Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On February - 16 - 2024
February 18th is National Drink Wine Day and Graziano’s is the place to be on this extremely important holiday. With wines spanning from several different countries coming from Italy to Spain to France to Argentina, Graziano’s vast wine selection has something that will be to accommodate to everyone’s liking. At Graziano’s good wine is always accompanied by extraordinary food: authentic Argentinian dishes expertly crafted and served with care.
Graziano’s extends its presence with 11 locations across Miami, inviting customers to explore both restaurants and markets situated in Bird Road, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Aventura, Doral, and Weston. Visit: https://www.grazianosgroup.com/
Last night we had the pleasure of dining at the beloved Peruvian gastrobar, Pisco y Nazca, Centurion Restaurant Group’s (CRG) newest addition on Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile. The authentic dining experience brings locals and visitors a taste of Peru. From the creators and owners of Bulla Gastrobar, Beehive Kitchen, and Havana Harry’s, Centurion Restaurant Group opened the company’s first Pisco y Nazca in 2015 in Kendall, Florida. Since then, Pisco y Nazca has expanded, with locations in Florida (Doral and Coral Gables) Virginia (Reston), and Washington DC. The restaurant’s name stems from the Peruvian saying, “Entre Pisco y Nazca,” meaning having fun and enjoying the company of loved ones – which is the atmosphere they aim to provide all the communities they serve.
The menu boasts a selection of Peruvian classic dishes with a twist, prepared with the finest ingredients. From traditional ceviches (we enjoyed the Cremoso) bursting with fresh flavors to mouthwatering sushi rolls, yes I said sushi, the Lomo Saltado Roll to be precise; probably one of the most original rolls we have experienced. The main dish of Lomo Saltado was exceptional, served with a plentiful side of white rice and fries large enough to share. Every dish tells a story of Peru’s rich culinary heritage.
For those seeking a true taste of Peru’s national spirit, the bar offers an extensive list of Pisco-based cocktails, expertly crafted by mixologists, as well as a daily Happy Hour from 4-7 p.m. appropriately named Hora Loca.
Located at 101 Miracle Mile, Pisco y Nazca Coral Gables is open Sunday (11am – 10pm), Monday – Tuesday (11:30am – 10pm), Wednesday – Thursday (11:30am – 11pm), Friday (11:30am – 12am) and Saturday (11am – 12am). To view the restaurant’s menus and make a reservation, guests can visit www. piscoynazca.com/coral-gables/. For updates on the restaurant and its sister locations, follow them on Instagram at @piscoynazca.
Former NYC corporate lawyer turned artistic visionary, Nathan Sawaya, is not just an artist – he’s a trailblazer, and he has made his mark on the contemporary art world with Lego bricks. Join in for a groundbreaking art exhibition making waves in Miami at the historic Olympia Theater. Nathan Sawaya’s ‘The Art of the Brick’ has arrived, transforming LEGO bricks into playful, profound, and thought-provoking displays of contemporary artistry in an unparalleled and completely approachable tour-de-force.
Exhibition: Nathan Sawaya’s The Art of the Brick Miami Dates: open daily except Tuesdays, starting January 27 Hours: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Duration: the visit will last approx. 60 minutes Location: Olympia Theater (174 E Flagler St., Miami, FL 33131) Age requirement: all ages are welcome! (free admission for children under 4) Accessibility: the venue is ADA compliant Tickets: starting at $11.90 for children and $19.90 for adults (https://feverup.com/m/147745)
Key Highlights of Nathan Sawaya’s The Art of the Brick Miami exhibition:
• Experience awe-inspiring reinterpretations of globally celebrated masterpieces by Michelangelo, Vincent van Gogh, and Leonardo da Vinci. • Open your heart and mind in the presence of Sawaya’s iconic “Yellow” sculpture, a life-size representation of a man pulling his chest apart with 11,014 yellow LEGO bricks flowing from the cavity; A reminder that each of us may have an artist within. • Experience the impressive range of Sawaya’s mastery with LEGO bricks, and the beauty of human nature in the “Human Expressions” gallery. • Marvel at the massive, 30-foot-tall installation “Division,” which itself is composed of more than 100 individual sculptures. • Get your “roar” on and bring the family! Discover prehistoric wonders, including a 20-foot-long “Tyrannosaurus Rex” skeleton made with 80,020 LEGO bricks. • Take a detour from the South Beach and plunge into the deep end with an ocean-centric “Swimmer” made of 10,980 LEGO bricks. • Channel your inner Barbie aspirations with an interactive selfie-stop in the plastic “Pink Dream” room made of 102,938 LEGO bricks. • Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of LEGO brick-infused photography in a captivating multimedia collection, expertly crafted in collaboration with the Miami Beach-famed photographer, Dean West. • Take count of more than one million LEGO bricks that collectively form The Art of the Brick’s 150+ sculptures. • Create your own brick art in the hands-on LEGO build area.
To celebrate the upcoming Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®), the national event taking place February 22-25 which showcases the talents of the world’s most renowned chefs and culinary personalities, Salt & Straw ice cream is collaborating with some of the top chefs, restaurants, and personalities to create special limited-edition flavors. Available exclusively at Bal Harbour Shops [9700 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour, FL 33154] complimentary to Bal Harbour Shop Access Members and for purchase for non-members for the three weekends leading up to the Festival.
Salt & Straw worked closely with Festival participants like actor and culinary enthusiast Neil Patrick Harris, famed Miami chef Bradley Kilgore, award-winning chef and cookbook author JJ Johnson and Michelin-starred Boia De restaurant team to bring their ice cream visions to life. The schedule for these limited edition collaboration flavors is:
February 2nd – 4th (1pm – 6pm)
Boia De’sFabbri Amarena Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, an Amarena cherry ice cream with chunks of cherries, flecks of chocolate, and swirls of chocolate fudge
February 9th – 11th (1pm – 6pm)
Bradley Kilgore’sPistachio Thai Coconut Green Curry Ice Cream, a green curry ice cream made with serrano peppers, lime, galangal, ginger and combined with a pistachio butter, folded with Florentine cookies made with deep fried basil and roasted pistachios
February 16th – 18th (1pm – 6pm)
Neil Patrick Harris’sBoozy Espresso Martini Ice Cream, inspired by his Thomas Ashbourne After Hours Espresso Martini, a vodka and coffee liqueur spiked coffee ice cream made with single-origin coffee, swirled with housemade marshmallow and Salt & Straw’s signature double-fold vanilla ice cream
JJ Johnson’sRice Cream, inspired by a recipe in his new book The Simple Art of Rice, a jasmine rice and palm sugar flavored ice cream, filled with chunks of spiced rice cookies made with puffed brown-rice cereal, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla
Alongside these special collaboration flavors, Salt & Straw is scooping some of their signature flavors as well, like their beloved Salted, Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough; Chocolate Gooey Brownie; and Strawberry Coconut Water Sherbet (v).
Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On October - 25 - 2023
Head to Sexy Fish on Thursday, October 26, for “Scary Fish” a glamorously spooky affair, featuring a haunting theme, beats from guest DJ Natasha Diggs, ocean-inspired cocktails, and more. The best part: this fabulous costume party will benefit the The Little Lighthouse Foundation (LLF) South Florida’s beloved, non-profit organization.
Well-known for its “Nightmare on the Beach” Halloween parties, LLF promises that Scary Fish will be equally luxurious and fun!
Guests can expect a variety of handcrafted cocktails and passed canapés, while enjoying the immersive decor, complete with a cast of scary sea creatures, while taking in the mesmerizing tunes spun by international sensation DJ Natasha Diggs. The party goes from 9PM to 1AM.
The enchanting night will include complimentary cocktails sponsored by 512 Tequila, Tito’s Vodka, and other liquor sponsors, alongside mouth-watering bites, and a “hypnotizing atmosphere that will transport guests to the deep, dark depths of the seas.” Don’t forget to dress to impress, as glamorous Halloween costumes are requested of all attendees.
A $150 donation is required in advance for attendance; ($200 donation at the door). Visit ScaryFish.eventbrite.com to make a donation/reservation. For VIP table reservations, email:
All proceeds from this event will go towards LLF’s Children’s Halloween Party on Saturday, October 28th. To learn more about LLF’s Do Good Feel Good Programming, please visit TheLittleLighthouse.org.
Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On October - 11 - 2023
The highly-anticipated South Beach Seafood Festival is making its triumphant return Wednesday, October 18th through Saturday, October 21st, promising an unforgettable celebration of ocean-fresh delicacies, live entertainment, and idyllic beachside vibes. Kicking off the start of Miami’s famed stone crab season, this exciting annual event promises an unparalleled experience for seafood enthusiasts and fun seekers alike. With four days of special programming, including endless food and beverage tastings, chef competitions, cooking demonstrations and more, this year’s festival will raise the bar for one of the country’s leading seafood events. Presented by Tequila Herradura and GOYA Foods, and hosted with the support of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, the four-day festival is a curated culinary showcase that couples South Florida’s bounty of seafood with the region’s most notable chefs and local restaurants. Tickets to the 11th Annual South Beach Seafood Festival are now available at sobeseafoodfest.com.
Set against the stunning backdrop and the electric energy of the city’s colorful Art Deco district, the South Beach Seafood Festival consists of four separate ticketed events taking place throughout the week. The festival begins on Wednesday, October 18th with “An Evening at Joe’s Stone Crab.” The five-course meal, hosted by Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, showcases Executive Chef Andre Bienvenu’s cuisine paired with fine wines curated by master sommeliers. Next up, “Crabs, Slabs & Cabs,” takes place the following evening at the historic Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel. This year’s event is once again a formal sit-down, five-course dinner highlighting an international take on traditional ‘Surf n’ Turf’ interpreted by six of the Magic City’s leading chefs who join the evening’s host, GOYA Foods’ Executive Chef Fernando Desa. On Friday evening, the gloves will come off as Miami’s top chefs go head-to-head in 11 competitive seafood rounds during the annually sold-out “Chef Showdown,” coined the ultimate beach bash on South Beach. Competing at the event will be last year’s winning chefs who will return to defend their culinary crown at the festival. The excitement building up during the series of nightly events will reach a stirring culmination at the week’s main celebration, the “South Beach Seafood Festival.” The all-day affair takes place on Saturday, October 21st, and showcases a selection of pop-up-cafés and VIP samplings by prominent South Florida restaurants in partnership with signature national brands who will descend on South Beach for one weekend only. In addition to the exceptional culinary offerings, the festival will feature live music performances, engaging culinary demonstrations, interactive sponsor activations and 5 blocks of fun to be had. Attendees can also sip on refreshing beverages at various bars stationed throughout the festival grounds as the event tickets include open bar for 21+. This year’s VIP Village hosts 1 1/2 blocks of exclusive premium experiences featuring the always popular GOYA Culinary Pavilion, the Tequila Herradura Pop Up featuring Bodega Taqueria y Tequila and Jack Daniels featuring Le Chick , the all new Mountain Valley Spring Water hydration lounge, and the list continues along with sampling restaurants, to include American Social, Area 31, Estiatorio Milos, Billy G Catering, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, Mau Miami, Osaka Nikkei, Playa, Rum Room, Smashburger, Tartufo Prestige, The Lazy Oyster, Old Lisbon and The Wagyu Bar by Meat N’ Bone, among others.
