GRAND OPENING

Known for its glamour and exclusivity, the Delano Hotel in South Beach is not really familiar with the phrase “low key”. With that said, it’s no wonder that the grand opening of its new Italian restaurant, Bianca called for a party filled with celebrities, artists and some of Miami’s most beautiful people.

Party goers noshed on savory hors d’oeuvre such as tender meatballs, crab cake BLT, yellow fin tuna crisp and grilled octopus alongside celebrities like Kevin Connoly and Michelle Rodriguez. But it didn’t end there, as world renowned jazz trumpeter, Chris Botti enchanted the crowd with a live performance in the middle of the pool patio amidst the whimsical décor that we all know and love from the outdoor space at the Delano. Attendees were also able to sample some of the cocktails to be featured on the Bianca cocktail list such as a mixture of Jack Daniels, blood orange puree, lemon juice and ginger beer known as the Tuscan Sunset. Just as beautiful as it is tasty, this drink had everyone in the party mood.

To what do we owe such an extravagant celebration, you wonder? Well, Bianca is not your typical Italian restaurant. Besides its prime location and beautiful décor, the chefs at Bianca have embraced the farm to table concept and are in participation with the Slow Food Movement, an international non-profit network that is committed to improving the way food is cultivated, distributed and even perceived. Brought to you by nightlife and hospitality company, The Light Group, Bianca’s Chef Brian Massie is bringing South Florida diners simple yet savory cuisine, which will include signature dishes like wood-grilled langoustines and handmade pasta with seasonal truffles and a hint of cream. Choose from a selection of entrees like salt roasted Branzino with roasted potatoes and all natural sirloin bistecca with black truffle potatoes. Guests can also pair their meal with Bianca’s carefully selected wine list and cocktail menu. As for the décor, The Delano definitely did not fall short (as if it ever has). The egg shell-toned seats, drapes, walls and napkins create a surreal yet comforting ambiance that contrasts particularly well with the dark wooden tables and crystal clear glassware. Choose to sit inside the hotel or venture out on the patio near the pool deck. Either way, you will be able to soak up the Delano atmosphere in all its modern glory.

Bianca is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations are suggested.

Bianca
(305) 674-5752
1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
http://www.delano-hotel.com

Miami's Design District is soon to have one more Fancy Furniture showroom as part of its collection. Kreiss, a fourth-gen family business famed for creating the "California Look" will host a Grand Opening Celebration on Tuesday, January 10th from 7-9 PM. In addition to being the first to peruse their three new collections, guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and sip eco-conscious cocktails courtesy of VeeV. (RSVP Kreiss@taraink.com or 305.864.3434 ext. 199)

Sometimes, you want to do more than just drink at bar. Say hello to Chalk, Sobe's latest nightlife endeavor by managing partners Robert Chalk, Sayra Moto and Joseph Blount. A Grand Opening celebration will kick off this Thursday, January 5th with a private, invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony officiated by Miami Beach Vice-Mayor Michael Gongora at 9PM. The party continues all night, opening doors to the public at 10 PM. (RSVP: RSVP@chalkmiami.com.)

Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir.

Channel your inner Lady Marmalade before sauntering over to SoBe's newest lounge, High Club. The swanky, sexy new 5,000 sq.ft. French parlour has officially opened on Ocean Drive. Parisian nightlife guru Gil Thevenet's first US venture comes complete with a plush Victorian era VIP, handmade black leather-buttoned walls contrasted by a white laquer bar and record studio-quality Tannoy speakers.

The grand opening celebration kicked off on Thursday, November 17th with Belvedere cocktails and French music mixers DJ Navy & DJ Keidy.

The Sagamore is in the midst of making of a comeback. The eclectic establishment had little in the way of spa and salon services compared to most of its neighbors and competitors on Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue. Enter Sabrina Badeaux, the already successful spa/salon owner of Chez Badeaux, consulted to create a sleek new space for the artsy hotel. Joonbug attended an exclusive soft opening party and chatted with Sabrina about her latest masterpiece, Muse.

Is there a story behind "Muse" being selected as the name for the spa/salon?
Sagamore is known as the Art Hotel, and since most artists have a 'Muse' that inspires them to create, we wanted to name the spa Muse... Guests will be inspired to relax and further enjoy their stay at the hotel.

Cheryl Maleh's Kickstarter campaign to bring fashion shows to New York's LES has finally reached its funding goal! The show will go on! Beginning September 7th and running through October 1st, this part fashion showcase/ part pop-up shop will include 12 events that definitely cannot be missed!

Paste USA, Olasul, Sir New York, Rachel Rose, Lumete, Alexandra Taylor, Meghan Patrice Riley, Gemma Redux, Domestic Holding, Reddoll by Tatyana Mereyuk, Newform Perspective, FE Wearables, Shaelon Smith, C Pettel, Pip-Squeak Chapeau, Shown to Scale, Visantine Collective, Eleanor Lee Jewelry, and Adha Zelma Jewelry are all of the designers participating in the LES fashion extravaganza!

Hamburgers are great, but it almost seems as if South Florida - as well as the rest of the nation - has become so over-saturated with specialty hamburger restaurants that it’s getting a little boring, and the people are craving something new and delicious that they can hold in their hands. Thankfully, we have our neighbors to the south of us who have been eating tacos out of their hands since almost time immemorial. Over the past several years, the American public has been acquainting itself with real deal Mexican tacos and slowly dispelling its preconceived ideas of Mexican fast food being Taco Bell. Consequently, not only have authentic taco trucks become increasingly popular, but even Gringos are starting to open and run taco trucks and taco restaurants.

The West Village experiences a burst of creativity and global flavor March 24th with the opening of this specialty mussel-concept restaurant. At The Mussel Pot, the menu brims with fresh mussels served in over two dozen different types of sauces from various regions across the globe: American, Italian, Asian, French, Mexican, Brazilian, and Greek creations. Each 1-lb mussel dish comes with a suggested house-made bread pairing to soak up the sauce.

Executive Chef Ronnie Esposito, formerly the Executive Sous Chef at NYY Steaks in Yankee Stadium, helms the kitchen and introduces such signature mussel dishes as Chef's Best: fresh lobster, crispy pancetta, black truffles; Ciaopino: classic Italian broth, clams, shrimp, scallops, basil, garlic, parmesan croutons; and Athens: Kalamata olives, feta cheese, red onion and fresh oregano.

For all you hard-core hip-hop fans out there, hit up B.B Kings Blues Club and Grill for acclaimed DJ Funkmaster Flex’s Birthday bash from 7-10pm. Special guests include throwback rappers Ja Rule, Camron, Shaggy and Capone and Noriega. Tickets are $30 in advance and more at the door.

Dirt Nasty aka Simon Rex is celebrating the release of his sophomore album Nasty As I Wanna Be at the famed mega-club Webster Hall from 8:30pm-2am. Doors open at 8pm so bring $12 for entry and be prepared to dance.

Vegas hit the curb for lunch this Saturday for gourmet burgers, hot dogs, and tacos. Saturday, July 24th from 6:00pm to 10:00pm Curbside Café will be outside of Hellboys 702 Tattoo shop at the South East corner of Rainbow and Sahara freeway. For Curbside's grand opening they will be giving away the first 50 burgers, plus a free Hellboys 702 t-shirt and a $50 certificate for your Tattoo at Hellboys 702. There will be two for one burger specials that will last until the food runs out.