STK: South Beach’s sexy new restaurant
The Pro-bowl & Superbowl are in town and Miami is hosting the hottest athletes and stars for the next two weeks! They will inevitably find their way to STK, the latest place to see and be seen in South Beach. With its club/lounge vibe and delicious food, STK is sure to please those looking for the party at the Hotel Gansevoort. Both are off-shoots of Manhattan’s Meatpacking Districts hot spots, famous for sharing South Beach’s hedonistic all-night sensibility:
http://www.gansevoortsouth.com/restaurants-bars-lounges/index.cfm
The space is one part raw urban slick and one part plush old school glamour, fortunately the food delivers and is as good as the vibe. Executive Chef Tod Mark Miller blew my mind with the Mini Big Macs- was honestly the juiciest and most delicious mini burger I have ever had. You can add foie gras or truffles too!:
The food was consistently delicious and well prepared- curry chicken skewers and beef kabobs and insanely good shrimp rice krispies:
The menu will feature seasonal dishes, an assortment of cuts and sizes of meat, plus decadent sides such as mac & cheese, sweet corn bread pudding, truffle fries and the inevitable nod to latin fare- maduros. The crowning touch is the irresistible cheesecake lollipops dipped in white, milk and dark chocolate.
The place is A-list ready with huge curved banquettes, a DJ lounge and a second level VIP bar with bistro dining area. The glass stairs and alcoves are ideal for taking in all the pretty people and offer fabulous views throughout the space.
2377 Collins Avenue at the Gansevoort South Beach Hotel. Open seven days a week for dinner 6pm-midnight. For reservations 305-604-6988, to book private events contact Kristin Catasso at 305-604-6816 or www.stkhouse.com
Edward Beiner trunk show: ic! berlin
Edward Beiner has THE best selection of eye-wear, the friendliest staff- who of course all wear awesome frames- and on any given day they have coffee out for their shoppers, which I think is a nice touch. This Saturday they are also having a trunk show for ic! berlin. Their designs are really playful and fun- as is their website:
ic! berlin is a niche company whose designs are classic yet “tweaked” so that they have personality. The plastic frames and kid’s collections are particularly cool.
Check out the trunk show today, Saturday January 23rd from 11am-4pm
Edward Beiner; The Purveyor of Fine Eyewear; 5817 Sunset Drive, South Miami, Florida. (305)661-1205.
Concerts, clubs, telethons & vendors in support of Haiti relief!
Starting tonight and all weekend long there will be amazing events to benefit relief efforts in Haiti. Tonight Thursday January 21st, SET nightclub is hosting a fundraiser from 9m – 12am, $25 donation at the door, 20% of the night’s proceeds going to the Delmar region of Port Au Prince, Haiti where the Orphaned Starfish Foundation was preparing to launch its 19th outpost before the tragic earthquake struck last week. The Orphaned Starfish Foundation provides educational programs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean:
http://www.orphanedstarfish.org/
Friday Januray 22nd, the “Hope for Haiti” telethon hosted by Wyclef Jean, George Clooney & Anderson Cooper telethon is airing commercial-free across ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, the CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT at 8 p.m:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1629832/20100115/jean_wyclef.jhtml
Save Haiti Saturday is a nation-wide network of participating restaurants, bars and clubs donating a portion of their profits to bring desperately needed medical assistance to Haiti. This Saturday through Superbowl weekend, you can do your part by spending with these vendors:
http://savehaitisaturday.com/participating-venues/
Also, this weekend The Haiti Mizik Relief concert will take place at Bayfront Park- Saturday 4pm – 10pm, Sunday 2pm – 8pm with 100% of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross:
With so many cool and great events to raise money, being socially conscious and helping our neighbors is the easy and RIGHT thing to do!
MIA Art Fair
Its cold and rainy in Miami, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking out the MIA Art Fair where you can see fantastic art AND stay toasty warm at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The Fair is up through tomorrow:
http://www.mia-artfair.com/fair_info.html
The fair is worth checking out even if its just for the amazing installation by Colombian artist Federico Uribe at the Praxis International booth. Scenes ranging from farm animals and jungle animals and even interior scenes with human figures- all made out of ordinary objects such as sneakers, pencils and flip flops!: http://praxisart.net/
Lyle O. Reitzel Gallery has a gorgeous collection of works by one of my favorite artists, Cuban painter Jose Bedia:
Chapel Hill gallery B+G Fine Arts has great prints by big named artists like James Rosenquist & Helen Frankenthaler, affordable and solid art investments:
Costa Rican gallery Jacob Karpio has fun things including a sculpture made out of clothes pins by Gerry Stecca https://gerrystecca.com/Home_Page.html
& large scale soft sculptures by Priscilla Monge http://priscillamonge.com/?detectflash=false&:
The show also includes works by other artists I really like such as Pablo Cano:
http://www.canoart.com/artistcv.htm
& a beautiful piece by Argentinian artist Sebastian Spreng: http://www.sebastianspreng.net/
Diana Lowenstein Gallery always has cool things: http://www.dlfinearts.com/
The show is on today and tomorrow- its small and easy to see in an hour, a great way to see and support the arts and stay warm through our cold spell!
Featured in Miami Best of 2010!
Am honored to be a part of Miami’s Best of The City 2010 edition!!
SO excited to be included!!
http://miami.modernluxury.com/style/best-home-home-makeover-claudia-miyar
The beautiful portrait was taken by Jacqueline Rios- jacx03@aol.com
Maybe your New Year’s resolution was to do more cultural activities- perhaps having to do with film, or music or architecture or art?? This FREE event combines all of that! Thursday January 7th The Tower Theater is screening Argentinian film-maker Eduardo Montes-Bradley’s documentary about Cuban-American painter Humberto Calzada. A cocktail reception and classical guitar concert follows.
The Tower Theater, this Thursday January 7th from 6-8pm. Space is limited so call 305-666-6402 OR register at the link below:
www.channel2.org/guide/2010_01/hl_calzada.asp
To watch a preview of the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJRYSa6FrtM
More information about the filmmaker:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Montes-Bradley
More information about the artist:
http://www.insulaverde.com/English–AboutArtist/aboutmain.html
The artist’s studio
If you can’t make the screening, check out the film on January 12 on PBS:
NYE: Ideas for ringing in 2010!
Still not sure how to ring in the New Year? There are great options for those looking to rock out all night, enjoy an amazing meal or just have a recession-friendly good time!
For the party people:
Lady Gaga at the Fontainebleau, the biggest star of 2009 ringing in 2010!: http://www.fontainebleau.com/gcm/nar/en-us/miamibeach/savor/ladygaga/ladygaga.htm
LA Riots at the Louis Bar at the Gansevoort should be a blast for those who want to bring in 2010 in true rock star style- general admission $150: http://www.wantickets.com/affiliates/EventDetail.aspx?id=273&e_id=63412
Nikki Beach is hosting its annual party with VIP options galore. This is for those who want to ring in the New Year surrounded by the young, hot and hip: $75 general admission: http://www.nikkibeachevents.com/admissions
Opium Group Multi-Pass VIP is perfect for those die-hard party people who want to party ALL NIGHT (!) with access to six different parties for $500! Kid Cudi & John Legend at the W should be very glam: http://www.wantickets.com/affiliates/EventDetail.aspx?id=273&e_id=95032&title=MULTI-PASS-ACCESS-VIP-for-CAMEO-MANSION-SET-LOUIS-W-Hotel-OPIUM-HARD-ROCK
The Raliegh is celebrating its 70th anniversary with what is sure to be a glamorous evening- a “Rat Pack” themed New Year’s party! Offering both a dinner package at $300 per person and a Drinks & Hors de oeuvres package from 10-2 at $200 per person. For reservations: NewYearsEve@raleighhotel.com or call 305-612-1173
Viceroy’s Club 50 in Brickel is hosting a party in its luxe indoor/outdoor lounge on the 50th floor with stunning views of the city. $200 general admission, includes open bar from 8:30 pm to 12:3- am and ladies tickets in advance are $75 Overnights packages for two start at $895 and Eos will be serving a six course dinner with wine pairings as well NYE@viceroymiami.com or 305-503-4400 x7138
Wish at The Hotel has a four course Prix-Fixe with two seatings- the early seating is $115 per person, later seating is five courses at $185 per person. Both seatings have live Jazz during dinner and access to the Rooftop party starting at 9pm with DJ and fireworks show and complimentary champagne : http://www.wishrestaurant.com/
Joeys Italian Cafe has two “Good Luck” Prix-Fixe menus at $55 and $80: www.joeyswynwood.com which could be a great start to the night before hitting the party with Miami’s hippest hipsters at Bardot: http://bardotmiami.com/lounge/
For more low-key options:
Tobacco Road has a recession-friendly open-bar party with live bands, a DJ, a reggae group- all for $35! Gotta love the oldest bar in Miami!: http://www.tobacco-road.com/events-tobacco-road.html
The Bar in the Gables. $50 per person gets you drinks, snacks and a champagne toast. Simple, straightforward and lots of fun http://www.gablesthebar.com/main.html
Town Kitchen & Bar in South Miami has NO COVER offers drink specials all night and a champagne toast at midnight- reservations for dinner strongly recommended: http://townkitchenbar.com/
Michael’s Genuine Food & Wine in the Design District offers a Prix-Fixe dinner menu at $125 per person which includes an amuse bouche, snacks and three full courses. Michael’s always has fantastic food, definitely a great option: www.michaelsgenuine.com
BLT Steak at The Betsy has a Prix-Fixe four course Brazilian dinner with two seatings- a three course dinner at 6pm (for $85 per person) and a four course dinner at 9pm for $160 per person which includes a glass of champagne. The Betsy is beautiful with old colonial Florida style, a charming place to ring in the new year and the food is fabulous: http://www.thebetsyhotel.com/reservations/blt-steak
La Marea at The Tides features a four course Prix-Fixe menu with two seatings, $100 per person for first seating at 6pm, $125 per person for second seating at 9pm. The Tides was decorated by Kelly Wearstler and is very unique and glamorous: http://www.tidessouthbeach.com/dining/lamarea.html
Gibraltar the new restaurant on Grove Isle is beautiful and has great food and great views. A four course Prix-Fixe is $185 per person and there are two seatings at 6pm and 9pm: www.groveisle.com
TAKE NOTE! *** There will be a lunar eclipse**** this NYE According to Susan Miller, expert astrologist who urges us to be aware that on this particular New Year’s Eve will bring intense emotion in a sudden flash: http://www.astrologyzone.com/
“A full moon lunar eclipse is due on December 31 the sign of Cancer. Because Cancer is one of the most emotional signs of the zodiac, it is due to be a time of very big news and intense feelings. You may get engaged and be thrilled or suddenly break up and be very sad, for eclipses bring up these sorts of high contrast situations. Eclipses always provide information that clarifies a situation in a flash, and when it comes, it seems to change the whole complexion of the matter.”
Whatever the eclipse and the New Year brings, I wish everyone a happy healthy and SAFE 2010! XOXOXO
King Mango Strut!
What a gorgeous day for a parade! Today is the 28th annual King Mango Strut in Coconut Grove:
http://www.kingmangostrut.org/
The King Mango Strut originally started by a rejected group from the King Orange Bowl Parade who wanted to enter as the Merry Mango Marching Band, wearing conch shells and playing kazoos and banging on garbage cans, but the parade committee wanted a lot of money and rejected their idea so they decided to start their own irreverent one-of-a-kind spectacle. Featuring The Marching Freds, The Booger King, Cuban Eye for the Gringo Guy, Weapons of Mass Distraction, The league of Dead Voters and many more! The parade starts at 2pm, but the idea is to get there early to get good parking and begin the revelry!
Miami is cool in El Neuvo Herald
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! I am so grateful for all the wonderful gifts I got this year, including the amazing article Ana Remos of el Nuevo Herald wrote about the blog:
http://www.elnuevoherald.com/opinion/columnistas/ana-remos/story/609622.html
Here is a translation in English:
A new generation of young people are taking the torch from their parents, those who have been sculpting the soul of this city, both culturally and socially. One example is Claudia Miyar, 31, daughter of Rafael and Marijean Miyar, pillars of art and social life in this community. Claudia’s new blog, Miami is cool (www.miamiiscool.com), launched during this year’s Art Basel and devoting her first editions to the fair. With a fresh, dynamic language, Claudia discovers unique corners and shows us wonderful things, comments on restaurants and reveals some of the best kept secrets in town. She herself takes all the photos and writes the blog, which renews two or three times a week. The idea of doing it occurred a year ago, when she moved to Miami from New York, where she worked as an editor for such prestigious publications as Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple and O at Home, Oprah Winfrey’s magazine. After seven years, she began to feel nostalgic for Miami and for the warmth and Latinamerican culture. On the other hand she notes that the arrival of Art Basel and the subsequent transformation of this city into a cultural hotbed starred, mostly by the young, was a main factor in her decision to return . When she did return she noticed that there wasn’t a weekly publication or site to go to to find out about interesting places or activities to attend. She played around with the idea for about a year, and with Art Basel approaching, decided to set up the blog and got it up in a week. Her friend Charlie Calderin, graphic designer and founder of Doink (www.doinkdesign.com) created the logo and voila! Her experience as an editor did the rest. Claudia’s idea is to focus not on the frivolous aspect of the city, but in its substance and in that soul hungry for culture which is thriving in Miami. Besides covering art and design, which are her passion, Claudia plans to write about people with style, reviews restaurants and budget-firendly shops, delve into the history of Miami with a section entitled “Did you know? ” about the crazy things that shaped this city, and even interviewing Miami friends thriving other cities, such as her friend Philip Lord, a writer of computer-animated film ‘Cloud With a Chance of Meatballs’ (www.cloudywithachanceofmeatballs.com) , which came out this past September. In addition to her blog Claudia also divides her time between two other jobs: stylist for photo shoots for magazines and catalogs , traveling to New York once a month, and designer in charge of redecorating, reorganizing and renewing the style of homes and offices, www.claudiamiyar.com . From her years working with top Editors of major magazines, she has great contacts and knows all the resources and tricks for working wonders for a quarter of the budget of most decorators. With so much going on she says she hardly has enough time. Having returned home to Miami in2008, this year for Claudia could not have been better. Not surprisingly, her blog is titled “Miami is cool!.
Ana Remos, El Nuevo Herald
Last minute gift: Monopoly Miami!
Its the 23rd! You still have gifts to get! You are running out of ideas!
Miami Monopoly to the rescue- www.monopolymiami.com
Not only is it a great gift for kids, its also good for out-of-towners as a memento of their visit and also a fun way to pass the time with everyone in your family! Featuring great places to experience in the city- The Bass, Vizcaya, Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive- Monopoly Miami is a really cool present at $30
Mention www.miamiiscool.com and get 15% off your purchase at the booth in Dadeland, accross from Mayors & Ann Taylor.
