Resting at the Raleigh

As any “Baselite” will confess, short breaks are the life-blood of a successful Basel week.  The Raleigh hotel provided such respite from the art madness at the Architectural Digest sponsored lounge in the back Oasis area. During the afternoons of Friday December 2 and Saturday, December 3, special guests flocked to the Oasis to sip Macallan, which was poured from a specially branded bar and enjoy art, food, cocktails, music and spa treatments. Read the rest here »

By: Maryanne Salvat 

Super Chef Geoffrey Zakarian Celebrates at the Tudor House 

Food Network’s ultimate culinary battle officially ended last Sunday when Tudor House’s Chef & Partner Geoffrey Zakarian conquered Elizabeth Faulkner in the exciting holiday-themed finale of The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs. Tudor House is celebrating the victory with specials drawn from Zakarian’s “Next Iron Chef” creations.  These include an amuse bouche of Halibut Crudo with Coconut, Lime and Olive Oil, Truffle Scramble Eggs ($28) and Caramel Pork Belly with Artichokes Bariguole ($24). All of these dishes will be available through December 31. Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s first foray into battle as an Iron Chef will premiere on Sunday, December 25, at 9pm ET/PT.

Zakarian’s restaurants include Tudor House in Miami and The Lambs Club and The National in New York City.  He also oversees the dining program at The Water Club in Atlantic City.  He will now appear regularly on “Iron Chef America,” demonstrating his razor-sharp knowledge of culinary techniques in this fast-paced cooking competition.  When not battling in kitchen stadium, Zakarian stays busy filming “CHOPPED”, where he is featured as a recurring judge, and highlights his favorite dishes on “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” For reservations or more information, visit www.tudorhousemiami.com or call 305.534.8455. 

Digest Miami Holiday Survival Guide

Digest Miami is celebrating the holidays with the Digest Miami Holiday Survival Guide, composed of mouth watering holiday dishes from some of the city’s leading chefs. Specially created for the Holiday season, this extensive collection features recipes from twelve Chefs, many of whom are James Beard winners or nominees. Since the introduction of Digest Miami, it has garnered the interest of the best Chefs in South Florida and now allows you to step into the kitchen of some of our favorite restaurants. The Survival guide is a comprehensive step-by-step resource for anyone wanting to create the perfect holiday meal, from appetizers like Chef Michael Shikany’s Foie Terrine, to main courses like Paula DaSilva’s Rack of Lamb and Peter Vauthy’s Standing Rib Roast. The menu also includes side dishes like Chef Paul Griffin’s Asparagus Al Forno, Chef Michelle Bernstein’s Patatas Bravas and Chef Dana Brizee’s Truffle Mac & Cheese. And to add a bit of decadence we’ve included desserts such as Chef Antonio Bachour’s Panna Cotta and Chef Miguel Aguilar’s Bread Pudding. Specialty cocktails from Morton’s Steakhouse and Wynwood Kitchen complete the menu. For more information about DIGEST MIAMI, visit www.digestmiami.com or contact Nick Betancourt | 786-287-1725 | Nick.Betancourt@yahoo.com or Tima Zein | 305-752-9400 | press@digestmiami.com. 

Arquiste:  The Debut Fragrances 

A scent is a time capsule. It can invoke our most intimate memories and dreams, and open doors to distant worlds. Created by an architect specializing in Historic Preservation, Arquiste is a fragrance collection that transports the wearer to evocative moments in history. Meticulously researched using authentic sources and crafted with only the rarest of ingredients, each fragrance restores the olfactive experience of a particular time and place, allowing both women and men to unlock personal revelations and experience history in a most intimate way. Available at The Webster Miami priced from $165.

MatzoBall® at LIV 

A holiday in its own right, the Society of Young Jewish Professionals, JDate and SLEEK MedSpa bring back the MatzoBall® on Saturday, December 24. Celebrating 25 years, the high-energy event starts at 8 p.m. at Miami’s own LIV (you must be 21 or older to attend). Adding to the party-frenzy, for the first time ever, the MatzoBall has spawned a sister party, The Big Chill, geared towards the 25 and older crowd, which will take place at Arkadia. Tickets to each event are available for advanced purchase online at www.matzoball.org or at the door – cash only for $30. A group ticket granted access to both MatzoBall and The Big Chill is available online only for $50.

December Spirited Dinner with Revolucion Tequila

In presenting Miami’s hottest monthly series, Mercadito Midtown is pleased to feature Revolucion Tequila for the last spirited dinner of the year on Wednesday, December 28 at 8:30 p.m. Throughout the evening, Chef/Partner Patricio Sandoval will present four gourmet, sharing courses – all prepared using Revolucion Tequila. Cocktails created by the award-winning Tippling Bros. will also showcase the spirit, and will be paired with several courses. The cost is $45 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity). Mercadito’s expert culinary team, as well as a Revolucion ambassador, will be on hand to answer any questions. Visit www.mercaditorestaurants.com/midtown to view the menu.

Max Shore, Geoffrey Zakarian, and Rocco Shore

 We were thrilled to meet Chef Geoffrey Zakarian– winner of Iron Chef Super Chefs last Sunday, during brunch at his South Beach restaurant, the Tudor House, housed in the Dream Hotel.  Zakarian was welcoming and posed for photos with guests who enjoyed stellar menu items including:   truffle scrambled eggs, spaghetti and meatballs, stone crabs, a perfect frittata and selections from the dessert cart dubbed the “dessert dim sum cart.”  Every single bite was as delightful as the chef/owner himself.  Also in attendance for Sunday brunch (which is also served on Saturdays) were South Beach Wine and Food Festival founder, Lee Brian Schrager and famed DJs, Andrew and Andrew.

Also at the Dream Hotel, is Highbar, where nearly 1,000 people attended Playboy’s Soiree D’Art, which transitioned into Nur Khan’s pop-up lounge, Electric Room.  Notable guests in attendance included: supermodel May Andersen, designers Dean and Dan Caten, Dallas socialite Matt Nordgren, Mercedes Kilmer, Fabiola Beracasa and several well-known artists. 

Chef Aaron Sanchez of Food Network’s hit series, Chopped and Heat Seekers, dined at Sugarcane raw bar grill a few days ago. The young TV star chatted with executive chef Timon Balloo, who made Sanchez try his chicken neck dish. Sanchez said he had a great time and loved everything he tasted. Also at the Midtown hotspot Tuesday was artist Romero Britto who ate, drank and relaxed on the sidewalk café for a few hours. 

At Sushi Samba Dromo on Saturday, Alex Rodriguez stopped by for casual lunch. The baseball star, who was by himself, frequents the restaurant and is reportedly consistently friendly and polite to staff. 

Actress Jane Seymour, designers Juan Carlos Arcila-Duque, Vincenzo Avanzato, Lars Bolander, Tamzin Greenhill, Wade Allyn Hallock, Larry Laslo, Lynda Murray, Mario Nievera & Keith Williams, James Wall, and Deborah Wecselman joined ELLE Decor editor-in-chief Michael Boodro for the grand opening event of the ELLE Décor Showhouse at the Paramount Hotel on December 2. 

Also on December 2, Dean & Dan Caten, designers of DSQUARED², and Stephen Gan, Editor-In-Chief of VMAN magazine, hosted a private cocktail dinner at the Webster.  Attendees included: Cecilia Dean, Renzo Rosso, Naomi Campbell, Bruce Weber, Dwyane Wade, Gina Gerson, Lily Donaldson, Stella Schnabel, Eva Chow, Leigh Lezark, Greg Krelestein, Geordon Nichol, Derek Blasberg, Ladyfag, Laure Heriard Dubreuil, Lady Victoria Hervey, Maurizio Marcolin, Andres Velencoso, and, Miguel Iglesias.  Guests styled in DSQUARED2: Stella Schnabel, Lady Victoria Hervery, Ladyfag, Jilian Sanz, and Miguel Iglesias. 

The White Cube party at the Soho Beach House had its fair share of fabulous people on November 29. Guests included Damien Hirst, Angel Otero, Giovanna Battaglia, Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld, Alessandra Codinha, Antony Genn, Casey Fremont, Jeremy Kost, Vikram Chatwal, Jazzy de Lisser, and Harif Guzman.

Architect-turned-designer John Brevard recently unveiled his premiere jewelry collection and a sneak preview of the highly anticipated John Brevard 2012 Shoe Line, featuring the “Dripping Shoe” from the Morphogen series.  Guests in attendance included Victoria’s Secret and Christian Dior model Marta Lynchnuk, model Karina Gubanova, owner of BLO Blow Dry Bar Kailey Magder, Paola Rengifo of la Design Studio. 

Janet Jackson dined at Zuma after her concert on Monday night.

Michael Jordan was spotted at STK over the weekend.

Adrienne Williams, Chris Bosh, and Gabrielle Anwar

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

So here it is- part two of the great, the better and the even better of Art Basel, the one week love-fest that celebrates the social side of art.  And what better side is there, after all? 

Interview and Ferrari Party 

Interview magazine’s Peter M. Brant and Sotheby’s Tobias Meyer, took over the cutting edge parking garage at 1111 Lincoln Road, bathing it in red light, in honor of Ferrari’s Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, for one of the hottest parties of Basel week on Tuesday, November 29.  Ferrari filled 6 floors of the garage, with rare vintage and concept cars, including the new Ferrari 458 Spider which was unveiled at the party, as was the 3D film by Marco Brambilia, RPM.

Hundreds of A-listers, from around the globe donned Ferrari-red Pashminas which they received upon arrival to the party for protection against the chilly weather.  Le Basque catering provided signature bites while guests admired the cars and danced to music spun by Solange Knowles. Late in the evening, R&B star Janelle Monae, wearing her signature tuxedo and bouffant hair-do, gave a surprise performance onstage with her band. Read the rest here »

By: Maryanne Salvat 

Help Michael Capponi Gather Clothing and Toys for Haiti

 This holiday season, the Haiti Empowerment Mission will host the annual Christmas in Haiti toy/clothing drive on Thursday, December 15, at the W South Beach: WET between 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Donations will be accepted at the door and also at 228 5th Street. All of the proceeds will benefit the school children of Camp Jacmel, Haiti. The children anxiously wait for this special day that comes once a year. With your help, the Haiti Empowerment Mission will be able to provide the following: 

*Clothing/Shoes: Clothing, underwear, sandals and socks

*Toys: should not be expensive | quantity is valued more than quality

Dolls, doll accessories, Barbie (African American), jump ropes, soccer balls, basketballs, Match Box cars, whistles, Play-Doh, play career kit and holiday gifts: candy canes and stockings;

*Books: all books must be in written in Creole

Dictionary: French/ English, coloring books and crayons 

Once the donations have been collected, they will be evenly distributed on grounds in Haiti on Wednesday, December 21.

ISA boutique and MOSA Medspa’s Shopping Event  

ISA boutique along with MOSA Medspa’s Jennifer Almeida is hosting a holiday shopping party on Tuesday, December 20, from 6:00 to 9:00p.m., along with a toy drive. Enjoy complimentary cocktails, tons of new arrivals, a jewelry trunk show by Rita & Zia, art by Mijares Art, music by DJ Willie and dry-styling by Midtown’s Blo – Blow Dry Bar. Raffle prizes will also be given out throughout the night courtesy of MOSA Medspa. Guests can also indulge in Ms. Cheezious food truck which will be on-site as well. Attendees, who bring an unwrapped toy, will receive a $25 gift certificate to the boutique through December 22. For more information on the event call 786.558.8027.

The Pig is Roasting on Wednesdays at De Rodriguez Cuba on Ocean

Starting this Wednesday and every Wednesday on, Chef Douglas Rodriguez will host a live roast – of a pig that is. Each hump day the celebrated chef will roast a big, fat, pig starting at 5:00 p.m. for free until it’s gone. Yes, the juicy roasted pig is complimentary to guests while Chef Douglas’ tapas will be $5.00 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.and hand-muddled mojitos will go for just $5.00 all night long. Miami Beach’s favorite beat master, DJ Jean-Marc from Hakkasan will be spinning from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. to help you dance your way into the second half of the week. For more information on the pig roast, call 305.672.6624.

Loro Piana shopping event at Village of Merrick Park
Penn Medicine is at it again! Fresh off the heels of a mega-successful fundraising event with Russell Simmons and Loro Piana, the non-profit is pairing up with Loro Piana again for a holiday party on Wednesday, December 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Loro Piana Village of Merrick Park store (342 San Lorenzo Avenue, #1045, Coral Gables). Joining in the fun are Stefanie Block Reed and Evan Reed, Diane N. Weiss, Stacey Shoer, Allison Weiss Brady and Chip Brady, Constantino & Briana Gutierrez, Amy Rosenberg, and Faquiry Diaz Cala and Amelia Balonek where the retailer will donate a percentage of sales to Penn Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Space is limited. Contact WeissPR@aol.com for more information. 

Ricochet Presents: Gilbert Gottfried and Ed Kowalczyk

Comedian Gilbert Gottfried, one of the most recognizable voiceover talents known from “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and Iago from Disney’s Aladdin, will be performing live stand-up comedy at Ricochet Bar & Lounge on Monday, December 26. For just $25 at Midtown Miami’s newest culture-centric bar and lounge, guests can laugh the night away to the comedian’s jokes and stories while sipping on Ricochet’s signature drinks. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. with Gottfried going live at 10:00 p.m. Ricochet is auditioning local comedians for Gottfried’s opening act – “Like” Ricochet’s Facebook page and submit a video under 2 minutes long to enter for your chance to win! To purchase tickets visit: http://ricochet.tunestub.com/show.cfm?id=71024&cart.

Starting off the New Year, Ed Kowalczyk, the lead-singer and songwriter of the band LIVE, will be performing an intimate, acoustic set at Ricochet Bar & Lounge on Sunday, January 1^st. With the live show beginning at 11:00 p.m., guests can attend the show for $25 and enjoy hits such as “I Alone,” “Lightning Crashes,” “Selling The Drama” and more. Gather all your friends and family this New Year’s Day as doors open at 8:00 p.m. to jam out to the widely-popular Ed Kowalczyk. To purchase tickets visit: http://ricochet.tunestub.com/show.cfm?id=71023&cart. 

New Year’s Eve at the W Hotel South Beach 

WET at W South Beach is proud to present its “Jacked 2012” New Year’s Eve celebration. The poolside party will feature sounds by Grammy Award-winning music producer AFROJACK, along with Bobby Burns and more talent to be announced soon. Guests will welcome 2012 in decadent fashion as the hotel’s outdoor oasis is transformed into a fully functioning nightclub, featuring lounge seating atop a glass-covered pool deck, oversized LED screens and laser lighting.

Beginning at 9 p.m., DJs Bobby Burns and additional talent from AFROJACK’s WALL RECORDS LABEL will start the final countdown to the new year with their progressive-house and electro beats. After the clock strikes 12, the highly touted AFROJACK – listed at the No. 7 spot of DJ Mag’s “Top 100 DJs of 2011” – will take the stage. The ever popular ‘Take Over Control’ DJ opened the year by remixing Ian Carey and Snoop Dogg’s single ‘Last Night’ to great acclaim, before being featured on Pitbull’s No. 1 hit-single ‘Give Me Everything,’ and will be sure to keep the masses dancing at WET through 2 a.m.

Individual tickets to WET ($300) and VIP table reservations ($3,500-$25,000) will be available for purchase beginning November 21, 2011, and include premium open bar (9 p.m. to midnight) as well as a champagne toast.

For individual ticket purchase and VIP table reservations, visit www.nyewsouthbeach.com. 

WALL at W South Beach is proud to announce its New Year’s Eve 2012 celebration, which will feature beats by Alesso, the protégé to Swedish House Mafia’s Sebastian Ingrosso, who exploded onto the international DJ scene one year ago.

New York City native Orazio Rispo will kick off the fete and wind down the final moments of 2011 with an electric mix of house beats. He will be followed by Alesso, the 20-year-old rising star that has become known for his original productions, remixes and fresh style of DJing. He has already played at some of the world’s biggest dance events this year – including Creamfields, Tomorrowlands, Electric Daisy and alongside Swedish House Mafia in Pacha, Ibiza – so it is only fitting that he end the year off at the decadent celebrity hotspot. Revelers will groove into the early hours with tracks such as ‘Calling,’ his most recent collaboration with Ingrosso, which reached the No. 2 spot on the electronic music community’s revered Beatport.com immediately upon release.

Individual tickets ($700) and VIP table reservations ($3,500-$25,000) will be available for purchase beginning November 21, 2011, and include premium open bar (9 p.m. to midnight) as well as a champagne toast.

For individual ticket purchase and VIP table reservations, visit www.nyewsouthbeach.com.

Last Saturday night, Rory Dougherty, owner of Vice Lounge hosted a private dinner at Soiree, the restaurant within the nightclub, for his son, Grant Dougherty, HBO talk show host Katie Morgan joined the Doughertys in the celebration.

Oakley and famed NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya teamed up on Saturday to inaugurate the opening of the new Oakley store in Pembroke Pines. The 2007 Rookie of the Year was in attendance to celebrate the new store and meet fans and sign posters.

Rapper Fat Joe was spotted at STK Miami this past Sunday with a pretty female companion, sharing new chef Aaron Taylor’s Surf & Turf for two with Truffles and sipping pinot noir. The duo was overheard discussing the critical state of Haiti.  No word on his plans for a relief concert. Separately in town over the weekend and seen at STK was fellow rapper Lil Jon.  

Lenny Kravitz was on-hand on Monday night at Paramount Bay to share the first series of details about the soon-to-open condominium, which Kravitz plans to make his home in 2012.