By: Maryanne Salvat 

Kung Fu Kitchen & Sushi Presents Naked Sushi 

The most audacious restaurant in South Beach, Kung Fu Kitchen & Sushi at The Catalina Hotel & Beach Club on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, is taking Miami Spice to the next level with a daring and risqué, first-of-its-kind offer for food enthusiasts and sushi-lovers. During Miami Spice months of August and September, Kung Fu Kitchen & Sushi will be offering Naked Sushi – a concept unique to the South Beach Asian hotspot, and a term used to describe the restaurant’s offer of an attractive male or female that can be ordered to arrive at the table, stripped of any clothing and tastefully, but scantily dressed, horizontally, in an artistic platter of sushi and sashimi for up to 10 people.  Each mouthwatering “body” of strategically arranged fish, selected from the Kung Fu sushi menu, will entice even the most famished group of friends, and for an all-inclusive cost of $500 per human platter, it may even come with polite conversation during the meal. Reservations for Naked Sushi at Kung Fu Kitchen & Sushi can be made by calling 305.600.9572 or Morgan.Daly@southbeachgroup.com. General restaurant reservations can be made by calling 305.534.7905 or by visiting www.catalinasouthbeach.com/kungfukitchen.  Walk-ins are also welcome.

Lucky Strike Happy Hour 

For a night on a budget, Lucky Strike Miami offers tantalizing happy hour specials. Featured Monday through Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Friday from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m., the happy hour includes a variety of wine and spirits and a selection of appetizers. The venue also offers a late-night happy hour every Monday through Thursday 10:00 p.m. to 1:00a.m. Bowling prices start at $7.95 plus cost of shoe rental. For inquiries on hosting an event at Lucky Strike Miami, contact miamiparties@bowlluckystrike.com.

Sundaze Pool Party at HIGHBAR  

From 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., HIGHBAR at Dream South Beach makes a splash with its Icon Entertainment Sundaze Pool Party.  Miami locals are invited to the ultimate Sunday escape weekly at Dream South Beach’s rooftop oasis, where delicious cocktails, famed dishes and transcendent beats by resident DJ, DJ Angelo, take over. A full pool menu includes a Classic Grilled Cheese made with Gruyere cheese, an “Ugly Burger” with every topping under the sun, and a Popcorn Milkshake with salted brown butter and chocolate hazelnut crisps.  Daily drink specials include the heavenly “7 Deadly Sins” cocktails, adult popsicles and JELL-O shots.

Bubbles, Botox & Trunk Show  

Dr. Patty’s Dental, South Florida’s first dental spa, is teaming up with Lilac And Lilies Boutique to host their first annual Bubbles, Botox & Trunk Show soiree featuring an indulgent night of champagne-fueled shopping and beauty treatments.   The event will take place Thursday, August 9 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., and is open to the public. Guests will enjoy a pre-fall, fashion preview and trunk show from Lilac And Lilies Boutique featuring 15 percent off coveted designers such as Bailey 44, Parker, RaMona LaRue, Charlie Jade, Veronica M., Stop Staring!, House of Harlow 1960, Kendra Scott, French Connection, and Black Halo during the event. Complimentary mini-spa treatments, including massages, eyebrow threading/shaping and lash extensions by celebrity lasher Alicia Hunter will be available as well as promotionally priced fillers including Botox and Dysport treatments administered by Dr. Patty. To RSVP, please email Info@DrPattyDental.com or call 954-523-2400.

Gibraltar Bar at Grove Isle Launches Happy Hour

Every Thursday, Gibraltar Bar at Grove Isle Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove will be offering happy hour specials for guests who crave light bites and cocktails after the daily grind. Whether catching up with a friend or co-worker, Gibraltar Bar is setting the scene for the idyllic post-work wind-down amongst spectacular views of the bay. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the happy hour will feature two-for-one champagne flutes and two-for-one well drinks, in addition to a select menu of signature small plates. Gibraltar is located at Grove Isle Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove, Florida. Open seven days a week, Gibraltar serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sunday brunch is also available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bar opens Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 11 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight. For reservations or more information, please call 305.857.5007 or visit www.groveisle.com.

Happy Hour at the Bass Museum of Art

On Friday, April 1, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., the Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach celebrates another installment of their monthly happy hour “Beats After Sunset @ the Bass.” Launched earlier this year, the successful happy hour takes place at the museum’s terrace and attracts art and music hipsters. Scheduled on the first Friday of every month, the event serves complimentary specialty cocktails generously sponsored by Herradura Tequila, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, and Vitamin Water. Beats will be provided by DJ Yanni Difranco. This week’s “Beats After Sunset @ the Bass” will also serve as the opening reception for the museum’s latest exhibit, Come Together: Frances Trombly and Leyden Rodriguez-Casanova.  Admission to the museum is free for members, $8 for non-members.  Bass Museum of Art is located on 2100 Collins Avenue, for more information call 305.673.7530 or visit www.bassmuseum.org. 

Annual Blacks Gala

Lea and Roy Black present one of the most anticipated star-studded events of the season, The Blacks’ Annual Gala: “That’s What Friends Are For” benefiting the Juvenile Services Department of Miami-Dade through the Consequences Charity & Foundation, with performances by Dionne Warwick, Pharrell Williams, and Pitbull, (strange bedfellows) indeed, at Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach on Saturday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m.  The annual gala raises funds for over 7,500 at-risk youths providing funds for educational opportunities. Tickets start at $650 per person for preferred seating, and $1,250 for VIP. Tables are available in varying seat configurations, starting at $3600. Ticket purchases can be made only by phone at 305.443.8980 or by email at fairchildforconsequences@gmail.com or by going on line to www.theblacksannualgala.com.  Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Miami Beach Cinematheque 

 The Miami Beach Cinematheque will host the opening of its latest art exhibit PIMPWAVES by Italian photographer, filmmaker and artist Leonardo Casali, on Wednesday, April 6, from 7 to 10:30   p.m.  Along with PIMPWAVES, Casali will also be showcasing some of his newest imagery including MOONCAP and a video projection entitled ALPHABE DREAM. Guests in attendance will enjoy light fare and drinks courtesy of Nespresso. Exhibit will be on view through May 31. An RSVP to info@mbcinema.com for opening night is necessary. MBC’s gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and before scheduled films.

1500°Hosts Wine Maker Dinner

1500° at the Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach, the farm-to-table eatery is hosting their first ever wine maker dinner on Thursday, April 7 with Rolando Hererra of Mi Sueño Winery.  Organized by 1500° beverage director Julian Uribe, the dinner explores five Mi Sueno award-winning wines, each accompanied by the exquisite cuisine of talented executive chef Paula DaSilva.  A reception with passed canapés begins at 6:30 p.m., with 7:00 p.m. seating.  The four-course dinner menu with paired wines is priced at $120.00 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity.  1500° at the Eden Roc Renaissance is located at 4525 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach.  Reservations for the Mi Sueño Wine Dinner are limited and can be made by calling 305.773.1045 or visit www.1500degreesmiami.com.

Spa for a Cause 

The Seven Seas Aveda Spa and Salon is helping South Floridians celebrate Earth Month with special promotionally priced spa services starting at $50. Guests can feel good about pampering themselves as 20% of all proceeds from eco-friendly spa treatments will be donated to Aveda supported clean water projects at home and around the world.  The spa is also aiding in efforts to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease. Spa-goers will be rewarded with complimentary services and Aveda products with every purchase of a Seven Seas ‘beauty-to-benefit’ gift certificate package.  A portion of proceeds from sales will be donated to the National Parkinson Foundation. To kick off the month-long promotions and welcome the partnership, the Seven Seas Aveda Spa and Salon will host a Get Pampered for Parkinson’s Disease Cocktail Celebration with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres provided by Kitchen 305 and the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort on Thursday, March 31 from 7:00 to 10:00pm. To RSVP, email rsvp@cravingssouthflorida.com.  For appointments call 305.749.2100 or visit www.sevenseasspasalon.com for more information.

 The Yard House in Coral Gables has become the destination for happy hour lovers and diners from all around South Florida.  With a measly three-hour wait on a random weeknight, it has certainly created quite a buzz on the restaurant radar.   The menu of American cuisine includes an impressive selection of appetizers, (my personal favs seared ahi sashimi and the classic sliders, ask for the wasabi basil pesto sauce on the side), salads (don’t miss the grilled hearts of romaine), pastas, sandwiches (roast beef dip is delectable), individual-size pizzas, seafood, steaks (the mouth watering pepper crusted filet), ribs and chops.   The portions are plentiful, large enough to share for those of us on a budget.  For beer connoisseurs, each Yard House location features a transparent keg room containing more than 600 barrels, some 1,000 gallons of beer, and endless fleets of tap handles – 100 to 250 – depending on the location. 

Yard House also offers happy hour specials that are quite delightful.  For those needing an afternoon fix, happy hour begins at 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and for the late night munchies, from 10 p.m. to Midnight.  Select appetizers are half off and drink specials are also offered.

 For more information go to  http://www.yardhouse.com/food.asp

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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