By: Maryanne Salvat

The Flat Miami Very Happy Hour 

The Flat Miami, the new European-inspired cocktail lounge by Cedric Adegnika and Barbara Zuccarelli, is pleased to announce ‘Very Happy Hour(s)’ specials, which will be available Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. beginning Wednesday, May 15. Bar Chef Egor Polonskiy will offer signature and classic cocktails that change weekly, as well as a selection of craft beers and wines. Located just South of Fifth at 500 South Pointe Drive, The Flat combines upscale cocktail culture and modern décor, featuring a white-lacquered baby grand piano bearing a portrait of Ray Charles, to create a coolly sophisticated atmosphere perfect to begin or end a night on the town.

ABSOLUT® X Masquerade Ball

On Thursday, May 16 from 9:00 p.m. to midnight, ABSOLUT® X will transform Soho Studios into an “ABSOLUT” version of a masquerade ball in collaboration with Miami contemporary artist Agustina Woodgate, British indie rock band Bloc Party and world renowned and local favorite, mixologist John Lermayer. ABSOLUT® X is a series of experiential, full-sensory events incorporating three different disciplines – music, art and mixology – to break new artistic ground. Bloc Party will partner with Agustina Woodgate to create an interactive artistic collaboration, and perform hits like “Children of the Future” from their most recent album Four. At the masquerade ball, guests will be part of a transformative night filled with mystery, high energy performances, interactive art experiences, and ABSOLUT® cocktails by Lermayer. Guests will create custom ABSOLUT® masks to develop their “ABSOLUT® self,” making their dream identity a reality. Working with the non-profit Architecture for Humanity, Woodgate’s finished art will be donated and installed in a selected public space, leaving a piece of ABSOLUT X to live on in Miami; For more information visit www.absolutx.com<http://www.absolutx.com and RSVP at ABSOLUTX.Miami@Carmapr.com.

4th Annual Take a Walk in Her Shoes Fashion Show and Luncheon 

On Friday May 17, Womenade presents the 4th Annual Take a Walk in Her Shoes Fashion Show and Luncheon. A vintage fashion show produced by C. Madeleine’s, directed by Danny Santiago, with hair styling and makeup by Rik Rak Salon.Boutique.Bar. The event’s theme is “Deco Riviera.” Shannon Hori, CBS-4’s Emmy award-winning news anchor, will serve as the fashion show and program emcee.

A “Best Dressed Diva Contest” will be featured at this year’s fashion show and luncheon. Come dressed in your best late 1950’s, early 1960’s vintage attire to enter in the contest presented by C. Madeleine’s. C. Madeleine’s will also donate a percentage of sales to Chapman Partnership for anyone who shops at the store now through June 30th.  Honorees include Terry Buoniconti, Ana Codina, Lizette Diaz, Jennifer Naszradi, Phillis Oeters, Rita Ramirez, Frances Sevilla-Sacasa, Katy Sorenson, Tara Solomon, and Boo Zamek.Event Chairs are Bronwyn Miller, Irene Korge and Migna Sanchez. Honorary chairs are Trish and Dan Bell. Event and Table Sponsorships are available. For more information contact the Development Team at womenade@chapmanpartnership.org or call 305.329.3081.

Restaurant Day at Ruthie’s @ The Little Blue House 

A global initiative that’s quickly catching on in Miami’s culinary movement, Restaurant Day gives anyone who’s ever dreamed of opening their own eatery a reason to produce their own menu, buy produce locally, and promote a pop-up out of their own homes, gardens or private spaces. In this spirit, foodie Amanda Fischer will be putting her home cooking talents to work while Torrence Gettrell opens his terrace to create ‘Ruthie’s @ The Little Blue House‘. On Saturday, May 18 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., celebrate Restaurant Day at Ruthie’s with an Afro-Brazilian inspired meal, with many dish options priced between $9-$16.

Franck Muller at Levinson Jewelers

Levinson Jewelers will be hosting a special event taking place in-store on Saturday, May 18 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Legendary Swiss watchmaker, Franck Muller, will be traveling from Genève, Switzerland to unveil his newest collections. The event will be hosted by watch enthusiast Dan Marino; for more information visit www.levinsonjewelers.com.

11^th Annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® will host its 11^th annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars gala presented by Manuel and Mercedes Mosteiro at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. On this special evening, St. Jude will honor National Football League’s (NFL) all-time winning coach, Don Shula, with the 2013 “St. Jude Al-Rashid Hope Award” for his life-long commitment to helping the community and his unparalleled contributions to the NFL. The gala will celebrate the life-mission of St. Jude, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly diseases. This unique event will include a live performance by Multi-platinum GRAMMY / Latin GRAMMY winning recording artist, Carlos Vives. The FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala co-founder, Daisy Fuentes, will be in attendance to welcome more than 700 guests, and will be accompanied by other award presenters such as Danna Garcia, Julian Gil, Pamela Silva Conde, Raul Gonzalez of Univision Network, and Alberto Sardiñas, host and producer of “Intimo” on Amor 107.5 FM, among others. For more information about tickets, sponsorships and auction items, contact 800.278.3383, miamigala@stjude.org,  or visit www.stjude.org/miamigala.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force 17th Annual Miami Recognition Dinner

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force requests the pleasure of your company at an exclusive reception to kick off the organization’s upcoming 17th Annual Miami Recognition Dinner on May 21! This event, hosted at the Beach House at Shore Club, will provide insight into this year’s Miami Recognition Dinner and lend an opportunity to meet MRD committee members. Additionally, the event will feature 2013 Eddy McIntyre Award recipient Joseph L. Falk and a special performance by critically acclaimed dancer and choreographer Pioneer Winter. Complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Send your RSVP to ginorcampodonico@gmail.com.

The Young Society of Love and Hope Presents the Second Annual “Haute Tea” 

The Young Society of Love and Hope, along with the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, will host their Second Annual “Haute Tea” on Tuesday, May 21 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. The bespoke Tea will include a champagne reception followed by a three-course lunch. Scones & clotted cream and finger sandwiches will additionally be presented at each table along with formal tea service. This year, the famous Parisian silver house, Christofle (of Bal Harbour) will adorn the event with luxurious silver throughout. Attendees will also enjoy a fashion presentation by Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour, a silent auction and prizes to the finest hats of the day. This fun and unique afternoon is designed to bring women together while increasing awareness about diabetes; the event is chaired by Jillian Posner and Dana Rosenhaus Swickle. To purchase tickets visit: www.diabetesresearch.org/haute-tea or call 1.800.321.3437.

Nicky’s Week at RA Sushi in South Miami

RA Sushi in South Miami will host the ninth annual “Nicky’s Week” fundraiser from Sunday, May 26, through Saturday, June 1, during which 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of a variety of menu items such as Edamame, Tootsy Maki roll, Shrimp Nigiri, Pork Gyoza, Chicken Yakitori and Garlic Citrus Yellowtail Tapas, plus select beverages, will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The annual fundraiser was developed in memory of St. Jude patient Nicholas “Nicky” Mailliard, of Scottsdale, Arizona, who lost a long battle with brain cancer in February 2005 at the age of 13. As a nephew of one of RA Sushi’s founders, Nicky held a special place in the hearts of RA Sushi associates throughout the organization. RA Sushi initiated the fundraiser to honor the memory of Nicky and to raise awareness and funds for St. Jude, where no child is ever turned away because of a family’s inability to pay for medical treatments.

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.

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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.