Obba Sushi, Brickell

There's not much in the way of affordable sushi on Brickell, so this tiny new spot on the ground floor of the Brickell Harbour condo building ought to come in handy the next time you're craving spicy tuna rolls and shrimp tempura. Lunch specials are $10-$12 and come with the requisite miso soup or salad with a tasty carrot ginger dressing. The menu's not too exotic but the fish is fresh and the rolls are generous. They're also dishing well-priced sakes and Japanese beers, or you can stay home and let their Smart Car delivery service do all the work.
200 SE 15th Rd, 786-953-8710

Elle Mag Taking Over the Bal Harbour Shops

Attention fashion people: ELLE is taking over Bal Harbour Shops in October with their Shopping to A to Z program. It includes the Personal Style Awards, a runway fashion show honoring Miami’s top trendsetters, and Passport to Personal Style, a shops-wide event with interactive seminars moderated by Creative Director Joe Zee.

Here's a breakdown of the sartorial madness to ensue:

STYLE POD OPENS: Oct 1-31–The experiential “Style Pod” erected in front of Saks offers daily programming from ELLE’s A to Zee Best Selections of Fall with each letter of the alphabet represented (A is for aviators, B is for buckles, etc.).

“OPI Manicure Mondays” take place Oct 5 & Oct 19 in the Style Pod –complimentary manicures!

PERSONAL STYLE AWARDS: October 13 – An evening runway fashion show honoring top Miami fashionistas and trendsetters, styled by select brands from Bal Harbour Shops including Calypso, Cartier, DVF, Elie Tahari, Jimmy Choo, Max Mara, Roberto Coin, Tiffany & Co., Tod’s, and Lancome. A percentage of sales from each participating boutique will be be donated to charities personally selected by the honorees.

PASSPORT TO STYLE: October 24 – A shops-wide event featuring product demonstrations in the Style Pod, interactive seminars moderated by ELLE market editor Joann Pailey, informal modeling throughout Bal Harbour Shops and a hunt for ELLE’s “A to Z” must-have items for Fall. Participants include: AG Jeans, Calypso, Diane Von Furstenberg, J Brand, Max Mara, Lancome, Roberto Coin and more.

Fulll schedule of events and to RSVP here.

About Last Night @ Pacific Time

Free cocktails from 8-9pm.

Urbanite Bistro

Dinner at Urbanite Bistro in the "arts and media district," meaning down the street from the Arsht Center and next to the Vagabond. Handsome space, great music - lots of jazz which is always welcome - fantastic wine list with dozens available by the glass. Food is eclectic American. Standouts include:
- duck confit ravioli (he gets the ravioli skins from Mr. Pasta on Collins Ave)
- lamb sliders
- lemongrass mussels (you'll want extra bread for the broth)
- vegetable shu mai
- mushroom empanadas with vegan gravy
- grouper with ancho chili sauce
- whole roasted snapper (with bones and tail, just like they serve in other countries!)

Bliss Spa Deal

Good until October 15.

MOCA at Goldman Warehouse Closing

After four years of innovative exhibits and performances the MOCA has decided to close its annex in Wynwood. From a museum press release:

The MOCA Board’s decision took into account the uncertainties of the current economic climate as well as the expansion of MOCA’s current Joan Lehman Building in North Miami, which will begin in 2010. The expansion will double the museum’s current size and include new gallery space, art storage space, an education wing, and multi-purpose space to present performances, films and lectures.

Over the past four years, the collaboration between the Goldmans and Museum of Contemporary Art increased visitor traffic to the area and offered visitors and students a place to experience the wonders of contemporary art. From December 2005 – July 2009, the Museum of Contemporary Art presented 13 group and solo exhibitions at MOCA at Goldman Warehouse. MOCA’s presence in Wynwood has served to inspire the community within the Arts District and helped validate the quality level of the arts initiative in Wynwood.

A Pep Talk From Ira Glass

For all those creative types out there. Because sometimes you just have to look at your work and cringe. But it's all part of the process.

Where Have I Been Lately?

Traveling a bit. In and out of town, so apologies for not posting more often. Spent a few days in New York and a long weekend in San Francisco. A quick rundown of the best of the best:

A revelatory meal at The John Dory in New York's Meatpacking District. It's Spotted Pig chef April Bloomfield's stab at seafood and what a lovely stab it is. Standouts include kampachi crudo with candied ginger and a delectable little dish that consisted of uni butter on crostini that you dip in an oyster broth- salty, rich, briny luxury.

Wine tasting at Darioush Winery in Napa followed by fresh baguettes at Bouchon Bakery down the road. Oh Napa, you are indeed paradise.

Updated: Fellow blogger Frodesnor pointed out that The John Dory closed over the weekend. Damn. It was really busy the night I was there. Hopefully Bloomfield will bounce back from it.

Sand Bake @ Fairmont Turnberry

MOCA Mystery Dates Kickoff @ Club 50