By: Maryanne Salvat

Evening in the Gardens

On Friday, November 15, join LACOSTE for the annual Everglades Foundation “Evening in the Gardens” on at Pinecrest Gardens.  Music, cocktails and buffet supper will take place in The Meadow from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. For tickets and more information about the event visit: http://www.evergladesfoundation.org/events/save-the-date-foreverglades-miami/. 

JetBlue Airways and HaVen Gastro-Lounge’s “Destination Saturdays”

On Saturday, November 16, JetBlue Airways will take over HaVen Gastro-Lounge’s “Destination Saturdays” party series in honor of the airline’s new daily nonstop service to its southernmost destination, Lima, Peru.Destination Saturdays is a themed party series that “transports” guests to a different exotic locale each week via the high-hotspot’s digital wrap-around walls, complete with a wait-staff dressed as flight attendants and captain DJ Kristian Caro to pilot the revelry. South Florida foodies will also have an opportunity to preview cocktails and eats from Chef Todd Erickson’s “South Florida-meets-Peru” collaboration menu – created in tandem with Peruvian top toque Pedro Miguel Schiaffino of Lima’s critically acclaimed Malabar Restaurant. Guests will enjoy Avion tequila bottle specials and the chance to win one of five sets (10 total) of round-trip travel vouchers, valid on JetBlue Airways service from Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Int. Airport to Jorge Chavez Int. Airport in Lima, Peru. Destination Lima runs from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. at HaVen Gastro-Lounge. One raffle winner will be announced each hour during the event. Admission is complimentary and based on capacity. For more information on Destination Saturdays or to reserve a table contact RSVP@havenlounge.com or call 305.987.8885.Lima will be JetBlue’s 81^st BlueCity and its fourth destination in South America. Fares for U.S.-originating flights to Lima are available at www.jetblue.com for travel beginning November 21. 

LUCKYRICE Miami Feast Presented by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE East®

LUCKYRICE Miami Feast presented by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE East® will return on Friday, November 15 from 7:30-11:00 p.m. at The Raleigh Pool and Oasis. The Miami Feast follows on the heels of the popular fourth-annual New York Festival and events in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. General Admission tickets are $88 for general admission and $125 for VIP. A limited number of American Express VIP tickets (which includes early access from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and a private demo and meet-and-greet opportunity with Iron Chef Morimoto prior to the start of the event) are also available for $150.Tickets are available at www.luckyrice.com;Tickets are $88 for general admission and $125 for VIP. (VIP access is from 7:00 -8:00pm and provides all-evening access to the VIP Chefs Lounge). To add to the festivities, guests will be invited to dress in “firecracker” or “chili pepper” red to reflect the spicy flavors prominent in Latino and Asian cuisines. 

Shop to Stop MS

The University of Miami MS Center for Excellence, hosts the fifth annual Shop to Stop MS on Wednesday, November 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Saks Fifth Avenue, Dadeland. Guests will have the opportunity to meet Alina Villasante, Creator of Peace Love World and Diana Riser, MIAMI Magazine Publisher. Local tastemakers and MS activists will be invited to enjoy fine wine, cocktails and tastings from local restaurants. Participating establishments include; Aroma Espresso, Brio Tuscan Grille, Eventology, Earl Kitchen + Bar, Fare to Remember, Joanna’s Marketplace, Joelle’s Desserts & Gifts, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pernod Ricard USA, RA Sushi Bar, Town Kitchen & Bar and Southern Wine & Spirits.  Tickets to the event are $60; in addition, guests will receive a $25 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card to use anytime. Saks Fifth Avenue is proud to donate 10 percent of the event sales to benefit the University of Miami MS Center for Excellence. Moreover, guests can purchase Peace Love World selected merchandise during the event at Saks Dadeland. One hundred percent of the purchase price of Peace Love World benefits the University of Miami MS Center of Excellence MS Research and Patient Care Fund.  For more information and to purchase tickets call 305.243.1388 or visit www.miami.edu/shoptostopms. 

Scarpetta Celebrates Its 5^th Anniversary

On Wednesday, November 20, Scarpetta, Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s award-winning Italian eatery helmed by celebrity chef Scott Conant, will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a four-course prix-fixe dinner with the renowned chef as the host. Featuring recipes from Conant’s new The Scarpetta Cookbook (October 15, 2013, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) executed by Scarpetta’s chef de cuisine and Top Chef contestant, Nina Compton, the delicious four-course menu is priced at $95 per person and includes a copy of the book. An optional wine flight may be added to the meal for an additional $45 per person (includes four 3 oz. premium selections). Tax and gratuity are not included and reservations are required. Scarpetta opens daily for dinner at 6:00 p.m. For reservations, call 877.326.7412 or book online at http://www.opentable.com/scarpetta-miami-beach. 

Tongue & Cheek “KITCHEN COLLAB” Wrap Up

Tongue &Cheek’s series of special guest chef dinners, “KITCHEN COLLAB,” will wrap up its 2013 edition on Wednesday, November 20 with executive chef/ owner Jamie DeRosa pairing up with one of South Florida’s most celebrated local talents, Chef Paula DaSilva, who recently returned to 3030 Ocean at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale. Following the success of the previous collabs with acclaimed chefs Lindsay Autry and Clay Conley, DeRosa and DaSilva will team up to create an intimate, multi-course dinner that incorporates each other’s cooking styles resulting in an unforgettable culinary experience. Priced at $75 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) diners will be welcomed by complimentary cocktails and an array of hors d’oeuvres. Afterwards, they will enjoy an amazing five course dinner created by the talented duo and will receive a special “swag bag” to take home at the end of the night. A beverage pairing is also available for an additional $25 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Start time: 7 p.m. Seating is limited and must be purchased in advance. For reservations, call: 305.704.2900. As the New Year approaches, make sure to stay tuned for upcoming collaborations with some special twists.

By: Maryanne Salvat 

The “Wig and Stache Bash” for the Lowe Art Museum at UM 

On November 9, join Beaux Arts at the “Wig & Stache Bash” to celebrate Miami’s oldest costume ball and the organization’s ongoing support for the University of Miami’s Lowe Art Museum at the Coral Gables Country Club. Evening events will include a large silent auction, featuring over 200 items valued at over $150,000, a sit-down dinner, dancing, a costume and skit competition, and an exciting raffle, in which the purchase of a raffle ticket will go toward sending an underprivileged student to Beaux Arts Art Camp.  61^st Annual Beaux Arts Ball sponsors include Mercedes Benz of Coral Gables and Cutler Bay, Bermont Advisory Group of Raymond James, AON, Northern Trust, Lowell International Realty, The Haggard Law Firm, Hillary Littlejohn Scurtis Interior Design, TUUCI, Windhaven Insurance, and Nicole Wilson Lozano. Funds raised at the event will be used for exhibitions, improvements and acquisitions to the Lowe’s permanent collection, as well as to finance the organization’s flagship program, Hands On!, which exposes underserved children from Miami-Dade to the visual arts. Tickets are $250 per person; to reserve, email beauxartsinfo@beauxartsmiami.org. 

Kenneth Cole Book Launch at Bloomingdales Aventura 

On November 9, legendary designer Kenneth Cole will be celebrating the launch of his coffee table book, This is a Kenneth Cole Production, a commemoration of Cole’s 30 year career in fashion and social engagements. The designer will be on hand at Bloomingdales Aventura Mall for his first South Florida appearance. All profits from the book will be donated to amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade Hosts “Wild About Kids” Gala

Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade is once again hosting its acclaimed annual “Wild About Kids” black-tie gala on Saturday, November 9, at Four Seasons Hotel Miami, Grand Ballroom. The 7th annual fundraising event will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade and its many positive programs, such as after school programs, homework assistance, computer training, social skills, dance, arts & crafts, professional mentoring, and summer and athletic programs, for area children who need them the most. The event’s Presenting Sponsor is 4 Beauty Aesthetic Institute Inc./Dr. Constantino and Mrs. Nina Mendieta.  The gala will kick off with a VIP party offering photo ops with honorees at 6:30 p.m. A cocktail reception will take place at 7:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the program at 8:30 p.m. An after party, also at Four Seasons Hotel Miami, will begin at 11 p.m. Guests will enjoy a fun-filled evening into the wee hours with Frank Sinatra-style entertainer Jeff Grainer, a D.J, dancing, an open bar and small bites. Underwriting opportunities, starting at $300, still remain. Table sales are sold out. Individual tickets for the gala are still available at $500 per ticket, and for the after party at $50 per ticket. 

Gala co-chairs are Lana DeSimone, Irene Korge and Eris Thomas; special events chair

For more information about sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, in-kind gift donations, and tickets, contact Astrid H. Ehrenstein, director of special events & development at 305-446-9910 ext. 30 or aehrenstein@bgcmia.org.

Spain’s Great Match

On Tuesday, November 12, gain greater knowledge of Spain’s wine, food and culture during Spain’s Great Match. Meet and greet winery representatives, importers and distributors during this exclusive trade and media preview tasting at 12:30 p.m. at the Moore Building in the Design District. Discover new wines, grapes and regions as you taste your way through Spain with the more than 200 offerings. Attend an in-depth seminar of Grandes Pagos de España* with renowned experts. To RSVP visit: sgmmiami.eventbrite.com; a business card or proof of affiliation at registration is required. Attendees must be at least 21 years old. For information, call 646.624.2885 extension 112 or by email at: events@colangelopr.com.

Colette Little French Bistro

For an authentic slice if Paris, head to  Colette Little French Bistro, Chef Frederick Boldron and French restaurateur Francis Pittilloni’s new restaurant-so French- you will forget you are in bustling Lincoln Road.  Colette Little French Bistro proves its name is as authentic as the menu. The French bistro fare includes mussels marinieres, (not to be missed), escargots, steak au poivre, French onion soup, and Colette’s signature Cajun chicken. Thanks to Francis’ French/Italian roots, other outstanding menu items include the mushroom risotto and the Colette pizza- a white pizza of Swiss and goat cheeses drizzled with honey- the recipe of which has been in the family for centuries.  Watch chef Frederick Boldron perfectly execute his dishes through the visible kitchen that sets the home-style atmosphere for the equally cozy and chic dining room interior. From Serge Gainsbourg to Amy Winehouse, and everything in between, the eclectic soundtrack will keep you guessing, as will the pizzas you will unexpectedly find on the menu. An extensive list of French wines will tantalize your palette and your wallet. The entire menu is approachable for everyday dining, geared for locals-with no occasion necessary to enjoy. Open for dinner seven days a week, and opening for lunch next month, Colette Little French Bistro is proud to present great food and service wrapped in a warm and inviting setting. Nice born Chef Boldron, who started his career in the kitchens of France’s top Michelin rated restaurants including L’Ane Rouge, La Grande Cascade and Le Bristol, has most recently served as Chef de Cuisine in some of Miami’s most bustling kitchens including Tosca, Villa Mayfair, La Goulue and Vita.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Cuban-American Mayoral Candidate, Michael  Góngora serves as a Mami Beach Commissioner and has been a long time Miami Beach resident and business owner.  For decades, Gongora has served in numerous civic, charitable, business and legal communities throughout Miami-Dade County and has worked closely with many public benefit organizations such as the Little Lighthouse Foundation and Equality Florida to name a few.  

As a result of his long-term community activism, Michael Góngora was first elected Miami Beach Commissioner in 2006. Some of his many other public service efforts were serving as chairperson of the Environmental Coalition of Miami & the Beaches, the Miami Beach Latin Chamber of Commerce and the Miami Beach Bar Association. In 2007, as the president of the Miami Beach Bar Association, Commissioner Góngora was able to successfully accomplish the reinstitution of the North Beach Pro Bono Law Clinic.  Read the rest here »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Three little words that every socialite and business owner in Miami long to hear are, “Season is Here!”  Such was the sentiment last week at one of the most elegant events in quite some time.  In a setting that could have been mistaken for a set from The Great Gatsby, international jeweler Fawaz Gruosi, Founder and Creative Director of De Grisogono threw a glitzy and glamorous 20^th anniversary party to celebrate the inauguration of de Grisogono boutique in Bal Harbour Shops, on Thursday night at the waterfront estate of über developer, Ugo Colombo and wife, Sara. Read the rest here »

Gabrielle Union celebrated her birthday at LIV with Dwyane Wade on October 27.

Former NBA all-star Alonzo Mourning was spotted enjoying dinner at Katsuya at SLS Hotel South Beach on Saturday night.  He dined on Katsuya’s signature dishes while sipping on GREY GOOSE Le Citron vodka cocktails with muddled lime, lemons and mint. After dinner, Alonzo joined the fun at Hyde Beach to enjoy a few more cocktails with friends.

Also there that night was former pop star and ‘NSync member, Joey Fatone. Joey was seen hanging out poolside, enjoying cocktails at Hyde Beach at SLS Hotel South Beach with a friend.

Spotted at Zuma:  Juwan Howard and his wife on Friday, LeBron James, his new wife and family on Saturday and Mario Chalmers and friends also Saturday night.

Costa Rican actress and singer Maribel Fernandez stopped by for a light bite at Zuma last week. On Sunday evening Sidney Rice of the Seattle Seahawks joined Zuma regular Brandon Cauff and friends for dinner.

By: Maryanne Salvat 

19th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish Ball 

On Saturday, November 2, Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida and InterContinental® Miami will celebrate the 19th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish Ball with a theme inspired by the Vaudevillian era.  Grammy-nominated recording artist Adam Lambert will perform and actress Gabrielle Anwar will return as Celebrity Auctioneer of the Ball, which is chaired by philanthropist Shareef Malnik. In its 18-year history, the event has raised more than $12.3 million, enough to grant wishes for 2,620 children with life-threatening medical conditions. Guests will end the evening with a performance by Adam Lambert, the Indiana-born, California-bred, electro-pop artist who started his career on the eighth season of American Idol. For the sixth consecutive year, Nightclub Vice Chairman Michael Capponi of The Capponi Group will spearhead the official Ball after-party at the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Nightclub, introducing Make-A-Wish Southern Florida to the next generation of contributors. Designer Traver Rains will headline the “La Nuit Magique” fashion show, leaving guests time-traveling back to the 1930’s and Vaudevillian acts. Tickets can be purchased at https://hotelballafterparty2013.eventbrite.com. Individual nightclub tickets cost $100. Although the tables and tickets for the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball are sold out, wish sponsorships are still available starting at $5,000. For more information, please visit www.makeawishball.com.  

Toro Toro Miami 

Toro Toro Miami, renowned chef/restaurateur Richard Sandoval’s inventive, Pan-Latin contemporary steakhouse, has been earning rave reviews by critics, foodies and locals since it opened in October 2012. The sleek, sexy restaurant and bar, located at the iconic InterContinental Miami hotel, is celebrating its first birthday with a special, prix-fixe three-course tasting menu. From now through November 30,priced at $39 per person – excluding tax and gratuity – the restaurant will offer its loyal patrons and welcomed newcomers a diverse selection of small plates, entrees and decadent desserts.  

March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction presented by Goya Foods

One of South Florida’s most popular annual food and wine fundraisers, March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction presented by Goya Foods, will return for its 16th year on Wednesday, November 6, featuring an array of amazing chefs from Miami’s most popular restaurants.  The event begins at 6:30 p.m., taking place at the Hyatt Regency Miami in downtown Miami. This year’s extravaganza will showcase dozens of Miami’s top chefs including Timon Balloo of SUGARCANE raw bar grill, Wolfgang Birk of Area 31, David Bracha of Oak Tavern, Aaron Brooks of Edge Steak & Bar at The Four Seasons, Alberto Cabrera of Bread+Butter, Nina Compton of Scarpetta at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Jamie DeRosa of Tongue & Cheek, Fernando Desa of GOYA, Daisy Diaz of Sabores Café, Eric Do of Toro Toro Miami, Paolo Dorigato of Dolce Italian, Todd Erickson of HaVen Gastro-Lounge and Huahua’s Taqueria, Conor Hanlon of The Dutch at W South Beach, Willy Hernandez of Zielo Restaurant, Alan Hughes of The Embassy, Brian Nasajon of SUSHISAMBA Coral Gables, Luis Quant of Bulla Gastrobar, Philippe Ruiz of Lippi Restaurant, Doug Sisk of The Social Club at Surfcomber and Cesar  Zapata of The Federal. Tables of ten are $3,000, and individual tickets are $300 per person, which includes admission to a special “Meet the Chefs” Reception at 6:30 p.m.  All proceeds from the event benefit the March of Dimes. For more event information and to purchase tables or tickets visit marchofdimes.com/florida. 

5^th annual “Kites for a Cure ®”

Lily’s Light will host its 5^th annual “Kites for a Cure ®,” this year sponsored by Memorial Cancer Institute benefiting Uniting Against Lung Cancer on Saturday, November 3, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. (rain or shine) at Tropical Park’s The Hill (Pavilion 10) in Miami, FL. Admission is free but for a donation of $25 ($30 day of), guests receive their own kite to decorate and keep, a T-shirt, a snack sponsored by Whole Foods, and a raffle ticket. This year there will be face painting and a bounce house to mark the 5^th anniversary of the event. Hundreds of families are expected to gather at Tropical Park, to decorate and fly their kites with special messages for family members and friends, or general messages of love and hope in an effort to raise lung cancer awareness. Lily’s Light was founded in 2009 in memory of Lily Plaza, a South Florida resident and non-smoker who passed away from lung cancer in 2008. Lily’s Light is a partner of Uniting Against Lung Cancer, a national lung cancer research foundation that has awarded more than $10 million in research grants into diagnosis, treatment and a cure for the disease since 2003. Lung cancer is the nation’s #1 cancer killer, claiming more than 160,000 lives in the U.S. this year alone. To register, make a donation or learn more about Lily’s Light and Uniting Against Lung Cancer, visit the event’s web site at www.lilyslight.org or www.facebook.com/lilyslight.  If you have questions or would like to volunteer, email lilyslight@bellsouth.net.