Maximum Flavor Social by Chef Adrianne Calvo

Award winning Chef Adrianne Calvo is scheduled to team up withBarnes & Noblethis Friday June 26, for an interactive book signing event for her latest cook book, #MaximumFlavorSocial. Event will feature bite sized portions of her award winning dishes and a Q & A where foodies can get insight on how to add #Maximumflavor into their own kitchen.  Event will take place at the West Kendall location at 7:00p.m. Chef Adrianne recently appeared as a celebrity judge at the Grand Cochon presented by Cochon 555 in Aspen, Colorado along with Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern choosing the winner of the best whole Heritage Breed Pigs.

 Estrella Damm Chef’s Choice Takes Over Miami

This summer, Barcelona takes over Miami with the Estrella Damm Chef’s Choice experience, featuring original 3-course meals prepared by 25 of Miami’s top chefs inspired by flavors of the Mediterranean. Each menu will be unique to each participating venue, but they will all include pulpo (octopus) in the main dish and will be paired with Estrella Damm, brewed in Barcelona with Mediterranean ingredients since 1876. Available from June 20 to July 5, the 3-course menus will range in price from $30 to $52 and offer the participating chefs an opportunity to showcase their creative talents and push their boundaries with the pulpo and Estrella Damm pairing. Staying true to its strong gastronomic ties, The Estrella Damm Chef’s Choice menus will bring a one-of-a-kind experience, where pulpo (octopus) entrée will be the main attraction and include an appetizer and dessert.

Participating venues include: Barceloneta (Miami Beach and South Miami), Bin18 Bistro & Beer Loft, Bulla Gastrobar, Cena by Michy, Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita, Fooq’s, Jimmy’z Kitchen Wynwood, Joey’s Italian Cafe, Klima Restaurant and Bar, La Mar by Gaston Acurio, Morgans Restaurant, Novecento (Aventura, Brickell, Key Biscayne and Midtown locations), Ortanique on the Mile, Perfecto, Segafredo Brickell, Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill, Tapas y Tintos, The Embassy, Tongue & Cheek, Wynwood Kitchen and Bar and Xixón.

All-American Summer Fest at Miller’s Ale House 

Miller’s Ale House and some of its talented restaurant employees have created a new summer food and beverage menu called the All-American Summer Fest, designed to remind guests of backyard BBQs and the fix’ins. The All-American Summer Menu promotion includes a chance to win a trip for two to the Budweiser Made In America concert. In addition, Miller’s Ale House employees will be honoring All-American civil servants including police, fire fighters and EMS with discounts and treats in addition to the 25% off they receive year-round. For more information about Miller’s Ale House All-American Summer Fest, visit millersalehouse.com.

Miami Spice Mash-Ups

To celebrate the 14^th Annual Miami Spice Restaurant Program, taking place from August 1 to September 30, 2015, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is bringing back last year’s sold-out series of exclusive Miami Spice Mash-Ups. The beloved mash-ups will once again unite chefs for a night filled with indulgent dishes from their upcoming Miami Spice menus. The first of two chef collaborative dinners will take place on Tuesday, June 30, when James Beard Award-winning Chef Michelle Bernstein hosts esteemed Chef Michael Pirolo of South Beach’s Italian dining destination Macchialina at CENA by Michy. Together, the two will serve an enticing three-course meal of duos, previewing menu items from their respective Miami Spice menus.  This first Mash-Up of the 2015 season will be a rare opportunity for foodies and Miami Spice devotees to have a sneak taste of what is sure to be two of the hottest Spice menus.  Seating is limited to 70 attendees; reservations must be made in advance and can be done so by calling (305) 759-2001 or logging on to  www.CenabyMichy.com. 

4^th Annual BBQ Series

Back by popular demand, The Dutch at W South Beach Hotel & Residences will host its annual Bourbon, Beer and ‘Cue July dining series. Featuring a summer filled with the best BBQ Miami’s top chefs have to offer, the weekly event will take place every Wednesday evening in July from 7PM to close in The Dutch’s very own backyard, the Grove.Each week, Chef de Cuisine Conor Hanlon will team up with a rotating list of guest chefs and mixologists to craft a mouth-watering BBQ feast served family-style, featuring seasonal pies and summer sweet treats by pastry chef Josh Gripper. Kicking off on Wednesday, July 1, Hanlon will team up with Aaron Brooks of EDGE Steak & Bar at Four Seasons Miami for tantalizing feast of classic smokey southern BBQ with all the fixins. Tickets to the weekly BBQ series are $40 per person, including tax and gratuity; excluding beverages. In addition to refreshing bourbon libations, The Dutch will also partner with local breweries to highlight several limited small batch brews perfect for the summer BBQ season.

Mellow Mushroom, the Atlanta-based chain known for its stone-baked pizzas and hippie roots, plants a branch in South Miami, serving innovative craft pizza pies. Featuring pies with groovy names like Kosmic Karma, Magical Mystery Tour and Holy Shiitake, plus hoagies, calzones, “munchies” including stuffed mushrooms and pretzels, and 52 craft beers. Gluten-free and Vegan diners can have their pizza and eat it too, as all gluten-free pies are prepared separately and vegan pies using delicious “Daiya cheese” to substitute dairy cheese. The digs also veer towards the funky, with colorful banquettes, original artwork and ‘shroom murals, plus an outdoor patio.

Pazzo Ristorante has taken traditional Italian cuisine and enhanced it with a new age culinary twist all being lead by Chef Fabrizio Romani. His venture into fine Italian dining began in 2001 with a wildly successful restaurant in Caracas, Venezuela. Pazzo is conveniently located in between the Brickell and Coral Gables area. Customers know they will be receiving only the finest and freshest local and imported Italian ingredients when they dine at Pazzo. The restaurant offers entrees such as Linguini al Boccato di Cadinale which includes linguini with shrimp topped with asparagus, arugula and mushrooms; their delicious Involtino di Pollo alle Mandorle, the Gnocchi di Spinaci su Fonduta di Brie Tartufato, a spinach gnocchi with molten brie cheese and truffle sauce to die for. Not only is Pazzo a great authentic experience of delicious Italian cuisine, but you can come and enjoy multiple special events throughout the week, like the Viva La Pasta every Tuesday where you can choose from their different homemade pastas for only $10.99 all day long or Celebrate Wine Wednesdays with your friends where select wine bottles are 50% off for ladies. Hours of operation: 12:00PM – 10:30PM Monday through Saturday.

Buena Onda Offers Online Ordering 

Buena Onda is now offering online ordering through their website www.buenaondatacos.com. Orders placed on-line are typically ready in 20 minutes or less for guests wishing to carry-out the Baja-Inspired deliciousness at home, work or wherever the day leads. Guests can also plan ahead for future pick up. Buena Onda continues to offer delivery via Caviar (www.trycaviar.com). The house specialty is fish tacos, featuring Atlantic mahi mahi and jumbo Pacific shrimp. Other favorites include carnitas tacos, chicken tacos and mission-style quesadillas. Fish is fresh, sustainably sourced, and chosen in partnership with seafoodwatch.org. 50 cents from every guacamole and bottled water purchase
will go to the Garces Foundation. Founded in 2012, the Garces Foundation is an IRS registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that raises funds to provide Philadelphia’s immigrant community access to the care and education they need.

The Fifth Annual Burger Brawl

The Fifth Annual Burger Brawl takes place this Sunday, June 14 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at XFINITY Live! 60+ restaurants will compete to win the title of Best Burger and raise funds to increase literacy through technology for Philadelphia’s children. The Brawl funds literacy programming through technology for Philadelphia’s underserved children in public elementary schools. The event has raised more than $500,000 in the last four years for the cause. Tickets for the event are $35 for general admission, $100 for VIP. Open to all ages. Free for children 10 and under. Tickets are available at www.phillyburgerbrawl.com

Competitors:

Aldine, Baby Blues BBQ, Bank & Bourbon, Barbuzzo, Bareburger, Beast and Ale, Bierstube, Blue Duck Sandwich Co., Bridget Foy’s, Brigid’s, Brittingham’s, Bru Craft & Wurst, Butcher and Singer, Circles, City Tap House, The Dandelion, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Dettera, Dog and Bull House, Ela, Eulogy Belgian Tavern, Fat Jack’s BBQ,

Good Dog, Harvest Seasonal Grill, Hip City Veg, The Industry, Iron Hill Brewery, Jerry’s Bar, JJ Bootleggers, Kildare’s Irish Pub, La Peg, Lo Spiedo, London Grill, Lucky’s Last Chance, Masters Bar & Restaurant, Misconduct Tavern, New Wave Café, Nick’s Roast Beef in Old City, P’Unk Burger, Pacific Prime, Parc, Paesanos, Prohibition Taproom Prime Stache, Red Star Craft House, Rex 1516, Rogues Gallery Bar, Smiths, South Bowl, Spot Burgers, Taproom on 19^th, Tredici, Twisted Tail, Village Whiskey, Vintage Wine Bar and Zavala. Rouge and 500 Degrees will participate but will not compete.

CoZara Introduces New 3,4,5 Happy Hour

This week brings a new happy hour menu to CoZara, Chef Zama Tanaka’s Izakaya at 33^rd and Chestnut Streets. The menu is available Monday-Friday from 4:00-close, downstairs. The outdoor patio on the second floor will remain available for dining only. The menu includes a value-based sipping and snacking menuHappy Hour offered Monday-Friday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Featuring $4 draft beer, $6 house red and white wine, $8 specialty cocktails and $5 tartines, cheese and charcuterie.

Garces Trading Company

Garces Trading Company completed its transition to a full service, refined, neighborhood Bistro offering the best of Spain, France and Italy.  Chef de Cuisine Kyle Baddorf is offering new brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour menus effective now. Garces Trading Company originally opened in 2010 as a multi-purpose space with a gourmet market featuring house-made and imported foods sold under the Garces Trading Company label, coffee service to go and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s first wine boutique. The restaurant has evolved over recent years and is now officially the casual, comfortable and chic bistro the neighborhood craves.

By: Maryanne Salvat

4^th Annual Miami Underwater Festival at the Frost Museum of Science

Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science invites South Floridians to “dive into” its 4^th Annual Miami Underwater Festival, sponsored by festival founders Shelly and Marko Dimitrijevic, taking place from Thursday, June 11 – Sunday, June 14 with the theme of “Coasts, Reefs and Open Oceans.” The festival is being held in celebration of the global World Oceans Day, in honor of the oceans that link the world together, the products they provide to our daily lives, and to raise awareness of the current challenges faced. Visitors will get a chance to explore some of the themes and topics that will be featured in the Living Core Aquarium at the Museum’s future facility, opening in downtown Miami’s Museum Park in 2016. The Miami Underwater Festival is the Museum’s last signature event at its current location before its move to the new museum. For more information about the 4^th Annual Miami Underwater Festival, visit www.miamisci.org/underwaterfest or call 305.646.4200. Join the conversation! #UnderwaterFest 

HaVen South Beach Turns 4!

Haven South Beach celebrates its 4 year anniversary. The VIP after party will begin at 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 11 at HaVen located at 1237 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach.

Neon or Nothing Night Swim at the Thompson Miami Beach

Thompson Miami Beach will be debut its newest summer party “NEON OR NOTHING NIGHT SWIM” this Saturday, June 13 from 9:00 p.m. to midnight.  “KIRILL WAS HERE”—star of Showtime’s new docu-series 3AM and famed photographer and sounds by DJ Scott Melker will set the vibe as guests dance the night away with cocktails in hand. So put on your best neon swim suit or attire and join the fun on Saturday for the ultimate summertime pool party that will be one for the record books.

by: Maryanne Salvat

Luna Farm: Farm to the Table Exclusive Dinner

Chef Jose Garces put together a once in a lifetime Luna Farm dinner as an auction item during the Garces Foundation Gala that will be held on Saturday, June 6. Chef Garces will create a farm to table collaborative dinner prepared by fellow chefs, Rich Landau, Kevin Sbraga, Peter Serpico and Greg Vernick who will cook a private dinner at Jose’s farm with wine pairings.  Tickets are $1500 each and are limited to eight attendees. Chef Eli Kulp was originally planning to join the chefs as one of the collaborators of the dinner, The Garces Foundation will donate the proceeds from the dinner to the Kulp Family Medical Fund. For tickets or more information call 267.284.7905 or visit www.garcesfoundation.org.

The Second Annual Garces Foundation Summer Barbecue 

The Second Annual Garces Foundation Summer Barbecue celebratessummer with a barbecue lunch at Luna Farm in support of the Garces Foundation, the nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that Philadelphia’s underserved immigrant community has access to health and educational services. Guests will enjoy live music, farm tours, and much more on Sunday, June 7, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.; for more information or to purchase tickets visit: call 267.284.7905 or visit www.garcesfoundation.org.

Open Source: Steps and Pyramid

Paine’s Park, Philadelphia’s premiere skatepark will debut the first completed project in Open Source: Steps and Pyramid, two skateable sculptures by British artist Jonathan Monk. Tomorrow night from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Open Source will be kicking it off with a party at Paine’s Park, featuring food trucks, live music by Chill Moody and DJ Ricochet, and a skate demo with skateboarders from Nocturnal Skateshop. Be sure to RSVP to Philly’s biggest launch party of the summer: https://www.facebook.com/events/829824580398899/. Curated by Pedro Alonzo, Open Source offers a bold redefinition of contemporary art, featuring a roster of world-renowned artists who run the gamut from sculpture to community muralism to street art. Throughout October 2015, the city will come alive with new works by 14 extraordinary artists, all of which will illuminate Philadelphia’s diverse urban identity.