prevailed among one piece suits as well as an emphasis on elegant swimwear that can double as cocktail attire-with a mere addition of a skirt or pants. Designers drew inspiration from faraway places and steamy Miami and incorporated captivating themes in their shows and presentations. Among the most memorable presentations, shows and parties: Mara Hoffman, Maaji, Mohini, DIJANA, Caffe, and Style Saves and Orlebar Brown.

Mara Hoffman’s Resort Swim 2016 Collection

The most strikingly beautiful presentation was that of Mara Hoffman, who unveiled her Resort Swim 2016 collection among the pristine landscaped gardens of Casa Casuarina, formerly known as the Versace Mansion. Millions upon millions of glistening, iridescent mosaic tiles which flank the mansion’s lawn and pool area provided the perfect backdrop, making for the most stunning presentation of the season. Read the rest of this entry »

Caudalie at Aventura Mall

Caudalie, the French Vinotherapie skincare line has opened its first brick-and-mortar Miami location inside the Aventura Mall. Caudalie’s products feature the antioxidant powers of grape and grapevine, and the new location features a treatment room (the only one in the entire mall), along with their must-have items like their Premier Cru Eye Cream, Vinexpert firming serums, tinted moisturizers with SPF and their famous Beauty Elixir.

Blue Harmony at the Shelborne Wyndham Grand

Blue Harmony, the brand new spa at the historic Shelborne Wyndham Grand Miami Beach offers exceptional spa treatment specials for the perfect mid-day retreat. During “spa month” locals and visitors will have a chance to experience luxurious treatments at exceptional prices while gazing at the hotels $150 million dollar make-over. Enjoy an invigorating deep tissue massage, Vitamin C facial, or the “Sun Goddess” ritual. For more information visit: www.shelbornewyndhamgrand.com.

Wapo Taco! In the Gables

Owners Michael Berkman, Manuel Mattei and the Musi family of Wapo Taco! – Coral Gables and Wapo Taco! – Hallandale Beach welcome Miami’s Consul General of Mexico, the honorable Jose Antonio Zabalgoitia, and Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the of the new Wapo Taco! – Coral Gables, located at 2526 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10. In light of the recent development, Musi and his team will commence their open-to-the-public Grand Opening celebration, featuring free al pastor tacos, Mexican beer and surprise mariachi performances, directly following the ceremony and carrying on until 9 p.m., a bit earlier than originally expected. Guests will be permitted up to four al pastor tacos, as well as two Mexican beers during the event, while supplies last; the full menu is available for purchase all day beforehand and will also be available directly following; for more information visit: elwapotaco.com.

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation^® South Florida

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation^® South Floridafundraiser on your radar. The 27^th annual benefit, dedicated to ending childhood hunger, is taking place in a gorgeously renovated ballroom at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel on Thursday, July 16 from 7:00 – 10:00p.m.  This year, the South Beach Chic – Food, Wine & Art– themed event will bring more than 50 of Dade and Broward’s top chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and brewers under one roof. The party continues with bottomless prosecco and ample oysters at the exclusive “Chefs on a Half Shell” after party hosted by Chef Josh Capon and Chef de Cuisine John Iatrellis at Lure Fishbar, from 10p.m. to Midnight.  General admission tickets are priced at $125 per person. VIP tickets are priced at $250 per person and provide access to the event one hour before the doors open, as well as admission to the after party.

Vintro Hotel + Kitchen

Vintro Hotel + Kitchen has upped the ante on Miami post-happy hour specials. The culinary experts have carefully crafted a new tapas menu to be served from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. daily. For $25 a person, evening diners receive a choice of two tapas and unlimited red or white house wine.

Bocce Midtown

Chef Nunzio Fuschillo brings his native Napolitano cuisine to Bocce Midtown along with an extensive menu of mouthwatering treats and tantalizing beverages that create an Italian ambiance in the heart of Miami. With the city’s only official bocce ball court, Bocce brings an old-school Italian favorite pastime for guests to enjoy throughout the evening.

Rosa Blanca Café at Dilworth Park, in collaboration with the Center City District, has opened a newly designed garden seating area on the PNC Terrace. In addition, Wednesday and Thursday nights will now feature live musical performances, DJs and happy hour specials, complementing other programs and free events at Dilworth Park throughout the summer season.

Renowned landscape architect, Groundswell Design Group designed the enhancements to the PNC Terrace, featuring a new garden bar, with elevated planters with colorful flora, new furniture, umbrellas and market lights to enhance the al fresco dining experience in Dilworth Park. Read the rest of this entry »