Last Wednesday, Chef Michael White of Marea, Alto and Convivio in NYC and Ken Oringer of Clio, Uni, Coppa, Toro and La Verdad in Boston, both in town for the SoBe Wine & Food Festival, enjoyed dinner, margaritas and live music at El Scorpion’s Wednesday night Mexicali Blues party.  The next night, Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova had dinner at El Scorpion with a few friends ordering practically everything on the menu.  

Eva Longoria and Emilio Estefan joined power couple and BFFs, JR and Loren Ridinger for a power lunch at Bongos Cuban Cafe on Friday to meet about the creation of the American Latino Museum, as per President Obama’s appointment.  When asked about the lunch, JR Ridinger commented, “There was a special electricity in the room during the luncheon conference.  Eva and Emilio are both so amazing and people feel so great around them, because they are so down to earth and normal and they were gathered together for a common cause.” Loren Ridinger added, “It was great being with Eva and Emilio because they set an amazing example for Latinos and make sure their voice is heard.  I love them both because they work so many hours to do so much for so many people and they operate the same way when it comes to their friends.  There has never been a time where I couldn’t call on either for anything.”  We trust President Obama will concur.

Mr. Chow Miami served as a respite for top toques during SBWFF, including: David Burke, Sam Talbot, Daniel Boulud, and Todd English who dined at the South Beach hot spot.  

On Saturday night, a slew of celebs and VIPs turned up for The Blacks’ Annual Gala hosted by Lea and Roy Black, including Grammy Award-Winning Artist Natalie Cole, Paulina Rubio, and Rick Ross, all of whom performed.  Notable gala guests included Florida Governor Charlie Crist and first lady Carole Crist, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Bobby Flay, Ana Cristina, Helio Castroneves, Joe Francis, Lennox Lewis, Alonzo Mourning and wife Tracy Mourning, Evelyn Lozado, Romero Britto, Maria Conchita Alonso, Alto Reed, DJ Irie, DJ Tracy Young, EJ Viso and Ron Duprat.  Sean Penn dropped by LIV at the Fontainebleau for a bit, during the after party for the Black gala.  We promise a full-story and lots of gala photos for next week’s fix.

Queen Latifah worked out with a personal trainer at Equinox South Beach over the weekend, which we assume facilitated her choice of wearing skinny jeans during her “America, the Beautiful” performance on Super Bowl Sunday.  Also, Dallas Cowboy’s Miles Austin visited The Spa at Equinox South Beach post workout to enjoy a 90-minute rub down.

Sushi Samba was celeb-central during Super Bowl week, starting on Wednesday when Ross Mathews, correspondent a.k.a. “Ross the Intern” from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno; Elizabeth Berkley (Lisa Turtle from Saved by the Bell); and national correspondent for Fox News, Phil Keating.  Mathews, a personal friend of Sushi Samba Managing Partner, Matthew Johnson, “crossed the bridge” earlier that afternoon to check-out Sugarcane raw bar grill, the latest concept from the Sushi Samba group that opened in January 2010.  Katie Cassidy was at Sushi Samba on Thursday as was Wilmer Valderrama, who returned Friday night; seen schmoozing with Cassidy and later sending over a round of shots. The Wayans brothers were also spotted at Sushi Samba on Saturday.  On Sunday, the Wayans bowled the night away at Lucky Strike Lanes with a Super Bowl party that started at 6:00 p.m. until after midnight. Other celebrities spotted at Lucky Strike included Richard Marshall from the Carolina Panthers and DeSean Jackson from the Philadelphia, Randy McMichael from the St. Louis Rams, Charles Godfrey from the Carolina Panthers, and Antoine Walker, a retired basketball player formerly of the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves.

 Over at the Alene Too pop-up shop at the 944 Hotel at the Eden Roc:  TV personality Lo Bosworth from The Hills who texted friend Stephanie Pratt to “hurry over.”  Stephanie Pratt and co-star Lo arrived late and had the boutique re-opened.

 Condoleezza Rice dined with a friend at Todd English’s da Campo Osteria for lunch on Sunday. The former Secretary of State was diplomatic as usual, acting graciously with the restaurant staff while feasting on items off the northern-Italian inspired menu pre-Super Bowl.  

 Coco de Ville, the new hotspot at the Gansevoort hosted Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick who arrived unannounced with a group of friends on Saturday night.

 On Thursday night, a bunch of stars from the upcoming movie Grown Ups dined at STK, including: Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, David Spade and Kevin James.  Adam Sandler danced to the DJ’s music and cracked jokes at the table while cutting his steak and the entire table commented on the server’s striking resemblance to fellow funny man Eddie Murphy.  Tuesday night, “quasi celebs” Mike “The Situation” and Pauly D. from Jersey Shore came in for dinner at STK for their last night in Miami.

At Tao’s Super Bowl pop up party at the W South Beach’s Wall nightclub, celeb DJ Swizz Beatz,  producer of Jay Z’s Empire State of Mine, played the song over and over again for Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, who were sitting across from each other, but never said hello.  Dave Annable, of hit show, Brothers and Sisters, and his new girlfriend Odette Yustman walked the red carpet hand in hand.

Chris Rock arrived at TAO’s Super Bowl party asking for good friend Jamie Foxx.  After learning he was not in the building, he opted to sit with fellow funny guy David Spade until Jamie Foxx finally joined him and then they both jumped on the mic, with Chris Rock singing the Run DMC song line I’m the KING of ROCK.

Kristen Cavallari was ecstatic after visiting the Motorolla gifting suite by the pool at TAO’s pop-up Super Bowl party at W South Beach where she received her new Droid phone.

After last week’s season premiere marking the shows final season, “Lost” actor Josh Halloway attended TAO’s pop- up Super Bowl party at W South Beach’s Wet & Wall.

Chase Crawford being swarmed by a sea of girls asking for his newly gifted Motorola Droid phone at Tao’s pop-up Super Bowl party at W South Beach.

Up in the penthouse at the W for the Audi party:  Hillary Swank, Kate Walsh, Rob Lowe, Taylor Lautner, and Kellan Lutz. At Mr Chow – Swank, Brett Ratner, Jamie Foxx, Serena Williams, Todd English, Michael Bay, and Jillian from The Biggest Loser.

Rachel Zoe and husband, Rodger Berman were spotted checking out of the Mondrian on Friday afternoon.

On Saturday, Miami Dolphins player Akin Ayodele was spotted at a Big Brothers/ Big Sisters luncheon where he praised the importance of being a mentor.  Later that night Ayodele stopped by the Jack Brewer Foundation event co-sponsored by LSN Partners, at the Mondrian in South Beach. This event kicked-off Pro Bowl Week and benefitted the non-profit One Team for Haiti. Joining Akin at the party was Terrell Owens sporting sunglasses and a scarf, (who got as many compliments for his VH1 show, as he did for his football talent), Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson, Zack Crockett, Florida Gator, Carlos Dunlap, and former NFL player Barrett Green.   Creed lead singer, Scott Stapp was unable to attend the event as planned, having just returned from a Haiti relief mission, but sent Creed auction items to help the cause.

Will Smith and Darren Sharper, safety for the New Orleans Saints, had dinner at Meat Market with friends Tuesday night. They seemed to enjoy the food and engaged guests, chatting and signing autographs.

Also on Tuesday night, for the sneak peek of the buzzed about Coco de Ville, Pauly Shore, Tyson Beckford and Amaury Nolasco got a first look at the Miami sister to the LA hotspot and definitely noticed the beautiful crowd that they may not get in Hollywood.  The newly opened lounge is brought to us by The One Group (STK) who has brought on One Fifty to assist with the marketing, and will be bringing back the popular Favela Chic party to the beach.

Saturday night, Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receiver, Santonio Holmes hung out at Kitchen 305 with rapper T-Pain, who drank shots of Nuvo shawty, made famous by his “Blame It On,” hit song with Jamie Foxx.   

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco bowled and watched the playoffs at Lucky Strike on Sunday.  

Dwyane Wade celebrated his 28^th birthday with friends and family at W South Beach this weekend.  The Miami Heat superstar, who helped raise over $800,000 to help earthquake victims in Haiti, sipped cocktails provided by Atlantico Rum and jammed to music by his favorite DJ and close friend, DJ Irie.  Hip Hop producers, Cool and Dre, along with his teammate, Quentin Richardson, were on-hand to help him celebrate.

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On Tuesday, Cindy Crawford took a break to show passersby the latest collections from ICE-Watch during a commercial shoot taking place in Downtown Miami.

Saturday evening after casting a slew of models for Abercrombie’s upcoming campaign, famed photographer Bruce Weber, along with a group of 19, enjoyed dinner at STK.  Also at STK on Saturday was Real Housewife of NYC, Bethenny Frankel who dined with a friend and later tweeted about it.  Fellow “tweeter” JLO was spotted on Lincoln Road on Friday.

Popular Gossip Girl, Leighton Meester performed at Klutch’s opening night party on Tuesday in the former Opium space.  Attendees included the “fierce” Christian Siriano (Project Runway winner) along with his boyfriend, Colin Egglesfield, (former Melrose Place cast member) and the delectable Kellan Lutz (better known as Emmett Cullen in the Twilight series). Lutz was also spotted throughout the weekend at the Florida Room and at the Shore Club pool along with on-and-off-again love interest, Annalynne McCord.

Meester was seen lounging by the pool at the Shore Club and at the Mondrian’s Sunset Lounge, last week as was Stacey Keibler (Dancing with the Stars).

Matisyahu performed at the Florida Room on Saturday night.

Ashley Hamilton, George Hamilton’s adorable offspring, was seen at the Delano enjoying cocktails at the bar.  Also at the Delano: gorgeous former Victoria’s Secret Angel, Stefanie Seymour, Jaime Foxx and Jared Leto (not together). Read the rest of this entry »