SOBEWFF 2014

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) will take over South Beach for four days and nights filled with decadent tasting, sipping and celebration. From February 20 through 23, culinary giants from all over the nation will be gathered on our shores for America’s most prestigious (and fun!) gourmet gathering.  For more information visit: www.sobefest.com. 

C1 Bank Opens Wynwood Branch 

C1 Bank is combining cool with cash at the grand opening of its Wynwood branch this Friday, February 21 from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. After its soft opening last month, C1 has been building buzz with a million dollar art collection, space-age design and extravagant laser security system. Now, the bank is literally turning up the volume with an over-the-top opening celebration. C1’s floor-to-ceiling glass storefront will open up to North Miami Avenue and expose its swanky, circular “Clients First” table which will be turned into the evening’s main bar. The night also inaugurates C1’s fully equipped stainless steel kitchen. Available for all events at the space, the kitchen will be helmed for the evening by former Bravo’s Top Chef contestant, chef Jeffrey Jew, who is preparing a special menu for the occasion. The 3,700-square-foot bank features modular conference spaces which at night can be arranged to accommodate events, from charity parties to fashion shows.

1826 Restaurant & Lounge

Situated at the bustling center of South Beach on Collins Avenue, 1826 Restaurant & Lounge is anticipated to open its doors on Friday, February 21. The highly refined yet approachable restaurant will offer Contemporary American cuisine with a focus on elegant dishes in a stylishly modern setting. The seasonally driven menu, created by two Michelin-starred and 2012 Food & Wine Best New Chef Danny Grant and his team, features a forward-thinking approach to Grant’s contemporary classical techniques. Emphasizing the use of local, regional and luxury ingredients, dishes build flavor through every detail to deliver a thoughtful experience that will leave diners wanting more; for more information call: 305.709.0000 / Email: info@1826Collins.com  / Online: www.1826Collins.com

Fairchild Farmers’ Market 

More than 30 vendors will sell their products including local and organic produce, honey, baked goods, prepared foods, herbs, cheeses, handmade soaps and more at the new Fairchild Farmers’ Market. The market is located in the Lowlands parking lot and is free to attend; Every Saturday (excluding festival weekends) from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 
Art at Fairchild: Hugo França 

Fairchild is pleased to host 16 design pieces by Brazilian designer Hugo França on exhibit through May 31. Each piece uses reclaimed wood from felled, burned or dead trees found in Brazil. França hand-carves them into functional and intricate designs, breathing new life into trees that are massive and sometimes hundreds of years old. Admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up, $12 for children 6-17, and free for Fairchild members and children 5 and under.

The Preservation Luncheon at Vizcaya

Vizcaya’s only major daytime event held on the estate will take place on Tuesday, February 25. The Preservation Luncheon attracts approximately 250 guests and has become known as the “hat luncheon,” as attendees are encouraged to wear creative headwear.The Preservation Luncheon begins with a late morning cocktail reception in the Courtyard of Vizcaya’s Main House and continues with an elegant seated lunch on the East Terrace overlooking beautiful Biscayne Bay and the estate’s spectacular formal gardens. Classical music and champagne set a genteel and convivial tone. This annual fundraiser was founded in 2009 to support the preservation of Vizcaya and the organization’s educational programs; Individual Tickets $300 or Table (10 seats) $3,000. For more information or to purchase tickets call305.856.4866 or www.vizcaya.org.

www.thehollywoodgossip.com

Director, producer and Academy Award winner Sofia Coppola was spotted dining at Restaurant Michael Schwartz at The Raleigh Hotel on Sunday, February 16th. She along with Phoenix guitarist, Christian Mazzalai and another friend were seen enjoying dinner and a few drinks while their children munched on penne pasta. The group mingled and enjoyed each other’s company for about two hours before heading out. 

On Saturday night, Paul Wesley of the Vampire Diaries dined at Meat Market (touted by Conde Nast Traveler as one of Miami’s “Buzziest Restaurants) with former costar Phoebe Tonkin. 

TODAY show host Jill Martin  celebrated Valentine’s day with her beau at Seasalt and Pepper Restaurant . Sources say they sat at a romantic table by the water and were seen “canoodling and looking very much in love.” 

Also spotted on Sunday at Seasalt was breakaway RHOA star, Nene Leakes . She was seen with current RHOM star Alexia Echevarria and friend of the RHOM Marysol Patton.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

The cavernous Ice Palace Studios, dramatically aglow in white light, served as the perfect setting for Designed for a Cure, on Thursday, February 13, wherein nearly 800 stylish guests gathered to support the partnership between the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and international fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.  The elegant event raised more than $850,000 to fund cancer research at Sylvester. De la Renta himself spontaneously donated $100,000 at the event.  Read the rest here »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

MOCA Mystery Dates 

MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami) kicked off the month of February in style with its highly anticipated, seventh annual Mystery Dates fundraiser during which guests enjoyed a dazzling evening at the homes of ten private collectors who graciously held dinner parties in support of the museum.  Read the rest here »

Saturday night, Market America | SHOP.COM hosted a star-studded after party in honor of their World Conference and in celebration of the launch of Joseph “Fat Joe’ Cartagena’s Market America UnFranchise Business at the home of Market America Founders JR and Loren Ridinger in Miami Beach.  Celebrities in attendance included Jennifer Lopez, Jamie Foxx, Diddy, French Montana, Maxwell, Timbaland, Daymond John, Cliff Floyd, and Ramona Rizzo.

Last Tuesday, Ben Swartz (from House of Lies), Jaime Foxx and Michael Bay were spotted at WALL at W South Beach.

Prince Pierre d’Arenberg and his wife, Princess Sylvie d’Arenberg of the Netherlands dined at Lippi on February 5. The royals enjoyed a quiet and intimate evening and shared light bites.

By: Maryanne Salvat

Designed For A Cure Collaborates with Oscar de la Renta

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center announces their collaboration with internationally acclaimed designer Oscar de la Renta for their signature fundraising event, Designed for a Cure, scheduled for February 13 in Miami. The event will focus on bringing awareness and the importance of cancer research through community partnerships and an inspiring runway show featuring designs by de la Renta. The designer will be participating in Designed for a Cure in support of his doctor and close friend, Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., director of Sylvester. The VIP reception provides first access to the highly anticipated silent auction and tasting tables, featuring more than 30 of Miami’s finest restaurants and bars. The highlight of the evening will combine a powerful runway show featuring patient/ survivors escorted by their Sylvester physicians in de la Renta designs and models dressed in de la Renta’s spring 2014 collection. The fundraising event will conclude with a festive after-party including dessert tastings, music and dancing. During the evening, Jennifer Stearns Buttrick, former event chair for Designed for a Cure, will be honored with the first Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Philanthropist of the Year Award in recognition of her hard work and dedication to Sylvester.   Designed for a Cure will take place at the Ice Palace, located at 1400 North Miami Avenue in Miami. VIP cocktail reception tickets are $400 each and include exclusive, first access to the event at 6:00 p.m. along with seating at the fashion show. General admission tickets are $200 each, and the doors will open for general admission at 7:00 p.m. For more information, call 305.243.9088 or visit www.sylvester.org/designedforacure.

2014 Be A Voice, Empower Brilliant Futures Gala

On February 15, Voices For Children Foundation and the Mandarin Oriental Miami will host the 2014 Be A Voice, Empower Brilliant Futures Gala with presenting sponsor, The House of Harry Winston, along with Honorary Gala Co-Chairs and Voices board members Christian and Brittany Slater, and Jim Ferraro and Alena Gavrikova, to show support and raise funds for the foster care youth of Miami-Dade County. This event will welcome 500 of Miami’s most philanthropic and influential community leaders and dedicated business professionals. Individual ticket starts at $500; premier seating $1,000. To RSVP and attend the event visit:    or contact Tania Rodriguez,  TRodriguez@BeAVoice.org, 305.324.5678.    

 J NELSON Presents Mario Buatta and Geoffrey Bradfield

On February 20, at 2:00 p.m. design legends Mario Buatta and Geoffrey Bradfield will discuss their careers with Lloyd Princeton.  Buatta, aptly named “The Prince of Chintz” has designed interiors for S.I. Newhouse, Malcolm Forbes, Nelson Doubleday, Henry Ford II, Barbara Walters, Mariah Carey, among others.  Bradfield has decorated residences for Oliver Stone, the late King Hussein of Jordan, the estate of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and many “Silent Celebrities”, fervently guarding their privacy.  Both have appeared in Architectural Digest numerous times, and have had long-runs in the AD 100, the most prestigious list of designers the world over. Lloyd Princeton, who will moderate the lecture, is an author,  renowned design business consultant and motivational speaker.Mr. Buatta and Mr. Bradfield will give a lecture and a visual presentation showing their opulent flair and artfulness of interior decoration. They will also sign and remark copies of their recent publications Mario Buatta: Fifty years of Interior Designand Geoffrey Bradfield: Artistic License; RSVP to mario@mkarte.com 212.939.6431.