Swim Week Day 2

Yesterday was Day 2 of Swim Week madness. After a lovely tea party at 1 Bleu at the Regent I jetted down to South Beach to get lost in the fray. First I made a stop at the Gansevoort rooftop lounge to chat with Marie-Laure Fournier, a beauty ambassador for Talika Cosmetics, a French company that specializes in very cool products developed to treat burn victims during WWII. More on that later. I then headed to the Raleigh to check in for the Tibi show. I was invited backstage at the fashion tent where Smashbox make-up artists were feverishly applying bronzer to the model herd. It was predictably hectic back there with a plethora of camera crews jockeying for space but I truly enjoyed the industrial A/C. After about 4 minutes of snapping random pictures I felt rilly, rilly short with all those Amazonians milling about. I did love their gold shoes, very Nancy Sinatra.

Back by the Raleigh cabana beachway sponsors like Aveeno, Sephora and Conair set up swag tents with lots of giveaways. The most popular was the Havaianas flip-flop stand where the line grew to about 70 sweaty sandal fans willing to slug it out in the heat to get their very own rhinestone-embellished pair. I ducked into the Tibi tent where rows of folding chairs and more industrial A/C beckoned.

Lots of Sophia Loren-influenced looks from Tibi designer Amy Smilovic. Paisley prints in bright fuchsias, purples and greens. Another highlight of the night was the Shay Todd show at the Setai. We got there just as the show started. The runway was over the Setai's courtyard pool which I've always thought is a great venue for fashion shows.

The Los Angeles-based designer was showing lots of gossamer feather-light beach dresses and tunics in addition to sophisticated beachwear. There were also some terry-cloth mini-dresses thrown in for extra absorbency. Here were colorful looks that were perfect for a day at the beach or a jet-set jaunt in St. Tropez. But then again, what else were you expecting? After the show guests walked out with generous gift bags from Nivea including some thoughtful cellulite cream. After being inundated with models all day I was ready to bathe in a tub full of it.
But I'd also like to point out that the models have not been as anorexic-heroine-chic as expected which is a nice surprise. Watching the girls strut I found myself thinking, wow that girl has an ass. Could be that Miami models have a little more badonk-a-donk. This is a refreshing change from the starvation mode usually on display.

Miami Swim Week

Miami Beach Swim Week or Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim (if you want to get technical, and really, when discussing bikinis technicalities are essential) kicked off last night with a poolside party at the Raleigh and a Diesel runway show. The Raleigh is fashion headquarters with all the shows taking place in the sprawling backyard pool and cabana areas. Fashionistas, publicists, media hoi polloi and random party fixtures (Shaggy Steve, I'm looking at you) were out in force. Diesel opted for the runway over the pool which proved a casual setting for the fashion extravaganza. No assigned seats, just people grabbing spots on the poolside cabana beds while casual trend-setters sat on the edge of the pool dipping their un-gladiator sandaled-feet into the cooling goodness.

The theme of the show seemed to be collegiate football punk with several male models sporting trim swim trunks along with quarterback shoulder gear, models wearing helmets and May Andersen walked out suggestively clutching a lacrosse mallet. Everyone learned there's no easier way to get applause at a fashion show then to send out toddlers in bikinis. Ka-yoot!

Everyone also learned that there's no easier way to work up a sweat in the middle of July in Miami than by simply standing motionless watching a fashion show. What can we look forward to this weekend? More sweaty fashion show fun.

New Media Art Opening

Ami James is a post-millennial Renaissance man. Not only is he the co-owner of famed tattoo dive Love Hate Tattoos (and the star of reality show Miami Ink based on the spot), but he's also a digital artist. Check out his work Friday when ArtCenter/South Florida hosts hosts a preview of “the86collective” an installation of new media art. There'll be plenty of Ruby Rey cocktails on hand for those of you who refuse to peruse art sober.
800 Lincoln Rd.
South Beach
305.674.8278

Prix-Fixe Fixings

Perched over the Atlantic, the Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne is a prime spot for a lunar light show. Head to the terrace for the monthly Cioppino moonrise dinner featuring a three-course Italian menu courtesy of chef Ramon Guerrero. July 18th, 6PM. 455 Grand Bay Drive. 305.365.4286.

Get your fish fix on with the foodie favorite Alta Mar's summer prix-fixe menu. Beginning July 1 and running through Labor Day, the seafood resto is offering a $25 three-course menu featuring choices like Peruvian style tiradito with yellow pepper cream, and grouper ravioli with butter sage sauce. 1223 Lincoln road. 305.532.3061.

Feist-y Puppet Love

A fun way to start the day: Feist counts to four with the help of Elmo and the gang. My love for Sesame Street just grew exponentially.

Thirsty Thursdays

Join Coconut Grove after-office tipplers at Thirsty Thursdays at Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar & Latam Grill. Wine connoisseur Barry Alberts will be pouring three whites and reds and pairing them with fresh ceviche and chicken and steak skewers at this sexy Latin lounge. Thursdays, 7PM-9PM, $16. 3067 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove, 305.444.0216.

Plum Launches RSVP

PlumTV Miami Beach and Domo Japones have joined forces to launch RSVP, a new late-night talk show. The show will be hosted by Domo owner Ami Ben-Zion and will tape every Sunday night at 9pm in the restaurant's upstairs lounge.
From the press release:
The show’s goal will be to bring together A-listers, locals and visitors for relaxed
conversation and mingling. From high fashion designers to local restaurateurs, sports
figures, authors, celebrities and adult entertainment stars; RSVP is sure to surprise
viewers with it’s animated mixing of personalities and attitudes. This is Miami’s
private party where the sought-after can let their guard down and learn, grow, share,
flirt, relax and be inspired.

Bike Valet

I valeted my bicycle yesterday. It was pretty neat.
I rode my Citizen folding bike to the Regent Bal Harbour for an appointment and after huffing and puffing my way up the steep driveway I coasted to the valet station and breathlessly said, "Hi. I'd like to valet my bike!"
(Meanwhile I'm thinking to myself I'm so effing green.)
The courteous valet guys looked a little confused but one seemed to know what to do and offered to stash the bike in the office. After my appointment I came out and was like, "Hi, I think my bike is in your valet office." The gracious parking attendant promptly procured the office keys and reappeared with my hot two-wheeler. I tipped him a few dollars and was on my way.
Valet practice of the future? Perhaps...

Miami Spice Previews Extended

Miami Spice is now 3 months long as some participating restaurants have decided to extend their preview menus to include July as well. Hopefully they'll introduce new menu items once Spice officially kicks into gear in August so you'll have reason to go back. Three-course lunch is $23 and dinner $36. Here are a few attractive options:

Million dollar views at wallet-friendly prices can be had at 1 Bleu at the Regent Bal Harbour. Preview menu items include Florida grouper served in a salsa verde, alongside clams, sweet peas and a potato confit, and a fragrant civet of duck served with lentils and citrus scented salmon with carnaroli.

Beef-tastic sexy Samurai-sword spot Kobe Club offers mains like salmon with lobster dumplings & Tarragon beurre blanc; roasted Kurobuta pork chop with Japanese chili-pepper apple sauce; wild mushroom Pasta with portabellas, porcini and chanterelles; and upgrades for Wagyu selections.

Prime Blue Grille has extended their "Power Lunch" and "Power Dinner." Lunch includes choice of filet mignon and dinner includes choice of a filet, boneless rib eye and halibut. Plus, the views of the bay and the Miami River are spectacular.

The Standard Hotel's $99 Special

First it was the Gansy and now the Standard is offering bargain-basement prices for their holistic-chic rooms. They're even throwing in breakfast and access to the "hydrotherapy playground" which I assume means their awesome indoor hamam and outdoor saltwater pool. I think it's time for a staycation...

Heathrow Lounge

Boost your street cred with a visit to Washington Ave.'s latest hip hangout Heathrow Lounge. The Brit-loving drinkery aims to impress South Beach chicks and blokes with an all-embracing attitude celebrating everyone from socialites to strippers. With four UK-inspired rooms, each with their own atmosphere and décor, including Hyde Park, a “burlesque forest,” the James Bond-themed Spy Bar, and Milk Bar reminiscent of Clockwork Orange reveries, you may get lost in translation. 681 Washington Ave. South Beach
305.534.7614

PlumTV and Me

My latest PlumTV appearance. It's all about light eating these days, my friends. In fact, I even dabbled in a little raw foodieness to research this piece. We did go on a little tangent about bottled water, but it's really one of my pet peeves as I've mentioned before. I do love me some tap water!

Here's a list of places mentioned.
Art of Food
Life of Food
Pacific Time
Fratelli Lyon
Pelican Hotel

Thursday: Janelle Monae @ The Florida Room

Waltz with Bashir

If this film ever makes it to South Florida it is a must-see. The trailer blew me away.


In the tradition of A Scanner Darkly and Persepolis this animated documentary from Israeli director Ari Folman takes the viewer through surreal images and fractured memories regarding the Israeli Army’s mission during the first Lebanon War in the early 80’s. It premiered this May at Cannes 2008 to standing ovations. More info here.

New Restaurants and Such

• French restaurant Le Boudoir opens a Brickell outpost. They're having an opening party Monday night.
• A new tapas spot called G Lounge has opened at the Upper East Side Garden.
• Cita's Italian Chophouse (3176 Commodore Plaza) opens in Coconut Grove on July 22. Menu highlights include Barolo-braised short ribs and sun-shaped pasta shells made with saffron and stuffed with Maine lobster ragout in a light tarragon cream.

Bastille Day @ Maison D'Azur

Francophile foodies this one's for you. Maison D'Azur at the Angler's is hosting a soirée in honor of the Gallic festivities on Monday July 14. I've never eaten there, so I can't vouch for the vittles but from what I hear people are impressed. It's a bit pricey, but no one ever said your love of French food was a budget-conscious decision.
Here's the menu:
Assortment of Hors d’Oeuvres
Diver Jumbo Sea Scallop, Citrus Dressing, Baby Arugula and Caracara segments
or
Seared Mediterranean Gray “Dorade” Filet, Tomato Provencal, Basil oil
or
Petit Beef Tenderloin Angus, Demi Glace with Fresh Herbs, Sautéed Green Asparagus
Fresh Profiterolle filled with Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream. Chocolate Ganache, Roasted Sliced Almond
Price $80.00 per person + Tax and Tip

Free Stuff Miami-Style

Let's face it – having fun in Miami can be a costly venture. But, like many cosmopolitan cities, Miami boasts a plethora of free activities. Always a thrifty bunny, I've scouted out some wallet-friendly deals perfect for these cash-strapped times.

Museums. Miami's cultural institutions are quite generous when it comes to waiving the regular admission fee on certain days of the week so you can get your art on and save some ducats. The Wolfsonian waives its $7 admission fee Fridays after 6pm. The Jewish Museum of Florida located in idyllic South of the Fifth neighborhood is free on Saturdays. And the Miami Art Museum doesn't charge admission on Second Saturdays and every Sunday.
Wolfsonian. 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach 33139. 305.531.1001
Jewish Museum of Florida. 301 Washington Ave. Miami Beach, 33139. 305.672.5044
Miami Art Museum101 West Flagler Street. Miami, 33130. 305. 375. 3000

Yoga. It is relaxing and improves balance and posture. But at $20/class it can be a pricey piece of Zen pie. Fortunately the folks at Lululemon Athletica feel for the yogis out there and offer a free evening class (usually around 6pm) every Sunday at their South Beach showroom. You can also head out to Miami's Bayfront Park Monday and Wednesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 9 am for a free class in the Tina Hills Pavilion overlooking Biscayne Bay.
Lululemon 826 Collins Ave, 2N. Miami Beach, FL 33139. 305. 673.8496
Bayfront Park. 301 North Biscayne Blvd. Miami 33132. 305.358.7550

Wine and assorted alcoholic bevvies. Yes! Free drinks – beer, cocktails, wine and spirits are complimentary every Second Saturday at Miami's Art and Design Night in both the Wynwood and Design District neighborhoods. Galleries, high-end furniture show rooms and private art collections throw open their doors and welcome the crowds with art and liquor and the occasional cheese platter. The drinks are free, but it's always polite to tip the servers.
Design District. NE 36th to NE 41st streets, west of Biscayne Blvd. Miami.
Wynwood. NW 19th to NW 36th streets, west of Biscayne Blvd. Miami.
P.S. - There's also MyOpenBarMiami for free drink listings all week long.

Author readings. Miami may not have the literary lineage of New York but we are still an attractive stop on any author's publicity book tour. Local bookworm mecca Books and Books hosts regular readings of famous and lesser-known authors on a virtually daily basis at their Coral Gables flagship and Lincoln Road and Bal Harbour branches. The readings are almost always free, but if you're looking for the author's autograph you should probably buy the book.
Books and Books. 265 Aragon Avenue. Coral Gables. 305.442.4408

Jazz. Every last Friday of the month the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami hosts free jazz concerts under the stars on their sprawling outdoor lawn. The concerts happen rain or shine and usually get going around 8pm. The museum galleries are also open by donation so you can catch some art with the music.
MOCA. 770 NE 123rd st. North Miami 33161. 305. 893.6211

Sat Night: Splashion

In honor of Miami Beach's annual Swim Week, MIAMI magazine is throwing a "Splashion" party at SET this Saturday. The South Beach club will be a sea of sculpted bods and drool-worthy swimwear with a runway show featuring looks from Green Grass, Praia Beach Boutique, Rebel, Tuccia Di Capri and Edward Beiner. Complimentary cocktails and DJ John Cash practically guarantee a good time. A $20 minimum donation is required at the door to benefit local eco-friendly charities ECOMB and the Surfrider Foundation. July 12, 10PM-Midnight. 320 Lincoln Rd. South Beach. 305.531.2800

Sat Night: Eat Your Art Out

Can you eat art? You'll see Saturday when local artist Jason Hedges combines food and art in Aesthetic Experience #13 (Lamb) at Locust Projects. The performance installation, which involves spit-roasting a lamb, focuses on ancient cooking techniques while contrasting with modern day kitchen conveniences. July 11, 7PM-11PM, no cover. 105 NW 23rd St., Wynwood, 305.576.8570.

Thoughts on This Journalism Thing

It's a sad time be a print journalist in Miami. Aside from this which is just so, so pitiful, I got a call from my editor at the Herald Home & Design magazine recently explaining that they're shutting down the magazine. Shame, too, because I think that while the specialty pub was a bit thin on the ads they consistently turned out some pretty good articles on Miami's thriving design and architecture scene. Through my work with the magazine I came in contact with some talented folk profiling people like Chad Oppenheim and Gene Meyer. Fellow media friends have sounded the deathwatch for other design pubs like Florida InsideOut. Guess there are no more lavish condo ads to keep these magazines going. The last issue of H&D comes out this month but for now here is my piece on unique restaurant design from last month's issue.
As a freelancer I've almost given up on pursuing print publications. Online it is!
Here are some recent articles for Miami.com.
A look at the new Regent Bal Harbour.
First Looks of Art of Food, DiBono's, Pacific Time, Fratelli Lyon, Kitchen 305, and Philippe.
I also had a chance to interview chef Mark Zeitouni of the Standard hotel's Lido Restaurant. Turns out he's a design buff in addition to being a celebrated chef.
And here's a quickie on the Co-op Miami.
I've also got a piece on Vix at the Hotel Victor where I drank the most expensive cup of coffee on earth. It's called "kopi luwak" and it's $45 for an espresso-sized cup. And yes, it was damn good.

Fashion Show at Co-Op Miami

Cinebistro

Dinner and a movie just got an upgrade with the opening of the swanky Cinebistro at the Dolphin Mall. Merge your love of flicks and food at Miami's first movie theater-restaurant combo featuring a full bar and a loungey Philippe Starck-designed dining room. Settle into the screening room's high back leather rocking chairs and feast on gourmet tapas-style eats like tuna ceviche with coconut and crisped shallots, cobb salad with lime-cumin dressing and grilled skirt steak. Movie tix are $15 but that includes comp valet.
11471 NW 12th St.
West Miami
305.455.7373

Down the Rabbit Hole

Gansevoort $99 Special

The Gansevoort South has rooms available for $99. Zowie. Them's a good deal!

Taste of the Nation Discount

Taste of the Nation is coming up on July 24. It's like the Sobe Wine and Food Fest, except less hectic, indoors and you actually get to talk to the chefs. Lots of good eats and wines to be had. Using the discount code TASTE08 nets you $200 for VIP and $100 for General Admission (that's $50 and $25 off, respectively). This discount code expires on July 13th so quit procrastinating and buy those tix. It's for a good cause!

Restaurant Chatter

• Social at the Sagamore has closed.
• The New Times new food blog Short Order is already causing a foodie-commenter-catfight.
  
• And the posters at Miami.com are NOT happy with Philippe.

Miami Cupcake Madness

Ahh, the obligatory cupcake post. I know, I know. It's practically illegal to write a blog these days and not have written about cupcakes. So here we are. The subject of this post? A pleasant morning spent tasting Miami's finest cupcakes in the home of one very gracious host, Jean Marc De Silva, cupcake enthusiast and proprietor of one very cool online design store coolcosas.com. The highlight of the day (besides the predictable sugar coma) was meeting fellow Miami blogger Paula, she of the fantastic Mango&Lime and her charming fiance. Paula's also got a great post on the cupcake tasting, so head over there for more food porn. I've got a detailed rundown soon to be up on Miami.com but here are some highlights to get you in the mood.

Classic vanilla and chocolate goodies from Stella's Sweet Shoppe. Fantastic presentation, lovely cake, but frosting was deemed a bit too thick for some.


Next up, the S'mores cupcake courtesy of Dots Treats. Lots of decadence here with brownie-like chocolate cake, marshmallow filling, dark chocolate ganache frosting and mini-marshmallow topping. A little too much fanfare for cupcake purists, but an interesting take on two old-fashioned sweets.


Two Girls and a Cupcake's "Chick Flick." Lots to like here with vanilla-on-vanilla action. Reminded me of really good wedding cake.

The prettiest of the bunch: Cupcakes Nouveau's treats with perfect fondant flowers. The cake and frosting were delicious with the vanilla bean cake redolent with flecks and a rich pudding-like frosting.


Nine varieties of cupcakes conquered, the triumphant end result.
A fun event, thanks Jean Marc!

Morimoto Migrates South

Like all smart snowbirds Iron Chef Morimoto plans to fly south this summer and hang with the old folks. He's opening a restaurant in Florida. But not in Miami, alas. In Boca. Accoding to "Cafe Bites," a New Times foodies newsletter, the chef is opening a sushi place at the Boca Raton Resort. From the post:

"Details are still sketchy, but the sushi-oriented restaurant will have an ocean theme — blue hues, white marble, and mahogany — done by New York multimedia designer Ben Rubin. Apparently the Iron Chef works hard to keep his iron constitution. “Every once in a while, he comes down here and you can see him jogging around the resort,” says PR director Carole Boucard. “And people are screaming, ‘Oh my God! That’s Morimoto!’”

Damn. I love me some Iron Chef vittles but not enough to schlep up to GatedCommunityville.

Salon Gilbert

Stylist Gilbert Roqueiro is a genius with a blow dryer. Trust me, the man knows his way around a head of hair. Stop by his shiny new red namesake salon in midtown to pamper your humidity-stressed tresses and take advantage of their bargain-priced packages like the "lunch express" where a blowout and simultaneous manicure goes for only $38 or opt for a Dr. Hauschka organic pedicure: it is sandal season after all. Best of all, you can book an appointment online!
Salon Gilbert
3430 N. Miami Ave.
Midtown
305.573.4288

Next Time in NYC

After reading the account of a meal at Matsugen that Jean-Georges delivers on his blog (yup, he's got a blog), I'm jonesing for some coarse buckwheat noodles and shabu shabu.
And I found this breathless account of a meal Momofuku Ko which leaves me thinking, eh. Not worth the trouble. English muffins, McDonald's-style apple pie? A little too precious for me.

Bella Rose

Sexy fixtures of South Beach's nightlife are flocking to the new Bella Rose lounge that occupies the former Boom Boom Room space. With a Lower East Side-meets-Miami aesthetic, the new club is refreshingly bottle service and attitude-free. Check out this hip hangout on Thursday nights when DJ Tom Laroc holds court at the turntables. 423 16th St., South Beach.

Philippe Miami at the Gansevoort

Everybody's talking about Philippe. The buzz-worthy NYC import opened at the Gansevoort South last week and the hordes are dim sum curious.
So what can we say about the high-end lo mein mecca?
Well, the space is dramatic. Two floors, 400 seats (is there ever a restaurant in Miami that can fill 400 seats?), a glass-enclosed kitchen with views accessible from the second floor, an all-black private wine room, lipstick-red couches, a buzzing bar. It's all there. The main attraction is the scene, and there's plenty of it. But that scene doesn't come cheap. Let's be blunt: this is an expensive restaurant. Specialty cocktails start at $20. (Other cocktails range from $15- $18). Mains are family-style (each dish serves 2) and they start at $42. For chicken and broccoli. You can order those as half dishes but it's still pricey.

To be fair, the food is good. Nothing I tried was bad, but it wasn't mind-blowing either. It's classic American-style Chinese food with a few subtle (very subtle) creative touches. Chef Philippe Chow's signature dishes are fun and worth trying like the chicken satay skewers (3 for $16) that have an alarming electric orange-color. Turns out they are dyed using carrot juice. They're also smothered in an addictive creamy peanut sauce. The kitchen is also magnificently talented when it comes to duck so make sure to order some sort of duck dish. We got the crispy duck pancakes (half order is $29) which were two lovely meaty shanks with skin that was crispy and flavorful. A neighboring table ordered the Peking Duck and it's presented tableside with all the accompanying fanfare; they wheel it out to ooh's and aaah's and an Asian chef carves it at the table. Speaking of fanfare, there's plenty of it here with a massive team of white-suited waiters, black Mao-jacketed foodrunners, and an assortment of other water-fillers, napkin-folders, plate-clearers, duck-carvers, etc. If you like lots of service, this is your place. There's also a nightly noodle show where a handkerchief-bedecked chef does some dramatic dough-kneading and expertly creates a curtain of noodles, much to the delight of the dining room.
It's chopstick shtick. And it will no doubt be a hit in Miami.
[photos via Tomas Loewy at CoolPoolEvents]

Where to Watch the 'Works

A nifty fireworks map courtesy of the Sun-Sentinel. I highly recommend NOT going to 8th and Ocean unless you want to simulate a Baghdad-style family outing.

Open Bar at O Asian Grill

Independence Day BBq's

Start your weekend off with gourmet fare courtesy of chef John Suley's upscale barbecue at Joley. Dine alfresco on the Hotel Astor's patio with delicious grub like BBQ Chicken, BBQ Brisket and sides like Jalapeño Corn Bread. Desserts include Berry Shortcake, Apple-pie and Peach Cobbler. Receive a complimentary cocktail when you dress in red, white and blue. $25 per person. 8PM, July 3. RSVP to (305) 534-3343 or email: Jodi Silva – Jodi@grandcrew.us.
956 Washington Ave. South Beach.

Head over to the Acqualina Resort for their annual 4th of July barbecue. This year's festivities include fashions by designer Carlos Miele, live Mediterranean music, specialty cocktails and gourmet barbecue vittles such as dry and wet St. Louis Ribs, hamburgers grilled to order, grilled chicken wings, grilled Mahi Mahi, four kinds of potato salad, a pasta bar from Il Mulino New York, gelato, and an array of desserts. $55, $27.50 for kids 12 and under. July 4, 12PM-4PM. 17875 Collins Ave. Sunny Isles. 305-534-0081 ext. 14 for reservations.

Celebrate Independence Day with not one, but two lavish buffet spreads and live entertainment at the posh 1 Bleu at the Regent Bal Harbour. Go for barbecue at the hotel pool's Aqua Soleil from 12PM-7PM or opt for The View Bar's clambake buffet taking place 6PM-10PM. Barbecue, $65, clambake, $75. July 4. 10295 Collins Ave. Bal Harbour; 305.455.5400

Wolfsonian Opening, July 3

When was the last time you thought about Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal? Thought so. Get thee to the Wolfsonian Thursday night for the opening of their new exhibit A Bittersweet Decade: The New Deal in America 1933-43. Through paintings, sculpture, vintage posters and furniture the show examines how government and culture collided in the aftermath of the Great Depression. July 3, 6:30PM-8:30PM. $10.
1001 Washington Ave.
South Beach
305.531.1001

New Blog Love

I've been remiss in adding two great blogs to my sidebar. Miami's best street photographer Miami Fever has a blog and Miami, bro a feisty gal with lots to say. Vilkomen!

Happy Hour at the Pelican

Catch South Beach hipsters reveling in the ocean breeze and enjoying bargain-priced cocktails at the Pelican Hotel's new weekday happy hour. Italian apertivos, Martinis, and tropical drinks are 50 percent off. A $7 bites menu sweetens the deal. Monday-Friday, 4PM-8PM. The Pelican Hotel, 826 Ocean Dr., South Beach, 305.673.3373.

The Brunch at the Setai

Nasi goreng for breakfast? You betcha. Banal brunch fare gets an upgrade from the Orient with The Restaurant at The Setai's brunch service. James Beard-endorsed Executive Chef Jonathan Wright oversees a feast including Chinese, Thai and Indian chef stations producing pad Thai, Hainanese chicken rice, curries, naan breads, dim sum and dishes from the Tandoor oven. Lox-loving epicureans need not fret: Classics like roast beef, pancakes, omelets and pastries are also be available. As a bonus, the fixed price includes a glass of Veuve Clicquot or a Bloody Mary. Sundays 11:30AM-3PM; $48.
2001 Collins Ave.
South Beach
305.520.6000

Restaurants with blogs

It's nice when restaurants do this (and actually update semi-regularly).
Here's Maino Churrascaria and Shing Wang.

Gen Art's SHOP Miami @ The Moore Building

Gen Art's SHOP Miami event was three floors of fashion madness last night. Lots of style mavens in the house trying on little dresses over their jeans and fighting for mirror space behind flimsy makeshift curtain dressing rooms. Once again the Moore Building proved to be a great venue for these types of events (even Shecky's crappy sale bonanza worked well in the space) with the elastic Zaha Hadid installation providing a welcome wackiness. The biggest traffic jam was in the front of the Toff Miami booth where one friend snagged 2 Ana Sui dresses for $140. Now that's a sample sale. The open bars kept the trend crusaders lubricated with Baileys, Peroni and 10 Can rum (although the only mixers were Vitamin Energy drinks, no rum and diet for you, skinny jeans lovers!). Local Miami designers were out in force including Krelwear, Ecoist, Nazly Villamizar and the subject of my latest fashion profile in 944, Tricia Fix, looking happy to be selling.

Indies Night @ Circa 28

After Hours with Daniel

Totally addicted to After Hours with Daniel Boulud. All the episodes are here, including his five shows in Miami. In this epi he gets Michael Schwartz to de-feather fresh game (and Schwartz admits it's his first time). Love how DB is so unapologetically old school.

Get Your 'Cue on at Johhny V's

Thursday June 26: Barbequlooza – a celebration of American BBQ served family-style at Johnny V Las Olas. Priced at $35 per person (plus tax and gratuity). The festivities begin at 7 p.m. with summery cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres followed by a decadent spread sure to please. Seats are limited to 40 attendees and must be reserved in advance. Menu items include Chipotle Barbequed Baby Back Ribs and Southern Style Fried Chicken with “White Trash” Gravy.
625 East Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.
(954) 761-7920

Thursday Night: Shop-tastic

Thursday night is consumption junction with THREE shopping events sure to attract all the usual hoi polloi. First up, the mammoth SHOP Miami at the Moore Building. Open bar, beauty treatments and lots of local designer goodness. Tix are $20. Miami.com has a nifty guide to the sample sale madness.
Over on Lincoln Road, the GUESS store is opening (in the old Cafeteria space) with Ingrid Casares hosting and DJ Tracy Young making sure you groove while snapping up skinny Italian jeans.
A few blocks away 944 mag is hosting a soiree a the Miss Sixty store with a live performance by Lady Gaga. Print out this invite for an additional 10%.

Free Drinks!

My Open Bar, the NYC-based free drink event website has just started a Miami edition. Thanky, thanky liquor-sponsor gods!

Roofies

This past week in New York it was all about the rooftop venues for drinks. The weather was fanstastic so I happily obliged and there were plenty of new skyscraper-grazing outposts to sample. There's the Peninsula Hotel's new Salon de Ning, the Empire Hotel's got a Jefferey Chodorow-run pool deck and there are a plethora more. I even managed to haul ass to Park Slope for a laid-back bbq in honor of a college friend's recent wedding. So on Sunday afternoon we wandered around the Meat Packing district and found ourselves at the Hotel Gansevoort rooftop, chock full of tourists and local cougars doing the drinks at 1pm thing. The pool is tiny by Miami standards, but that didn't stop the hordes of bikini-clad post-sorrority girls from cavorting like it was Ibiza. The best part? The view of the Soho House's rooftop scene.

Breakfast!

Oh sweet joy. Is there any better way to start the day than with an almond croissant? Especially when it is courtesy of Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery at the Time Warner Center. The bakery is the high-end chef's stab at plebeian dining; no $350 tasting menu here. Simple sandies and baked goods. We opted for the takeout counter, no need to sit under the giant Samsung sign in the mall. Apparently their homemade donuts are legendary but I just couldn't handle paying $4.50 for a donut. Instead we grabbed a few demi baguettes, almond and raspberry croissants ($3 each) and walked to Central Park. Loverly.

Weekend Goodness

I may be in New York this week but my inbox wouldn't know it. Check out these events this weekend.
Saturday June 21st at Mokai:
BELVEDERE VODKA
Invites You To Celebrate Summer
With Cool Cocktails & Special Host
MOLLY SIMS
sounds provided by Tom Laroc
RSVP 305.534.4166 or RSVP@Mokaimiami.com
and

Coffee and Chocolate

Been running around the city flitting from meeting to lunch date to meeting to coffee date like a mad hatter. Lots of fun stuff to report. Been drinking coffee like a fiend and found possibly the best cuppa at Roasting Plant Coffee on the Lower East Side (above). The place is set-up like with Willy Wonka-esque coffee shoots where you get to choose your beans - all organic with titles like Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, etc. - and they roast those bad boys right there on the spot and spark up the freshest brew ever.
Stopped by Israeli import Max Brenner's chocolate emporium in Union Square where a gaggle of Asian tourists were enamored of the Willy Wonka-ness on display there. Sampled some chocolate-covered pecans, pronounced them bittersweet-tastic and was on the move.

Miami Spice Preview

Zyr Vodka Dinner at Ortanique

There's more to vodka than cocktails, you know. Find out when Ortanique on the Mile hosts a Zyr Vodka maker's dinner today. See how the crystal-clear liquor compliments Hawaiian Kampachi ceviche and roasted stuffed quail. Zyr owner David Katz hosts the spirit-soaked repast. June 19, 7PM, $75. 278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, 305.446.7710

Chow Down

Philippe opens at the Gansy tonight. Take a wok on the wild side.

New York State of Mind

Sorry about the lack of bloggage friends, I'm in New York for the week, catching up with old friends, new friends and interacting with all sorts of humanity. Was the city always this crowded? Damn there are a lot of people here.
Tried blogging from Bryant Park yesterday which was idyllic and quiet and beautiful except for one thing: no outlets. They definitely need to get on that. I've been eating my way through the city of course, with a fantastic Greek feast at Avra (thanks again Greta and Allison!), pickles on the Lower East Side, a stop at my fave falafel shack Mamoun's, and drinks at my old college haunt, The Heights, where I found myself thinking was this place always so...sticky?
More pics and updates on the way. In the meantime you Miamians should read this First Look of Fratelli Lyon.

Y-3 Temp Store

Love the futuristic apparel at Miami's adidas and Yohji Yamamoto Y-3 store but too lazy to hop over to the Design District? Fret not, beach bums, the Japanese-influenced fashions have migrated over the causeway with a temporary store in South Beach. You'll spot everyone from bauble-clad socialites to trendsetting fashion junkies snapping up the space-age gear, featuring highlights from the summer ‘08 collection like the funky gold metallic "Honja" hightops. Through June 23.
1655 Meridian Ave.
South Beach
305.573.1603

Sat. Night Gallery Haps

If you have yet to attend one of Miami's "Second Saturdays" gallery walks then here's the perfect opportunity for you. Not only is there stellar art to be seen, commented on and perhaps be perplexed by, complimentary Belvedere Vodka cocktails abound while scoping the scene at PanAmerican ArtsProjects, Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts, and Kevin Bruk Gallery. June 14, 7PM-10PM.
PanAmerican ArtsProjects
2450 NW 2nd Ave.
Wynwood
305.573.2400

Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts
2043 N. Miami Ave.
305.576.1804

Kevin Bruk Gallery
2249 NW 1st Place
305.576.2000

Also, Milou Gallery celebrates Second Saturday on June 14, 2008 with the opening of ART FIX @ 36th Street exhibition. The reception is free and open to the public from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. with complimentary wine. The exhibition runs through July 11, 2008 at Milou Gallery 17 NW 36th Street, Miami, FL 33127. For information please call (305) 573-8450 or visit www.perrymilou.com.

Fridays at Level 25

Friday night happy hour just got an upgrade. Join Brickell power players as they sip $6 cocktails at Level 25's end-of-the-week fest, Elevated Fridays. Nestled in the posh 25th floor lounge of the Conrad Miami, the icing on this cake are chef Michael Gilligan's complimentary hors d'oeuvres served from 6PM-7PM. Fridays, 5PM-8PM. Conrad Miami, 1395 Brickell Ave., Downtown, 305.503.6529.

Contests!

If there is one thing I heart more than free drinks it is contests prizes, especially when they are sponsored by the best website in town. Today they are giving away a buttload of good stuff including tickets to Undershorts and VIP entrance to The Fifth Saturday night. So get over there and win some swag.

Havana Thursdays @ The Biltmore

Channel Havana's glamorous heyday tonight and every Thursday through September when the old school-glam Biltmore relaunches their popular LIVE at the Biltmore party. Join Coral Gables PYT's and assorted eye candy as the action kicks off at the Cascade Poolside Bar and Grill, where the half-off Don Julio cocktails will certainly get you grooving. 6PM-10PM.
1200 Anastasia Ave.
Coral Gables
305.662.7152

Ain't No Party Like a Summer Party

Remember when we used to sit around during the sultry Miami summers and fondly observe how things were so....slow? How there was just nothing to do except drink at Zeke's and see a movie on Lincoln Road?
Well, memo to nightlife denizens: Miami no longer takes a break in the summer.
Case in point - this week. Tuesday night was the Blackbook party at Kobe Club (that's the stingray-skin bar above). It was pretty swank, what will all the free kobe beef ravioli making the rounds. Wednesday night Miami.com hosted a happy hour at North 110, the Webster boutique hosted a champagne-soaked sample sale, and Circa 28 hosted a Locos Por Juana CD release party. (People still buy CD's?)
And take tonight: The W South Beach is celebrating thier "topping off" with a chi-chi soiree, Abokado and Ocean Drive are teaming up for a Social happy hour, Monsieur the men's elite day spa is hosting an opening bash in Coral Gables and the Biltmore just relaunched their buzzing Thursday night Havana-themed party.
Zowie.

Goth Party @ Upper East Side Garden

Undershorts

Thursday night catch Undershorts, a late-night series of provocative political plays that poke fun at our current political circus.
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County
1300 Biscayne Blvd.
Downtown
305.949.6722.

Segafredo Migrates North

Segafredo is coming to the Bal Harbour Shops. Will the high-end coffee lounge lure flashy Euro-trash away from BH Shops stalwart Carpaccio's?
Possibly.
The Brickell location seems to be doing well and they plan more locations in Miami Beach. (They're not associated with the Segafredo on Lincoln Road, they're owned by this company.) It's good to see a hangout-friendly place opening in North Beach. Now there will be something else to do in the 'hood besides sipping wine on the sidewalk outside Ragazzi's.

The Webster Temporary Summer Sale

The Webster Temporary is having a massive sale Wednesday, slashing prices on brands like Miu Miu, Lanvin, and Balenciaga so you best get over there before the fashion barracudas snap it all up. Plus, free champagne! Holla!
Wednesday, June 11 6pm-9pm.
919 Collins Avenue; 305.674.7899

Vampire Weekend Loves Miami

Last night's Vampire Weekend show at the Fillmore was oodles of good fun. Lots of fresh-scrubbed indie kids and plenty of late-20's types loving the Cape Cod-themed rock. They played their entire oeuvre (with the exception of "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance") and 2 new ones which really, really reminded me of Graceland but it was more than ok with me and everyone there. The place was packed and I think the band was genuinely surprised at the outpouring of love from the audience. Stage banter was minimal at first and then quirky and appealing: "We like to do a call and response with "Blake's Got a New Face", but if you're not into it, that's ok. Don't leave the safe zone." They also really dug the Fillmore venue as lead singer Ezra observed, "I love these chandeliers, they remind me of UFO's" and promised that next time they came to town they'd have a tricked-out stage design with a diamond-encrusted Vampire Weekend sign. Fun, cute, fun. We walked out of there smiling.
I found this shaky youtube vid of the concert. You get a sense of the energy of the show, with everyone singing along. I realize the lead singer reminds of the kid from Harold and Maude, a good thing.

"MIA-Punk"

I honor of Vampire Weekend at the Fillmore Miami tonight. A little something to get you in the mood.

Kobe Club Gets Spicey

Proffering platters of pampered beef, Miami's Kobe Club has joined Miami Spice, both for the preview this week and for the August-September gorge-fest. You may be wondering how the chic eatery, whose menu includes a $225 Wagyu sampler can possibly participate in the $36 three-course menu promotion. By offering upgrades, of course. From the press release:

The three course meal begins with a choice of: Kobe Beef Tartare-fresh wasabi root, quail egg, crostinis; Iced Hamachi with jalapeno, pineapple and scallion; Caesar Salad-romaine heart, traditional dressing, shaved parmesan, butcher black pepper; American ‘Kobe’ Beef Cheek Ravioli in truffle broth; Tomato & Red Onion Salad with aged balsamico; Slow Roasted Applewood Smoked Bacon & Black Truffles; or Iceberg Wedge with tomato relish, maytag blue cheese.

Entrees choices include: Pan Seared Salmon with lobster dumplings & Tarragon beurre blanc; Roasted Kurobuta ‘Black’ Pork Chop with Japanese chili-pepper apple sauce; Wild Mushroom Pasta with portabellas, porcini and chanterelles; Filet of Snapper Meunier; Mustard-Rubbed Organic Chicken with pan roasted vegetables.

Wagyu Filet (Kobe & Kobe style Beef) upgrades are also available: 4 oz American +$30, 4 oz Australian +$40 and 4 oz Japanese +$80 with a choice of gorgonzola butter, toasted peppercorn sauce; or truffle Hollandaise sauce. All Entrees are accompanied by one side dish that includes: Wasabi and Shiso Whipped Potatoes, Sake White Truffle Creamed Corn; or Creamed Spinach. To satisfy the sweet palate, dessert is the chef’s Kobe Club Sampler.

Frankly, it's still quite a bargain. And dining at Kobe Club is a unique death-defying experience, what with all those Samurai swords hanging from the ceiling. Take advantage of the menu madness, people, who knows how much longer those fatty cows will be around!

Miami Boutiques: Boobies, Frocks and Horses

If you love your décolletage, head over to the new Intimacy store at the Aventura Mall to give yourself the royal treatment. Helmed by Oprah's bra goddess, Susan Nethero, this boutique has every style, color and special size that a lady can dream of. The in-house bra fit "specialists" provide individual consultations to fit you perfectly with select European lingerie from brands like La Perla, Aubade and Chantelle. 19501 Biscayne Blvd. 786.629.9229.

The science of dressing well gets a boost from Alchemist boutique on Lincoln Road. The brainchild of powerhouse fashion couple Erika Sussman and Roma Cohen–she's a former magazine style editor, his parents own Oxygene at Bal Harbour Shops–draws serious clothes hounds to their gold-brick store. Relish selections like a cashmere shift dress from Alexander Wang, and frocks from Burberry Porsum to name a few of the chi-chi brands in stock. 438 Lincoln Road, South Beach; 305.531.4653.

Paul Jacober is bringing horses back. Boutiques quickly sold out of the graphic designer's superthin cotton tees featuring idyllic silhouettes of rodeo scenes for a look that is as much as equestrian-chic as tongue-in-cheek. Creative fashionistas are now hoofing it over to Base to pick up his latest collection Nevermind the Roses, a playful take on Union Jacks and antler fever. Base, 939 Lincoln Rd, South Beach; 305. 531-4982.

Andu Restaurant and Lounge, Brickell

It's not often you find a salad as vibrant and refreshing as the asparagus and beet salad at Andu. Buttressed by baby spinach and gorgonzola, the dish is simple and clean, allowing the subtle flavors of the roasted beets and asparagus to shine through. It's dishes like that unfussy salad that give me reason to like Andu, even if other folks don't agree. I visited the Brickell spot when it first opened for a First Look and recently went back for a casual Saturday night dinner. It is Mediteranean fare, presently honestly and with good feeling.
Recommended dishes:
- Artichoke puree dip topped with feta; tangy and refreshing.
- Yukon potato gnocchi. The cream sauce is lick-the-bowl delicious.
- Grilled yellowtail snapper. A little pricey at $27 but beautifully presented with crispy skin seasoned with lemon and sea salt. Perfect. It comes with a side of fennel slaw that nicely balances the meaty fish.
- Side of sauteed musrooms - a bowl of portabello, oyster and shiitake, flash fried for a crispy finish.
- Side of fries seasoned with cajun spices and Parmesan cheese. The bowl is big enough for four and you'll be fighting over the last one.

It all goes well with a $32 of Martin Codax Alabrino or a $40 bottle of Rosenbloom viognier, both of which are the best bets on Andu's short wine list. According to the owners, they plan to introduce a new summer menu soon, including a chipotle shrimp dish with spicy avocado and hearts of palm salad. They brought out a tasting portion for us to try and it was quite good.
Andu is definitely a downtown gem and not as expensive as other newcomer to the area Badrutt's and Abokado. Make your way over to the NeoVertika building and park yourself at the marble bar. It's a sweet spot.

Fratelli Lyon, Design District

If you like food you should eat at Fratelli Lyon. The food is good. And it's not expensive. The space is cool. Housed in the Driade showroom the restaurant is bright and airy with lots of stainless steel, orange plastic placemats and barstool seating. The stylish modern dining room provides the backdrop for imaginative Italian cuisine tempered with old-world touches. It is ingredient-fetishizing fare with a hefty list of antipasti, meats and cheeses.

The food is artistic but seldom precious, the key to its success. Standouts from the antipasti list included the eggplant capponata (top) made with raisins and pine nuts, the marinated wild mushrooms and the chicken liver crostini. A fennel and shaved Parmesan salad (above) was big enough for two and a nice starter. Chef Ken Lyon gets his mozzarella and ricotta from Vito the cheesemaker from Pompano (some of you may know the cheesy goodness from Vito's table at the Upper East Side farmer's market. The man knows his way around a curd.) That ricotta provided a creamy compliment to a dish of torta di melanzane, a dish of layered eggplant, pecorino, tomato sauce and basil. Portions are generous and the fare is hearty so plan on sharing an order of the fresh pea risotto, not too heavy, but filling nonetheless. Another impressive dish is the filet of sole lightly breaded topped with pickled onion, pine nuts and raisins. It's served at room temperature which suits the dish well, allowing its marinade of cured lemons (the chefs cures them himself) mixed with garlic, vinegar, oregano and bay leaf to douse the fish with a North African tanginess that elevates the dish to something sublime.

For dessert, you can't go wrong with the affogato, a shot of espresso poured over homemade vanilla ice cream. Oh! affogato tell you the best part: the coffee at the bottom of the dish is a perfect post-dinner elixir.

City Beautiful = City Discountful

Coral Gables restaurant week has been extended an extra week. It now ends June 15. Get thee to an eatery!

V-Necks and Vampires

Well looky here, I interviewed Vampire Weekend. It was a fun 29-minute conversation.
Looking forward to the show Monday night. Should be a good one.

Small Plays, Big Fun

Pressed for time? Not to worry, the city's 13th Annual Summer Shorts Festival kicked off this Saturday with a series of mini-plays concise enough to entertain even the shortest attention span. We caught a performance of Series A and it was chock full of good fun. The eight plays were indeed short (about 10 minutes each) and the topics ranged from seriously thought-provoking - the war in Afganistan, pedophiles, the Holocaust - to the seriously funny: schizophrenic sock puppets and talking mimes. The actors are an impressive lot, taking on multiple roles within each series and giving each performance the necessary nuance and exuberance that a grueling performance schedule like this requires. Watching the plays is a bit of an emotional roller-coaster, enhanced by the intimacy of the Arsht Center's studio theater, but it's ultimately 90 minutes of damn good entertainment.
Through June 22. Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Downtown, 305.949.6722.

Hot n' Trashy

Ever since learning to make sushi at Doraku I've found homemade sushi-making parties to be the best Sunday night activity. Last week we were craving sushi hard and had no desire to leave the house or brave the supermarket. Luckily we had the basics on hand: sushi rice, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, pickled ginger and a 6-pack of TsingTao beer (yes, beer is a vital component of sushi-making parties).
For fillings we had: a perfectly ripe avocado, red peppers, cucumbers. In the absence of fresh fish we raided the freezer and found a pack of imitation crab and, *gasp*, frozen fish sticks. You heard me, frozen fish sticks. This girl's not ashamed to say I like to channel my 3rd grade years every once in a while with a nice processed piece of breaded goodness. Thus was born the Hot n' Trashy roll, a deliciously low-brow maki filled with strips of fried fish sticks (preferably Gorton's but Mrs. Paul's will do in a pinch) spicy mayo mix and strips of dill pickles. The mingling of the crispy fish, vinegar-inflected pickles and creamy chili sauce is the confluence of so many strong trailer-trash flavors you're almost tempted to slap on a pair of jean cut-offs, tease your hair and declare Bud Light the nectar of the gods. Like a good blogger I'll dutifully proffer the recipe for you here, should you decide to lay an unrefined Yankee hand to what would otherwise be respectable Japanese food.
Hot n' Trashy Maki Roll
sushi rice and nori
2 Gortons's fish sticks (preferably the Classic Golden Crunchy Fillets)
2 spears Claussen Kosher Dill pickles, sliced thin. If you're feeling particularly ballsy, Batampte pickles also work well.
red pepper sliced thin
2 Tbl. mayonaise
1 tsp. chirashi chili sauce
Prepare the sushi rice this way. We don't use a rice cooker and it always comes out fine. But using a wooden bowl is key. Mix together the mayo and chili sauce and arrange one strip of each ingredient on rice and nori. Roll and slice.
Marry your first cousin. (optional)

Tomorrow: UNIV Anniversary Party

Get Your Steak On at Raphael's

During the month of June Raphael's restaurant on Lincoln Road will be offering a special "Meat Market" menu. Guests that order from the Meat Market menu will receive a garden salad sprinkled with organic corn oil vinaigrette, a choice of house wine and the Aphrodite Crème Brulee with fresh mint and pineapple.
Choose from a selection of prime-cuts including the Filet Mignon ($28.90); the New York Strip Steak ($23.70); Lamb Chops ($28.80); Kosher Bon- In Rib-Eye Steak ($28.90); Steak and Fries ($15.60). All prime cuts are served with a selection of sautéed or roasted vegetables, homemade mashed potatoes, Raphael’s special round fries and roasted Yukon potatoes.
They also have a Happy Hour from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This promotion runs from June 1-June 30.
Raphael’s is at 530 Lincoln Road.

Feeling Crepey

I'm in the mood for crepes. Light, fluffy, spongy, lovely crepes. Kind of like this dish of pear brown butter crepes with pistachio ice cream that I recently devoured at Joley at the Hotel Astor.

Miami Spice Preview

It's all about the prix-fixe menus these days. Coral Gables restaurant week starts this week and runs through June 9. Menupages blog does a nice job of highlighting restaurants worth checking out. And from June 16-30 several beach and mainland restaurants will be participating in a Miami Spice Preview, offering 3-course meals for $35. Some of the menus are online and a quick perusal shows bargains at places Blue Door and Cioppino. In fact, Cioppino is also offering a wine pairing for an additional $20; that's 3-courses plus wine for $55, roughly half of what a meal like that usually costs. Hello summer!