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  • What We're Reading


    The Fashion Poet dresses the part for a concert at The Fillmore Miami Beach

    Blogger Annie Vazquez (aka The Fashion Poet) offers outfit inspiration for concertgoers inside The Fillmore Miami Beach. The sneaker platforms are wise choice. [The Fashion Poet]

    Need a weekend restaurant reco? Already a James Beard Award winner, chef Douglas Rodriguez and his De Rodriguez Cuba on Ocean have earned the prestigious AAA 4 Diamond Award. [NBC Miami]

    Angelina Jolie's May 14 New York Times op-ed revealing her preventive double mastectomy took Hollywood and the medical world by complete surprise. Here, AP Entertainment writers Sandy Cohen and David German trace Jolie's transition from rebel to role model. [The Miami Herald]

    The Museum of Modern Art's new Rain Room experience, presented as part of the "EXPO 1: New York" exhibit, has celebrities like Julie Bowen waiting two hours to get in. After seeing these breathtaking photos, we're hoping the Rain Room makes it way to Miami at some point! [The New York Daily News]

    Owners of an Arizona restaurant featured on Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares got into a social media screaming match with commenters on Yelp, Facebook, and the like earlier this week. Brustman Carrino Public Relations' Larry Carrino shared his professional opinion on the matter with Short Order. [Short Order]



  • 5 Neighborhood Spots for Cool Treats


    Feverish Pops popsicles 

    Azucar Ice Cream Company
    This Hialeah spot is known for infusing classic Latin flavors into its artisanal sorbets and ice creams. Patrons can order up flavors like sweet plantain, caramel flan, and rum cake, as well as seasonal selections that range from rose petal to orange blossom to sweet corn. 1503 S.W. 8th St., Miami, 305-381-0369

    Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlour & Restaurant 
    Antique trinkets like old license plates and vintage signs make up the décor at this old fashioned parlour, which opened in the 1950s. There's a candy shop, servers wear candy strip uniforms, and the menu is a retro sundae lover's dream. Parties of four or more can indulge Jaxson's Kitchen Sink, a massive ice cream special served in an actual kitchen sink.128 S. Federal Hwy., Hollywood, 954-923-4445

    Jugo Fresh
    Jugo Fresh serves delicious smoothies and juices that just happen to be über-healthy. The West Avenue location has become a South Beach staple, and locations on Lincoln Road, South Pointe Drive, and as far as Coral Gables are in the works. Stop by for a sunflower sprout juice or a cool "mylk shake" made with almonds and vanilla. 1935 West Ave., #102, Miami Beach, 786-472-2552

    Feverish Pops
    With flavors like peanut butter and jelly and watermelon-ginger vodka, popsicles stand second to no ice cream in this shop. Made with organic, natural, and vegan ingredients, the Feverish Pops were first served out of vintage ice cream carts, but soon necessitated a brick and mortar Midtown flagship. 3252 N.E. 1st Ave., Miami, 305-482-1832

    Todo Frio Ice Cream N More
    Cool down and pick yourself up with Todo Frio's signature Cafecito Joe, which flaunts a scoop of coffee ice cream and a shot of Cuban coffee. There's also the Guava Q (guava ice-cream, queso blanco, hot guava syrup) and the Sizzling Pineapple, in which half a pineapple is smothered with three ice cream flavors, banana, strawberries, and sweet syrup. 2715 S.W. 37th Ave., Coral Gables, 305-442-1907



  • Weekend Recommender: May 16-19


    See War Horse at the Broward Center for Performing Arts before it closes its run 

    War Horse
    Thursday-Sunday, May 16-19
    Broadway Across America takes over the Broward Center for the Performing Arts with the final engagements of War Horse, the acclaimed play-turned-Oscar-nominated film. Set in England during World War One, the plot centers on a young boy determined to reconnect with his horse, which has been sold to the cavalry. The play a winner of five Tony Awards, this production features puppetry by South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company. Tickets begin at $39.50 and may be purchased online. 201 S.W. 5th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, 954-522-5334

    Wendy Williams Book Signing
    Saturday, May 18, 7 p.m.
    Outspoken talk show host Wendy Williams will be at Books & Books Coral Gables to sign copies of her latest book, Ask Wendy, in which she shares personal stories and advice on marriage, self confidence, and running a business. 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, 305-442-4408

    Mad House Happy Hour
    Saturday, May 18, 7-9 p.m.
    Celebrate World Whisky Day at the SLS hotel's Hyde Beach with a two-for-one happy hour hosted by George Dickel Whiskey and Bulleit Bourbon. Bonus: London-based brand Christys' Hats will be passing out complimentary fedoras while Mike Russ spins. 1701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-674-1701



  • Kick Back with Craft Brews


    Interesting infusions will jazz up the tap beers at OTC this weekend 

    "Randall the Enamel Animal" at OTC
    Thursday-Sunday, May 16-19
    Throughout this weekend, OTC will "Randall" its beer selections, infusing taps with unique ingredients like mint, mango, and ginger to create one-of-a-kind brews. Starting at 7 p.m. tonight, enjoy Ommegang selections including Rare Vos, Three Philosophers, and the Game of Thrones-inspired Iron Throne. 1250 S. Miami Ave., Miami, 305-374-4612

    Abita Southern Social at Yardbird
    Friday, May 17, 4-8 p.m.
    Yardbird Southern Table & Bar is serving up four hours of $3 Andygator and Purple Haze specials. Sit at the bar to nosh on the afternoons special Creole-inspired bites. 1600 Lenox Ave., Miami Beach, 305-538-5220

    Brews & Bites at the Four Seasons
    Saturday, May 18, 2-4 p.m.
    The Four Seasons Hotel hosts Edge Steak & Bar chef Aaron Brooks and FIU's advanced beer brewing club, B.R.E.W. (Biscayne's Renowned Engineers of Wort), for an interactive cooking and tasting session. Tickets are $75 per person and include a welcome cocktail, unlimited beer during the event, and a gift bag. 1435 Brickell Ave., Miami, 305-381-3063



  • Mitchell Kaplan's Summer Reading List



  • Christy Gast Sculpts 'Barefoot Mailman'


    Christy Gast stands next to her Self Portrait As The Barefoot Mailman

    This past weekend, artist Christy Gast unveiled her 12-foot, bronzed fiberglass Self Portrait As The Barefoot Mailman sculpture at Bal Harbour Founder's Circle as part of the community's "Unscripted" public art series. The piece nods South Florida's legendary barefoot mailmen, who walked the route between Palm Beach and Miami in the 1880s, before there were roads and Henry Flagler's famed railway.  

    Gast's submission idea was born when she happened across a historic plaque describing these contracted postmen. As she began to research the topic, she learned that the "Unscripted" sites overlapped with the old delivery route. "The idea of being alone and walking on the beach was really romantic for me," says Gast. "I wanted to play with that concept." Play she did: to add a personal touch, Gast used herself as a model (with the help of a high-tech 3D scanner) and turned the piece on its head, literally. "To me, it resembles an hourglass, which is another way of measuring time," she explains. 

    The more feminine hourglass shape also helped demasculinize the notion of classic statues. Says Gast, "My work always expresses my interests, particularly landscapes and places. I've done a lot of performance, incorporating my body, so this was a natural process for me." 

    Also symbolic is the piece's wedged in position, making it look as though it may have been washed up during a turbulent Florida storm. And of course, the mailman's bare feet are better displayed with the sculpture turned upside down: "People are going to see this from their cars. I wanted the viewer to recognize it quickly and say 'I get that it's a monument, but it seems like something is wrong. I need to investigate this.'" Related photography prints by Gast are available for those passersby who want to take a piece of the sculpture home, and the artist will join Miami Art Museum director Thom Collins this Thursday, May 16 (7 p.m.) for a talk at Books & Books Bal Harbour. 



  • Openings: ModShop by Room Service


    ModShop by Room Service 

    The brainchild of husband and wife duo John and Taryn Bernard, ModShop by Room Service, which will host a grand opening party this Thursday, has brought an eclectic collection of made-to-order furnishings, mid-century-style décor, and colorful artwork to Miami's historic MiMo District. The well curated boutique combines sleek European style with old Hollywood glamour circa the '50s, '60s, and '70s. And thanks to its own production facility, ModShop is able to offer clients everything from customizable upholstery to specified lacquer finishes. The space also boasts in-house design consultants to help shoppers create their desired interior. Miami's outpost is the latest in a line of locations that includes hubs in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. 6101 Biscayne Blvd., 786-409-3148



  • Tissot Celebrates 160 Years with the Powermatic 80

    —ROBERTA NAAS, ATimelyPerspective.com

    This year marks the 160th anniversary of Swiss watch brand, Tissot. To honor the milestone, the brand has been very busy, and this year unveils multiple new movements and a host of really cool new timepieces that move it to the next level of sophistication.

    Among the new pieces is the Powermatic 80—an automatic watch with 80 hours of power reserve. The watch was made possible thanks to the revolutionary new caliber, the Powermatic 80 movement. To achieve this technical prowess, Tissot strongly reduces the consumption of energy of the watch. The oscillation frequency of the Powermatic 80 is therefore brought down from 4 to 3 Hz. A high-performance synthetic material is used in the construction of the escapement to reduce friction. Thanks to a reduction of the diameter of the barrel-arbor’s core, the mainspring is stretched, thereby increasing the power reserve even further. Finally, the precision is increased with a new and innovative balance.

    Making the watch even better is the fact that it is a COSC-certified chronometer. It is available in two sizes appropriate for men and women—33mm and 41mm—and is crafted in steel, steel, and gold-plated, and in versions with diamond adornments. The watch, which looks great and offers superb craftsmanship and precision, retails for a wow price of  $1,075 to $1,575 depending on the model.

    Founder and editor-in-chief of ATimelyPerspective.com, Roberta Naas is a veteran award-winning journalist in the watch industry with more than 25 years of experience. She was the first woman watch editor in the US market—breaking in to an “all boys network” with a pioneering spirit that would be her signature to this day. Naas brings responsible, factual—yet always timely and insightful—reporting of the watch industry to the forefront.



  • Gold and Pepper Opens; Restaurant Day Returns


    23-karat gold leaf brownie dessert at Gold and Pepper

    Gold and Pepper Opens in South of Fifth: Helmed by chef Andrea Chiriatti, this new restaurant stands out with gold dusted dishes. According to the eatery, the precious metal garnish has myriad health benefits. 101 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305-397-8362; goldandpepper.com 

    Guest Chef Dinner at Tongue & Cheek: Chef Jamie DeRosa will host special guest chefs Brandon Baltzley (Chicago's Crux restaurant) and Jeremiah Bullfrog (gastroPod) for a collaborative dinner on Monday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. The seven-course dinner ($125 per person) will include dishes from all three chefs with select cocktail pairings. 431 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305-704-2900; tandcmiami.com 

    New Summer Series at Meat Market: The popular Lincoln Road steakhouse will roll out a summer dinner, cocktail, and wine series starting Wednesday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. On the menu ($75 per person) this night will be five courses by chef and co-owner Sean Brasel paired with cocktails by Miami mixologist Ezra Pattek. Sample dishes include Kumamoto oysters topped with yuzu sorbet, an angus beef wood-grilled deckle with truffle ricotta potato ravioli, and a chocolate bourbon walnut pie. A portion of the dinner's proceeds will be donated to The One Fund Boston, which assists families affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. Reservations are required. 915 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, 305-532-0088; meatmarketmiami.com

    Restaurant Day Returns: Tuck into spicy banana fritters, ackee-stuffed chayote, and stewed chicken and shrimp in coconut broth at this one-day, global "food carnival" pop-up initiative. Taking place this Saturday, May 18 from 1 to 7 p.m. at Ruthie's "little blue house" in Wynwood, the quarterly concept hosted its first event this past February. 152 NE 27th St., Miami; restaurantday.org

    Champagne Ruinart Tasting at Happy Wines: Champagne Ruinart head winemaker Frédéric Panaiotis will lead a tasting at Happy Wines in Coconut Grove this Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. The 
    $15 per person admission doubles as a credit toward any Ruinart purchase made that day. 2833 Bird Ave., Miami, 205-460-9939; happywinemiami.com



  • Wolfsonian-FIU Unveils Two New Exhibits

    Fitness and food go hand in hand at the Wolfsonian-FIU this week as the museum unveils two new exhibits on Thursday, May 17. Examining the evolving image of the "physically active woman" in the early twentieth century, "Women in Motion: Fitness, Sport, and the Female Figure," encompasses international government propaganda, fitness paraphernalia, advertisements, and artistic works. FIU faculty members Laurie Shrage and Dionne Stephens guest curated the exhibit, which reflects on how images such as these influenced the feminist movement at the time. 

    Thursday night will also welcome "Modern Meals: Remaking American Foods From Farm to Kitchen," a similarly retrospective look at how the mass production of food from 1900 to post 1945 helped redefine America's dining experience. Guest curated by April Merleaux, the exhibit uses similar artifacts and visual interpretations to chronicle how Americans slowly embraced the conveniences of industrialization, while still saluting the everyday farmer, economic soundness, and family values. 

    Thursday's joint exhibition preview (7-9 p.m.) will feature an informal discussion, passed hors d'oeuvres, and complimentary cocktails. Admission is free for the FIU community and museum members and $10 for the general public. 1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305-531-1001



  • Meet Luxury Watchmaker Franck Muller

    Known for his intricate and timelessly elegant watches, Franck Muller will present his latest designs during a rare in-store appearance this Saturday, May 18 at Ft. Lauderdale's Levinson Jewelers (NOON-3 p.m.). Miami Dolphins legend, CBS sports commentator, and watch aficionado Dan Marino will host "the master of complications" as he flies in from his headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Muller's impressive oeuvre includes creating the largest tourbillon in watchmaking history via the Giga Tourbillon, which boasts a 20mm carriage and four mainspring barrels to allow for a 9 day power reserve. Muller may also have one of the world's fastest tourbillons in the Thunderbolt Tourbillon, whose rotation checks in at a mere five seconds. Other notable brand accomplishments include a collaboration with Roberto Cavalli and limited-edition collections worth upwards of $3 million. 

    Come Saturday, guests will have the opportunity to view some of the brand's most exclusive creations and hear from the master watchmaker himself. Among the featured pieces are additions to the Conquistador Cortez collection, known for its masculine, bold, and occasionally sporty stylings. Ladies can marvel at the white diamond encrusted Infinity Curvex, with its dazzling gems set inside an 18 carat white gold face with a hand-sewn black alligator strap. 888 E. Las Olas Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, 954-462-8880



  • Getaway: An Insider's Guide to Aspen

    There’s an old local adage in Aspen that the town’s bestkept secret is its summers. The jig is up, however (sorry, Aspenites), and come June through August, increasing numbers of in-the-know Miamians trade azure seas and oppressive heat for hiking boots and mountain trails. The tiny resort of Aspen may have staked its international renown via superb skiing, but an Aspen summer has its own glory: active mornings, lazy alfresco lunches, and a heady mix of art and culture. The chic mountain town’s bevy of affluent second-homeowners includes top Miami players who just so happen to also influence Aspen’s bustling summer scene.

    Miky Grendene, the celebrated owner and founder of Casa Tua, first visited Aspen 20 years ago on a ski trip with Turnberry Associates principal Jeffrey Soffer. “Jeff invited me and [Miami developer] Ugo Colombo to his house,” Grendene says. “I love the nature of Aspen. It’s a great ski station and a great little town, but has a cosmopolitan culture.” In 2010, Grendene decided to bring his Northern Italian cuisine and private club to Aspen, drawing on his famous Casa Tua brand in Miami to lure the jet set in the mountains. A three-story building in the heart of downtown was redesigned to accommodate the impeccably appointed Casa Tua Aspen, a central hub for Miamians looking to wine and dine while in the Rockies. Grendene’s decision to open there was driven more by quality of life than by dollars and cents. “I opened Casa Tua Aspen simply because of my desire to spend time here,” he explains. “It may make more sense to open in New York City, as it doesn’t have Aspen’s off-season, but I started a business so I could live here and be part of its special community. I also thought the town was lacking a good Italian restaurant. I have seen an increase in Miamians over the last three years, and they like to come to Casa Tua Aspen because it feels like home to them.”

    Grendene has gone so far as to form his own Casa Tua ski team, which participates in several charity events, including the Ajax Cup, and his Aspen restaurant and private club hosts highprofile events, including fundraisers by another prominent Miami couple, Mark and Robin Levinson, of Levinson Jewelers. Last summer, the Levinsons gathered friends, many from Miami, in support of the music-education programs at Jazz Aspen Snowmass, which stages the anticipated June festival (June 21 to July 6) and Labor Day festival (August 30 to September 1). The Levinsons first visited Aspen 30 years ago and now spend every summer in the mountains. “It’s so captivating and beautiful, you can’t not be there,” says Robin Levinson. “And I love all the boutiques, including P.E. 101, Nuages, Max, and Chequers.”

    The Aspen-Miami connection first ramped up during the ’70s. A yen for partying often found Miamians of ambiguous employment touching down in private jets, with wads of money to spend. Dressed to impress, they would dance into the wee hours at Aspen’s former Andre’s nightclub, famous for its retracting roof and a mix of A-list celebrities and rowdy town locals. Recalls entrepreneur and lensman Larry Sands, who in 1972 launched the Optical Shop of Aspen (which eventually grew into a nationwide chain of stores, including a current Miami outpost), “The Miami clientele has always been strong. Some of my first big customers in the ’70s were rich Miamians. Those were the drug days, and the Aspen-Miami scene was often related to it. It was almost a competition on [which city] had the biggest party scene. These guys would always stop off for sunglasses, God bless them, and pay cash, and then went on to open up successful, legitimate businesses across the country.”

    These days, Aspen is certainly less of the freewheeling Wild West, and several lucrative businesses with a Miami flagship or a Miami owner are integral to the resort’s retail and dining scene.

    “Aspen is summer camp for adults,” says former longtime Miamian and Belly Up Aspen owner Michael Goldberg. As Aspen’s music man and partner in Matsuhisa restaurant, Goldberg is at the center of the town’s diverse summer culture scene, a three-month offering of world-class art, music, dance, food, and theater unlike any other mountain town in North America. “It isn’t just the musical offerings that make this place special,” he adds. “You can’t be at a loss for cultural or intellectual challenges.” As with the Levinsons, Goldberg advocates the Jazz Aspen Snowmass events, as well as the Aspen Ideas Festival and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (August 19 to 25), all interesting events that add to the amazing season of classical music put on by The Aspen Music Festival and School (June 27 to August 18). Additionally, an Aspen summer is bookended by the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen (June 14 to 16), a three-day epicurean extravaganza of grand tastings, seminars, and cooking demos headlined by the who’s who of the culinary and wine world, including Mario Batali and José Andrés, among others. Launched in 1983, the success of the Aspen event helped spawn Miami’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Lee Brian Schrager, the mastermind behind the SBWFF and vice president of corporate communications and national events at Southern Wine & Spirits of America, says of Aspen’s fest, “Since I’m not involved in producing the event, the Classic is really a time for me to enjoy myself as I visit with great friends and colleagues.”

    ART BOOM
    Perhaps the strongest Miami-Aspen connection is a burgeoning contemporary art scene that involves a staggering list of Aspen and Miami collectors, curators, artists, and gallerists. Fulland part-time Aspenites, including Nancy and Dr. Robert (Bob) Magoon, and John and Amy Phelan regularly attend Art Basel Miami Beach. Conversely, the Aspen Art Museum’s annual ArtCrush (July 31 to August 2), chaired by Amy Phelan, attracts the top tier of Miami taste makers, including Debra and Dennis Scholl, who have owned five Aspen homes and are involved in both art scenes. They first searched for the perfect escape from Miami in 1989. “We had begun this methodical search for a place to get out of Miami in July and August,” Dennis says. “We went to Park City, Whistler, Telluride, Vail, just about every ski place you can think of. When we found Aspen, we knew we were done right away. There are many wonderful ski towns, but there’s only one Aspen when it comes to cultural opportunities.”

    In the summer months, Aspen’s art scene is at its peak, with the Aspen Art Museum and Anderson Ranch Arts Center luring top collectors from around the globe. Both institutions have become powerhouses on the international art circuit. “In the summer, Aspen has the greatest aggregation of American collectors anywhere,” notes Scholl. “To spend the summer hanging out and talking about art with collectors of such high caliber is incredible. Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson (CEO and director of the Aspen Art Museum) and Barbara Bloemink (executive director of Anderson Ranch Arts Center) have really changed the level of engagement possible when it comes to contemporary art. And there is an incredible number of Miamians engaged in the art community in Aspen.”

    Among them are Chad and Ilona Oppenheim, Sandy and Tony Tamir, Gabi and Tato Garza, Miami’s Bass Museum of Art President of the Board of Directors George Lindemann, Aaron and Dorothy Podhurst, and Don and Mera Rubell, who own one of the greatest private contemporary art collections in the world. In fact, the abovementioned Magoons were one of the first Miami couples to flock to Aspen. “When they came and stayed, a lot of Miamians took note. People certainly follow Bob and Nancy in matters of taste,” says Scholl.

    “The Aspen Art Museum was very smart to invite artists, museum directors, curators, and collectors, during a time of year when Aspen is at its best,” notes Silvia Karman Cubiñá, executive director and chief curator of Miami’s Bass Museum. “The shows are always great, and the residents and people close to the museum make a beautiful effort in hosting everyone. For these reasons, Aspen has become an art moment in the art-world calendar.”

    TRAILBLAZERS
    Just about every Miamian with a passion for Aspen touts the grandeur of the mountains, and the outdoor adventures, as the reason for first visiting, and ultimately buying a second home. From June through September, Aspen’s trails are humbling and exhilarating, whether on foot, horse, or bike. Like many, Miami real estate magnate Ugo Colombo and his wife, interior-design maven Sara, first visited Aspen as avid skiers, but soon fell in love with the rewards of summer. They purchased a home near Aspen Highlands and now spend as much time as possible there. “Summer in Aspen is a complete change of mind, and perhaps more interesting than winter, as there’s a wider variety of things to do—hiking, biking, kayaking,” says Ugo. “It’s a very healthy lifestyle. The restaurants and shops are of high quality, and it doesn’t have a highway running through the middle of it, like Vail. It’s a cozy mountain town and is more difficult to access, which makes it exclusive.”

    Sara, who owns the über-chic home-design store Nest in the Miami Design District (a Bal Harbour location is set to open the end of June), credits Aspen’s small-town vibe for quality time with their two children. “Aspen is much more conducive to family time than Miami,” she says. “It’s a slower pace of life and much more intimate.” (Shoppers, take note: Sara scours Aspen’s Paris Underground Antiques for rare vintage pieces, and Lee Keating’s Performance Ski is a must-stop, too. “Lee has such great style, and a great eye for both summer and winter,” she says.)

    Surprisingly, the adrenaline-fueled sport of dirt biking is Ugo Colombo’s current outdoor obsession when in town: “We bike [more than 30 miles] to Maroon Bells and Crested Butte.”

    Colombo’s wilderness rides are just the kind of connection with the land, the scale of the continent, that makes Aspen and the raw mountains around it so special. It’s a place where you can be dwarfed by the Rockies, yet return to a sophisticated town whose cuisine and culture are avant-garde—a tale of two quite lovely realities that Miamians can’t seem to resist.



  • New Watch Collection Glows in the Dark

    de Grisogono watches.

    Tondo by Night, de Grisogono ($9,400– $17,500).

    As glamour-loving women know, not every timepiece is serious and conservative. Some are downright whimsical, such as the hit Tondo by Night watches from de Grisogono. Unveiled last year, the collection has just begun to make its way into luxury jewelry stores in the last few months. In addition to being mechanical works of art, these timepieces possess an unusual quality in the luxury watch world that begs them to be worn.

    Designed by Fawaz Gruosi, the founder and president of de Grisogono, the Tondo by Night is intended to be a capricious, playful timepiece that stores light during the day and then frees it after the sun goes down. The case is created from a pearly photoluminescent fiberglass composite—with pieces of mother-of-pearl blended into the fiberglass for extra shimmer—then further bedecked with color-coordinated gemstones.

    “It has such wide appeal because it is fashionable, hefty, and different from everything else on the market,” Gruosi says. “Still, I never dreamed Tondo by Night would be such an amazing success. The demand is much higher than what I produced, which was extremely unexpected.”

    Each Tondo by Night watch is equipped with an exclusive in-house mechanical movement, specially developed to display the gem-set oscillating weight on the front side. Built in collaboration with an outside lab, the Tondo by Night timepieces are offered in an array of colors, each with a row of 48 gemstones on the bezel, plus another 60 on the dial (and a black diamond on the crown). The colors include white with white diamonds, yellow with yellow sapphires, pink with pink sapphires, green with tsavorites, purple with amethysts, and orange with orange sapphires. And three new shades were unveiled at the Baselworld show in April: a vivid green case with a tourmaline bezel, a blue case with a blue sapphire bezel, and a coral case with a spinel bezel. The most expensive watch in the collection is currently the white (diamond) version, which retails for $17,500.

    “I dedicate this watch to happy summer days and glamorous nightlife,” Gruosi says. “It’s not only a luxury timepiece but also can be worn as a magnificent jewelry piece, with a twist.”



  • Gabrielle Anwar's Healthy Restaurant Picks

    Not everyone can look like Burn Notice star Gabrielle Anwar, but you can eat like her. We tapped the honorary local, who’s been living in Miami on and off for seven years, to give us the exclusive lowdown on her favorite healthy eats in her own words.

    Cecconi’s Miami Beach
    The quinoa salad is light but satisfies the appetite. Add the grilled Mediterranean octopus with lemon, capers, and olives, if you’re so inclined, for a satisfying, salty bite. And they serve Badoit mineral water. 4385 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 786-507-7902; cecconismiamibeach.com

    Choices Vegan Cafe 
    The creative vegan fare is delicious, and the quesadilla, with spinach, Daiya cheese, onions, mushrooms, chipotle, and soy chorizo, beats any non-vegan version, without the guilt. 379 SW 15th Road, Miami, 305- 400-8895; mychoicescafe.com

    The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar
    Kale is the green du jour, and this finely chopped salad at The Forge eliminates the coarseness of the vegetable. The sweet currants are a perfect complement to the bitterness of the leaf. Pine nuts add a hearty, woodsy bite, while lemon zest with the hint of fresh grated Parmesan is an unusual yet harmonious fusion of flavor. The only drawback is having to withstand the desire to order every other irresistible dish on the menu! 432 41st St., Miami Beach, 305-538-8533; theforge.com

    JugoFresh
    Cold-pressed juices have become a fetish among the health-conscious, and Jugo is no exception. The lithe, damp bodies of the city’s most attractive women after Flywheel, yoga, and Pilates line the ecofriendly reclaimed-wood counter every morning, and the ambience is that much better for it. The “spoons” [of Medicina, with coconut oil, bee pollen, and coconut palm sugar] are positively hedonistic. 1935 West Ave., Ste. 102, Miami Beach, 786-472-2552; jugofresh.com

    Katsuya by Starck
    If you’re going to have to devour an entire meal of omega-3 fishes, then this really is the only way. The salmon sashimi with caviar placed on a crisp of cucumber is my “Achilles eel.” SLS Hotel South Beach, 1701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-455-2995; sbe.com

    Michy’s
    Michelle Bernstein’s squash blossoms with shrimp mousseline, cheesy grits, and Tabasco seafood nage is such a creative way to encourage the consumption of healthful vegetables. To me, it’s the sensual texture of contentment. 6927 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 305-759-2001; michysmiami.com

    Mint Leaf Indian Brasserie
    This is Indian cuisine at its American finest. The vegetable korma, a medley of veggies in a mild cashew nut sauce, is a must, and the garlic naan bread is hopelessly preposterous to avoid. 276 Alhambra Cir., Coral Gables, 305-443-3739; mintleafib.com

    Paradise Farms
    The vegetable source for the better restaurants in Miami, this small, magical farm holds seasonal feasts under the stars. World-famous chefs prepare mouthwatering multiple courses of locally produced, organic meals, paired with fine wines, in an intimate and environmentally reflective setting. And it’s where I met my man [Shareef Malnik]—in paradise. 19801 SW 320th St., Homestead, 305-248-4181; paradisefarms.net

    Thrive
    A rare vegan spot on the Beach, Thrive offers a throwback to my hippie haute cuisine days. The pesto alfredo, made with spiralized squash in a basil pesto sauce sprinkled with extra-virgin olive oil, is a wonderful alternative when craving a bowl of heavy pasta. And dessert is good, and harmless. 1239 Alton Road, Miami Beach, 305-532-7227; thrivevegan.com



  • The Ultimate Parking Space

    For our April issue car feature, “Speed of Sight,” Ocean Drive brought some of the most sophisticated vehicle brands together to present their latest ultra-luxury, exclusive models. But photographing these mammoths of opulence presented an interesting challenge. A group composed of a Bentley Continental GT Speed, an Audi R8, a Porsche 911 Carrera, and a Maserati GT Sport would swallow an ordinary studio space. They required an equally elevated level of luxury—so Ocean Drive turned to 1111 Lincoln Road.

    Barely three years old, the Herzog & de Meuron-designed structure rising above Lincoln Road and Alton Road has already become a signature landmark in Miami Beach, with its stark elegance and dramatic lines. “I thought it would be interesting to juxtapose the sleek surfaces and lines of these incredible cars against the raw interior of the building,” says award-winning architectural photographer Claudia Uribe, who shot these vehicles on the garage’s seventh floor.

    That level in the structure, with its 34-foot-high ceilings, 25,000 square feet of space, and sweeping views of Miami Beach, doubles as a highly coveted event location—and Ocean Drive has not been the first to make use of it to highlight luxury autos. Ferrari hosted an exclusive party there during Art Basel Miami Beach 2011, where it unveiled the 458 Spider; days later, BMW launched its line of electric cars, including the BMW i3 and BMW i8 Concept cars there. The space, in fact, is a favorite of the Art Basel crowd, hosting the most exclusive events during the art week; this last December, the Moncler 60th anniversary dinner—hands-down the most sought-after invitation during Art Basel—was held there.

    The Ocean Drive shoot took two days, with two cars being shot each morning. Once the vehicles arrived at the garage, they were driven to the seventh floor and positioned accordingly, with the team of 1111 Lincoln Road making sure that every need for the shoot was met, including preparation of the surrounding areas and helping to coordinate the safe transport of the vehicles, as well as any additional catering needs. The end result? A stunning eight pages of glossy cars, powerful interiors, and Miami flavor. 1111 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Ste. 760, 305-538-9320, ext. 101



  • Burgers Without Boundaries

    The Morning Glory Burger at Bulldog BBQ

    Morning Glory Burger at Bulldog BBQ
    Indulge a carnivorous breakfast for dinner with Top Chef alum Howie "Bulldog" Kleinberg's Morning Glory burger, wherein a hearty angus beef patty is topped with a fried egg, bacon, hash, cheddar cheese, and chipotle mayonnaise.15400 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami, 305-940-9655

    Cubano Burger at Umami Burger
    Talk about fresh: Umami Burger opens in Miami Beach today. To boot, the West Coast burger chain's new location in the former 8 oz. space is its very first outside of California. Try the Miami-only Cubano Burger, which sandwiches together a pork and pork belly patty, mojo mustard, house cheese, pickles, prosciutto, and smoked ham. 1080 Alton Road, Miami Beach

    Cypress Burger at The Cypress Room
    Michael Schwartz' recently opened fine dining gem is home to one of Miami's most buzzed-about burgers. Beginning with cheese flown in from New Hampshire's Jasper Hill Landaff Creamery, the burger is topped with an onion marmalade and served with thrice-cooked fries. 3620 N.E. 2nd Ave., Miami, 305-520-5197

    Carbonara Burger at Eating House
    Giorgio Rapicavoli is flexing his supply-and-demand muscle with this limited-edition burger offered every Wednesday throughout May. Only 24 burgers will be made each Wednesday night, so servings are first come, first serve. In the mix is a black angus patty, applewood smoked bacon, black truffle, egg, and fontina and Parmigiano cheese. The most recent batch sold out in just 15 minutes. 804 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, 305-448-6524

    Bison Sliders at The Grateful Palate
    If you find yourself on the northern side of the Dade-Broward county line, take a seat at The Grateful Palate and order their prized Bison Sliders. Executive chef Hector Lopez tops his signature appetizer-size burgers with crispy pancetta, pepper jack cheese, and avocado aioli. 817 S.E. 17th St., Ft. Lauderdale, 954-467-1998



  • What We're Reading


    Gloria Estefan at the Miami Marine Stadium (image     via)

    Hometown songstress Gloria Estefan has become the public face of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's campaign to save Virginia Key's Miami Marine Stadium. Estefan hopes to help raise the millions of dollars needed to repair the unique, raw concrete structure, which has been closed since 1992. [Miami Herald] 

    Kudos are in order for one of our favorite rooftop haunts: last Friday, Juvia scored The James Beard Foundation award for Restaurant Design and Graphics: 76 Seats and Over. [Eater]

    While scantily clad and filming the video for her single "Liv it Up" on Ft. Lauderdale Beach, Jennifer Lopez was interrupted—by gunfire. [New York Daily News] 

    DawnTown, the annual international design competition centered on Downtown Miami, has announced the winners of this year's Landmark Miami competition. Entrants were told to come up with a modern city landmark that would make Miami recognizable to the world. The winner after the jump. [DawnTown] 

    Sun Life Stadium's buzzed-about plans for Super Bowl-size renovations were shut down by Florida lawmakers. The Miami Dolphins organization says they cannot proceed with the plan without a private-public funding partnership, leaving the stadium's future in limbo. [Miami Herald] 



  • New Spring Sakes at SushiSamba Dromo

    Through June 15, South Beach's SushiSamba Dromo is serving seven varieties of nama sakes, which are synonymous with springtime in Japan. Young and unpasteurized, nama sakes are characterized by their fresh, crisp notes of fruit (think citrus, melon, and berry) and grass. Selections on offer at SushiSamba were handpicked by beverage director Craig Tabandera to pair well with the restaurant's Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian fusion cuisine. For instance, the Kamikokoro Tokagen Tokubetsu Junmai Nama Genshu ($69 per bottle) boasts notes of white peach, lime, and bamboo and pairs nicely with sashimi or ceviche. Meanwhile, the Ichinokura Tokubetsu Junmai Nama Genshu Nigori ($85 per bottle) has a creamier mouthfeel with hints of mushroom, melon, and lemon and should be paired with richer flavors and equally creamy sauces. If you like lots of wasabi on your sushi, cut the heat with a can of full-bodied Kikusui Funaguchi Nama Honjozo Genshu ($14), imbued with flavors of chocolate and coconut and best enjoyed on the rocks. 600 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, 305-673-5337



  • Weekend Recommender: May 9-12


    Bryan Fenkart as Henry Calhoun in Memphis 

    Memphis
    Thursday-Sunday, May 9-12 
    The underground club scene of mid-century Tennessee comes alive in Memphis. The storyline follows a white radio DJ out to popularize soul music. He quickly falls for a black club singer and the complexities of business, love, and race heat up. This Tony Award-winning musical will close Arsht's Broadway in Miami season.1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 305-949-6722.

    George Lopez Book Signing
    Saturday, May 11, 4 p.m.
    After turning 50, surviving a kidney transplant, going through a divorce, and saying farewell to his late-night show, comedian George Lopez has gained a new lease on life. He'll be signing copies of his new memoir, I'm Not Gonna Lie: And Other Lies You Tell When You Turn 50, this Saturday afternoon at Books & Books Coral Gables. 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, 305-442-4408

    Cedric Gervais 
    Saturday, May 11, 11 p.m. 
    Superstar producer and music festival headliner Cedric Gervais mans the decks at LIV Nightclub Saturday night. Gervais' appearance will be his first in Miami since heading out on his Asian tour. 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach 

    Mainly Mozart Festival 
    Sunday, May 12, 3 p.m. 
    A performance by the Amernet String Quartet opens the 20th season of the Mainly Mozart Festival inside the Coral Gables Museum. Concerts will take place on Saturdays and Sundays through June 9. Individual show tickets are $20 and may be purchased in advance through an online order form. 285 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, 305-603-8067



  • 6 Hot Watches from BaselWorld 2013

    —ROBERTA NAAS, ATimelyPerspective.com

    Stay tuned on ATimelyPerspective for more BaselWord coverage>>

    Founder and editor-in-chief of ATimelyPerspective.com, Roberta Naas is a veteran award-winning journalist in the watch industry with more than 25 years of experience. She was the first woman watch editor in the US market—breaking in to an “all boys network” with a pioneering spirit that would be her signature to this day. Naas brings responsible, factual—yet always timely and insightful—reporting of the watch industry to the forefront.



  • Ai Weiwei Works to Exhibit During Basel


    Fairytale Chairs (20 wooden Quing Dynasty Chairs) by Ai Weiwei  

    The Rubell Family Collection/Contemporary Arts Foundation has announced plans to feature a bevy of emerging contemporary Chinese artists during its 2013 Art Basel thematic exhibit. Titled "Year of the Artist," the exhibit will be unveiled on December 4 and will remain inside the museum through August 1, 2014. 

    The Rubell Family Collection founders, husband and wife Donald and Mera Rubell, recently spoke to Bloomberg.com about their decision to invest in and exhibit Chinese artists. “There’s a new generation of Chinese artists that [are] interesting to us,” explained Mera. “They have the world view, and they are also dealing with the transformation of China itself."

    The article went on to reveal that the couple has been collecting Chinese art for over 20 years and visited the country as recently as the fall of last year. The Rubells also confirmed that works by Ai Weiwei, Zhang Huan, and about 25 other artists will fill the Wynwood museum come December. 

    The subject of the recent documentary Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, Ai Weiwei is known in and out of the art world for his criticisms of Chinese human rights and democracy policies, criticisms which Chinese authorities thought enough to detain him for three months without charges at the time that the documentary was filming, in 2011. (Upon release, he was charged with tax evasion.) Currently prohibited from leaving China, Ai Weiwei, unlike many of the other artists selected for the December exhibit, will not be in Miami for the unveiling. However, Bloomberg reports that at least two of his works, Ton of Tea and Fairytale Chairs, will be featured. 95 NW 29th St., Miami, 305-573-6090 



  • Louis Vuitton Launches Travel Books

    With the launch of Louis Vuitton's new limited-edition Travel Books, four of the world's most colorful destinations are your oyster. But these are no ordinary city guides: The French fashion house commissioned four artists to explore and interpret each city included in the travel guide meets sketch book series. As such, Congolese artist Chéri Samba discovers Paris, France; American Daniel Arsham unravels the mysteries of Easter Island, Polynesia; French fashion illustrator Jean-Philippe Delhomme tackles New York City; and Japanese illustrator Natsko Seki promenades through London, England. The artists' unfamiliarity with the cities offers a fresh perspective on each locale's pace and culture. Each book is priced at $56, and limited-edition artist-signed copies (leather-bound and numbered 1 to 50) are also available (price upon request).

    The Louis Vuitton Travel Books will be available at select retailers as well as online beginning this month. However, the story doesn't end there: in 2014, manga artist Jiro Taniguchi's travels through Venice and comic book author Lorenzo Mattotti's vision of Vietnam will join the collection. New destinations will continue to be added annually. 9575 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, Space 2029, 305-866-4470; 170 N.E. 40th St., Miami, 305-573-1366



  • de Grisogono Makes Its Mark on Miami


    The de Grisogono Tondo Tourbillon Gioiello S01 ($261,600) is cased in white gold pavéd with hundreds of white diamonds. Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-865-8765

    This May, de Grisogono is opening a free-standing boutique in Miami, bringing the brand’s unmistakable flair to town. While de Grisogono—led by talented founder and creator Fawaz Gruosi—is known for its use of black diamonds and offers exquisite jewelry, the company has also made a name for itself with its cutting-edge timepieces for both men and women. “I love to design for women; it is enjoyable to see their enthusiasm when they find something different that they love,” Gruosi says.

    Among the more recently released women’s timepieces garnering attention in Miami is the Tondo by Night, with mechanical movement and a high-tech watch material that absorbs sunlight by day and shimmers by night. Another highlight at the new boutique is de Grisogono’s Tondo Tourbillon Gioiello collection. This spectacular Tondo watch features a manual tourbillon (at eight o’clock) for exotic elegance.



  • Miami's Best Gatsby-Era Vintage Shops

    1920s Art Deco beaded handbag with filigree framing and necklace, both available at C. Madeleine's

    C. Madeleine's
    This North Miami Beach shop is an enclave for designer finds and decades-old outfits. Owner Madeleine Kirsh's pieces date as far back as the Edwardian era and carry through to today. Gatsby fans will delight in stunning Art Deco accessories, a classic drop-waist dress, and an iconic knit wool swimsuit. Labels run the luxury gamut: Chanel, Halston, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen. 13702 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami Beach, 305-945-7770

    Vintage Revenge Couture
    Located in Miami's historic MiMo District, Vintage Revenge Couture carries men's and women's items from the 1920s through the 1980s. Owner Denise Goldhagen's collection is nearly 20 years in the making and includes a slew of timeless treasures. Her 1920s pieces are so beloved they can only be viewed by appointment. Sample items include original flapper necklaces, dazzling hairpins, and breezy day dresses. Items are preserved with the utmost care and organic dry-cleaning. 6301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 786-953-6046

    Vintaj Mahal
    You’ll find more than just decades spanning garb in this local pop-up. Stock ranges from collector's items to home décor to exotic trinkets gathered during owner Saira Coobar Jacobs' travels through India, Africa, and Europe. When the shop isn't popping up around South Florida, Jacobs' private collection can be purchased by appointment only. Sift through a bevy of Gatsby-esque cocktail accessories, 1970s maxi dresses, hand-painted scarves, Italian leather clutches, and even a rare handmade Zandra Rhodes dress. Email vintajmahal@yahoo.com for appointments. 



  • Women Turn to Mechanical Watches

     

    The hottest news in haute horology is that women want mechanics, too. Today, top watch brands recognize that Miami’s women desire more than just a watch with a pretty face on their wrists. So, the category of complicated mechanical watches is no longer a boys-only club.

    “As savvy, empowered consumers, the women in Miami are demanding the same level of craftsmanship, innovation, and design in fine timepieces as their male counterparts,” says Rachel Branch, vice president of sales and marketing for Hublot of America. “They value not only the functional aspects but the skill and time that goes into each piece, like our Big Bang in red gold and diamonds.”

    Not reliant on battery power, mechanical watches come in two categories, hand-wound and automatic. With a wind watch, turning the crown transmits energy to the main spring, where it is stored. As the wound spring uncoils, it releases the energy necessary to activate movement in the gear train, and the watch begins to tick. An automatic watch winds itself via a rotor or oscillating weight that spins when the wearer moves his or her wrist.

    Women appreciate the power of mechanics and the sophistication of gears, wheels, and trains inside a watch, and they tend to gravitate toward quality timepieces that go the distance—whether in a business setting or while enjoying a night out on the town. Typically these mechanical calibers are hand assembled. Many comprise hundreds of tiny parts to form a whole cohesive mechanical marvel that keeps time in perfect harmony. Generally the final movements, sometimes visible via a transparent sapphire caseback, are elegantly finished with engraving and detailing that make the watch an

    aesthetic work of art as well as a mechanical one. It can take weeks—even months—for the most complicated of movements to be assembled before being fitted into a watchcase of distinction.

    “We have been improving the ladies’ line,” says Thierry Stern, president of Patek Philippe, which has created women’s mechanical watches for years. “Even though we have a lot to offer women, our female clients have been requesting something more complicated. Now we can deliver that.” In fact, Sandrine Stern (Thierry’s wife) is head of the design division and is bringing a woman’s eye and touch to the newest ladies complex mechanical watches.

    Among the most coveted complications on the market for women’s mechanics are tourbillons (watches with an escapement that compensates for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity when the watch is in certain positions), multi-time zones, calendars, and chronograph function. But these details can be painstaking in the making. Oftentimes there are waiting lists for such delicate pieces. That’s okay, however, because women know that good things are well worth the wait.



  • Essensia Chef Dishes on New Menu Items

    The word itself is Latin for such terms as “essence,” “whole,” and “substance.” And as Miami’s premier “mind, body, and soul” restaurant, Essensia Restaurant & Lounge delivers just that. The Palms Hotel & Spa’s hidden jewel of a farm-to-table restaurant lies just blocks north of the boisterous Collins Avenue scene. But with its soothing interior and salubrious menu, Essensia might as well be on a different island. In the eatery’s circular main dining room and on its tropically landscaped veranda, tranquility reigns. Hotel guests and health-minded locals proceed unhurriedly over dishes from a book-length menu of eco-friendly but satisfying choices showcasing the best local ingredients.

    With an entire seasonally changing menu committed to green principles, Essensia may well be the only restaurant of its kind in Miami. And if it’s lacking in flash or scene points, it does so on purpose as its devoted following of local regulars prefers it that way. And the experts agree. “It is only natural that the local-food movement would be growing with such momentum in parallel with the caliber of chefs we have in Miami,” says Renée Frigo Graeff, president of Slow Food Miami, a local nonprofit supporting good, clean, and fair food. “Great-tasting food starts with simple, fresh, and high-quality ingredients.”

    The concept of the restaurant dates back to 2010, when The Palms Hotel & Spa’s owners (boutique hoteliers the Krause family) envisioned a lush, polished respite to contrast South Beach’s contemporary hipness, and formulated a restaurant idea to match. For the executive chef position, they originally tapped Frank Jeannetti, known for his roles at Pacific Time, Nemo, and Pearl. His menu for Essensia felt something like stealth health food: organic and responsibly sourced ingredients turned into lightened takes on global comfort classics like risotto and short ribs.

    When Jeannetti departed in 2011, The Palms re-energized the restaurant and freshened up the offerings, and the owners found a perfect candidate in signature chef Julie Frans. A recent transplant from the San Diego area, her philosophy carried a decidedly progressive, inherently California attitude.

    “The theme of cooking in San Diego is using local, seasonal produce. You just wouldn’t start a small restaurant without being really in touch with what’s going on at the local farms,” she says. Frans also spent several years as a traveling chef aboard yachts, honing her skills while sourcing produce in far-flung street markets or cooking fish pulled from the ocean just minutes before. “I would look for ingredients, then build the menu around them, rather than trying to build a menu first and then trying to find the ingredients.”

    But South Florida’s seasons (or lack thereof) and unusual array of produce posed a welcome challenge. “In Florida, you have everything during the winter—all the typical summer ingredients like corn and tomatoes, and spring ingredients like artichoke. But then in the summer, you don’t get anything. All you get is tropical fruits and avocado,” she says.

    Still, Frans has used these ingredients to great effect for the restaurant’s newest summer menu, one of the twice-annual total menu rewrites the chef has planned. For some offerings, she has taken familiar staples and given them a Miami twist, such as a reinterpretation of caprese salad that pairs meaty Paradise Farms mamey fruit with local burrata, Thai basil, and pistachio oil.

    Fruit again shows up in savory form in a tangy yellowtail tartare accompanied by passion fruit, avocado, citrus, and herbs. In other, more straight-ahead savory fare, there are still local touches; for a sausage and mushroom flatbread topped with leeks and Gruyère, Frans sources the ingredients from South Florida.

    Yet even with the more filling-sounding selections, the overall effect is light. Portions are moderate, and rich ingredients add just enough flavor without too much heft. It’s the perfect balance of indulgence and virtuousness for the South Beach crowd—at least those in the know. “The local fans of the restaurant already get it. It’s a small handful, but it’s a very loyal following,” Frans says. “More and more people will find out how it feels to eat that clean [type] of food and relax, and they’ll fall in love with it.” 3025 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-908-5458



  • 'Sunset Boulevard' to Screen at Soundscape


    Gloria Swanson and Cecil B. DeMille on the set of Sunset Boulevard

    This Wednesday, May 8, the Miami Beach Cinematheque (MBC) will kick off its yearlong 20th anniversary celebration with a screening of 1950s classic Sunset Boulevard on New World Symphony's Soundscape wall. MBC first screened the film on the side of The Marlin Hotel, back in 1993. In honor of the event, the City of Miami Beach will rename Washington Avenue as “Sunset Boulevard” for one-night-only during this Wednesday’s screening. 

    Then, on Thursday night, MBC will begin a month-long “Best Of” screening series in honor of the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. The series will feature award-winning films from both the Cannes and Toronto International Film Festivals. First up on Thursday at 7 p.m. is a screening of 2012 Cannes Jury Prize winner The Angels' Share, a feel-good comedy set in a Scottish whiskey distillery. Attendees of this screening can head to the neighboring Waxy O'Connor's pub for a gratis class of Glenlivet or Chivas Regal 12-year after the film. The Best Of series will continue through June 5, ending with a screening of Post Tenebras Lux. Tickets are $8 for members and $10 for adult non-members. Historic City Hall, 1130 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305-673-4567



  • New Gourmet Market: Mercato

    The opening of Dena Marino’s new Italian-style gourmet marketplace, Mercato, brings a wealth of new breakfast and lunch possibilities to the Design District. “There are a growing number of businesses and young professionals in the Design District, and we wanted to cater to their busy lifestyles by providing fast and fresh food,” says Marino of the market located adjacent to her celebrated MC Kitchen.

    Those stopping in for breakfast can linger over a cup of Lavazza coffee and fresh baked pastries. Lunchtime brings Marino's twist on the Cuban sandwich (with porchetta and a ciabatta roll), a green salad with pears and pecans, and a savory rosemary ham and provolone croissant sandwich. Ingredients borrow from the line at MC Kitchen, and the venue sells an array of Marino's favorite products, including the restaurant's house olive oil. Other artisanal edibles include Brooklyn Brine Company Pickles and chocolate treats. Mercato is open from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.–6 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. 



  • An Ode to Coco Chanel in Bal Harbour


    The label’s Bal Harbour boutique

    As president of Chanel’s fashion division, Barbara Cirkva must possess a closet that’s nothing less than highly enviable—yet for a recent trip to Bal Harbour, a hardhat proved to be the requisite accessory.

    Cirkva was in town to check out the progress on the redesign of the label’s Bal Harbour boutique, the first update since Chanel opened in the venerable retail destination in 1994. “We knew it was time for a face-lift, but we ended up just gutting the whole place and starting over,” Cirkva says. “Miami has always been an incredibly important market for us, so we wanted to take this opportunity to create a space that showcases the brand in a really significant, unique way.”

    The resulting 8,000-square-foot boutique, which opened its doors on March 21, indeed represents a new vision for Chanel’s retail spaces, one that combines light and modernity with artful interpretations of some of the house’s most celebrated symbols. Architect Peter Marino, the go-to designer for Chanel spaces, seamlessly weaves together key elements of the Coco iconography to create a tale that is equal parts subtle and romantic, starting with the overall color palette, Cirkva says. “This is an entirely new color story for us, much softer than you would find in the Northeast or other markets—less black and more a focus on beige,” she explains. “Coco of course was fond of beige because she wanted to remind herself of the beaches in Deauville—Miami is a beach town, so this palette of beige, pale gold, and white proved to be a delightful homage to that.”

    Marino designed the Bal Harbour boutique using Chanel’s famed rue Cambon apartment as a jumping-off point, creating a series of rooms that boast a bit of a residential feel, dotted with custom-designed carpets and sofas in the label’s signature tweed. An accessories room featuring handbags and costume jewelry greets clients upon entering, with an expanded ready-to-wear space just beyond; a new “Ultra Luxe” room showcases fine jewelry and watches—including the just-launched Première collection—as well as a selection of exotic and sometimes limited-edition handbags. The redesign also afforded the opportunity to create a VIP space that hadn’t existed before—Cirkva calls it “a wonderfully oversize sitting room with cases where you can actually accommodate an entire entourage and create an all-afternoon experience.”

    Chanel’s legendary life included friendships with the likes of Picasso and Dalí; accordingly, Marino commissioned four artists to create Coco-inspired works for the store. From Marc Swanson, Untitled (Sitting Buck) in the boutique’s ready-to-wear area recalls the pair of bronze deer that still reside in front of the fireplace in Chanel’s apartment, while Peter Dayton’s abstract Camellias evokes the flower most closely associated with the label. “In all of our markets, we want to take advantage of an evolution of our boutique designs, just as Karl Lagerfeld has consistently evolved the clothes and the accessories,” says Cirkva. “This new Bal Harbour design places it unquestionably within the top tier of our stores, creating a Maison Chanel, if you will, that showcases Karl’s latest creations in the most modern, innovative way.” Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-868-0550