The Webster drew quite the VIP crowd to its grand opening on Monday.  With a caviar café and three floors of stunning clothes and accessories for women and men, the Webster inaugurated its permanent locale with a soiree that was more bash than boutique opening.  It seemed everyone we’ve ever met anywhere (with the exception of those traveling abroad) braved the elements to celebrate and marvel at the pricey designer duds. Guests experienced the first tastes of Caviar Kaspia, with passed hors d ‘oeuvres including Bilinis with Taram and Chives, Mini Creamer Twice Baked Potato, Crème Fraiche, Caviar, Foie Gras on Toast and Guerande Salt and Salmon Balik Lillipop, Lemon and Chive Aioli provided by the renowned Parisian institution located on the ground floor of The Webster.   The party was only supposed to go until nine, but was still hopping after ten o’clock, due perhaps to the free flowing Grey Goose and the “Webster Cocktails” (a mix of vodka, champagne, and Remy Cointreau violets and pearls), and the fact that it was actually indoors, where temperatures are actually bearable. Among the many notable guests at the Webster grand opening: Lennox Louis, Aaron Young, Louis Morais, Danny Santiago, Nathan Browning & Rebecca de Ravenel, Red Carter, Markus Ketty, Craig Robins, Iran Issa Khan, Sam Robin, Louis Aguirre, Michy & Leticia Grendene, Jonathan & Criselda Breene, Shareef Malnik, Ugo Colombo, Gary & Dana Shear, Robert Wennet & Mario Cader-Frech, Nicole Lozano, Michelle Areces-Zandy, Ariel Stein, Hernan Arriaga, Gigi Ganatra & Alex Duff, Tommy & Michelle Pooch, Donald & Lisa Pliner, Jillian Jacobsen-Altit, Alejandro Chaban, Cynthia Olavaria, Kevin & Rebecca Bruk, Tony Goldman, Mehmet Bayraktar, Ricardo Dunin & Stefanie de la O, Juan Carlos Arcila-Duque, Walid & Susie Wahab, Brooke Soffer, Andrea Aberegg,  Laura Bucellati, Alison & Mark Zhuk, Sanford Ziff, Hello Campos, Dr. Julio Gallo, and Kelly Gold.[smooth=id:26;]

Hurricane season kicked off this week, bringing with it storms and sweltering weather and putting the kibosh on many an outdoor event.   But even the rain and extreme heat could not keep celebs, athletes and VIPs away from the Eden Roc Hotel on Friday night, where Cindy Taylor and all-pro Redskins football player, Santana Moss, celebrated A Night at the Eden Roc: Reloading Life through the World of Fashion which featured  Frederick’s of Hollywood and Bullets 4 Peace fashion shows.  For a little while, the party seemed a bit “cash bar,” being that guests had to actually pay for their drinks, which were not included in the ticket price, but as temperatures heated up poolside, the event became downright scorching, once the fashion shows began, thanks to models strutting down the floating runway wearing next to nothing.  After the Frederick’s of Hollywood show, actor Steven Bauer addressed the crowd, channeling Sylvester Stallone at the end of Rocky IV, (when he gives the inspirational speech to the Russians- If I can change, and you can change…blah…blah…blah) mumbling about his new show, the Santana Moss foundation and Bullets 4 Peace, we think, as he was virtually unintelligible.  Next came one of the most unusual and visually stunning shows we’ve had the pleasure of watching, as designer Raffi Anteby presented his jewelry collection, Bullets 4 Peace, in which he uses actual bullet casings to create unique works of art.  Instead of the casings being recycled into new bullets, used for destruction, they are artistically revamped with silver and precious stones, promoting “peace” through fashion.  It’s a stretch, but we’ll take it.  What was unusual about the show, which began with shirtless buff boys in combat gear, carrying fake semi-automatic weapons, was that the models were completely naked, except for a tiny g-string, patent leather boots and the jewelry.  Each model’s body was painted to match the unique design of the piece of jewelry she was wearing.  Towards the end of the show, the “soldier boys” made a reappearance, only to be thrown into the pool by the body-painted girls- peace wins! Get it?  Afterward, Anteby presented the adorable Santana Moss with an original piece and the airbrushed models, along with Anteby and Cindy Taylor sang Happy Birthday to Moss, who was celebrating his 30^th.   Guests at the bash included Academy Award-winning actor, Lou Gossett Jr., New York Giant, Sinorice Moss, designer, Donald Pliner and his wife Lisa, designer Lei Marco, Michele Pommier, and the Eden Roc’s David Siguaw.  Proceeds from the event benefitted the Santana Moss Foundation, which brings awareness economically disadvantaged communities in South Florida, and around the country, while working to enrich the lives of children and families in these communities through education, health and sports initiatives.

While showing off items which actually cover the human body, The Webster drew quite the VIP crowd to its grand opening on Monday.  With a caviar café and three floors of stunning clothes and accessories for women and men, the Webster inaugurated its permanent locale with a soiree that was more bash than boutique opening.  It seemed everyone we’ve ever met anywhere (with the exception of those traveling abroad) braved the elements and slippery steps to celebrate and marvel at the pricey designer duds.  The party was only supposed to go until nine, but was still hopping after ten o’clock, due perhaps to the free flowing Grey Goose and the “Webster Cocktails” (a mix of vodka, champagne, and Remy Cointreau violets and pearls), and the fact that it was actually indoors, where temperatures are actually bearable. Among the many notable guests at the Webster grand opening: Lennox Louis, Aaron Young, Louis Morais, Danny Santiago, Nathan Browning and Rebecca de Ravenel, Red Carter, Markus Ketty, Craig Robins, Iran Issa Khan, Sam Robin, Louis Aguirre, Michy and Leticia Grendene, Jonathan and Criselda Breene, Shareef Malnik, Ugo Colombo, Gary and Dana Shear, Robert Wennet and Mario Cader-Frech, Nicole Lozano, Michelle Areces-Zandy, Ariel Stein, Hernan Arriaga, Gigi Ganatra and Alex Duff, Tommy and Michelle Pooch, Donald and Lisa Pliner, Jillian Jacobsen-Altit, Alejandro Chaban, Cynthia Olavaria, Kevin and Rebecca Bruk, Tony Goldman, Mehmet Bayraktar, Ricardo Dunin and Stefanie de la O, Juan Carlos Arcila-Duque, Walid & Susie Wahab, Brooke Soffer, Andrea Aberegg,  Laura Bucellati, Alison and Mark Zhuk, Sanford Ziff, Hello Campos, Dr. Julio Gallo, and Kelly Gold.

Summer Steals:

Throughout the month of June, Club 50 at Viceroy Miami will continue hosting Art Viceroy, this summer’s free weekly Tuesday night series which presents local artists in the disciplines of video, performance, sculptural and installation art. Guests are invited to take in the sweeping views of downtown Miami, sip cocktails from Ruinart and mingle as they enjoy the art.  Next Tuesday, June 9, will feature the work of Argentine graphic artist, Karin Garcia, who incorporates characteristic decoupage design combinations to transform tired furnishings into dramatic treasures. On June 16, video artist Venessa Monokian will showcase her work.

For a local healthy and economical option, check out Canyon Ranch Grill’s “Nourish” prix-fixe menu series which will focus on heart health during the month of June but will feature a different health topic each month. The $36 per person menu is a bargain and includes dishes teeming with antioxidants, fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids, and other anti-inflammatory ingredients that are essential for decreasing risk of heart disease.

Another great deal for those of us who are in stone crab withdrawal and seeking another crustacean on which to feast is Smith and Wollensky’s annual Summer Lobster Special, which runs through Labor Day, and includes a slew of menu items prepared with fresh Maine lobster, including an amazing offering of a 2.5 pounder for only $39.  The menu kind of reads like a scene out of the movie Forrest Gump, lobster salad, lobster Mac & Cheese, lobster soup, lobster mashed potatoes…

Celebrity sightings:
Brooke Shields was seen shopping at the Inca boutique at the Gansevoort South last week.  Matt Damon partied at LIV on Saturday night.  Latin singer, Paulina Rubio shot a cover for Glamour Latin America at Icon Brickell and dined at Donatella Arpaia and Chef Michael Psilakis’ Eos restaurant at the Viceroy with a group of ten, including her mother, Mexican actress, Susana Dosamantes.  Rubio looked stunning in her red gown at the Heart Deco Ball at the Eden Roc on Saturday night.

Thursday, May 21, Norma A. Quintero, Julie Todaro, Karen Gottlieb, Nicole Lozano, Beth Tasca, and Marilyn Wagner hosted an exclusive luncheon and fashion show at Villa Vecchia to benefit Young Patronesses of the Opera.  After lunch, guests were treated to a runway presentation of the Luca Luca fall 2009 collection, wherein 1930’s styled, red-lipped, gorgeous models graced the catwalk. Raul Melgoza, Luca Luca’s new creative director made his first Florida appearance.  Many of the attendees then placed personal orders in which a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Young Patronesses of the Opera charity.

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Summer is officially here, time to bring out the white sandals, up the ante on the anti-frizz products, increase the SPF and put away all your black clothing in exchange for some cooler, brighter duds.  While summer typically signifies a time to unwind, take-off and recover from the many wild antics of the non-stop social season, this summer is throwing us a bit of a curve, in that there are still restaurant, club and store openings and fabulous events to attend, making it seem that like our year-round summer weather, the social season is, well, endless.  For those of us lucky enough to live in the city where most people vacation, there are also a few summer steals of which to take advantage.
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Band from TV Makes a Splash at Shore Club

Big on enthusiasm and actual musical talent, The Band from TV, comprised of Greg Grunberg, Adrian Pasdar, Teri Hatcher, James Denton, Bob Guiney and Jesse Spencer along with Louise Griffiths (model/actress) rocked the Shore Club Saturday night with their garage band antics, and to quote Paula Abdul from American Idol, “really had fun up there and made the songs their own.” The Band’s energy was evidently contagious, as the packed crowd jumped, sang, danced and shouted requests. Audience favorites included: The Who’s Teenage Wasteland, Kid Rock’s All Summer Long, Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas, and Bruce Springsteen’s version of Presley’s Pink Cadillac, The Charlie Daniels Band’s The Devil Went down to Georgia and to end, Twist It (Shake Your Tail feather) from the Blues Brothers. Teri Hatcher, who sang her heart out and was joined by her daughter onstage, was hot, literally, ending her performance with a dive into the pool. Other band mates followed her lead, ending the concert with a splash. All proceeds from the evening went to the band members’ favorite charities.

Tea, Trump and Crumpets

Ivanka Trump

On Sunday, the PlayGround Theater hosted a whimsical afternoon at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach. Lucky guests of all ages were greeted by fairytale characters from Inanna and the Huluppu Tree as they approached the ballroom, which was transformed into a scene out of a child’s story book by event planner extraordinaire, Barton G. The charismatic, Belkys Nerey served as Mistress of Ceremonies throughout the tea, which included an auction, children’s fashion show, raffle, jewelry making and a photo booth. A flawless Ivanka Trump served as honorary chairperson of the theater’s fifth anniversary celebration during which she showcased her eponymous jewelry collection, with fifteen percent of sales proceeds going towards the theater. More like “Trump change” than “chump change,” being that our favorite cuff goes for $180,000!

Meat me in New York

8 oz. Burger Bar, rapidly becoming an addictive South Beach staple, (responsible for many a late-night, post-indulgence, walk of shame), was featured on NBC’s Today Show on Monday. Michael Blum did a cooking demonstration along with NBC host and expert griller, Al
Roker.  Blum showcased the 8 oz veggie burger and homemade fried caper tartar sauce during the segment, at the end of which Roker and fellow anchors indulged. This appearance follows Read the rest here »

Meat Market, Miami Beach’s hottest dining destination is getting even hotter, just in time for summer, with the launch of Meat and Greet, a fabulous new Happy Hour held every Friday from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Guests can cozy up to the bustling bar – the perfect perch for watching beautiful people – order one of Meat Market’s sexy signature cocktails and enjoy complimentary sequel.  Other two-for-one deals are offered on the oysters and shrimp from the Crudo Bar, and ceviche samplers are specially priced.

 Meat Market signature cocktails, created by general manager and bar chef Sonny Gorushanovich, include house infusions such as the 915 Spicy Mango Martini – mango-infused vodka, mint, mango puree and dragon chili; Cucumber Mojito – cucumber-infused vodka, strawberries, basil, mint and sugar; Bohemian Delight – grilled pineapple-infused vodka, coconut-infused pomegranate glaze and pomegranate liquor; and Martini de Chevre – Chevre d’or cheese-infused vodka, lemon grass, pink and black peppercorns, fennel, dry vermouth and blue cheese olives.  Signature martinis such as the Passion Lychee Martini – orange and citrus flavored vodkas, lychee juice, passion fruit puree, Cointreau and Chambord; Moulin Rouge – vodka, Cointreau, Chambord, pineapple, orange and lemon juices and orange bitters; and Market Caipirinha – cachaca, wild berries, mint, brown sugar, fresh lime and lemon-lime soda.

 Embracing a sultry, comfortable modernism that reflects its landmark South Beach location at 915 Lincoln Road, Meat Market’s Crudo Bar opens nightly at 5 p.m.; the full dinner menu is served from 6 p.m. – midnight, Sunday – Thursday; and 6 p.m. – 1 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.  Telephone: 305.532.0088.
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