Amid the bustle of Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile, La Pata Gorda offers something rare: an Ecuadorian seafood restaurant that feels as refined as it is rooted. Born from a beloved concept in Ecuador, this stateside outpost honors its culinary heritage with thoughtful execution, unique ingredients, and an authentic, approachable atmosphere.

The restaurant draws a loyal following from Miami’s Ecuadorian community—diners who know the cuisine intimately and come here for a taste of home. Yet its appeal is expansive. From first-time visitors to devoted regulars, guests are drawn into an immersive dining experience that blends coastal Ecuadorian tradition with a sophisticated Miami sensibility.

La Pata Gorda specializes in Ecuador’s bold, seafood-forward flavors—where freshness and simplicity meet depth and technique. Several standout dishes bring the country’s coastal identity into sharp, delicious focus.

• Jipijapa-Style Ceviche: An iconic Ecuadorian ceviche: shrimp, octopus and the catch of the day with roasted peanuts sauce and citrus marinade
• Seafood Chicharrón
  A golden medley of calamari, shrimp, and fish, served with chifles (plantain chips) and a tangy carretillero sauce. Crisp, flavorful, and comforting.
• Crab & Shrimp Salad
  Delicately chilled and topped with roasted garlic mayo, chives, house sauce, and patacones—this dish is light but richly seasoned.
• Mangrove Crab Claws
  A signature offering, served whole and paired with warm melted butter. The sweetness of Ecuador’s cangrejo de manglar is unmatched, making this dish a standout indulgence.
• Carapacho Croquetas
  Crafted from Ecuadorian mangrove crab and subtly sweet plantains, these croquettes are lightly fried and served with a creamy dipping sauce. Elegant and slightly playful.
• Grilled Conchas
  A refined coastal delicacy: fresh black clams topped with slices of tender Spanish octopus, finished with a delicate, slightly spicy glaze. Smoky, briny, and deeply satisfying.

For guests looking to explore a range of the kitchen’s best work, the La Pata Gorda Platter is a must. This tasting menu brings together:

• Jipijapa-style ceviche
• Seafood chicharrón
• Crab and shrimp salad
• Signature mangrove crab claws

Balanced in portion and beautifully plated, the platter is an ideal entry point for those discovering Ecuadorian cuisine or seeking to share multiple specialties at the table.

La Pata Gorda blends rustic charm with refined design—think exposed wood, ambient lighting, and nautical touches without cliché. The mood is sophisticated yet warm, with a sense of ease that invites lingering over a second cocktail or dessert.

During televised Ecuadorian national soccer matches, the dining room becomes a gathering space for the community. There’s energy and enthusiasm, but the experience remains polished: more celebratory than chaotic.

The overwhelmingly Ecuadorian clientele speaks volumes about the restaurant’s authenticity. This is where those who know the cuisine best come to reconnect—with familiar flavors, with friends, and with the rituals of home.

La Pata Gorda is located at: 232 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; telephone number: (305) 456-5085.

@lapatagorda_us

Saks and INITIO Parfums Privés came together for an unforgettable night in Miami to unveil POWER SELF, the brand’s boldest creation yet. Hosted at the iconic Temple House, the launch was an immersive, full-sensory experience—where scent wasn’t just smelled, it was felt.

Guests engaged in a 360-degree journey of smell, taste, touch, sound, and sight—each element unlocking the fragrance’s full emotional power. It was more than a party; it was a portal to your most empowered self.

POWER SELF isn’t just a fragrance. It’s a neuroscent—a scientifically formulated blend of woody florals designed to activate the brain’s sensory receptors and measurably boost confidence, clarity, and emotional strength.

This unisex scent is magnetic yet comforting, leaving a trail that resonates with your truest self. It’s mood-enhancing. Mind-shifting.

POWER SELF is a scientifically crafted woody floral neuroscent designed to elevate confidence and emotional strength. By activating the brain’s sensory receptors, it does what no ordinary fragrance can: enhance your mindset and well-being.

Unisex, magnetic, and soul-stirring, POWER SELF leaves behind a trail of empowered energy. This is scent with purpose. Fragrance, redefined.

✨ Shop POWER SELF at Saks ✨

There’s something delicious happening in Brickell — The Henry just rolled out its brand-new spring/summer menu, and it’s everything we’re craving this season.

Some of our favorite standouts include the Pressed Yellowtail Sushi with avocado and spicy yuzu marmalade — topped with truffle chili crunch and fresh Thai basil, it’s the perfect balance of heat and freshness. The Strawberry and Watermelon Salad layered with heirloom tomatoes, avocado, whipped chévre, candied pistachios, cotija croutons, and a sprinkle of tajin is a refreshing treat. And the Wild Caught Bay Scallops are served with truffle gnocchi, roasted tomatoes, summer corn butter, and a hint of lemon chili oil.

New seasonal sips include the Watermelon Daiquirita, The Way of Tea (a mix of pineapple-soaked Ketel One, matcha coconut sour, and lavender cold foam), and the refreshingly creative Honeydew Highball. If you’re in need for the perfect pick-me up coffee cocktails, their El Carajillo has gotten some attention — The New York Times called it the “drink of the summer.”

Mother’s Day Specials:

And just in time for Mother’s Day, The Henry has teamed up with Veuve Clicquot for a brunch collab that’s as chic as it is bubbly. Think champagne-forward pairings, extra-special dishes like shareable Giant Cinnamon Rolls and Pan-Seared Striped Bass, and the perfect excuse to toast the season.

For more information on The Henry visit: https://www.thehenryrestaurant.com/locations/miami/

On the evening of April 29, the spirit of Miami shimmered a little brighter as Faena Art hosted its fifth annual Gala, Follow Your Rainbow—a phantasmagoric ode to the transformative power of art and color. Held poolside at the iconic Faena Miami Beach and masterfully helmed by hosts Alan and Grace Faena, the evening unfolded like a living canvas: vivid, immersive, and unapologetically audacious.

Guests made their entrance through a grand rainbow archway into a meticulously curated kaleidoscopic dreamscape, where the realms of art, fashion, music, and culinary excellence flowed seamlessly together.

The scene was cinematic, with every detail meticulously choreographed to entice the senses. A site-specific installation by acclaimed artist Joel Mesler anchored the atmosphere—his work pulsating with color and wit—while DJ Richie Hell delivered a pulse-quickening soundtrack to match. Models paraded through the crowd in bespoke, prismatic couture, blurring the lines between runway and performance art.

At the heart of the evening was an opulent culinary experience curated by Faena’s iconic collaborators: Argentine fire whisperer Chef Francis Mallmann and James Beard Award-winner Chef Paul Qui. Mallmann, true to form, held court over open flames in a mesmerizing ballet of smoke and heat, while Qui carved a massive bluefin tuna with the precision of a sculptor—live, amidst the gasps of delighted guests.

Bringing pure disco magic to the night, Rocky Lanes brought the house down with a powerhouse performance of crowd-favorite dance floor anthems. Not even a light drizzle could dampen the energy—guests twirled, grooved, and shimmered under the stars, fully surrendered to the rhythm.

Currently serving as the electrifying master of ceremonies for Faena Theatre’s dazzling new live production, RETRO: The Rhythm of the Decades, Rocky continues to prove she’s the reigning queen of throwback glamour. Read more about RETRO here.

The guests included Miami’s coolest creatives, a dazzling mix of cultural vanguard, art world luminaries, and global trendsetters. Joining hosts, Alan and Grace Faena were: Gianni and Leena Infantino, Jorge and Darlene Pérez, Len and Emily Blavatnik, Olivier Francois, Vita Sidorkina-Morabito, Mindy Solomon, Cathy Leff, Karen Grimson, Christina Pettersson, Beatriz Chachamovits, Magnus Sodamin, Kelly Breez, Anabella Bergero, Antonia Wright, Edison Peñafiel, Jill Hotchkiss, Manuel Ameztoy, and Danié Gómez Ortigoz.

Embracing the evening’s Follow Your Rainbow theme, guests adorned themselves in chromatic couture, turning the gala into a living spectrum. Faena Art crowned Francisca Oyhanarte—Miami-based artist and style savant—as the night’s best-dressed, awarding her a lavish two-night escape in the Faena Penthouse.

More than spectacle, the Gala reaffirmed Faena Art’s commitment to nurturing artistic innovation and expanding Miami’s cultural lexicon. Proceeds directly fund year-round programming, including experimental commissions, the Project Room exhibitions, and the prestigious Faena Prize for the Arts.

For those who couldn’t follow the rainbow in person, the dream lives on at faenaart.org.

On Thursday, April 24, The Bass Museum of Art opened its doors to an evening of dazzling creativity, where art, fashion, music, and spectacle intertwined under the stars for Night at the Museum: “Artist EXTRA-vaganza.” It was a night that transformed Miami’s contemporary art scene into a living, breathing masterpiece.

Museum members floated through the galleries, cocktail in hand, mingling with celebrated local artists while savoring a feast of the senses: fine wines, inventive bites, immersive activations, and live performances that unfolded around every corner.

The evening’s theme, “Artist EXTRA-vaganza,” took its vibrant cue from the museum’s current exhibitions: Rachel Feinstein: The Miami Years, assume vivid astro focus: XI, (LA)HORDE: Heureux sous son ombre, Ulla von Brandenburg: In Dialogue, and Performing Perspectives: A Collection in Dialogue. In true Miami style, guests donned their most imaginative “art-tire,” turning the museum itself into an exuberant runway of living art.

For a touch of modern magic, a violinist roamed the galleries, enchanting guests with contemporary pop hits spun into classical gold — a lyrical thread tying the exhibitions and experiences together with unexpected elegance and edge.

Ensuring that every look was one-of-a-kind, The Bass partnered with üüps, the ingenious “be aware of what to wear” app. Members previewed outfits and avoided fashion déjà vu, arriving in confident, creative style — ready to impress.

The much-anticipated Best ART-tire contest, judged by fashion stylist  Elyze Held and The Shop Curator, Angie Ferrer Pirán, crowned Luis Najera and Corey Valestra as the evening’s style champions. Avra Hart, Caitlin Collins, Julia Spillman-Gover, and Leemor Rhodes Carvalho claimed second and third place honors, proving that Miami’s art crowd knows how to dress the part. (View all the stunning looks on The Bass’s Facebook page.)

Throughout the evening, the museum pulsed with immersive installations. In the Lindemann Family Courtyard, Light Bridge Refraction—a breathtaking digital art and lighting experience by Michelle M. Collins and Christien Methot, powered by A Non-Agency® and Design One Lighting—reimagined space and architecture in waves of mesmerizing light.

Inside, multidisciplinary artist Mikihumo captivated visitors with a surreal, experiential video and light installation in the Trudy and Paul Cejas Gallery, while Spectacle Entertainment’s pop-up dancers wove through the galleries, delighting guests with unexpected bursts of performance art.

Silent auction artworks tempted collectors, while a monumental custom frame—crafted by Event Factor Production and presented with üüps—became a glamorous photo activation courtesy of After Hours Photoshoot. DJs Benton & Steve of Dale Zine Radio kept the energy soaring with a vibrant vinyl soundtrack, making it impossible to stay still.

Toasts flowed freely with fine wines from longtime partner Dry Farm Wines, craft cocktails by Van Gogh Vodka, refreshing Perrier, and a lavish spread of culinary delights and non-alcoholic libations from H&C Collective. Le Basque, masters of visual drama, created a sumptuous dessert station inspired by the legendary wrapped artworks of Christo and Jeanne-Claude. 

Miami’s art crowd didn’t just attend Night at the Museum — they became part of the masterpiece.

Night at the Museum remains The Bass’s signature members-only celebration, raising essential support for the museum’s dynamic exhibitions and educational initiatives. Beyond the festivities, museum membership offers an invitation to a year of inspiration: free admission, exclusive events, insider experiences, and more.

For more information on becoming a member and joining Miami’s most vibrant cultural community, visit www.thebass.org/natm or follow the museum @TheBassMoA.

International non-profit organization Faena Art is thrilled to announce its fifth annual Gala. Hosted by Alan and Grace Faena, the fundraiser will take place poolside at Faena Miami Beach (3201 Collins Avenue) on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00pm.

Faena Art’s gala celebrates the arts by directly supporting its mission to break boundaries, commemorate innovation in artistic expression, and honor the creative spirit that propels our community of talented artists forward. 

Proceeds from the gathering go towards expanding and elevating the cultural footprint of Miami through the organization’s free and open-to-the-public programming. This includes amplifying emerging artists and curating experimental site-specific commissions at the Faena Art Project Room, which serves as a canvas for interdisciplinary artists to explore new facets of their practice while engaging with the local community. Donations also support the prestigious Faena Prize for the Arts, which is awarded biennially and recognizes artistic experimentation through the links between art, technology, and design.

By commissioning cross disciplinary artistic experiences, such as those being prepared for the gala, Faena Art emphasizes the cultivation of community and its support for artists locally and abroad. This year’s theme, Follow Your Rainbow, will inspire a radiant celebration of joy, color, and artistic expression highlighting the work of esteemed artist Joel Mesler. 

The spectacular gathering will display a site-specific installation from Mesler, who is known for his vibrant texture -based paintings that blend pop culture, personal nostalgia, and playful motifs. Often featuring bold phrases over lush, tropical backdrops, Mesler’s work will invite guests to join the artist in exploring themes of identity, self-reflection, and humor.

Through a rainbow archway, guests will be greeted and guided to Faena’s exclusive pool by colorful pathways that set the stage for an exhilarating and animated evening. In lieu of a traditional gala setting, the interactive immersion of the senses will begin with an elaborate culinary processional of delicacies from signature Chef Paul Qui. Drawing culinary inspiration from his Filipino roots coupled with Japanese, Spanish and French cooking styles, Qui will present a colossal whole tuna carved fresh among the crowd. To follow, guests can indulge in abundant towers of grilled meats and vegetables from world-renowned Argentine chef Francis Mallmann, known for his open-fire, Asado-style cooking. The unforgettable procession will also blend music, fashion, and art with performers styled in rainbow-couture influenced by the joyful expression of Mesler’s artwork. Under the starlit sky, attendees can anticipate a special live from Richie Hell, inviting guests to let the rhythm move them and to celebrate the transformative power of artistic expression. Guests are encouraged to wear a rainbow-inspired dress code for the evening. 

The gala will commence with Faena Art awarding its annual recipient for best dressed, keeping in mind this year’s theme. The winner will receive special recognition with a complimentary two-night stay at the luxurious Faena Penthouse.

Donations and ticket purchases to support the arts can be made at http://e.givesmart.com/events/Ho4. Individual tickets and VIP package offerings are available.

Funds raised will go directly to supporting the artistic community through Faena Art programming. All tickets are non-refundable.

For more information, visit www.faenaart.org or follow Faena Art on social media for the latest happenings at @FaenaArt.