Besties

It's been a wild and wacky year here at All Purpose Dark HQ. We've been to China a couple of times, thrown in a few trips to Israel, eaten lots of nice things, met wonderful people and been to a hefty share of events. In the spirit of the ubiquitous "best of" lists, here's a little trip down memory lane for the best of APD for 2007.
Best Slow Food in Israel.
Best exchange with Anthony Bourdain.
Best condo cake.
Best upscale Spanish meal (sub-prize for best anchovies).
Best concert.
Best reason to clean out your closet.
Best "Kabbalah Cuisine."
Best event featuring Miami's green personalities.
Best bicycle in Beijing.
Best bakery in San Francisco.
Best bakery in Jerusalem.
Best local designer.
Best last visit to the Sheraton Bal Harbour.
Best limoncello tasting.
Best night in Macau.
Best magazine launch party.
Best fashion show.
And, lastly, I know this one is from '06 but I couldn't resist: Best outfit ever.

New Year's: Party Like a Rock Star?

So tonight we bid adieu to 2007 and welcome in good ole '08. The past couple of years I have not been at home for New Year's, usually I'm abroad. Last year we celebrated New Year's with a bunch of sloppy Americans staying at Kibbutz Kafar Giladi on the border with Lebanon. Maccabee beer is a wonderful thing. Tonight I think we'll just stay home and force our friends to play Cranium, the best game ever invented. If you're more in the mood to party like a hotel heiress, check the links below.

• Parties at China Grill, Tuscan Steak and Blue Door.
• The "Ice Ball" at Mokai.
• Oceana benefit at La Marea.
• A feast at Mark's South Beach.
• Plum's New Year's forecast.
  
• And for those of you in Boca or Delray, some options.

Foreign Devils Trailer

Hey friends, our little Beijing movie is finished. We're getting the word out, submitting it to festivals, and hoping that it will steal the hearts of indie film lovers the around the world. So here's the trailer for Foreign Devils. Curious to hear your thoughts. If you like what you see spread the word. You can even "friend us" on Myspace.

Kobe Club: Opening January 4

Kobe Club is coming to Miami. There will be swords. There will be beef.
More info here.

Krelwear Sale!

Atrio @ The Conrad Miami

The Conrad Hotel's Atrio restaurant enters 2008 with a facelift, a new lounge called Level 25 and a new menu by exec chef Michael Gilligan (formerly of Rumi). The lounge is space age-chic with yellow leather banquettes, a frosted glass bar and a sparkling raw bar. The restaurant's redesign includes a more open dining room and the addition of an inviting wine room with a Tuscan-style large wooden table ready for tastings and private dinners.
Atrio's spot on the 25th floor is supremely impressive. Views of glittering Brickell skyscrapers and nautical traffic are the closest we get to Hong Kong-type cityscapes and Miami feels like a big city from that perch. And the food? Impeccably prepared, graciously served and expertly flavored. Here's what we had:
Tuna Tataki with yuzu-miso dressing, crispy wonton and jicama-mint salad. A nicely composed dish with textural contrast between the jicama and silky nori-wrapped tuna.

Sautéed Green And White Asparagus with red and golden beets, baby bok choy and port wine & dried fig chutney. I am a sucker for figs (must be the Middle Eastern in me) and these did not dissapoint - sweet and chewy, they were a perfect foil to the beets and asparagus. And it's so nice to see figs on a Miami menu!
Oven Roasted Chilean Sea Bass red thai coconut curry, jasmine & vegetable rice pilaf. The fish was crispy - I love that. Why can't more restaurants do that with fish? I expected the coconut curry to be milky but I think this was an interesting variation, and did not sacrifice flavor.

Lavender Dusted Rack Of Lamb with honey and tamarind mashed potatoes and apricot-jalapeño jus. The verdict on this one was that it was delicious but difficult to handle since it is presented unsliced.
And for dessert a "cafe con leche" which was molten chocolate lava-style cake except it was white chocolate with coffee which is a refreshing change from the ubiquitous chocolate variety. The home made cookies n' cream ice cream was divine.

Atrio is at 1395 Brickell Ave at the Conrad Hotel.

Spiegelworld's Absinthe: Impressions

Caught the Miami debut of Spiegelworld's Absinthe last Thursday night. Loved it. I think no one in the audience had any idea of what to expect and everyone was quite jazzed. The show has been described as everything from "Moulin Rouge meets Rocky Horror Picture Show" to a cabaret variety show combined with a lewd comedy revue and indeed it is all of those things. But the most salient aspect of the show is that it is pure entertainment. For about 2 hours you are completely and utterly dazzled by the various trapeze artists (scantily-clothed), acrobats, tumblers, novelty-act performers, and borsch-belt comedians - that is courtesy of a character called the Gazillionaire, the show's host decked out in a cheesy tux and gold tooth.
The 75 year-old tent is gorgeous - all Weimar chic with velvet and teak and a cozy booths circling the main sitting area where you can hide out if you don't want to be too close to the stage. And you may not want to get too close because performers have a knack for interacting with and playing off the audience. Put is this way - drinking during the show is encouraged. But the whole circus never gets too sloppy or frivolous despite all the debauchery which is a testament to the extremely talented cast and crew. Experiencing the show is like taking a trip back in time, to scenes from movies like the Illusionist and Invincible where people were entertained by clever personalities who had nothing more at their disposal than their wits and brilliant tricks.

Cleopatra!

South Beach Food Fest Updates

For those who didn’t score tickets to the Grand Tasting Village, which says SOLD OUT online, they can still get access to the Grand Tasting by purchasing a Wine Lover’s Weekend Pass, which cost $965 per person. Also, just like any big event, Broadway show, etc. the festival has held back blocks of tickets for the major events – Bubble Q, Sugar Shack, etc. – which will go into circulation/on sale after the New Year/closer to the fest so folks should stay vigilant and keep an eye on the website.

Also, just announced: Rachael Ray and Jamie Oliver, two of the major players at this year’s Fun & Fit as a Family (tickets still available for that as well) will be doing a combined demo at the Kellogg’s Kidz Kitchen tent on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Ticket price: $35 per person.

Table 8 South Beach

Had been curious about Table 8 for a while and finally had a chance to check it out recently. The restaurant is quite impressive, and though it's a bit pricey, you'd have a hard time not walking out satisfied and maybe even a bit radiant from the experience. Plus, Govind Armstrong has such an appealing way with ingredients, it's worth it just to observe the delicacy and balance of each dish.

Consider his tuna tartar, composed of glistening cubes of locally-caught yellowfin tuna, lightly dressed with artisanal olive oil and kissed with fleur de sel for a refreshing textural contrast. The delicate mound of fish is accompanied by asparagus spears roasted to concentrate their sweetness set down on slightly wilted, slightly bitter frisée. The burrata mozzarella salad, a signature dish, is a revelation of flavors and textures composed of the milky runny cheese, heirloom tomatoes and wild arugula, topped with olive oil fried croutons. The kobe style beef is probably one of the finest plates of beef one can order in South Beach and from the looks of the dining room on a recent weeknight, it was a popular dish. Local grouper is accompanied by spring bean ragout which pairs well with the meaty fish, it's flavor enhanced by arugula pesto.

Desserts are just as well-conceived as the savory selections. A carrot cake with cream cheese mousse, candied pecans and citrus reduction sang with nutty, fruity notes that offset the richness of the mousse.

New Year's Oceana Benefit at La Marea

For socially conscious party people who want an eco-friendly start to the New Year, La Marea at The Tides South Beach will host a celebration benefiting of the world’s oceans. The event marks the kick-off of the partnership between The Tides and Oceana, the largest international organization working solely to protect the world’s oceans. A five-course dinner features sustainable seafood such as Alaskan sablefish and Maine lobster, followed by cocktails and entertainment.
Dinner is $250 per seat, benefiting Oceana.
When: Monday December 31, 2007 (New Years Eve)
6:00 PM Welcome Toast
6:30 PM Dinner
9:00 PM Countdown to 2008
La Marea at The Tides, 1220 Ocean Drive.
RSVP by December 17 to Stacy Schanen stacy.schanen@thetidesresorts.com
or call 305.604.5067

Modern Menorahs

Dwell's slideshow of modern menorahs.

Opening Party @ Domo Japones

Domo Japones held a splendid opening party last night. Lots of little plates of impeccable sushi and Japanese treats were available. The crowd was urbane and charming and the champagne was a'flowin. No less than four sushi chefs were constantly churning out delectable rolls like the "Italiano" made with marinated red pepper, avocado and tuna. Below, tuna sashimi with wasabi paste and pea tendrils. Arigato! Tomas has more pics.

Rummage Sale

Rocco's Med Style

One of the more compelling Top Chef episodes this past season involved Rocco DiSpirito guest-judging the cheftestants ability to approximate Bertolli frozen meals. Interestingly, creating delicious, non-mushy frozen pasta dishes proved to be quite a challenge as some of the talented toques struck out with the mission. I was recently granted some marketing love from the folks at Bertolli and asked to sample the frozen meals (look for that post soon).
Here Rocco devotes one of his webisodes to the virtues of the Bertolli products.

Ain't No Party Like a Basel Party Cuz the Basel Party Don't Stop

MediaBistro's Design blog UnBeige has some fun overheards from the Mazel Basel parade. Here's a smattering:

Guy at Photo Miami walking around with a computer and a phone, and apparently, with a live feed to his class.
Guy: Want to say hello to my students? We have to do it two ways--by phone and by picture. This is my new media class.

Art shopper: How much for the shoes?
Dealer: $275,000

Ultrathin "booth babe" on the convention center floor gazes at a painting; potential male client gazes at her.
Booth Babe: It really is a beautiful piece.
Male Client: You look amazing. Have you lost weight?

Festivalgoer: Are you here for the art or the Basel?

Father talking to his young daughter as they walk dazedly out of Art Basel on Sunday evening:
But if we bought that painting, we probably couldn't afford to send you to college.

Food at the MAM Ball

Zowie! Joyce Wallace Catering knows how to put out some mighty fine fare for the artsy folks. This year the Miami Art Museum ball was held in an air conditioned tent at Bicentennial Park in celebration of the museum's future designs for the site. Here are some pics of the tasty pre-dinner bites. My favorite was the french toast topped with melted brie and almonds (above).
Below is Asian beef on baby spinach leaves - elegant presentation.

And lamb topped with apricot chutney.

Buy This Bag!

My latest fave purse is the super-stylin Ecoist candy-wrapper clutch. It's the perfect size for going out - it fits exactly what I need (phone, wallet, small digital cam) and matches practically every ensemble. And it is a hellacious hit with all my gal pals and every random fashionista I meet. But the best reason for carrying this shiny eye-catching bag is that the company is earth-loving and creates these mini masterpieces using recycled, organic, or earth-friendly materials. I first met the Ecoist founders when organizing the Green Flamingos event and since then I have become a die-hard fan. Plus, when you buy a bag, they plant a tree. Plus, the owners are Israeli. Love!

Bentley Concept Car

Israeli designer Dror Benshetrit's concept car design for Bentley. Unveiled at a swank party at Art Basel. Reminds me of the Batmobile. Will it get made? Does it matter?

New Year's at Mark's South Beach

I still have yet to make New Year's plans - sharing a bottle of wine with friends is how I like to roll but if I was in the mood for a splurge the menu at Mark's South Beach would do it. From the press release:
Passed hors d’ oeuvres on terrace include crispy duck won-tons with mango honey dip, Chilled heirloom tomato soup with basil foam and tuna ceviche stuffed tostones with avocado purée.
And the four course menu features delights like Gorgonzola cheese tartlet with poached seckle pear and 25 year aged balsamic, Boston salad with toffee pistachios, goat cheese and mulberries with ice wine vinaigrette and Kobe beef rib-eye with crispy onions, rainbow swiss chard, truffle duchess potatoes.
And for dessert? Spiced apple phyllo crisp with cinnamon infused ice cream and pinot noir-dried cherry sauce OR frozen chocolate terrine, chocolate-chocolate chip petit cake, red berry sherbet, candied orange salsa, and vanilla crème anglaise.
$250 PP PLUS TAX AND SERVICE
INCLUDES OPEN LIQUOR BAR 9-1am, DJ OUTSIDE ON TERRACE,
PLASMA TV IN DINING ROOM TO WATCH BALL DROP
Hotel Nash, 1120 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Telephone: (305) 604-9050.