By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Style Saves at Soho Beach House

The most eclectic crowd during Miami Swim Week gathered at the exclusive Soho Beach House (SBH) on Thursday, July 19^th for the Style Saves’ 1 Year Anniversary, celebration/fundraiser.  Co-chairs Rachael Russell, fashion stylist and Ashley Spitz, event planner, combined their talents to produce this sensational event, which drew over 400 of Miami’s most recognized, influential and fashionable faces.  Guests filled the pool area of the SBH to support Style Saves’ mission to “build confidence through clothes and give a fresh start through fashion” to local underprivileged students in South Florida. The event raised nearly $40,000 for Style Saves, doubling last year’s total. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Fans of sun, skin and designer swimsuits delighted in five days of fabulous fun and fashion during this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim (MBFWS) which took place at the iconic Raleigh Hotel from July 19-July 23.Showcasing the collections of designers including: Vitamin A by Amahlia Stevens, Lisa Blue, Éclairée, Agua Bendita, Poko Pano, Dolores Cortés, Nicolita, Kooey Australia, Caffé Swimwear, Aqua Di Lara, Mara Hoffman Swim, Xtra Life Lycra® Brand, Cia.Marítima, BCBG Swimwear, Gottex, Red Carter, L*Space by Monica Wise, White Sands Australia, Luli Fama, Suboo, Rose By Vanessa Jean, Wildfox Swim, Ank By Mirla Sabino, Aguaclara, Aquarella Swimwear, Cote D’or Swimwear, Sauvage, A.Z Araujo, Anna Kosturova, Dorit, Keva | J And Naïla in two different tents and in the Raleigh penthouse, the styles heated up an already scorching summer.  Because we can’t possibly fit all of this “fabulocity” into one issue, we’ve decided to highlight our favorites in two separate editions of the 411.  Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

CRAVE

CRAVE restaurant in the Village of Merrick Park in Coral Gables is known for its gorgeous 9,000 square-foot space, which includes an expansive dining room, sprawling outdoor terrace, vibrant atmosphere and terrific food. CRAVE’s fresh and innovative cuisine and impeccable wine selection compliment the chic, yet casual ambience with an extensive menu at a value-driven price point, with items ranging from a full sushi bar and Certified Angus Beef steaks to fresh seafood, pastas, salads and fire-baked pizzas that are continually re-mastered using the freshest seasonal ingredients.

One of the not-so-hidden secrets to Crave’s success is Hell’s Kitchen alum, Executive Chef Joshua Wahler whose resume includes work at Gramercy Tavern, Spice Market and Nobu and the (sadly) now defunct, Symcha’s.  Wahler’s passion, expertise and love of food are reflected in every dish- which he excitedly describes as if he were talking about a work of art. He is so charismatic and fun to be around that we repeatedly asked him to join our table. We wouldn’t be surprised to see him hosting a show on The Food Network.

Wahler creatively incorporates fine ingredients to create dishes such as a giant house made meatball, stuffed with mozzarella cheese, which must turn out perfect (without any oozing cheese) for it to make it to the table. Other standouts include: the Red Miso shrimp, grilled Ceviche, and Kogi beef tacos. The cashew crusted Mahi swimming in coconut curry and the perfect sliders were other favorites.  Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Edge, Steak and Bar

Edge, Steak and Bar, at the Four Seasons Miami, is Brickell’s hottest new steakhouse, featuring the freshest seafood, paired with delectable sauces and steaks cooked to perfection.  Chefs Aaron Brooks and James King’s dinner menu showcases expertly prepared Creekstone Farm meats charbroiled at 1800 degrees in an infrared grill after being rubbed down with Edge’s signature “Cutting Edge Rub”. Tantalizing seafood fresh from local waters and sides made with the best farm-fresh ingredients round out the dinner menu.  Don’t miss the basil crusted corvina, the lobster corn chowder or the bone-in Tomahawk steak- worthy of Fred Flintstone.

Diners can enjoy the expansive dining room, sit at the stylish bar or lounge in the gorgeous outdoor terrace, overlooking Miami. The terrace provides a convivial gathering place to enjoy Edge’s cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails, while overlooking the stunning views of glistening Biscayne Bay and the hotel’s two-acre pool deck. Just as it did with Edge’s chic, modern interiors, James Beard Award-winning design firm, AvroKo created an outdoor “living room” that provides guests with a casual, yet intimate, retreat and varied seating options. Read the rest of this entry »

Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade at The Collection

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

One of the most fun events of the summer actually took place during the day on  Saturday, June 30^th, at luxury dealership, The Collection, which, together with Ocean Drive magazine, and its brand ambassador NBA Champion Dwyane Wade, revealed the all-new, highly-awaited 2013 Porsche Boxster at an MVP brunch event held on-site at the dealer’s Porsche showroom.

The Collection was party central- with great dance music, performances by La Vida Con Fuego, a fashion presentation by Neiman Marcus Coral Gables, free flowing Moet Imperial Ice and Belvedere vodka and delicious offerings from Zuma, City Hall, Yardbird, Swine and the Biltmore–all at 11 a.m. In fact, we had to keep looking out the window to be sure it was still daytime!

Fans cheered when Wade arrived and took the stage along with girlfriend, actress Gabrielle Union and Alonzo and Tracy Mourning to thank the crowd for its support of the Miami Heat and laud the Boxster before introducing Ken Gorin, President and CEO of The Collection.  Gorin addressed the guests, stating:  “We are beyond excited to have celebrated the arrival of the all new Porsche Boxster with our customers.  It’s the perfect combination of sporty and sexy – in essence, the perfect car for Miami.  This car must be seen and driven to be believed!” The party continued long after the speeches, as Wade graciously signed autographs for fans.  After some time in the upstairs VIP area, Wade and Union had some fun in the photo booth-which had been a big hit throughout the event. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

After keeping millions of fans upbeat and entertained throughout the Heat’s championship season, Miami’s own DJ Irie hosted his 8th annual three-day action – packed charity weekend last weekend. The 2012 Irie Weekend began Thursday night with an exclusive Chambord vodka Carnaval themed kick-off event at a private residence on Star Island. The party was so big that the valet had to park the cars a few miles away- and was full to capacity by 10 p.m. -just an hour after the party started.  Guests enjoyed nibbles and cocktails throughout the sprawling, ocean-front property, dancing all night despite the sweltering heat.  Dennis Rodman, dressed with his typical flair, kept himself busy with the Brazilian showgirls as VIP guests gathered on the second floor to sing “Happy Birthday” to DJ Irie, who had celebrated his birthday on the night the Heat won the NBA Finals. 

On Friday, the New Era Celebrity Golf Tournament took place at the beautiful Melreese Country Club where Mayor Carlos Gimenez proclaimed June 29 “DJ Irie Day” and presented Irie with a proclamation amid cheers from the excited crowd. The golf tournament, which Irie admits is “90% party and 10% golf,” featured terrific food from food trucks including Palate Party and Monster Lobster and tastings from Hooters, Miami Subs, Epicure and The Soup Man (the Seinfeld off-shoot). On the green guests enjoyed great music, ice cold Heineken, Red Bull and cocktails. Read the rest of this entry »