Barton G. Weiss is well known for his extravagant events and over-the-top creations and the newest additions to the menu at Barton G. The Restaurant do not fall short- adding elements of surprise as well as fanciful treats to your palate. On our recent visit, Chef Jeff O’Neill – the Executive Chef at The Villa and Barton G. – delighted us with brand new menu items including: Zen Scallops served alongside a Buddha; a very Tipsy Tuna; The Upper Crustacean (popcorn shrimp served with gourmet popcorn); Lobster Pop-Tarts brought to your table in a retro toaster; Lobster Apicius served with a Roman Soldier’s helmet, and The Great American Filet (served with a 3-foot fork); we can’t make this up, you have to see it to believe it! More of an experience than a dinner, the entertaining madness surrounds you as plates are served to resounding reactions by other diners, (gawking and “oohs and aahhs” are encouraged), and everyone in the restaurant seems to participate in the party.  Also be sure to enjoy the famous nitro cocktails, both beautiful and delicious and served with as much whimsy as the food. Our dessert experience was quite extraordinary, we were treated to the “Purebred” Pudding in a stainless steel doggy dish with French bulldog creamers, filled with chocolate and vanilla crème anglaise and the Chocolate Indulgence (Valrhona Chocolate brownies) served in a treasure chest with an actual shovel and map of Barton G.’s other dining endeavors. As with the food, the service was impeccable.  Leo, our server was well versed and enthusiastic about our dishes as he explained every fabulous detail. Expanding to the Los Angeles area, Barton G. The Restaurant is a Miami destination that will fill your evening with a magical atmosphere that you will never forget.

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

Tosca

Revel in the spirits of Jay Gatsby during a New Year’s Eve soiree that will be true to his extravagant form. The Great Gatsby themed party at Tosca will feature a decadent menu consisting of the world’s finest imported delicacies and   the evening will encompass the essence and glamour of the 1920s. Reign in the New Year in your finest 1920s attire as you cheer to another year of fun and excitement with a champagne toast at midnight. For $245 per person, you receive a ten-course meal including the finest daily imported ingredients including: Sevruga Caviar and Todo Crudo Seasoned with Yuzu, Maine Sea Scallops still in Shell with Champagne Sauce, Seared Authentic Kobe Ribeye and Chocolate Mousse made with premium Vintage Valrhona Gran Couva Chocolate and Crunchy Pearls. With one intimate seating for the night beginning sharply at 9:00 p.m., the exclusive evening will be one not to be forgotten. For reservations, call 786.216.7230 or visit www.toscamiami.com. Read the rest of this entry »

Cocktails For A Cause

Recreating the cocktail styling’s of times long past, The Hoxton will toast St. Alban’s Child Enrichment Center with a sophisticated fundraiser served straight up on Thursday, December 13, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, live jazz music from gLg, an ensemble of five renowned musicians from Miami Arts Charter, and a special performance from Tony Wilson, with a splash of casual camaraderie over well-executed, classic cocktails in exchange for a $25 charity donation. Over the past 63 years, St. Albans has helped more than 10,000 children and families gain access to imperative educational, health, nutrition, disability, mental health and social services in Miami. The proceeds will benefit St. Albans new early childhood literacy, technology, engineering, math and science programs.  Tickets can be purchased at http://stalbanscocktail.eventbrite.com; For more information visit, http://www.stalbanschildcare.org/ or call 305-443-1234.

Lash Lounge and Brow Bar 

High definition brows and long, glamorous lashes are just a “wink” away with the launch of a new Lash Lounge and Brow Bar at Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique in East Fort Lauderdale. Not your ordinary dentist’s office, Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique is South Florida first dental spa.  The new 500 square foot lash/brow bar will compliment Dr. Patty’s existing spa services menu, which features facials, massages, dermal fillers and other aesthetic treatments. Get pampered by Dr. Patty’s master brow sculptresses.  These licensed estheticians are skilled in the traditional Indian art of eyebrow threading and NovaLash artistry.  By removing an entire row of hairs, instead of one at a time, facial hair threading is a quicker, less painful method of hair removal with results that last up to three weeks. NovaLash is an award-winning, medical-grade eyelash extension system meticulously applied lash-by-lash to enhance the length and thickness of eyelashes.  Clients can choose from a broad palette of colors, textures and lengths of weightless lash extensions for customized looks that run the gamut from subtle and natural, to trendy and glamorous. “Each lash application is a work of art with an intricate finish for instant beauty,” explains Dr. April Patterson, founder of Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique. Prices start at $20 for an express brow service, $28 for a brow and lip combo and $50 for a high-definition brow makeover.  Waxing and additional a-la-carte treatments are also available.  A full set of NovaLash extensions start at $225. New clients can take advantage of the Pretty Peepers Package, featuring 50% off their first visit to the brow bar (NovaLash extensions not included).  All clients can enjoy complimentary cocktails at the new lash lounge including chardonnay and champagne while they wait.  Access to the complimentary Nespresso bar, shower and locker room is also available.

RA Sushi in South Miami

RA Sushi in South Miami has the perfect way to lighten up this holiday season – a salad and beverage combo featuring the fresh, crisp flavors of Fuji apple. RA Sushi’s December Pairing features a Grilled Salmon Apple Salad and an Apple of My Eye cocktail. In addition to helping guests watch their waistline, RA Sushi is giving the gift of savings with all day happy hour on Christmas Eve. Tackle a busy day of holiday shopping by fueling up on a hearty dish that won’t leave you feeling weighed down. The Grilled Salmon Apple Salad features marinated, grilled skewers of fresh salmon, artfully arranged over a salad of lettuce, apples and diced red bell peppers, then drizzled with Asian Yuzu Ninben sauce. A refreshing complement to the dish, the Apple of My Eye is a mix of Absolut Orient Apple Vodka, Rock Nigori Sake, apple juice, lemon juice, and a splash of soda, garnished with Fuji apple slices. Available at RA Sushi in South Miami from December 1 through December 31, order the December Pairing for $18. Enjoy the December Pairing, plus all day happy hour pricing on December 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The happy hour menu features more than 35 appetizer, sushi and drink selections ranging from $2.25 to $7.25. Try sushi favorites like the Viva Las Vegas Roll and Tootsy Maki, or a specialty cocktail such as the Emperor’s Cucumberita or Strawberry Saketini.

Art to Wear Collection

On Saturday, December 15, give the gift of art and fashion this holiday season during Gallery Night at Bird Road Art Walk. ART TO WEAR Collection handbags are one-of-a-kind, hand painted works of art by Miami Artist Holly Jones. Each and every handbag is as unique as the woman wearing it. Hand painted silk scarves and cufflink bangles are also available in the Collection. If you are unable to attend gallery night, place an order online at www.hollyajones.com.

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

Art Basel, the Mecca for art collectors and enthusiasts will take over Miami from December 6 through 9, 2012.  In its 11^th season, the most prestigious art show in the Americas will feature more than 260 leading galleries from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa, among the most respected in the world that will showcase works by more than 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.  Special exhibition sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art and musical experiences. Art Basel will provide a vital platform for art lovers, allowing them to both discover new developments in contemporary art and experience rare museum-caliber artworks.  In addition to the actual show at the Miami Beach Convention Center, art museums throughout South Florida, satellite art fairs, and events for and by curators provide the perfect forum for encountering and experiencing art and design. Every year, a greater number of art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, critics and art enthusiasts from around the world participate in Art Basel – and the requisite parties keep the locals and the visitors in an art-induced state of bliss.  Without a doubt, sunny Miami is the favorite winter meeting place for the international art world.  Below, we have highlighted just a few of the major events that are scheduled this year, and are sure to make Art Basel 2012 the best to date.  Be sure to visit Passport Miami for the latest updates. Read the rest of this entry »

23rd Street Supper Club at Cafeina

On Thursday, November 29, Cafeina will present the 23rd Street Supper Club with live jazz by special guest Nicolle Chirino, daughter of the Cuban sensation, Willy Chirino. Guests will enjoy the classic experience of dinner and a show as they indulge in craft cocktails, delectable tapas or even the “Taste of Cafeina,” platter which includes the Boneless Crispy Baby Back Ribs, Coffee & Rum Braised Short Rib Mini Tacos, Stuffed Dates& Empanadas (available for $18 during Happy Hour or $25 after 8:00 p.m.) in the sultry, manor-esque lounge atmosphere. Early Happy Hour is from 5 to 8:00 p.m. and show times are at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 p.m. Reservations are not required, but preferred for large parties; info@cafeinamiami.com or 305.438.0792. 

LUCKYRICE Miami Epicurean Cocktail Feast

LUCKYRICE Miami Epicurean Cocktail Feast presented by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE East®to take place on Friday, November 30 from 7:30 to11:00 p.m. at the SoHo Beach House Miami Beach. Just days before Art Basel comes to town, the event will take over the private members club, with cocktails and bites spilling from the pool to the tiki hut and onto the beachfront marquee and ocean side fire pits. Tickets are available at www.luckyrice.com and are $88 for general admission and $150 for VIP (VIP access is from 7:30 to 8:30p.m.). Hosted by Susur Lee (Top Chef Masters) with Douglas Rodriguez (father of Nuevo Latino cuisine), the inaugural LUCKYRICE Miami event is a “Chino Latino” collaboration that celebrates Miami’s international fusion style. From the host chefs, expect a couple of roasted pigs (Chinese “char siu”-style from Susur and Cuban-style from Douglas), giant paellas and woks of rice, and a beachfront ceviche crudo bar.

ONE World AIDS Day at HaVen Gastro-Lounge

On Saturday, December 1, Erica Bovea, Dani Bernal, Betsy Skipp and Alexandra Gordon present the ONE World AIDS Day event at HaVen Gastro-Lounge from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., in hopes to bring together the community, educate, raise awareness and take action to ensure the Beginning of the End of AIDS. Admission is free and guests will enjoy one complimentary Belvedere cocktail in addition to HaVen’s new Happy Hour menu which features $5 to $7 bites and 2-4-1 cocktails. For advance reservations, call or text the HaVen iPhone at 305.987.8885 or visit www.havenlounge.com.

 Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Butterfly Exhibit

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s state-of-the-art DiMare Science Village, covering more than 25,000 square feet and featuring The Clinton Family Conservatory’s splendid butterfly exhibit, the Glasshouse Café, Windows to the Tropics Conservatory, and the Whitman Tropical Fruit Pavilion, will open to the public on Saturday, December 1.

Helmut Newton: A Liberating Focus

In an artistic coup that is anticipated to create a major statement as an exciting preview to the official December 6 kick off of Art Basel, owner Naomi Wilzig announces an arrangement with Austria’s Museum der Moderne (MAM) to present Helmut Newton: A Liberating Focus, the first Miami solo show of the world-famed photographer, opening Monday, December 3, at 9:00 p.m., at World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM). Working at French Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, Newton was to begin a lifelong career as a photo/artist and, historically, the iconic photographer who shook off all constraints via his broad view of capturing the provocative worlds of beauty, eroticism, humor, money, power and at times, violence. Most recently, 200 original and vintage prints were shown in a retrospective at Paris’ Grand Palais. In Berlin, the Helmut Newton Foundation, Museum of Photography, is exhibiting “White Women, Sleepless Nights, Big Nudes.”

World Erotic Art Museum is located at 1205 Washington Avenue. Open Monday- Thursday, 11 A.M- 10 P.M.; Friday & Saturday, 11 A.M. to Midnight.  Tickets are $15. No one under 18 admitted. Further information is available by calling 305-532-9336 or via www.weam.com. Entrance is free during Art Basel week for Art Basel VIP card holders and for accredited press.

STOMP 

From December 4 through 9, STOMP an explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique performance will be showing at the Adrienne Arsht Center. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.  As USA Today says, “STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.”  Tickets start at $26 a ticket. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday Evenings at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 7:30pm and Saturday and Sunday Matinee at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available by calling (305) 949-6722 or by logging on to www.arshtcenter.org. 

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center 20^th Anniversary Gala 

The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center will celebrate its 20th anniversary at its 2012 gala on Saturday, December 8, at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami and Hotel Beaux Arts. Gala guests will enjoy a reception with a luxury silent auction, dinner and an After Party. The highlight of the evening will be a performance by two-time Tony-award winner Sutton Foster. The 2012 gala includes an option to attend just “The Party” which includes a reception, the stage show and the After Party. Nearly 1,000 guests are expected to gather from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties to increase cancer awareness and raise funds for cancer research. A highlight of the Gala is the awarding of the Caroline Halpern Award for exemplary service to The Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation and Stuart A. Miller and the Jay Weiss Scientific Award to W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D.To inquire about sponsorships/underwriting opportunities, donating auction items, or purchase a ticket, visit www.miami.edu/sylvestergala or call the Sylvester Development Office at 305.243.9088.

  “Ménage à Twist” Yoga at the Standard

Grab a friend, a lover or the nosy neighbor down the hall for a “Ménage à Twist” on Friday, December 7, whoen The Standard Spa and Ayama Yoga Founder Mariano (Mano) Ardissone host a workshop featuring asanas for singles, couples and threesomes. This engaging 120-minute yoga class will explore various postures and flow sequences with partners in unique ways that offer greater assist, adjustment and connection.  Paired in groups of twos and threes, partners will work together to go deeper into poses while building a sense of trust, compassion and intimacy with others.Before and after class, students can enjoy complimentary use of the spa’s Hamam, sauna and steam rooms.  Part of The Standard Spa’s H2-OM yoga series, this one night workshop is open to the public and the cost is $30.  For more information, visit http://www.ayamayoga.com.

For those of you that will reach your turkey, mashed potato, and gravy limit by Saturday evening, make sure and try out Joey’s Italian Café Sunday Brunch and Thasos in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy!

Joey’s Italian Café Offers Sunday Brunch 

Joey’s Italian Café, the affordable contemporary eatery that helped to shape Wynwood into a dining and entertainment destination, will now open its doors on Sundays from noon until 10:00 p.m. offering an Italian-style brunch menu, as well as lunch and dinner.  The offerings are reflective of Executive Chef Ivo Mazzon’s experience and background in the Veneto region of Italy, and feature a selection of brunch staples, as well as rustic Italian country dishes, at prices designed to encourage repeat Sunday visits.  A recent patio renovation now offers patrons an open-air feel complete with twinkling lights and a new outdoor sound system. Joey’s Italian Café, located at 2506 N.W. 2nd Avenue in Wynwood, serves lunch Monday –Friday, and dinner Monday – Saturday. Now open Sundays noon until 10 p.m.  Joey’s offers a full service bar, lineup changes weekly. No cover or minimum. Valet parking available.  For more information call 305.438.0488 or visit www.joeyswynwood.com. 

Thasos 

Thasos, Fort Lauderdale’s highly-anticipated indoor/outdoor new dining destination, has officially opened its doors.  Sophisticated and contemporary, embracing the hospitality and spirit of the Greek islands with the service and style of an elegant restaurant & lounge, Thasos is a passion project conceptualized by co-owners Gus Leontarakis and Sophia Mylona.  Serving dinner nightly, Thasos offers a selection of time-honored Greek favorites and innovative dishes, all made from scratch in-house.  A native of Thasos, Greece, Leontarakis has been a successful businessman for more than 50 years; Mylona, his partner in life and business, is a seasoned traveler, passionate foodie who carries a Master’s Degree in Nutrition from New York University and an exacting palate.  For the restaurant, the duo wanted to bring a taste of the Greek island to Fort Lauderdale but infuse it with casual elegance, a unique brand of Greek chic. Consulting chef Giorgio Bakatsias of Giorgio’s Hospitality Group, the acclaimed restaurateur who introduced South Florida to rustic Greek cuisine in the 90s, is the creative culinary master whose passionate Zen approach to food has earned him critical acclaim for more than 30 fine dining restaurants, food venues, and gourmet markets including the original Giorgio’s Mediterranean Village in South Florida as well as many successful ventures in North Carolina.  According to Mylona, “Giorgio treats food the way he treats life, with a perfect balance of yin and yang.  We knew we wanted his understated philosophy and great wisdom to be a part of this dream.”  For Thasos, Bakatsias brought in executive chef William D’Auvray, an industry veteran with close to 30 years’ experience in the business and the most talented chef that Bakatsias has worked with.  D’Auvray’s creative, yet approachable dishes reflect the bounty of seafood that comes from the Mediterranean as well as an array of meats prepared on the wood-burning rotisserie. Everything is made in-house and many of the fresh ingredients come directly from Thasos, including the spices, herbs and olive oil.  Plates stay true to their ingredients, allowing flavors to shine without heavy sauces and creams.

Thasos is located at 3330 East Oakland Park Boulevard, just off A1A.  Dinner is served seven nights a week, beginning at 5 p.m. Reservations Suggested. Telephone: (954) 200-6006. www.thasostaverna.com.