By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

maryjoshore@aol.com

Tastemaker–noun

A person that establishes or strongly influences what is considered to be stylish, acceptable, or worthwhile in a given sphere of interest…

We’ve asked a few of our favorite tastemakers, whose “fabulocity” makes Miami such a “fabulous city” to weigh-in on some of their favorite nightlife venues, hotels, restaurants and pursuits.

In this two-part series, you’ll find a short list of places and delights you don’t want to miss. Be sure to check back next week for Season’s Bests 2010- Part II. Read the rest of this entry »

Carlos Gomez, Matt Passmore, Michelle Hurd, stars of The Glades

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

It’s not every day we get to party in a former orthodox synagogue, much less rub elbows with celebs, ogle luxury watches, enjoy premium cocktails and fabulous hors d ’oeuvres, erstwhile entertainers on stilts vie for our attention in said temple. A little on the “unorthodox” side, you might say. Add to that, the fact that we were almost run over by a sports car, being driven by the hunky Burn Notice star, Jeffrey Donovan INSIDE the former temple!!! Well such was the case last Thursday, as TAG Heuer, the stylish Swiss watch brand celebrated its 150^th anniversary and paid tribute to its pioneering spirit at an exclusive “Odyssey of Pioneers” private cocktail party and timepiece exhibition at the Temple House on Miami Beach (formerly the 1, 000 member Kneseth Israel Congregation). Two hundred of Miami’s crème de la crème received the VIP treatment, as they were greeted at the valet stop a few blocks from the Temple House and transported via luxury limo bus to the party. Read the rest of this entry »

Happy Birthday Lucky Strike!

by: Mary Jo Shore

One of the advantages of the slow summer months is that we get to enjoy local spots and events that often get overlooked during the busy social season. Take Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge, which just celebrated its fifth anniversary last Thursday. While South Beach is not typically hailed as a bowling destination, Lucky Strike has been attracting locals and celebs for half a decade, thanks to its cool vibe, great music, delicious food and excellent service.  Last Thursday’s party was a combination of all of the above, where more than 250 guests were treated to a ’50s pinup-themed party, which featured a photo booth, temporary tattoos by Ocho Placas, and old school tunes by DJ Di Marco spun old school tunes,  and of course, bowling. Read the rest of this entry »

Nick D'Annunzio and Tara Solomon

One event to which we look forward every summer is TARA, Ink. Principal, Nick D’Annunzio’s birthday party. Some locals even plan their summer travels around the celebration, which promises a fabulous theme- and even better crowd, year after year.  This year’s party, which took place last Saturday night, was no exception, with a “vintage tease/burlesque” theme at Miami’s first and only exclusive tease burlesque absinthe club, La Fee Verte.

Miami’s who’s who, dressed in their haute-est couture, enjoyed V Georgio Vodka cocktails, hors d’oeuvres courtesy of French Bistro Lemon Twist and delectable treats courtesy of Sweet Street and Ana Paz Cakes, who created a cake in the shape of a corset, in keeping with the theme. The burlesque numbers were unmatched, including contortionist acts and a ballet performance-leading to comments by partygoers such as, “If I could do that, I’d be a very wealthy woman,” and “Who needs college, when you can do THAT!?” (from one of the younger attendees). Guests delighted in a surprise performance by temptress Nicole Soden of the club’s tantalizing Madames du Mischief and danced the night away to the beats of South Florida’s latest stylish DJ duo Ess & Emm (Sasha Lauzon and Michelle Leshem). But the highlight of the evening was the seductive birthday surprise, in which a dancer, clad in black feathers, serenaded Nick with Marilyn Monroe’s infamous, “Happy Birthday Mr. President.” Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Maryanne Salvat

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any hotter or spicier, South Florida gears up for the 9^thannual Miami Spice Restaurant Month.   Joining the delectable venture is the highly revered Fontainebleau Resort.  Gotham Steak, Scarpetta and Hakkasan, as well as its modern American café Vida,are all offering $35 three-course prix-fixe dinner menus. In addition, Hakkasanis offering an impressive family-style Dim Sum lunch menu for only $22. The iconic resort is also providing discounted valet parking to restaurant patrons. The prix-fixe prices do not include tax and gratuity and reservations are highly recommended.  Here is a quick preview of the Miami Spice menu offered at these fine dining establishments from August 1 through September 30, 2010.  Warning: Mouth-watering may occur as you read through. Read the rest of this entry »

Beach Ball Festival 2010

 Beach Ball Festival 2010

There’s no better complement to all the Swim week fun than a Beach Ball festival complete with unlimited Seven Tiki Spiced Rum cocktails, a Crunch Gym pre-game warm up and all the friendly beach ball competition you’ve come to love-from 40 teams comprised of over 600 players. The festival took place at the Gansevoort Hotel’s Beach Club once again this year, with Jerry’s Deli (team “Jerry’s Deli”) winning first place and taking home a Tiki Beach boat cruise provided by Tiki Beach: Joe’s Stone Crab (team “Joe’s Killer Claws”) coming at close second winning a year-long gym membership to Crunch for team members; and Ted’s Hideaway (team “Last Call”) taking home the bronze and a muscle milk summer gift pack. Bleau Bar dominated the mixology contest with their first place, award-winning cocktail worthy of, if not one, then all seven Tiki Gods. The secret ingredient:  Seven Tiki Spiced Rum,  of course. Read the rest of this entry »