Alain Ducasse, Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, Lee Schrager, and Emeril Lagasse

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore and Maryanne Salvat

More than 53, 000 guests gathered– on the sand, in hotels, in a parking garage, on a rooftop, and just about every nook and cranny of South Beach – to sip, savor and delight in delicious flavors-for the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SBWFF), which for ten years has turned eating (and drinking) into a competitive sport. And while our jeans are just a little bit tighter and our livers have seen better days, we can’t help but delight in the reverie of this year’s revelry.

The jury is still out on the weekend’s best event- but our top three would have to include: the festival’s 10th Year Anniversary Party, Let Them Eat Cake, hosted by Emeril Lagasse and Martha Stewart in the seventh floor of the 1111 Lincoln Road parking garage; Perrier-Jouët BubbleQ, hosted by Bobby Flay and the Cosmopolitan Hotel Las Vegas party on the New World Center rooftop. Read the rest here »

Romance   In A Can 5^th Anniversary Party

On Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m., Red Chemistry, Inc. presents the 5^th Anniversary Party for the “Romance In A Can” Foreign Film Festival.   The festivities will be held at the Angler’s Boutique Resort, guests will enjoy Chamarré wines, champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and screenings of international shorts.  The event cost is $15.   Romance In A Can will showcase its film program at various locations including the Colony Theater, Miami Beach Cinematheque, Miami Beach High School, Alliance Francaise, Coral Gables Art Cinema (in collaboration with the Video on Demand Channel eurocinema) and FIU South Campus. For more information call 786.594.5888.

Jazz at B Bar

The wildly popular B Bar at The Betsy Hotel weekly jazz series continues through March with the smooth vocals of artists such as Maryel Epps on March 3, Nicole Henry on March 17, and Michelle Manzo on March 31.   B Bar, the glamorous yet inviting lounge nestled inside the historic Betsy Hotel on South Beach, is the perfect intimate gathering spot.  Jazz and songwriters perform at 9 p.m. in one of South Florida’s most beautiful rooms. For more information call 305.760.8288 or visit online www.thebetsyhotel.com.  Schedule changes weekly. No cover or minimum.

PONKO Swimwear Fashion Show Hosted by Adriana de Moura

Michael Capponi and Michael Martin, along with W South Beach Hotel & Residences present a fashion-forward event with “The Real Housewives of Miami’s” Adriana de Moura, on Thursday, March 3, from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.  As the new face of NEW YOU Magazine and cover girl for the Spring edition of PONKO Swimwear, de Moura will host a private cocktail with editor-in-chief, Peter Mansfield. The evening will showcase a full-scale fashion show to unveil the first swimwear line of luxury brand PONKO, ‘Je Suis Jalouse de Toi’ (‘I am Jealous of You’). Complimentary manicures, delicious cupcakes, and sweet treats will be provided.   WET W South Beach Hotel & Residences is located on 2201 Collins Avenue.  To RSVP or for table reservations call 305.695.4410 or RSVP@capponigroup.com. 

Carnaval On The Mile

Carnaval week begins this Friday, March 5, with Art in the Park at 7p.m. on Ponce Circle with live entertainment, followed by a weekend of fun on the Mile!  The event is open to the public and includes great bands, art, food, and drinks.  For more information visit   www.carnavalmile.com.     

 Red Koi Mobile Food Truck

 Red Koi Thai & Sushi Lounge is proud to announce the debut of its gourmet mobile food truck, The Red Koi, launching on Saturday during Carnaval On The Mile from 10 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday,  March 6, from 10a.m. to 8p.m. and will be located on the corner of Douglas Road and Miracle Mile each day. The Red Koi menu offers a fusion of authentic Thai and Japanese flavors, with items like the signature Bangkok Shrimp Tacos, Shrimp Shumai, Pad Thai, several types of sushi boxes, and their refreshing Lychee Lemonade, all reasonably priced. Food truck aficionados can also indulge in the sweet life with delicious desserts like Red Koi’s famous Wontonameras and Thai Donuts. For more information or to follow the truck schedule go to www.redkoilounge.com.       

 JUST AS YOU WERE: Jipsy Debuts First Solo Show

Miami-based photographer, Jipsy, will celebrate the opening of her first solo show, Just As You Were, on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. at Wynwood’s Butter Gallery. Guests will enjoy champagne and wine selections throughout the night. The exhibit will remain on view through April 2, free and open to the public by appointment. Just As You Were was curated from thousands of photographs taken by Jipsy herself from 2005 to the present. A prominent nightlife fixture since arriving to Miami in 1996, Jipsy’s photos tell a story with captivating colors, stories and characters. Jipsy has photographed hundreds of events and parties around the country. For more information on Jipsy, please visit www.nefariousgirl.com or find her on Facebook. Fans can also follow her nightlife exploits on Twitter at @nefariousgirl.

 Citizens Interested in Arts (CIA) 2011 Luncheon

Acknowledging her more than 40 years as South Florida’s peerless presenter of classical music and dance, Judy Drucker, internationally famed impresaria and friend to scores of the world’s most honored musical artists, will be the recipient of the Citizens Interested in Arts (CIA) 2011 Champion of the Arts Award at the organization’s annual fund-raising membership luncheon on Tuesday, March 8,  at Fontainebleau Hotel. Now in its 12 year, the 2011 CIA luncheon, chaired by Lenore Toby-Simmons with Hollis Friemark, co-chair, will mark another step forward in their ever-growing reputation as one of the key South Florida organizations that devote total efforts and funds to financially support the diverse array of performance and visual arts organizations that color our community. To date, CIA, with a membership numbering nearly 300 volunteers with no paid employees, has recorded $600,000 in grants. Reservations are $85 with Patron tickets $100. Checks may be payable to Citizens Interested in Arts, Inc., attention Madelyn Fradkin 20350 West Country Club Drive #4-119  Aventura, Fl, 33160 or by calling Lenore 305.733.0061.

Andy Cohen

Last week, staying under the radar and rarely stepping foot outside his three-story penthouse suite at the National Hotel, R&B crooner Brian McKnight celebrated his girlfriend’s birthday by simply ordering room service and enjoying his luxurious room.

Also staying at the Art Deco property was The Real Housewives of New York City’s Countess Luann de Lesseps and her daughter, who spent the majority of their time lounging by the hotel’s infinity pool. The duo occasionally went out on the town on the rented bikes from the hotel, even hitting up STK on Saturday night, where onlookers say Countess Luann looked “fresh and rested.”

Chelsea Handler’s beloved sidekick, Chuy was the host at Mansion and Steve Nash was spotted at WALL Miami enjoying Belvedere Vodka last Friday.

On Valentine’s Day, Timbaland had dinner with his wife at STK Miami.

Housewives hunk, Andy Cohen, was on-hand at the official launch party for the Real Housewives of Miami onlast Monday night at the Eden Roc Hotel and Residences, along with all of the housewives with the exception of Larsa Pippen, Days of our Lives Arianne Zucker, Galen Gering, and Sammy Sosa.

Janice Lipton, Bonnie Clearwater, Alan and Diane Lieberman

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

If Everybody had an Ocean….

Then they might be lucky enough to have a beach BLAST such as the one we had on Saturday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s (MOCA) “Surf’s Up” bash.  Perhaps it was the fact that the entire museum was transformed into a beach town or maybe it was that the 800+ artsy guests donned their favorite beach attire in lieu of restrictive, stuffy black tie wear; or perchance it was that DJ Hottpants, who towered over the dance floor in a lifeguard stand, played some of the best dance mash-ups we’ve heard in some time- (probably all of the above)…but judging from the smiles, laughter, and non-stop dancing, this was one of best parties of the social season.  The celebration coincided (to the day) with MOCA’s 15^th anniversary, kicking off a year-long string of events in honor of the museum’s cutting-edge exhibitions and innovative programs. Read the rest here »

Foodies Rev Up Your Appetites

South Beach Wine and Food Festival

The 10^th Annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival is upon us once again.  To our fellow foodies who wish to attend and purchase tickets to events, visit www.sobefest.com for a complete line up of available tickets still available.  If your desired event is sold out, fear not- we will have a full recap with photos next week. To read all about last year’s SBWFF fun, visit: miamisocialholic.com.

Sweet Street Desserts Hits Lincoln Road

Join the sugar rush on Friday, February 25, as Sweet Street Desserts presents “The Sweet Ride” a mobile dessert truck that will be giving out their famous sweet treats including assorted cupcakes, Chewy Marshmallow Squares, Lemon Crumb Bars, Fabulous Chocolate Chunk Brownies and Toffee Crunch Blondies.  The sugar rush begins at 9:30 p.m. , and will be located at 1111 Lincoln Road. The Sweet Ride will also be touring Miami Beach over the weekend.  Sweet Street will also be donating 15% of its sales online at www.sweetstreet.com to the University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Customers simply enter “FIU” when prompted at check out.  The promotion runs until March 13, 2011.

Please note that the “Sweet Ride” will only be passing out samples to ticketed guests at Let Them Eat Cake. HOWEVER, it will be touring Miami Beach and passing out it’s luscious desserts, including the newest creation  Pipeable® Mousses, on Saturday from 12  to 2 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Catch them if you can on Collins, Washington, Ocean Drive, and Lincoln Road.

STK and The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar

On Saturday, February 26,   The One Group’s STK Miami and Shareef Malnik’s award-winning The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar will host two of the most sought-after events during the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. 

STK welcomes celebrity chef and “Top Chef Master” Rick Moonen to team up with STK’s executive chef, and “Hell’s Kitchen” alum, Ralph Pagano, to present a highly-anticipated “Surf & Turf” dinner.  The evening will begin with a cocktail reception at 8:00 p.m., followed by a private dinner at 9:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy Moonen’s signature, sustainable seafood dishes with a side of Pagano’s decadent prime cuts. The four-course dinner, priced at $150, will be perfectly paired with wines and spirits including Chambord vodka, Herradura tequila, Collingwood whiskey and a selection of wines from organic Bonterra Vineyards. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of America. For more information call 305.604.6988.

The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar, will present a second installment of its Wine Dinner Series along with original host partner Joseph Phelps Vineyards to lead diners through the six-course dinner and provide the perfect pairing for each dish. The Wine Dinner Series began in New York’s Greenwich Village during the restaurant’s “Fall in the North and South”-themed dinner at the James Beard House in October 2010.  Using the same menu, but with a few seasonal ingredient changes, executive chef Dewey LoSasso  teams up with the prestigious Joseph Phelps to create an outstanding dining experience. For more information visit www.theforge.com.

South Beach Comedy Festival

The South Beach Comedy Festival Local All-Stars kickoff this year’s festival on Thursday, February 24 at Buck 15 (above Miss Yip Chinese Café), located at 1661 Meridian Avenue on Miami Beach and is free to the public with a 2 menu item minimum. Doors open at 7p.m. The comedian lineup features previous winners from South Beach Comedy Festival’s “Best New Comedian Contest”, national touring headliners and even an Emmy winner. These local all-stars include: Lisa Corrao, Wendi Starling, Johnny Trabs, Gene Harding and Dave Williamson. The event is hosted by Miami New Times “Best Club Comic 2010” Jessica Gross and features sounds by DJ V2.  For more information on The South Beach Comedy Festival Local All-Stars visit www.SouthBeachComedyFestival.com or www.HaveNotsComedy.com

Angel Squads WANTS YOU!

The new Miami Beach-based promotional agency will host an open casting call for Massage Angels at Pics Boutique on Thursday, February 24 and Friday, February 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The first company to utilize the European concept of incorporating massage into nightlife, Angel Squads’ team of trained Massage Angels (read: genetically blessed ladies in white corsets, white feathered wings, black leggings and black stilettos) can be found at high-end nightclubs and restaurants in South Beach, and offer patrons 10 minute relaxing chill neck, shoulder and Indian head massages. For more information, go to www.angelsquads.com.

Oscar Night^® America

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected the Miami Beach Film Society to host and be the beneficiary of the official celebration in Miami for the Oscar Night^® America (ONA) party.  Oscar Night^® America viewing parties are the official nationwide celebrations of the Oscars^®. ONA Miami Beach 2011’s cocktail soirée will also act as a grand opening event hosted at the film society’s yet to be unveiled cinematheque, located inside the historic Miami Beach City Hall, on Oscar^® Sunday,    February 27 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets to the 2011 Oscar Night America Miami Beach are available for $125 or $110 for Miami Beach Film Society & Cinematheque and MIFF members. Ticket prices include food and beverages, tax and gratuity, a $25 Escopazzo gift certificate, the official 83rd Annual Academy Awards^® program booklet and other event memorabilia. For more information, visit www.MBCinema.com.

Fashion Rules at Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour 

On Thursday, March 3, at 6 p.m., join Haute Living’s Fashion Director, Jilian Sanz along with Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour,   as they celebrate the world’s top designers and their creations at THE FASHION RULES! Party.  Dress in your spring best  for  Haute Living’s “Be on the Cover” photo shoot followed by a fashion show displaying the latest spring trends.  For reservations call  305.993.4612 or rsvpbalharbour@neimanmarcus.com

Heather MacDonald

New Orleans Saint, Jonathan Vilma was seen eating lunch at Zuma Miami on Tuesday.

Comedienne, Heather McDonald, a regular on Chelsea Lately, performed at the Fisher Island School Gala at Palazzo del Mare. Notable guests included Brian Neff, Romero Britto, Adriana De Moura, Lea and Roy Black, James Ferraro, Ken Harte and Lori Ferrell.  The event was sponsored by Grey Goose vodka.

Miami’s Diamond Princess, rapper Trina was spotted last Wednesday at Kitchen 305 in the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort.  Trina and a group of 40 celebrated the birthdays of her mother and sister. 

Celebrity hair colorist Johnny Ramirez has partnered with Femme Coiffure Hair Spa’s South Beach location at the Ritz-Carlton.  Ramirez’s long list of celebrity clients includes Victoria Beckham, Carrie Mulligan, Whitney Port and Miranda Kerr.

Becoming overnight celebrities are the stars of the Real Housewives of Miami.  The show is scheduled to air on Bravo on Tuesday, February 22 at 10 p.m.