MIDTOWN
Go BIG Productions, , the team responsible for putting together Swedish House Mafia’s notorious Masquerade Motel parties and the newest addition to the festival roster UR1 Festival, has gotten together to bring us Back In Black, Miami’s largest costume dance music party.
For the third annual fest, EDM fans will get to don their dance friendly duds and lash out to some of the top names in the world of electronic music including Dirty South, Paul van Dyk, Funkagenda, The Crystal Method, LA Riots and Electrik Dread. Hosted in a 100,000 square foot tent in Miami’s Midtown, this year’s Back in Black promises to be the largest one yet with even more surprise artists, yet to be named.
Sofia’s Wine Bar & Café may have only opened in 2009 but what this rustic midtown wine bar offers extends beyond its short time of operation. This quaint and old-world inspired Italian eatery has a rich history within its dishes and within the Italian dining scene. Chef and restaurateur Tommaso DeGrezia (His father opened one of the oldest pizzerias in Brooklyn and is credited for being the first to offer pizza lovers slices.) along with his wife, a former curator of an art gallery, Toni DeGrezia prepare organic, home-style dishes celebrating their Neapolitan and Sicilian cultures. Many of their dishes are original family recipes that have been handed down generation after generation only increasing Sofia’s (Tommaso’s great-grandmother’s name) deep connection to their family’s history.
After emabarking on his jam packed Freaks Of Nature Tour this summer, Kaskade is coming back to the Big Apple to bring out the "freak" in everyone at the lavish, midtown nightclub, Lavo.
The Chicago native is a house hold name and has been producing for more than a decade. He has hit the decks of Vegas superclubs, major festivals and is no stranger to LAVO NYC. He got behind the booth last year for co-owner Noah Tepperberg's birthday and is sure to attract a solid crowd to the club this Thursday.
His signature tunes produce flowy melodies infused with pleasant female vocals seen in "Eyes" and "Angel On My Shoulder." Kaskade and Lavo couldn't be a more perfect combination for it's consistent star studded talent appreciated by the music lover in every New Yorker.
Itching for Karaoke? Yes, you are. Here’s good news! Pulse is having a Grand Re-Opening next Wednesday, July 18th.
Renovated and upgraded, Pulse is the most technologically advanced karaoke lounge East of the Hudson and West of the East River. Highlighted at the new lounge, iPad and audio/visual capabilities buddies up with new LED lights and a pulsating sound system that features 85,000 songs you’ll never get tired of singing.
Throwing a party for a friend or a company get-together? Pulse has six private suites for any occasion and a lounge that can cater up to 140 people.
There are only two retail spaces left in Grand Central Terminal, and for the first time in 25 years, they are up for grabs. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced this week that they are making two sizable new spots available for restaurants.
One space is roughly 12,000 square-feet and located on the west side of Vanderbilt Hall. The marble floors used to serve as the waiting room and has been used for special events.
The other section that will be available for lease is the area above the Grand Central Market. The 4,700 square-foot space that is currently being used for storage will become a place where diners can enjoy a meal and a view from the balcony looking over the market.
Never stale, New York’s atmosphere is always changing. Clubs, restaurants, and venues are evolving, revolving and dissolving at such a fast pace, sometimes you need a little held pinning down what’s actually going on. Here to help, browse this list of newly opened and soon to be opened hot spots within the Five Burroughs.
191 Chrystie Street New York, NY 10002
Ever hear of love at first sight? According to the NY Post, residents on West 30th in between Seventh and Eight avenues are seeing love alright, in the form of used condoms and other paraphernalia!
The soiled specimens are believed to be the traces of the patrons leaving Rebel NYC and Parlour Midtown, two clubs that are popular on the weekends.
The restaurant Beer Table in Park Slope is a mecca for beer lovers with appetites. They boast 25 specialty changing bottles, 7 rotating drafts, a cask ale and a cellar of vintage and rare beers - not to mention a full menu of thoughtful food.
In a huge bonus to midtown commuters, owner, Justin Philips, opened The Beer Table Pantry in 2011, a retail store in Grand Central stocked with craft bottled beers and a to-go growler bar.
We had the opportunity to talk to Justin about opening and running his beer business.
Comedian Tommy Davidson doesn't discriminate. He'll find something funny in everyone and everything, from black people to white people to Obama and even dinosaurs. This comedy vet has been doing stand-up since the 80's and is widely known for his impersonations, made famous on In Living Color in the '90s. You can also catch him in chuckle-worthy flicks like Booty Call, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls and Juwanna Mann.
Who were some of your comedy heroes growing up?
Richard Pryor number one. Bill Cosby. Eddie Murphy.
When you think of brunch, what usually comes to mind is boring buffets of dry pastries, watered down mimosas, omelet stations, and if you’re lucky, maybe some smoked salmon that’s been sitting out for way too long. When I think of brunch, I think of freshly baked maple bacon sticky buns, crispy pig ear, kimchi eggs benedict and bloody mary’s made with locally grown and freshly puréed heirloom tomatoes. Where have I been going to brunch, you ask? A little place in the heart of Miami’s Design District called Michael's Genuine Food and Drink that’s been taking Sunday brunch to a whole new level.
James Beard Award winning chef, Michael Schwartz has been doing his thing in Midtown Miami since 2007. His passion for local and fresh seasonal ingredients grown in a sustainable way is what inspires him to serve seriously good comfort food where the ingredients are the star. And since no meal is complete without dessert, nationally recognized pastry chef, Hedy Goldsmith, has got you covered. Her unique creations influenced by childhood favorites and a bountiful assortment of fresh fruits and herbs paired with her incomparable pastry skills are what make her well-known. It didn’t take much time for this place to become a hub for healthy eaters and foodies, alike, and their patronage aided in putting The Design District on the culinary map.
My Sunday brunch experience was truly a genuine one, especially since I had a reservation, which is highly recommended if you’re not a fan of waiting. The atmosphere at Michael’s Genuine is very much like that of a New York eatery: sophisticated yet casual. The décor is straightforward with colorful walls and red accents contrasted with rich chocolate-colored furniture. The exposed wood oven and kitchen makes the vibe casual and comforting. Sit at a table, booth or bar inside , or take advantage of the weather on the patio underneath an umbrella.
As anyone should, I started the afternoon with not just any Bloody Mary, but a Genuine Mary made with freshly puréed, local golden heirloom tomatoes, vodka, horseradish and a touch of honey - a sweet twist on a brunch classic. The menu is separated into different categories including snacks, meats, breads, eggs & things, savory and sweets. All dishes are served tapas style. Our server suggested we start off with some snacks and that each person should order a savory and a sweet item for a flavor-balanced meal.
As a snack, we started off with the deviled eggs and crispy pig ear. The filling for the deviled eggs was incredibly creamy and the perfect bite to get your appetite going. The crispy pig ears were cut into strips and seasoned to perfection. With a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the top, these crunchy cracklings were bursting with flavor and can make for a perfect Happy Hour snack, if I might add. In no time, the tapas began to arrive starting with the savory. The breakfast pizza was thin and crispy, just the way I like it. Bubbling with Monterrey cheesy goodness, it came topped with smoky bacon bits and a fried farm-fresh egg. Next came my choice of wood oven roasted double yolk egg with tomato and chives snuggled into a little ramekin topped with gruyere, baked and served with a sourdough crostini that is used as a spoon to scoop up the mixture of piping hot egg and cheese. My favorite of the savory dishes was the kimchi benedict. A toasted crumpet is topped with crispy pork belly, a poached farm egg and a velvety kimchi hollandaise.
After our table was cleared out and we were given clean plates and utensils, on came the sweetness. The sticky buns came first: two rolled buns topped with a truly sticky maple and bacon glaze. Sugar and pork fat never tasted so good together. The lemon ricotta pancakes were light and fluffy, topped with fresh ricotta and a side of cranberry vanilla compote for the perfect combination of sweet and tangy. We also ordered a sweet and rich coffee cake, which was topped with a sour cream sauce to cut through the sweetness. Last, taking me back to my childhood weekday mornings were chef Goldsmith’s reinvented pop-tarts, which arrive as two flaky little pouches stuffed with strawberry and passion fruit fillings. You will never look at pop-tarts the same way again! Finally, the ultimate test for a restaurant is how good their coffee is. In my opinion, if they take the time to ensure good tasting and fresh coffee, that says a lot about their standards. My steaming hot cup of organic coffee was bold yet smooth and obviously fresh. Well done, Michael’s Genuine!
So, the next time you want to change up your Sunday routine with a perfectly balanced and wholesome brunch, have a special occasion to celebrate, or are just in the neighborhood, give Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink a try for food that is local, fresh and straight-up delicious!
Brunch at Michael’s is only served on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
130 NE 20th Street Miami, FL 33137
(305) 573-5550
http://www.michaelsgenuine.com
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