John Colabelli, Jeff Benjamin, Garrett Snider, Marc Vetri

On Wednesday, January 21, the Garrett Getlin Snider Foundation, the Vetri Foundation for Children and Philadelphia’s top VIPs, philanthropists and chefs gathered at the Rittenhouse Hotel for a very special evening hosted by Garrett Snider, to benefit Vetri Foundation for Children. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, while learning about the Vetri Foundation’s “Eatiquette” program. “Eatiquette” helps schools provide healthy, scratch made meals while working within the federal guidelines for the National School Lunch Program. Students eat family style, allowing them to practice life skills such as teamwork, communication, manners and portion control while receiving fresh, nutritious lunches; For more information, visit www.vetrifoundation.org. Read the rest here »

StripSteak by Michael Mina introduces a lavish Sunday Brunch, putting a fresh spin on the brunch concept for the legendary Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel.  Offered every Sunday, for $68 per person, excluding tax and gratuity, guests will be greeted with the restaurant’s signature cocktail, the fizzy Bellboy, before indulging in freshly baked breads, choice of appetizer and entrée, an endless circulating seafood cart and a bountiful dessert station complete with artisanal pastries and Greek yogurt parfait bar. Additional small plates such as Truffled Mac & Cheese, Michael Mina’s Famous Duck Fat Fries and Tempura Maitake Mushrooms with Salted Plum are available for the table to share for an additional $8 each. Brunch takes place every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  For reservations, call 877.326.7412. For more information visit www.fontainebleau.com/StripSteak.

Executive chef/partner Craig Koketsu

Fourth Wall Restaurants president and founder Michael Stillman, along with chef/partner Craig Koketsu have announced that the celebrated New York restaurant group will open the second location of its popular New York flagship, Quality Meats in the heart of South Beach.  Rising star chef Patrick Rebholz, until recently chef de cuisine at Charleston’s legendary Peninsula Grill, will lead the kitchen. This is Fourth Wall’s first foray outside of New York City; although Stillman and his father, legendary restaurateur Alan Stillman are no strangers to South Florida as they were the original owners of Smith & Wollensky at South Pointe Park when it opened in December 1997.

Located at the former Bancroft Hotel, an historic Art Deco gem that is being re-envisioned by Stillman and longtime design collaborators AvroKO, Quality Meats Miami Beach will retain the classic Deco features of the building while infusing it with the feeling of family owned butcher shops that are the trademark of the Quality Meats brand.  Credited by New York magazine as… a radical reinterpretation of stodgy old formulas, the steakhouse equivalent of the next new thing… Quality Meats’ menu emulates the New York flagship, offering a modern approach to the classic steak house.  Espousing the tenets of classic butchery, many of the large cuts on the menu are cured, smoked or aged in-house, along with house made charcuterie which will be available on its own or as part of composed plates along with selected cheeses.  With the ability to create charcuterie onsite, offerings will eclipse the usual fare with options such as coppa, smoked soppressata, duck bacon, Quality Meats bologna – the restaurant’s very own mortadella made with pepper jack cheese and pistachios – and a cured, not cooked, foie gras torchon. Read the rest here »

Jasmine Stewart, Gino Campodonico, Rachael Russell, Jhon Santos, & Netty Del

On Thursday, January 15^th, British lifestyle brand Ted Baker London celebrated the opening of its new Miami Beach store with a private preview event. Miami influencers Gino Campodonico, Netty Del, Juanjose Rangel, Rachael Russell, Jhon Jairo Santos  and Jasmine Stewart were on-site at 1111 Lincoln Road to lead the celebration. The store opened to the public the following morning on Friday, January 16^th.

Among the guests in attendance Thursday evening were Paul Griffin (‎EVP of Retail at Ted Baker London – North America), Candela Ferro (Telemundo Host/Model), Pablo Duggan (Argentine TV Host), Laurencio Adot (Fashion Designer) and Nina Surel (artist), to name a few. Specialty frozen cocktails with Zacapa Rum were served, accompanied by a special performance by The French Horn. Illustrator Mia Mandela customized Ted Baker totes for guests with their very own self portrait.

The new 1,743 square foot space draws inspiration from Miami’s vibrant art deco architecture and colorful surroundings that Florida offers.The store’s design celebrates the Sunshine State’s glorious weather while giving a nod to Ted’s British heritage. Kitschy cocktails and cocktail umbrellas adorn the space, while images of British beach huts can be seen on the wall through the warped nature of a glass tumbler. Launching with Ted’s Spring Summer ’15 womenswear, menswear and accessories collections, the new store is the perfect setting to launch Ted’s newest collection.

During opening weekend, shoppers enjoyed a special gift with purchase along with giveaways and complimentary refreshments, while one lucky winner received a $1,000 Ted Baker shopping spree. [smooth=id:580;]

Smashed Flamingo

Weekend warriors rejoice – South Beach finally has its own beer garden for happy hour festivities and chill Friday night vibes. Smashed Flamingo takes over the outdoor garden next to Mokai at 235 23^rd Street, featuring a full scale bourbon bar and craft beers, along with delicious barbecue every Friday from 6:00 until 11:00 p.m. Guests can relax at picnic tables and wooden porch swings under string lights and the stars above, while rocking out to old school tunes and vibrant beats. Classic board games like Connect 4 and Knock Hockey will be on hand, as will pink flamingo décor as homage to the parties Smashed Flamingo name. Each week, the barbecue offering will rotate – kicking off January 23^rd with a traditional Caja China. No entry fee. Drinks and barbecue plates are $8.00 each;

For more information visit smashedflamingo.com and facebook.com/smashedflamingo.

 MISO for the Family

The Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO), Jungle Island and the Bass Museum of Art present “MISO for the Family” on Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25. This year marks the third annual free concert in Collins Park, and the first inaugural performance at Jungle Island’s Parrot Bowl amphitheater. Under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Eduardo Marturet and Assistant Conductor Marco Real-d’Arbelles, the program includes Haydn’s “Toy” Symphony in C Major, plus a rare two-piano performance of Saint-Saëns’ popular Carnival of the Animals by the 2013 Bronze Award winners of the Dranoff International 2 Piano Competition, Sebastian and Barbara Bartmann of duo Impuls. South Florida models/actresses Barbara Becker and Athina Klioumi join the cast to narrate Saint-Saëns’ humorous work, putting a fun twist on an already delightful “grand zoological fantasy.”   Paying tribute to the City of Miami Beach’s 100th Anniversary, Sunday’s concert will top off an afternoon of special activities at the Bass Museum including tours of the exhibition One Way: Peter Marino at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. and the museum’s monthly IDEA@thebass Family Day that will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., with art projects and gallery games for kids that explore the theme “Making Music.” IDEA@thebass Family Day is offered at no charge, and entrance to the museum will be free all day. Tickets to Jungle Island are $30 for one adult/child, and $15 for each additional child (*price includes free admission to the park). Tickets to the Gusman Concert Hall are $20-$65. Admission to Sunday’s concert at Collins Park is free and open to the public.

courtesy of celebweddings.blogspot.com

#101GayWeddings

The 14^th annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is pleased to partner with Chef Art Smith as he hosts #101GayWeddings at The James Royal Palm on Saturday, February 21.  A longtime friend of the Festival, Smith’s social media driven campaign to celebrate the legal passing of marriage equality in the State of Florida with a free wedding for 101 couples in the beautiful James Breezeway is the perfect addition to the star-studded weekend.

The Festival, alongside Smith and The James Royal Palm, will issue a social media driven campaign to release 50 passes to the public to attend the wedding reception with a guest.  Winners have the ability to make an optional direct donation to the LGBTQA Club at Florida International University (FIU). Following the wedding, newlyweds and winners of the social media driven campaign will enjoy a cocktail reception featuring bites from a handful of South Florida chefs and dance party featuring DJ Chi Chi Larue. FIU’s LGBTQA Club will be on-site to raise additional funds for the organization.

La Nuit en Rosé Food & Wine Festival

La Nuit en Rosé is the world’s first Food & Wine Festival dedicated to Rosé Wine and Rosé Champagne, bringing together the largest gathering of rosé wine producers and rosé wine lovers. Anything but a typical wine tasting, La Nuit En Rosé is a full culinary experience and a lavish lifestyle celebration. With more than 60 rosé wines and rosé Champagne, La Nuit en Rosé is the largest-ever gathering of rosé producers in the world. The 2015 season will start off in Miami, from January 30 to February 1 at the recently opened Miami Beach EDITION, one of South Beach’s most affluent hotels. La Nuit en Rosé Miami offers a variety of ways to celebrate pink wine, for a complete listing of the eventful weekend visit: http://nuitrose.com.

Living Room Introduces New Libations

Living Room the modern, nighttime playground located at the W South Beach Hotel & Residences, continues to earn raves and accolades for its sophisticated cocktails and sultry ambiance, including Zagat’s “Best Hotel Bars in Miami (2014)” and Food & Wine Magazine’s “2012 Fifty Best Bars in America.”  Known for their visually stunning artisanal concoctions, the cocktail team at Living Room has just rolled out a new cocktail menu, certain to please even the most discerning imbiber.   In addition to the Living Room favorites, new offerings include globally-inspired cocktails, such as the Portobello Road, named after London’s historical antique market, featuring gin, basil, cold-pressed apple and lemon juices, cucumber, jalapeño and an array of fresh berries.  Cold pressed juice cocktails include the Rosewood –gin, pressed yuzu juice, elderflower liqueur and jasmine bitters; and the El Camino – reposado tequila, lime, sage, red bell pepper, cinnamon syrup and cold pressed carrot juice. For more information call 305.938.3000.

Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series

Paying homage to Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s opening in 1954, Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series is a monthly event that pairs the world’s most prestigious wines and winemakers with the award-winning cuisine of Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s signature dining destinations. The 2015 line-up features exclusive pairings at the hotel’s acclaimed signature restaurants with vintners from Italy, Spain, California and Australia. This year’s series kicks off at Scarpetta, the hotel’s award-winning Italian restaurant on Sunday, January 25. Diners will enjoy a decadent four-course menu prepared by chef de cuisine Marlon Rambaran complimented by hand-selected Giacomo Borgogno e Figli wines from the Piedmont region of Italy. Each of the four courses will be paired with a different varietal from the prestigious label. Priced at $215 per person, excluding tax and gratuity, the luxurious evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the restaurant’s private dining room. For questions, please call 877.326.7412. Reservations are required and can be made by visiting www.Fontainebleau.com/cellar1954. 

6^th Annual Ark of Taste Benefit Dinner

Slow Food Miami, the 100 percent volunteer non-profit dedicated to planting a fresher future for our children, announces its 6^th annual Ark of Taste Benefit Dinner will be held Tuesday, January 27^th at Paraiso Bay in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood. After 5 years of plated dinners, Slow Food Miami’s 2015 event looks to the future with a refreshed, convivial format featuring all of The Genuine Hospitality Group restaurants and their chefs at the site of Schwartz’s future waterfront restaurant on Biscayne Bay. At the forefront of the meal is the Ark-nominated Florida stone crab, sourced from Miami’s own George Stone Crab. The star of the evening will be accompanied by locally-sourced ingredients including items from Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink chef de cuisine Niven Patel’s backyard and other farms served by Farm to Kitchen, a local produce distributor.All proceeds will benefit Slow Food Miami’s Edible School Garden Program.The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m., so that guests can savor spectacular views of the glowing sunset skies over the Bay, while enjoying a spirited cocktail hour featuring specialty libations courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka, sustainable wines by Stellar Wines, and passed hors d’oeuvres prepared by Chef Molly Brandt of Restaurant Michael Schwartz at The Raleigh.  An interactive and social dining experience unfolds with indoor and outdoor stations featuring each of The Genuine Hospitality Group restaurants and their chefs including Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink/Chef de Cuisine Niven Patel, The Cypress Room/Chef de Cuisine Roel Alcudia and Harry’s Pizzeria/Chef de Cuisine Daniel Ramirez. Schwartz will join The Genuine Hospitality Group’s Executive Chef Bradley Herron to preview some food inspired by Paraiso Bay and its restaurant, slated to open in early 2016. Executive Pastry Chef Hedy Goldsmith will offer passed desserts for a sweet cap on a delicious evening to remember. Each will showcase their individual style of local-sourcing with dishes that either feature the Florida stone crab or complement it with seasonal ingredients. This time around, Slow Food Miami turns its attention to stone crabs, a natural fit for Ark of Taste because it acts as an important reminder that the tasty crabs are seasonally-protected to ensure sustainability. Consumers are so used to stone crab season that they forget or are unaware what a rare, local product it is – highly allocated and always in danger of disappearing. By promoting and eating Ark products, Slow Food Miami and its supporters help ensure they remain in production, in the grocery isle, and on the plates of America’s best restaurants.

Tickets are $195 per person and can be purchased at miamisarkoftaste.brownpapertickets.com.

Bagatelle Launches “Destination St. Barths”

Renowned restaurant Bagatelle is launching “Destination St. Barths,” which is an amazing sweepstake promotion with villa WIMCO from St. Barths occurring from the 12^th of January to January 31^st. WIMCO Villas set in the luxurious St. Barths offers the best location for an unrivaled escape, crystal clear waters, white sands, tropical trees, and beautiful people.

Registration on the landing page is necessary in order to win the following prizes:

The winner will get a dinner for 4 at Bagatelle St. Barths, and a 7 night stay in a WIMCO villa including gourmet groceries and concierge service.

The runner-up prizes include a gift certificate for a $500 dinner in a Bagatelle location in the United States (NYC, Miami or LA, among others).

Please find below the link of the landing page to register for the sweepstakes: http://www.wimco.com/specials/promotions/bagatellexwimco.aspx

The National YoungArts Foundation’s annual Backyard Ball on January 10, raised more than $1.7 million to directly support the organization’s contributions to the artistic development of talented young artists from around the nation.  Master teachers such as James Caan, Phylicia Rashad, Jeff Koons, Sylvia Plachy, Livingston Taylor, Tierney Sutton, Rebecca Walker, Desmond Child and Carrie Mae Weems, worked with 170 YoungArts finalists during the week leading up to the ball and attended the party on the YoungArts campus.

Belvedere Vodka recently hosted a star-studded poolside party for Jeremy Scott’s book launch hosted by fashion house Moschino at The Thompson Hotel Miami Beach. Over 400 guests attended including Miley Cyrus, A$AP Rocky,  Nicky Hilton, Mr. Brainwash and Flaming Lips front man, Wayne Coyne. Robert Pattison, girlfriend FKA twigs and four other friends dined at Katsuya at SLS South Beach.