By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Elegant, romantic and tres chic, the St. Regis Bar & Sushi Lounge features an exclusive selection of the world’s finest champagnes, rare vintage wines, and hand crafted cocktails, complemented by an innovative menu of sushi and various fine dishes. Perfect for a romantic evening or an intimate night out with friends, this beautiful space offers impeccable food and service, and serves cocktails and wines along with live music nightly. One close friend, for whom the St. Regis is “first date central,” begrudgingly shared why she loves this place so much, “It exudes old-world glamour, is intimate enough to plan a second date, and serves a crazy-good martini.”

From the moment you arrive at the resort, you are treated like a VIP. From being greeted by name, personally escorted to the restaurant, and seated at a perfect table, you know you’re in for something special. Inside the St. Regis Bar, surrounded by beveled mirrors and chandeliers, you’d swear you were inside a jewelry box.

Yet aside from the unparalleled atmosphere, the real star is the food. Jillian Jacobson, creator of the Asian cuisine concept takes great pride in showcasing the carefully selected menu which incorporates only the best ingredients, and showcases great attention to details. Each dish is exquisitely prepared. While difficult to pick a favorite, we highly recommend the Big Eye Tuna tacos, Maine Lobster roll, Rainbow roll and Jules roll (Alaskan King Crab, Cucumber, Spicy Mayo, Soy Paper). But for a truly life changing experience, order the Land and Sea Roll, (Wagyu Beef, Alaskan King Crab, White Truffle Oil, Avocado, Cucumber). You really can’t go wrong with any of the menu selections.

Throughout the month of September, take advantage of the Miami Spice menu: a decadent three course dinner for only $39. Chef selections include: Big Eye Tuna tacos or Tuna Tataki Salad; Lamb Chops or Soba Noodles and dessert. A wine pairing is available for an additional $25. From start to finish, the St. Regis Bar & Sushi Lounge Bal Harbour delivers an extraordinary dining experience.

For more information, visit: www.stregisbalharbour.com.

River Yacht Club Labor Day Soiree

Join River Yacht Club on Saturday, September 3rd from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. for their first ever Labor Day Soiree! Featuring an impressive waterfront lineup of VanDutch, Axopar, and Tecnomar EVO yachts, there is no better way to celebrate the long weekend than with a waterfront view and specials on Perrier Jouet!

RSVP: reservations@riveryachtclub.com

Call to book table reservations: 305-200-5716 

COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach Extends Miami Spa Month 

COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach, the inaugural hotel property in the U.S by COMO Hotels and Resorts, is continuing to offer its exclusive menu of hand-picked treatments developed at a reduced rate for Miami Spa Month for an additional 61-days – through October 31st. For the entire months of September and October, COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach invites enthusiasts and aficionados of holistic health to experience a continuation of its award-winning wellness and spa concept located on the eighth floor of the hotel property, that includes the region’s only rooftop Hydrotherapy Pool, offering outstanding oceanfront views of Miami Beach. COMO Shambhala Urban Escape will extend its offer of the spa’s most popular and diverse Asian-based therapies to choose from – all at exclusively reduced rates from September 1st through October 31st, 2016. Reservations at COMO Shambhala Urban Escape at COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach can be made by calling 305-695-3600 or emailing met.mia@comoshambhala.com. For more information on COMO Shambhala, visit www.comoshambhala.com. COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach is located at 2445 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140.  For further information, visit www.comohotels.com/metropolitanmiamibeach

The St. Regis Bal Harbour 

The St. Regis Bal Harbour is giving travelers even more reasons to visit Miami Beach this winter with a $35 million reinvestment in the property to further elevate the guest experience. A significant project only five years after opening, The St. Regis Bal Harbour’s exciting resort enhancements include three expansive four-bedroom guest suites, a new indoor-outdoor Greek restaurant and expanded lobby lounge space — all slated for completion before the end of 2016.

What’s New at The St. Regis Bal Harbour

• Three Brand New Four-Bedroom Suites – The new Signature Suites Collection offers an airy feel of luxury residential living for up to 10 guests per suite. The three spacious four-bedroom and four-bathroom suites feel like private penthouses with all of the amenities of a luxury resort, including the famed St. Regis Butler service. What’s more, two of the suites on the 23^rd floor may be combined to form one massive eight-bedroom suite, which spans over 7,500 square feet and can accommodate up to 20 guests – the largest suite on the East Coast!
• New Greek Restaurant – The beautiful indoor-outdoor Greek restaurant, Atlantikós, is slated to open at the end of September.  Atlantikós will exude an authentic Greek atmosphere, reminiscent of the bright blue and white contrasting colors of Santorini with a menu featuring dishes inspired by the Greek isles.
• New Lobby Lounge – At the heart of the resort, the new lobby lounge will be an elegant, yet comfortable, social destination to gather and enjoy pastries and savory bites from celebrated Chef Antonio Bachour. The afternoon tea ritual has been a treasured tradition at The St. Regis for decades and will remain in the new lobby lounge as one of the resort’s most anticipated and superb culinary experiences, available 24 hours advance reservation

Friends of St, Jude Kick-off at Marion and El Tucan

Friends of St. Jude (FOSJ) Miami, the young professional group dedicated to raising awareness and funding for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ®, is hosting the official Kick-off for its signature event, International Dermatology It’s All About the Kids presented by The Andres Asion Foundation(IAAK). The event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 1at 7p at Marion, in Brickell. Tickets are $15 for FOSJ members and $25 for non-members and include complimentary cocktails and bite. All guests will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets to IAAK. Tickets can also be purchased online at stjude.org/itsallaboutthekids or by calling (305) 265-1371. All proceeds from go directly to St. Jude. To join the event conversation online, use the official hashtag:  #FriendOfStJudeMiami.

Treat Yourself to a Weekend with Lady Luck at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort

“Lady Luck,” the 324-foot tanker ship from New York City has become one of the biggest contributions to South Florida’s artificial reef system and one of the most easily accessible major dive sites in the nation. We encourage you to book a weekend stay at the Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach  beautiful resort, situated on the beach, with state of the art amenities, two pools, a kids’ play area, excellent service and a terrific breakfast buffet. The tanker, which is longer than a football field, has been sunk one mile from the resort. It is now the centerpiece of Shipwreck Park, a unique underwater cultural arts park surrounded by 16 other existing wrecks with underwater art exhibits created by Pompano Beach artist Dennis MacDonald. Art displays include a swim-through cascade of gigantic dice, a card-slinging Octopus and hustling table sharks as part of the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park sponsorship.

For more information on Lady Luck and Shipwreck Park, Inc., visit www.sinktheladyluck.com. For information or to make reservations at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, please visit www.pompanomarriott.com or call 855-954-4683.

Miami Spice Heat Up

KLIMA Restaurant and Bar

KLIMA tempts gourmet enthusiasts with a set menu that presents some of the restaurant’s most popular creations, demonstrating why KLIMA Restaurant and Bar has become one of the most admired restaurants in the city.  KLIMA’s Miami Spice Month program for 2016 will consist of a $39 pre-fix dinner menu available from Monday to Saturday untill September 30th.

 KLIMA Restaurant and Bar is located at 210 23rd Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139, and is now open for daily dinner reservations from 6:00 p.m. by calling 786.453.2779, by emailing Reservations@klimamiami.com or via Open Table. For more information, visit www.klimamiami.com and join the conversation @klimamiami and through #klimamiami.

Turnberry Isle

BOURBON STEAK by Michael Mina and CORSAIR kitchen & bar at Turnberry Isle Miami are two of the highly anticipated restaurants participating in this year’s Miami Spice Month. You will pay $23 for lunch and $39 for dinner at these award-winning, sought after hotspots. Entice your palate with a choice of appetizers including Charred Octopus Ceviche or Summer Corn Chowder at Michael Mina’s BOURBON Steak, or satisfy your sweet tooth with a Chocolate Fudge Cake or the Salted Caramel Pudding from CORSAIR kitchen & bar.

Reservations are recommended throughout Miami Spice months since restaurants will be filling up quickly during peak lunch and dinner hours. For more information or to reserve visit: http://www.turnberryislemiami.com/

WALL Gives Back Donations for the Victims of the Central Italian Earthquake

Italian born Nicola Siervo and partners at WALL Miami are arranging a donations endeavor to alleviate the devastation of the Umbria, Lazzo and Marche regions of Italy.  In lieu of entrance fees, WALL simply asks for donations at the door in addition to their pledge of a portion of bar sales.  Starting on Tuesday, August 30th, WALL invites its guests to join their cause and see that looking good and doing good can be one in the same.

Quattro Gastronomia Italiana Supports Victims of Italy’s Earthquake

On Wednesday, August 24, 2016, a Magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit Central Italy, killing at least 290 people and devastating the town of Amatrice. To assist those affected by this terrible disaster, Quattro Gastronomia Italiana will be offering Amatriciana pasta for the entire month of September, with proceeds from the dish going to the victims of the earthquake.

Amatriciana is a famous pasta sauce originating from the town of Amatrice, the site of the earthquake’s epicenter. Guests can order the pasta plate, made with tomato sauce, onions, guanciale and Pecorino Romano cheese, knowing that proceeds will go towards providing earthquake relief for the victims and their families.

“Our prayers go out to Italy and the victims of the earthquake. We encourage guests to order the Amatriciana pasta so that we can assist with relief efforts and create awareness for the affected region,” said Quattro general manager/partner Roberto Sanso.

Quattro Gastronomia Italiana is located at 1014 Lincoln Road in South Beach. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily. Reservations are strongly suggested. Telephone: (305) 531-4833. Follow Quattro on Facebook: @quattromiami, Twitter: @quattromiami, Instagram: @quattromiami. www.quattromiami.com

We have loved the Betsy- South Beach Hotel for years and for so many reasons:  its elegant Old Florida ambiance, cozy and welcoming interiors,  “hidden gem” appeal…but most of all, for the elevated dining experience provided by Executive Chef Laurent Tourondel, who has recently opened LT Steak & Seafood, (where one of our favorites, BLT, used to be).  LT Steak and Seafood, much like its predecessor is dedicated to serving the best, most refined American steak and seafood on Miami Beach.  LT is a fitting dining room within the historic hotel, the Greater Miami area’s only Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond rated boutique hotel.  LT Steak & Seafood offers diverse dishes that draw inspiration from the distinct energy of Miami. Chef Tourondel, one of the region’s strongest culinary voices, has created seasonally-inspired American menu that showcases a deep appreciation for the local landscape, combining beloved aspects of steak and seafood houses together under one very elegant roof. LT Steak & Seafood offers innovative takes on familiar dishes, with menu highlights featuring expansive sushi and raw bar offerings such as Crunchy Curried Peekytoe Crab and Freshwater Prawn Coconut; large seasonal salads including Lemon Poached Lobster Salad with grapefruit oil and Watermelon & Heirloom Tomatoes with feta, hot peppers and pomegranate vinaigrette; seafood entrees like Grilled Red Snapper with smashed fresh peas and lime-shiitake ginger vinaigrette; followed by a vast selection of U.S.D.A. Prime steaks from the grill, offered with rotating market sides. LT Steak & Seafood serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.  Our favorites included the Alaskan King Crab claws and the New York strip- a perfect steak, prepared to perfection.

To complement the menu, an extensive beverage program created by LT Steak & Seafood F&B Director David Weiss, consists of a range of literary-inspired original cocktails, along with some signature classics inspired by Tourondel. The restaurant’s wine program includes a diverse, international list to match the bold menu items.  We would be remiss if we failed to mention the outstanding service, from start to finish!

The new look at LT Steak & Seafood has been brought to life by the award-winning design team at The Betsy-South Beach, led by Diamante Pedersoli and Carmelina Santoro. Clean lines, rich textures and an understated elegance define the space, exuding true warmth and comfort. The restaurant’s signature large picture windows from the original L. Murray Dixon Art Deco Design further enhance the airy, open space.

During the months of August and September, diners can take advantage of LT Steak & Seafood’s Miami Spice offerings. To view the featured lunch and dinner menus, available for only $23 and $39 dollars, respectively, visit:  www.miamiandbeaches.com/restaurant/lt-steak-and-seafood/.

The  three course pre fixe lunch ($23) and dinner ($39) menus include Kampachi Ceviche with citrus juice, red onion, sweet potato, avocado, hauncaina sauce, and cancha and Pan Roasted Bronzino with brown butter mushroom mojo, crispy garlic, and ultra-watercress.

The opening of LT Steak & Seafood has coincided with the larger expansion of The Betsy-South Beach, which will be adding impressive new facilities to elevate the guest experience, while preserving the commitment to a high level of personalized service. Along with LT Steak & Seafood, the property’s expansion will include two additional culinary concepts overseen by Tourondel, scheduled to open in fall of 2016. LT Steak & Seafood is located at 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily from 7:00am – 10:00pm Sunday through Thursday, and 7:00am – 11:00pm Friday through Saturday. For reservations,  call 305-673-0044. All major credit cards accepted. For additional information, visit www.thebetsyhotel.com/dining.  

Experience some of Miami’s finest restaurants, all while helping those in need.  Miami magazine calls on all foodies as it prepares to showcase 20 of the Magic City’s most outstanding restaurants and Chefs during the 8th annual “To Live and Dine” lavish soiree on August 17. Publisher Diana Riser will host the event at the new and innovative Private Key Club in Wynwood where over 400 guests will converge to feast over sample signature menu items and mingle with the local celebrity chefs. In addition to indulging in the sweet and savory bites from Hall of Famers DB Bistro, Bulla, STK, Katsuya, Scarpetta, The Bazaar and newcomers Pao, Los Fuegos, River Yacht Club, Kaori , among many others, to the beat of DJ Michael Sarz, guests will enjoy many interactive activities, including a fun photo booth and a beautiful display of the latest luxury cars from BMW. Open bars and thirst quenchers will be provided by Russian Standard vodka, Slow Press Wines, Concrete Beach Brewery and sparkling waters and juices from Alta Palla. Channel 7 Anchor Belkeys Nerey, Giovanny from Chat Chow and Miami magazine contributing food writer Jen Kavetchnik will judge the “Best of Show” competition. The winner will be announced post event through social media. The event benefits Chapman Partnership. For more information please contact Sofia Ponce de Leon at sponcedeleon@moderluxury.com. To reply and purchase your tickets please go to the ticket link – liveanddine2016.eventbrite.com