Old City Fest This Sunday!

Old City District presents Old City Fest on Sunday, October 11, 2015. This unique festival will draw over 15,000 people to the streets of our most historic square mile for a day filled with food, drink, music, street performance, design, arts, fashion and family fun. Unique activities will include a design showcase as part of DesignPhiladelphia, two fashion shows, clay throw battles, chocolate making demonstrations, “Independents Row” with Old City makers and artists, gallery exhibitions, free demonstrations from museums and cultural attractions, plus appearances by some familiar neighbors from long ago! Old City Fest is also unique in that vendors and participants are from or associated with Old City. For more info, visit oldcitydistrict.org, tweet @oldcitydistrict or call (215) 592-7929.

Amadaversary Garces Has Three Ways To Celebrate Amada’s Tenth Anniversary

Amada Inspired Anniversary Tasting menus offered October 11-16: From Sunday, October 11-Friday, October 16, Amada, Tinto, Distrito, Garces Trading Company and The Olde Bar will all offer a $39 tasting menu in addition to their regular a la carte menu. The tasting menus include a complimentary glass of sangria or punch. $4 from each tasting menu goes to the Garces Foundation. The Garces Foundation is an IRS registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to ensuring that Philadelphia’s underserved immigrant community has access to health and educational services. During Amadaversary week, select guests will be surprised with gifts and giveaways from Garces. Sample surprises include complimentary dinners, wine pairings, lunch in Distrito Taqueria’s Volkswagen Bug for four people, Tequila classes, $100 gift certificates, signed copies of Jose Garces’ cookbooks, and more. Participating restaurants include: Amada, Tinto, Distrito, Garces Trading Company, JG Domestic, The Olde Bar, Village Whiskey and Buena Onda.

Amadaversary Paella Festival

Garces will host the Amadaversary Paella Festival on Sunday, October 18 from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. The event will be held on 2nd Street between Market and Chestnut Street (enter at Chestnut Street next to Amada). In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Amada, the festival will include: A Paella Cook Off, three bars, meet and mingle with Chef Jose Garces, live music from American Deluxe, DJ from Synergetic Sound, flamenco performances, photo booth, raffles & prizes, face-painting and children’s activities from Nest. Village Whiskey will feature a hot toddy station and Buena Onda will feature K38 beer from Yards. Competing paella dishes include: · Amada- Lamb paella · Distrito- Mole poblano and duck paella · Garces Events- Traditional paella, clams and Spanish chorizo · Garces Trading Company- coq au vin paella · JGD- local vegetable paella · The Olde Bar- crab and bellota paella · Tinto- bacalao and shellfish paella · Volver- Asian Paella $10 per person includes tastings from each of the restaurants and two drink tickets for beer, sangria or the Village Whiskey hot toddy station. Attendance is free for children 12 and under Tickets are available at www.garcesgroup.com.

Amadaversary VIP Party

On Sunday, October 18 from 8 p.m.-11:00 p.m at Amada, Chef Garces will host an exclusive reception honoring Amada’s tenth anniversary. This unforgettable evening will feature 11 alumni chefs and beverage professionals who had previously spent time with the Garces family. Each has crafted a selection inspired by their time with Chef Jose. Chef Garces and the alumni will be present to great throughout the reception. Only 50 tickets are available. Tickets are $125 each and available at garcesgroup.com. Amada Alumni Chefs will prepare dishes inspired by their time at Amada include: · Joey Baldino – Paella Arancini · Jimmy Ciampaglia – Pork Belly Coca, Onion Crema, Apple Mostardo, Mahon · MacGregor Mann – Roasted Calabaza, Pepita Escabeche · Kevin Sbraga – Langosta Ceviche, Coconut Habanero Sauce, Lime Sorbet · Tim Spinner – Kobe Beef Tostada, Tomato Escabeche, Truffle, Crispy Potato · Lemond Adams – Pulled Pork Slider, Peach BBQ, House Pickles · Chad Williams – Chicken Liver Crostini, Wood-Fired Fig Jam · Adam Zensinger – Mergeuz “hot links,” Butter Beans, Pickled Onion Cocktails will be mixed by Amada Alumni Beverage Professionals including: Katie Loeb, Keith Raimondi and Paul Rodriguez. The event is cocktail attire. # # # For more information please visit www.garcesgroup.com/events/amadaversary #Amadaversary.

Miami Children’s Health Foundation: Diamond Ball

On Saturday, October 10, Miami Children’s Health Foundation will host its annual Diamond Ball: Diamonds Are Forever, benefiting the children and families at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Global music superstar Armando Christian “Pitbull” Pérez will join the ranks of Walt Disney, Dwyane Wade, Dr. Jonas Salk and Beyoncé Knowles when he is inducted into the Ambassador David M. Walters International Pediatric Hall of Fame for exemplifying his passion for helping children throughout the world. Invited guests and celebrities will experience a Diamonds Are Forever-themed black-tie affair with exclusive access to The Bvlgari Privée sponsored by Kaufman Rossin. This VIP experience will transport 150 of the Diamond Ball attendees to the Casino de Monte-Carlo, where they will enjoy a unique showcase of Bvlgari jewelry pieces and a few more surprises. For more information on the 2015 event visit: mchf.org/diamondball.

Enjoy Drinks and Free Tapas at P&B’s New “Rendez Vous“

Come get over the midweek hump at Ocean Drive’s new hidden gem, Pléthore et Balthazar! Originally from Lyon, France, P & B is bringing their passion for gastronomy, cocktails, and casual elegance to the renowned Miami Beachfront. Every Wednesday, this intimate and chic, yet energetic restaurant and bar will be serving $7 drink specials where you can enjoy at one of their three bars from 7pm to 9pm. Complimentary tapas are also available at the bar or at your dinner table. Tunes by DJ Jean Marc, starting at 6pm, will make you want to turn “Rendez Vous” Wednesdays into a weekly ritual.”

Saturdays at PAMM
Goya Foods, Inc., America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, will be presenting an ice cream slider demonstration every 30 minutes this Saturday, Oct. 10 between 1-4 pm at Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). The presentation is a part of PAMM’s Free Second Saturdays, a monthly program for museum visitors that features hands-on activities for children and adults, as well as guided tours and occasional guest artists and performers. Goya Foods, Inc. is a dedicated supporter of PAMM and earlier this year made a gift to expand PAMM’s educational offerings and outreach efforts for Miami-Dade’s expansive Spanish speaking community. With this gift, PAMM now offers free Spanish language tours every Saturday. For more information, visit www.pamm.org.

Be My Designated Driver

BeMyDD and program partners Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack Whiskey and Total Wine & More will be offering free drivers to residents of Southeast Florida on 10/10/2015 from9pm-2am to get them AND their cars home safely. They will provide free drivers to take both the customer and his/her car home safely. There will be no charge from any location within a 50-mile radius from the city center. The team of drivers will arrive at the customer’s location, one to drive the customer and their car home safely, and the other to retrieve the driver afterwards. Southeast Florida residents can learn more about the program, see the other cities on the tour schedule, and read instructions for receiving free car pickup on October 10, 2015 by visiting www.BeMyDD.com/DDTour.

By: Maryanne Salvat
Maryannesalvat@aol.com
Growing Together and Rik Rak Salon, Boutique & Bar
On Saturday, October 3rd, Growing Together, a South Florida based youth group, will host the 3rd Annual Kick-off Event at Rik Rak Salon, Boutique & Bar to welcome the 2015-16 board members. Guests are invited to shop for a cause while enjoying wine and tasty hors d’oeuvres. Growing Together aims to inspire teenagers to get involved in their community and make a difference. They strive to enrich the lives of the children at Chapman Partnership by providing them play opportunities and educational resources that inspire hope, create happiness and ultimately help children and their families thrive. 100% of the donations will benefit the children at Chapman Partnership. For more information: Contact Grace Ugalde-Wolpert at gugalde@chapmanpartnership.org or 305.329.3081.

The 4th annual Haute Tea hosted by the Young Society of Love and Hope

The Roaring 20s are coming back to life at the 4th annual Haute Tea hosted by the Young Society of Love and Hope at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort Friday, October 2, 2015. Get transported to the era of prosperity and edgy fashion – all while helping to raise funds for the cure-focused work of Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Event Chairs Jillian Posner and Dr. Stacy Chimento encourage all guests to don their finest 20s-inspired headwear – from cloche hats to intricate headbands – to the festivities. In keeping with Haute Tea tradition, prizes will be awarded for the best headwear of the day as part of the annual hat contest.  Guests will also enjoy a champagne reception, a three-course lunch, formal tea service, an exclusive fall fashion show by Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour, live and silent auctions, and so much more. Sponsorship packages and tickets for Haute Tea happening at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort located at 9703 Collins Avenue can be purchased online via www.DiabetesResearch.org/Haute-Tea or by calling 954-964-4040 / 800-321-3437. Follow and share all things Haute Tea using #HauteTea on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

El Tucán
Opening for the first time on Friday, October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd, El Tucán is more than just a dinner and a show experience, It is a cabaret moment that pays homage to Cuba in the 1940s, transported to the heart of Miami’s expanding Brickell area. Presenting a range of eclectic musical acts ranging from from Afro-Latin to Parisian pop, El Tucán will also house a resident 12-piece Latin orchestra, carefully curated by Grammy award-winning pianist, composer and producer Marlow Rosado, that is reminiscent of the big bands from the jazz eras of the 40s and 50s. Food and drink will also be a mainstay at El Tucán, featuring boozy libations by Gabriel Orta and Elad Zvi of Bar Lab and Latin fare that will include hints of Amazonian ingredients created by Chef Jean Paul Lourdes. The intimate, theater-style venue will be open late night so partygoers can continue fêting after-hours. Located one block south of Mary Brickell Village, at 1111 SW 1st El Tucan will be open Thursday – Saturday, 8:00 pm – 3:00 am. In honor of the grand debut, El Tucán will open its doors at 8:00 pm with complimentary admission so revelers may be transported to the bygone era of Cabarets and live shows.

The Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival Ticket Sales
The Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE (SOBEWFF) is pleased to announce its event line-up for the Festival’s 15th anniversary, taking place February 24 – 28, 2016. Recognized as one of South Florida’s favorite events, the Festival has raised more than $22 million to date for the Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory and Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management located on Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay campus. The Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s exclusive MasterCard® presale period begins on Monday, October 5 at 9:00 AM EST online at sobefest.com or by calling 877.762.3933 (phone sales open Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST). Public ticket sales for the 2016 Festival open at midnight on Monday, October 19.

Ruth Reichl at Books & Books

At noon on Wednesday, October 14, The Café at Books & Books will host a delectable lunch in honor of famed restaurant critic and author Ruth Reichl. Former editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine, Reichl is a respected culinary professional responsible for writing a series of critically acclaimed memoirs, as well as a number of books emblematic of her lifelong passion for food. My Kitchen Year, Reichl’s latest publication, centers on her deeply intimate journey as she rediscovers the joys of cooking and the healing power it holds. Tickets are $70 per person (excluding tax & gratuity) and include an author talk, a three-course lunch by James Beard Award-winning Chef Allen Susser, and an autographed copy of My Kitchen Year ($35 value). Reservations required. In addition, during the delicious lunch, Reichl will tablehop and chat with guests.When/Where: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at noon.
The Café at Books & Books, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard at the Adrienne Arsht Center. Metered street parking is available. Telephone: (786) 405-1744; http://www.arshtcenter.org/Visit/Cafe-Books-Books/

 
Miami Children’s Museum Not So Scary Family Halloween Bash
Once again the Miami Children’s Museum (MCM) is kicking off its Halloween celebrations with Halloween’s most fun and exciting event to South Florida. It’s the fantastic Not So Scary Family Halloween Bash, Sunday, October 18 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Watson Island. Chaired by Alexis and Scott Wagner and Kelly and Chris Melchiondo and sponsored by Whole Foods South Beach, Whole Foods Downtown Miami, Greenberg Traurig, Golden Sands General Contractors and Robert and Michelle Diener, this event promises to be your child’s highlight of the costume season.
Your little goblins will trick or treat around the Museum’s galleries with special treats supplied by Coldstone Creamery, GoGo Squeez , KIND Bars, Atelier Monnier, Dairy Farmers of FL and Yelp Miami , brave the Haunted House, test their knowledge in the Mad Scientist Lab and create crazed crafts. Other activities include: Zumba by Baptist, Monster Mash/Dance Contest (Music Gallery), MCM Players (Meet & Greet with Guests, in costume, WOZ), Sugar Skulls (Art Gallery), Toddler Room, Face painting and Pumpkin decorating. All proceeds raised for the event will directly support MCM’s educational programs. There is also a photo opportunity and backdrop by Pottery Barn Kids with a Phantom of the Opera theme and Manicures, chair massages and Halloween makeup by Exhale Spa and Glam and Go. Tickets to the Not So Scary Halloween Bash are $40.00 for individual tickets and $30.00 for members. Special Family packages are also available. To purchase tickets go to our website at www.miamichildrensmuseum.org or visit the Museum at 980 MacArthur Causeway on Watson Island in Miami.
Eric Trump Foundation Golf Tournament for St. Jude Children’s Hospital
On Friday, October 30, the Eric Trump Foundation is hosting a golf tournament to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The tournament is open to the public and will be held at Trump National Doral’s newly redesigned and iconic Blue Monster golf course, which has been home to the PGA Tour’s World Golf Championship for more than 50 years. This event is not only a great way to give back, but an even better way to get the family together for a round on a legendary golf course. For nine years, the Eric Trump Foundation has been dedicated to raising money for children battling life-threatening diseases at St. Jude Hospital. All proceeds from the tournament will be presented to St. Jude during the post-event awards ceremony. Using only Trump-owned and operated facilities to cut down on venue costs, as well as full-time volunteers, pro-bono celebrity hosts and performances and donated food and beverage, the Eric Trump Foundation has achieved one of the lowest expense ratios of any charity in the world and has also grown to be one of the largest foundations in the nation, pledging nearly $28 million to St. Jude. You can learn more about the event as well as here: https://www.trumphotelcollection.com/miami/st-jude-golf-tournament.php.

On Sunday, October 4, RSVP has partnered with Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown to host their 10th Annual Run Wild 5K & 1 Mile Walk, benefiting RSVP’s Children’s Programs in Montgomery County. The event/run will take place at the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown. The course will start at the Zoo and continue on the quiet neighborhood streets before ending at the zoo’s Canopy Pavilion, offering participants a chance to visit with some wild friends. One mile Animal Safari Walk travels through shaded course inside the zoo. Crafts are planned for children and story time by noted children’s author Chyrsa Smith. Admission to the zoo is free with race registration, making this a family-fun event. USAT&F Certified course and chip timing by Run the Day ensures state-of-the-art accurate race results.  The event begins at 9:00 a.m. (registration at 8:00 a.m.) and finishes at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. This is a rain or shine event. Register before October 1st to receive a free tee-shirt. To register visit www.rsvpmc.org or www.runtheday.com/registration/race_info/31698 or call (610) 834-1040, ext.30.

RSVP welcomes NBC-10’s Deanna Durante as host. Durante will present awards to medal winners. Cash awards will be given to the overall male and female winners. Additional medals will be awarded in eight age-division categories, allowing participants to run and compete with their peers. Special 10th place overall award to commemorate RSVP’s Run Wild 10t. h Anniversary.

Little Havana hotspot, Ball & Chain, simultaneously celebrated its 80th and first birthdays with a three day music festival during Labor Day weekend. The world famous live music venue has made its mark among nightlife and music lovers thanks to its exciting programming- including live jazz, top performing artists and our favorite: the Saturday night Pachanga- which features a live, 12-piece Cuban band that would make Ricky Ricardo proud. On any given night- you will find a lively crowd enjoying one-of-a-kind cocktails, accompanied by unique bites in the gorgeous and nostalgic space.

Ball & Chain, originally a live jazz lounge on Calle Ocho was open from September 1935 until the 1950s. It was reopened and remastered last September by nightlife impresario Zack Bush, his brother, Ben Bush and their childhood friend Bill Fuller, of the Barlington Group. Read the rest here »

Pasta Vino Miami is a hidden gem nestled in a quaint shopping center in North Bay Village. If you didn’t set out looking for it, chances are you’ve driven down the causeway and missed out on this fantastic neighborhood spot. Here, executive Chef and Owner Yiannis Devert prepares authentic Italian cuisine, with a twist.

Chef Devert uses his classic French training along with his Greek and Italian background to prepare a menu of unique dishes as well as daily specials that run the gamut of French, Greek and even Thai cuisine. Chef Devert’s passion for his craft is evident as he busies himself between the kitchen and interacting with his customers, excitedly blending dishes and offering customers something creative and memorable that keeps them coming back for more. Must-try dishes include the eggplant parmigiana, Risotto al Funghi, lasagna, vongole white, homemade pizzas and the Veal Scalopina al Fungi. And don’t forget the fantastic chocolate mousse cake and authentic Tiramisu for dessert.

Pasta Vino offers unbeatable deals that make the high-quality cuisine even more irresistible–daily happy hour from 5-7 PM with 25% off drinks and dinner; “Buy One Get One 50% off Pizzas;” and delivery options that include a complimentary bottle of Italian wine with any order above $80.

Pasta Vino Offers lunch, dinner, happy hour and delivery and is located at 1624 NE 79th JFK Causeway, North Bay Village.