Hadley Henriette and Kamal Hotchandani

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

“The best things in life are free; the second best are very expensive.” -Coco Chanel 

Such fabulous “second bests” fill the pages of luxury tome, Haute Living magazine, which threw its splashy annual Haute 100 Dinner at the highly anticipated debut of New York’s, Cipriani, the night before the restaurant’s official opening day.  Just over 100 special guests, who were hand-selected by Haute Living’s editors, arrived via   chauffeured BMW 760′s and a Ferrretti Riva 75′ Vernere to the waterfront restaurant, to be toasted with free-flowing Dom Pérignon for their inclusion in Haute Living’s list of the 100 most powerful, influential and philanthropic people in Miami published in the annual Haute 100 issue.  Read the rest here »

Artists from some of Hollywood’s hottest shows including Isabella Cramp and Max Charles (NBC’s The Neighbors), Maxwell Perry and Mason Vale Cotton (AMC’s Mad Men) and Landry Bender (Disney’s Crash & Bernstein), Aaron and Griffen Kunitz (Days of Our Lives), Yara and Sayeed Shahidi (BET’s The First Family) and Tyree Brown, Savannah Paige and Xolo Mariduena (NBC’s Parenthood) all stopped by to shop The Children’s Place together for new summer styles.

Parenthood co-stars and friends in real life, TyreeBrown, Savannah Paige and Xolo Mariduena, had so much fun hanging out together and received exciting news that their hit show had been renewed for its’ 5^th season while inside shopping!

The playful boys couldn’t get enough of the bold graphic tees, bright chino shorts and stylish button downs… and Savannah went crazy over the trendy maxi dresses and colorful flip flops.

Both the boys and the girls had a great time accessorizing with cool fedoras, baseball caps and cowgirl hats.

Isabella couldn’t resist having fun pairing a boy’s fedora with her sparkle stripe tee and 3d flower skirt and Max complemented her look with the faux layer striped polo and newsboy cap.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Harry Connick, Jr. Breaks Records at Arsht Gala 

Equal parts: gorgeous, talented and hilarious, Harry Connick, Jr., performed an intimate concert on the main stage of the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall for an audience of hundreds of South Florida’s philanthropists during the Adrienne Arsht Center’s annual gala on Friday, April 26. So moving was Connick’s performance that Gala Chair and Arsht Center Foundation Board Member Swanee DiMare and her husband Paul DiMare made a $1 million gift to the Center, right on the spot! What did Swanee get for the money? A stage in the Knight Concert Hall named after her and a big hug from Harry- not bad for a cool million. The latter, was well worth it. Read the rest here »

Emina Cunmulaj, Sam Nazarian, Klara Glowczewska, Julianne Hough, & Carolyn Kremins

Actress, Julianne Hough, and host Sam Nazarian joined Conde Nast Traveler at the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List party at the SLS, which made the publication’s Hot List this year.  DJ-duo Andrew Andrew kept the crowd dancing all night in between sips of “make your own” Patron cocktails and fun in the photo booth.  Later that night, Hough and Nina Dobrev partied at WALL along with co-owner Nicola Siervo, who is a longtime friend of Hough.  

Also seen at WALL on the same night, was Italian opera singing trio, Il Volo.  Vice Mayor, Michael Góngora and Mayor Matti H. Bower presented Cuban poet, Richard Blanco, the first immigrant, openly gay poet to write and recite a poem at the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, with the Key to the City at the LGBT Center in Miami Beach last Friday. Sunday night, The Forge hosted a private event for Romero Britto and 8 of his guests to help unveil his newest work of art. During the NBA Championships, Miami Heat player Joel Anthony hit his favorite spot, Meat Market and dined al fresco on Chef Sean Brasel’s Asian BBQ Ribs, Kobe Skirt Steak, Sweet Potato Fries, Creamed Corned and Truffle Mash.

fortrendymoms.com

In honor of Mother’s Day, Aquathermes Salon & Spa in Downtown Miami will be offering (five) specially priced packages available throughout the month of May. Each package features a combination of various services such as Hot Stone Massage, Anti-Aging Facial, CND Shellac™ Manicure/Pedicure, and Keratin Complex Hair Treatment. Treat Mom, a loved one, or even yourself to an Aquathermes experience.

Kitchen 305 hosts an all-you-can-eat, Mother’s Day champagne brunchfor $39.95 per person from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 12.  Enjoy a long meal with loved ones that starts with breakfast favorites including freshly baked breads and a pastry station, seasonal fruits, imported cheeses and made-to-order omelets. A cold bar will feature jumbo shrimp cocktail, Bluepoint oysters on the half shell, Scottish style smoked salmon, snow crab legs, endive, walnut, goat cheese and Asian pear salad and Hong Kong style Maine lobster salad. Entrée options include hand-carved prime rib smeared with chimichurri and horseradish mouselline with beef au jus for dipping; herb-roasted Colorado rack of lamb with rosemary mint Madeira sauce; chicken breast benadetto, succulent chicken breast stuffed with granny smith apples and brie cheese in a roasted red pepper cream sauce or yellowtail snapper francaise; fresh yellow tail broiled in a citrus, caper butter sauce. For those who savor sweets, a Viennese dessert bar will showcase assorted cakes, cookies, brownies, mini tarts, fresh fruits and berries. Guests will enjoy free flowing champagne, Bloody Marys, Mimosas and Kir Royales throughout the day.

Florida Cookery at The James Royal Palm hotel will launch its weekly Miami-style Sunday brunch series this Mother’s Day, May 12, poolside on the new Florida Cookery Patio. Guests will enjoy a selection of hand-crafted, a la carte favorites by Chef/Partner Kris Wessel, which include Cookery Egg Sliders, Southern Style Veal Grillades and Big Bowl Miami Paella, as well as a rotating action station featuring specialty items such as endless carved prime rib. Mother’s will enjoy a complimentary welcome mimosa, with $165 Dom Perignon bottle specials for sons & daughters who wish toast “Mom” as well. Brunch will be available on the Florida Cookery Patio from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Indoor seating is available.

The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar Executive Chef Dewey LoSasso has crafted an exclusive Mother’s Day menu perfect for the moms in your life perfectly paired with unlimited mimosas. The menu features Chef Dewey’s signature appetizer spread including items like Blood Mary Ceviche with Grouper, Snapper and Grilled Celery, Oak Grilled Turkey Sausage made with Lobster Corn Chowder, Vanilla Waffles topped with Sauteed Bananas and Mascarpone. Guests can select from an array of entrees including the Miami Monte Cristo made with pulled pork that is battered and pan seared, carambola jam and picnic fries, Almond Seared Chicken Paillard topped with a chiffonade of greens, capers and chicken jus, Turkey and Eggwhite Frittata with house smoked turkey, leeks, white cheddar, and porcini sauce. An a-la-carte menu will also be available. The brunch is priced at $85 per person and $35 for children (under 12); For reservations, call 305.538.8533, www.theforge.com.

Cecconi’s Miami Beach, get ready to treat your mom to the perfect Mother’s Day brunch with an authentic Italian fare prepared by Executive Chef Sergio Sigala. Seat mom on an Italian chair in the garden and prepare her for a completely satisfying meal made from only the freshest ingredients. Cecconi’s will offer its Sunday brunch for Moms to enjoy with items like Egg Station, omelet or scrambled, made to order with bacon, avocado and additional accompaniments; Sweets Station, waffles and ricotta pancakes, pastries and fresh-baked croissants, and homemade torta; Raw Bar,oysters, salmon tartar, shrimp and fish salad; Carving Station, complete with roasted beef and pork, quinoa salad, meatballs and macaroni and cheese; and a traditional Cold Cutsspread. The brunch is priced at $45 per person; for reservations, call 786.507.7902, www.cecconismiamibeach.com. 

RA Sushi in South Miami is the perfect place to treat mom this Mother’s Day – or avoid her. RA is extending its Sunday happy hour specials all day from 11 a.m. to close. Choose from more than 35 sushi, appetizer, and tapas selections ranging from $2.25 to $7.25, plus a wide variety of beer, wine and signature cocktails ranging from $3 to $7. Flying Fish Lounge dishes include Tootsy Maki, the Viva Las Vegas Roll, “RA”ckin’ Shrimp and Spicy Sesame Chicken Wings. Varieties of discounted creative cocktails are served until midnight, such as the Blushing Geisha, Dragon Bite or Shiso Naughty; for more information, call 305.341.0092.

The Cheese Course, celebrate your mom with an elaborate presentation of every cheese and tapenade in the book. The Cheese Course will be offering a gift of $5 for every $25 purchase at any of its seven locations. From April 29 through May 12, choose from a selection of more than 150 cheeses available in store and create a customized gift basket or cheese plate with the guidance of the in-store cheese monger; for more information, call 786.220.6681, www.thecheesecourse.com.

We all know Italian mothers have a special way around the kitchen and Mama Carla of Café Prima Pastais no exception with her traditional award-winning cuisine, which for the last 19 years has made celebrities such as Matt Damon, Lenny Kravitz and Dwyane Wade regulars of the family owned and operated restaurant. Prima will be celebrating Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, with its regular menu plus some new dinner specials including Eggplant Rollatini ($15.95), sliced eggplant wrapped with ricotta and artisanal cheeses topped with tomato sauce; Burrata & Prosciutto ($18), rich, creamy burrata pillow piled on top of slices of prosciutto; Carla’s Cannelloni ($18.95), made-to-order cannelloni rolled with spinach, ricotta and a blend of imported Italian cheeses topped with pomodoro sauce and a touch of sweet pesto; Ravioli Porcini ($24.95), perfectly puffed pasta pockets stuffed with delicate porcini mushrooms in a truffle sauce; Risotto Pescatore ($28.95), a medley of fresh seafood over a bed of saffron risotto; Osso Bucco ($38.95), Mama’s Cea’s secret recipe of braised veal shank in a Barolo wine demi glaze; Lobster Fra Diavolo ($38.95), tender Florida lobster, clams and rock shrimp in a spicy marinara sauce with homemade linguini and Veal Chop ($38.95), grilled veal with asparagus and oven roasted potatoes.

By: Maryanne Salvat

Come Walk, Run and Celebrate: 12th Annual Lou Gehrig’s Disease 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk

On May 11, Pan American Finance invites all runners to join the 12th Annual Lou Gehrig’s Disease 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk  event for a great cause. Race proceeds are allocated to assist patients in the tri-county area living with ALS and runners will get a chance to experience vibrant and picturesque Coconut Grove as the sun is coming up. This race features both a 5K and a 10K that will take participants throughout Coconut Grove.  

Registration closing date is on Friday, May 10at 1:00 PST. For more information on the race, visit: http://www.alsrecovery.org/ .

Gatsby Fever Hits South Beach

Just like Gatsby himself, clean-cut and crisp Villa Azur is the perfect spot to celebrate the year’s biggest blockbuster, opening in theaters May 10, The Great Gatsby. Just as Gatsby’s Supper Parties in NYC were extravagant and adventurous so are Villa Azur’s Thursday night extravaganzas; the hot spot co-owned by actor Olivier Martinez and frequented by Great Gatsby star Leonardo DiCaprio, will be paying tribute to classic movie by throwing a 20’s themed movie release party on Thursday, May 9 at 9:00 p.m. The dinner party will feature live music and a DJ spinning favorites from present day to the prohibition era and Gatsby inspired entertainers.

Serendipity 3 will also be getting into the swing of the 20’s treating guests to a complimentary prohibition style cocktails before or after they check out the Great Gatsby flick at Regal Cinema just a few steps away from Lincoln Road.  Guests with a same day ticket stub will be treated to a complimentary “Backroom Burbon Mint Julip.” Younger fans can enjoy Leo’s Gatsby Shirley Temple.

Butterfly Migration Parade at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden loves butterflies, and the whole community is invited to celebrate their migration. On Saturday, May 18, Fairchild is hosting Miami’s first-ever Butterfly Migration Parade, a day full of butterfly-themed family fun. Participate in the whimsical parade down Old Cutler Road from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., and then spend the day at Fairchild from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. to join in fun activities including a butterfly costume contest, live music and butterfly viewings. Tasty treats are provided by the Glasshouse Café and food trucks. Make sure to visit the Wings of the Tropics exhibit to marvel at the thousands of vibrantly colored butterflies swooping overhead. Admission is free for parade participants, Fairchild members, and children 5 and under; $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up, and $12 for children 6-17. It’s not too late to partake in the parade. If you’d like to join the colorful caravan, contact Leslie Bowe at lbowe@fairchildgarden.org or 305.667.1651, ext. 3338.