photo courtesy of Just Jared

Eva Longoria and Eduardo Cruz dined at Zuma this past Friday afternoon for a quick lunch. With the announcement of their breakup last month, the couple privately shared some of Zuma’s signature dishes, trying not to draw too much attention.  The couple was reportedly cordial to the staff. 

Travis London, celebrity entertaining artist, famous for his low-calorie, X-Rated Fusion cocktails, hosted a cocktail party at Sagamore, The Art Hotel on Sunday, July 22 in celebration of Swim Week and his birthday. Joining in the party were Real Housewives stars Marysol Patton and Joe and Melissa Gorga, who came out to celebrate and delight in London’s Sagamorita and Skinny Bikini cocktails.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Fans of sun, skin and designer swimsuits delighted in five days of fabulous fun and fashion during this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim (MBFWS) which took place at the iconic Raleigh Hotel from July 19-July 23.Showcasing the collections of designers including: Vitamin A by Amahlia Stevens, Lisa Blue, Éclairée, Agua Bendita, Poko Pano, Dolores Cortés, Nicolita, Kooey Australia, Caffé Swimwear, Aqua Di Lara, Mara Hoffman Swim, Xtra Life Lycra® Brand, Cia.Marítima, BCBG Swimwear, Gottex, Red Carter, L*Space by Monica Wise, White Sands Australia, Luli Fama, Suboo, Rose By Vanessa Jean, Wildfox Swim, Ank By Mirla Sabino, Aguaclara, Aquarella Swimwear, Cote D’or Swimwear, Sauvage, A.Z Araujo, Anna Kosturova, Dorit, Keva | J And Naïla in two different tents and in the Raleigh penthouse, the styles heated up an already scorching summer.  Because we can’t possibly fit all of this “fabulocity” into one issue, we’ve decided to highlight our favorites in two separate editions of the 411.  Read the rest here »

David Charvet and Brooke Burke were spotted at WALL on Thursday, with a small group of friends after attending a Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim fashion show. The entire crew danced the night away and kept the patron shots flowing.

On Friday night NFL players D.J. Williams (Green Bay Packers), Jon Vilma (Saints), Maurice Jones Drew (Jaguars,) and several others partied at STK for Williams’ birthday with a group of 30.

WALL’s three-year anniversary celebration on Saturday night with Alex Kenji drew a crowd including: Marie Claire fashion editor, Amanda Hearst, who made an appearance after attending the Chloe show at the Soho Beach House.

Antrelle Rolle of the NY Giants dined at STK on Saturday night with his girlfriend and two friends. The party of 4 sipped on vodka cranberries and dined on Lil Burgers, Buratta, Rib Eye and the Porterhouse. Miami Dolphins player, Cameron Wake, also dined with a group of eight at STK on Saturday night to celebrate his girlfriend’s birthday.

Angela Simmons snuck backstage to get a peek at the Luli Fama “La Dolce Vita Miami” 2013 runway presentation on Sunday where Moët Ice Impérial was flowing freely amongst the designers and models. During her preparation with more than 20 models running around in a frenzy to get dressed in their first looks, designer Lourdes Hanimian stopped to pose with Angela, where they both gestured “thumbs up” – a sign that they both approve of the 2013 designs. Shortly after, Angela (with two friends in tow) sat front row to watch models strut their stuff in Italian-inspired bikinis.

Following the L*Space by Monica Wise show,  Melissa and Joe Gorga, from the Real Housewives of New Jersey, dined at Zuma Miami. The couple had an intimate evening enjoying Zuma’s signature dishes.

On Sunday night, the L2 sisters, Melissa and Jessica Labbadia, attended the official L*Space swimwear after-party at STK, where they had dinner after the L*Space show at the Raleigh.  The sisters have scored 2 consecutive hits on the Billboard charts which have been featured on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Khloe and Lamar, Bad Girls Club, and Real World.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

CRAVE

CRAVE restaurant in the Village of Merrick Park in Coral Gables is known for its gorgeous 9,000 square-foot space, which includes an expansive dining room, sprawling outdoor terrace, vibrant atmosphere and terrific food. CRAVE’s fresh and innovative cuisine and impeccable wine selection compliment the chic, yet casual ambience with an extensive menu at a value-driven price point, with items ranging from a full sushi bar and Certified Angus Beef steaks to fresh seafood, pastas, salads and fire-baked pizzas that are continually re-mastered using the freshest seasonal ingredients.

One of the not-so-hidden secrets to Crave’s success is Hell’s Kitchen alum, Executive Chef Joshua Wahler whose resume includes work at Gramercy Tavern, Spice Market and Nobu and the (sadly) now defunct, Symcha’s.  Wahler’s passion, expertise and love of food are reflected in every dish- which he excitedly describes as if he were talking about a work of art. He is so charismatic and fun to be around that we repeatedly asked him to join our table. We wouldn’t be surprised to see him hosting a show on The Food Network.

Wahler creatively incorporates fine ingredients to create dishes such as a giant house made meatball, stuffed with mozzarella cheese, which must turn out perfect (without any oozing cheese) for it to make it to the table. Other standouts include: the Red Miso shrimp, grilled Ceviche, and Kogi beef tacos. The cashew crusted Mahi swimming in coconut curry and the perfect sliders were other favorites.  Read the rest here »

 4th Annual To Live and Dine in Miami

MIAMI Magazine presents the 4th Annual To Live & Dine in Miami co-hosted by world-renowned Chef Daniel Boulud and benefiting Chapman Partnership. Restaurants include: db Bistro Moderne, Eating House, EDGE Steak & Bar, HaVen South Beach, J&G Grill at The St. Regis Bal Harbour, Katsuya by Starck, Paulina’s Pops, Scarpetta at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, SUSHISAMBA dromo, The Dome Restaurant & Caviar Bar, The Dutch at W South Beach, The Restaurant at The Setai Miami Beach, Toscana Divino and Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. Attendees will be the first to get a taste of soon-to-open establishments including Bloom, Florida Cookery and Swine Southern Table & Bar; Cocktail pairings courtesy of Herradura Tequila and Chambord Vodka, and refreshments by Stella Artois, Acqua Panna and S.Pellegrino.The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas takes over part of the Moore Building turning it into a pop-up lounge with sounds by DJ Mad Linx. Tickets are priced at $25 and can be purchased at http://toliveanddineinmiami.eventbrite.com.  Proceeds from the event will benefit Chapman Partnership.

Bowling for Rhinos

Bowling for Rhinos (BFR) 2012, an annual bowling fundraiser that benefits the South Florida Chapter of AAZK’S Rhino Conservation Projects, is sure not to leave you in the gutter. With its goal of helping rhinos worldwide, 100% of all funds raised by BFR benefits rhino conservation projects for four species of rhino, their habitats, and hundreds of other endangered plants and animals. BFR helps preserve the black, white, Javan and Sumatran rhinos. The AAZK and Zoo Miami invite everyone for a night of excitement at Bird Bowl. The $25 registration fee includes:1 ½ hours of bowling with shoes, raffle ticket, and pizza. Walk-ins are welcome if space is available. “Keep the Rhinos Horny” t-shirts will be offered at $15 for non-bowlers and $10 if you are registered to bowl! Open to the general public, teams of five to six bowlers may register for a night full of strikes and spares (hopefully!).  Bowlers are encouraged to get sponsors as 100% of all sponsor money goes directly to saving the rhinos. Remember every penny counts so no amount is too small. Please bring the sponsor money the night of the event. Please make checks payable to AAZK-BFR; for more information visit www.zoomiami.org.

Mayfair Hotel & Spa Launches Summer Sundays at the Rooftop Pool & Cabana Lounge

Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove announces the launch of its Summer Sundays, a series of pool parties for guests, visitors and locals alike. The Rooftop Pool & Cabana Lounge will offer a full bar, salads and a variety of pizzas, while DJ Ethics will provide the party’s soundtrack. ISA boutique will also be popping up every Sunday and showcasing their 2013 swim & resort wear collections. The series will kick off with a launch party on July 29 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Guests can enjoy a complimentary welcome mimosa and veggie smoothies throughout the day.

Beat the summer heat in style, with complimentary mini-manicures and 10-minute chair massages provided by the hotel’s Jurlique Spa, pineapple-mint infused water and suntan lotion. Cabana special includes Evian water mister, a bucket of domestic (five) beers, iced aromatherapy towels from the spa, frozen grapes and two liters of water (sparkling or still), for the full-day rate of $150. Valet will be offered at a discounted price of $5; for more information visit www.mayfairhotelandspa.com or call 305.441.0000. 

Chefs to Face $20/20 Minute Fill the Grill Challenge at Whole Foods Coral Gables

Foodies, grilling aficionados and food truck lovers are invited to Whole Foods Market – Coral Gables this summer to feel the heat during the food truck chef Fill the Grill cook-off. Renowned food truck chefs Jim Heinz (Latin Burger & Taco), Troy Thomas (The Rolling Stove), Alfredo Montero (Mr. Good Stuff) and Eileen Andrade (CUBANCUBE) will be given $20 and 20 minutes to speed shop for ingredients; then, the chefs will have an additional 20 minutes to prepare a delicious, affordable and creative summer meal using only a grill. Round one takes place on Thursday, August 2 followed by round two on Thursday, August 9; the finals are set to take place on Thursday, August 16. All challenges will begin at 6:00 p.m., are free and open to the public. A panel of judges will determine which chef goes to the next round.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Edge, Steak and Bar

Edge, Steak and Bar, at the Four Seasons Miami, is Brickell’s hottest new steakhouse, featuring the freshest seafood, paired with delectable sauces and steaks cooked to perfection.  Chefs Aaron Brooks and James King’s dinner menu showcases expertly prepared Creekstone Farm meats charbroiled at 1800 degrees in an infrared grill after being rubbed down with Edge’s signature “Cutting Edge Rub”. Tantalizing seafood fresh from local waters and sides made with the best farm-fresh ingredients round out the dinner menu.  Don’t miss the basil crusted corvina, the lobster corn chowder or the bone-in Tomahawk steak- worthy of Fred Flintstone.

Diners can enjoy the expansive dining room, sit at the stylish bar or lounge in the gorgeous outdoor terrace, overlooking Miami. The terrace provides a convivial gathering place to enjoy Edge’s cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails, while overlooking the stunning views of glistening Biscayne Bay and the hotel’s two-acre pool deck. Just as it did with Edge’s chic, modern interiors, James Beard Award-winning design firm, AvroKo created an outdoor “living room” that provides guests with a casual, yet intimate, retreat and varied seating options. Read the rest here »