SOUTH BEACH
With another great week of Summer Thursdays under our belt, we are thrilled to say that our new weekly party is doing as well as we expected. Our strategic choice of Open Format music, differentiating ourselves and our party from the rest of the beach, is working, as the local party goers and the vacationers frequenting our party are loving it. Our new partnership with SMAC Entertainment and Michael Capponi & Michael Martin is going very well. Our two crowds are mixing seamlessly, creating new synergies and a fun, high energy party every week. Our events at WET & Living Room are creating great buzz around town, giving locals and hotel guests a more relaxed nightlife option. Being able to get a drink in a beautiful, calm setting in Miami beach is rare, however the W property fills this void, and it shows. We are looking forward to seeing everybody out this week for Summer Thursdays at the W South beach. Drinks at WET & Living Room from 10pm-2am. Dancing in WALL 11pm-5am.
Another great Thursday night at the W South Beach, and once again, we're back at it! Joonbug Miami and Smac Entertainment have proved that their new partnership with Michael Capponi and Michael Martin brings some unbelievable energy to the night, and that Summer Thursdays are here to stay! The crowds are really feeling our choice of true "Open Format" sounds that our DJs have been providing, and this week will be no different. We welcome Dijital, a Wall favorite and his first time playing the newly improved Summer Thursdays. Let's just say that excitement is an understatement!
More than just WALL, Summer Thursdays are excited that WET (Poolside at W South Beach) is really picking up steam. Our resident DJs Ryan Jove and Andres Fresko, have been doing a great job of playing funky, groovy house music, keeping a great vibe going all night poolside, where you can enjoy the beautiful property of the W South Beach in a more relaxed atmosphere.
And if you needed a 3rd option, don't forget to grab a drink inside the hotel lobby at Living Room, where one of their mixologists can whip you up one of their signature custom cocktails.
Poolside Drinks at WET 10pm-2am. WALL 11pm - 5am.
For VIP Reservation, please contact Miami@Joonbug.com
Sometimes, all you really need is a change of scenery and some good food. Luckily for South Floridians, you won’t need to tread far for this one.
Recently opened at 1111 Lincoln Road, Juvia is raising the bar (or the elevator) for sophisticated eaters in Miami. The restaurant is located on the penthouse level of the visually stunning building which can be accessed on the corner of Lincoln Road and Lennox Avenue. There, private elevators transport guests to the top where you’ll encounter an alluring oasis made to entice your every sense from the Amazon Rainforest-inspired vertical garden to the unobstructed views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay.
What a great weekend to have been in Miami! The South Beach Wine & Food Festival went on from Thursday, February 23rd, through Sunday, February 26th, with different events going on each day. I had the absolute fortune to attend the opening party, "The Q", hosted by celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri.
Set up behind the Delano, right on the beach, the smells of barbecue and ocean water hit your nose as soon as you handed over your coveted ticket. That's right, folks! barbecue was the theme of the night! About a city block’s worth of beach space was transformed into a barbecue wonderland, with chefs having set up booths on the left and right and various bars set up right down the center. The very first thing we did was hit up the bar for a truly lovely little cocktail called a "Grand Berry". Consisting of Grand Marnier liqueur, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice, it was a great sweet, crisp and light choice to get our mouths ready for the smokey, savory, deliciousness of the food we would soon glut ourselves on. And glut we did!
All said and done, we managed to hit up 10 chefs. Although everyone produced a great product, there were a few unquestionable stand outs in the crowd, the first being Guy Fieri. I'll admit to having a bit of a foodie crush on this man, but please believe me when I say that his food was hands down the best of the night. Everything about his "banh mi taco with BBQ chicken fried Rice" was great! The best word I can use to describe it would have be "dynamic", as it exploded in my mouth with flavor. While everyone else seemed to be pushing ribs and coleslaw here comes Guy Fieri with the last thing I would expect to find at a barbecue.
The very first thing we saw when we approached Guy's table was the man, himself, wearing his signature shades, laughing uproariously and popping a bottle of Moët, which he poured for his fellow chefs working the booth with him. A lot can be said for presentation, as well. Some of the dishes we tried were alright, they tasted just fine, we enjoyed them...but they were served to us on little paper plates. Not Guy! He served his in a corn husk boat with a generous pile of yummy rice, two light corn tortillas, and chopped scallions as garnish. Lovely.
Another stand out of the night for me was Nadia G of Bitchin' Kitchen fame. I got a chance to talk to her a little while in line for her yummy "slow smoked pork belly with balsamic BBQ sauce, green onion and cucumber on an open-faced challah bun sandwich". She couldn't have been nicer, and she told me she was having a great time in beautiful Miami and having great fun with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Her food was excellent! The pork was super tender and had a nice smokey flavor to it, and the barbecue sauce added a certain sweetness and tang that really went well with the relative mildness of the bun. All in all I was very impressed by her dish.
The band was rocking, the cocktails were flowing, and I hit up the Godiva Chocolate bar more than once. To cleanse my palate, of course. I had a grand time.
A new weekly party is coming to town this Wednesday, February 15th. The night will kick off with sets by premier DJ Keen and will feature ping pong and pool tournaments. Chalk is the only spot in Miami that combines ping-pong, billiards, and a party lounge. If you're tired of the same old parties, and are looking for something new and exciting, you'll want to check out Rec Room Wednesdays! With modern fixtures and a space boasting 6600 square feet, which includes wireless jukeboxes, a VIP room with iPods, and twelve big screen TVs throughout, it's the ultimate spot to catch the game or play ping pong/pool while sipping a brew from their extensive international beer menu. And with so many activities to participate in, you're sure to never get bored.
I arrived at the modest restaurant on Alton Road crammed between a Starbucks and a sushi place. Bernie's L.A. Cafe is pretty plain with the exception of colorful signage on the window, and a bright red tile wall, but edible treasures await for all who venture inside.
Bernie arrived wearing a casual gray t-shirt and immediately greeted me with a smile and a handshake. After a brief anecdote about Castro's Cuban takeover, his parents emigrating to Miami and his subsequent upbringing in a Cuban-Catholic neighborhood, we started to talk about his passion-turned-business. Matz said he's been cooking since he was a kid. His metaphorical bread and butter used to be a media company, which he says went downhill after 9/11. So, after that he went to culinary school. And hated it.
After being seated, we were promptly greeted by our waitress and a unique palate cleanser: a scoop of grapefruit and mint-infused shaved ice served over a platter of dry ice. We were given the option of topping it off with a shot of their house tequila. Yes please! This was the perfect balance of subtle sweetness to get us started.
As we perused our menus, we munched on homemade tortilla chips and our choice of 3 dipping sauces or their house mango hot sauce. The dipping sauces - roasted tomatillo, chipotle crema, and salsa roja - ranged in levels of heat from “just a kick” to “whoa baby!” I’ll leave you to decide which was which. We were given their cocina menu and their tequila menu. The tequila menu offers 3 lists of the 3 different styles of tequila: platinum, reposado, and añejo. Within each list, the selection is divided between the different available flavor notes. It is set up for making the most educated decision regarding your drink selection. Tequila can be served in a shot or on the rocks, and our knowledgeable waitress was able to set my husband up with a tequila that suited his palate perfectly: a peppery añejo on the rocks. I opted for the Lolita Margarita. Typically, margaritas provide a sour punch to the taste buds that is mellowed out by the salted rim. This margarita was made with Grand Marnier, cane syrup, a squeeze of grapefruit, fresh lime, and of course, salt on the rim. With its elegant presentation and sweet flavoring, I thought of it as being more chic and subtly sweet than traditional margaritas.
The appetizer menu was loaded with options that I wanted to try! Pork belly guacamole? Tortilla soup? Crispy masa oysters? Queso fundido? Lobster Enchilada? After appropriately sensing the confusion and indecision on my face, our enthusiastic waitress suggested that we do a taps-style tasting. With a sigh of relief, we began rattling off our selections. The pork belly guacamole was a different take on a classic - the avocados, cilantro, and tomatoes were clearly fresh, and it was topped with cubes of pork that, when eaten together with the guacamole, gave it an unexpected texture and flavor. The tortilla soup consisted of a bowl of pulled chicken, crisp tortilla strips, avocado, pico de gallo, green chiles, and queso blanco. Our waitress then poured the chicken broth directly onto those ingredients, allowing the flavors to steep directly in front of us and rendering a seemingly simple soup that was bursting with flavors! Whether you like to sip the broth and eat the other contents separately, or eat them all together in a party of flavors, you simply cannot go wrong! The crispy masa oysters came highly recommended, so we opted to give them a try. These full-flavored, fried oysters were served in their shells over chipotle crema sauce, and they did not disappoint. The queso fundido was right up my alley! This hearty dish was made up of the mixed flavors of meat, chorizo, and mushrooms. It was topped with melted Asadero cheese and gave you a slight kick to the taste buds. The queso was served alongside a plate of warm tortillas to assist in the “plate-to-face” process. The Lobster Enchilada is a great recommendation for those who are fans of milder cuisine. This dish features lobster, corn, mild chiles, and jack cheese, with a creamy sauce drizzled over the top. The appetizers were delicious!
As we were waiting for our entrees, we sipped our beverages, sat back, and took in the scenery. My husband had spent a portion of his childhood in Mexico and reported feeling nostalgic while sitting there. The low light with soft mood music was reminiscent of sitting outside in a genuine Mexican quinta. The outside seating area featured a large tree, providing shade for the entire area, with light fixtures and chandeliers hanging from the larger branches. For extra entertainment, they always have a silent film playing in the background. Simply sitting there was an enriching experience.
For our entrees, I ordered the shrimp ajillo, while my husband ordered the bone-in rib eye. The shrimp ajillo featured shrimp cooked in a delectable garlic and butter sauce that is not for the faint of heart. The medley of flavors included in the sauce was more than I could have ever expected. There were no hints or undertones here. This dish is “in your face” delicious! The Bone-In Rib Eye was grilled with a sear to “rare” perfection.
After dinner, we ordered the diablo margarita, simply out of pure curiosity. How exactly would a spicy margarita taste? This drink certainly caters to the palate of those who prefer spicier flavors, given the serrano chile in the drink and the rim of pepper sugar. The spiciness provides a fantastic balancing act to the margarita’s tang, replacing the sweetness of a typical margarita. It was not for lovers of “tame” cuisine! The table service platter for after-dinner coffee included 4 cups with your choices in sweeteners: Splenda, rock sugar, Mexican chocolate, or brown sugar caramel. The presentation was adorable!
The service was exceptional throughout our entire stay. Our waitress got to know our tastes after paying attention to our comments and was able to make recommendations that were appropriate to each of us. At the very end, our check was brought to the table along with a large cloud of cotton candy, a temporary tattoo bearing the restaurant’s name, and a damp washcloth, for prompt application. It truly leaves its “mark” on you: mind, body, and appetite! Lolita is a wonderful place for intimate conversation, so bring a date. Or if you are in the mood for a livelier experience, they also cater to larger groups. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a good time with great food directly in the heart of South Beach.
Lolita: Cocina and Tequila Bar
100 Collins Avenue
South Beach, FL 33139
305-532-4550
www.lolitasouthbeach.com
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
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.)
If you were hoping to get tickets (any ticket!) to the Gansvoort Miami rooftop party on New Years Eve, you're out of luck. That is, unless you're looking to join the party after midnight (limited tickets will be on sale after 12:30 at the door as well as online). The party is the first to sell out in Miami, and promises to ring in the New Year like no other. With DJ M.O.S on the tables and a top notch, exclusive crowd, it's set to be the most coveted party in Miami.
With sprawling views of the the shoreline, located 18 stories above the beach, it's one of South Beach's sweetest hot spots. The rooftop boasts 26,000-square-feet with a 110-foot-long outdoor pool that plays underwater music. Private cabanas come with HD TVs and plush couches, only the finest V.I.P style.
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